DT Michael Brockers signs w/ BAL
3 yr / $30 million
The Ravens would have earned an A without gaining the services of Calais Campbell, but adding the former Ram is an underrated move in my eyes that could move the defense back into elite status with the team’s second massive upgrade on the defensive line. While Brockers will not be a player that will accumulate monster numbers, he is a durable player that does a fantastic job in the run game. The Ravens still need to address the pass rush, but yet another quality move for a team looking to remain at the top of the AFC.
Grade: A+
TE Jimmy Graham signs w/ CHI
2 yr / $16 million
Big kudos to Graham for cashing it on another deal, but this seems like a reach from a contractual standpoint for the Bears, especially considering they still roster an overpaid tight end that has not lived up to expectations in Trey Burton. Graham has never been a great blocker and he has significantly slowed down in terms of production over his last two years with Green Bay. That is not a great combination for an aging tight end to bring in for a young quarterback on the thinnest of ice and for a team that came into free agency already limited with cap space.
Grade: D
LB Kyle Van Noy signs w/ MIA
4 yr / $51 million
Van Noy was really able to come into his own as an off-ball linebacker during his three and a half year stint with the Patriots. He is an extremely versatile and savvy veteran player that is solid against the run and can also get after the quarterback. He is the type of player that can excel past his prime, especially after reuniting with former Patriot linebackers coach Brian Flores in Miami.
Grade: B+
DT Javon Hargrave signs w/ PHI
3 yr / $39 million
The Eagles have invested heavily in the defensive line in recent years, and Hargrave is a great addition to an already formidable unit. The former Steeler has been stout as an interior pass rusher and has not missed a game since 2016. Pairing him with Fletcher Cox will allow the Eagles to tear apart struggling offensive lines and field one of the best front fours in football.
Grade: A-
QB Kirk Cousins signs extension w/ MIN
2 yr / $66 million
Cousins may not be among the NFL’s elite at the quarterback position, but it was a smart move to extend the quarterback after a career year in 2019. The extension reduces his 2020 cap hit by $10 million and gives a bit more flexibility for a team looking to reload at several positions. He may not be It will be interesting to see how the Spartan alum will operate without recently traded receiver Stefon Diggs, but the Vikings will be able to address the position after accumulating a 2nd first round pick in this year’s draft.
Grade: B+
T George Fant signs w/ NYJ
3 yr / $30 million
There is no question the Jets needed an upgrade at tackle, but this was a massive reach to address the need with a spot starter for $10 million a year. Fant does have experience at both tackle positions, but there were better options available at what would likely be a similar price. With the 11th pick, they are also in a great spot to pick a tackle in a strong class. The effort to upgrade the offensive line is noted, but at the moment it looks like a golf clap of a move at best.
Grade: C-
LB Jamie Collins signs w/ DET
3 yr / $30 million
There is no denying Collins’ success as a member of the Patriots, but his underwhelming play away from the franchise gives me plenty of reason to have concern for his outlook with the Lions. Reuniting with Matt Patricia puts him in a better situation than when he was in Cleveland, but there is no guarantee he will be around past this season should Detroit put together another middling season in 2020. I believe they would’ve been better off paying top dollar for the likes of Cory Middleton, but I digress.
Grade: C
QB Case Keenum signs w/ CLE
3 yr / $18 million
Keenum was not the sexiest of additions, but a solid one nonetheless. He is a journeyman quarterback with the ability to step in and produce in spurts with the right situation. The Browns may have underachieved in 2019, but they still possess elite offensive weapons across the board. If Baker Mayfield were to go down for a few games over the next three seasons, Cleveland will not likely not have a huge drop off in offensive production.
Grade: A-
LB Danny Trevathan re-signs w/ CHI
3 yr / $21.75 million
Originally deciding let Trevathan test the market, the Bears decided to bring back the veteran to man the middle of their defense. The former Bronco has been very good over the last four seasons in Chicago, but missing 18 games over that span obviously drove down his price. He won’t be a dominant force, but he will be a good compliment to a developing Roquan Smith.
