The major flurry period of NFL free agency has ended and most teams are now starting to look toward the upcoming draft at the end of April or find cheap free agents. Out of all the free agents that got paid big money, these are three of the younger ones that got paid a boatload of cash and will now have lots of pressure on them to live up to what they are getting paid to do.
Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gimore may seem like a strange choice, since he made his first pro bowl last season, but there is more here than meets the eye. According to advanced stat and analysis site Pro Football Focus (PFF), Gilmore got ranked as the 82nd best cornerback through the first half of 2016.
Gilmore did play better in the second half of 2016, finishing the year rated 61st. The year before, Gilmore finished as the 14th best cornerback on PFF, but this adds to his perception of being a streaky player.
The Patriots gave Gilmore a 5 year, $65 million contract, which is unusual since the team usually doesn't give out this kind of big money deal to free agents or even their own players. Gilmore will have to replace Logan Ryan, who got 3 years, $30 million from the Tennessee Titans. He also may have to replace Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler, who has been frustrated with the lack of a big contract from New England and has met with the New Orleans Saints. Simply put, Gilmore's streaky play, rare big money deal, and possibly replacing a beloved Super Bowl hero will put a lot of pressure on him to perform well.
Robert Woods
The Los Angeles Rams gave Robert Woods a 5 year, $39 million contract to hopefully help their anemic offensive and young quarterback Jared Goff. Only 24, Woods has already played four seasons in the NFL in Buffalo, serving as the No. 2 receiver to Stevie Johnson and later Sammy Watkins. His best season was in 2014 when he had 65 catches for 699 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Rams are now hoping that he can grow into their new offensive as their No. 1 receiver, something that Woods has never been asked to do.
The Rams just let No. 1 receiver Kenny Britt walk in free agency, after he was their first 1,000 yard receiver since Torry Holt in 2007. With the team not having a first round draft pick, it is highly unlikely that they will be able to draft a receiver that would be a potential No.
1 option. With the money he is making, all the pressure will fall on Woods to develop into a No. 1 threat, replace Britt, and help revive a horrible passing offense.
Mike Glennon
The Chicago Bears gave Mike Glennon a 3 year, $45 million contract. In four seasons in the NFL Glennon has thrown for 4,100 yards, 30 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, a 59.4% completion rate, and has a 5-13 record as a starter. While Glennon's contract is very team friendly, since $16 million of his $18 million in guaranteed money comes in 2017, the Bears obviously still hope he can show enough in one year to prove he is their future quarterback.
More pressure will be on Glennon since the Bears will still most likely draft a developmental quarterback to learn behind him, even if that choice will no longer come in the first round. Since the team can basically walk away from Glennon after a year and he will likely have a rookie waiting in the wings, Glennon will be under a lot of pressure to play well.
