Regrading Every NFL Team's 2019 Offseason Moves
They say hindsight is 20/20. It's with good reason—it's a lot easier to judge the quality of a group of decisions once you've had some time to examine the impact of those decisions.
Say, eight weeks of games.
In May, I graded the offseason moves of all 32 NFL general managers. It was admittedly a speculative exercise based on free-agent signings and the 2019 draft.
Much has changed since then. There was another wave of free-agent additions. Rookies have had opportunities to acclimate to the NFL. Injuries have taken a toll on teams across the league. Veterans and rookies alike have shined and fallen flat in their new homes.
Now, all these months later, it's time to reexamine the offseasons of the 32 teams and offer up more grades. In some instances, things have played out as expected. In other cases, teams did much better jobs than they were originally given credit for. In others, um, not so much.
So, with my red grading pen in one hand and a plate of crow in the other (baked—it's healthier that way), let's regrade every team's offseason moves.
Before I hand out the report cards, a quick note: These grades are strictly for offseason moves.
If a move came after the games started, it didn't factor in.
Rules are rules.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
Original Grade: C-
Might as well start things off by eating that crow.
I wasn't a huge proponent of the Arizona Cardinals' hiring a college coach with a losing record in Kliff Kingsbury. Or in using the first overall pick on an undersized and unconventional quarterback in Kyler Murray.
If early returns are any indication, I was wrong.
The Cardinals are just a so-so 22nd in total offense, but they are improving as the season wears on. Murray's had the occasional struggle, but he's thrown for 1,988 yards and seven scores with an 85.8 passer rating. By spreading the field and running lots of four-wide sets, Kingbsbury has rolled out an offense that's both problematic to defend and puts Murray in the best position to succeed.
The Cardinals have also gotten big-time contributions from free-agent inside linebacker Jordan Hicks (who ranks second in the NFL with 79 tackles) and rookie second-rounder Byron Murphy Jr., who has played all but four of the team's defensive snaps.
The proof is in the pudding. Arizona won three games last year. It's already matched that total.
Grade: B
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
Original Grade: B
The Atlanta Falcons' offseason was centered on upgrading the blocking in front of Matt Ryan. The team's biggest free-agent purchases were guards Jamon Brown and James Carpenter and tackle Ty Sambrailo, who signed an extension. The Falcons spent their two first-round picks on guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary.
The results have been...not good. Granted, Lindstrom's broken foot hasn't helped matters, but the line has been average in pass protection and terrible in run blocking—ranking 14th and 28th, per Football Outsiders.
It's not just the line, though. Investing so much in that unit left few resources to address other areas. And it shows.
The defense ranks 27th overall, 21st against the run and 23rd against the pass and has allowed the most points per game (31.2) in the NFC. The pass rush has been especially pathetic—the Falcons have managed just seven sacks, which ranks dead-last in the league.
Whether because of that poor run blocking or the absence of the departed Tevin Coleman, the Falcons have also been unable to run the ball with any consistency. Only three teams are averaging fewer yards per game on the ground.
A team with hopes of making the playoffs is mired in a 1-7 disaster. And this past offseason will more than likely be Thomas Dimitroff's last as the team's general manager.
Grade: D-
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
Original Grade: C+
It's hard to find much fault with the Baltimore Ravens' offseason. The Ravens are 5-2 heading into a huge matchup with the New England Patriots and look like the clear-cut No. 1 team in the AFC North.
At least one of Baltimore's new arrivals has played a significant role in its success. Wide receiver Marquise Brown has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but the speedster has also been an impact player. He is averaging 15.5 yards per catch, has scored three touchdowns and had an NFL debut that will be talked about for some time.
However, outside the signing of veteran safety Earl Thomas III, the Ravens didn't do a lot to help the defense in the offseason, and it's shown. They rank 16th in total defense but have surrendered the fourth-most yards per play and have just 12 sacks in seven games after losing Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith in free agency.
Most of the defensive improvements the Ravens made came after the season began. Baltimore added a couple of sneaky good upgrades at linebacker in veterans L.J. Fort and Josh Bynes, and it didn't take long for the acquisition of cornerback Marcus Peters in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams to start paying dividends.
Those moves don't count, however, so Baltimore's grade remained where it was. Not great, but not terrible either.
Grade: C+
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
Original Grade: A-
The Buffalo Bills are off to the franchise's best start in a dog's age—and the moves general manager Brandon Beane made in the offseason have played a significant part in that.
Free agent wide receiver John Brown has emerged as Josh Allen's favorite target, pacing the Bills in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Veteran slot receiver Cole Beasley ranks second in those categories. Center Mitch Morse has helped solidify a line that leads the NFL in run blocking, per Football Outsiders.
Then there's the revamped ground game, which ranks eighth in rushing. Ageless wonder Frank Gore is pacing the team in yards (422) and averaging 4.4 per carry. Rookie Devin Singletary has shown explosive ability as both a runner and receiver, though he missed three games with a hamstring injury. Free agent T.J. Yeldon has averaged 7.3 yards per touch.
