Pass/Fail Grades for All 32 Teams' Free-Agency Performance so Far
With NFL free agency winding down to the point where we are seeing one-year deals for talented, yet inconsistent players, this is a good time to start giving some pass or fail grades to all 32 NFL teams.
As every year with free agency, the first 48 hours are always a frenzy, with hundreds of millions of dollars being thrown around and exchanging hands.
By spending all this money, teams are hoping they are upgrading their rosters and getting a step closer to a Super Bowl title with each signing.
On the flip side, some teams are not so lucky. A few teams this season were stuck in cap-room hell and made the most out of what they had. Some succeeded, and some didn't.
While some teams got better, others got markedly worse.
A pass or fail grade isn't going to be based on only if a team got a ton of great free agents but rather how it handled its situation and improved the roster with as little or much funds as the next team.
Trades during this period also qualify. Sometimes, these trades are a product of a team's free-agency performance up until the point of the trade.
Let's begin with the Carson Palmer-led Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals: Pass
1 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: S Tyvon Branch, OG Evan Mathis, TE Jermaine Gresham, RB Chris Johnson, OLB Chandler Jones
Notable 2016 Losses: OT Bobby Massie, S Rashad Johnson, OG Jonathan Cooper
Looking at the Arizona Cardinals' offseason, it was a win overall. Gaining Branch, Jones and Mathis is huge for the organization.
Yes, losing the young safety Johnson will sting, and applying a tender to him with no draft pick compensation was sort of a silly move, but nonetheless, the Cardinals got exponentially better.
Branch could have been a starter on multiple teams last season, though he was overshadowed by other safeties on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Although he contemplated retirement, Mathis decided to give it another go with his hometown Cardinals, just one year after winning a Super Bowl title with the Denver Broncos.
Next up, we cannot forget the trade that basically shocked the entire football landscape—the Cardinals traded offensive guard Cooper and a second-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft for Jones, a double-digit sack machine.
Last season, the Cardinals had trouble getting to the passer. This season? Oh boy, is that going to change.
Losing Massie on the offensive line isn't necessarily a good thing, but he can be replaced.
Jones, Branch and Mathis definitely outweigh the losses of Massie and Johnson.
Atlanta Falcons: Pass
2 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: C Alex Mack, WR Mohamed Sanu, DL Derrick Shelby, DL Adrian Clayborn, LB Courtney Upshaw
Notable 2016 Losses: DL Paul Soliai, WR Roddy White
Did the Atlanta Falcons go all out or what?
Although they graded out well along their offensive line in 2015, according to Pro Football Focus, adding Mack will provide not only a talented center to the football team but a great veteran presence.
After cutting White and looking at who the complementary receiver was to Julio Jones last season, the Falcons definitely needed a No. 2 wide receiver to pair with Jones.
While they did overspend for Sanu, his numbers should improve next season, and he is much more than a gadget-type player.
So, addressing the center and receiver positions—check.
Next up, the Falcons have, for many years now, finished toward the bottom of the team sack totals, having recorded 22 sacks in 2014 and 19 in 2015.
They needed defensive line help.
Signing Shelby and retaining Clayborn. Ding, ding, ding!
With the Falcons last season, Clayborn had just three sacks but graded out as the No. 9 overall pass-rushing defensive tackle, per PFF. Keeping him in the place where he revived his career was a must.
Playing in over 70 percent of the Miami Dolphins snaps last season, Shelby was one of the top 10 4-3 defensive ends in football, per PFF.
While losing Soliai stinks (to the divisional rival Carolina Panthers, no less), the Falcons made some of the better under-the-radar signings of players who are not necessarily household names yet.
Baltimore Ravens: Pass
3 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: S Eric Weddle, WR Mike Wallace, TE Benjamin Watson
Notable 2016 Losses: LB Courtney Upshaw, S Will Hill, LB Daryl Smith, DL Chris Canty, OL Kelechi Osemele
Heading into this offseason, it was a foregone conclusion that the Baltimore Ravens would lose offensive lineman Osemele. After receiving over $58 million from the Oakland Raiders, he was gone.
