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With the first wave of 2017 NFL Free Agency come and gone grades are assigned for all 32 teams for the work —or lack thereof— during this phase
2017 NFL free agency is here, and it couldn't have come soon enough. Once the Super Bowl is over it feels like an eternity until the new season begins in the NFL. Of course, it really isn't that long, but for die hard fans that lack of action for a month feels like torture. Then the legal tampering period begins—which may be the dumbest thing ever, but that's for another day. Two days after that, the league year opens and the moves begin.
From that point on it's hard to keep up with the flurry of action. Players who were secondary options on their respective rosters suddenly get paid like stars. On the flip-side, veterans whose name and notoriety has far surpassed their actual play get axed.
Some examples of that include wide receiver Robert Woods landing a massive deal to go from a No. 2 wideout in Buffalo to being the man for the Los Angeles Rams. Then there was the Philadelphia Eagles cutting outside linebacker Connor Barwin.
Those are just two of the many moves that highlighted the first wave of 2017 NFL free agency. Now that the action has slowed down some each team can be graded for how they performed—or maybe how they didn't—so far in the new football year.
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) against New England Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (71) at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals: B-
Keeping their best pass rusher in outside linebacker Chandler Jones was huge and, although defensive end Calais Campbell has been a good player for years, the Arizona Cardinals did the right thing letting him walk. He will be 31 years old soon and winning teams don't pay guys that age huge deals—the Jacksonville Jaguars do that. Overall, their arrivals are dwarfed by their departures and there will be some work to do in the draft. At least they haven't reached for anyone though.
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Arrivals:
Antoine Bethea, S
Karlos Dansby, OLB
Phil Dawson, K
Departures:
Calais Campbell, DE
Marcus Cooper, CB
Tony Jefferson, S
Darren Fells, TE
Earl Warford, G
D.J. Swearinger, S
Best Move:
The best thing done thus far by the Arizona Cardinals is re-signing their best pass rusher Chandler Jones. Arizona's best pass rusher was given a five-year deal worth $83 million, with a massive $53 million of that guaranteed.
Worst Move:
So far the worst thing has to be seeing their secondary dwindle with both Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger go, as well as cornerback Marcus Cooper. They have to hope that free safety Tyrann Mathieu is healthy and able to man one of the spots, but they lost two starting caliber safeties in Swearinger and Jefferson, in addition to a starting corner.
Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jack Crawford (58) sacks Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons: C
They still have veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney sitting there unsigned, which will probably remain the case as they search for more permanent solutions to their pass rushing woes. To this point, the Atlanta Falcons have been incredibly quiet, obviously content to ride with the players they have while drafting some more depth. Not a terrible strategy at all, but they do need more pass rush help besides a rotational guy from Dallas.
Arrivals:
Jack Crawford, DE
Departures:
Patrick DiMarco, FB
Aldrick Robinson, WR
Paul Worrilow, LB
Best Move:
This one is easy because they haven't done anything besides sign Jack Crawford. Sure they re-signed backup quarterback Matt Schaub and tight end Levine Toilolo, but neither of those moves were earth shattering. Crawford has 7.5 sacks in the past two seasons in a reserve role for the Cowboys and can play end or tackle. He's a very underrated signing.
Worst Move:
There really isn't a worst move just yet. The loss of fullback Patrick DiMarco made sense because Buffalo paid a lot for a fullback—which is a dying position in the NFL. Linebacker Paul Worrilow also wasn't a huge loss as he no longer was a regular starter for the Falcons.
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens: B-
The Ravens lost a few players, but for the most part have done well. Signing Danny Woodhead is a bit of a head scratcher since he's on the wrong side of 30 and the team has tried to go the free agency route in the past for running backs, only to see it end badly.
Arrivals:
Tony Jefferson, S
Danny Woodhead, RB
Departures:
Ricky Wagner, T
Lawrence Guy, DE
Kyle Juszczyk, FB
Best Move:
The best thing the Ravens have done thus far is re-sign nose tackle Brandon Williams. The 335-pound Williams has developed into a key cog in the Ravens defensive line. His best trait is his ability to stuff the run. Keeping him allows them to stay competitive on defense in that regard. The move for Tony Jefferson is also a great one. He will pair nicely with Eric Weddle, although there has to be questions about when age will catch up the free agent safety they got last season from the Chargers.
Worst Move:
Going for age, failing to draft. The signing of Jefferson is great because he is just 25 years old, but the Ravens did just sign Eric Weddle last season to a huge deal and he recently turned 32 years old. For a team that is constantly praised for their drafting, the Ravens have had to go for veterans way too often and did so again with 32-year old Danny Woodhead at running back. Look around their roster and they have been full of guys the team didn't draft. If Baltimore ever wants to start being dominate again, then general manager Ozzie Newsome needs to start living up to the insane praise he gets.
Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) looks to throw a pass during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at New Era Field. Buffalo beats Cleveland 33 to 13. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills: C
The Buffalo Bills lost a lot of talent in the early stages of 2017 NLF free agency, but they avoided total disaster by re-negotiating their contract with Tyrod Taylor. Had they let him go as it seemed they would, this period of the offseason would have been devastating for Buffalo.