Rookie first-round pick Ed Oliver hasn't blown up the stat sheet, but his impact on the field goes beyond that. He recorded his first sack in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins.
Barring an epic collapse, the Bills will make the playoffs. And that's largely because of a wildly successful offseason of adding impact players.
Grade: A
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
Original Grade: B
It's been a weird start for the Carolina Panthers. With Cam Newton under center, Carolina dropped its first two games. Then second-year pro Kyle Allen took over when Newton got hurt, and the Panthers peeled off four wins in a row.
The offseason returns have been similarly topsy-turvy. When the Panthers retained right tackle Daryl Williams and added center Matt Paradis in free agency, it appeared the offensive line would improve. Instead it's struggled, ranking 23rd in both run blocking and pass protection, per Football Outsiders.
However, the shift to a 3-4 base defense has gone better than many expected. Mario Addison ranks 11th in sacks—a category the Panthers rank second in. Shaq Thompson has had a breakout season after kicking inside next to Luke Kuechly. And rookie edge-rusher Brian Burns has made an impact, piling up 4.5 sacks and scoring his first touchdown in Week 5.
All told, it was a successful offseason, even if it doesn't wind up being quite enough to get the Panthers past the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.
With the drama that's unfolding at quarterback, the 2020 offseason could be the one that shapes the franchise's fortunes for years to come.
Grade: B
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Original Grade: B-
The season isn't working out like the Chicago Bears had hoped, and there are a number of reasons for that, from injuries to poor play at football's most important position.
In retrospect, a so-so offseason may be one of them.
More than a few pundits expected David Montgomery to be one of the best rookie tailbacks. And one day, that may happen. But Montgomery is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, and the Bears rank 26th in rushing.
Per Gene Chamberlain of Sports Illustrated, Montgomery said the offense isn't holding up its end of the deal.
"As an offense, you want to help out the defense as much as possible because the defense is always bailing us out," Montgomery said. "I wouldn't say there's pressure...just wanting us to be able to carry our end of the bargain, carry our side of it—we're really just trying to do whatever we can do to help out the defense."
Of course, the defense has taken a step back as well. Last year, the Bears finished seventh against the pass. That figure has fallen to 10th—in part because of a significant drop-off in the slot from the departed Bryce Callahan to newcomer Buster Skrine.
Add in that the kicking issues that plagued the Bears last year resurfaced in a last-second loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and there hasn't been much to smile about in Chi-Town.
Grade: C-
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
Original Grade: C+
The Cincinnati Bengals are a hot mess.
Actually, they would need to improve substantially to become a hot mess.
Much of the problem has been injuries that have decimated the offensive line—a line that lost first-round rookie Jonah Williams to a season-ending injury before the Bengals ever took a snap. That injury forced fellow rookie Michael Jordan into a prominent role. That the Bengals are dead-last in run blocking and 19th in pass protection, per Football Outsiders, tells you all you need to know.
The team's biggest free-agent addition (veteran corner B.W. Webb) has been roasted in coverage since being forced into the lineup by injuries in the secondary. Second-round pick Drew Sample has caught all of four passes. Third-round linebacker Germaine Pratt has 19 tackles in 103 snaps.
That's a whole lotta blah.
The Bengals aren't as bad as the Dolphins, but they're terrible in their own right—a team in need of a ground-up rebuild. Given just how low the talent level is, it's hard to assign too much blame to first-year head coach Zac Taylor.
It's difficult to win a hand of poker when you don't have any cards. The question now is whether the Bengals will bother to keep Taylor around as that rebuild begins in earnest.
Grade: D
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
Original Grade: A
The Cleveland Browns rode into the season on a wave of hype—a wave created by a series of high-profile player acquisitions.
The jury's still out on the Kareem Hunt signing—the 2017 rushing king still has one more game remaining on his eight-game personal conduct suspension before he can return to the playing field, though he is back at practice.
The trade with the New York Giants that brought in Odell Beckham Jr. hasn't produced the results so many expected, but it was still a shrewd move—adding a transcendent talent in the prime of his career is almost never a bad idea.
The deal that swapped defensive end Olivier Vernon for guard Kevin Zeitler is another story. Vernon hasn't been much of a factor, logging just two sacks. And the offensive line has struggled mightily during a 2-5 start.
Rookie cornerback Greedy Williams has been a capable starter but missed four games with a hamstring injury. The season-ending pectoral injury suffered by linebacker Christian Kirksey forced fifth-rounder Mack Wilson into a starting role, and he's held his own. But it's fair to ask if the third-round pick Cleveland used on reserve linebacker Sione Takitaki would have been better spent on shoring up that offensive line.
Then there's first-year head coach Freddie Kitchens. Last year, Kitchens was a hero as the team's offensive coordinator after Hue Jackson and Todd Haley were fired. In 2019, Kitchens has all too often looked like a first-time head coach in over his head.
Grade: C-
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Original Grade: B-
The Dallas Cowboys entered the offseason without a first-round pick, so it stood to reason that if they were going to do damage, it was going to be in free agency.