Losing Upshaw, Smith and Canty was necessary. All of them were unproductive, aging or a combination of the two.
Earlier this offseason, the Ravens cut Hill. It came to a surprise to many because, well, he's pretty darn good. However, we found out Hill was suspended once again and this time for 10 games.
All of the departures were necessary or bound to happen. The Ravens were not blindsided by a random departure, fortunately.
The smartest move of their offseason? Restructuring quarterback Joe Flacco's contract.
Doing this allowed the Ravens to add Weddle. We all know Weddle and what he represents, so I'll spare you some persuasive details as to why this was a good move.
Adding Wallace and Watson was interesting. The Ravens already have some quality tight ends, but this likely illustrates that Dennis Pitta is not returning. Under Brees, Watson had probably the best season of his career in 2015.
While Wallace wasn't the same guy we were accustomed to seeing with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season with the Minnesota Vikings, Flacco, a known deep-ball slinger, could help make Wallace relevant again this season.
The Ravens are coming off their worst season in the John Harbaugh era. Having the No. 6 overall pick, coupled with some of their solid additions, should help put them back into a competitive environment in 2016.
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Buffalo Bills: Pass
4 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: OG Richie Incognito, WR Leonard Hankerson
Notable 2016 Losses: LB Nigel Bradham, DL Mario Williams, CB Leodis McKelvin, WR Chris Hogan
The Buffalo Bills received a passing grade for bringing back Incognito and applying the franchise tag to offensive tackle Cordy Glenn.
While they cut Williams, it was necessary, as he was done with the Bills organization.
Maintaining stability along the offensive line was necessary, especially with quarterback Tyrod Taylor in his second season of starting.
Carolina Panthers: Pass
5 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: DL Paul Soliai, CB Brandon Boykin, DL Charles Johnson
Notable 2016 Losses: P Brad Nortman
Although the Carolina Panthers had a fair amount of cap space this offseason, they made the smart decision of not spending it.
Why?
Well, eventually they need to pay defensive linemen Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short as well as cornerback Josh Norman.
Keeping that in mind, the Panthers did well.
The main thing they did that gave them a passing grade was releasing and then re-signing defensive lineman Charles Johnson for much less money than he would have been originally owed.
The only loss was their punter, Nortman.
Keeping the cap space to re-sign those players as well as holding onto Johnson counts as a win.
Chicago Bears: Pass
6 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: LB Danny Trevathan, OT Bobby Massie, LB Jerrell Freeman, DL Akiem Hicks, TE Zach Miller
Notable 2016 Losses: RB Matt Forte, LB Shea McClellin, TE Martellus Bennett
Another trade involving the New England Patriots made headlines.
The Patriots traded a fourth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Bennett and a sixth-round pick. This trade was a win on both sides, as we've heard rumblings of Bennett potentially being dealt for quite some time now.
Outside of Bennett, the losses, such as Forte, were self-inflicted because the team cut several players.
Adding Trevathan, Freeman and Hicks will bolster the defense tenfold.
Putting Trevathan and Freeman with fellow linebackers Willie Young and Lamarr Houston will not only help the pass rush but the run defense. Trevathan and Freeman both rank inside the top 25 among all linebackers in the run-defense category, according to Pro Football Focus.
Trevathan and Freeman also rank inside the top 12 overall among all linebackers, per PFF.
Hicks played in limited snaps season but played well in every facet of a defensive lineman's game.
Letting Forte and Bennett go can easily be rectified. Great job by the Bears.
Cincinnati Bengals: Pass
7 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: S George Iloka, CB Adam Jones
Notable 2016 Losses: WR Marvin Jones, WR Mohamed Sanu, LB Emmanuel Lamur, OT Andre Smith
Sometimes, keeping your own are the best free-agent moves to make, and the Cincinnati Bengals did that, retaining Iloka and Jones.
While losing their No. 2 and No. 3 wide receivers alongside fellow wide receiver A.J. Green will need to be addressed, it can be in the NFL draft, where the Bengals have a top-25 pick.
The other guys they lost—Lamur and Smith—are not that big of a deal and are replaceable. Smith has been downright awful the past two seasons and has dealt with injuries. He may be better suited for a change of scenery anyway.
