NFL Free Agency 2015: Grading Every Team's 1st Week
The NFL burned white-hot last week, free agency providing the spark and truckloads of cash providing the tinder.
Let's look back at the action from the first week of free agency—trades and all—and how each team fared. Some teams stayed quiet, garnering poor grades for sitting on their hands. Others scored poorly because they suffered heavy losses or simply signed bad players.
On the flip side, some franchises made big splashes to improve their rosters and got nice grades for it.
These grades are based on the first week of free agency, so guys who were cut a month ago or slapped with the franchise tag don't factor into the process. Also, players who haven't signed a contract anywhere yet, save for the ones who were cut within the past week, do not factor in.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
Key Additions: OG Mike Iupati, DT Corey Peters, DE Cory Redding, LB Sean Weatherspoon
Key Losses: CB Antonio Cromartie, OG Paul Fanaika, DT Dan Williams
The Arizona Cardinals had a ton of cap space to clear heading into free agency. They managed to do it without taking a hatchet to their roster, thanks to willingness to restructure contracts on the part of receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Carson Palmer.
What did the Cardinals do with all the cap space they created? They shelled out a ton of money for guard Mike Iupati and let their best-performing cornerback go in free agency.
(You might think Patrick Peterson is their best cornerback, but Antonio Cromartie was far better in 2014.)
In signing Iupati, the Cardinals did improve in a major area of need. It just may have been overkill to give him a contract worth more than $8 million annually.
Grade: C
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
Key Additions: LB Brooks Reed, LB Justin Durant, OT Mike Person, DE Adrian Clayborn, CB Phillip Adams
Key Losses: DT Corey Peters, LB Sean Weatherspoon
The Atlanta Falcons had a decent chunk of change heading into free agency, and they did a nice job with it during the first week of free agency.
The pass rush has been a major problem over the past couple of seasons, so it's no surprise they sunk some money into linebacker Brooks Reed and defensive end Adrian Clayborn. It wasn't exactly Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston, but the relatively low-key signings improved the defense on paper.
They did give up on talented linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who just couldn't stay healthy. Corey Peters was also a quality interior defensive lineman for the Falcons.
Grade: B
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
Key Additions: RB Justin Forsett (re-signed), S Kendrick Lewis
Key Losses: WR Torrey Smith, DT Haloti Ngata (trade), OLB Pernell McPhee, TE Owen Daniels
The Baltimore Ravens have had a rough go of it thus far in free agency.
General manager Ozzie Newsome certainly knows what he's doing, of course, but it's hard to dispute that the losses have outweighed the gains. Was receiver Torrey Smith worth keeping at his price tag? Perhaps not. But who is going to play wide receiver opposite Steve Smith, who'll be 36 next season?
The Ravens could have also feasibly kept stalwart defensive lineman Haloti Ngata, though it would have likely taken a contract extension given his cap hit was massive for 2015. Still, losing him and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee depletes the front seven on paper, for now.
Grade: D+
Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
Key Additions: WR Marcus Easley (re-signed), WR Percy Harvin, DE Jarius Wynn (re-signed), FB Jerome Felton, DE Jerry Hughes (re-signed)
Key Losses: RB C.J. Spiller, S Da'Norris Searcy
The Bills may be on the verge of signing free agency's biggest prize—tight end Charles Clay—if the latest frothing over Miami's former sixth-round pick is any indication. Tim Graham of The Buffalo News reported the Dolphins "expect" Clay to sign with Buffalo; if that happens soon, it'll cap a nice first week for the Bills.
Until that happens, however, it was just OK.
The Bills managed to retain defensive ends Jarius Wynn and Jerry Hughes, which will be key to maintaining a fourth-ranked defense from a year ago.
Signing Percy Harvin was a nice upside move, giving the Bills another serious weapon if he can stay healthy. If only they had a quarterback to get those weapons the ball consistently.
While the trade for running back LeSean McCoy was made official with the advent of the new league year, it was announced a week before free agency hit. It was a great move, but it didn't factor into the grade.