That they did. While DeMarcus Lawrence has yet to get going, signing the 27-year-old edge-rusher to a huge extension was both a foregone conclusion and a wise move. There's little reason to believe Lawrence's numbers won't improve as he rounds back into form after spending much of the offseason nicked up.
Dallas also appears to have landed a steal when it acquired veteran defensive end Robert Quinn from Miami in March for a sixth-round pick. Quinn (not Lawrence) leads the team in sacks, and the 2013 All-Pro appears to have recaptured some of the form that helped him average 13.3 sacks per season from 2012 to 2014.
The rest of the crop has been less inspiring. Veteran wideout Randall Cobb has been OK but little more, while second-round pick Trysten Hill has been slow to adjust the the NFL. Third-rounder Connor McGovern landed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.
On the other side of the coin, fourth-round tailback Tony Pollard was the story of camp and has become the change-of-pace back behind Ezekiel Elliott.
Add in the return of venerable tight end Jason Witten after a year of being bad at broadcasting, and Dallas' initial grade was spot-on.
Grade: B-
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
Original Grade: B+
Where did I put that plate of crow?
In May, I wrote Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco was a "temporary fix at best, and that's only if he can turn back the clock and recapture some of the form he showed during his better years in Baltimore."
Yeah, um...that didn't happen. Flacco ranks 21st in yards per attempt, 24th in passer rating and tied for 28th in touchdown passes. The situation appears to be ripe for second-round rookie Drew Lock to get some starts once healthy, especially now that Flacco's hurt.
But the former Missouri standout is still nursing an injured hand, and John Elway told KOA (via Chad Jensen of Sports Illustrated) that Lock "isn't ready" and that the roof could "cave in" on him if he plays.
That roof Elway mentioned may be an O-line that allowed nine sacks in a blowout loss at home to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. The crown jewel of Denver's free-agent spending, right tackle Ja'Wuan James, missed six games with a knee injury and reinjured it upon his return Sunday.
In fairness, second-round guard Dalton Risner has been a bright spot who is arguably the Broncos' best offensive lineman.
His individual performance aside, most of the areas the Broncos tried to improve in the offseason haven't been better. If there's an exception, it's on the back end, where Kareem Jackson has helped offset the loss of Bradley Roby in free agency.
Bryce Callahan would have provided a big boost there as well, but he's yet to play for his new team. And there was a report last week that the veteran slot corner may not play at all in 2019.
Grade: D+
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
Original Grade: C-
The Detroit Lions made one of the biggest splash moves of free agency, signing edge-rusher Trey Flowers to a five-year deal that pays the 26-year-old $18 million per season. He has played the run well, but the Lions didn't pay for just three sacks in seven games.
The $8 million the Lions shelled out for Mike Daniels hasn't produced much of a return, either. The veteran defensive lineman has played just three games and has barely made a dent.
Detroit spent a top-10 draft pick on tight end T.J. Hockenson, and in Week 1 it looked like the Lions had hit paydirt. But after catching six passes for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals, Hockenson has just 13 catches for 109 yards and a score in the past six games.
It's not that Flowers and Hockenson are busts or bad players. The return just hasn't matched the investment.
However, one free-agent addition was enough to bump Detroit's grade by himself. When the Lions handed Justin Coleman a four-year, $36 million contract, many called it an overpay. But the 26-year-old has played as well as any slot cornerback.
Detroit is also going to need a Day 3 pick to fill a void. Maryland tailback Ty Johnson showed enough on the practice field for the Lions to cut veteran C.J. Anderson, and with Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve, the rookie sixth-rounder will have to be Detroit's early-down back.
Grade: C+
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Original Grade: B
The days of the Green Bay Packers' being frugal in free agency are long gone. And this season at least, the spending spree is paying off.
The Packers doled out $36 million in guaranteed money to bring in edge-rushers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith in free agency. It's proved to be a shrewd move—they have combined for 15 sacks through eight weeks and keyed an improved defense that ranks 15th with 20 sacks.
The Packers also got a boost with second-round safety Darnell Savage. Savage had an ankle injury, but he's showed flashes of considerable talent and the ability to combine with veteran Adrian Amos to form a stout duo on the back end of the defense.
Finally, there's rookie head coach Matt LaFleur. It was fair to question LaFleur's lack of experience before the season, and his relationship with quarterback Aron Rodgers seemed a bit rocky to begin with. But if Rodgers' recent six-touchdown explosion against the Oakland Raiders is any indication, the two are settling in. The offense looks more balanced and nuanced than it has in years.
Green Bay is in first place in the NFC North, has just one loss and looks like not just the best team in its division but also a Super Bowl contender.
That's all that matters.
Grade: A
Houston Texans
13 of 32
Original Grade: D
To say that a lot has changed in Houston since May is an understatement. When I assigned that "D," the Texans still had a general manager.
Once the team dumped Brian Gaine, things got really interesting.
In no particular order...
Houston sent a package, including its next two first-round picks, to the Dolphins for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills.
The Texans sent tackle Martinas Rankin to the Chiefs for tailback Carlos Hyde and a conditional fourth-round pick to the Browns for running back Duke Johnson.
The Texans also dealt edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks for two players and a third-round pick, which they used in another trade after the season started.
