Progress Reports for All 32 Teams' NFL Offseasons so Far
We are now only a few weeks away from the 2016 NFL draft, which means we've essentially hit the halfway point of the offseason's player-movement period. Free-agent activity is dwindling to a mere trickle, and most of the football world has turned its full attention to the looming draft extravaganza.
This, of course, makes it a perfect time to hand out interim progress reports to the 32 franchises that make up the league.
What follows is a look at what each NFL franchise has done since the end of the 2015 season. We will list significant player acquisitions and departures while providing a brief overview of each team's offseason. We will then grade each team's offseason based on the moves made, the logic behind them, what goals have been filled or remain and, in some cases, moves the team should have made but didn't.
We will also consider coaching and executive changes, but only to an extent. It can take years for a staff and a roster to fully mesh, and we don't want to overreact to a coaching hire that initially looks—or doesn't look—like a home run.
These are not meant to be grades of team quality, power rankings or any indication of future success. This is only our idea of how teams have fared to this point in the offseason.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
Notable Additions: S Tyvon Branch, G Evan Mathis, DE Chandler Jones
Notable Losses: OT Bobby Massie, S Rashad Johnson, G Jonathan Cooper
The Arizona Cardinals were one of the best teams in the NFL during the 2015 regular season. Unfortunately, underlying weaknesses such as a shaky offensive line and an underwhelming pass rush sunk the team during the postseason.
Though the Cardinals haven't been overly active since the start of the offseason, they have made moves to address two of the biggest weaknesses of last year's playoff roster.
The headline-grabbing move was the trade to acquire pass-rusher Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots. Arizona had to give up offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick in the deal, but Jones should pay immediate dividends.
Jones had 12.5 sacks during the 2015 regular season. As a team, Arizona had just 36 sacks and was rated 29th overall in pass rush by Pro Football Focus.
The Cardinals also brought in veteran guard and newly crowned Super Bowl champion Evan Mathis to help bolster the line. He started 15 games last season and was rated seventh overall among guards by Pro Football Focus.
In terms of losses, the Cardinals have little reason for concern. The team brought back the guys it wanted, including running back Chris Johnson and tight end Jermaine Gresham.
From here, it will be interesting to see if the Cardinals add immediately helpful pieces in the draft or start building for the future. Either way, Arizona appears poised for another playoff run in 2016.
Grade: A-
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
Notable Additions: DE Derrick Shelby, WR Mohamed Sanu, LB Courtney Upshaw, C Alex Mack
Notable Losses: WR Roddy White, DL Paul Soliai
The Atlanta Falcons got off to a strong start in 2015 but then limped down the stretch to an eventual 8-8 record. With a strong offseason, though, the team might just be able to start and finish strong in 2016.
The Falcons have added a number of notable pieces thus far, including wideout Mohamed Sanu, center Alex Mack and linebacker Courtney Upshaw. The team also re-signed defensive end Adrian Clayborn, which is an underrated but savvy move.
The two big moves here are the additions of Mack and Sanu. Mack is a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the better centers in the NFL. Sanu, though coming off a down year, projects as an upgrade over the departed Roddy White at the No. 2 receiver position.
Sanu served in the No. 2 role with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 and finished that year with 56 receptions, 790 yards and five touchdowns.
The sneaky home run grab of the offseason, though, might be the addition of defensive end Derrick Shelby. Though he only logged 3.5 sacks with the Miami Dolphins in 2015, he was rated 15th in pass rush and 10th overall among 4-3 defensive ends by Pro Football Focus.
Shelby should prove to be a valuable weapon in head coach Dan Quinn's defensive plans. Sanu and Mack are likely significant upgrades, while Upshaw could be a starter or quality depth player.
The only real notable loss here is that of defensive lineman Paul Soliai, who was a valuable rotational defender.
Overall, it's been a favorable start to the offseason for the Falcons. Don't be surprised if a strong draft gives them enough ammo to reach the postseason in 2016.
Grade: A-
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
Notable Additions: S Eric Weddle, TE Benjamin Watson, WR Mike Wallace
Notable Losses: OL Kelechi Osemele, LB Courtney Upshaw, S Will Hill, LB Daryl Smith, DE Chris Canty
It's been an unusually active offseason for the Baltimore Ravens, but perhaps this should have been expected. The team had an unusually disappointing 5-11 campaign in 2015.
The Ravens went after three upper-echelon free agents while letting a number of contributors walk in free agency. As far as losses go, however, the only truly significant one is the departure of offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele.
Osemele (26) is one of the better young guards in the NFL, and he filled in admirably at left tackle for a stretch last season. Baltimore will miss his talent and versatility. Losing the likes of Courtney Upshaw and Daryl Smith will hurt some, but the Ravens can replace those players through the draft.
The big addition here is that of safety Eric Weddle. At 31 years of age, he is in the back half of his career, but he is still playing at a high level. He was rated 12th overall by Pro Football Focus among safeties for the 2015 season. He should provide the Ravens with the type of intimidating, playmaking presence they have lacked at safety since the days of Ed Reed.
Baltimore also added speedy receiver Mike Wallace and veteran tight end Ben Watson to the offense. This should ensure quarterback Joe Flacco has a greater arsenal at his disposal than he had at any point this past season. With wideout Steve Smith Sr. returning for one final go, the offense in Baltimore should be quite formidable this coming season.
Baltimore also added Leslie Frazier as secondary coach.
Baltimore's free-agent moves have set the team up to target the offensive line and the defense in the upcoming draft. If the team can solidify those positions, the Ravens should be back in the hunt for an AFC North title.
Grade: B-
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
Notable Additions: CB Sterling Moore
Notable Losses: LB Nigel Bradham, DE Mario Williams, CB Leodis McKelvin, WR Chris Hogan
It's been an underwhelming offseason for the Buffalo Bills this far, but that doesn't mean it's been a bad one.
The Bills have mostly been quiet on the external free-agent front. The lone significant signing has been that of cornerback Sterling Moore, who was rated 47th overall among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus last season.
The team added depth players such as linebacker Zach Brown, cornerback Corey White and offensive lineman Fernando Velasco as well.
