2011 NFL Free Agents: Final Grades on This Year's 50 Biggest Acquisitions

The NFL free-agency period for the 2011 season is all but dried up—which means it is time to get down to the job of reflecting on the big picture of where the best free agents signed and how those signings will alter the season.

While we cannot break down every free-agent signing at once, we can take a look at the best signings. We can look at the 50 biggest signings and grade them, just like you were in high school.

Will Nnamdi Asomugha signing with the Philadelphia Eagles receive a passing grade, or will Peyton Manning re-signing in Indianapolis be met with a positive review?

Find out inside.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Grade: A+

Did anyone really think Peyton Manning would sign anywhere else?

Probably not, which is a good thing, as the Indianapolis Colts would be absolutely ruined without Manning under center.

Manning signed a team-friendly deal to ease the salary cap burden, something he should be applauded for.

The Manning deal may have been the least dramatic, but it was by far the most important.

Kelly Gregg, Kansas City Chiefs

Grade: B+

If the Kansas City Chiefs get a healthy Kelly Gregg at nose tackle, watch out.

The Chiefs defense, especially the defensive line, is loaded with talent and potential. The team needed an anchor to pull it all together and guide this team to win. That's what Kelly Gregg will bring to Kansas City.

Gregg is as talented as any nose tackle in the game, but the Chiefs will need to help him out by rotating him early and often.

Thomas Howard, Cincinnati Bengals

Grade: B-

I like Thomas Howard a lot as a player, but the Cincinnati Bengals have many other players just like him on defense already.

Howard is not so different from Keith Rivers or Roddrick Muckelroy. It will be interesting to see where and how the Bengals use Howard, and if he'll line up with Rivers and Muckelroy on the field too.

Todd Heap, Arizona Cardinals

Grade: A

New quarterback Kevin Kolb will take as many targets as he can get. The Arizona Cardinals staff should have been ecstatic to add an old nemesis from their days with the Pittsburgh Steelers, when tight end Todd Heap became available.

Heap has declined, but he is still a top-15 tight end. He is an immediate upgrade at a position that was a weakness in Arizona previously.

James Jones, Green Bay Packers

Grade: C-

James Jones is a good No. 4 wide receiver, something the Green Bay Packers had no need for after drafting Randall Cobb in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

Keeping Jones allows continuity on defense, but his remaining on the team also limits touches for youngsters Jordy Nelson and Cobb—two players the Packers will be relying on in coming years as Donald Driver nears retirement.

Roman Harper, New Orleans Saints

Grade: B+

Keeping Roman Harper in the secondary of the New Orleans Saints was a great re-signing, if not an overly hyped one.

The Saints do a great job of keeping talent from leaving, and getting Harper locked up is another example of that.

For the Saints to win another Super Bowl, they will need a great defensive effort to stop the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Keeping Harper gets them closer to that reality.

Davin Joseph, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Grade: D+

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a great job building this roster through the draft, and by keeping their young players signed to long-term deals.

Their re-signing of Davin Joseph is the first move I've disagreed with in three years, but I disagree vehemently.

Joseph is among the most overrated offensive linemen in the NFL in my eyes, and giving him $53 million over seven years ranks as one of the dumbest signings in NFL history.

Joseph gives up too many quarterback pressures, and commits too many penalties, to be paid like an elite guard.

Mike Sims-Walker, St. Louis Rams

Grade: A

Among the major signings of the last two weeks, one signing that could have huge implications was snuck under the radar when the St. Louis Rams signed wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker.

Sims-Walker flashed the talent to become a legitimate No.1 wide receiver, but he never meshed with the coaching staff in Jacksonville and was eventually allowed to leave.

The St. Louis Rams are grinning like the Cheshire cat that he walked into their locker room. Sims-Walker will give Sam Bradford his first real No. 1 wide receiver, and he'll also open things up for Steven Jackson and Donnie Avery.

Josh Wilson, Washington Redskins

Grade: B

The Washington Redskins knew Carlos Rogers would not be re-signing with them this summer, so they moved fast to replace him with a solid starter in Josh Wilson.

Wilson may not be better than Rogers, but he's definitely not worse. The move will give the Redskins continuity on defense and allow them to continue adding improvements at other key positions without worrying about the cornerback position.

Quintin Mikell, St. Louis Rams

Grade: A+

The St. Louis Rams surprised many when they released safety O.J. Atogwe after the 2010 season ended. The move allowed St. Louis to add one of the best safeties on the free-agent market, Quintin Mikell.