Grade: B
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
Key Additions: CB Teddy Williams, OT Michael Oher, WR Ted Ginn
Key Losses: RB DeAngelo Williams
Welcome back, Ted Ginn!
The alligator-armed, once-formidable kick returner makes his return to Carolina, where he did that good thing that one game.
The Panthers certainly needed help at wide receiver, but Ginn is an answer to a question nobody should be asking. Hopefully that was merely the beginning of the positional overhaul for general manager Dave Gettleman.
Signing Michael Oher would have seemed like a great thing for an offensive line that was awful after Jordan Gross' retirement a year ago, but the former Raven and Titan has been one of the worst starting tackles in the entire league over the past several years.
It hasn't been a particularly good start to free agency for the Panthers.
Grade: D+
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Key Additions: LB Pernell McPhee, WR Eddie Royal, S Antrel Rolle
Key Losses: DT Stephen Paea
Just like the LeSean McCoy trade, Brandon Marshall's exile to the New York Jets was announced before last week hit. So the Bears get a reprieve in this forum.
The addition of Eddie Royal ultimately mitigated his loss. Royal, who came over from the San Diego Chargers, isn't quite 6'4" and 230 pounds, but he is a decent replacement.
More importantly, the Bears got better on defense, at least on paper. Pernell McPhee and Antrel Rolle represent big upgrades at linebacker and safety, respectively.
Grade: C+
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
Key Additions: OG Clint Boling (re-signed), LB A.J. Hawk, DE Michael Johnson
Key Losses: OT Marshall Newhouse
The Prodigal Son returns after a year spent in sunny Tampa Bay.
Defensive end Michael Johnson signed a big contract last offseason, but a disappointing year with the Buccaneers got him cut. His old team took advantage and brought him back, even though his old defensive coordinator was wooing him in Minnesota.
There hasn't been too much action in Cincinnati yet, an annual theme for notoriously frugal owner Mike Brown. Still, getting Johnson back and retaining Clint Boling—arguably the best available guard on the market—were nice moves.
There just hasn't been much else to speak of in Cincinnati.
Grade: B-
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
Key Additions: WR Marlon Moore (re-signed), WR Brian Hartline
Key Losses: TE Jordan Cameron, CB Buster Skrine, QB Brian Hoyer, OLB Jabaal Sheard
Paging Ray Farmer.
Yet again, the Cleveland Browns have spent the beginning of free agency sitting on their hands. What else is new?
Of course, we should have seen this coming after head coach Mike Pettine said the Browns would be frugal, as reported by ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
"It's right player, right price—the right price part of it is very important," Pettine said. "I think Ray [Farmer] already has spoken to it—moderate spending."
Josh McCown doesn't technically count here since Cleveland signed him before free agency hit. But he wouldn't necessarily improve the Browns' grade.
The only additions were two mediocre receivers. Prime the confetti cannons!
Grade: D-
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Key Additions: RB Darren McFadden, FB Jed Collins, OT Doug Free (re-signed)
Key Losses: RB DeMarco Murray, OT Jermey Parnell, LB Bruce Carter, DT Henry Melton, WR/KR Dwayne Harris
If we are strictly looking at the past week for a grade, then retaining Dez Bryant should have little bearing—Dallas hit him with the franchise tag a week before the new league year.
The fact remains the Cowboys let their leading rusher go to a division rival. Sure, they probably couldn't have met Murray's asking price, but that reality still stings. Just ask all those Cowboys fans who burned Murray's jerseys.
The ensuing roster carnage should have been expected—the Cowboys didn't have much cap space left once they tagged Bryant.
Owner Jerry Jones tried to keep Murray in the fold, but he couldn't come anywhere near what the Philadelphia Eagles offered. So he replaced the league's leading rusher with one of the most disappointing backs of the past few years in Darren McFadden.
Retaining Doug Free at $5 million per year was a nice move, at least.