Arrivals:
Patrick DiMarco, FB
Mike Tolbert, FB
Philly Brown, WR
Steven Hauschka, K
Micah Hyde, S
Departures:
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Robert Woods, WR
Lerentee McCray, LB
Marquise Goodwin, WR
Best Move:
Keeping Taylor easily wins this one. There were reports that the front office wanted to dump him, but that rookie head coach Sean McDermott wanted him to stay. That makes sense because McDermott would be the one to ultimately lose his job had his starting quarterback been inadequately replaced. Getting safety Micah Hyde was a win as well. He has proven to be a game changer in recent years for the Green Bay Packers.
Worst Move:
The weirdest move was signing two fullbacks. It's kind of a dying position in the NFL and the Bills decided paying Patrick DiMarco $8.4 million over four years made sense. They also decided adding Tolbert behind him was wise as well —albeit that one was a much smaller contract. That's not the worst move though—the worst move was letting both Woods and Goodwin go. They now will be desperate for receiver help with Sammy Watkins being pretty much all on his own now.
Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) on the line of scrimmage in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers: D+
The best thing about the Carolina Panthers offseason has to be signing two Charles Johnsons. After re-signing their own defensive end by that name, they went out and signed the Minnesota Vikings receiver of the same name. They also went back in time by bringing in some of their former players in defensive end Julius Peppers and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
Arrivals:
Russell Shepard, WR
Julius Peppers, DE
Captain Munnerlyn, CB
Matt Kalil, LT
Charles Johnson, WR
Mike Adams, S
Departures:
Kony Ealy, DE
Philly Brown, WR
Ted Ginn, Jr., WR
A.J. Klein, MLB
Mike Tolbert, FB
Mike Remmers, OT
Best Move:
Replacing Ginn, Jr. with the combination of Charles Johnson and Russell Shepard was smart. Both are decent players and can compete to become a much needed slot receiver. The best move though was getting left tackle Matt Kalil. He may not be the best—and they slightly overpaid—but then again most people thought Michael Oher was done before he excelled with Carolina. They could have similar success with Kalil and it also frees them up to draft a skill player with their top pick in the upcoming draft.
Worst Move:
Trading Kony Ealy was dumb. They moved up eight picks in the draft and the cost was an effective pass rusher. Had they not picked up a few decent players, they would have gotten an F based on that trade alone. No one in the NFL should trade with the Patriots because they are ripping you off. It doesn't matter what you think you are getting, they are winning the deal. Without that move, their grade is much higher, although the Peppers signing makes little sense as well given his age.
Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) throws a pass during the second half of a football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. The Falcons won 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears: B-
The Chicago Bears have been one of the most active teams in 2017 NFL free agency. They got themselves a starting quarterback in Mike Glennon from Tampa Bay, a starting safety in Quintin Demps, a starting corner in Prince Amukamara, and two receivers to compete for a starting spot in Markus Wheaton from Pittsburgh and Kendall Wright from Tennessee.
Arrivals:
Mike Glennon, QB
Quintin Demps, S
Kendall Wright, WR
Dion Sims, TE
Prince Amukamara, CB
Markus Wheaton, WR
Departures:
Matt Barkley, QB
Brian Hoyer, QB
Logan Paulsen, TE
Alshon Jeffery, WR
Best Move:
Cutting Jay Cutler. He wasn't the answer at quarterback and, while Glennon has yet to prove he is much better as a player, he at least doesn't seem like he's miserable being on the team. They were also smart to let wideout Alshon Jeffery walk as this team is too far away to dedicate $14 million per year to a wide out.
Worst Move:
Probably overpaying Glennon. They could have gotten similar results out of Brian Hoyer for much cheaper, but obviously believe that Glennon gives them a higher ceiling. It will either look like the Brock Osweiler signing for the Texans last season, or the Jake Delhomme signing by the Panthers when John Fox was the coach there. Now with Fox coaching the Bears, he hopes to find more success with someone's backup passer.
Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones (24) watches a replay of a running back Jeremy Hill (not pictured) fumble in the fourth quarter of the NFL AFC wild-card playoff game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK
Cincinnati Bengals: D
The Bengals have done nearly nothing in free agency. They were able to keep corner Dre Kirkpatrick and receiver Brandon LaFell, but outside of that they've only lost two starting offensive linemen. With left tackle Andrew Whitworth leaving along with starting guard Kevin Zeitler, things could get even tougher for quarterback Andy Dalton this season.
Arrivals:
None
Departures:
Andrew Whitworth, OT
Karlos Dansby, LB
Kevin Zeitler, G
Best Move:
The best move during 2017 NFL free agency for the Cincinnati Bengals was re-signing cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. While he hasn't lived up to his draft status, Kirkpatrick has been a solid player for Cincy. Keeping him on the roster is great for them should they decide to finally release troubled corner Adam Jones. Keeping LaFell was smart too, he is a decent veteran option for the team, but shouldn't stop them from adding a rookie in the draft.
