NFL Free Agency 2015: Grades for Wednesday Signings and Trades

They say that the waiting is the hardest part.

Well, Tom Petty said it, anyway.

Miami Dolphins fans were singing along with Petty Tuesday. Despite a contract agreement that may have been a little too ironed out for the league's liking, the first day of free agency 2015 came and went without defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh signing on the dotted line.

Well relax, Miami fans. It's done, and for better or worse, Suh is now the NFL's highest-paid defensive player.

Wednesday didn't begin with the blaze of trading glory that helped make Tuesday one of the wonkier days in recent memory in the NFL, but there was no shortage of wheeling and dealing across the league.

Here's a look back at Wednesday's biggest signings, beginning with that jaw-dropper of pact in Miami.

Ndamukong Suh to Dolphins: 6 Years, $114 Million, $60 Million Guaranteed

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There are deals. Then there are megadeals. Then there's the contract that Ndamukong Suh signed with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday.

It's Dealzilla. It eats megadeals like Toaster Strudels.

Suh's new contract doesn't just make him the NFL's highest-paid defensive tackle (by a mile) or the league's highest-paid defender. As Grantland's Bill Barnwell reported, the $60 million Suh will receive over the first three years of the deal puts the 28-year-old on par with the NFL's elite quarterbacks.

According to James Walker of ESPN, Suh was (to no one's surprise) all smiles with a pen in his hand on Wednesday.

"Today's going to be a great day," Suh said, "and there's many more to come after that."

No one's going to deny that Suh is an incredibly talented and disruptive defender. Or that he's a generational talent.

But, as Barnwell wrote, paying any one player (who isn't the quarterback) that obscene amount of money is going to have a ripple effect across the entire Miami roster:

"

In a vacuum, Suh is a colossus who would make any team better. In this reality, the impact of adding Suh could be countered by how his contract leaves the Dolphins pencil-thin at three or four other spots on defense.

Maybe the Dolphins will nail the 2015 draft and come away with two above-average starters in the secondary. Maybe they’ll find that [Will] Davis or [Jamar] Taylor will take a leap forward, Suh will make the linebackers look good, and everyone will stay healthy. More likely is that the addition of Suh will be mitigated by how it handicaps Miami elsewhere.

"

Suh is indeed a great player, but the very real possibility that Suh's Dealzilla cripples the Dolphins' ability to add around him knocks a fair bit of the shine off this acquisition.

Good luck telling Dolphins fans that, though. They're riding the wave that Suh's splash created.

Grade: C+

Pernell McPhee to Bears: 5 Years, $40 Million, $16 Million Guaranteed

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This was another signing that was rumored to have been all but completed over the weekend, only to see Tuesday come and go without the deal getting done.

Still, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee flew into Chicago late Tuesday, and as Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune reported, by Wednesday McPhee had signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Bears.

It continues a defensive overhaul that began almost as soon as Ryan Pace took over as Chicago's general manager back in January. “When you think about the Bears’ identity over the years,” Pace told Larry Meyer of the team's official site in January, “it’s tough, physical defense, and we’re going to get back to that.”

The Bears are making the switch to a 3-4 defensive front under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. In the opinion of Doug Farrar of Sports Illustrated, the versatility McPhee displayed last year with the Baltimore Ravens will come in quite handy in that regard:

"

McPhee is able to create pressure and stop the run from just about any gap—he's become one of the most versatile defenders in the NFL.

According to Pro Football Focus's metrics, McPhee rushed the passer 75 times in 372 total passing snaps from the standard outside linebacker position; he also played 115 snaps as a defensive end on either side of the formation with his hand on the ground and 120 snaps came from other linebacker positions.

In addition, McPhee rushed occasionally from a three-tech and one-tech defensive tackle positions or gaps, with a stand-up stance and with his hand on the ground.

"

Farrar has a point. In McPhee's breakout 2014 season (in which the 26-year-old notched a career-high 7.5 sacks), only Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs received a higher grade among 3-4 outside linebackers at Pro Football Focus.

With that said, though, we are talking about a player with 17 career sacks over four years, $40 million is hardly chicken feed, and the recent track record of ex-Ravens after landing lucrative free-agent deals isn't especially good.

Looking at you, Paul Kruger. Looking right...at...you.