Grade: B
QB Marcus Mariota signs w/ LVR
Terms undisclosed as of 3/17
The former 2nd overall pick was destined to get another opportunity, but going to Las Vegas definitely came out of left field. It was reported Mariota was high on their priority list coming into the new league year, but it remains to be see how he will fit with the Raiders. He is a great athlete that does not turn the ball over often, but he has been knocked for his lack of big throws and holding onto the ball too long. The former Heisman winner needed a fresh start, but the Raiders idea of not being sold on Derek Carr remains questionable to me.
Grade: C+
DT Jarran Reed re-signs w/ SEA
2 yr / $23 million
Perhaps the down year for Reed after accumulating 10.5 sacks in 2018 was a blessing in disguise for Seattle to bring back the 27 year old at a pretty affordable price. The Seahawks severely lacked depth on the interior line and bringing him back solidifies that starting spot in the short term. It remains to be seen if he can get back to the production two years prior, but the former second rounder looks to do so in 2020.
Grade: B+
Vikings WR Stefon Diggs and a 2020 7th round pick to the Bills for a 2020 1st round pick (22nd), 5th rounder, 6th rounder, and a 2021 4th round pick
BUF
The Bills are clearly swinging for the fences trying to put everything around Josh Allen. After earning a playoff spot for the second time since 2000, the Bills struggled to move the offense down the field without an established number one against the Texans. They look to solve that issue, albeit at a hefty price, by bringing in Diggs. I believe the trio of Brown, Beasley and the newly acquired Diggs complement each other nicely based on their respective styles of play. Buffalo looks to build off of their successful 2019 campaign by taking over the now wide open AFC East.
Grade: B+
MIN
It is never ideal to trade away a dynamic receiver like Diggs, but the Vikings got a solid return for a player who was clearly ready to move on. A few weeks ago, Minnesota was dead last in cap space and needed to make several moves to keep the team afloat. Fast forward to now, and the core of the team looks very different, but the team has the assets now to reload and remain competitive in a tough NFC North. The grade could fluctuate based on how this draft pans out, but it is clear they did the right thing by dealing the wide receiver at the right time.
Grade: A-
WR Amari Cooper re-signs w/ DAL
5 yr / $100 million
The Cowboys broke the bank by bringing back Cooper, giving him the 2nd highest average salary for wide receivers with $60 million in guarantees. The price seems overpriced, but like the Lawrence situation last off-season, the loss of Cooper would have been much more significant than keeping him at a higher price. It is clear Cooper and Prescott are at their best with each other, so keeping the pair together was essential for the offense that ranked among the best in the league in 2019. It will be interesting to see the cap hit Cooper will account for in 2020, due to the Cowboys still needing to fill multiple needs, especially after the recent departures of Byron Jones, Randall Cobb, and Robert Quinn.
Grade: B
WR Randall Cobb signs w/ HOU
3 yr / $27 million
What seemed like a foregone conclusion that Cobb would re-up with the Cowboys to join his former coach Mike McCarthy was turned on its side after agreeing to a lucrative deal with their in-state rivals. Why Houston would opt to give $9 million a year to a guy who has not topped 850 yards since 2014 in beyond me. He is capable of being solid contributor, but the number is puzzling to say the least. Yet another example of a franchise suddenly incapable of finding a direction.
Grade: D
S Jimmie Ward re-signs w/ SF
3 yr / $28.5 million
Ward cashed in on his career year to return to San Francisco. The 49ers brought back the versatile safety on a very manageable deal, which was surprising considering the lack of quality safeties on the market. The only concern the soon-to-be 29 year old has faced in recent years is his durability due to missing 24 games over the last four years. As a player, he is well worth the salary boost, but time will only tell if his body is up for the challenge.
Grade: B-
LB Blake Martinez signs w/ NYG
3 yr / $30 million
The Giants needed a massive upgrade at the linebacker position and they got one in the likes of Martinez. He has been a strong tackler since he entered the league in 2016. He is a bit of an old school linebacker in the sense that he tends to struggle in coverage. With that being said, the Giants gave him a solid deal that will not be hard to live up to with a defense that lacks overall talent.
Grade: B
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