Grade: C-
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
Key Additions: TE Owen Daniels, DT Vance Walker, OG Shelley Smith
Key Losses: TE Julius Thomas, DT Terrance Knighton, OG Orlando Franklin, S Rahim Moore
On the surface, the Denver Broncos did a nice job filling the holes created when Julius Thomas, Terrance Knighton and Orlando Franklin signed elsewhere. They weren't analogous replacements, however.
That is not to say Owen Daniels, Vance Walker and Shelley Smith can't succeed in their respective places, but that trio represents a significant downgrade on paper.
Grade: C-
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
Key Additions: DT Haloti Ngata (trade), DE Tyrunn Walker
Key Losses: DT Ndamukong Suh, DT Nick Fairley
How does a team replace Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley?
Well, it doesn't. At least not appropriately.
Trading for Haloti Ngata was a valiant effort for the Detroit Lions, but the 31-year-old is no Suh. At best, he will be a solid replacement for Fairley, though why the Lions didn't even try to keep the latter is a mystery.
The worst part about losing Suh is that the Lions seemed to have every opportunity to get him locked down, but they didn't send the big defensive tackle an offer until it was too late. Suh himself thought he would be back, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:
"I thought at every single point through the process that I was going to be in Detroit. Even after they didn't do the franchise tag and I spoke to [team owner] Mrs. [Martha] Ford after that piece, I still felt just a great, great chance of me still being in Detroit. So, it wasn't until really, really late, late in the process is where I was like, "Wow, I got to, I actually got to start thinking outside of Detroit."
"
Birkett wrote that the Lions presented a competitive offer that included $58 million, but it came late in the process. Why they waited so long to try to get a deal done is a mystery, but it's one that ultimately cost them their star defensive tackle.
Instead, the Miami Dolphins came calling with a bigger contract, which left the Lions scrambling to salvage the defensive line.
Grade: D
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Key Additions: WR Randall Cobb (re-signed)
Key Losses: CB Davon House, LB Brad Jones
According to Michael Rodney of PackerUpdate.net, all but one of the Green Bay Packers have played with the team their entire careers. The odd man out? Defensive end Julius Peppers.
That is an amazing observation, which explains why general manager Ted Thompson hasn't done anything in free agency outside of re-signing Randall Cobb. Of course, there are drawbacks to this strategy—it's difficult to believe the Packers wouldn't have benefited from signing a quality free agent or two.
That's not Thompson's style, which doesn't lend itself to good grades in this forum.
Grade: D+
Houston Texans
13 of 32
Key Additions: S Rahim Moore, QB Ryan Mallett (re-signed), QB Brian Hoyer
Key Losses: WR Andre Johnson (cut), LB Brooks Reed, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (trade), QB Case Keenum (trade)
Out with the old, mediocre quarterbacks, in with the new, equally mediocre quarterbacks.
Well, technically Houston re-signed Ryan Mallett, but the Texans are playing duck, duck, goose with some rather average talent at the most important position in the NFL.
Worse, neither of them will be throwing to Andre Johnson, whom the Texans cut last week. To add insult to injury, Johnson signed with division rival Indianapolis.
Grade: D+
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
Key Additions: WR Andre Johnson, RB Frank Gore, DT Kendall Langford, OLB Trent Cole, OG Todd Herremans
Key Losses: DE Cory Redding, S Sergio Brown
What's one way to buck a reputation for poor general managership outside lucking into Andrew Luck? Have yourself a great free agency.
Ryan Grigson is well on his way after a nice first week.
The Indianapolis Colts might not be getting younger, but they are certainly getting better on paper. Miami Hurricanes teammates Andre Johnson and Frank Gore joined Chuck Pagano, a former Miami assistant coach, for what promises to be an exciting offensive year or two in Indianapolis.
The duo should be major upgrades over Trent Richardson and Reggie Wayne—whose health failed him in the twilight of his career—and Luck should have a much easier time moving the ball if age doesn't catch them too soon.
On the defensive side, Grigson signed quality starters in Kendall Langford and Trent Cole, provided they play up to previous standards.