Worst Move:
Keeping Adam Jones. After yet another arrest, the troubled cornerback kept his job. It makes no sense why the Bengals are unfazed by troubled players. To show just how little they care about how people act, they seem to be the one NFL team showing interest in running back Joe Mixon leading up to the draft. Mixon is a talented player, but there is a video out there of him punching a woman in the face.
Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) brings down Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns: A-
The strategy of the Cleveland Browns is brilliant, get as many picks as possible. They now own 22 picks in the next two NFL drafts and will be able to add a ton of talent to their roster. The key will be hitting on those picks, which they haven't had the best track record in.
Arrivals:
Kevin Zeitler, G
J.C. Tretter, C
Marcus Martin, C
Kenny Britt, WR
Departures:
Terrelle Pryor, WR
Robert Griffin III, QB
Josh McCown, QB
Best Move:
The Browns best move has to be their attention to stacking up their O-line. Brigning in J.C. Tretter and Kevin Zeitler was huge, but they also extended Joel Bitonio in an attempt to build one of the better lines in the league. They also used their cap space to attain a second-round pick, trading for Brock Osweiler and his awful contract with the Houston Texans. He most likely will be cut, but they get a premium pick for their trouble.
Worst Move:
It could be letting Terrelle Pryor walk, but signing receiver Kenny Britt may offset that. Pryor was good last season, but it could have been due to a lack of other options. Britt on the other hand has been playing the position a lot longer and is still just one year older.
Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys: B
The Dallas Cowboys have made a lot of noise in free agency, but not because of moves they made. The noise is centered around them not releasing quarterback Tony Romo after telling him they would. The Houston Texans are to blame as their trade of Brock Osweiler made quarterback a bigger need for a team Romo was tied to, so the Boys wisely decided to try and get something for him. Romo may not like it, but they would be wrong to not at least try.
Arrivals:
Nolan Carroll, CB
Damontre Moore, DE
Stephen Paea, DT
Departures:
Jack Crawford, DE
Terrell McClain, DT
Ronald Leary, G
J.J. Wilcox, S
Barry Church, S
Best Move:
Signing the players they did were all smart. They got a starting corner in Nolan Carroll on the cheap, which frees them up in talks with players like Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne at the same position. Terrell McClain came over on a small contract and excelled under defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. Defensive tackle Stephe Paea has a history with Marinelli and could be a great replacement. The best move though was re-signing wide receiver Terrance Williams for just $17 million over four years. He could have gotten much more, but they obviously made him feel wanted in other ways.
Worst Move:
Letting safety J.J. Wilcox go. While it's admirable to have faith in your scouting team to replace anyone, Wilcox was an underrated player in Dallas. He will become a starter in Tampa Bay and they should be very happy with him.
Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Ronald Leary (65) in action during the game against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys defeat the Dolphins 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos: B
Many in the NFL world thought the Denver Broncos may have made one of the biggest moves in 2017 NFL free agency, but that hasn't happened yet. Along with the Houston Texans, the Broncos were considered a potential landing spot for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. The team decided not to cut Romo, though, so the Broncos instead have only done a little bit of offensive line shuffling so far.
Arrivals:
Ronald Leary, G
Menelik Watson, OT
Departures:
Russell Okung, OT
Best Move:
Picking up the talented guard Ronald Leary from Dallas was a great move, and thus far is the top transaction Denver has been a part of. Undrafted out of Memphis back in 2012, Leary had grown into a reliable blocker on the left side of the Cowboys line. He started 47 games, but was not retained by the Cowboys because he wound up behind the talented La'El Collins at left guard. The Broncos struggled in the run game last season, and Leary is a road grader that can help remedy that.
Worst Move:
So far their moves have been smart, so nothing makes the "worst" list just yet. Losing left tackle Russell Okung was a sting, especially since he stayed in division by signing with the Chargers. Yet the Broncos saw him as a one year rental and did pick up a capable player for much cheaper in Menelik Watson.
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions: B-
The Detroit Lions need some help on defense, but they didn't make a huge splash in the first wave to try and do so. Instead they picked up some smart pieces like Paul Worrilow and even snagged a starting guard from a divisional rival by agreeing to terms with the Green Bay Packers T.J. Lang.
Arrivals:
T.J. Lang, G
Darren Fells, TE
Ricky Wagner, OT
Akeem Spence, DT
Paul Worrilow, LB
Departures:
Larry Warford, G
Riley Reiff, OT
Best Move:
The Lang signing was huge. The Packers boasted an amazing offensive line last season but they were seriously weakened when Detroit swooped in and stole their best interior guy. The signing of Ricky Wagner was a good move as well, which comes in right behind the Lang deal. They replaced their two big losses with those moves and they also upgraded their defense some with Paul Worrilow and Akeem Spence.
Worst Move:
Losing starting tackle Riley Reiff is the worst move, but signing Wagner offsets it. That's what keeps their grade where it is as they added some pieces while replacing their slim losses. It's a great start to the offseason for the runners up in the NFC North.
