Re-Ranking NFL Free Agency's Biggest Signings At Each Position After Preseason Week 1

The NFL picture is finally coming into focus.

Throughout the offseason, we've analyzed, graded and ranked the biggest signings from March and beyond. Now, with training camps in full swing, Preseason Week 1 in the books and camp buzz colliding with early injury realities, it's time to recalibrate.

Whether evaluating late additions for the first time or updating initial grades with a fresh perspective and real on-field data, this is where the league's major signings stand in the middle of August.

Quarterbacks

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Malik Willis

Minnesota Vikings: Kyler Murray

Terms: 1 year, $1.3 million

Take: This could be the ultimate coup. The Cardinals are paying Murray big money to play for the Vikings, who absolutely needed an alternative to J.J. McCarthy to either take over or push their young first-round pick. There's practically no downside. 

Grade: A+

Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa

Terms: 1 year, $1.2 million

Take: Another no-brainer for another NFC team losing confidence in a third-year first-round pick. Tagovailoa is a flawed quarterback but has accomplished a lot (Pro Bowler, league's highest-rated passer, passing yardage leader) at the age of 28. Miami is footing most of the bill. 

Grade: A

Miami Dolphins: Malik Willis

Terms: 3 years, $67.5 million with $45 million guaranteed 

Take: He's 27 with limited wear and tear and a decent amount of upside. It's a relatively limited long-term commitment for a talented player at the ultimate position who has flashed at the NFL level. I get it, and view it similarly to a first-round gamble on a QB. 

Grade: B+

Las Vegas Raiders: Kirk Cousins

Terms: 2 years, $12.6 million with $11.3 million guaranteed

Take: This is a cost-effective bridge deal that keeps the pressure off Fernando Mendoza and gives him a veteran mentor to start his pro career. The upside is limited, but it makes sense. 

Grade: B

Running Backs

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Travis Etienne

NEW: New York Giants: Najee Harris

Terms: 1 year, $1.2 million 

Take: The money makes it pretty harmless, but this just seems superfluous with Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary on the roster. It's worth a shot in case he catches fire this summer. 

Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs: Kenneth Walker III

Terms: 3 years, $43 million with $28.7 million guaranteed

Take: It makes sense specifically for a Chiefs team that needed another weapon to try to get back in the championship picture before the window closes, even if the money could become cumbersome down the line. 

Grade: B

New Orleans Saints: Travis Etienne Jr.

Terms: 4 years, $48 million with $28 million guaranteed

Take: Big second contracts for rookies always carry risk, and it has to be noted that the 27-year-old Etienne accumulated more than 1,000 touches in his four years with the Jaguars. I don't see this deal aging well. 

Grade: C

Wide Receivers 

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Romeo Doubs

NEW: Indianapolis Colts: Keenan Allen

Terms: 1 year, $8.3 million 

Take: Love these midsummer bolster deals for teams in need of some depth and experience at key positions. You know what your cap-space situation is for the rest of the season anyway, so there's almost no risk in handing out a one-year contract to a veteran who has gone over 700 yards in nine consecutive campaigns. 

Grade: A

New England Patriots: Romeo Doubs

Terms: 4 years, $68 million with $39 million guaranteed

Take: The Pats deserve credit for being proactive about improving and not resting on their laurels after winning the AFC in 2025, and Doubs gives Drake Maye a solid weapon to complement A.J. Brown. It's certainly not an underpay but I get it. 

Grade: B

San Francisco 49ers: Mike Evans

Terms: 3 years, $42.4 million with $16.3 million guaranteed

Take: An all-in 49ers team desperately needed a receiver who could make an immediate impact, and Evans went over 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons. But he's now 33, coming off an injury-marred season, and dealing with a new ankle/foot injury in camp. There's a decent chance this blows up in the team's face.

Grade: C-

Tennessee Titans: Wan'Dale Robinson

Terms: 4 years, $70 million with $38 million guaranteed

Take: He is coming off a breakout 1,000-yard campaign, but that's a hell of a price tag for an undersized slot receiver with nine touchdowns in four NFL seasons. There are too many limitations. 

Grade: D

Las Vegas Raiders: Jalen Nailor

Terms: 3 years, $35.03 million with $23 million guaranteed

Take: This isn't breaking the bank, but Nailor isn't super young (27) and has been quite unproductive (never hitting 500 yards or catching 30 passes in a single campaign). Throw in somewhat of an injury-prone track record and this doesn't look like a smart move for the future. 