It's been a mixed bag. Tunsil has made the offensive line better. But it's still not good, and the 25-year-old came at a high price. The rookies brought in to help him have had their moments, but they have also been understandably inconsistent.
Hyde and Johnson have filled in nicely for the injured Lamar Miller. The defense has weathered the loss of Clowney well. But the switch from Kareem Jackson and Tyrann Mathieu to Bradley Roby and Tashaun Gipson Sr. has been a substantial downgrade, and the injury-ravaged secondary is a mess.
Things look better now than they did in May, but Houston still might want to consider hiring a GM—even if they won't have much to do on draft day over the next couple of years.
Grade: C+
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
Original Grade: A
The Indianapolis Colts were one of the quieter teams in free agency. They made just two major additions. Wide receiver Devin Funchess hasn't panned out even a little. Edge-rusher Justin Houston has been a double off the wall if not a home run—Houston is on pace to top 10 sacks this season and looks better than he has in years.
In the draft, the Colts traded back and stockpiled picks, grabbing a pair of highly-touted second-rounders in wide receiver Parris Campbell and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Campbell has had trouble staying on the field, but Ya-Sin has carved out a significant role—he's been a full-time player and plus performer over the last month.
Still, the reason Indianapolis was bumped to the best grade possible is how general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Frank Reich handled the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck.
Luck walked away just before the season began, and it could have ruined the Colts. But Ballard quickly showed confidence in backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, handing him a fat raise that was a vote of confidence he could handle the role of starter. Reich rallied the troops and remade the offense to cater to Brissett's strengths.
Rather than fall apart, the Colts rallied. And Indy sits atop the AFC South.
Grade: A+
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
Original Grade: B+
Before we go any further, you won't see a peep here about the Jalen Ramsey blockbuster. It happened after the season started, so per the parameters of this exercise, it's out.
OK, I lied. It was a good deal for the Jacksonville Jaguars. But it didn't affect their grade.
Frankly, neither did all the drama about the quarterback position. Paying Nick Foles $22 million per season only for him to suffer a major injury in his first start was a hit to be sure. But to have a sixth-round rookie in Gardner Minshew II help keep the season on track (and provide a marketing bonanza) compensated for it.
For the most part, the draft went well. Josh Allen has been just what most figured he'd be: a nightmare off the edge who was a gift at No. 7. Wide receiver D.J. Chark Jr. has been light-years better than many expected, quickly emerging as a dangerous downfield threat and potential No. 1 receiver. And while offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor took some lumps early on, he's played every snap as a rookie and is improving by the week.
You can't ask for much more from a draft class.
However, there's one position that cost the Jaguars an "A": linebacker. Telvin Smith's sudden departure can't be held against the organization, but third-round rookie Quincy Williams has looked lost as his replacement, and reupping underwhelming middle linebacker Myles Jack for $14.3 million per season was a boondoggle.
Grade: B+
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
Original Grade: C-
The original grade for the Chiefs was borne mostly of skepticism that the defense would be much better than last year's unit despite a number of new faces, a new scheme and a new coordinator.
In fairness, safety Tyrann Mathieu has picked it up of late. And after a sluggish start to the season, defensive end Frank Clark exploded against the Broncos in Week 7, racking up five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
But Clark hasn't performed up to expectations and cost the Chiefs a first-round pick in the 2019 draft and a second-rounder next year.
Neither has defensive tackle Chris Jones after his breakout 2018 campaign, which makes Kansas City's reluctance to break the bank for the 25-year-old this offseason possibly the team's wisest move on that side of the ball.
For every step forward, there's been one back. The Chiefs rank 24th in total defense, possess the third-worst run defense and are 16th in points allowed.
They may not be quite as terrible on defense as they were in 2018. But they aren't good either. And while a couple of nice additions on offense (wide receiver Mecole Hardman and veteran tailback LeSean McCoy) were made, Steve Spagnuolo's unit looks like it could again cost the Chiefs dearly in the playoffs.
Grade: C
Los Angeles Chargers
17 of 32
Original Grade: B
On some level, it's hard to regrade the Los Angeles Chargers' offseason, because the team has once again been devastated by injuries.
On the other hand, the fact that L.A. hasn't had depth ready behind some of those injured players doesn't speak especially well to the team's offseason acquisitions.
The Bolts have weathered the loss of wide receiver Tyrell Williams in free agency well, as Mike Williams has continued his climb toward stardom. The signing of veteran linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. was a good one—the long-time Panther has paced the team in tackles.
First-round pick Jerry Tillery has had his moments, including 1.5 sacks. But his impact has been inconsistent. Second-rounder Nasir Adderley has been a non-factor, playing just 10 defensive snaps. Ditto for third-round offensive tackle Trey Pipkins, who has played just seven snaps despite the injuries that have ravaged the Chargers up front.
It hasn't all been doom and gloom, though. Rookie linebacker Drue Tranquill's playing time has increased, and undrafted free agent Roderic Teamer has played relatively well since being forced into action by injuries to Derwin James and Adrian Phillips.
Still, when the highlights of your offseason are a 36-year-old linebacker and an undrafted free agent, it's not an especially good look.
