2022 NFL Free-Agent Signing, Trade Grades for Wednesday's Latest Moves
The NFL's new league year began at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, which is when all of the agreed-upon deals during the legal tampering period could become official.
A number of deals have already changed the NFL's landscape. Russell Wilson will be under center for the Denver Broncos next year. Deshaun Watson appears likely to find a new home soon, too. The quarterback carousel figures to continue with Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield, while standout free agents such as Allen Robinson II and Terron Armstead are still up for grabs as well.
The NFL offseason may officially begin Wednesday, but decisions made in the middle of March will have lasting repercussions for weeks, months and even years to come.
Follow along as Bleacher Report assesses and grades each move from Wednesday to find out whether they'll benefit or hurt their respective squads.
Buccaneers Sign WR Chris Godwin to Extension
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Entering the offseason, Chris Godwin's future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remained in doubt. However, the Buccaneers made sure to keep him around, signing the wide receiver to a three-year, $60 million contract with $40 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Tampa Bay's championship window appeared to be closing at the beginning of the offseason. Tom Brady retired. Rob Gronkowski flirted with other teams. Multiple free agents were expected to leave, and Godwin could have been counted among them.
Instead, the Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on their star wide receiver as a ploy to give both sides enough time to reach a new deal.
The contract makes Godwin the league's seventh wide receiver with an average annual salary of $20 million. While the price tag is eye-popping and the Bucs have a huge amount invested in their wide receiver corps, the organization maintained the game's best passing attack.
The 26-year-old target, who is coming off of a season-ending ACL injury, averaged 1,092 receiving yards over the last three seasons. He's as effective working from the slot as he is from outside the numbers.
Godwin, Mike Evans and the recently signed Russell Gage give Tampa Bay arguably the league's best wide receiver trio. Brady has to be beaming, of course. The Buccaneers aren't slowing down anytime soon, and maintaining a key component from the team's core will keep the squad among the Super Bowl contenders for the foreseeable future.
Grade: A+
Bills Go Big at Edge, Tight End
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Von Miller told Bills Mafia to "get the tables," because the future Hall of Fame pass-rusher is moving to Buffalo. The 32-year-old defender has agreed to a six-year, $120 million deal with the Bills, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
On the surface, the deal is eye-popping considering Miller's age. But the Bills aren't afraid to feature aging edge-defenders, as evidenced by Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes playing key roles for them over the last two seasons.
Besides, Miller remains highly effective. According to Pro Football Focus, the eight-time Pro Bowler ranked third among all edge defenders in overall grade during the 2021 campaign.
Miller's effectiveness was on full display throughout the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl run. Now, he'll bring more explosive qualities than any other edge defender on the Bills' roster. While Miller is clearly an upgrade, Buffalo will likely lose both Hughes and Addison in free agency.
The addition also signals a bigger-picture approach. The Bills know the AFC East is theirs for the taking. But they still have to get past Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers and Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
The Rams laid forth the template to rattle these talented signal-callers. Miller played a critical role in that. The Bills are looking for similar contributions.
While the Bills added a huge name to their defense, they also added talent at another potential sore spot on offense. Although Dawson Knox hauled in a career-high nine touchdowns last season, they're bringing in fellow tight end O.J. Howard on a one-year, $3.5 million deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Howard is a true Y-tight end who's capable of being a better in-line blocker than Knox, and he's a threat in the passing game. He should give the Bills more flexibility within the offense.
Grade (Miller acquisition): A+
Grade (Howard acquisition): C
Myles Jack Joins Pittsburgh Steelers Defense
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Great linebacker play has been synonymous with Pittsburgh Steelers football for nearly 50 years. However, the team's off-ball linebackers haven't been particularly good for at least the past two seasons.
The Steelers traded up to the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft to select Devin Bush Jr, but he's been a disappointment. Pittsburgh acquired Joe Schobert from the Jacksonville Jaguars last August, but he doesn't create impact plays.
After the Jacksonville Jaguars released linebacker Myles Jack earlier this week, the Steelers jumped on the opportunity to beef up their defense. The linebacker agreed with Pittsburgh on a two-year, $16 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Jack's addition signals the end of Schobert's time in Pittsburgh. The Steelers plan to release Schobert and save $8 million, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac.
Jack didn't exactly play well in Jacksonville's disaster of a 2021 season. Perhaps that could be blamed on a terrible situation, but he isn't a slam dunk to be the solution in Pittsburgh, either.
Whatever the case, the Steelers took a chance on a talented athlete at a significant position of need. The organization has been aggressive and should be commended for the approach.