Grade: A-
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
Key Additions: DT Jared Odrick, TE Julius Thomas, OT Jermey Parnell, CB Davon House, S Sergio Brown
Key Losses: DT Red Bryant (cut), OLB J.T. Thomas
The Jacksonville Jaguars had the most cap space heading into free agency, but it looked like they might be striking out with their big-name targets much like we saw in Oakland.
Eventually they were able to open up the floodgates with defensive tackle Jared Odrick, whom the Dolphins couldn't afford after signing Ndamukong Suh to a monster contract.
Landing Julius Thomas was huge, though whether he was worth one of the richest tight end contracts in NFL history is certainly debatable. It wouldn't be a surprise to see his production dip dramatically with Blake Bortles under center instead of Peyton Manning, but it was a big upgrade nonetheless.
Grade: A
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
Key Additions: WR Jeremy Maclin, OG Ben Grubbs (trade), S Tyvon Branch
Key Losses: C Rodney Hudson, WR Dwayne Bowe (cut)
Whether or not quarterback Alex Smith will be able to maximize Jeremy Maclin's potential at receiver isn't really the point. What matters here is that the Chiefs upgraded the position on paper.
Granted, they paid out a hefty sum to do it—Maclin got $11 million per year to reunite with his old coach, Andy Reid—but he is an improvement over subsequently banished Dwayne Bowe.
Losing center Rodney Hudson is going to hurt, though, and the fact he signed with division rivals is salt in the wound. Kansas City couldn't afford to keep him—not at the $9 million per year the Raiders gave him, anyway—but he was by far the best player on a bad offensive line last season.
Perhaps that is why the Chiefs traded for Ben Grubbs, but he is a 31-year-old guard who may be past his prime.
Grade: C+
Miami Dolphins
17 of 32
Key Additions: DT Ndamukong Suh, WR Kenny Stills (trade), CB Brice McCain, TE Jordan Cameron
Key Losses: DT Jared Odrick, WR Mike Wallace (trade), LB Philip Wheeler (cut), LB Dannell Ellerbe (trade), Cortland Finnegan (cut), DT Randy Starks (cut)
Competency in Miami's front office? Since when is this a thing?
The Miami Dolphins had themselves quite a first week of free agency. Between landing the top free-agent prize in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to getting the New Orleans Saints to take a guy they were going to cut anyway for receiver Kenny Stills, it has been quite the show.
Better yet, the Dolphins exorcised most of the demons former general manager Jeff Ireland left behind, cutting linebacker Philip Wheeler and trading away linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and receiver Mike Wallace.
It was addition by subtraction in many cases, though Wallace was more about money and attitude than talent. Losing Jared Odrick and Randy Starks to the Suh contract certainly took some of the luster off the big signing.
Grade: B+
Minnesota Vikings
18 of 32
Key Additions: WR Mike Wallace (trade), QB Shaun Hill
Key Losses: QB Matt Cassel (trade), QB Christian Ponder, FB Jerome Felton, WR Greg Jennings (cut)
Who could have expected anyone to take on Mike Wallace's contract?
The Minnesota Vikings made a play for a receiver they courted with big money just two years ago, so it was a logical landing spot for the disgruntled wideout. He represents an upgrade in theory, but that's what the Miami Dolphins thought.
If he can strike up a rapport with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and play to his potential, it will have been a great trade. If not, the Vikings just took on a massive contract for no good reason.
Of course, that meant they had to cut another receiver they signed to a big contract just a couple of years ago—Greg Jennings.
Grade: C+
New England Patriots
19 of 32
Key Additions: OLB Jabaal Sheard, S Devin McCourty (re-signed)
Key Losses: CB Darrelle Revis, CB Brandon Browner, RB Shane Vereen, DE Akeem Ayers, OLB Jonathan Casillas
It was a mixed bag for the New England Patriots last week, but it's no secret that the secondary took a big hit during the first week of free agency.
The week got off to a great start when news broke Devin McCourty would re-sign for less money than was being bandied about during the "legal tampering" period. Unfortunately, head coach Bill Belichick couldn't get his starting cornerbacks to do the same.