Cleveland Browns: Fail
8 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: QB Robert Griffin III
Notable 2016 Losses: C Alex Mack, OT Mitchell Schwartz, WR Travis Benjamin, S Tashaun Gipson
You're probably tired of writers shaming the Cleveland Browns, but come on.
Just look at the notable acquisitions and losses above. Is there really anything more to say?
The Browns needed to address their quarterback position (as usual), so signing RG3 makes sense. However, if the Browns take a quarterback No. 2 overall while letting two offensive linemen walk, that's just odd to me.
Not only did they lose two offensive linemen, but they also lost their best wide receiver from 2015 and a promising, young safety in Gipson.
The Browns will likely not be good in my lifetime, and I'm hoping to stick around for a bit longer.
Dallas Cowboys: Fail
9 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: RB Alfred Morris, CB Morris Claiborne, DL Cedric Thornton
Notable 2016 Losses: OL Mackenzy Bernadeau
The reason why the Dallas Cowboys get a failing grade is because, well, they did nothing this offseason and also let cornerback Patrick Robinson get away.
Had the Cowboys reeled in Robinson, they would have passed.
Instead, the Cowboys added a running back in Morris who, while may still be able to contribute, is not exciting at all. Also, they re-signed Claiborne, who has just been terrible in his career to this point.
However, adding Thornton could be a decent move. Playing in just over 50 percent of the Philadelphia Eagles snaps in 2015, despite missing a few games, Thornton graded out fairly well in run defense, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Cowboys did nothing to excite me or their fanbase.
Denver Broncos: Fail
10 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: OT Russell Okung, OT Donald Stephenson
Notable 2016 Losses: LB Danny Trevathan, DL Malik Jackson, QB Brock Osweiler, S David Bruton, OL Evan Mathis
I'm not going to fly off the handle and claim the Denver Broncos failed because they let Osweiler go to the Houston Texans.
The reason they failed is that they haven't found a quarterback to this point and have just Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian on depth chart.
While those two may go hand-in-hand, I'll applaud the Broncos for not giving Osweiler an exorbitant contract. Smart on their part, yes, but they still have a hole to still.
Of course, Jackson and Trevathan are glaring losses, but they got paid so much money that the Broncos could not compete financially.
Bringing in Okung is a solid low-risk, high-reward move, though. The contract is strange no doubt—a one-year deal with a four-year option and no guaranteed money—but that's a good thing for the Broncos.
The Broncos lost a lot of players, yes, but being unable to address the quarterback position while having the last pick in the first round with what is likely to be slim pickings from that position gives the team a failing grade this offseason.
Detroit Lions: Pass
11 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: WR Marvin Jones, LB Tahir Whitehead
Notable 2016 Losses: S Isa Abdul-Quddus
With wide receiver Calvin Johnson retiring earlier this offseason, the Detroit Lions needed to make a move quickly to re-establish the wide receiver position.
They did so adding Jones. While they may have spent just a little too much money on him, they needed to do it.
In addition, the Lions held onto Whitehead, a young linebacker who played well in 2015, specifically against the run, per PFF.
With all that said, the Lions will regret losing Abdul-Quddus. From Weeks 10 and on, after taking over for the injured James Ihedigbo, he was the best safety in football, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Lions receive a pass for getting the best free-agent wide receiver soon after Johnson retired. While Jones is no Johnson, he'll definitely do his best alongside Golden Tate.
Green Bay Packers: Fail
12 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: TE Jared Cook, LB Nick Perry, RB James Starks
Notable 2016 Losses: CB Casey Hayward
I'm convinced that Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson hates free agency.
While the Packers did bring in another weapon for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Cook and re-signed both Perry and Starks, they still receive a failing grade from me.
They lost Hayward, who was one of the best slot cornerbacks in all of football last season.
It's no surprise as the Packers rarely make any splashes in free agency, but they didn't improve their team overall.
Houston Texans: Fail
13 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: QB Brock Osweiler, RB Lamar Miller, OL Jeff Allen
Notable 2016 Losses: C Ben Jones, OL Brandon Brooks
After parting ways with veteran running back Arian Foster and having one of the worst collection of quarterbacks we've ever seen in 2015, the Houston Texans had two main needs: quarterback and running back.
