Season 60 Free Agency Grades
by adelfish | 5 years ago | 0 Comments
Red Zone S60 Offseason - Free Agency Grades
Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year for some of you, free agency. This is where all that sweet, sweep cap space can be turned into hope, dreams, and more. How did your team do throughout the first big wave of signings? Come find out...
Chicago Bears
Bears sign OG Brandon Scherff (3 Years, $45.5 million: $15.27 guaranteed)
Grade: A+
Brandon Scherff finally leaves Washington after getting the tag, and gets a nice payday with the Chicago bears at essentially $15 million per year. Alongside Jeffrey Lane as the best available interior linemen, I would say Chicago was about right in terms of what they paid him. Scherff is an excellent all around player, and was key for Washington over the years in their offensive success. At just $15 mil per year, I love this move.
Bears sign WR Tre'Quan Smith (3 Years, $36.7 million: $12.87 guaranteed)
Grade: B
The Bears have been thin at the receiver position for some time now. desptie having a really solid starter in the fold with Jordan Merritt. Tre'Quan Smith had the opportunity in New Orleans with the departure of Michael Thomas to be the number one guy, and posted seasons of 991 and 874 yards (12 total touchdowns) with are respectable. He will be a big help to taking pressure off of Merritt. I think it is a bit of an overpay, but Smith should produce for Chicago.
Bears sign LT Shaq Anderson (5 Years, $71.4 million: $25.15 guaranteed)
Grade: C+
Huge money for Anderson, who becomes one of the higher paid offensive tackles in football. Is he worth it? I'm not so sure, he is not a great pass blocker by any means, and will be going against Danielle Hunter and Leroy Jeffrey twice a year. He makes his money in being a prototypical run blocker, who is among the best in the league. The Bears signed him with stability in mind, and a likely commitment to the run game. If they can do that, I love the signing. If they think Anderson can handle 35 dropbacks a game they've got another thing coming.
Bears sign RT Reilly Dickinson (4 Years, $25.4 million: $9.6 guaranteed)
Grade: B-
Dickinson has been a liability in pass protection, giving up on average a sack a game before signing this 4 year contract with Chicago. Granted, it is only $6 million per year, but they expect Dickinson to be the answer at right tackle. Just like the Anderson signing, I think he will be an upgrade for them in the run game, but these two tackles are not elite pass blockers.
Bears sign DE Rashad Hart (3 Years, $17.2 million: $6.54 guaranteed)
Grade: C-
Chicago is paying Rashad Hart $5.5 per year to rush the passer, and in the last two years for Arizona he totaled 13 sacks in 32 regular season games. He has some of the best finesse moves at the position in the league, but his liabilities in other areas of the defensive line really hurt him from being an every down player. Chicago currently has him slated to start, and I think they will be surprised with his lack of production.
Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals sign WR Keke Coutee (3 Years, $22.7 million: $7.23 guaranteed)
Grade: D
Why? The Bengals are already investing a high amount of money in receivers, paying a combined $20 million to Angel Thompkins, John Ross, and Tyler Boyd. Solid receiving core, but why throw another $7 million per year on top of that? The Bengals had over $30 million of cap coming into free agency, and Coutee is likely third or fourth on the depth chart.
Bengals sign LT Bradley Paulson (3 Years, $14.8 million: 6.27 guaranteed)
Grade: C-
Bradley Paulson is a fringe starter, and the Bengals will need him to start right away conisdering their tackle situation. $4.5 per year is a bit much for me for Paulson, but he is servicable. Plug him in day one and see what he can do, but I don't love the move. As I mentioned above, I would have liked to see Cincy go all in on offensive line instead of receiver depth.
Buffalo Bills
Bills sign DE T.J. Watt (2 Years, $21.8 million: $5.9 guaranteed)
Grade: B
T.J. Watt was traded to the Panthers last year and nearly tied his career high in sacks, as he finished with 12 (career high 13). He will not set the world on fire with his pass rushing, but he is an all around solid defender. Paying him $10.5 per year is a high price for just two seasons, but the Bills needed to revamp completely, as previous ownership left them with a bare cupboard. Watt is a really solid piece to bring in on a short-term deal.