Mikell is a physical player who will be a great fit in the Rams defense. His play in 2010 earned him the No. 1 safety grade by our friends at Pro Football Focus for the season. The player he's replacing, Atogwe, ranked No. 14.

Kevin Burnett, Miami Dolphins

Grade: D-

With a background in scouting and coaching, I put a lot of emphasis in my view of players on statistics and metrics as well as observation and production.

You can put all four together (stats, metrics, observation, production) to get a good feel for what a player can do. Looking at Kevin Burnett, and combining all four variables, he's horribly overpaid.

The Miami Dolphins signed Burnett to a four-year, $21 million deal to replace Channing Crowder at inside linebacker. The trouble is, Crowder is a better player.

Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers

Grade: A+

Malcom Floyd's availability as a free agent should have elicited many offers, as he's one of the most underrated players in the NFL. His staying with the San Diego Chargers may be enough to give San Diego a serious advantage in the AFC West.

Floyd ranked as the eighth best receiver in the NFL during the 2010 season. His pay of just $2.5 million annually is a steal.

Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

Grade: D

The New Orleans Saints traded away Reggie Bush and his huge salary, which was a smart move. What I don't understand is why they felt the need to add another running back.

Darren Sproles is a good situational back and return man, but the Saints are loaded at running back. Where will Sproles find carries behind first-round pick Mark Ingram, 2010 starter Pierre Thomas and a very good power back in Chris Ivory?

This signing screams of overcompensating.

Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans Saints

Grade: B

The re-signing of Jermon Bushrod to start as the left tackle of the New Orleans Saints was a smart move, but what does this say about the team's trust in Charles Brown? Brown was the second-round choice of the Saints in 2010, but he's rarely seen the field so far.

Bushrod will hold on to the job, with Brown pushing him for now.

Steve Breaston, Kansas City Chiefs

Grade: A

Another wildly under-hyped free-agent signing that will have huge dividends, the Kansas City Chiefs' pick-up of Steve Breaston is one of those signings we look back on as a difference maker in the franchise's fortunes.

Breaston fills a need for a slot receiver in Kansas City. It also helps that he played for Chiefs head coach Todd Haley during Haley's run as offensive coordinator in Arizona.

Breaston will bring a new dimension to the KC offense, and open up the passing game for Dwayne Bowe and Jonathan Baldwin.

Brad Smith, Buffalo Bills

Grade: C

A quick review of any Buffalo Bills message board shows that Bills fans are excited about the signing of Brad Smith, but why?

Smith is an electric offensive threat, but the Bills ignored huge needs at tight end, offensive tackle and linebacker when they made Smith their primary objective in free agency.

Will it matter that Smith is electric if the rest of the team lacks the talent to help him out?

Santana Moss, Washington Redskins

Grade: B+

The Washington Redskins are teased for giving away too much money each summer in signing big-name free agents to huge deals. This summer it was the move they made to keep one of their own that may pay off the most.

Santana Moss' decision to stay with the Redskins just might give their offense the firepower that Mike Shanahan and John Beck will need to shock a few teams this season.

Donte Whitner, San Francisco 49ers

Grade: B

The San Francisco 49ers angered many when their biggest free-agent move to date had been the re-signing of quarterback Alex Smith.

They finally got on the board in a positive light late last week by signing former Buffalo Bill, Donte Whitner.

Whitner gives the 49ers the best safety they've had in a number of years—although that's not saying much.

Carlos Rogers, San Francisco 49ers

Grade: B-

Replacing Nate Clements with Carlos Rogers may seem like an even deal, and when you consider the money the 49ers saved, it probably is.

Rogers should not be seen as the answer to the 49ers' struggles in the secondary, though. At his best, Rogers will be a very good No. 2 cornerback.

That doesn't mean the Rogers signing wasn't a good one; the 49ers need all the help they can get, just don't set the bar too high on what he can do.

Jason Babin, Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: A

I was prepared to be skeptical of Jason Babin's new contract if he signed anywhere other than Philadelphia. And then he signed with the Eagles.

Babin was a top-10 defensive end when playing under Jim Washburn last season. It's Washburn who will be coaching him again during the 2011 season.

The two are a match made in heaven. Babin will see continued success so long as he sticks to what Washburn has him doing.