And they found them—Miller and Osweiler.
Adding Miler as the heir to Foster was one of the best offseason moves, no doubt. At just 24 years old, Miller has shown he can be a lead back and has been underutilized in the past. This was a fantastic move by the Texans.
However, I'm unable to get on board the Osweiler bandwagon here.
There are a few reasons why.
One, he has just five career wins. While I understand that he was behind Peyton Manning and played well in some games this year, $18 million for five career wins is difficult for me to wrap my head around.
Besides the wins and whatever, Osweiler was average in the games he played in from Week 10 until the conclusion of the regular season.
From Week 10 on, he ranked tied for 19th in yards per attempt at just 7.2 along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert, per PFF.
Contrary to popular belief, Osweiler did not show his "big arm" often last season, and when he did, he completed just seven passes in 30 attempts of passes that sailed 20 yards or more.
If you do the math, you'll see that that is not very good.
What was the alternative to paying Osweiler $18 million? That's a good question; I'm not sure.
However, you cannot use that logic. You cannot justify a risky decision like this with the "what was the alternative?" narrative.
It's hard to see Osweiler's time in Houston going well, but maybe Miller can pick up enough slack.
In addition, the Texans lost one of the best and young offensive lineman in the league in Brandon Brooks. That's a big loss.
Osweiler will not lead the Texans to a Super Bowl within the next four seasons.
Indianapolis Colts: Fail
14 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: TE Dwayne Allen, CB Patrick Robinson
Notable 2016 Losses: LB Jerrell Freeman, TE Coby Fleener
The addition of Robinson made grading the Indianapolis Colts a bit harder, but they ultimately failed.
They failed because they let one of the best linebackers in the league in Freeman walk while seeming to worry more about a tight end they've barely utilized when he's been healthy over the past two seasons and paying him over $16 million in guarantees.
Although Allen caught 10 touchdowns in 2014, he wasn't targeted all that heavily and was definitely used less in 2015, regardless of injuries.
Instead, the Colts let Fleener walk, a guy who they've clearly used much more and only cost a bit more than Allen.
The Colts need defense to contend, and it just doesn't seem that important to them.
Though adding Robinson to pair with fellow cornerback Vontae Davis will be an upgrade, losing Freeman will be huge in 2016 and beyond.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Pass
15 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: DL Malik Jackson, S Tashaun Gipson, CB Prince Amukamara, OT Kelvin Beachum, RB Chris Ivory, OL Mackenzy Bernadeau
Notable 2016 Losses: None
As noted above, the Jaguars gained a bunch of guys and lost virtually no one.
All they did was improve from top to bottom, addressing almost every need they had.
The Jaguars spent the big money on Jackson but also went out and signed Amukamara and Beachum to low-risk, high-reward one-year deals. Beachum's deal involves some team options after this season.
Did the Jaguars spend too much ($6.5 million annually) on Ivory? Maybe, but he'll serve as a great weapon and complement to second-year running back T.J. Yeldon, especially in the red zone and at the goal line.
Perhaps one of their best signings, though, was Gipson. In 2015, he was hampered by injuries and did not perform nearly as well as his 2014 self.
If the Jaguars can get Gipson to perform the way he did in 2014, they'll find their safety for the present and future.
While it's never a good idea to assume a team is better based on free-agency moves, it's hard to imagine the Jaguars being worse in 2016 given all these fantastic moves.
Kansas City Chiefs: Pass
16 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: OT Mitchell Schwartz, LB Tamba Hali, DL Jaye Howard, LB Derrick Johnson, WR Rod Streater
Notable 2016 Losses: CB Sean Smith, S Tyvon Branch, QB Chase Daniel, OL Jeff Allen, OL Donald Stephenson
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most improved teams this offseason.
Like the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping your own is one of the best moves that a franchise can make in free agency.
To boot, the Chiefs also added the best right tackle in the game in Schwartz.