Bills sign CB Desmond King (2 Years, $29 million: $9.66 guaranteed)
Grade: C+
Pretty shocking that a 31 year old corner in decline received a deal like this, but the cornerback market was red hot. King is a very good zone corner, and will be able to cover the intermediate to short routes very effectively. Once the Bills get into deep passing situations, he is going to struggle. He should not be a starter, but he is being paid to replace the lost Kyle Fuller and Tre'davious White.
Bills sign OLB Dimitri Jennings (4 Years, $46.4 million:
Grade: F
So what does Dimitri Jennings do well? He averages about 40 tackles per season, has career high in 11 tackles for loss (really solid), and has 6 career sacks (not solid). He is a decent athlete, a relatively weak tackler, and struggles to win on run downs. His best asset is his ability to finesse rush, but with only 6 sacks, how is that a strength? He was paid for youth and potential, and this is a ton of money for a player who I can describe as: 'Meh'.
Bills sign CB Shaquill Griffin (2 Years, $14.8 million: $5.32 guaranteed)
Grade: D
Now Shaq Griffin is the opposite of King in terms of the coverage he excels at, he is more of a man corner at this stage of his career. It will be difficult for the Bills if they start Griffin and King together, as there are major weaknesses with each. Griffin is a solid signing, but once again the $7 mil per is a huge amount for a guy who isn't a starter at this stage. It seems as though Buffalo had to make up their secondary on the fly.
Denver Broncos
Broncos sign OLB Harold Landry (2 Years, $34.6 million: $13.5 guaranteed)
Grade: B-
Okay Denver! The Broncos finished with the fifth worst record in football, but still throw that money around like it's falling from the sky. So they are paying $17 mil per year for Landry to pair with Bradley Chubb to rush the passer, which is a great idea right? Landry hasn't lived up to his billing, and had multiple stars on a defensive line in Tennessee that terrorized opposing quarterbacks. He finished with a career high of 13.5 sacks. Is Denver really prepared to spend $17 million per year for a ceiling of less than a sack per million?
Broncos sign WR Tyler Lockett (1 Year, $3.69 million: $1.24 guaranteed)
Grade: A
Love it! Tyler Lockett was a forgotten man in Seattle due to Michael Thomas and DK Metcalf, and now does a veteran friendly deal with a wide receiver needy team. Lockett can still play, and be an elite-level third down weapon. This is exactly the kind of player Denver needed to bring in to boost the offense. Did someone else make this signing for Trent?
Cleveland Browns
Browns sign FS Antonio Isaac (5 Years, $50.9 million: $17.2 guaranteed)
Grade: F
Don't quite get this one. Paying $10 million a year to a safety on any team is tough to stomach, but especially one that is middle of the road. There are only 5 free safeties in the league that top double digit per year salaries, and Isaac is at the bottom of the talent pool, and it frankly isn't close. I didn't see a real need here, or a real fit, but here we are. I think Cleveland will regret this signing about mid-season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers sign WRs Joshua Guyton (2 Years, $6.22 million) and Diontae Johnson (2 Years, $3.7 million)
Grade: A for Guyton, C- for Johnson
Tampa needs help everywhere, and they bring in two middle of the road receivers on cheap deals. They have one of the worst receiving cores in football, so these guys will at least help in terms of depth. Guyton is actually a really solid signing, he is a very good possesion receiver, and has really good speed to his game. I expect him to compete for a starting spot. Diontae Johnson is just a 'guy' and may struggle to make the team. Bodies in Tampa at this point are a plus!
Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers sign OG Jeffrey Lane (5 Years, $51.1 million: $48.4 guaranteed)
Grade: A
The Chargers have an above average offensive line, but had a weak point at right guard, so they acquired the best one on the market. Lane is only 29, and is one of the best all-around blockers in the league. The Chargers saw him as a championship level piece, so they almost fully guaranteed the contract. This is the kind of move you rarely see a perrenial winner make, but I love it.
Chargers sign FS Marcus Williams (5 Years, $93.5 million: $65.8 guaranteed)
Grade: C
So the Chargers have now created the best safety duo in the league with Williams and Derwin James, paying them a combined $30 mil+ per year. Derwin's contract is expiring, but I don't see this as a replacement level move. Williams is a really good player, one of the most athletic safeties in the league, along with his great skills in the run game. An already elite defense gains another unbelievable piece - but I just don't like paying safeties this much. If Williams ends up being a difference maker in a playoff run, I'll eat crow - but this seemed like an impulse buy.
Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs sign RB Aaron Jones (2 Years, $11.8 million: $3.1 guaranteed)
Grade: B
Le'veon Bell departs, and in comes Aaron Jones. Still a really good player despite his age, he can be an every down back for the Chiefs and provide relief for Mahomes in the run game. The issue for Jones has been durability, hence the low guarantees and contract length. If he plays a 16 game season, that is just a plus for Kansas City. Love the fit and need here, as $6 million for a top 15 running back seems about right.
Chiefs sign DE Trey Flowers (1 Year, $3.5 million: $1.25 guaranteed)
Grade: A
You can never have enough pass rush help, Trey Flowers is well past his prime but can still play. On a cheap 1 year deal, he should be a nice rotational piece for the Chiefs defensive line. A ceiling of 5-6 sacks is not out of the question, this is a CLASSIC Bubba Bitz move!
Indianapolis Colts
Colts sign OG Melvin Cameron (2 Years, $12.5 million: $5.02 guaranteed)
Grade: D
The Colts finally have some cap space, and they sign....Melvin Cameron! The Colts already have Quenton Nelson at left guard, so they are bringing Cameron in to either compete with current starter Will Barnes, or maybe kick him to left tackle? If he starts at left tackle, I think Andrew Luck should sue for negligence. if he beats out Will Barnes, what are the Colts going to do with the remaining $17 million they owe Barnes? Strange, strange move.
Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys sign QB Bernard Short (5 Years, $130 million: $65 guaranteed)
Grade: C
What have the Cowboys done with Steven Greenhalgh?? This is NOT a move he would make!! Bernard Short was a first round quarterback taken by the Raiders who flamed out, but actually has some decent potential. Decent athlete, can throw on the run, and is very accurate within 15 yards of throwing. That sounds like the perfect quarterback for this system! Can he hit big throws downfield? That is the question, and for $24 million per year, I don't think a lateral, to maybe backward move at quarterback is going to help Dallas in the postseason - although he does provide stability.
Cowboys sign TE Shontrelle Rushing (4 Years, $11.6 million: $3.8 guaranteed)
Grade: B
More like Shontrelle 'Receiving'! Am I right? I'll be here all week...
Really solid second tight end here for the Cowboys, who already have Austin Hooper in the building. Rushing can catch, is a decent blocker, and is cheap. What more can you want from a backup tight end, in an offense that will use him frequently?
Miami Dolphins
Dolphins sign QB Jameis Winston (2 Years, $18.6 million: $13.1 guaranteed)
Grade: A-
Russell Wilson was too old to warrant an extension with Miami, so they grabbed the next best thing: Jameis W'INT'ston! Winston knows a thing or two about Florida, considering he was with Jacksonville for the past few seasons. He also knows a thing or two about serving suspensions, considering he served multiple in Jacksonville due to CBA violations. In Miami, he will be asked to manage the game and allow the defense to win games for them. With OBJ and the weapons Miami has, I think Winston is a perfect stopgap for the Dolphins that keeps them in contention.
Dolphins sign TE O.J. Howard (3 Years, $25.4 million: $7.5 guaranteed)
Grade: A+
O.J. Howard is still really solid at this point of his career, and is the weapon in the middle that the Dolphins needed for Russell Wilson (now Winston). He is still elite in athleticism for the position, and has sure hands. This is going to be a massive get for the Dolphins, as he appears to be the chain mover they needed on third down, and will open up the field for OBJ. One of my favorite signings so far!
Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles sign LB Jayon Brown (4 Years, $25.3 million: $8.28 guaranteed)
Grade: B+
The Eagles did something? With over $30 million in cap, their incompetent front office will ususally sit things out until the draft, but they actually made a move! Jayon Brown was a cap casualty from Tennessee, and is a really solid linebacker overall. The Eagles have a really solid young pair of OLBs, so throwing a veteran like Brown in the middle is a smart move. He will excel for them in the run game, and even in covering those athletic NFC East tight ends. Nice job, Beat!