Vince Young, Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: B

Here is a prediction for the 2011 season:

Michael Vick, after suffering a hard hit from DeMarcus Ware while scrambling, is knocked out for two weeks. In comes backup Vince Young, who leads the Eagles to two blow out wins and reminds NFL coaches of the talent he had when he entered the league. Young parlays the two games into a huge contract after the season.

Stephen Tulloch, Detroit Lions

Grade: A

The Detroit Lions defense improved by leaps and bounds this offseason with moves just like the one that brought Stephen Tulloch to town.

Tulloch will join Nick Fairley, Justin Durant and Eric Wright as the newest faces on the Detroit defense. It will be the job of these four fresh faces to propel the Lions into playoff contention.

Harvel Dahl, St. Louis Rams

Grade: A

Lost in the great signings made by the Atlanta Falcons this summer was the one player who left, who might just end up hurting them the most.

The loss of Harvey Dahl to St. Louis will certainly sting in Atlanta, and it will help propel the Rams to a strong argument for the NFC West crown.

Dahl is a nasty run-blocker. He'll bring a much-needed toughness to the Rams offense.

Barrett Ruud, Tennessee Titans

Grade: B

The Tennessee Titans lost linebacker Stephen Tulloch to the Detroit Lions. Their answer was to sign Barrett Ruud away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ruud is a very good linebacker, and he's familiar with the Cover 2 defense that Tennessee uses frequently.

Ruud is not the same level player as Tulloch, but he'll fill the gap better than the other available players could have.

Kevin Boss, Oakland Raiders

Grade: B+

The Oakland Raiders were blindsided when tight end Zach Miller chose to leave and sign with the Seattle Seahawks.

With no one on the roster capable of replacing Miller, and the free-agent market already drying up, the Raiders made a smart move in signing the very athletic Kevin Boss.

Boss is a very good receiver, and he'll have plenty of chances to see the ball in Oakland—where the Raiders love getting the ball to the tight end.

Antonio Cromartie, New York Jets

Grade: A

The New York Jets made a valiant effort to sign No. 1 free agent Nnamdi Asomugha, but he surprised them (and us) by signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Jets were left in a position to make a move, and fast, to sign a cornerback. They turned to Antonio Cromartie after choosing not to offer him a new contract once his deal with them ended after the 2010 season.

Cromartie re-signed on the cheap. The Jets got a great deal and get to keep a cornerback who is a great fit for Rex Ryan's defense.

Robert Gallery, Seattle Seahawks

Grade: B+

The offensive line for the Seattle Seahawks may kick some serious ass in 2011, in large part thanks to Robert Gallery.

Gallery will round out an offensive line full of tough blockers. The Seahawks will have to protect Tarvaris Jackson well, to see any hope of production at quarterback this year. With Gallery joining the ranks, they'll definitely be better suited to provide the time Jackson needs.

Tarvaris Jackson, Seattle Seahawks

Grade: F

Giving a two-year deal and a starting job to a quarterback who ranked No. 50 in the NFL last year is foolish. There's no other way to put it.

The Seattle Seahawks could have made a play for any available quarterback this year, and coming off an NFC West championship they would have been an attractive option for a legitimate starter. Instead they settle for Tarvaris freakin' Jackson.

Unbelievable.

Aubrayo Franklin, New Orleans Saints

Grade: A

Over the last two seasons, Aubrayo Franklin has been one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers hoped to keep the anchor of their defensive line in place, but instead lost out to the New Orleans Saints.

Most expected a hot market for Franklin once he entered free agency, but the market never materialized and Franklin was left with an offer to be a situational tackle with Sedrick Ellis and Shaun Rogers in New Orleans.

The Saints have to be happy, as Franklin will help round out a much improved defense in 2011.

Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants

Grade: A

I expected Mathias Kiwanuka to flee New York for a huge deal, most likely in Atlanta or New England. Neither happened, and Kiwanuka re-signed with the Giants quickly.

Kiwanuka's re-signing was a smart move, but it's questionable as to why he signed just a two-year deal.

Either way, the Giants were not in a position to find a replacement at outside linebacker. Keeping Kiwanuka for two more years is much better than losing him.

Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers

Grade: B-

Many of my critics are quick to call Eric Weddle "one of the best safeties in the NFL!" And he is, against the run. In coverage, Weddle struggles, and San Diego needs a coverage safety to play opposite Bob Sanders.

