NFL teams collectively having slightly more than $1.1 billion of salary cap space at their disposal was responsible for a spending spree when free agency started March 9. With the first wave over, teams will began to exercise more fiscal restraint and start signing players at a much better value. Linebacker Donta Hightower, among the consensus best players available at the start of free agency, remains unsigned. NFL Free Agency The NFLs annual owners meeting, which is March 26-29 in Phoenix, Arizona, typically signifies the end of free agency for all practical purposes. Teams will devote most of their attention to the upcoming NFL Draft held April 27-29 after the meeting wraps up. Here are 10 contract-related thoughts and observations since the start of free agency. 1. Clevelands creativityThe made the most unexpected move of the offseason in bringing an NBA approach to the NFL by taking free-agent bust quarterback Brock Osweilers $16 million fully guaranteed 2017 base salary off the hands without any intention of keeping him. The Texans had to give the Browns, who place a premium on draft capital, their 2018 second-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round pick. Kamren Curl Jersey The Texans acquired a 2017 fourth-round from the Browns in the proce s. The Browns have 11 selections in each of the next two drafts, including three second round picks in 2018. Although the have declared backup quarterback off limits, the Browns have the ammunition to Charles Mann Jersey make New England an offer it cant refuse. The Browns are having a difficult time getting something in return for Osweiler from another team despite a willingne s to eat a significant portion of his salary as a part of a deal. The expectation is Cleveland will release Osweiler if he cant be dealt. The Browns could do this because they began free agency with slightly over $100 million of cap space, which is almost unheard of.Clevelands move is unlikely to start an NFL trend because most teams arent in a salary-cap position to absorb an exorbitant salary for a player that has little to no value to them. 2. If at first you dont succeed, try, try againThe have been one of the NFLs most aggre sive teams in free agency over the past three years, doling out almost $500 million in contracts with very little to show for it. Their 11 wins are the fewest in the NFL during this span.Jacksonvilles free-agency futility hasnt been a deterrent to more spending.Cornerback left the AFC South rival Texans for $65 million over five years with $26 million fully guaranteed at signing. Defensive lineman came in after spending his entire nine-year career with the . His four-year, $60 million deal has $30 million fully guaranteed at signing. Safety landed a four-year, $26 million contract. If Jacksonvilles latest free-agency signings dont help the Jaguars finally move out of the top five of the NFL Draft for the first time since 2011, it should be time to take a different approach to building the roster. 3. Bill Belichicks brillianceAt times, it seems as if Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is playing che s while other teams are playing checkers. The Patriots won Super Bowl LI despite dealing their best pa s rusher, , to the Jonathan Williams Jersey Cardinals last offseason and their most versatile defender, , to the Browns right before the trading deadline. New England isnt standing pat in its quest to repeat as Super Bowl champion. The Patriots acquired wide receiver and a 2017 fourth-round pick from the for New Englands 2017 first-round pick (32nd overall) and a 2017 third-round pick to give the Patriots their best deep threat since Randy Mo s a decade ago. The lo s of tight end to free agency was somewhat offset by the acquisition of and a 2017 sixth-round pick from the for a 2017 fourth-round pick. Getting defensive end , who had a disappointing 2016 season after a three-sack performance in Super Bowl 50, from the only cost the Patriots eight spots in the NFL Draft -- from the bottom of the second round to the early part of the third round. Ealy is an extremely cost-effective replacement for , who received a three-year, $25.5 million contract from the Colts. Ealy is making approximately $900,000 in 2017, the final year of his rookie contract. Belichick made a rare high-priced free-agent signing by landing cornerback from the , a division rival, with a five-year, $65 million contract containing $40 million in guarantees. Patience with inside linebacker Donta Hightower could result in him returning to the Patriots for le s than the $12.5 million per year and Daron Payne Jersey $26.4 million guaranteed Collins got from Cleveland because of a softer than anticipated market. 4. Soft running back marketRunning backs were hot commodities early in free agency last year. re-signed with the for $35.75 million (worth up to $42,937,500 with salary escalators and incentives) over five years with $15 million fully guaranteed. and signed long-term deals with the Jaguars and Texans averaging in exce s of $6.25 million per year. The exact opposite has occurred this year.The top available ball carriers ( , , , and ) are still on the open market. Peterson in particular appears to be in for a rude awakening financially because of the recent history for high-mileage, older running backs. After setting the running back market for the past several years on a deal with the averaging more than $14 million per year, the soon-to-be 32-year-olds compensation might be comparable to the $4 million per year and received as free agents in recent years.Fullback is making out like a bandit. He reportedly received an eye popping four-year, $21 million deal from the , averaging more than twice as much as the NFLs next highest-paid fullback. It was inconceivable that Juszczyk could land a deal averaging more than Peterson a week ago but that is now a distinct po sibility. 5. Who needs an agent? s second foray into self-representation went much better than his first one. Last year, Okung didnt sign with the until the second week of free agency after all of the most lucrative contracts had been given out. Okung took a one-year deal for $5 million Darrell Green Jersey with another $3 million in incentives, which were earned, giving the Broncos an option for an additional four years worth $48 million. Denver refused to pick up the option for the 2017-20 seasons.Surprisingly, Okung was able to replace the option and then some. The gave Okung a four-year, $53 million contract containing $25 million fully guaranteed at signing. The deal makes Okung the NFLs highest-paid offensive lineman with a $13.25 million average yearly salary.6. It starts in the trenchesOffensive linemen have been the biggest beneficiaries of the free-agency spending spree. This might be partially because college spread offenses arent conducive to producing NFL-ready lineman. estab