As the dust settles for the first phase of the 2020 #NFL free agency, a lot of big named players are going to be enjoying a change of scenery next year. It's too soon to say which moves will have the largest impact, but we can safely look back on last year and figure out which moves had the biggest impact.
I am going to take what I feel are the 3 biggest moves in free agency last year. This doesn't mean they are the best player, but rather had the largest impact.
3. Frank Clark - Chiefs
Winning the SB means the #Chiefs offseason movements had the biggest impact. Hard to pick between Clark and the Honey Badger, but Clark narrows this one out. Chiefs couldn't land a deal with DE Dee Ford, and ultimately traded him to the #49ers. They traded to get Clark from the #Seahawks, who filled the void of Ford. Without him, their defense wouldn't have been able to stop a mild nose bleed.
2. Raheem Mostert - 49ers
Mostert played for the Niners for 2 seasons prior, but was FA and set to leave. He signed a 3 year deal last offseason, keeping him in the bay area for a couple of years. That was huge for the 49ers, who found out they didn't have McKinnon for another year (probably ever), and Tevin Coleman and Matt Bredia weren't reliable enough. Mostert was the feature back and really helped Jimmy G down the stretch. The niners relied on strong defense, a good run offense, and game managing passing. Without Mostert stepping up and getting 772 yards on the ground and 10 total Tds, I don't think they're the 1 seed. Meaning the whole NFC playoffs are shook up.
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick - Dolphins
Cue the laughter. Fitzmagic? He played on the #Dolphins, the 5-11 Dolphins? It's true, it's true. Fitz only went 5-8 as a starter and lost his job to Josh Rosen for 2 weeks. He had a horrendous completion percentage, sub 62%, which was lower than Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky. He through for 3529 yards, 20 Tds and 16 Ints. Surprisingly, if you extrapolate his passing yards over a 16 game season, he would've ranked 6th. Ahead of Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes (missed 2 games).
How has he had the big impact? Well despite the mediocre season, he had arguably the biggest victory of the season last year. That was Week 17 against the, close your eyes #Patriot fans, Patriots. He wasn't at peak magic, throwing for 320 yards and 2 total tds, but he played turnover free football and came away from the game with a W.
That win changed everything. The Patriots fell from the first round bye and ended up as the 3 seed. The Chiefs slid in at #2 and the Pats faced the #Titans in the WC round. If Fitzmagic doesn't beat them week 17, the Patriots get the Bye and Belichick and Brady get another week of prep. The Chiefs likely beat the Titans, Ryan Tannehill doesn't get carried by playoff Henry, he doesn't get his $118M. They make a run at Brady? Who knows. If they beat the Titans, maybe the Patriots win, Brady goes classic goat and wins his 7th SB? Walks off into the sunset. The #Buccaneers don't get Brady, Winston gets tagged or resigned.
If they beat the Pats, they probably are facing the #Ravens. Are they going to beat Jackson? Maybe. But even at that, it's another week of wear and tear, and a little less rejuvenated to face the 49ers. Would've been a much tougher road to win the SB. Mahomes might have lost, and began a league wide question if he's going to be able to win the big game? If he can make the playoff run? If he's clutch?
All right, maybe a bit far fetched, but anything could've happened. Now you can say every game matters, if so and so won or lost, that one big play. Look they all make a difference, but this is more fun. If it wasn't for Fitzmagic, this league would be different. A few of you should send him a thank you card/tweet/or tik tok.
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