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) makes a catch against Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) during the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers: C+
After getting to the NFC Championship game and losing in embarrassing fashion they decided they had a fever…and the only thing to fix it was more tight ends! After seeing how helpful it was to have someone like Jared Cook in the middle of the field they decided to go for an upgrade with Martellus Bennett. They also felt they should get more at the position with Lance Kendricks as well.
Arrivals:
Martellus Bennett, TE
Lance Kendricks, TE
Departures:
Micah Hyde, S
Jared Cook, TE
T.J. Lang, G
Julius Peppers, OLB
J.C. Tretter, C
Best Move:
Signing Martellus Bennett is interesting. He played for a divisional rival in Chicago, so they know him well. He's kind of a goofball though, so it seems weird to have a team like Green Bay interested. Still, he will be an upgrade over Cook for sure.
Worst Move:
Losing T.J. Lang was hard. Last season the Packers were able to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers rather well thanks to their offensive line. Now losing their best guy in Lang as well as a good player in J.C. Tretter will be hard to overcome. Overall they got better at tight end, but worse on the offensive line. The Packers are smart though, so no reason to panic just yet.
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and strong safety Corey Moore (43) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) and defensive back Robert Nelson (32) celebrate an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans: D+
Not many moves had been made at all for the Houston Texans. They lost a guy who was arguably their best corner in A.J. Buoye because general manager Rick Smith paid too much money to guys who were inferior to him. They also lost a key rotational pass rusher in John Simon and a starting safety who led the team in interceptions last season in Quintin Demps.
Arrivals:
None
Departures:
A.J. Bouye, CB
John Simon, LB
Quintin Demps, S
Best Move:
The best move was getting out from quarterback Brock Osweiler's contract. However, you can't really grade them too high for losing a second-round pick due to their bad decision making a season ago. They also messed that up and made the move before Dallas cut their best potential replacement, Tony Romo. Once it became clear that Houston was desperate for a quarterback, Dallas decided to try and force them into a trade. They were going to have to carry Romo's cap charge until June anyway since he would have been a June 1 cut, so Dallas loses nothing by waiting.
Worst Move:
Losing two of their three guys to divisional rivals is awful. A.J. Bouye is going to face them twice a season with the Jaguars as will John Simon with the Colts. Bouye is the best player they lost, but the worst move was letting Quintin Demps go. Without him and his six picks from a season ago, the safety group is much weaker now.
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard (93) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts: B-
They have done a good job trying to beef up their pass rush so far. While they didn't break the bank for anyone elite, they did take a chance on a former top ten pick in Barkevious Mingo while also grabbing the talented Jabaal Sheard—both of whom won a title with the Patriots last season. They also added John Simon, an underrated outside linebacker who played well as a rotational edge rusher for the Houston Texans.
Arrivals:
Barkevious Mingo, DE/LB
Jabaal Sheard, DE/LB
John Simon, LB
Jeff Locke, P
Departures:
Mike Adams, S
Dwayne Allen, TE
Best Move:
Signing Jabaal Sheard is the top move they have made thus far. Sheard was a good player for the Pats, but also was never a full time starter. He showed much more promise when he was a member of the Cleveland Browns, and Indy will try and tap into that potential he showed.
Worst Move:
Trading Dwayne Allen. Just because they signed Jack Doyle to an extension didn't mean they had to bail on the deal they gave Allen the previous season. With how much the Colts like to throw the ball, it would be better to have several options all over the field.
Dec 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys strong safety Barry Church (42) before the game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars: A
The Jacksonville Jaguars did it again. The past couple of seasons they have gone nuts during free agency and picked up some crazy talent. This year they went for the best cornerback on the market in A.J. Bouye from the Houston Texans, a top safety in Barry Church from the Dallas Cowboys, and the best defensive lineman in Calais Campbell from the Arizona Cardinals. Will it pay off this season? Who knows, but it will be fun to watch.
Arrivals:
A.J. Bouye, CB
Barry Church, S
Calais Campbell, DE
Audie Cole, MLB
Lerentee McCray, LB
Earl Watford, G
Branden Albert, OT
Departures:
Prince Amukamara, CB
Johnathan Cyprien, S
Kelvin Beachum, OT
Julius Thomas, TE
Best Move:
Signing A.J. Bouye was the best move for three reasons. Firs, he's a really, really good cornerback. No. 2, two they stole him from a divisional rival in the Houston Texans. Lastly, another divisional rival—Indianapolis—was interested in him as well. Any time you can steal from your competitors it's a win, and they pretty much took him from two of theirs.
Worst Move:
The worst move for them may have been losing Johnathan Cyprien. He was a hard hitting safety, and, despite Barry Church being signed, it may not be a complete wash.
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) is introduced prior to the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs: D+
The Kansas City Chiefs are messing around and it may hurt them. They did the right thing letting Jamaal Charles go, but allowing nose tackle Dontari Poe to go visit team after team is not good. They should have found a way to come to terms with him as, if he does indeed leave, their line will suffer.
