2012 NFL Free Agents: Recapping and Grading This Weekend's Activity

Away from the NFL news wire this weekend? No worries.

We will break down all the major free-agent signings from this weekend, including Matt Flynn to the Seahawks, Brandon Lloyd to the Patriots and Eric Winston to the Chiefs.  

Cincinnati Bengals Re-Sign S Reggie Nelson

Contract: Four years, money unknown

Nelson had a breakout season in Cincinnati, starting all 16 games and causing a combined 10 turnovers. He drew interest from the New York Jets but ended up staying with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who helped revive Nelson's sinking NFL career after the former first-round pick left Jacksonville.

The Bengals likely overpaid, especially with the Jets' interest, but Nelson has been a good player for them the last two seasons. 

Grade: B+

Seattle Seahawks Sign QB Matt Flynn

Contract: Three years, $26 million ($10 million guaranteed)

Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider won over the Packers' former backup quarterback and signed him to a team-friendly deal. While $26 million is the max value of the deal, he would have to reach it through incentive multipliers.

Carroll has said that Flynn will compete with incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson, but the contract ($10 million guaranteed for Flynn, zero for Jackson) makes it likely Flynn is the starter for Seattle in 2011.

If he's anywhere near the player he was in Green Bay, Flynn is a solid signing for the Seahawks. They should be playoff contenders next season.

Grade: A-  

San Francisco 49ers Sign WR Mario Manningham

Contract: Two years, money unknown

The 49ers were obviously serious about upgrading their receivers this offseason, as they have added Randy Moss to be a vertical threat and now Manningham, whose heroics in the Super Bowl helped the Giants beat New England.

With Moss, Manningham, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis in the fold, the 49ers should be better suited to throw the football in 2012, regardless of who is under center. But if the Niners land Peyton Manning or retain Alex Smith, this offense should take a step forward.

Grade: B+ 

Kansas City Chiefs Sign T Eric Winston

Contract: Four years, $22 million 

Winston wanted big money, but the contract he signed with Kansas City is reasonable. He'll immediately step in at right tackle and be an undeniable upgrade over Barry Richardson, who struggled in 2011.

Given how good Winston is in the run game, the Chiefs look headed back to a power run game next season. If Jamaal Charles stays healthy, expect Kansas City to be a top-five running team in 2012.

Grade: A 

New England Patriots Sign WR Brandon Lloyd

Contract: Four years, $12 million

Lloyd killed any leverage in contract talks when he couldn't keep his mouth shut about how much he wanted to play in New England next season. No teams showed any interest in Lloyd on the open market—the 49ers visit was a favor for agent Tom Condon, who also represents Peyton Manning—and it was always assumed Lloyd would eventually sign with the Patriots.

At just four years and $12 million, the Patriots are getting a potential Pro Bowl receiver for dirt cheap. If Lloyd is as productive in New England as he has been in two previous stints with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, this deal is highway robbery.

Grade: A 

Washington Redskins Re-Sign QB Rex Grossman

Contract: One year, money unknown

Grossman knows he's not the expected starter next season, but it was a plus for the Redskins to bring a guy back that knows the offense and can help bring along whoever the team drafts at No. 2 (likely Robert Griffin III) early on.

Grade: C+  

Kansas City Chiefs Sign QB Brady Quinn

Contract: Undisclosed

There may still be some untapped talent in Quinn, who has bounced around the NFL without sticking.

He'll be reunited with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll in Kansas City, which may help him hang around with the Chiefs. Matt Cassel needed a good backup.

Grade: B 

Detroit Lions Re-Sign QB Shaun Hill

Contract: Two years, money unknown

One of the top backup quarterbacks in the NFL, Hill drew interest on the open market but decided to stick with the Lions. Once the Jets signed Drew Stanton, Detroit vamped up its urgency to get Hill re-signed.

Matthew Stafford was mostly injury-free in 2011, but Hill is a top insurance plan.

Grade: B+

New England Patriots Sign WR Anthony Gonzalez

Contract: Undisclosed

A former first-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, Gonzalez has appeared in just 10 games since '08. When healthy, Gonzalez was a promising young player who played well as a slot receiver. The Patriots receiving corps is suddenly very full, but he'll get a decent shot at securing a roster spot. 

Grade: B+

Philadelphia Eagles Re-Sign G Evan Mathis

Contract: Five year, $25 million ($7 million guaranteed)

Graded out as the No. 1 guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, Mathis drew strong interest but will come back to Philadelphia in 2012. On just a one-year deal with the offensive line coach Howard Mudd and the Eagles last season, Mathis thrived.

Philadelphia has now locked up its entire line for the foreseeable future, which means the Eagles should have what every team wants—continuity up front. Good deal for both sides. 

Grade: A

Seattle Seahawks Sign DT Jason Jones

Contract: One year, $5 million

After the St. Louis Rams went with Kendall Langford on a four-year deal, Jones signed with Seattle for just a single season.

It's likely not the contract Jones ultimately wanted, especially as an underrated and versatile defensive lineman who can play both tackle and end. But Jones will get the chance to play on what could be a much-improved defensive line in Seattle next season.

The Seahawks should play Jones between Chris Clemons and Red Bryant up front, which gives them a tough trio of players inside for 2012.

Grade: A-  

St. Louis Rams Sign DT Kendall Langford

Contract: Four years, $24 million ($12 million guaranteed)

The Rams likely overpaid for Langford, who played his entire career in Miami as a 3-4 defensive end. St. Louis must be confident that he can make the switch inside as a tackle in the 4-3.

As a five-technique, Langford was a run-stuffer who showed some pass-rushing ability late. I'd like this deal a lot more if the numbers weren't so inflated.

Grade: B- 

Cincinnati Bengals Sign G Travelle Wharton

Contract: Three years, $10 million 

The Bengals have been pinching their pennies this offseason, and Wharton represents their first free-agent signing. After Cincinnati saw Nate Livings walk to Dallas on a new deal, the team looked at Wharton—a cap casualty with the Carolina Panthers—to fill the hole.

For a guy that is likely to start at left guard next season, $10 million over three years wasn't a bad deal money-wise.

Grade: B