Grade: C-
Los Angeles Rams
18 of 32
Original Grade: B
The big-name free-agent additions the Rams made in the offseason have helped the defending NFC champs. Veteran safety Eric Weddle trails only linebacker Cory Littleton in tackles. Outside linebacker Clay Matthews was off to a career-best start before he broke his jaw and is still second on the team in sacks.
The huge addition the Rams made after the season (cornerback Jalen Ramsey) doesn't count.
However, the players the team lost in free agency have also had an impact. Aaron Donald isn't wreaking the havoc he did a year ago playing next to Ndamukong Suh. Partly because of the loss of veteran guard Rodger Saffold III, the offensive line has taken a massive step backward.
The draft class has been mostly unimpressive. The high point has definitely been safety Taylor Rapp, who has quickly evolved into a full-time player and versatile weapon. However, the impact that so many expected from third-round tailback Darrell Henderson Jr. hasn't materialized—he's a distant third on the depth chart behind starter Todd Gurley II and veteran Malcolm Brown. And despite the struggles of line, the rookies at that position group have been unable to earn much playing time.
The Rams' additions were supposed to help put them over the top.
Instead, they have backslid and are a third-place team in their own division.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins
19 of 32
Original Grade: B
How does one grade a slow-motion train wreck?
The thing is, said train wreck is the plan for the Dolphins. They are burning the house to the ground before rebuilding.
Miami jettisoned a number of veteran players in free agency without adding much. In fact, its best veteran signing this year (defensive end Taco Charlton) didn't count toward the regrade—he was signed after the regular season began.
The trade that sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a first-round pick in 2020 didn't count either. That aside, it wasn't a bad move. Fitzpatrick's a good young safety, but he wasn't happy in Miami, and given Pittsburgh's struggles, the pick could land inside the top-10.
The Laremy Tunsil trade, on the other hand, most assuredly did count. It hurt to ship the team's best offensive lineman out of town, but the Dolphins have holes all over the place, and the deal with the Texans netted Miami first-rounders in 2020 and 2021.
The swap that brought in quarterback Josh Rosen hasn't netted much in the way of results. But Rosen doesn't have a ton around him, and given that Miami gave up second- and fifth-round picks, it was worth a shot to see if Rosen could be the quarterback of the future.
The Dolphins also may have unearthed a couple of undrafted free-agent gems. CFL transfer Sam Eguavoen has played significant snaps at linebacker, and Preston Williams may be the most promising wide receiver on the team.
Miami's season has been unwatchable, but the offseason wasn't bad at all.
The question now is whether the Dolphins will have the patience to absorb all the short-term anguish in the interest of long-term improvement.
Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings
20 of 32
Original Grade: C-
The Minnesota Vikings weren't players in free agency, largely because the team just didn't have much in the way of salary cap space.
However, the Vikings made one underrated move by convincing outside linebacker Anthony Barr to pass on the Jets in favor of re-upping with the Purple and Gold.
OK, so actually Barr backed out of the deal after nearly becoming physically ill at the thought of playing for the Jets. At any rate, the underrated SAM linebacker has gone on to have one of the better half-seasons of his six-year career for the 6-2 Vikings.
If the Vikings were going to get better in 2019, it was going to be in the NFL draft. And they have.
Center Garrett Bradbury had some struggles early in the season, but he's settled in in the middle of a Vikings line that ranks sixth in the league in run-blocking, per Football Outsiders.
Tailback Alexander Mattison hasn't gotten a ton of work as a rookie—just 68 carries. But he's averaging 4.9 yards a carry and would start for quite a few NFL teams. It's not a stretch to say he's the best first-year back in the league not named Josh Jacobs.
Throw in Irv Smith Jr.'s contributions as a blocker in 12-personnel sets and Olabisi Johnson's play with Adam Thielen on the sideline the past couple of weeks, and Vikings general manager Rick Spielman had a good offseason.
Better than I originally gave him credit for.
Grade: B
New England Patriots
21 of 32
Original Grade: B
The New England Patriots are rolling along as the AFC's lone remaining undefeated team. The Pats are going to win the AFC East for the 42nd straight season. Another deep playoff run is more likely than not.
And while it wasn't flawless, another solid offseason in New England has had something to do with that.
After a two-plus-season banishment to Cleveland, outside linebacker Jamie Collins rejoined the Pats in May. The 30-year-old has been one of the best defensive players in the league, piling up 44 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a partridge in a pear tree.
However, the replacement for the departed Trey Flowers (defensive end Michael Bennett) feuded with the staff over playing time and was flipped to Dallas for a bag of Cheetos. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was traded to the New York Jets before the paint on his locker room name tag was dry.
New England's first pick in the draft (wideout N'Keal Harry) has been hurt, although the team hopes to have him back soon. Edge-rusher Chase Winovich has played significant snaps for the AFC's best defense. Then there's undrafted wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who is the latest in a long line of undrafted rookies to make a dent with the team.
The offensive line has felt the loss of tackle Trent Brown, and signing wide receiver Antonio Brown one day before the team's first game of the season was a short-lived fiasco.