Grade: B+

Ryan Mathews to Eagles, 3 Years, $11.5 Million, $5 Million Guaranteed

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Like we were going to make it through one of these without the Chipster making a move.

The latest machination from MachiaKelly (that's GOLD, Jerry! GOLD!) got the Philadelphia Eagles their running back—it just wasn't the one we thought it would be a few days ago.

After Frank Gore spurned the Eagles for the Indianapolis Colts, the team moved on in its search for a replacement for LeSean McCoy.

As ESPN's Adam Schefter reported (via ESPN.com), on Wednesday the Eagles agreed to terms with free-agent running back Ryan Mathews on a three-year, $11.5 million contract—$5 million of the deal is guaranteed.

When healthy, the 12th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft has been effective in the NFL. Two years ago Mathews topped 1,250 yards on the ground for the San Diego Chargers. Mathews has averaged at least 4.4 yards a carry in each of the past two seasons.

The problem is that "when healthy" part.

Only once in five NFL seasons has Matthews played in all 16 games. Three times he's missed at least one quarter of the season, including nine games a year ago.

The talent's there, and the financial investment is reasonable. However, counting on Mathews to be the Eagles' featured back in 2015 could be asking for trouble.

Of course, if the last few days are any indication, if there's one thing Chip Kelly isn't, it's scared.

Grade: B-

Jeremy Maclin to Chiefs: 5 Years, $55 Million, $22.5 Million Guaranteed

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

The times they are-a-changin' in Philadelphia.

It isn't just the dizzying array of moves that Chip Kelly has made. Just like every team in the NFL, the Eagles have also watched players depart for other franchises.

And on Wednesday the Eagles suffered a loss that cut particularly deep.

As ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who led the Eagles with 1,318 receiving yards in 2014, has joined the Kansas City Chiefs on a five-year, $55 million contract.

The deal, which includes $22.5 million in guarantees, reunites Maclin with head coach Andy Reid. Maclin told reporters (via Pete Sweeney of the Chiefs' website) that reunion played a large role in his decision-making:

"

In the back of my mind it was either I was going stay in Philadelphia or come to Kansas City. Both of those situations made sense and Kansas City made more sense. It’s going to be fun.

I think the more the better, to have different types of guys who do different things and take the pressure off of each other. I think we are going to be pretty good on the offensive side of the ball.

"

After a season in which Kansas City wideouts caught a grand total of zero touchdown passes (how is that even possible?), it's hardly a surprise that position would be near the top of the Chiefs' wishlist.

And at 26 Maclin is in his prime and coming off a career season. Reid called him "a phenomenal player," per Sweeney.

However, last year was also the first time Maclin had topped 1,000 yards in a season. It's only the second time in six years he's played 16 games, including losing the entire 2013 season to a torn ACL.

Not really a resume that yells, "Pay me like a top-10 receiver!"

Like the player. The terms? Not so much.

Grade: C+

Andre Johnson to Colts: 3 Years, $21 Million

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Man, the Indianapolis Colts really do like their free agents, um, experienced.

One day after inking running back Frank Gore, 31, and outside linebacker Trent Cole, 32, the Colts once again went the geriatric route in free agency.

As ESPN's Josina Anderson reported (via ESPN.com), Indianapolis agreed to contract terms Wednesday on a three-year, $21 deal with veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson.

The 34-year-old Johnson, who has played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Houston Texans, told ESPN his reasoning for joining Houston's rival was simple.

"I felt like this was the best place where I can win a championship and help win a championship," Johnson said. "That's what it's all about. That's why we play the game."

It's a worst-case scenario for Houston fans, who will now watch one of the best players in franchise history suit up for "the enemy."

In addition, Bleacher Report NFL National Lead Writer Matt Bowen hailed the move for the Colts:

"

At this point in his career, Johnson isn’t going to create a lot separation at the top of the route, and I do expect cornerbacks to squat more in coverage to challenge the break point.

That’s kind of the drill when defensive backs are matched up versus older receivers who don’t have the acceleration or long speed to run past them. They take more risks and will sit on routes.

However, given Johnson’s experience as a route-runner—plus his size—he can still win on the dig, curl, etc. when the ball is on time and put on the proper shoulder.

And Johnson will get that working with Luck.

"

One thing's for sure. When the bell sounds (there isn't a bell—but there should really be a bell) to open free agency, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson gets down to business.

