NFL Free Agency 2019: Analyzing the biggest contracts offered so far - Part 1

#5 Trey Flowers Detroit Lions for (5-year $80+ million contract)

Trey Flowers

Trey Flowers was the top defensive end available in free agency, with a proven pedigree, having played a major role in New England Patriots' 2 Super Bowl wins over the past 3 seasons.

Detroit Lions led by former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, forked out a premium to sign the 2-time Super Bowl champion. Flowers has agreed to a 5-year contract worth $80 million.

His average salary of $18 million, is the 5th highest in the league in his position, only behind Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald, Demarcus Lawrence, and Von Miller. While his sack production may not match the names above him on the list, but his versatility and experience under Patricia prompted the Lions to pursue him as their number 1 target this offseason.

Flowers' stats may not jump out of the page, but he has proven his value during his time with the Patriots from the seven-technique all the way to the nose tackle. Over the past 3 seasons, he has played in 66.6% of Patriots defensive snaps. He accumulated a total of 21 sacks and 167 tackles during that time period.

At just 26 years, Flowers can become the cornerstone of Detroit's defensive line and help them build on a successful defensive performance from last year when they had 43 sacks (8th in the league) and allowed opposition QBs to throw for just 225 yards per game (8th in league).