Where the Bills have really succeeded this offseason, however, is in the retention of internal free agents. They retained starting left tackle Cordy Glenn via the franchise tag and re-signed guard Richie Incognito and receiver Leonard Hankerson.
There are a couple of departures that will likely sting the Bills this season, but one isn't the loss of Mario Williams—he was rated just 88th among 4-3 defensive ends by Pro Football Focus in 2015. Instead, the team will most miss Nigel Bradham and Chris Hogan.
None of Buffalo's departed players, however, is irreplaceable.
The trick now for Buffalo is to successfully navigate the upcoming draft. The roster isn't significantly weaker now, and a strong draft should allow the Bills to build on last year's 8-8 campaign.
Grade: B-
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
Notable Additions: DL Paul Soliai, CB Brandon Boykin, OL Gino Gradkowski
Notable Losses: P Brad Nortman, DE Jared Allen
It's safe to say the Carolina Panthers didn't have a lot of work to do this offseason. The team lost only two games in 2015, and one of those was Super Bowl 50.
Still, we have to commend the work that Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman has done this offseason. He made sure that emerging cornerback Josh Norman would go nowhere by handing him the franchise tag. He also freed up some major cap space by releasing defensive end Charles Johnson and then re-signing him to a manageable one-year, $3 million deal.
Carolina also added depth to multiple positions. Defensive lineman Paul Soliai will now be part of the fearsome defensive line rotation, while guard/center Gino Gradkowski will fill a similar role on the offensive line.
Brandon Boykin could compete for the primary nickelback role and at the very least should be a contributor in the secondary.
Carolina's losses have been minimal. Pass-rusher Jared Allen literally rode off this offseason, while punter Brad Nortman left for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team hasn't re-signed receiver Jerricho Cotchery, but with Kelvin Benjamin returning from injury, there's little reason to do so.
Considering the Panthers didn't have a lot of weaknesses to begin with, we have to say the early offseason has been a successful one. Carolina kept the key players it needed to and added quality depth without breaking the bank. This is a clear Super Bowl contender that is likely to get even better through the upcoming draft.
Grade: A-
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Notable Additions: LB Danny Trevathan, OT Bobby Massie, LB Jerrell Freeman, DE Akiem Hicks
Notable Losses: LB Shea McClellin, TE Martellus Bennett, RB Matt Forte
So far, it's been a productive offseason for the Chicago Bears—at least on the defensive side of the ball.
Chicago landed linebacker Danny Trevathan, who was one of the top defensive free agents available on this year's market. Pro Football Focus rated him sixth overall among inside linebackers for the 2015 season.
The Bears also added linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who was one of the more underrated defenders on the market. Pro Football Focus rated him third overall among inside linebackers for the year. Of course, Trevathan gets a four-year, $24.5 million deal, while Freeman gets a three-year, $12 million one.
It literally pays to be a Super Bowl champion.
The addition of defensive end Akiem Hicks will also help the Bears as they continue revamping the defense. The addition of offensive lineman Bobby Massie, however, leaves much to be desired.
Massie was rated just 114th among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season. This feels like a depth signing that was really unnecessary.
Losing linebacker Shea McClellin stings a bit, and the Bears offense will miss the presence of running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett. However, none of these losses is going to wreck the 2016 season for Chicago.
Chicago's defense already appears better than it was last season. If the Bears can use the draft to similarly strengthen the offense, they could be a surprise NFC North contender.
Grade: B
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
Notable Additions: WR Brandon LaFell, LB Karlos Dansby
Notable Losses: WR Marvin Jones, LB Emmanuel Lamur, WR Mohamed Sanu, OT Andre Smith, S Reggie Nelson
Over the past few offseasons, the Cincinnati Bengals just haven't chased after big-money free agents. The team has instead tried to build through the draft while putting its free-agency focus toward player retention.
Considering the Bengals have now made the playoffs five consecutive seasons and are coming off a year in which they were rated fifth overall by Pro Football Focus, it's hard to argue with the franchise's direction.
For this reason, it's also difficult to find much fault in what the Bengals have done so far this offseason. Sure, the team let key contributors such as Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Reggie Nelson walk in free agency, but Cincinnati was never going to be able to keep everyone. Keeping internal free agents such as safety George Iloka, cornerback Adam Jones and linebacker Vincent Rey ensures the team can continue building on areas of strength.
Adding former New England Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell at least helps limit the damage of losing Jones and Sanu. Snagging linebacker Karlos Dansby after he was released by the division-rival Cleveland Browns was a brilliant move. He was rated 17th overall by Pro Football Focus in 2015 and should fit well in the Cincinnati defense.
Overall, the Bengals have done a terrific job of setting themselves up for the draft. A strong haul at the end of this month should allow Cincinnati to be right back in the playoff mix in 2016.
Grade: B+
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
Notable Additions: QB Robert Griffin III, LB Demario Davis
Notable Losses: C Alex Mack, S Donte Whitner, LB Karlos Dansby, LB Craig Robertson, OT Mitchell Schwartz, WR Travis Benjamin, S Tashaun Gipson, S Johnson Bademosi
The 2016 offseason for the Cleveland Browns seems to have unfolded in three stages.
First, there was a sense of wonder and confusion as the Browns hired former baseball-numbers guru Paul DePodesta as chief strategy officer. The move signaled Cleveland's unexpected shift to an analytics-driven business model.
Then, there was excitement around Cleveland for the landing of new head coach Hue Jackson, who was one of the hottest candidates this offseason. Many believed that the new direction of the franchise would potentially scare away any quality coaching candidates. However, the Browns landed perhaps the biggest-ticket item on the coaching market.
Then, of course, free agency actually opened, and the feeling around Cleveland became one of utter dread and dismay. The Browns allowed five starters to leave at the opening of free agency and then released two more from their contracts.
The big addition has been unwanted quarterback Robert Griffin III. He last played in 2014 and had a dismal season that year. He was rated 67th overall among all quarterbacks that year by Pro Football Focus.
If the new moneyball Browns are planning to tear down the roster and build a new team from scratch, they've nailed the first phase.
Perhaps we should give Cleveland a grade of incomplete here. The franchise's approach is so unorthodox and foreign to the football world that perhaps we have no way of accurately judging its player movement.
