Every year there are various NFL free agent busts and letdowns. The dust has settled on last years 2017 free agency we can evaluate which of last years players did not live up to the contracts given to them.
10 Biggest Free Agent Busts of 2017 NFL Free Agency
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RB Mike Gillislee New England Patriots
Contract: 2 years, 6.4 million 1.5 guaranteed
The New England Patriots were hoping to fill in the hole LeGarrette Blount’s departure left when they signed Mike Gillislee, who was coming off an eight-touchdown year in 2016. Things were looking great for Gillislee early in the year when he found the end zone four times in the first two games of 2017. After that, the New England back ran for only 269 yards and one touchdown. He was behind Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead on the depth chart for most of the season. There’s still hope for a more productive year two with the absence of Lewis now in New England.
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CB Nolan Carroll Dallas Cowboys
Contract: 3 years, 10 million, 4 guaranteed
The Dallas Cowboys were in serious secondary help and looked at the former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback. Nolan Carroll played only two games and got released by Dallas in the 2017 offseason one year into his three-year contract.
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DT Johnathan Hankins Indianapolis Colts
Contract: 3 years, 27 million, 14.5 guaranteed
Johnathan Hankins was supposed to be a key part in the Indianapolis Colts porous front seven that ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed and 30th in total yardage allowed in 2016. Instead, he racked up 24 tackles and one sack while the Colts didn’t improve, ranking 22nd in rushing yards and 31st in total yards allowed. The Colts released Hankins just one year into his big multiyear deal.
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LB Lawrence Timmons Miami Dolphins
Contract: 2 years 12 million, 11 guaranteed
Perhaps the strangest story on this list, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker signed a two-year deal to join the Miami Dolphins. Lawrence Timmons missed the first two games after mysteriously going AWOL and disappearing from the team and getting suspended. Once he came back onto the field he had 58 tackles and zero sacks. He was cut this offseason.
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WR DeSean Jackson Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Contract: 3 years 33.5 million, 20 guaranteed
The speedy receiver came over from the Washington Redskins to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense and team up with Jameis Winston and Mike Evans. Coming off a 1,000-yard season on the Redskins, his production dropped off to 668 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll look to bounce back in his second season with the Bucs.
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RB Adrian Peterson New Orleans Saints
Contract: 2 years 7 million, 3.5 guaranteed
After a Hall of Fame career with the Minnesota Vikings, Adrian Peterson was released. He ended up on the New Orleans Saints roster in a crowded backfield with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. In four games with the Saints, he showed his frustrations with his play time and usage as he put up only 81 yards. He was later traded to the Arizona Cardinals, for a 6th round draft choice, where he managed a decent year with 7 starts, 448 yards, and 2 scores. The Cardinals later released him a couple weeks ago.
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WR Kenny Britt Cleveland Browns
Contract: 4 years 32.5 million, 17 million guaranteed
Fresh off a 1,000-yard season, Kenny Britt signed a massive contract with a dead Cleveland Browns offense. Despite the huge contract, he started only four games out of nine games getting 233 yards on only 18 catches on 38 targets. Britt was ultimately released in Week 14 after only being active nine games and falling out of favor with the Browns coaching staff.
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TE Martellus Bennett Green Bay Packers
Contract: 3 years 21 million, 6.3 million guaranteed
One season after a career year with New England, the Green Bay Packers signed the tight end to bolster Aaron Rodgers’ arsenal. After seven games he caught 24 passes for 233 yards and no touchdowns. Martellus Bennett was dealing with injuries for a majority of the season and was released by Green Bay in Week 10. Bennett retired later this offseason.
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WR Terrelle Pryor Washington Redskins
Contract: 1 year 6 million, 6 million guaranteed
After Terrelle Pryor converted from quarterback to wide receiver and put up 1,000 yards and four touchdowns as a member of the Browns, he was given a one year “prove it” deal with the Redskins. He failed to live up to the hype, starting in only two games, and playing in nine. He put up only one score along with 240 yards on 20 catches. Washington did not resign him.
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QB Mike Glennon Chicago Bears
Contract: 3 years 45 million, 18.5 million
Since Jay Cutler retired, the Chicago Bears were a quarterback needy team. The former 3rd round pick had been on the bench for three years in Tampa Bay. Mike Glennon signed a lucrative, yet low risk, contract. A month later, the Bears drafted Mitchell Trubisky with the 2nd overall pick later in the draft. Glennon started four games going 1-3 while throwing 4 TDs and 5 picks for 833 yards. Chicago cut Glennon as they saw Trubisky was the future at quarterback.
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