Grade: D

Tight Ends

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Isaiah Likely

Washington Commanders: Chig Okonkwo

Terms: 3 years, $27 million with $16.7 million guaranteed

Take: This is a digestible deal for a guy who was handcuffed by his circumstances in Tennessee but has incredible play-making ability and plenty of upside at the age of 26. He also makes perfect sense for Jayden Daniels in Washington. 

Grade: A+

New York Giants: Isaiah Likely

Terms: 3 years, $40 million with $26 million guaranteed

Take: Sometimes I'm wary of a coach bringing in guys from his former team, but I trust that John Harbaugh knows he has something in Likely with more freedom in an exciting new offense. The 26-year-old became quite reliable as his time in Baltimore wore on. Top-five tight end money is bold, but this is a measured gamble and an understandable overpay (for now). 

Grade: A

Offensive Linemen

AP Photo/John Locher

Tyler Linderbaum

New Orleans Saints: David Edwards

Terms: 4 years, $61 million with $45 million guaranteed

Take: The workload isn't too bad for a 29-year-old, so I can see Edwards delivering in New Orleans well into his 30s. He's not a star, but he provides a tremendous boost to a line that needed that as Tyler Shough develops. This was a superb signing. 

Grade: A+

Las Vegas Raiders: Tyler Linderbaum

Terms: 3 years, $81 million (fully guaranteed)

Take: This is how you build from the inside out in support of a new franchise quarterback running a new offense. It's obviously huge money for a center, but we're talking about a perennial Pro Bowler only entering his prime. I can't hate it. 

Grade: A

Cleveland Browns: Elgton Jenkins

Terms: 2 years, $24 million with $15 million guaranteed

Take: Browns fans, meet Pro Football Focus's top-graded qualified pass-blocking guard in 2024. He comes at a discounted price, likely due to the major leg injury that cost him much of 2025, but Jenkins is a multi-time Pro Bowler who brings a nice mix of talent and experience to this transitioning line at the age of 30. 

Grade: A

New England Patriots: Alijah Vera-Tucker

Terms: 3 years, $42 million with $21 million guaranteed 

Take: The risk, of course, is that injuries will bite Vera-Tucker again, as they did in 2022, 2023 and 2025. If he can stay healthy as he did in 2024 with the Jets, the former No. 14 overall pick is elite. I like that it's not an absolute back-breaker for a team that is trying to contend now and has some reinforcements in place in case of emergency. 

Grade: B

Houston Texans: Braden Smith

Terms: 2 years, $20 million with $13.5 million guaranteed

Take: Not sure Smith is necessarily providing the Texans with a clear upgrade over Tytus Howard (whom they traded to Cleveland), but I understand the desire to keep shuffling until they've nailed this. This is a fair price for a veteran who should have plenty of gas left in the tank at 30. 

Grade: B-

Baltimore Ravens: John Simpson

Terms: 3 years, $30 million with $17.5 million guaranteed

Take: A 17-game starter for the Ravens in 2023 who hasn't missed a game since then certainly helps soften the blow associated with losing Linderbaum inside. The money isn't bad, and the team can hope that the 29-year-old cuts down on penalties and finds some of his former glory in 2026. 

Grade: B-

Houston Texans: Wyatt Teller

Terms: 2 years, $16 million with $8.5 million guaranteed

Take: This is a weird one. Teller has declined steadily the last few seasons and might be low on gas at 31. I get that the Texans are swinging the bat at offensive linemen, but this is likely to end badly even at that reasonable cost. 

Grade: D

Cleveland Browns: Zion Johnson

Terms: 3 years, $49.5 million with $32 million guaranteed

Take: Extreme durability counts for something, but not enough to justify nearly $50 million over three years for a mediocre guard. This is a weird move. 

Grade: D-

Edge Defenders

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Bradley Chubb

Buffalo Bills: Bradley Chubb

Terms: 3 years, $43.5 million with $27 million guaranteed

Take: This one remains somewhat under the radar. Coming off a torn ACL that cost him all of 2024, Chubb had 8.5 sacks while getting reacclimated in 2025. The 30-year-old former top-five pick could easily return to a Pro Bowl level in a new, winning environment. He's looked stellar thus far this offseason.

Grade: A+

Washington Commanders: Odafe Oweh

Terms: 4 years, $96 million with $68 million guaranteed

Take: He put up 10 sacks in his last full season with the Ravens in 2024 and returns after registering 7.5 in his last six games with the Chargers in 2025. Gotta love that momentum for a guy who has always delivered in advanced metrics. I'd take him over Jaelan Phillips or Trey Hendrickson, both of whom got a lot more money. 