If we're looking at the offseason with any traditional football mindset, however, it's been a failure of epic proportions.
Grade: F
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Notable Additions: RB Alfred Morris, DL Cedric Thornton
Notable Losses: DE Greg Hardy
It's been a quiet offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, but this shouldn't come as a surprise. When healthy, Dallas doesn't have a ton of holes to fill. It was injuries to guys such as quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant that sunk the team in 2015.
Of course, there's also the matter of cap space. According to OverTheCap.com, the Cowboys have just over $7 million with which to play. This is why we can't fault Dallas for not being a major free-agency player.
Probably the most significant move the team has made so far is the addition of running back Alfred Morris. He is a former starter and 1,000-yard rusher and should pair nicely with Darren McFadden.
McFadden, by the way, topped the 1,000-yard mark himself last season.
The Cowboys also added defensive lineman Cedric Thornton and re-signed a host of internal free agents. Bringing back cornerback Morris Claiborne, running back Lance Dunbar and linebacker Rolando McClain was important for the growth of the team.
The only loss of note is that of defensive end Greg Hardy.
While the Cowboys have shown little open interest in bringing him back, Hardy is still a free agent and may not even end up a loss. Considering his off-field and attitude issues, though, we won't be surprised if Dallas has already counted him as one.
The Cowboys haven't made waves in free agency, but they've worked well within their existing constraints. If they can draft a premier pass-rusher to replace Hardy—and can get healthy—they should be a formidable team in 2016.
Grade: C+
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
Notable Additions: OT Russell Okung, OT Donald Stephenson, QB Mark Sanchez
Notable Losses: QB Peyton Manning, QB Brock Osweiler, LB Danny Trevathan, DL Malik Jackson, S David Bruton, G Evan Mathis, OT Ryan Harris, OT Ryan Clady
It's been a rough offseason for the Denver Broncos thus far. The team lost star quarterback Peyton Manning to retirement and then lost quarterback Brock Osweiler to the Houston Texans via free agency.
The Broncos also said goodbye to key players such as linebacker Danny Trevathan, guard Evan Mathis and defensive end Malik Jackson in free agency. These losses hurt our progress report for Denver, but it's important to realize that this is a Super Bowl team that was never going to pay to keep everyone.
The Broncos did pay to keep edge-rusher Von Miller and running back C.J. Anderson. Miller, the MVP of Super Bowl 50, was hit with the franchise tag. The team kept Anderson when it matched a four-year, $18 million offer tendered by the Miami Dolphins.
While we feel Denver overpaid for Anderson, it was important to at least keep some core pieces intact.
The acquisition of veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez was one of the more underrated moves of the offseason. Sanchez has never emerged as a star; however, he has a ton of experience and should provide a level of quarterback play similar to what Denver had in 2015. Of course, the Broncos may not be done adding pieces to the position.
According to ESPN's John Clayton, Broncos general manager John Elway is still interested in acquiring Colin Kaepernick from the San Francisco 49ers—but only if the quarterback will reduce his salary to something in the $7 million-per-year range.
Overall, it feels like the Broncos should still be contenders in 2016. Denver has done an acceptable job of navigating a rocky offseason, but we would have awarded higher marks had the team worked to keep a defensive piece like Jackson or Trevathan instead of paying for a role-playing back like Anderson.
Grade: C-
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
Notable Additions: WR Marvin Jones, RB Stevan Ridley, WR Jeremy Kerley, S Johnson Bademosi
Notable Losses: WR Calvin Johnson, S Isa Abdul-Quddus
We have to feel a little for Detroit Lions fans this early offseason. They have been forced to witness one of the team's all-time greats in Calvin Johnson announce his retirement and then watch as the Lions fail to erase the pain with free-agent excitement.
The Lions did sign free-agent receiver Marvin Jones to help limit the loss of Johnson, but fans expecting Bumblebee to suddenly transform into Megatron will be disappointed. The fact that the team likely overpaid with a five-year, $40 million deal only adds to the discouragement.
Of course, it hasn't been all bad. The only other loss of note for Detroit is that of Isa Abdul-Quddus, who was rated 19th overall among safeties last season by Pro Football Focus.
Detroit also managed to add a couple of potentially valuable role players in wideout Jeremy Kerley and running back Stevan Ridley. The addition of Johnson Bademosi should also bolster safety depth and bring special teams value.
Re-signing key contributors like linebacker Tahir Whitehead and Haloti Ngata is important for the growth of the team.
We will knock the Lions a bit for not taking bigger steps to address a poor run-blocking line. Detroit spent a second-round pick on running back Ameer Abdullah but rarely saw encouraging results from him. This is likely due to a line that was rated 27th in run blocking by Pro Football Focus last season.
On paper, the Lions are probably better than last season. However, it feels like the team missed out on some opportunities in free agency, and there's no getting around the emotional blow of Johnson's retirement.
Grade: C
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Notable Additions: TE Jared Cook
Notable Losses: DT B.J. Raji, CB Casey Hayward
Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson prefers to build through the draft and by re-signing key players before they hit the market. Therefore, we've become accustomed to quiet offseasons in Green Bay. This year has been no different.
"Free agency is a long process," head coach Mike McCarthy said, per SportsXchange.com. "We've been pretty fortunate that most years we try to get our own [players] back and then see what else fits. I think that's a reflection of our philosophy."
Green Bay moved quickly to re-sign running back James Starks and linebacker Nick Perry after the market opened while allowing cornerback Casey Hayward to leave for the San Diego Chargers.
Defensive lineman B.J. Raji headed toward (possibly temporary) retirement.
The Packers, however, did break from the norm by adding free-agent tight end Jared Cook. A seven-year veteran, Cook was one of the top tight ends available in free agency this offseason. He finished last year with 39 receptions and 481 yards.
Cook puts another weapon at the disposal of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who should also get wideout Jordy Nelson back from injury.
We can't fawn over what the Packers have done in our progress report, because the team hasn't been especially active. However, it's worth noting that this is simply how the Packers manage the early offseason, and it works for the franchise. This is why Green Bay is consistently a contender once the regular season rolls around.