As far as the losses, the team can find Smith's replacement in the upcoming NFL draft, and Branch didn't have a starting spot on this team with fellow safeties Ron Parker and Eric Berry manning those spots.
For the other guys—Daniel, Allen and Stephenson—don't worry about it, Chiefs fans.
I could go on and on about how much of a fan of Schwartz I've been, but I'll spare you from that.
However, I'll mention this: Schwartz has never missed a snap in his NFL career.
Los Angeles Rams: Fail
17 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: CB Coty Sensabaugh
Notable 2016 Losses: CB Janoris Jenkins, S Rodney McLeod
While the Los Angeles Rams made the right decision to use the franchise tag on cornerback Trumaine Johnson, they will be without both safety McLeod and cornerback Jenkins in their inaugural season in Los Angeles.
To replace Jenkins, the Rams brought in Sensabaugh, who has always teetered on being a starting cornerback in the NFL and is probably better suited as a backup.
Where the Rams fail for me, though, is their inability to address the quarterback situation.
Whether head coach Jeff Fisher is trapped in the 1980s football mindset or whatever else, you need to pass to win in this league.
The Rams are wasting valuable years from guys like defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
Are we just all trapped in an episode of Punk'd?
Miami Dolphins: Fail
18 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: S Isa Abdul-Quddus, DL Mario Williams
Notable 2016 Losses: DL Olivier Vernon, DL Derrick Shelby, RB Lamar Miller, WR Rishard Matthews
No matter how big a supporter of Abdul-Quddus' game I've become, the Miami Dolphins got taken to the cleaners this offseason.
Like I've said, the Abdul-Quddus signing was fantastic, but they lost out on their starting running back, one of their wide receivers and two great defensive linemen.
I'm not sure how you feel, but replacing Vernon and Shelby with Williams is not exactly an upgrade in my opinion.
For some time now the Dolphins have been trying to find a replacement for Miller to pair with Jay Ajayi, and they can't pull the trigger on anyone, striking out on Alfred Morris, Matt Forte and C.J. Anderson.
The Dolphins fail because they simply downgraded from last season.
Minnesota Vikings: Pass
19 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: LB Emmanuel Lamur, OL Alex Boone, OT Andre Smith
Notable 2016 Losses: WR Mike Wallace
It's hard to give a team a failing grade when it improved the offensive line and cut a wide receiver who was not worth his $11.5 million cap hit in Wallace, per Spotrac.
In addition to Boone, the Minnesota Vikings also signed former Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andre Smith. As mentioned in the Bengals slide, a change of scenery may be what Smith needs to revitalize his career.
No sexy names here, but adding Boone is a significant upgrade for the Vikings.
New England Patriots: Pass
20 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: TE Martellus Bennett, WR Chris Hogan, OL Jonathan Cooper, LB Shea McClellin, DL Chris Long, RB Donald Brown
Notable 2016 Losses: DL Chandler Jones, DL Akiem Hicks
I'm not sure my brain is ready to witness a Bennett and Rob Gronkowski tight end duo for the New England Patriots in 2016.
It's going to decimate so many defenses.
Not only did the Patriots get Bennett, but they also got former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan, who will be used like never before under head coach Bill Belichick.
While the Jones-for-Cooper swap may drop the team's sack total in 2016, New England also acquired a second-round pick in the upcoming draft and now has back-to-back picks in the second round as a result.
To replace Jones, the Patriots brought in Long. The past few seasons have been littered with injuries for Long, but it wasn't too long ago he was producing double-digit sacks. At $2 million for 2016, it's a no-lose situation for the Patriots.
The rich keep getting richer. Expect the Patriots to fight for another Super Bowl title next season per usual.
New Orleans Saints: Pass
21 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: DL Nick Fairley, TE Coby Fleener, LB James Laurinaitis
Notable 2016 Losses: TE Benjamin Watson
Given the state of their cap situation heading into free agency, the New Orleans Saints did exceedingly well.
Trading tight end Jimmy Graham last offseason and now Watson, the Saints needed another productive tight end and found one with Fleener.
Given the $36 million with $18 million guaranteed to Fleener, expect the Saints to use him often as one of the staples of the offense in 2016.
