NFL Free Agency: Rating Quarterback Acquisitions Made Thus Far

There will be no official free agent signings until Friday, but teams are coming to agreements on terms with players, and there are already some game-changing deals being made. 

There aren't many starter-quality free-agent quarterbacks out there, so it is important that teams retain their signal callers or replace them by means of trade or free agency. 

Through the first day-and-a-half of free agency, there has been some action involving the big-name available quarterbacks, and few viable options remain for teams like the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals. 

Kyle Orton and Kevin Kolb remain on the block, but it remains to be seen if the Dolphins' interest in Orton will come to fruition. Rumors of the Cardinals acquiring Kolb are cooling down as well. 

I will speculate on those players later, though. For now, let's analyze the quarterback acquisitions made thus far in this shortened offseason. 

Matt Hasselbeck Agrees with the Tennessee Titans

This deal came out of left field for sure. Most reports suggested that there was a mutual interest between the Seattle Seahawks and Matt Hasselbeck, but it has become apparent that that is not the case. 

The veteran Hasselbeck is long past his prime, but this is a very good acquisition for the Tennessee Titans. I wasn't sure whether Tennessee would give rookie Jake Locker time to progress, but this ensures that they will do so.

Locker is a big-armed but raw prospect. He wasn't a great college quarterback, and when you use a first-round draft pick on a player who hasn't shown it consistently on tape, you have to look to the future and see the big picture. Thrusting Locker into the lineup would be a negative experience for the youngster, so signing Hasselbeck gives them some bonus points simply for preventing that scenario. 

But how will Hasselbeck's on-the-field play help the Titans? Well, he won't have a huge impact on the team. Some believe this is a step towards immediately competing for a division title, but my feeling is that this is a team that has a plan and is looking into the future.

They likely won't be a playoff team unless Hasselbeck undergoes a miraculous resurrection. But teams who do not rush success—think the New England Patriots—typically come out on top when it's all said and done. 

Grade: A-

Tarvaris Jackson Agrees with the Seattle Seahawks

This deal was made around the same time as Matt Hasselbeck's deal with the Titans. That obviously comes as no surprise because, without Hasselbeck, the 'Hawks were left with few options at quarterback. 

Seattle is a team who made it to the divisional round of the playoffs last season behind a rejuvenated quarterback in Hasselbeck. Letting him go is a huge mistake and, despite his age, this is not in the best interest for the Seahawks' future.

Part of building for the future is creating a winning mentality, and Hasselbeck instills that in his teammates. He has been there and done that, making multiple successful playoff runs during his career. His performance has been well-shy of fantastic over his career, but come playoff time, he has turned into a different man.

Tarvaris Jackson is an upgrade over Charlie Whitehurst, but you have to wonder now if Seattle is serious about competing for another divisional title this season. They are in a division full of unproven quarterbacks and, contrary to last season, they are now contributing to that dynamic. Jackson has only 20 starts in his NFL career and is not a safe long-term option.

When I look at this transaction, I am not interested in Jackson as much as I am in the idea of losing Hasselbeck. I was confident in the direction Seattle was heading in, but this forces me to question my initial feelings. 

Grade: D

Donovan McNabb Acquired by the Minnesota Vikings

This is a deal that will surely please Donovan McNabb, who had possibly his worst statistic season in 2010 while playing for the Washington Redskins. The intricacies of this deal are still being revealed, but the Redskins will reportedly receive two sixth-round picks, one that is subject to change depending on McNabb's performance with the Vikings.

The Minnesota Vikings were likely to start rookie Christian Ponder before this deal was made. Ponder is a smart, hard-working player, but the more time he gets to learn, the more likely he is to make an impact in his second NFL season. While he is as NFL-ready as any quarterback in this draft, that is not saying much when you compare him to a veteran Pro Bowler who has taken his team to the Super Bowl.

McNabb is still athletic and his arm strength is nothing shy of great. In Washington, he simply seemed confused. He remains a respected and gifted player, though, as evidenced by his ranking in NFL Network's Top 100 Players in the NFL, as voted on by the players.

McNabb is the perfect bridge to keep the Vikings in contention until Christian Ponder is able to take the reigns. The Vikings have an impatient fan base, but the best part of this deal is that it supports the Vikings in the short and long term, unlike the acquisition of Brett Favre, which set the Vikings back last season.

This deal instantly makes the Vikings a contender in their division—which is one of the most improved in the NFL. Don't be surprised if the NFC North puts three teams in the playoffs next season—all of which will be better than the best that the NFC West has to put out there.

Poor NFC West, they just can't get a break in any article.

Grade: B

Note: Depending on the final terms of the trade, this grade may fluctuate from a B- to a B+.