Grade: C+
Houston Texans
13 of 32
Notable Additions: QB Brock Osweiler, OL Jeff Allen, RB Lamar Miller
Notable Losses: C Ben Jones, OL Brandon Brooks, RB Arian Foster
On the surface, it would appear the Houston Texans have had one of the better offseasons in the league so far. They landed a new starting quarterback in Brock Osweiler, a new running back in Lamar Miller and a quality lineman in Jeff Allen.
The reason we hesitate to dote over the team's free-agent haul is the risk involved with the Osweiler acquisition.
Houston shelled out a massive four-year, $72 million deal with $37 million guaranteed to bring Osweiler to town. If he proves to be a playoff-caliber quarterback, this isn't a bad deal. The problem is that Osweiler's body of work is limited. He has seven career starts at the NFL level and was typically pedestrian in them.
All seven of Osweiler's starts came in 2015. Pro Football Focus rated him 26th overall among quarterbacks for the season.
If Osweiler can make the Texans offense better, then this becomes a strong offseason for Houston. Increasing the potency of the offense is important because the Texans defense—rated fifth overall by Pro Football Focus last season—is already a playoff unit.
The losses of offensive linemen Ben Jones and Brandon Brooks will hurt but will mean little in the grand scheme of things if Osweiler can take Houston to the promised land.
Of course, while we're all for optimism, we're basing this progress report on what we've seen from Osweiler and not his potential.
Grade: B-
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
Notable Additions: CB Patrick Robinson
Notable Losses: LB Jerrell Freeman, WR Andre Johnson, TE Coby Fleener
Unlike last season, when the team went on a fairly sizable spending spree, the Indianapolis Colts have been relatively quiet this year.
This isn't entirely surprising. Indianapolis isn't dreadfully strapped for cap space—it has a little over $17 million available, according to OverTheCap.com—but has a hefty contract looming for quarterback Andrew Luck.
The Colts did bring in cornerback Patrick Robinson, who started 10 games for the San Diego Chargers last season. Pro Football Focus rated him 28th overall among cornerbacks for the 2015 season. Otherwise, additions have been minimal.
Of course, losses have also been minimal. Wideout Andre Johnson is gone after a one-year stay that only yielded 41 receptions and 503 yards. Tight end Coby Fleener signed with the New Orleans Saints.
Fleener was a solid player, but the Colts chose instead to re-sign tight end Dwayne Allen.
Our main criticism for Indianapolis stems from the fact the team continues to do little to upgrade the offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, Luck was pressured on 40.2 percent of his pass attempts in 2015. He was also limited to seven games due to injuries that included a lacerated kidney.
Still, it's not as if the Colts' offseason has been a disaster. Assuming everyone can get healthy and the team can pull off a strong draft, Indianapolis should be right back in the playoff hunt in 2016.
Grade: C
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
Notable Additions: OT Kelvin Beachum, DE Malik Jackson, S Tashaun Gipson, CB Prince Amukamara, RB Chris Ivory
Notable Losses: DE Chris Clemons
The Jacksonville Jaguars have tossed out a ton of cash this offseason, but they have also landed a heck of a lot of talent.
The biggest addition is that of defensive lineman Malik Jackson. Pro Football Focus rated him ninth overall among 3-4 defensive ends in 2015, third overall among 4-3 defensive ends in 2014 and 14th overall among defensive tackles in 2013.
Jackson's versatility and talent will make him valuable to the Jacksonville defense. The additions of safety Tashaun Gipson and cornerback Prince Amukamara will further strengthen a defense that allowed an average of 28 points per game—second-most in the NFL—last season.
Offensively, the Jaguars will benefit from the additions of running back Chris Ivory and offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum. Ivory will likely pair with second-year back T.J. Yeldon to power the backfield. Beachum will likely protect the blind side of quarterback Blake Bortles.
Beachum is coming off a serious knee injury but was a nearly elite player before the injury. Two seasons ago, he was rated fifth overall among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.
Defensive end Chris Clemons, a quality role player last season, is the team's only notable loss.
Overall, the Jaguars appear to be better than they were at the start of the offseason and should be a legitimate contender in the AFC South in 2016.
Grade: A
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
Notable Additions: OT Mitchell Schwartz, WR Rod Streater
Notable Losses: CB Sean Smith, QB Chase Daniel, S Tyvon Branch, OT Jeff Allen, OL Donald Stephenson
So far, the Kansas City Chiefs have had one of those offseasons that, on the surface, feels like they're going to leave things level. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey made one splash signing but also allowed a couple of quality defenders to leave the building.
The big acquisition was that of right tackle Mitchell Schwartz. PFF rated Schwartz sixth overall among offensive tackles and first overall among right tackles for the 2015 season. He never missed a snap in his four seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
The most significant departures are in the secondary, where cornerback Sean Smith once roamed and where safety Tyvon Branch provided depth. Branch is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, while Smith went to the AFC West-rival Oakland Raiders.
Losing backup quarterback Chase Daniel shouldn't hurt, unless starter Alex Smith cannot stay healthy.
Where Dorsey and the Chiefs found under-the-radar success was with the free agents the team did keep. Linebacker Tamba Hali, linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Jaye Howard are all coming back for another run. Keeping these guys puts Kansas City in prime position to plug its few holes and to improve in the upcoming draft.
The Chiefs were close to making a deep playoff run in 2015. They blasted the Houston Texans to open the postseason and played a competitive game against the New England Patriots. The team has picked its pieces well so far in the offseason and could vie to be a Super Bowl contender with a quality draft class.
Grade: B
Los Angeles Rams
17 of 32
Notable Additions: CB Coty Sensabaugh
Notable Losses: DE Chris Long, LB James Laurinaitis, CB Janoris Jenkins, S Rodney McLeod
This offseason has felt odd for the Rams—and not just because the franchise is moving from St. Louis to Los Angeles.
It hasn't seemed like Rams general manager Les Snead has had anything close to a clear plan for the offseason this year. The team locked up star cornerback Trumaine Johnson with the franchise tag but then allowed secondary standouts Janoris Jenkins and Rodney McLeod to walk in free agency.
PFF rated Jenkins 24th overall among cornerbacks and McLeod 10th overall among safeties for the 2015 season. Franchise-leading tackler James Laurinaitis and pass-rusher Chris Long were also let go.
