
Free agents who will transforms new teams
In ESPN The Magazine, Nathan Jahnke writes that a whopping 279 free agents switched squads this offseason. Here are five -- led by Eric Decker -- who will most dramatically transform their new teams.
Anyone remember the travesty that was the Saints' safeties last season? The Seahawks certainly do: They outscored New Orleans 57-22 in two games. That's why ball hawk Jairus Byrd got $28 million guaranteed to relocate to the Big Easy. Here's a statistical skinny on Byrd and four other big-ticket, must-have free agents who will reinvent their units.
Branden Albert
LT, Dolphins - 5 years, $47 Million
Between Jonathan Martin and Bryant McKinnie, Miami's left tackles were a mess in 2013. Martin allowed, on average, one sack, one hit and two hurries per game. And McKinnie gave up four or more pressures in seven of his 10 starts for the Fins. Enter Albert, a 29-year-old former Chief who was the No. 15 pick in 2008. He's been one of the best pass-blocking left tackles since 2011 (see chart).



Jairus Byrd
S, Saints - 6 years, $54 Million
Even last year's additions of CB Keenan Lewis and S Kenny Vaccaro, coupled with CB Corey White's emergence, couldn't cover for Malcolm Jenkins, who allowed 486 passing yards, the second most among NFL safeties. Byrd, 27, allowed just 0.23 yards per coverage snap in Buffalo last season, third best in the league. Plus, as the chart at bottom shows, the three-time Pro Bowler has a penchant for INTs.