Arrivals:
None
Departures:
Nick Foles, QB
Jamaal Charles, RB
Best Move:
Re-signing safety Eric Berry. Getting him back on a long-term deal was huge. He's the leader of this defense and is arguably one of the best two-or-three safeties in the entire NFL. It was also the right move to allow Charles to move on to his next chapter. He's one of the best to ever play for the Chiefs—and that's saying something with their history—but age and injuries caught up with him.
Worst Move:
Letting Poe walk. While it isn't official yet, Poe looks to be all but gone and it's not good for Kansas City. This is a team that wins based on defense and Poe was as big a part of that as anybody else. What Berry means to the defensive backfield, Poe means to the front seven.
Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung (73) pass protects in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Chargers: B
The Los Angeles Chargers made just one move so far, but it was a good one. They signed left tackle Russell Okung, which eliminates a big need on the offensive side of the ball. They know quarterback Philip Rivers isn't as mobile as he used to be—and he was never that mobile—but if he is protected he can push the ball downfield. Getting him a legit pass protector is huge.
Arrivals:
Russell Okung, OT
Departures:
Danny Woodhead, RB
Best Move:
Los Angeles could have made a couple more moves and the one for Okung would have taken the cake still. The Seahawks saw his value when he left and their quarterback, Russell Wilson, spent all of 2016 running for his life. It also frees them up in the early first round to pick an explosive playmaker without having to address River's blindside.
Worst Move:
Losing Danny Woodhead will sting. He was a valuable contributor, especially as a third down back who Rivers could rely on as a hot route. Not that he's irreplaceable, but he is a good weapon. They do have the luxury of knowing Melvin Gordon excelled as an every down back in 2016 after losing Woodhead to injury, which will surely help.
Dec 11, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams: C
The Los Angeles Rams picked up a blindside blocker in Andrew Whitworth, but at 35 years old it isn't like he's a long term answer. He does afford them the time to find someone else, though, and can help second year quarterback Jared Goff's development by affording him more time to operate. They also let Kenny Britt walk and replaced him with Robert Woods from the Bills and got a young backup quarterback with some upside in Aaron Murray.
Arrivals:
Andrew Whitworth, OT
Robert Woods, WR
Aaron Murray, QB
Departures:
Kenny Britt, WR
Best Move:
Signing Whitworth isn't a long term solution, but it is a good move for this year. Goff struggled mightily as a rookie in 2016 so getting someone to keep him upright during 2017 NFL free agency was huge. He will be 36 before the year starts, so this may not be more than a one-year rental, but without a first-round pick in the upcoming draft—thanks to the trade to get Goff—it was their best bet for the coming season.
Worst Move:
Robert Woods is a good player and he's returning to the stadium he played in while at USC, but wow that was a lot of money. They already dedicated way too much to Tavon Austin and now they're overpaying another No. 2 receiver.
Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. The Patriots won 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins: B-
They let go of an overpriced veteran in defensive end Mario Williams and picked up a talented middle linebacker in Lawrence Timmons. The Miami Dolphins also grabbed a veteran safety in Nate Allen as they are trying to get their defense back up to par during 2017 NFL free agency.
Arrivals:
Lawrence Timmons, MLB
Nate Allen, S
Williams Hayes, DT
Departures:
Dion Sims, TE
Mario Williams, DE
Best Move:
Cutting Mario Williams was huge, but signing him in 2016 was a mistake so they shouldn't be praised too much for that move. He was done when Buffalo cut him and Miami allowed Olivier Vernon to walk while overpaying Williams. That release had to be done, but the best move is getting Lawrence Timmons. The former Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker is coming off five-straight seasons with at least 100 tackles. He has done so in six of the last seven. Timmons is a tackling machine and will bring some toughness to the Dolphins.
Worst Move:
Re-signing Kenny Stills was a good move, but not for what they paid him. With other options on the roster there was no reason to give Still an average of $8 million per year. This one will be a regret of theirs fairly soon.
Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes onto the field prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Colts win 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings: B
It's obvious the Minnesota Vikings knew they needed help along the offensive line. It became even more obvious when they lost Matt Kalil—who joined his brother in Carolina. What they did to counter it was smart though as they stole right tackle Mike Remmers from the same team that signed Kalil while also adding Riley Reiff, who started 69-of-77 games with divisional rival Detroit.
Arrivals:
Mike Remmers, OT
Riley Reiff, OT
Departures:
Charles Johnson, WR
Matt Kalil, OT
Audie Coyle, MLB
Rhett Ellison, TE
Captain Munnerlyn, CB
Jeff Locke, P
Best move:
Signing bookend tackles was smart, it was also the only move so far of the offseason in terms of free agents. However, their best move was cutting Adrian Peterson who has missed 28 games in the past three seasons. There is some talk that he could return on a cheaper deal—so he isn't on the departures list yet— =but getting rid of that contract was good.