But all in all, the Pats offseason came in right about where I pegged it to begin with.
Grade: B
New Orleans Saints
22 of 32
Original Grade: C
The problem with grading the offseason for the New Orleans Saints is that the team really didn't do much in the offseason thanks to limited salary cap space and draft capital.
What they did do has worked out, though. When veteran tight end Jared Cook has been healthy, he's offered Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater a secondary option in the passing game. The Saints' only pick in the first two days of the draft (center Erik McCoy) has played almost every offensive snap.
But the offseason move that saved the Saints' bacon wasn't even mentioned when I graded these teams in May.
On March 15, the Saints signed Bridgewater to a one-year, $7.25 million contract. Not much was thought of it at the time—after all, Brees hadn't missed a game because of injury since he joined the Saints in 2006.
But then Brees tore ligaments in his thumb in a Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Bridgewater wasn't able to lead the Saints to victory in that game, but over the next five weeks, Bridgewater completed 69.7 percent of his passes, tossed nine touchdowns against just two picks, posted a 103.7 passer rating and led the Saints to five wins in a row—including victories in Seattle and Chicago.
It's simple, really. Without Bridgewater on the team, Brees' injury could have been a season-killer.
If that's not worth an "A," what is?
Grade: A
New York Giants
23 of 32
Original Grade: F
OK, where's that stupid crow again?
There was plenty of piling on New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman earlier in the offseason. And in fairness, some of it remains deserved.
Safety Jabrill Peppers has played better in New York than he ever did in Cleveland, ranking second on the team with 53 total tackles through eight weeks. But there's still no way that trading a top-five wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. for a deep safety and a nose tackle is a good idea.
Similarly, even though he's struggled somewhat over the past month, rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has been better than most expected. But that doesn't change the fact that picking Jones sixth overall was a reach—even if it wound up being a reach worth making.
Wide receiver Golden Tate was suspended the first month of the season, but since his return, Tate has provided Jones with a sure-handed, dependable veteran receiver. Over his last three games, Tate has averaged nearly seven receptions for 89 yards.
Free-agent acquisition Markus Golden has provided some pop for the pass rush at a reasonable price, pacing the team with six sacks. Castoff David Mayo has played significant snaps at inside linebacker. And while DeAndre Baker has struggled in his first NFL season, most rookie cornerbacks do.
The Beckham trade was still a mistake.
But the Giants had a much better offseason than I originally gave them credit for.
Grade: B-
New York Jets
24 of 32
Original Grade: B+
The Jets had one of the more eventful offseasons in the NFL.
That's carried right over into the regular season.
Based strictly on results, one would think the 2019 offseason was a disaster. But the bizarre scenario that saw Sam Darnold contract mono and backup Trevor Siemian get hurt (which led to the dark days of the Luke Falk era) slaps a massive asterisk on the big contract handed to tailback Le'Veon Bell.
That the Jete are already trying to get out of said deal? Not good.
"Not good" is rather a theme with the Jets.
The team's other big-money acquisitions have been disasters. The Jets overpaid linebacker C.J. Mosley, who hurt his groin in Week 1 and appears set to miss substantially more time. The Jets acquired guard Kelechi Osemele in a trade with the Oakland Raiders, but a dispute over whether Osemele needed shoulder surgery led to a contentious divorce between player and team.
There have been bright spots in free agency such as wide receiver Jamison Crowder (35 catches, 322 yards). And first-round pick Quinnen Williams looks to be the real deal. But just like the free agents, the draft class was up-and-down—Day 3 linebacker Blake Cashman's starting for the team, but third-round pick Jachai Polite was cut before the season even started.
Then there's new coach Adam Gase, whom former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason blames for the whole pitching and lurching mess.
"This really has got Adam Gase's fingerprints all over this now," Esiason said, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post. "He's really controlling this franchise. I know there's a general manager in name, and in name only, we haven't seen nor heard from him at all. This is Adam Gase's team. This is the mess that he's created."
Looks like I had the right stadium with that low grade in May.
Just the wrong locker room.
Grade: D-
Oakland Raiders
25 of 32
Original Grade: B
You may want to grab a drink. There's a lot to digest here.
The Antonio Brown saga is old news by now. But it was still quite the kerfuffle. The Raiders didn't give up much draft capital to get Brown, and they were able to void the guaranteed money on his contract. But the drama-filled circus that was helmets and frozen feet and screaming matches with the general manager still isn't a good look.
Still, they had the sense to cut bait. And while all that madness was swirling around, it turned out the Raiders actually had found a No. 1 wide receiver in Tyrell Williams, who has five touchdowns in five games.
Veteran linebacker Vontaze Burfict wasn't an expensive addition, and he spent the first part of the season as the defensive play-caller. But then he earned a seasonlong suspension.
Trent Brown has missed time with injury and is an awfully expensive right tackle. But there's no denying that Oakland's offensive line is substantially better in 2019. The biggest beneficiary of that has been rookie tailback Josh Jacobs, who is Oakland's offensive MVP with five yards per carry and a ranking of sixth in the NFL in rushing.