As for Weddle, he's the second highest-paid safety in the NFL. Do you really think he's better than Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed?

The Chargers safety duo will be comprised of two safeties known for big hits and bad coverage. What do you think teams will do when facing the Chargers? Expect the Chiefs to air it out early and often.

Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers

Grade: B-

The Pittsburgh Steelers had no choice but to re-sign cornerback Ike Taylor this season, as they have no one behind him who is ready or able to start at a high level.

The Steelers have survived for years with horrible cornerback play, largely because of Troy Polamalu and a dominant front seven.

Taylor is by no means horrible, but he's not great either. In fact, he may not even be good. Average is the word that comes to mind to best describe Taylor.

Braylon Edwards, San Francisco 49ers

Grade: F

The San Francisco 49ers must have zero faith in Michael Crabtree, or they know something we don't about an injury that is keeping him out of training camp (again).

Braylon Edwards is, and has been, horribly overrated. If 49ers fans can remember the Terrell Owens era, and the number of drops he frustrated you with, multiply that by two (at least) and you'll get a feel for what Braylon can do.

That is, when he's not getting a DUI or beating up 130-pound men.

Congratulations on this marvelous signing.

Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers

Grade: A+

Many people, myself included, too quickly judged Charles Johnson without fully looking at his 2010 season. So I went back, along with help from a friend, and watched seven games from Johnson's 2010 season.

From those seven games, I saw a defensive end who played better than any other end I saw last year. I would put Johnson's play last year up against any other end in the NFL.

Yes, he's unproven outside of last year, but players have to start somewhere. Johnson shouldn't be penalized because his best season was in 2010.

Cullen Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: A

The Philadelphia Eagles made so many amazing free-agent moves and trades, that we tend to forget about the lesser-hyped moves.

One such move was the signing of Cullen Jenkins.

A defensive end for the Green Bay Packers, Jenkins will slide down to tackle in Philadelphia, where the team expects he will dominate against one-on-one blocking.

Jenkins graded out as the second best 3-4 end in the game last year. If the Eagles get that production from him, watch out.

Paul Posluszny, Jacksonville Jaguars

Grade: B

The signing of Paul Posluszny was pretty shocking on my radar, as no one expected the Jacksonville Jaguars to steal away one of the best young linebackers in the NFL.

But is Posluszny really that good?

As far as inside linebackers go, Poz ranked No. 30 on Pro Football Focus' charts last season. While he is a very good all-around linebacker, Posluszny has benefited from hype and media infatuation as much as he's earned his name recognition.

With a better defensive line in front of him, there is no telling what Posluszny will be able to do in a 4-3 scheme. Let's just hold off on crowing him as a great free-agent signing.

Zach Miller, Seattle Seahawks

Grade: A

The Seattle Seahawks stole a top-10 tight end from the Raiders by signing Zach Miller. Seattle may be able to turn this signing into an even better deal, as there is speculation they may move John Carlson for a defensive starter via trade.

Even if the Seahawks keep both Miller and Carlson at tight end, it has been shown that a double tight-end set can work very well in today's NFL. Just ask the New England Patriots.

Miller is a dynamic player, and when coupled with the addition of Sidney Rice in Seattle, the Seahawks could have a powerful offense in 2011.

Doug Free, Dallas Cowboys

Grade: A-

The re-signing of left tackle Doug Free not only keeps a talented player on the Dallas offensive line, it allows rookie first-round pick Tyron Smith to play at his natural position of right tackle.

Free is among the best left tackles in the NFL, at least in my opinion. If he can cut down on penalties, he was responsible for 11 in 2010, Free could emerge as an elite player.

Tyson Clabo, Atlanta Falcons

Grade: A+

The most important move for the Atlanta Falcons this offseason was the re-signing of right tackle Tyson Clabo.

Atlanta was facing an offseason with three starters on the line up for free agency, but keeping Clabo was by far the most pressing matter for the team.

Signing Clabo to a long-term deal allows Atlanta to focus on improving other areas on the roster, as they do not have to worry about adding players to protect Matt Ryan.

Ray Edwards, Atlanta Falcons

Grade: A

During the 2010 season, Ray Edwards may have been the best left defensive end in the NFL. In 2011, he'll play for the Atlanta Falcons—making an already loaded roster, that much better.

Edwards was responsible for 53 quarterback pressures in 2010—a ridiculous number for anyone, but even better for a left end who is generally a better run-stopper than pass-rusher.