Not only did they get an impact weapon, but they got one of my personal favorites in Fairley.
Last season, Fairley graded out as the best defensive tackle who played in 500 or fewer snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He has had numerous issues over the years involving what seemed like motivation and weight concerns. If Fairley is able to put all of that to the side and perform well again on another one-year contract, the Saints will enjoy the production he will bring in 2016.
Losing Watson, being in cap hell and getting Fleener and Fairley—the Saints should be proud of the offseason they've managed to put together so far.
New York Giants: Pass
22 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: DL Olivier Vernon, DL Jason Pierre-Paul, DL Damon Harrison, CB Janoris Jenkins
Notable 2016 Losses: DL Robert Ayers, WR Rueben Randle, CB Prince Amukamara
The New York Giants are another one of those teams that improved the most this offseason.
While they lost Ayers and Amukamara, they upgraded with Vernon and Jenkins.
Not only did they get Vernon and Jenkins, but they also re-signed Pierre-Paul to a one-year deal. In his limited time last season, he played well, given the injury to his hand.
A duo of Vernon and Pierre-Paul on the edges is going to be deadly in 2016.
But the defensive fun doesn't stop there.
The Giants also stole Harrison from the team they share MetLife Stadium with—the New York Jets.
In their first season under new head coach Ben McAdoo, the Giants will have a lot of new toys on the defensive side of the ball to play with.
New York Jets: Fail
23 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: RB Bilal Powell, RB Matt Forte
Notable 2016 Losses: DL Damon Harrison, LB Demario Davis, RB Chris Ivory
After losing Ivory to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New York Jets replaced him with Forte.
I'll chalk that up as more of a lateral move. Given Forte's age and the tread on his tires, he likely won't carry the ball 200 times again in his career, but he can still be used as pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Where the Jets fail, however, are in two areas: losing Harrison and still not re-signing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Harrison is irreplaceable, and the Jets will find that out this season.
The Jets and Fitzpatrick appear at a standstill. The Jets should just give Fitzpatrick his money. Under Gailey, Fitzpatrick has been superb and can lead the Jets to the playoffs. After all, he did lead them to 10 wins in 2016.
Oakland Raiders: Pass
24 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: LB Bruce Irvin, OL Kelechi Osemele, CB Sean Smith, OT Donald Penn
Notable 2016 Losses: WR Rod Streater
When the only player of note that you've lost is a wide receiver who caught just 10 passes over the past two seasons, it's hard to fail.
The Oakland Raiders upgraded their secondary, offensive line and front seven.
On the offensive line, the Raiders signed Osemele and re-signed Penn. Now, the offensive line has Penn, Osemele, Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson.
The Raiders caught lightning in a bottle with cornerback David Amerson last season, and now they can pair him with Smith. A one-two punch of Amerson and Smith will be fun to watch next season and beyond.
Irvin was another guy the Raiders added. Since his rookie season, Irvin has not been the pass-rusher we all thought he could be. However, with a coaching staff consisting of head coach Jack Del Rio and defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., Oakland should bring out things in Irvin's game that have been dormant so far.
The game against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be an exciting football game to watch for the first time ever.
Philadelphia Eagles: Pass
25 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: OL Brandon Brooks, S Rodney McLeod, QB Chase Daniel, LB Nigel Bradham, QB Sam Bradford, WR Rueben Randle
Notable 2016 Losses: DL Cedric Thornton
The free-agent signings don't do the Philadelphia Eagles offseason justice. The trades do.
While adding Brooks and McLeod were great signings that will improve the football team, getting rid of cornerback Byron Maxwell, linebacker Kiko Alonso and running back DeMarco Murray needs to be commended.
As a result, the Eagles swapped first-round picks with the Miami Dolphins in the Maxwell and Alonso trade, picking inside the top 10. They also swapped fourth-round picks in the Murray deal with the Tennessee Titans.
Although the new picks are fantastic, getting rid of those monstrous and hideous contracts was some of the best managerial work I've seen in a while.
