Top 10 NFL Free Agent Acquisitions of 2014: Detroit Lions’ Golden Tate leads list
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) celebrates his touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Detroit won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Halfway through the season, some free agents have been busts, while others have been instrumental in their teams’ successes. Others, such as New York’s addition of Eric Decker, haven’t necessarily worked out. Without further ado, the top 10 NFL free agent acquisitions of the 2014 offseason so far:
1. Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions
In the past, the Lions’ offense has bogged down after Calvin Johnson missed games because of injury. Megatron hasn’t played in half of Detroit’s games (including the loss against Buffalo, where he got hurt and only recorded one catch for 7 yards). Since that loss to the Bills, the Lions are undefeated, largely due to Tate’s success. Tate has recorded at least five catches in every game this season and he already has 800 yards this season. Over the last few games, he’s made game-changing plays that has led to the Lions being atop the NFC North at 6-2.
2. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Denver Broncos
Ware is back in the top five among NFL sack leaders. In his last two years with Dallas, it looked as if he had lost a step, but he’s proving everyone wrong this year – check out this fake spin that fooled 49ers’ tackle Joe Staley, allowing Ware to sack Colin Kaepernick. Although Ware is 32 years old, he’s averaging more than one sack per game and seems to have the initial burst to blow past linemen that he didn’t seem to have last year.
3. Steve Smith, Sr., WR, Baltimore Ravens
At his current pace, Smith will have about 80 catches and over 1,300 yards with eight touchdowns by the time the season is over. For a 35 year old receiver, those are terrific numbers. Actually, those are terrific numbers for any receiver. Smith is the same deep threat he’s always been and he still has the best stiff-arm in the game.
4. DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins
Although Jackson “only” has three touchdown catches this year, he’s been a huge addition to Washington’s offense, despite the team’s record. Jackson has catches of 81, 60, 57, 64, 49, and 37 yards this year – he gives that offense the big plays that it hasn’t had as long as I can remember. Jackson also leads the league in average yards per catch (20.8) and is 7th among receivers in yards after the catch. Washington signed Jackson without breaking the bank, and he’s produced in a big way.
5. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos
It’s safe to say that Sanders has more than replaced Eric Decker. He brings an element of speed to the Broncos’ offense that Decker didn’t. Many thought that Decker’s choice to leave for New York and collect a big paycheck would be hurtful to Denver’s offense, but John Elway and the front office more than compensated for that by signing Sanders. In his career before this season (four years with Pittsburgh), he never had a 100 yard game. He already has four in seven games with Denver.