Worst Move:
Letting Captain Munnerlyn leave was bad. He is an underrated corner and Minnesota will miss him in their defensive backfield. They will be able to overcome it, so it isn't the worst loss ever, but it's their worse move to this point.
Feb 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick speaks during the Super Bowl LI winning team press conference flanked by the Lombardi Trophy at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots: A+
Don't teams realize they should stop giving things away to the New England Patriots. Brandin Cooks is worth more than the 32nd overall pick, especially in this offense. That was at least understandable though, what made no sense was why in the world the Panthers gave them defensive end Kony Ealy. They gave up a solid pass rusher and moved up eight picks in the draft to do so. Eight. Terrible move by Carolina, wonderful by the Pats.
Arrivals:
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Lawrence Guy, DE
Kony Ealy, DE
Brandin Cooks, WR
Dwayne Allen, TE
Departures:
Chris Long, DE
Barkevious Mingo, DE
Logan Ryan, CB
Martellus Bennett, TE
Jabaal Sheard, DE
Best Move:
The trade for Brandin Cooks and the signing of Stephon Gilmore will get all the hype, but neither one is the best move made by New England. Gilmore was pricey and Cooks cost a first round pick. Don't get me wrong, they were great moves, but the best was getting defensive end Kony Ealy because it literally cost them eight spots in the draft. They have a guy now who will replace the production of one of their departed pass rushers—and could actually do more.
Worst Move:
None. The Patriots are brilliant. They pick up people like Barkevious Mingo, Martellus Bennett, Chris Long, and Michael Floyd knowing full well that they won't keep them the following year. Instead they let them play out their contract, sign elsewhere and then the Pats get the compensatory picks for them. Geniuses. Annoying for anyone rooting against them, but just pure genius. Not one player that left was expected to stay and they knew all along what the score was.
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) carries the ball after a catch for a touchdown in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints: C+
They got a first round pick in exchange for Brandin Cooks, which was good but they broke the cardinal rule—don't trade with New England. The Patriots never lose trades, so Cooks will be better than anything the Saints get. Don't argue with that, it's just fact. To try and add some speed at wide out they brought in Tedd Ginn and added another former Carolina Panther with middle linebacker A.J. Klein.
Arrivals:
Tedd Ginn, WR
Larry Warford, G
A.J. Klein, MLB
Departures:
Jarius Byrd, S
Brandin Cooks, WR
Best Move:
Signing A.J. Klein. He was a solid performer for the Panthers filling in for their stud linebacker Luke Kuechly while he was injured. He will be a helpful player on a team that's in desperate need of playmakers on defense. Letting go of Jarius Byrd had to be done as well. Their pass defense was beyond awful and no one in their secondary deserved to be making huge money.
Worst Move:
Trading Cooks to New England. There had to be someone else out there to deal with. The Pats just aren't fun to trade with because in a couple years time everyone usually looks back and laughs at how bad the deal was. Maybe New Orleans will buck that trend and hit a home run though with the 32nd pick.
Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) tackles Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants: B-
During 2017 NFL free agency, the biggest news around the New York Giants has been about who left—Victor Cruz, a fan favorite wide receiver—and who they kept, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul via the franchise tag. After recovering from knee issues and nearly two full years time off, Cruz returned to New York in 2016. He started out with a game winning touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys on opening night but wound up relegated to bench duty. As for Pierre-Paul it seemed he was destined for free agency after the Giants already designated $85 million to fellow defensive end Olivier Vernon the season before.
Arrivals:
Brandon Marshall, WR
D.J. Fluker, OT/G
Rhett Ellison, TE
Departures:
Marshall Newhouse, OT
Robbie Gould, K
Victor Cruz, WR
Best Move:
Picking up D.J. Fluker is huge because the Giants offensive line is atrocious. Fluker is by no means elite, but his signing helps them start to rebuild the terrible unit. Still, the best move was bringing in Brandon Marshall. They finally have a legit No. 2 receiver who can line up outside opposite Odell Beckham Jr.
Worst Move:
Tagging JPP. He really is an up and down player and has only hit double digit sacks in two of his seven NFL seasons. He is considered an elite rusher—but the stats prove otherwise. With so much already invested in Olivier Vernon, the Giants should have spent that money elsewhere.
Nov 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (not pictured) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets: D-
Is it safe to say the New York Jets are officially a tire fire? They just simply can't seem to succeed at all, no matter what they try. With no quarterbacks to turn to they were linked to both Brian Hoyer and Mike Glennon. Both signed elsewhere and now the Jets have to hope someone is available when they're on the clock with the sixth overall pick. If not, they may need to turn to Bryce Petty or Christian Hackenberg. Scary.
Arrivals:
Kelvin Beachum, OT
Departures:
Brandon Marshall, WR
Nick Mangold, C
Darrelle Revis, CB
Ryan Clady, T
Best Move:
Dumping Darrelle Revis. Not only is he the most overrated player in the NFL, but cornerback Darrelle Revis is a me-first player that will do whatever is best for him, and only him. He then showed he can't be trusted off the field when he got himself into some hot water with the law.