Even if much of that business has to be conducted prior to 4 p.m. at a Denny's.

Grade: A-

Jared Odrick to Jaguars: 5 Years, $42.5 Million, $22 Million Guaranteed

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You can't take it with you.

Entering free agency, no team in the NFL had more coin to spend than the Jacksonville Jaguars. On Tuesday the team used a chunk of that cap space on tight end Julius Thomas.

On Wednesday, it was the defense's turn.

As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported, the Jaguars inked defensive tackle Jared Odrick to a five-year deal that will pay the 27-year-old an average of $8.5 million per season.

Odrick told reporters via the team's website that he views the Jaguars as an opportunity to be a part of something special:

"

I’ve had a smile all day. It’s not because of the number I saw, but the people I’m meeting. It’s exciting to be a part of not just an organization on the rise, but a city on the rise. He (head coach Gus Bradley) is an energetic guy, something I wasn’t used to in Miami.

"

Are you saying Joe Philbin isn't a bundle of energy? Who knew?

The Jacksonville defense remains a work-in-progress. The team got better at rushing the passer in 2014, but there's still plenty of room for improvement, and the Jags had the resources to spend big to do that.

However, Odrick only has 16.5 sacks in five NFL seasons. Only once in those five years has Odrick received a positive grade in run defense from Pro Football Focus (2014). Odrick barely sneaked inside the top 20 at the position at PFF last year.

Part of it may be the overpaying that's often part and parcel for struggling teams, as it's the only way those franchises can attract free agents to begin with.

Still, it feels like the Jaguars overshot the mark here on a good (but not great) player.

Grade: C

Dan Skuta to Jaguars: 5 Years, $20.5 Million

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Might as well get this one out of the way.

It happens every year in free agency. Somehow, someway, an NFL team somehow convinces itself that a role player is worth starter money.

This isn't meant to slam Dan Skuta, who inked a five-year, $20.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (via NFL.com's Chris Wesseling).

The seventh-year veteran is coming off a career year, logging five sacks for the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. Skuta also has experience playing a number of positions, versatility that John Oehser of the Jaguars' website wrote appealed to head coach Gus Bradley:

"

Versatility is one reason Skuta signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Jaguars Wednesday, and that same versatility – along with a recently-exhibited ability to rush the passer – could put him in a role the Jaguars need him to fill.

Skuta, who spent the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, registered five sacks last season, a total that makes him a fit for the team’s Otto linebacker position – a position that emphasizes run defense on the strong side of the defense and the ability to provide pass rush.

And yes, the word “Otto” was one Skuta heard Wednesday.

“They’ve said it to me a few times already,” Skuta said Wednesday. “I got a short rundown of the things I could be doing. I understand why it’s probably hard to find someone to come in and fill it, but I think that could be me and I think I can be really good at it."

"

Still, we're talking about a 28-year-old linebacker who had a half-sack entering 2014—for his career. Skuta has never played at least 400 defensive snaps in a season, per ProFootballFocus.com.

The Jags are paying a player coming off a fluke year at a rate that can only be justified if Skuta hits his ceiling.

And both are big free-agency no-nos.

Grade: F

Jabaal Sheard to Patriots: 2 Years, $11 Million, $5.5 Million Guaranteed

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Those crafty, crafty New England Patriots.

Tuesday didn't go so well for the defending Super Bowl champions, with cornerback Darrelle Revis returning to the New York Jets in free agency. Running back Shane Vereen is headed to New York as well, inking a multiyear deal with the New York Giants.

On Wednesday it was the Pats' turn, and as they often do, New England added an undervalued veteran with a good shot at outplaying his new contract in short order.

As Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported (via Mike Wilkening, also of PFT), the Patriots signed four-year veteran Jabaal Sheard to a two-year, $11 million contract. Half the deal is guaranteed.

At first glance, over $5 million a season may seem a lot to pay a "pass-rusher" who managed only two sacks last year.

However, Sheard is only 25, and in his first two seasons (as a 4-3 defensive end), he topped 50 tackles with 15.5 combined sacks.

At worst, he's a rotational player with experience in both three- and four-man fronts.

At best, he's the heir apparent to the aging Rob Ninkovich (31).

Either way, he's a 25-year-old with 23 career sacks whom the Pats got below market value.

As ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted Wednesday, "Text from one league source on Patriots landing former Browns LB/DE Jabaal Sheard: 'Will be top 5 signing of free agency, guarantee it.'"

Outside of players who have stayed with their 2014 teams, this may well be the best signing of free agency so far, at least from a value perspective.

No wonder everyone hates the Patriots (well, except Patriots fans).

Grade: A

Curtis Lofton to Raiders: 3 Years, $18 Million, $10 Million Guaranteed

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Like the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Oakland Raiders had a ton of cap space entering free agency this year.

Like the Jaguars, the Raiders also had more than a little work to do on defense.

On Wednesday, the Raiders got down to it.

As Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com reported, the Raiders agreed to terms on a three-year, $18 million free-agent deal, which The Baltimore Sun first reported, with veteran inside linebacker Curtis Lofton. 

The 28-year-old Lofton, who spent the last three years with the New Orleans Saints, finished fourth in the NFL with 144 total tackles a year ago.

ESPN's Bill Williamson sees the addition of Lofton as a big boost for a Raiders defense that badly needed it:

"

Lofton, 28, is a tackling machine. He had 144 tackles last season and has had at least 123 tackles in each of the past four seasons. The knock on Lofton is he is not great in coverage, but he is a good, solid signal-caller for a defense.

The Raiders were looking for a new middle linebacker after cutting Nick Roach because of health concerns. In 2014, Miles Burris played for Roach, who was out all last season with a concussion, and struggled.

"

It's true that Burris struggled last year, and Lofton should add valuable veteran experience between youngsters Sio Moore and Khalil Mack.

However, it's also true that Lofton struggles in coverage, and he graded out a dismal 57th among inside linebackers at Pro Football Focus even while racking up all those tackles for the Saints a year ago.

And that makes that guaranteed $10 million a bit tougher to swallow.

Grade: C+

Bruce Carter to Buccaneers: 4 Years, $17 Million, $4.25 Million Guaranteed

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The Raiders weren't the only NFL team that threw some cash at their problems at linebacker on Wednesday. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got in on the action too.

According to Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' website, Tampa inked free-agent outside linebacker Bruce Carter to a four-year contract.

However, there's a bit of confusion regarding the size of the pact. Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports puts the deal at $20.5 million. Tom Pelissero of USA Today, on the other hand, wrote that the deal is for $17 million, with a guarantee of only $4.25 million.

Granted, some will look at that small guarantee and Carter's five interceptions last year (tops among linebackers and fourth in the NFL) and proclaim this deal a "steal."

However, turnovers are about as accurate a predictor of future success as happy thoughts. Carter is talented, but he's also erratic. Last year the 27-year-old ranked as the fourth-worst qualifying 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.

Still, while signing Carter may not be a source for great enthusiasm, it's also hard to get too bent out of joint over what appears to be essentially a "prove it" contract for the four-year veteran.

Grade: B-

Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters and Cory Redding to Cardinals

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None of this trio of acquisitions by the Arizona Cardinals is any sort of blockbuster on its own. However, since the Arizona Cardinals weren't exactly flush in cap space before spending a chunk of money on guard Mike Iupati, the rest of free agency for the Redbirds will likely be spent looking in the scratch-and-dent aisle.

In that respect, the team did pretty well on Wednesday, adding an inside linebacker and a pair of Coreys.

No, not them.

As Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports reported, the Cardinals signed linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who has spent his entire five-year career with the Atlanta Falcons, to a one-year deal worth just under $4 million.

The 27-year-old Weatherspoon had 115 tackles for the Falcons back in 2011, but injuries have derailed his career in recent years. Weatherspoon has missed a whopping 28 games over the past three seasons, including all of 2014 with a torn Achilles.

The Cardinals weren't finished filching from their fellow feathered franchise. As Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic reports, the Cardinals also signed defensive tackle Corey Peters away from the Falcons. The 26-year-old Peters, who had 26 tackles and two sacks in 2014, signed for three years and $11.25 million, with $5.75 million guaranteed.

But wait, there's more!

Since the Cardinals took advantage of a limited-time offer (note to self: less late-night cable TV) the team was also able to agree to terms with defensive end Cory Redding on a two-year, $6 million contract, according Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

Redding, 34, had 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Indianapolis Colts in 2014.