Fourth overall pick Clelin Ferrell (one sack in six starts) hasn't been the force in the pass rush the team expected. But thanks to contributions from players like free-agent addition Benson Mayowa and rookie Maxx Crosby, the Raiders already have as many sacks in seven games in 2019 with 13 as they did a year ago.
It hasn't been flawless. And there are still multiple holes that need to be patched on the roster.
But with the move to Sin City getting closer by the day, the Raiders are headed in the right direction, sitting second in the AFC West at 3-4.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia Eagles
26 of 32
Original Grade: A
Here's what I wrote in May about Philly's free-agent additions:
"Defensive tackle Malik Jackson fortified a defensive line that lost Michael Bennett. After linebacker Jordan Hicks bolted for big bucks in Arizona, [Howie] Roseman procured a potential upgrade in Zach Brown on the cheap (one year, $3 million). He acquired tailback Jordan Howard from the Bears for the equivalent of a half-eaten Pop-Tart. And wideout DeSean Jackson's back for a reunion tour of sorts."
The Howard acquisition has turned out just fine. The fourth-year runner has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and is on pace to break 1,000 total yards again.
The rest? Not so much. Malik Jackson hurt his foot in Week 1 and landed on injured reserve. That's also the last time we saw DeSean Jackson on the field thanks to an abdominal injury. Zach Brown was a major disappointment and has since been cut.
Things at least went a little better in the draft. Tailback Miles Sanders has teamed with Howard to form a one-two punch in the Philly backfield. Offensive tackle Andre Dillard has made a pair of starts and played just under 200 snaps so far this season. However, wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside has been a non-factor in the Eagles offense despite the injuries the team has suffered at the position.
It wasn't a bad offseason by any stretch. Sanders is picking up steam as the season wears on—he had his best game as a pro with 118 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in Week 8 against the Bills—and Dillard has the makings of a future fixture at left tackle.
But Philly's attempt to turn limited salary cap resources into some bargain acquisitions for the most part backfired, and that might be part of the reason the Eagles are stuck at 4-4.
Grade: B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
27 of 32
Original Grade: C+
This is another one in which one of Pittsburgh's most important player acquisitions of 2019 has no bearing on this grade. The trade that brought safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steel City came after the regular season began, so for the sake of this exercise, it doesn't count.
That said, it wouldn't help the grade anyway. As good as Fitzpatrick has been, he isn't worth the top-15 pick in 2020 that it cost the Steelers to acquire him.
Pittsburgh didn't do a lot in free agency in 2019, and the players the team did bring in didn't have the impact the franchise hoped. After starting the season as a full-time player, inside linebacker Mark Barron's playing time has fallen way off because of a combination of injuries and poor play. Wide receiver Donte Moncrief (four catches, 18 yards) hasn't come close to providing the team with a No. 2 receiver opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster.
On the other hand, rookie Diontae Johnson has shown flashes of the ability to be that player, catching 25 passes for 296 yards and three scores. But the story for the Steelers in this year's draft is the player the Steelers traded up 10 spots to take in the first round.
Linebacker Devin Bush has been nothing short of a revelation. Seven games into his first season, Bush has piled up 59 tackles, a sack and two interceptions while emerging as a force on the inside for Pittsburgh. He's given the team range inside that Pittsburgh has sorely lacked since Ryan Shazier got hurt.
That alone bumps this grade up a bit.
Grade: B-
San Francisco 49ers
28 of 32
Original Grade: A
The San Francisco 49ers are the talk of the NFC—the last undefeated team in the conference after pummeling the Carolina Panthers in Week 8.
Part of the reason for that success is John Lynch's penchant for being aggressive in the offseason.
Edge-rusher Dee Ford is on pace to top 10 sacks in his first season in the Bay Area after coming over in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Weak-side linebacker Kwon Alexander hasn't posted gonzo numbers, but his stats don't tell the whole story of his impact on the field.
And then there's Nick Bosa.
The second overall pick in the 2019 draft has gone from banged up at the start of the season to unholy terror. In that Week 8 win over Carolina, Bosa piled up three sacks and an interception. Not only is he the early front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but as Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports wrote, Bosa is entering the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year:
"Before Sunday, Bosa was already doing some impressive work as a rookie. Among players with at least 200 snaps through Week 7, Bosa was 11th among edge rushers in Pro Football Focus' grades (his brother Joey was No. 7 ... good bloodlines). He had 31 pressures and five sacks in six games. Then came his monster outing against the Panthers."
Rookie wide receive Deebo Samuel has shown promise as well, but it's Bosa who is the crown jewel in another excellent offseason from Lynch.
Grade: A
Seattle Seahawks
29 of 32
Original Grade: C+
When the Seahawks offseason was originally graded, it was after the team sent Frank Clark to Kansas City in a trade that netted Seattle a first-round pick—but before the team flipped two players and a third-rounder to Houston for Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney hasn't made a huge dent in the box score since arriving in the Emerald City, but given what the team gave relative to what it got, it was a good deal. Fellow edge-rusher Ezekiel Ansah has been decent when on the field for the Seahawks, but just as was the case in Detroit, injuries have dogged the 30-year-old.