What makes the Rams' losses baffling is the fact the team gave a massive five-year, $45 million contract to linebacker/safety Mark Barron.
Barron, a converted safety, played well last season at the outside linebacker position. However, this was his first year starting at linebacker and he may be forced to move back to safety after the loss of McLeod. This could be a problem because Barron struggled as a safety with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is why the Rams were able to acquire the former first-round pick in the first place.
It's also interesting that the Rams didn't try harder to add to the quarterback position, though it's not as if the market was flooded with starters.
*Update* We may have gotten our answer on why the Rams have ignored the quarterback position. On Thursday, the Tennessee Titans announced they traded the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft to Los Angeles. The Rams are giving up this year's first-round pick (15th overall), two second-round picks (No. 43 and No. 45) a third-round pick (No. 76), along with first- and third-round picks in next year's draft.
Presumably, the Rams are making the move to get a quarterback. We're going to bump up our grade for L.A. for making the bold move to go up and grab a potential franchise quarterback, though not significantly since there's still the potential they botch the pick.
If the Rams can pick up a key free agent such as Donte Whitner from here and have a stellar draft, then the team can be significantly better in 2016.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins
18 of 32
Notable Additions: S Isa Abdul-Quddus, DE Mario Williams, LB Kiko Alonso, CB Byron Maxwell
Notable Losses: RB Lamar Miller, DE Olivier Vernon, DE Derrick Shelby, WR Rishard Matthews
It hasn't been a terrible offseason so far for the Miami Dolphins, but for fans, it's been disappointing.
The Dolphins allowed several talented building blocks to leave in free agency—largely because a second consecutive offseason spending spree wasn't feasible. This hurts, as players such as Lamar Miller, Olivier Vernon, Rishard Matthews and Derrick Shelby are the types of guys a young team can build around.
So far, the Dolphins have done a marginal job of replacing the players they've lost. They brought in aging veteran Mario Williams on a relatively team-friendly—at least when compared to Olivier Vernon's new contract—two-year, $17 million deal. They also signed Griff Whalen for receiver depth.
Miami did snag two potential defensive starters in linebacker Kiko Alonso and cornerback Byron Maxwell in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the team appears to be taking a significant dip in roster talent when you examine the departures and arrivals.
Vernon, for example, was the league's second-best edge-rusher last season, according to PFF.
Miami now has to replace at least one quality defensive end, a young emerging running back and a quality receiver in the upcoming draft. The Dolphins can certainly do this, but it's hard to see Miami significantly improving even after draft day.
We will give the Dolphins a lot of credit for landing one of the league's top head-coaching candidates in Adam Gase. One of the NFL's top offensive minds, he worked well with Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler last season and should aid in the development of Ryan Tannehill in Miami.
If Gase proves to be a quality head coach, then this will prove to be a successful offseason. In terms of roster movement, however, there's quite a bit left to be desired.
Grade: C-
Minnesota Vikings
19 of 32
Notable Additions: LB Emmanuel Lamur, OL Alex Boone, OT Andre Smith
Notable Losses: WR Mike Wallace
The Minnesota Vikings played well enough to win the NFC North in 2015, so it isn't like the team came into this offseason with a ton of holes. The primary weakness was an inconsistent offensive line, and general manager Rick Spielman took steps to fix it.
Last season, PFF rated Minnesota just 24th in pass blocking. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was sacked 44 times. The pass protection in front of Bridgewater, however, should be on the upswing in 2016. This is because the Vikings added veteran right tackle Andre Smith and standout guard Alex Boone to the unit through free agency.
Boone, in particular, could be a tremendous new piece for the Vikings. He can help limit the interior pressure that could come from potential NFC playoff opponents like the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. Boone was rated 16th overall among guards in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus last season.
Defensively, the Vikings were solid in 2015—the defense was ranked fifth in scoring with 18.9 points per game allowed. Minnesota made sure to retain cornerback Terence Newman and add linebacker Emmanuel Lamur for depth. Lamur and Newman both played under Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer when he was defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The only notable departure is that of wide receiver Mike Wallace, who never really seemed to fit in the offense anyway.
This hasn't been a wild or a headline-grabbing offseason for the Vikings, but it should prove to be a good one. Now that the team is a playoff contender, Minnesota is taking small steps but the right ones.
Grade: B+
New England Patriots
20 of 32
Notable Additions: TE Martellus Bennett, WR Chris Hogan, WR Nate Washington, OL Jonathan Cooper, RB Donald Brown, LB Shea McClellin, DE Chris Long, DT Terrance Knighton
Notable Losses: LB Jerod Mayo, DE Chandler Jones, DL Akiem Hicks, DE Dominique Easley
The New England Patriots aren't traditionally a team that makes waves in the early offseason, but this year has been a bit different. Not only have the Patriots signed several valuable players, but the team traded away star pass-rusher Chandler Jones.
By dealing Jones, New England snagged a second-round pick and guard Jonathan Cooper from the Arizona Cardinals. Cooper should provide quality depth, while the pick will help—at least to some degree—minimize the damage of surrendering the team's first-round selection over the deflated-football scandal.
Other quality depth players acquired by New England include receivers Chris Hogan and Nate Washington, running back Donald Brown, defensive lineman Terrance Knighton and tight end Martellus Bennett.
The team also signed pass-rusher Chris Long. He and Bennett project as the most significant new additions of free agency. Long should help minimize the loss of Jones, and Bennett could pair with Rob Gronkowski to form one nightmare of a two-tight end scheme.
New England's losses haven't been major, either. Linebacker Jerod Mayo retired, Jones was traded, and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks was signed by the Chicago Bears. The Patriots also recently parted ways with 2014 first-round pick Dominique Easley. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, off-field issues were part of the reason for his release.
The team also brought back running back LeGarrette Blount on a one-year deal.
On paper, the Patriots seem to be a much stronger team than before the start of the offseason. Assuming the team can avoid another season of significant injuries, New England should push for a Super Bowl appearance again next winter.
Grade: A
New Orleans Saints
21 of 32
Notable Additions: DL Nick Fairley, TE Coby Fleener, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Craig Robertson
Notable Losses: G Jahri Evans, TE Benjamin Watson
We're high on the offseason the New Orleans Saints have had so far. Of course, our opinion is skewed a bit by the fact the Saints came into the offseason in serious salary-cap trouble.