Grade: A

NEW: Dallas Cowboys: Von Miller

Terms: 1 year, $5.5 million 

Take: The Cowboys' defense can use all of the help it can get, and this is a low-risk gamble on a legend who managed nine sacks on just 420 snaps last season. The veteran leadership is worth the money on its own. This is another beautiful midsummer signing. 

Grade: A

Las Vegas Raiders: Kwity Paye

Terms: 3 years, $48 million with $31.2 million guaranteed

Take: The 27-year-old Paye is quite durable, has first-round pedigree, and the resume isn't shabby with 20.5 sacks the last three years. The Raiders are paying a bit of a premium for the possibility that he fully realizes his potential and breaks out in a new setting. Thing is, this is only borderline top rusher money these days.

Grade: B

New England Patriots: Dre'Mont Jones

Terms: 3 years, $36.5 million with $23.1 million guaranteed

Take: The Pats get a solid starter with the ability to get hot in streaks, and a guy who brings experience and versatility to the defense at a not-ridiculous rate. It's a good move for a team in the mix that needs to keep refining the roster.

Grade: B-

Cincinnati Bengals: Boye Mafe

Terms: 3 years, $60 million with $19 million guaranteed

Take: The front-loaded, low-overall-guarantee nature of this deal makes it easier for the Bengals to move on if it all hits the fan for Mafe and/or the team (again) in 2026. I don't mind that, because broadly this is an overpay for a guy who has just five sacks in his last 32 games. 

Grade: C+

New York Jets: Joseph Ossai

Terms: 3 years, $34.5 million with $22.5 million guaranteed

Take: When this guy is on, he looks like an elite potential No. 1 rusher. The problem is, he's off a lot. A total of 14.5 sacks in four seasons means this is purely a gamble from a desperate Jets team in need of breaks beyond the draft to take that next step quickly. Then again, what do Aaron Glenn and the Jets have to lose? 

Grade: C

Carolina Panthers: Jaelan Phillips

Terms: 4 years, $120 million with $80 million guaranteed

Take: The 27-year-old was limited to just two sacks in eight games with the Eagles as a rental in 2025, and injuries cost him the vast majority of 2023 and 2024 before the Dolphins bailed on him. Considering he's never been a Pro Bowler in five NFL seasons, it's pretty wild that he's one of just 13 defensive players in the $30 million AAV club.

Grade: D-

Baltimore Ravens: Trey Hendrickson

Terms: 4 years, $112 million with $60 million guaranteed

Take: The 31-year-old is coming off a season derailed by lingering core muscle injuries. There's a good chance that contributes to his decline in his 10th season, paving the way for this panic signing to backfire on the Ravens. 

Grade: D-

Interior Defensive Linemen

AP Photo/George Walker IV

John Franklin-Myers

Green Bay Packers: Javon Hargrave

Terms: 2 years, $23 million with $10.5 million guaranteed

Take: This addresses a need for a contender and helps soften the blow associated with Micah Parsons' injury and Rashan Gary's departure on the edge. I think he's got some gas left, so it works. 

Grade: B

Tennessee Titans: John Franklin-Myers

Terms: 3 years, $63 million with $42 million guaranteed

Take: I like the idea of an ascending team like the Titans adding a proven veteran from a strong and established defense like Denver's, but Franklin-Myers turns 30 next month and might be well beyond his prime by the time Tennessee is competitive. Tennessee is also now committing more than $56 million merely to the starting defensive tackle spots. It's overkill. 

Grade: C

Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Allen

Terms: 2 years, $25 million with $7.5 million guaranteed

Take: The Bengals have done their best to remake their defense on the fly, but this is an out-of-place move for a guy well beyond his prime and commanding a decent chunk of change while surrounded by expensive new talent. He's likely to do more harm than good at that rate. 

Grade: D

Off-Ball Linebackers

AP Photo/David Becker

Nakobe Dean

Las Vegas Raiders: Nakobe Dean

Terms: 3 years, $36 million with $23 million guaranteed

Take: A strong playmaker coming over from the Eagles defense, Dean is still only 25 and is gently used with high upside. It's also only a three-year deal at a not-so-wacky cost. I love it. 