Worst Move:
Cutting Brandon Marshall wasn't wise. He still can be a good player and moving on from him made little sense with them being so weak on offense. They need to have something to turn to and without him it won't be their strong receiver corps.
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders: C
It's easy to look at the Oakland Raiders and bash them since they haven't replaced anyone that left. That isn't exactly accurate though. Their defense has seen the majority of the departures so far, and that side of the ball was rather weak last year. No one can fault them for deciding it's best to move on from some of those players.
Arrivals:
Marshall Newhouse, OT
Departures:
D.J. Hayden, CB
Stacy McGee, DT
Nate Allen, S
Daren Bates, LB
Malcolm Smith, LB
Menelik Watson, OT
Best Move:
Signing Marshall Newhouse wasn't flashy, but it was needed. The only offensive player to leave thus far has been Menelik Watson, a talented swing tackle who was not a regular starter. They replaced him with another guy who is a swing tackle, but not a regular starter. This makes the Watson departure a wash.
Worst Move:
The biggest loss has to be linebacker Malcolm Smith. He's a former Super Bowl MVP for the Seattle Seahawks and recorded 225 tackles in his two seasons with the Raiders. He moved across the Bay to play for San Francisco, and will be missed. They may have also lost their starting running back Latavius Murray, although he hasn't officially signed anywhere yet.
Sep 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) warms up before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles: B
The Philadelphia Eagles were active last offseason and are doing the same in 2017 NFL free agency. They landed one of the biggest fish in free agency after agreeing to a one-year deal with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, formerly of the Chicago Bears.
Arrivals:
Chance Warmack, G
Alshon Jeffery, WR
Torrey Smith, WR
Nick Foles, QB
Departures:
Connor Barwin, OLB
Nolan Carroll, CB
Aaron Murray, QB
Best Move:
The Jeffery signing could change the dynamics of this offense. The past couple of seasons they have been trying to run their passing game without a legitimate No. 1 wideout. Signing the former Bear gives them that. He also signed just a one-year deal, so should he not adapt to his new role the Eagles can just move on in a year. Signing him was also better than trading with New Orleans, as they were rumored to be interested in doing for Brandin Cooks. Now the Eagles can still use their first-round pick on a rookie receiver to compliment Jeffery.
Worst Move:
Letting Nolan Carroll walk was bad. He signed an incredibly affordable contract with divisional rival Dallas. He started 16 games last season and 27 in the past two years. That's a lot of experience for a guy who signed with a rival for $10 million over three seasons.
Jan 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Landry Jones (3) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers: C-
The Pittsburgh Steelers are usually pretty quiet during free agency, and this offseason has been no different. So far they have lost a couple key contributors while not adding any outside help. They did however re-sign backup quarterback Landry Jones and reserve tight end David Johnson.
Arrivals:
None
Departures:
Markus Wheaton, WR
Lawrence Timmons, LB
Best Move:
Of course, their best move has nothing to do with signing someone off another roster, simply because they have yet to do that. As it stands now their best move has been re-signing Landry Jones. While he wasn't going anywhere to become a full-time starter, he is a savvy player that knows the Steelers system. Jones is a valuable backup and it has to have Pittsburgh confident that they can compete even if their starter goes down.
Worst Move:
Losing Markus Wheaton is not good especially with the uncertainty surrounding Martavis Bryant. His loss isn't the worst though as watching Lawrence Timmons head to Miami was worse. Since 2010 Timmons has recorded 100 tackles in every season except one—in 2011 he posted 93. He takes 981 career tackles, 35.5 sacks, and 12 interceptions to South Beach and won't be easy to replace in Pittsburgh.
Oct 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers: A
New head coach Kyle Shanahan and new general manager John Lynch have been busy. They needed to be because the San Francisco 49ers were a mess. They went bananas, though, and got themselves someone at just about every skill position so far in 2017 NFL free agency.
Arrivals:
Matt Barkley, QB
Brian Hoyer, QB
Pierre Garcon, WR
Brock Coyle, LB
Robbie Gould, K
Marquise Goodwin, WR
Kyle Juszczyk, FB
Logan Paulsen, TE
Malcolm Snith, LB
Aldrick Robinson, WR
Departures:
Antoine Bethea, S
Marcus Martin, C
Torrey Smith, WR
Phil Dawson, K
Colin Kaepernick, QB
Best Move:
Signing Brian Hoyer was their best move. Shanahan has a history of working very well with veteran quarterbacks and when it became apparent that the Washington Redskins weren't going to trade them Kirk Cousins, they went for the next best option. It also didn't cost them $15 million a year like Mike Glennon cost Chicago. Hoyer may not be the starter long term, but a team could do worse with a stop gap.
Worst Move:
Losing Antoine Bethea at safety will hurt, but it did make sense since he is 32 years of age. The 49ers have had a great start to the offseason and deserve some praise for that.