Right now, the team has just over $3 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com.
Because of cap issues, it made sense for the Saints to part ways with aging veterans such as guard Jahri Evans (32), tight end Benjamin Watson (35) and receiver Marques Colston (32). (Colston remains unsigned and could potentially return at a serious discount.)
Since clearing space, the Saints have done an impressive job of bringing in budget talent.
The big score of the offseason was tight end Coby Fleener, who is just 27 years old and who can be a long-term piece of the offense. He received a five-year, $36 million deal to come to New Orleans, but a bit of creative-contract structuring means Fleener's cap hit is only $2.4 million this season, per Spotrac.
The Saints also moved to add some quality pieces to the defense, including linebackers James Laurinaitis and Craig Robertson and defensive tackle Nick Fairley.
Fairley was rated 11th overall among defensive tackles by PFF for the 2015 season.
If the Saints can manage to extend quarterback Drew Brees and lower his current $30 million cap hit, per Spotrac, the team could be in store for some other thrifty moves. As things stand, however, the Saints appear to be a stronger team and should be set to financially navigate the coming draft.
Grade: B
New York Giants
22 of 32
Notable Additions: DE Olivier Vernon, DT Damon Harrison, CB Janoris Jenkins
Notable Losses: DL Robert Ayers, WR Rueben Randle, CB Prince Amukamara
The New York Giants have been one of the biggest spenders of 2016 free agency, inking a trio of much-needed defenders to big-money deals.
New York landed pass-rusher Olivier Vernon, who was rated first overall among 3-4 defensive ends by PFF in 2015. The Giants also added defensive tackle Damon Harrison and cornerback Janoris Jenkins through free agency.
PFF rated Harrison sixth overall among defensive tackles and Jenkins 24th overall among corners. In addition, the Giants re-signed defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who should pair with Vernon to upgrade the pass rush.
In all, these moves drastically improve a defense that allowed an average of 27.6 points per game—third-most in the NFL—in 2015. The only thing keeping these from being home run moves is the amount of money the team had to shell out to make them.
In guaranteed money alone, Vernon's deal is worth $52.5 million. Harrison's deal includes $24 million in guarantees, while Jenkins' deal includes $28.8 million guaranteed.
It wouldn't have hurt for the Giants to consider bringing back either defensive end Robert Ayers or receiver Rueben Randle, but considering the money the team had already spent, neither was a feasible option.
Another strong move made by the Giants early in the offseason was choosing offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo to succeed Tom Coughlin as head coach. This should maintain continuity on offense.
Overall, it's been a good start to the offseason for the Giants, but we'll have to wait to see if the incoming players are worth their pay before calling it a total success.
Grade: B+
New York Jets
23 of 32
Notable Additions: RB Matt Forte, OT Ryan Clady
Notable Losses: DT Damon Harrison, OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LB Demario Davis, RB Chris Ivory
New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan did a fantastic job of setting up the team for success last offseason. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to be doing quite the same this offseason.
Trading for offensive lineman Ryan Clady was a strong move, but other moves have been more suspect.
On the positive side, the Jets have brought back running back Bilal Powell and added RB Matt Forte. This should help limit the loss of Chris Ivory, though the deals for Powell and Forte feel a bit rich.
Powell got a three-year, $11.25 million deal, which feels like a lot for a role player. Forte got a three-year, $12 million deal, which again feels like a lot when you consider his age (30) and past workload. These contracts might not seem so significant had the team not also used a ton of cash to franchise defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.
So far, the Jets haven't been able to trade Wilkerson or sign him to a long-term deal. This is a problem because the cash-strapped Jets haven't yet been able to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who went 10-6 as a starter last season.
The retirement of D'Brickashaw Ferguson should clear up some space, but getting Fitzpatrick under contract should be a priority. According to SNY TV's Chris Carlin, the two sides are still "not close."
It's fine if the Jets want to see what Geno Smith or Bryce Petty can do with the current offense, but it's risky to turn the keys over without a solid veteran backup plan.
It also doesn't help that the Jets have lost quality defenders like Damon Harrison and Demario Davis through free agency. With things the way they currently are at quarterback, the Jets could take a step backward on each side of the football in 2016.
Grade: D+
Oakland Raiders
24 of 32
Notable Additions: LB Bruce Irvin, S Reggie Nelson, OL Kelechi Osemele, CB Sean Smith
Notable Losses: S Charles Woodson, WR Rod Streater
The Oakland Raiders followed up a strong 2015 campaign with probably the best early offseason of any NFL franchise.
The one big loss for Oakland was the retirement of star safety Charles Woodson. The Raiders then did a tremendous job of limiting the impact of that loss by signing Reggie Nelson, who was rated 13th overall among safeties by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season.
Oakland also landed offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele, who was widely regarded as the best young lineman available on the open market. Signing cornerback Sean Smith away from the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs was a big win, as was landing pass-rusher Bruce Irvin.
Irvin should provide a nice pass-rushing partner for rising star Khalil Mack. Oakland re-signed pass-rusher Aldon Smith as well. Whenever he returns from suspension, the team will have a trio of sack artists with which to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.
Of course, one of the biggest Oakland signings this offseason has been one of the most underrated league-wide. The Raiders brought back starting left tackle Donald Penn with a manageable two-year, $11.9 million deal.
PFF rated Penn 10th overall among offensive tackles for the 2015 season. Retaining him and adding Osemele instantly creates a better blocking unit in front of franchise quarterback Derek Carr.
The best part of Oakland's offseason strategy is that it will allow for freedom in the upcoming draft. By adding pieces to the offensive line, the defensive front and the secondary, the Raiders should be able to go into the draft with a best-player-available mentality. If Oakland can knock the draft out of the park, it will challenge for an AFC West title in 2016.
Grade: A+
Philadelphia Eagles
25 of 32
Notable Additions: G Brandon Brooks, S Rodney McLeod, QB Chase Daniel, LB Nigel Bradham, WR Rueben Randle, CB Leodis McKelvin
Notable Losses: DT Cedric Thornton, S Walter Thurmond
We're really not sure what to make yet of the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to hire Doug Pederson as head coach. The guy is experienced, but it's not as if his Kansas City Chiefs offense set the league on fire last season.
