The Atlantic City Phantoms enter their second season under new ownership. The first season was painful but expected. The 2029 season saw 14 rookies on the roster as the rebuilding of the roster began. For 2030, ACI enters the draft with 8 selections, including the #2 overall pick. In addition, the management team has finally decided to spend a portion of their league high cap space (with a target of players with 6 year’s experience or less). The results so far have been very positive.

Free Agents Signed

C Jimmie Mathews – 5th year – 70/70 - $66.97mil., 5 yrs
Roosevelt Shepard, a second round pick last year, has a bright future but Mathews is a beast right now.

OLB J.C. Morrison – 8th year – 64/64 - $57.41 mil., 4 yrs
In his 8th year, Morrison is a bit older than what ACI was looking for but he fills a huge need at linebacker.

T Wesley Sample – 5th year – 58/58 - $47.53 mil., 4 yrs
Another large chunck of money was used for the signing of Sample. A tremendous pass blocker, Sample slides into the left tackle spot.

DE Johnnie Kelly – 5th year – 45/45 - $44.81 mil., 4 yrs
Defensive was a major area of need and Kelly is the first piece of the puzzle. The Phantoms may have overpaid for Kelly but when you have the cap space and a major need you can take a chance or two.

K Dixon French – 8th year – 78/78 - $33.02 mil., 5 yrs
One of the best ways to improve a weak offense is to get a big time kicker. French is one of the best in the league

DT J.R. Rudolph – 5th year – 50/50 - $8.24 mil., 3 yrs
Rudolph will be part of a four man rotation at defensive tackle.

WR Buddy Wright – 6th year – 38/38 - $11.05 mil., 3 yrs
Wright is the first of many new wide receivers on the horizon for the Phantoms. Entering free agency, there were zero wide receivers signed to the roster.

G Harry Newsome – 6th year – 47/47 - $16.56 mil., 3 yrs
The rebuild of the offensive line continues. Newsome is a solid player who provides something ACI hasn’t had in a while – quality depth.

G Jessie Blackwell – 6th year – 45/45 - $16.93 mil., 3 yrs
See Harry Newsom above

G Donnie Crumley – 5th year – 40/40 - $3.34 mil, 3 yrs
See Jessie Blackwell above.

QB Tyrone Dillon – 5th year – 36/36 - $5.51 mil., 2 yrs
Dillon was signed to a one year contract in 2029 to give a veteran presence at quarterback. While he didn’t have a great year, he was a steady performer and will be back for at least 2 more years as ACI tries to figure out who is the future QB of this team.

DT R.J. Bye – 6th year – 49/49 - $4.84 mil., 2 yrs
Bye is very similar to Rudolph and will be part of the defensive line rotation.

FB Jeremy Wilkerson – 5th year – 45/45 - $4.35 mil., 2 yrs
While fullback was not a great need, Wilkerson is a very talented player. And you build teams with talented players.

TE Edgar Poston – 5th year – 34/34 - $3.67 mil., 2 yrs
Tight end was a weakness last year and Poston was signed to increase the competition. While he is by no means a star, he is another player with good skills that you need to fill out a roster.

OLB Kurt Watson – 5th year – 41/41 - $12.27 mil., 3 yrs
A solid backup to Morrison at SLB who may challenge for a starting spot at WLB depending on the draft.

S Desmond Clemons – 6th year – 40/40 - $3.38 mil., 1 yr
Clemons was resigned to a one year deal. He is a solid safety but not a long term solution.

RB Grant Fontenot – 2nd year – 32/36 - $2.42 mil., 2 yrs
A young speedster who was resigned to provide some depth at the bottom of the roster.

G Donny Blackburn – 6th year – 39/39 - $16.32 mil., 3 yrs
Blackburn was resigned as even more offensive line depth.

DE Lawrence Vergara – 4th year – 33/42 - $3.91 mil., 2 yrs
Vergara was resigned based on his potential as a situational run stopping defense end.

CB Nate Marsh – 2nd year – 12/23 - $2.11 mil., 2 yrs
Marsh was signed strictly as a kickoff return specialist.

WR Russell Raymond – 2nd year – 16/24 - $2.21 mil., 2 yrs
Raymond was signed for one reason only – as a punt returner.

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