Both Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis were let go because of contract demands—the latter wanting $40 million guaranteed, per ESPN's Adam Schefter—and the Patriots didn't do anything to replace them.
The one nice move they did make outside retaining McCourty was signing pass-rusher Jabaal Sheard to a relatively cheap $11 million deal. Bolstering the pass rush should mitigate losing Revis, but the Patriots will be hard-pressed to fully recover from that loss this year.
Grade: C
New Orleans Saints
20 of 32
Key Additions: RB C.J. Spiller, C Max Unger (trade), LB Dannell Ellerbe (trade), CB Brandon Browner
Key Losses: TE Jimmy Graham (trade), OG Ben Grubbs (trade), WR Kenny Stills (trade), LB Curtis Lofton (cut)
Cap hell is no place for the faint of heart.
Fox Sports' Jay Glazer came out of nowhere to drop the news that Jimmy Graham had been traded. It was 18 minutes before free agency was set to begin.
That was only the beginning of the carnage, as the Saints traded away guard Ben Grubbs and Kenny Stills as well.
On the positive side, they were able to replace ineffective linebacker Curtis Lofton with ineffective linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, and they landed running back C.J. Spiller to replace Pierre Thomas alongside Mark Ingram.
At least cornerback Brandon Browner was a decent addition, in theory.
Grade: C-
New York Giants
21 of 32
Key Additions: RB Shane Vereen, WR/KR Dwayne Harris, OLB J.T. Thomas, OLB Jonathan Casillas, OT Marshall Newhouse
Key Losses: S Antrel Rolle, CB Walter Thurmond
There haven't been any big names coming or going for the New York Giants, depending on whether you count Antrel Rolle as a big name.
The longtime starter wound up following a higher calling to Chicago, leaving a big hole at safety for the Giants. Combined with cornerback Walter Thurmond's departure, that secondary is weaker after a week of free agency.
On the positive side, the Giants added several second-tier players to help fill holes. They got more dynamic with running back Shane Vereen and versatile receiver Dwayne Harris, and they bolstered the linebacker corps with the additions of J.T. Thomas and Jonathan Casillas.
Grade: B-
New York Jets
22 of 32
Key Additions: CB Darrelle Revis, CB Buster Skrine, CB Antonio Cromartie, S Marcus Gilchrist, OG James Carpenter, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (trade)
Key Losses: WR Percy Harvin (cut), CB Phillip Adams
Even without counting Brandon Marshall—acquired by the Jets a few days before free agency hit—things could not have gone better in New York for new general manager Mike Maccagnan and fans.
The Jets had one of the worst secondaries in the league last season—partially due to injury, but mostly due to roster deficiencies. That is certainly not the case any longer after just one week of free agency.
New York signed Buster Skrine away from the Cleveland Browns to get things started, but the Jets got the jewel of free-agency defensive backs when they lured Darrelle Revis away from division rival New England.
Of course, it helped that owner Woody Johnson was willing to shell out $39 million guaranteed to do it, but Revis is a Jet again, as is his old running mate, Antonio Cromartie.
An upgrade at safety in Marcus Gilchrist capped a fantastic week, and the Jets now have one of the best secondaries in the league. Again.
Grade: A+
Oakland Raiders
23 of 32
Key Additions: LB Malcolm Smith, LB Curtis Lofton, C Rodney Hudson, DT Dan Williams, S Nate Allen
Key Losses: S Tyvon Branch, RB Darren McFadden
Randall Cobb? Swing and a miss.
Ndamukong Suh? Whiff.
DeMarco Murray? Strike three.
The Oakland Raiders didn't exactly have success signing some of the big-name free agents they courted throughout the "legal tampering" period and last week, but at least they wound up with something. That's a familiar refrain.
So far it's been a mixed bag for the Raiders, who did sign valuable players alongside some not-so-good ones. They gave center Rodney Hudson a $44.5 million contract and landed defensive tackle Dan Williams, a nice addition to the middle of that line.