In terms of roster movement, the Eagles have mostly done a commendable job.
The big win of the offseason has been the signing of safety Rodney McLeod, who is just 25 years old and can be a defensive building block for many years to come. Pro Football Focus rated him 10th overall among safeties last season.
The additions of guard Brandon Brooks, receiver Rueben Randle and cornerback Leodis McKelvin are also strong and sensible moves.
Where we start to get a little confused is at the quarterback position.
Philadelphia inked quarterback Sam Bradford to a new two-year, $35 million deal just before the start of the offseason. This is the type of money that would indicate the Eagles are going to run with Bradford as their guy. However, the team then turned around and gave Chase Daniel a three-year, $21 million deal with $12 million guaranteed.
This at least suggests the two quarterbacks will compete for the starting job—and a third quarterback could enter the fray soon. Philadelphia owns the eighth overall pick in this year's draft and could be thinking signal-caller. It could be a smoke screen, but according to Dan Parr of NFL.com, the Eagles have been hosting the draft's top quarterback prospects.
Giving sizable contracts with lots of guarantees to both Bradford and Daniel makes little sense, especially if the Eagles plan to draft a signal-caller. This assumes the Eagles aren't planning on using Bradford as trade ammunition. If this is the plan and it's executed well, we're on board.
As things stand, however, the entire quarterback situation lowers the score of an otherwise strong offseason.
Grade: B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
26 of 32
Notable Additions: TE Ladarius Green, OT Ryan Harris
Notable Losses: OT Kelvin Beachum, DL Steve McLendon, TE Heath Miller
It has been a quiet foray into free agency for the Pittsburgh Steelers, per usual. The one big signing was that of tight end Ladarius Green, who is just 25 years old and can be a long-term building block as a pass-catching tight end.
Green will also help replace longtime veteran Heath Miller, who announced his retirement in the offseason.
Pittsburgh also added offensive tackle Ryan Harris, who should help replace the departed Kelvin Beachum. Harris comes in on a team-friendly two-year, $3.99 million deal, while Beachum landed a massive five-year, $45 million deal from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pittsburgh is giving up youth and perhaps talent at the tackle position, but financially, the team's navigation has been brilliant. Expect the team to draft a long-term replacement somewhere in the next two years.
The Steelers also deserve credit for locking up the defensive pieces they wanted to keep in the secondary. Cornerbacks William Gay and Ross Cockrell are both returning for the 2016 season, while Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin were allowed to walk.
The only notable loss is that of wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who received a yearlong suspension for violation of the league's substance abuse program.
"From the football standpoint, you can definitely get frustrated because it's not contributing to winning," Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats said of Bryant's suspension, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.
Suspensions aside, the Steelers have done a good job of ensuring they can continue winning by making underwhelming but effective moves.
Grade: B-
San Diego Chargers
27 of 32
Notable Additions: WR Travis Benjamin, CB Casey Hayward
Notable Losses: TE Ladarius Green, S Eric Weddle, CB Patrick Robinson, RB Donald Brown
So far, it's been one of those good-but-not-great offseasons for the San Diego Chargers. General manager Tom Telesco has done a good job of retaining and adding talent but has done nothing overwhelming.
Probably the best decision made by San Diego thus far has been retaining right tackle Joe Barksdale and tight end Antonio Gates. Barksdale was rated 30th overall among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus last season. Gates is a legend, and we really don't need to go over his importance to the offense.
The Chargers probably overpaid to bring in wideout Travis Benjamin, who has a notable injury history and who is undersized at 5'10" and 175 pounds. He has to create his own space on the field and will cost the Chargers at least $13 million in guarantees even if he becomes injured and can't play out his four-year deal.
We get the decision, though. Benjamin can take the top off a defense when healthy.
The addition of cornerback Casey Hayward is a sneaky-good move that could easily be overlooked. He was rated 32nd overall among cornerbacks by PFF last season.
The losses of Patrick Robinson and Eric Weddle hurt a bit, and it would have been nice to see the Chargers retain Robinson. Weddle was never coming back at any price.
It also hurts that the team wasn't able to find some upgrades for the interior offensive line or run defense. The Chargers ranked 31st in rushing (84.9 yards per game) and 27th in run defense (125.3 yards per game allowed) last season.
All of this adds up to a pretty good—but not a great—interim report for San Diego.
Grade: C+
San Francisco 49ers
28 of 32
Notable Additions: QB Thad Lewis
Notable Losses: G Alex Boone, WR Anquan Boldin
Aside from undergoing the team's second head coaching change in two years, the San Francisco 49ers have had a quiet offseason so far.
The most significant move has been the hiring of former Oregon Ducks and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. The 49ers are turning to Kelly after firing one-and-done coach Jim Tomsula and after losing out on candidate Hue Jackson to the Cleveland Browns (ouch).
To be fair, there's a chance that Kelly will find success in his second NFL coaching gig. He produced a winning record with the Eagles before being ousted due to relationship problems with both players and staff. If he can coexist with 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and the rest of the team, he could prove to be a tremendous hire.
As far as the roster goes, San Francisco has done little. The team brought in quarterback Thad Lewis for depth and allowed star wideout Anquan Boldin to seek other opportunities. Losing guard Alex Boone will hurt, but this is a rebuilding team that likely would have had to overpay to keep him.
The best player move the team has made is retaining nose tackle Ian Williams with a one-year, $3 million deal. However, it likely would have been more beneficial to lock him up with a multiyear deal.
What hurts San Francisco is the fact the team has failed to strengthen the roster through free agency and has serious questions at the quarterback position. So far the team hasn't been able to move Colin Kaepernick, who is on the books for $11.9 million in base salary. He could be competing with Blaine Gabbert—and possibly a guy taken with the seventh overall pick in the draft—for the starting job.
Overall, we feel down on San Francisco. This is a five-win team that seems to have picked up little more than questions early in the offseason.
Grade: D
Seattle Seahawks
29 of 32
Notable Additions: DE Chris Clemons
Notable Losses: OT Russell Okung, LB Bruce Irvin, OL J.R. Sweezy
We're going to come down hard on the Seattle Seahawks here, and not because of the moves the team made.