Grade: B
Miami Dolpins Land Fullback for Mike McDaniel's System
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Fullbacks matter...to certain teams...led by certain people...with certain schemes. New Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel happens to be one of those people with the scheme to utilize the position.
Five years ago, the San Francisco 49ers stunned the NFL when they signed fullback Kyle Juszczyk to a four-year, $21 million in deal in free agency. Juszczyk's arrival coincided with Kyle Shanahan becoming the team's head coach, and McDaniel has been on Shanahan's staff since 2011.
Now in his first foray as a head coach, McDaniel and his Dolphins are taking as similar approach by signing Alec Ingold to a two-year, $7.5 million deal, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
McDaniel served as the Niners' offensive coordinator last season, and the team used two running backs on 41 percent of its snaps, according to Sharp Football's Warren Sharp.
The Las Vegas Raiders didn't use Ingold extensively during his three seasons with them, but he's more than just a lead blocker. He caught 22 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns on 29 targets over the last two seasons. He can play a traditional role while adding more to the offense, much like Juszczyk.
Ingold might not turn into a six-time Pro Bowler like Juszczyk, but he can be a critical component of the Dolphins offense.
Grade: B
Baltimore Ravens Bring Za'Darius Smith Back
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Za'Darius Smith is returning to where his NFL career began. He agreed to a four-year, $35 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Ravens originally selected Smith in the fourth round of the 2015 draft, but he left as a free agent in 2019 to join the Green Bay Packers. Upon his arrival there, he emerged as one of the game's most disruptive defenders and earned two Pro Bowl nods.
A back injury robbed Smith of all but one game during the 2021 campaign, and the Packers released him earlier this week. However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported he is now fully healthy.
If so, he'll completely change the complexion of the Ravens defense. The seven-year veteran's pass-rushing grade ranks seventh among all edge-rushers since the start of the 2019 campaign, per Pro Football Focus.
Odafe Oweh showed a lot of promise as a rookie, finishing second on the team with five sacks. His bookend, Tyus Bowser, managed seven. They're both still young and are learning to harness their physical tools, while Smith can come right in and help blow up the game plans of opposing offenses.
As long as the 29-year-old remains healthy, he should help all three levels of a defense that finished among the bottom 10 in yards allowed last season.
Grade: A
Las Vegas Raiders Upgrade Their Pass Rush
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The Las Vegas Raiders made a huge free-agent splash on Wednesday when they agreed to terms with four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Chandler Jones. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jones will sign a three-year, $51 million contract.
Once the ink is dried, the Raiders will feature the league's most feared pass-rushing duo.
Maxx Crosby led the NFL with 82 total pressure last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. In Chandler's five fully healthy seasons since leaving the New England Patriots, the two-time first-team All-Pro has averaged 14 sacks per season.
His familiarity with McDaniels and the Patriots' defensive scheme should make him a seamless fit in Vegas. Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham also served as Jones' linebackers coach in New England.
The Raiders will need that added pass-rushing juice for the loaded AFC West, as they'll now have to face Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson six times per season. The ability to rattle those talented signal-callers will help Las Vegas' cause in what should be the league's toughest division.
To bring in Jones, the Raiders were forced to move their high-profile acquisition from last offseason, Yannick Ngakoue. Las Vegas sent the edge defender to the Indianapolis Colts for cornerback Rock-Ya Sin, per Rapoport. The trade moves $7 million off the books for the Raiders, while the Colts take on his $5 million base salary, according to Over The Cap.
Ngakoue is an effective pass-rusher, too. But the Raiders saw an opportunity to add one of the league's best players at a premium position, one who also happened to have familiarity with the new coaching staff and scheme. The Colts also needed a boost off the edge since defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is their most effective pass-rusher.
By dealing Ngakoue to Indianapolis, the Raiders added a 25-year-old cornerback with 29 career starts in three seasons. Ya-Sin can bookend Trayvon Mullen Jr., while Nate Hobbs handles slot duties.
Raiders Grade (Jones acquisition): A+
Raiders Grade (Ya-Sin acquisition): B
Colts Grade (Ngakoue acquisition): B+
Seattle Seahawks Add to Pass Rush with Uchenna Nwosu
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The Seattle Seahawks finished with only 34 sacks last season, which ranked among the league's bottom 10. Uchenna Nwosu set career highs last season with five sacks and 17 quarterback hits.
On Wednesday, Seattle and Nwosu agreed on a two-year, $20.5 million deal with $10.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That pairing should prove to be mutually beneficial.
