Tennessee Football: Former Vols ink big deals in NFL Free Agency
Monday was a good day for former Tennessee football players, as three different alumni inked big deals with new teams.
It was a huge day for three different former Vols yesterday, including two landing deals that put them at the highest-paying player at their position. Many former Vols are having very successful careers in the NFL and yesterday shows the success many of these former players are having.
Justin Coleman
Justin Coleman started the day off landing a deal with the Detriot Lions.
Lions expected to make Justin Coleman league's highest-paid nickel CB. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/3tayPD1aKy
— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2019
The deal is said to be a four-year deal, worth $36 million. Coleman is coming off of his best year yet with the Seattle Seahawks. He finished with 55 tackles, while grabbing one interception, forced one fumble and recovered two fumbles, which included a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Justin Coleman allowed a sub-85.0 passer rating to the slot in each of the past two seasons (84.3 in 2018 14th-lowest, 84.6 in 2017 13th-lowest)
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) March 11, 2019
Slot coverage in 2018 (rank):
Coverage snaps - 404 (7th)
Yards per coverage snaps - 1.0 (T-12th)
Coverage snaps per rec. - 10.4 (9th) https://t.co/gkkbTxgipk
Coleman received a ton of praise from Pro Football Focus, as this tweet above focuses in on his numbers compared to the rest of the nickel cornerbacks across the league.
Malik Jackson
Malik Jackson signed a deal yesterday with the Philadelphia Eagles, just days after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars dumped a few players this past weekend, looking to move money in order to sign Nick Foles, in which they did on Monday.
Update: Eagles deal with Malik Jackson is expected to be three-year deal worth $30M, per @RapSheet https://t.co/t5t0cbKiLb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 11, 2019
Jackson signed a three-year deal worth $30 million, adding to an already stacked defensive line. Jackson starred on a Jaguars defense that was one of the best defenses in the league over the last few seasons. Now Jackson will star on a defensive line that features Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Chris Long, and former Vol Derek Barnett.
Jackson finished with 32 tackles last season, which included 3.5 sacks and seven TFLs.
Ja’Wuan James
Later in the day, Ja’Waun James signed a four-year, $52-million deal with the Denver Broncos, which included $32 million guaranteed.
Former Dolpins’ OT JaWuan James intends to sign a four-year, $52 million deal that includes $32 million guaranteed with the Denver Broncos, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2019
NFL Insider, Adam Schefter first reported on this deal. This deal makes James the highest paid right tackle in the league. Lane Johnson of the Eagles was the highest paid right tackle in the NFL, earning $11.2 million a year, but with this deal, James earns $12.75 million a year.
James has played in 62 games throughout his five seasons on the Miami Dolphins and started all 62 of those games. James is coming off of a season where he only committed just three penalties all season long.
Overall, it was a great day for former Volunteers, as a few players inked deals with new teams. With the success of many VFL’s, I wouldn’t be surprised to see many more Volunteers ink big deals here in the near future.