Seattle actually did a nice job of retaining key depth players such as receiver Jermaine Kearse, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin and cornerback Jeremy Lane. Kearse's three-year, $13.5 million deal looks especially favorable when examining some of the other free-agent receiver deals around the league.
We don't have much of a problem with letting the likes of J.R. Sweezy and Bruce Irvin go, either. Sweezy—rated 131st among guards by Pro Football Focus in 2015—was a major liability. Irvin was a solid player in Seattle but not worth investing in long term.
The problem is that Seattle did nothing to improve its offensive line. The team let starting left tackle Russell Okung walk in free agency and completely ignored a talented offensive line pool. We get that the team is tight on cap space—just under $6 million, according to OverTheCap.com—but this is inexcusable.
The Seattle line as a whole was garbage in 2015. It was rated 30th in pass blocking and 29th in run blocking by PFF. The line also allowed quarterback Russell Wilson to suffer 45 sacks on the season.
Seattle is giving Wilson $61.5 million in guaranteed money. The team needs to figure out a way to free up some cash and get the guy some protection.
There's the possibility, of course, that the Seahawks will luck out and fill all of their line needs in the draft. However, it feels now like the line could be a weakness that prevents an otherwise talented team from competing for a Super Bowl in 2016.
Grade: D
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Notable Additions: G J.R. Sweezy, DE Robert Ayers, CB Brent Grimes
Notable Losses: CB Sterling Moore
Continuity seems to be the theme of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offseason so far. In this respect, the franchise has done well.
Dirk Koetter was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach, which should limit the learning curve of quarterback Jameis Winston heading into his sophomore campaign. The team also moved to lock up running back Doug Martin, which again should help Winston's continued growth.
The only major loss for the Buccaneers came in the form of Logan Mankins' retirement. Cornerback Sterling Moore was a useful role player, but he can be replaced.
The Buccaneers took to free agency to attack a couple of team weaknesses. They brought in cornerback Brent Grimes to help improve the secondary and defensive end Robert Ayers to add some punch to the pass rush.
Ayers, who had 9.5 sacks in 12 games in 2015, is probably one of the more underrated additions for any team this offseason.
Our one big knock against the Buccaneers' early offseason is the overpaying of guard J. R. Sweezy. Tampa obviously needed a replacement for Mankins, but giving Sweezy a five-year, $32.5 million deal seems like overkill.
Sweezy was rated 131st overall among guards by PFF in 2105.
Aside from Sweezy's deal, though, we can't criticize the Buccaneers too much. The team doesn't feel significantly better, but Tampa ensured it wouldn't get significantly worse. A strong draft should have the Buccaneers improving in 2016.
Grade: C+
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Notable Additions: RB DeMarco Murray, C Ben Jones, S Rashad Johnson, WR Rishard Matthews
Notable Losses: CB Coty Sensabaugh, S Michael Griffin
It's been a bit of a mixed-bag offseason for the Tennessee Titans so far. In terms of player movement, however, things have been mostly positive.
Tennessee traded for former league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray, who then agreed to restructure his contract into a more team-friendly four-year, $25 million deal. The team also brought in emerging wide receiver Rishard Matthews and underrated center Ben Jones.
Jones was rated 12th in pass blocking among centers by PFF last season.
This trio of moves should help make life easier on quarterback Marcus Mariota, who appears on his way to being Tennessee's franchise signal-caller. This was an obvious offseason priority, as Mariota was thrown into the fire and roasted as a rookie in 2015.
As far as player departures go, there's little to write home about. Coty Sensabaugh and Michael Griffin are gone, but they are far from irreplaceable.
Where we have to question the Titans is their decision to hire Mike Mularkey as full-time head coach. He took over as interim coach last season and handled the team's final seven games. Tennessee went 2-7 under his guidance.
It never felt like the Titans gained a spark from Mularkey last season, either. However, we won't knock the Titans too hard for sticking with a guy they're comfortable with and respect. If, however, Tennessee has another three-win season in 2016, we're going to look back and feel right about questioning the decision to hire him.
*Update* We will apparently also be looking back on this offseason to examine a blockbuster predraft trade. The Titans announced on Thursday that they traded away the No. 1 overall pick in the draft to the Los Angeles Rams. In return, Tennessee is getting the Rams' first-round pick (15th overall), two second-round picks (No. 43 and No. 45) a third-round pick (No. 76) in this year's draft, along with first- and third-round picks in next year's draft.
This is a brilliant move for the rebuilding Titans, who weren't going to change the direction of their franchise with a single player—even if he was chosen first overall. The Titans now have six picks in the top 76 in this years draft—15, 33, 43, 45, 64 and 76.
For now, on paper, the Titans roster feels stronger than it did at the beginning of the offseason. After the draft, the team is going to feel a lot stronger.
Grade: A
Washington Redskins
32 of 32
Notable Additions: S David Bruton
Notable Losses: QB Robert Griffin III, RB Alfred Morris, DT Terrance Knighton
The Washington Redskins haven't been especially active thus far in free agency, but it would be inaccurate to say the offseason has been a completely quiet one.
On the contrary, owner Dan Snyder and the rest of the organization spoke volumes when they released former No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III. The Redskins made it clear that—perhaps due to injuries and a general lack of development—Griffin was no longer worth his star power and the potential headaches that came with it.
Instead, Washington threw its support behind quarterback Kirk Cousins, who led the Redskins to an NFC East title in 2015. The team gave him the franchise tag in order to evaluate him as the starter for another season.
"I'm very content in the situation I'm in and love the opportunity to prove myself again next season," Cousins said, per Jim Trotter of ESPN.com.
Dumping Griffin and giving Cousins another chance to prove himself seem to be the right moves for this franchise at this juncture. This is why we'll give the Redskins an above-average grade, even though the team doesn't appear improved on paper.
External additions have been limited to the likes of David Bruton. The losses of Alfred Morris and Terrance Knighton will sting some but aren't devastating. With a strong draft, the Redskins should be back in the thick of the NFC East race this season.
Grade: C+
All contract information via Spotrac.com.
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