Seattle already had Carlos Dunlap II and Darrell Taylor under contract. Those two combined for 15 sacks last season. So, Nwosu likely won't be thrust into a featured pass-rushing role. He's simply another piece in the rotation to help improve the Seahawks' overall pass rush.
Nwosu will add some versatility to Seattle's front seven, though. He can play linebacker or put his hand in the dirt, much like Bruce Irvin once did in Pete Carroll's system.
Grade: C+
J.D. McKissic Changes Mind, Rejoins Washington Commanders
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Players can use the NFL's legal tampering period as a time to reflect before putting pen to paper.
Defensive end Randy Gregory already did an about-face and agreed to sign with the Denver Broncos after originally agreeing to re-sign with the Dallas Cowboys. Running back J.D. McKissic is now the second player to do so in a matter of days.
Originally, McKissic intended to sign with the Buffalo Bills on a two-year, $7 million deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. After pondering his decision for a day, McKissic changed his mind and agreed to return to the Washington Commanders on that same deal.
Last season, McKissic finished second on the Commanders with 43 receptions for 397 yards and two touchdowns. He and Antonio Gibson form a potent backfield.
Luring the 28-year-old back helps Washington fill one area of need, although it now has others to address after purging veterans Erick Flowers, Matt Ioannidis and Landon Collins.
Grade: B+
Other Signings
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Miami Dolphins Sign RB Raheem Mostert
The Dolphins reshaping their backfield to fit Mike McDaniel's offensive vision. The organization already agreed to terms with full back Alec Ingold. The team will also bring in Raheem Mostert on a one-year, $3.1 million deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Mostert knows McDaniel's system after playing for the San Francisco 49ers the last five seasons, but he's coming off a season-ending injury that cost him all but one game. When healthy Mostert can be the Dolphins lead back as a perfect fit in the zone-stretch scheme.
Grade: C+
Las Vegas Raiders Sign CB Anthony Averett
A renewed emphasis has been placed on the Raiders secondary at the onset of the new league year. The team already flipped edge-rusher Yannick Ngakoue for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin after signing Chandler Jones. The Raiders also chose to sign cornerback Antony Averett to a one-year, $4.5 million deal, per The Athletic's Jeff Howe.
Las Vegas is now four-deep at cornerback with Averett, Ya-Sin, Trayvon Mullen Jr. and Nate Hobbs. The team will need to be playing against Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson in the AFC West.
Grade: B
TE Tyler Conklin Joins the New York Jets
The Jets didn't receive much from their tight ends in last season's passing game. Ryan Griffin led the group with 27 positions for 261 yards.
Tyler Conklin may not be a well-known tight end in a league filled with mismatches at the position. But he's clearly an upgrade over what the Jets already featured, hence why they signed him, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. In fact, Conklin caught a career-high 61 passes for 593 yards last season.
Grade: B+
Raiders Sign FB Jakob Johnson
The Raiders allowed their former starting fullback, Alec Ingold, to leave in free agency and sign with the Miami Dolphins. They responded by agreeing to terms with Jakob Johnson on a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The swap makes sense since spent Johnson the last three seasons playing for the New England Patriots under new Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels.
Grade: C
Carolina Panthers Sign WR Rashard Higgins
The Panthers are already set with their top two wide receivers in D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson. A healthy Christian McCaffrey is also a major part of their passing attack. But the team continued to flesh out its wide receiver corps by signing Rashard Higgins to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter.
Higgins is a reliable route-runner, but he was never able to break through with the Cleveland Browns. His best season came in 2020, when he hauled in 37 passes for 599 yards and four touchdowns.He can be the Panthers' third wide receiver in 11 personnel.
Grade: C
Cleveland Browns Re-Sign OT Chris Hubbard
After starting for the Browns in 2018 and 2019, Hubbard accepted his role when he was asked to serve as the team's swing lineman. He filled in admirably at right guard when injuries hit in 2020, and he suffered one himself this past season when a torn triceps muscle landed him on injured reserve.
The Browns thought enough of the 30-year-old blocker to bring him back on a one-year deal, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. He and James Hudson should serve as Cleveland's backup offensive tackles.
Grade: C
C Austin Blythe Joins Seattle Seahawks
Austin Blythe started 47 games between right guard and center during his final three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason. On Wednesday, Blythe agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with Seattle, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
Blythe should immediately compete to start at center. An organization adding quality depth is never a bad thing.
At worst, the 29-year-old blocker can serve as the Seahawks' utility interior lineman. Plus, he brings experience in the system since offensive coordinator Shane Waldron previously coached with the Rams.
Grade: C+
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