As I said, none of these deals are blowing up the Internet or talk radio. Redding will turn 35 during the upcoming season. Weatherspoon hasn't played in a meaningful game since December 2013.

The Cardinals had holes to fill with the departures of Darnell Dockett, Dan Williams and Larry Foote (who joined the coaching staff), and they had limited financial resources with which to fill those holes.

In that respect, general manager Steve Keim did well.

Grade: B

Rodney Hudson to Raiders: 5 Years, $44.5 Million, $20 Million Guaranteed

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

Given their huge war chest, the Oakland Raiders were linked to any number of prominent free agents in recent weeks.

However, whether it was Randall Cobb re-signing with the Green Bay Packers or Ndamukong Suh heading to Miami, the Raiders missed out on their big-name targets.

Well, most of them anyway.

The Raiders did land one whopper, though. As Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported, the Raiders came to terms with center Rodney Hudson (formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs) on a five-year, $44.5 million contract. The deal contains $20 million in guarantees.

The 25-year-old didn't come cheaply, but Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated is on board with the signing:

"

The Raiders now have the makings of a mauling front, at least on the left side—Hudson will have impressive 2014 rookie guard Gabe Jackson lined up next to him and Donald Penn returns at LT off a strong Oakland debut.

More importantly, getting Hudson to sign on the dotted line represents an important step forward for the Raiders' image this offseason. New coach Jack Del Rio talked at the combine about the challenge of trying to recruit elite players to Oakland, where the team obviously has struggled for some time and the facilities are lacking.

"

The Raiders certainly had the coin to afford signing Hudson, and Oakland just landed PFF's third-ranked center just as he's entering the prime of his career.

What's not to like?

Grade: A

Antrel Rolle to Bears: 3 Years, $11.25 Million, $5 Million Guaranteed

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The Chicago Bears were burning the midnight oil on Wednesday, working late into the night to address the back end of their defense.

The Bears accomplished that goal. As Pro Football Talk reported, Chicago signed veteran safety Antrel Rolle to a three-year, $11.25 million contract that includes $5 million in guarantees.

The 32-year-old was wildly productive in his five seasons with the New York Giants. In each of those campaigns Rolle tallied at least 85 tackles, racking up 14 interceptions along the way.

However, Rolle's play fell off in 2014. After picking off six passes and finishing ninth among all safeties at Pro Football Focus in 2013, Rolle slipped all the way to 81st a year ago.

OK, so maybe "fell off" should have been followed by "a cliff."

Simply put, the Bears are risking $5 million dollars on 2014 being more fluke and less the beginning of the end for Rolle.

I'm not going to sit here and say I'm crazy about their chances, but for a Bears secondary that ranked 30th in pass defense last year, it's a risk worth taking.

Grade: B-

TRADE: Ryan Fitzpatrick to Jets for Conditional Draft Pick

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

There was another trade in the NFL on Wednesday, one that sent shock waves rippling across the football landscape.

OK, so it was the football landscape of NFL players who went to Harvard. Whatever.

As Rich Cimini of ESPN reported, the New York Jets have acquired the 32-year-old Fitzpatrick from the Houston Texans for a conditional pick.

If Fitzpatrick is terrible in New York, or he gets eaten by an alligator that lives in the New York sewers (what? It's TRUE.), then the Texans just get a pizza from Paulie Gee's in Brooklyn, recently voted the seventh-best pizza in New York by The Village Voice.

Yummy.

However, if Fitzpatrick reaches certain playing-time incentives, then the Texans get that pizza and a case of Miller Lite.

I know, they should have tried for a microbrew, right?

OK, so maybe it's a seventh-round pick or a sixth-rounder if Fitzpatrick plays a certain number of snaps.

Kidding aside, Fitzpatrick actually wasn't awful for the Texans last year. He threw 17 touchdowns against only eight interceptions and posted a passer rating over 95.

However, the Freddy Krueger of NFL quarterbacks is what he is—a pop-gun-armed option who puts the entire offense on training wheels.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Jets are better off with Geno Smith under center in Week 1.

In any event, given my choice of Fitzpatrick, the picks or the pizza, I think I'll take the pie.

Grade: ZZZZZ (What? I'm awake!)

All salary-cap info provided by OvertheCap.com.

Looking for grades for Tuesday's deals? They're right here.