Nov 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka (4) kicks during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks: D
It's hard to grade the Seattle Seahawks because they haven't done anything. It's tempting to give them an incomplete, but then the rumors that have swirled around them make it seem like they could be heading in the wrong direction. The Seahawks have been tied to running backs Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles. Both running backs are over 30 and coming off several knee injuries. The Seahawks would be better served to use their resources to upgrade their poor offensive line rather than get some banged up runners.
Arrivals:
None
Departures:
Steven Hauschka, K
Brock Coyle, OLB
Best Move:
There have been no moves yet to call the "best" for Seattle. Perhaps they will get going soon, but at the very least they have avoided overpaying for anyone.
Worst Move:
Losing Steven Hauschka could be rough, but it's not the end of the world. Kickers are better than ever now and really outside of Justin Tucker for Baltimore and Dan Bailey for Dallas, there's really no reason to pay much. If they do end up signing Adrian Peterson that move jumps to the top. They have a lot of young talent and the soon-to-be 32-year-old would be a terrible progress stopper.
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) in action during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B-
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made one of the splashiest moves so far by snatching up former Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 years old, Jackson still put up 17.9 yards per reception and went for over 1,000 yards. Adding him opposite Mike Evans gives quarterback Jameis Winston one more dangerous threat to get the ball downfield too.
Arrivals:
DeSean Jackson, WR
J.J. Wilcox, S
Chris Baker, DT
Departures:
Mike Glennon, QB
Russell Shepard, WR
Akeem Spence, DT
Best Move:
The Jackson signing was their best move, but it doesn't come without risk. Jackson has a history of struggling with injuries, and at 30 years old, it isn't like that will magically stop. He also relies heavily on his speed and with age that could go away fast. Still, there's no signs of that happening now so the move looks great. A kudos also needs to be given for signing the under-appreciated J.J. Wilcox. He is a hard hitting safety that will make opponents think twice before going over the middle of the field.
Worst Move:
Their worst move happened last season. With quarterback Mike Glennon in the final year of his contract the Bucs let a golden opportunity pass. Starting quarterbacks are in short supply and if someone was willing to give Glennon $15 million a year like Chicago did, then surely the Bucs could have gotten something of value for him last season. It was foolish to hold on to him just to sit him on the bench all year.
Jan 14, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) returns an interception against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans: B+
Last season the Tennessee Titans were a team on the rise. They went from one of the worst teams in the AFC South to being tied for first place with a 9-7 record. A tie breaker loss to the Houston Texans kept them from making the playoffs, but the arrow is still pointing up for this young team. Led by their third-year quarterback Marcus Mariota, and a feared ground game, the Titans hope to take the next step and have tried to aid in that process with a decent start to 2017 NFL free agency.
Arrivals:
Johnathan Cyprien, S
Logan Ryan, CB
Daren Bates, LB
Brynden Trawick, S
Departures:
Kendall Wright, WR
Chance Warmack, G
Best Move:
The Titans knew that their secondary was weak and they upgraded that with their two biggest moves—signing Johnathan Cyprien and Logan Ryan. The best of these two has to be landing Ryan. He is an underrated corner that was overshadowed in New England by players like Darrelle Revis a few years ago and most recently Malcolm Butler. Ryan has 13 interceptions throughout his five-year career and instantly upgrades the Titans pass coverage team.
Worst Move:
So far, it's hard to say any of their moves are bad. Kendall Wright had dropped down the depth chart so letting him walk made sense, and Chance Warmack was a top-10 pick that never lived up to his potential for the Titans
Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks on the field after the Redskins' game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field. The Giants won 19-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins: F
The Washington Redskins are a mess right now. They can't seem to get out of their own way and their firing of general manager Scot McCloughan was bad. It looks like they had former team moron, and current radio buffoon—who is still employed by the team in that role—Chris Cooley leak to the world that there were suspicions of McCloughan drinking again. The man has had issues with that in the past and the Redskins used it as a way to get out of his contract rather than simply firing the guy. It was a sick ploy to try and say he was fired with cause to avoid paying more money.
This is without even mentioning how poorly they've handled the situation with starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. Despite him doing all they asked for and more, Washington just won't give Cousins the financial security he has earned, and they also won't trade him either.
Arrivals:
Terrell McClain, DT
Terrelle Pryor, WR
D.J. Swearinger, S
Stacy McGeee, DT
Departures:
DeSean Jackson, WR
Pierre Garcon, WR
Chris Baker, DT
Best Move:
The signing of Terrelle Pryor has to be tops. The smart thing as well was giving him a one-year deal seeing as how he only had one year of success after switching to receiver from quarterback. The Swearinger signing is a good one as well—he has been on a ton of teams despite being just 25 years old, but is an underrated player.
Worst Move:
Besides screwing around with Cousins, the worst move has to be letting both his starting wide outs leave via free agency. After back-to-back 4,000 yard seasons Cousins will now be asked to match his previous success with less talent to throw to and even more questions about if the team really wants him. They also once again signed a Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle for a ton of money. They did this with Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher. Neither were a fit in their scheme and both stunk it up for Washington. Maybe McClain will be different, but history is not on their side.