The Seahawks also brought in veteran guard Mike Iupati. The former Pro Bowler isn't the player he once was, but the 32-year-old has been a fixture on Seattle's offensive line, playing over 88 percent of the team's offensive snaps.
First-round pick L.J. Collier has been a non-factor to date, but the same can't be said for wide receiver DK Metcalf. Metcalf dropped to the second round because of concerns about his route-running ability, but the uber-talented youngster from Ole Miss has been a big-time contributor, averaging 17.5 yards per catch and hauling in four touchdowns.
Second-round safety Marquise Blair's shown some promise as well, notching 11 total tackles and forcing a fumble in his second start of the season last week against the Atlanta Falcons.
All in all, it's been a pretty Seattle offseason. There's a reason that good teams stay good—they're adept at restocking the cupboard in the offseason.
Grade: B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Original Grade: C+
The 2020 offseason is going to be a real franchise-definer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Decision time's coming for the team where quarterback Jameis Winston is concerned. But we aren't there yet.
It doesn't show in the record, but the hiring of Bruce Arians as head coach was still a good move by the Buccaneers. There's only so much a coach can do when his quarterback insists on turning the ball over multiple times in each game.
Winston has 10 turnovers in the last two games. Ten. He's averaging 2.1 per game this season and has more giveaways since entering the league than any other quarterback.
The bright spot for the Buccaneers in free agency has unquestionably been edge-rusher Shaquil Barrett. The 26-year-old had 14 sacks over his first five seasons in the NFL. He has 10 over his first seven games in Tampa.
But that's just about the only bright spot. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman still can't catch. Offensive tackle Donovan Smith still can't block. And the latter didn't come cheap...$27 million in guarantees over the next three years.
Among the rookie class, inside linebacker Devin White spent time on the shelf with a knee injury, but when on the field he's looked the part of a top-10 pick. Among the rest of the rookie class, kicker Matt Gay's made the biggest positive impact.
That's not a good sign.
It wasn't the 2019 offseason that dug the Buccaneers into the hole the franchise currently occupies. But it didn't do much to dig it out, either.
Grade: C-
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Original Grade: C-
When the Tennessee Titans traded for veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill in March, Titans GM Jon Robinson made it clear that Marcus Mariota was still the team's starter.
"I talked to Ryan," Robinson said, per Jim Wyatt of the team's website, "and he understands that he is coming in as the backup quarterback," Robinson said. "I've talked to Marcus and told Marcus he is our starting quarterback. Ryan is here to help Marcus, to push Marcus, to compete with Marcus."
That lasted just over six months.
There's no telling if Tannehill is the long-term answer under center in Nashville. In fact, given his career in Miami, he probably isn't. But Tannehill's won his last two starts for the team, and for now at least he's the man under center.
The rest of Tennessee's veteran acquisitions have mostly underwhelmed. By his own admission, guard Rodger Saffold hasn't played up to his contract. Edge-rusher Cameron Wake had 2.5 sacks in Week 1 and hasn't had one since. Slot receiver Adam Humphries has spent most of the season as a prisoner of one of the league's more anemic passing games.
The front end of the draft class has been better. Second-round wide receiver A.J. Brown has shown flashes of game-breaking talent. Third-round guard Nate Davis has been on the field for about half the team's offensive snaps. And first-rounder Jeffery Simmons, who suffered a torn ACL while preparing for the draft, has returned to the field much more rapidly than expected, notching his first sack in his first game in Week 7.
By virtue of Tannehill getting the season back on track alone, this grade deserves a bump. That Simmons looks healthy gets them another one.
Grade: B-
Washington Redskins
32 of 32
Original Grade: B+
After the draft, it appeared that the Washington Redskins had taken serious steps toward a return to respectability.
As it turns out, appearances are deceiving.
It's still way too early to call rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins a bust. But the former Ohio State standout has shown in limited action that he's not close to being ready to start in the NFL. His pocket awareness and understanding of the offense aren't good, and Haskins doesn't have the mobility to make plays with his legs.
Similarly, edge-rusher Montez Sweat may one day be a difference-maker in the pros. But while the snaps have been there (64.8 percent, per Pro Football Reference), the production has not—just 1.5 sacks.
However, third-round receiver Terry McLaurin has been another story. McLaurin may be the most surprising rookie receiver in the NFL, posting an impressive 28/458/5 stat line despite moribund quarterback play. He's one of the early front-runners for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Landon Collins has been as advertised in his first year with the team, pacing Washington in tackles. And whether the organization likes it or not, Adrian Peterson's once again the team's lead running back.
Then there's the Trent Williams mess. For months, the Pro Bowl tackle made it clear that he had no intention of ever playing for the team again. But rather than deal the 31-year-old earlier in the offseason (when his value would have been higher), the Redskins dug in their heels, waited until the trade deadline...and did nothing.
Oh, and the team fired head coach Jay Gruden in-season, because someone had to take the fall for their disastrous start.
The Redskins are the worst-run organization in the NFL. How I ever kidded myself into believing otherwise is baffling.
Grade: D
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