Edwards' signing just might be the missing ingredient needed for a Super Bowl berth in Atlanta.

Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks

Grade: B

I would like the signing of Sidney Rice much better if he hadn't injured his hip during the 2009 playoffs and missed a large part of the 2010 season.

Rice did come back to play in six games last season, but in those six games he looked ineffective and slow.

If the 2009 model Rice shows up, Seattle has a true No. 1 receiver. If not, they have an injured receiver making big money.

Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants

Grade: A

A four-year, $18 million deal for a starting running back is a great deal. The same deal for a great running back who may be the best blocking half-back in the league, is even better.

Bradshaw is amazingly underrated, especially considering he plays in the country's biggest media market. His ability as a runner/receiver/blocker should generate All-Pro discussion if he can get the touches he deserves this year.

Marshall Yanda, Baltimore Ravens

Grade: A

One of the best right tackles in the NFL last year, Marshall Yanda is among my favorite NFL players to watch.

The Baltimore Ravens quickly re-signed the talented and versatile Yanda to a long-term deal before he could hit the open market. Yanda can play guard and tackle equally well, and has proven himself to be an irreplaceable member of the Ravens team.

You could easily make the argument for Yanda being not only the best right tackle in the NFL, but he may be a top-five tackle, period.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

Grade: F

At 28 years old and coming off a season in which he missed 10 games, the Carolina Panthers gave DeAngelo Williams a five-year, $43 million contract with $21 million guaranteed.

They did this while having two good running backs already on the roster in Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson. Stewart looked like a damn good starter in Williams' absence last season, and Goodson emerged as a real threat on third down.

The point here, and the reason for the low grade, is that Williams was both overpaid and unnecessary.

Santonio Holmes, New York Jets

Grade: B-

Santonio Holmes was a player the New York Jets needed to re-sign, as they knew they were losing at least two other receivers this summer.

Holmes will help Mark Sanchez continue to develop, but let's hold off on calling Holmes one of the best receivers in the NFL.

This is a player who had just one more touchdown than dropped passes last year. Holmes, for all his talent, will completely disappear at times and in big games.

His re-signing was important, but Holmes is not worthy of the praise being thrown his way.

Carl Nicks, New Orleans Saints

Grade: F

Why the poor grade? Because the New Orleans Saints are idiots for not locking Carl Nicks up long-term. Making Nicks play out his one-year restricted free-agent tender will do nothing but potentially alienate the best guard in the NFL.

With Nicks and Jahri Evans, New Orleans has the best guard duo in the league. Why risk breaking that up by pissing off a guard who is more than worthy of a long-term deal?

Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs

Grade: A+

Guess who the best 3-4 outside linebacker was in the NFL last season?

I'm sure many would have said Terrell Suggs, DeMarcus Ware or Clay Matthews, but the real answer is Tamba Hali.

Hali was the best when measuring pass coverage, sacks, tackles and run support. He's also the best player on a talented Kansas City Chiefs defense. Keeping him in KC for the next five years was the best move the Chiefs could have made this year.

LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers

Grade: A+

The Pittsburgh Steelers are loaded with talented young players on offense and defense, but the re-signing of LaMarr Woodley to a six-year deal is perhaps the most important signing the franchise has made in years.

Woodley is a legitimate terror for opposing offenses, and he's quickly becoming the go-to playmaker on a defense featuring a dominant inside linebacker (Lawrence Timmons), outside linebacker (James Harrison) and the best safety in the game (Troy Polamalu).

Johnathan Joseph, Houston Texans

Grade: A+

The Houston Texans knew they had to fix their secondary this summer by adding new players at key positions. They did just that by signing the second best cornerback on the market, Johnathan Joseph.

Once it became clear the Texans had no chance at Nnamdi Asomugha, the team did an amazing job of shifting gears and going after the next best thing.

Joseph will be an immediate game-changer in Houston. Watch out, Peyton Manning.

Nnamdi Asomugha, Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: A+

No move made this summer will have a bigger impact on the NFL over the next five years than the signing of Nnamdi Asomugha by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Asomugha, especially when combined with the other players added this summer, has moved the Eagles from a potential playoff threat to the NFL's most likely Super Bowl winner.

Asomugha is the best cornerback in the NFL today, at least on my board. The Eagles' ability to add him to an already good roster almost seems unfair.