But they also signed Curtis Lofton, one of the worst linebackers in the league, according to Pro Football Focus, and gave middling safety Nate Allen $23 million.
All in all, what began as a promising week quickly turned to relative disappointment for the Raiders faithful.
Grade: C+
Philadelphia Eagles
24 of 32
Key Additions: QB Sam Bradford (trade), CB Byron Maxwell, RB DeMarco Murray, RB Ryan Mathews, CB Walter Thurmond
Key Losses: WR Jeremy Maclin, QB Nick Foles (trade), S Nate Allen, OG Todd Herremans, OLB Trent Cole
What in the world is Chip Kelly doing?
There is a fine line between genius and insanity, and Kelly is riding a Harley-Davidson right on top of it.
The Mad Hatter of Philly dropped a bomb before free agency even hit, trading for Sam Bradford in a complex deal that saw Nick Foles shipped west and draft picks—both conditional and garden variety—swapped.
Initial reports said the Eagles would get a second-round pick as part of the deal, which would have been some fine Jedi mind trickery on Kelly's part. As it turned out, the Rams got the second-round pick, which seemed far more plausible.
The shocking move was only the beginning. After letting receiver Jeremy Maclin go in free agency, Kelly signed running back Ryan Mathews. He followed that up by signing running back DeMarco Murray.
This all came a week after the Eagles traded running back LeSean McCoy for linebacker Kiko Alonso, though that falls outside our parameters for grading.
Grade: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Pittsburgh Steelers
25 of 32
Key Additions: RB DeAngelo Williams, QB Ben Roethlisberger (extension)
Key Losses: OLB Jason Worilds (retired), CB Brice McCain
It was a quiet week in Pittsburgh until news broke the Steelers had signed its quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, to a massive extension. The new deal created some much-needed cap space for 2015, which probably saved them from making a tough cut or two.
Unfortunately, the Steelers didn't even get a chance to re-sign one of their best defenders when Jason Worilds unexpectedly announced his retirement. That leaves a gaping hole at outside linebacker.
Grade: D+
San Diego Chargers
26 of 32
Key Additions: OG Orlando Franklin, WR Jacoby Jones, CB Brandon Flowers (re-signed)
Key Losses: RB Ryan Mathews, WR Eddie Royal, S Marcus Gilchrist, CB Shareece Wright
The San Diego Chargers made one good move in free agency last week—signing guard Orlando Franklin away from the Denver Broncos. He is a big name at a position of need.
Other than that, there wasn't much to say about the Chargers in the first week of free agency. They let Ryan Mathews walk, which wasn't a terrible loss considering his injury history. Eddie Royal is replaceable, and Marcus Gilchrist was one of the worst safeties in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
However, it was a bit of a disappointing week overall given the Chargers had good cap space to spend some money.
Grade: D+
San Francisco 49ers
27 of 32
Key Additions: WR Torrey Smith, DE Darnell Dockett, RB Reggie Bush, CB Shareece Wright
Key Losses: LB Patrick Willis (retired), OG Mike Iupati, RB Frank Gore, CB Chris Culliver, WR Stevie Johnson (cut), CB Perrish Cox, LB Dan Skuta
Free agency was short-circuited before it even hit for the San Francisco 49ers when Frank Gore committed to the Philadelphia Eagles before changing his mind and ultimately signing with the Indianapolis Colts.
It got worse when stud linebacker Patrick Willis rocked the Bay Area by announcing his sudden retirement at the age of 30.
Two stalwart stars were gone—not to mention Mike Iupati, a rock in the interior of that offensive line—and the 49ers seemed to be in a tailspin even with reports that Torrey Smith would sign. That report proved ultimately true, and he is a bit of an upgrade at a position of need.
Reggie Bush might seem like a nice consolation at running back until you realize he is 30, and Gore is just 31.
The 49ers could hardly help letting Willis retire, but it was a rough week for general manager Trent Baalke and Co.