Grade: A

Carolina Panthers: Devin Lloyd

Terms: 3 years, $42 million with $25 million guaranteed

Take: Lloyd was by no means an elite producer throughout his tenure in Jacksonville, but his peaks were quite high. And while you have to be suspicious of a monster contract year, this isn't a bad gamble for the Panthers at an AAV of $14 million. Imagine if 2025 was the start of something special for the former first-round pick?

Grade: A

New York Giants: Tremaine Edmunds

Terms: 3 years, $36 million with $23.7 million guaranteed

Take: You know what you're getting. Edmunds is always good for more than a dozen starts and more than 100 tackles. He isn't a star, but he'll provide a boost in veteran leadership as a reliable force in the middle for this ascending team. It's a good fit at market rate. 

Grade: A-

New Orleans Saints: Kaden Elliss

Terms: 3 years, $33 million with $23 million guaranteed

Take: Elliss matured in his first stint with New Orleans, took off and became a disruptive force that rarely came off the field in Atlanta, and now returns to the Saints ready to provide veteran leadership to a team that could sneak up on the league. The money is acceptable, all things considered. 

Grade: A-

Las Vegas Raiders: Quay Walker

Terms: 3 years, $40.5 million with $28 million guaranteed

Take: Walker is a year younger than Lloyd but has less upside at a similar cost. He's also older than Dean but with less playmaking ability. It's not a move that will cause deep regrets, but it's unlikely to make a difference. Dean alone would have sufficed on the market in this area. 

Grade: C+

Cornerbacks

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Jaylen Watson

Los Angeles Rams: Jaylen Watson

Terms: 3 years, $51 million with $34 million guaranteed

Take: The all-in Rams completely revamped their cornerback situation and are now on the hook for an AAV of $48 million between Watson and Trent McDuffie. I like the Watson contract a lot more in terms of value, but he's going to have to enter Pro Bowl and All-Pro conversations at that rate. 

Grade: B

Philadelphia Eagles: Riq Woolen

Terms: 1 year, $12 million

Take: My impression is a lot of teams felt they couldn't get to a point of trusting Woolen, who can sometimes look like an All-Pro but also causes a lot of headaches and frustration. Philly might be the ideal landing spot, as the pressure will be turned down and the team can afford to ride the hot streaks and adjust if need be. On a prove-it deal for a contender, why not?

Grade: B

Tennessee Titans: Cordale Flott

Terms: 3 years, $45 million with $32 million guaranteed

Take: I'm not as high on Flott as a lot of folks were this offseason. Need to see more consistency. Still, he's only turning 25 this week and has limited wear and tear. There is a lot of room for him to grow with this roster, and the three-year deal is a bonus. 

Grade: B-

Pittsburgh Steelers: Jamel Dean

Terms: 3 years, $36.8 million with $12 million guaranteed

Take: This might be a buy-high considering Dean's age (29) and mileage (96 games over seven seasons), but it's a sensible gamble that can be limited to one year for a team that just may be rebuilding by 2027. The coverage skills are undeniable, even if there are occasional lapses and some injury concerns.

Grade: B-

Tennessee Titans: Alontae Taylor

Terms: 3 years, $58 million with $42 million guaranteed

Take: That's No. 1 corner money for a guy who really hasn't done much to earn it. The Titans are overpaying for the ceiling, but Taylor's consistency in coverage will have to improve significantly for this to pay off. 

Grade: D

Safeties 

AP Photo/Tanner Pearson

Bryan Cook

Cincinnati Bengals: Bryan Cook

Terms: 3 years, $40.3 million with $14 million guaranteed

Take: Cook does a lot of things well and almost nothing poorly, which is extremely helpful when you're going for a defensive makeover. He's not an elite playmaker, but that can still come along for the 26-year-old in a new environment. There's a lot to like about this, especially considering that he still isn't earning a top-10 salary at the safety position. 

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Thompson

Terms: 3 years, $33 million with $22 million guaranteed

Take: Thompson is a deeply underrated, reliable player in his prime, and it's entirely possible the bright lights of Dallas bring out a lot more from him as a potential difference-maker in his age-28 season and beyond. The contract isn't a monster either. 

Grade: A

Houston Texans: Reed Blankenship

Terms: 3 years, $24.8 million with $16.5 million guaranteed

Take: PFF grades aren't everything, but Blankenship ranked 66th among 67 qualified safeties in PFF's 2025 grading. He struggled during an otherwise disappointing season and profiles more as a replacement-level starter than a clear upgrade at 27. The money isn't crippling, but there is a good chance this deal doesn't bear fruit.

Grade: C