Gaining a top-10 pick, Brooks and McLeod and getting rid of those contracts equate to a win for the Eagles this offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Pass
26 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: TE Ladarius Green
Notable 2016 Losses: OT Kelvin Beachum, DL Steve McLendon
With the retirement of tight end Heath Miller, the Pittsburgh Steelers needed a new tight end for the first time in a long time.
As a result, they signed fantasy football darling Green.
However, the Steelers did downgrade at offensive tackle, losing Beachum in favor of Ryan Harris.
Where the Steelers manage to get a passing grade is due to the suspension of wide receiver Martavis Bryant; having Green to fill in will be necessary heading into 2016.
San Diego Chargers: Pass
27 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: CB Casey Hayward, WR Travis Benjamin, TE Antonio Gates
Notable 2016 Losses: TE Ladarius Green, S Eric Weddle, CB Patrick Robinson, RB Donald Brown
This was a tough one to grade.
The reason it was tough is that the San Diego Chargers didn't really improve, yet they didn't get worse.
Losing Weddle will be a loss, but we all expected that. The Chargers lost Robinson but gained Hayward. They lost Green but re-signed Gates.
Adding former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Benjamin will serve as a vertical threat for quarterback Philip Rivers alongside Keenan Allen.
What the Chargers do in the draft and the progression of running back Melvin Gordon will also assist in whatever success the team has in 2016.
San Francisco 49ers: Fail
28 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: DL Ian Williams
Notable 2016 Losses: OL Alex Boone
Given Williams' failed physical and that they did absolutely nothing with all the money they had to spend, it's tough to give the San Francisco 49ers a passing grade.
Don't get me wrong—when healthy, Williams is a dominant defensive lineman. Throughout his career, however, he's had a problem staying healthy.
Losing an offensive lineman like Boone only hurts the 49ers and whoever is under center in 2016.
With all the money the 49ers had going into free agency, coming out of it with nothing is unacceptable.
Seattle Seahawks: Fail
29 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: WR Jermaine Kearse, CB Jeremy Lane
Notable 2016 Losses: OT Russell Okung, LB Bruce Irvin, OL J.R. Sweezy
Re-signing Kearse was solid for the Seattle Seahawks. He's been productive and has come up with big performances at big moments for the team throughout his tenure.
Where the Seahawks fail are losing Okung and Irvin.
While Okung has been injured, and Irvin may not have been as productive as the team would have liked, the Seahawks don't really have replacements at those positions.
The team will have to address these positions in the draft at some point.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pass
30 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: OL J.R. Sweezy, DL Robert Ayers, CB Brent Grimes, RB Doug Martin
Notable 2016 Losses: None
While I'm not a fan of the money the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave Sweezy, re-signing Martin and signing Ayers were solid moves to upgrade the roster.
For gaining some help on the offensive line, solidifying the backfield and bolstering the pass rush, the Buccaneers receive a passing mark.
Tennessee Titans: Pass
31 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: RB DeMarco Murray, C Ben Jones, WR Rishard Matthews, S Rashad Johnson
Notable 2016 Losses: CB Coty Sensabaugh, S Michael Griffin
I'm not at all concerned with the state of the Tennessee Titans for losing Sensabaugh and Griffin.
The Titans got a new weapon for quarterback Marcus Mariota in Matthews, helped out the offensive line to protect Mariota with Jones, replaced Griffin with Johnson and added a threat out of the backfield in Murray.
Bottom line: The Titans upgraded their roster.
If Murray can turn back the clock to his time with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014, the acquisition will pay huge dividends.
Washington Redskins: Pass
32 of 32
Notable 2016 Acquisitions: S David Bruton, LB Junior Galette
Notable 2016 Losses: QB Robert Griffin II, RB Alfred Morris
Bringing back Galette was all the Washington Redskins needed to do to earn a passing grade from me.
Losing RG3 and Morris is not a big deal at all. The Redskins have turned to Kirk Cousins at quarterback and like running back Matt Jones, aside from his fumbling issues.
Watching Galette return in 2016 and pairing him with fellow linebacker Ryan Kerrigan should excite a lot of people, especially if Galette is still his 2014 self.
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus, ESPN and Pro-Football-Reference.com. Contract details courtesy of Spotrac and Over The Cap.
Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.
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