Grade: D+
Seattle Seahawks
28 of 32
Key Additions: TE Jimmy Graham (trade), CB Cary Williams, CB Will Blackmon
Key Losses: C Max Unger (trade), OG James Carpenter, CB Byron Maxwell, LB Malcolm Smith
The Seattle Seahawks certainly go for broke from time to time.
Two years after a blockbuster trade brought Percy Harvin to the Pacific Northwest—a failed experiment that might have burned other general managers badly enough to avoid making a big deal again—John Schneider pulled the trigger on another one that brought stud tight end Jimmy Graham up north.
Of course, the Seahawks paid a steep price—Pro Bowl center Max Unger and a first-round pick, to be exact—to upgrade the tight end position in a big way. Improving the passing game was obviously a priority, but downgrading in the trenches is a dangerous thing.
The Seahawks also lost guard James Carpenter and cornerback Byron Maxwell because they wanted too much money, though the latter might not be an issue if coaches can get Cary Williams or Will Blackmon to play to their potential.
Grade: B
St. Louis Rams
29 of 32
Key Additions: QB Nick Foles (trade), WR Kenny Britt (re-signed), DT Nick Fairley
Key Losses: QB Sam Bradford (trade)
Sam Bradford was Jeff Fisher's quarterback until the Eagles offered Fisher a nice deal. Now Nick Foles is Jeff Fisher's quarterback.
The St. Louis Rams did get a nice return for their glass-kneed quarterback. Not only did they get a comparable starter in Foles, but the Eagles also sent over a second-round draft pick for their trouble.
Landing defensive tackle Nick Fairley was an excellent move, bolstering an already great defensive line to create arguably the best front in the league.
There wasn't a whole lot of action other than that in St. Louis, but it wasn't a bad week.
Grade: B-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Key Additions: DT Henry Melton, LB Bruce Carter, S Chris Conte
Key Losses: DE Michael Johnson (cut), OT Anthony Collins (cut), DE Adrian Clayborn
A franchise reboot. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the Spider-Man films of the NFL. And just as bad.
Just one year after spending big in free agency under new management by head coach Lovie Smith, the Buccaneers have already begun to purge their mistakes. They cut defensive end Michael Johnson and offensive tackle Anthony Collins last week after signing them to big contracts just a year ago, per NFL.com's Chris Wesseling.
They did make a couple of decent acquisitions, signing linebacker Bruce Carter and defensive tackle Henry Melton away from the Dallas Cowboys. Safety Chris Conte almost doesn't count—he's been one of the worst safeties in the league over the past few years, according to Pro Football Focus.
Grade: D+
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Key Additions: OLB Derrick Morgan (re-signed), OLB Brian Orakpo, S Da'Norris Searcy
Key Losses: QB Jake Locker (retired)
Armed with a ton of cap space with plenty of holes to fill, the Tennessee Titans should have gone to town. They stayed in and watched some Netflix instead.
General manager Ruston Webster got off to a slow start making deals, though he picked up some steam as the week went on. Retaining Derrick Morgan was certainly a good thing, and pairing him with Brian Orakpo is nice in theory, but the latter has only played 24 games over the past three seasons due to injury.
Da'Norris Searcy was also a nice addition to bolster the secondary.
Of course, the Titans may "kick the tires" on draft bust Trent Richardson, per TitanInsider.com's Terry McCormick, after the Indianapolis Colts admitted their mistake, which would negate any good they've done.
Grade: B-
Washington
32 of 32
Key Additions: CB Chris Culliver, DT Stephen Paea, DT Terrance Knighton, DE Ricky Jean-Francois, OT Xavier Nixon
Key Losses: OLB Brian Orakpo, WR Leonard Hankerson
Quietly, Washington is having a good start to free agency.
Sure, Brian Orakpo wound up signing elsewhere, but he probably wasn't worth a new deal given his injury woes. Prioritizing the defensive line was wise, and Washington certainly beefed things up in that department.
Stephen Paea, Terrance Knighton and Ricky Jean-Francois were all nice additions to the defensive trenches, with Knighton somehow coming at a massive discount—one year and $4 million.
Grade: B
All free-agency data courtesy of OverTheCap.com.
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