Atlanta Falcons
Falcons sign WR Karl Wilkerson (4 Years, $57 million: $22 guaranteed)
Grade: B+
So the Falcons lost DeAndre Hopkins to retirement, and decided to trade Calvin Ridley for a first round pick. The first replacement option is Wilkerson, who was with the club before they traded him to Houston (previous regime). I actually really like Wilkerson, he is going to be a good deep threat for the Falcons, and will no doubt be the team leading receiver in likely every category. Love the player, will be interesting to see how he does as a #1. I actually think they overpaid a bit too, $13 mil is a lot for Wilkerson, but he earned it with his career high 1300 yard season last year.
Falcons sign RB Solomon Pamphile (3 Years, $10.4 million: $3 guaranteed)
Grade: A
The revamp of the Falcons offense under new GM Ramesu continues, and they bring in Solomon Pamphile to likely be the starting running back. He is a speedster, with great elusiveness and is a threat catching the ball out of the backfield. All around he is a really solid running back, and can even run between the tackles. Will he be a 1000 yard rusher? Maybe, but the Falcons got a great deal for a player who could be really productive for them.
Falcons sign WR Michael Gallup (3 Years, $24.3 million: $7.95 guaranteed)
Grade: A
Am I the only one who loves Michael Gallup? This is a really good signing for Atlanta, as the duo of Hopkins/Ridley essentially became Wilkerson/Gallup. Gallup is an all-around threat, who is going to be huge for Atlanta in moving the chains, and relieving Wilkerson of all the attention. He could become a favorite of Josh Rosen sooner rather than later, and I love the price they got him for.
Falcons sign LB Brendan Cann (3 Years, $22.4 million: $6 guaranteed)
Grade: C-
Atlanta made a lot of really nice moves on offense. Let's remember that before we review their defensive signings. Brendan Cann is a solid linebacker, with decent athleticism and a strong ability to play the run. And....that's it. This is a guy who had 26 tackles in his last two seasons, so clearly he wasn't able to see the field. The Falcons are now paying him $7 million per season. I don't quite get this one, although I do understand they have little depth at the linebacker spot.
Falcons sign LB Ben Burr-Kirven (3 Years, $38.9 million: $12 guaranteed)
Grade: B
Really fast linebacker? Check. Great tackling? Check. Can hit like a freight train? Check. That is what Burr-Kirven does, and has done for the great Jacksonville defenses over the past few seasons. Last two seasons he had over 180 tackles, 28 TFLs and 9 sacks. Really good stuff. Atlanta gives him $13 mil per year, and really needs to cross their fingers that he wasn't just a product of that defense. If he can produce like he did prior, he will be atop Atlanta's defensive numbers.
San Francisco 49ers
49ers sign WR Terry McLaurin (5 Years, $36.6 million: $16.3 guaranteed)
Grade: A+
The 49ers basically swapped Deebo Samuel for McLaurin, who is faster, more elusive, and just as productive. In an offense that relies on quick hitting throws and yards after the catch, McLaurin is such a good fit. He will become a favorite target of Josh Allen, and could push for 70-75 catches in this offense. At just 6.5-6.8 per year, I think this was a tremendous deal for the 49ers.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars sign QB Cam Newton (1 Year, $10.9 million: $8.46 guaranteed)
Grade: A
What do you do, when you've been punished into roster purgatory, and have about $37 million to spend on middle of the road guys? You give $11 of it to Cam Newton as a backup. Kalen Clemons is the starter in Jacksonville, and now has a backup making double his salary, granted it is just for one season so I can't rip it too much. This is an insurance policy if Clemons gets hurt or suspended (which is more likely?).
New York Jets
Jets sign QB Russell Wilson (5 Years, $57.9 million: $33.1 guaranteed)
Grade: Corn & Smokes Playing Chess Against Each Other for 5 Hours and You Have to Watch Grade
Jets traded for James Walters, that is a really solid move! Walters is the best quarterback that has been in that building all cycle after Darnold, Trubisky, etc. Walters actually saved the Jets $4 mil this year, and can finally allow them to move off Trubisky's bad contract. I can't wait to see what James Walters does in the Jets offense, especially with the new addition at running back, and Herndon at tight end.
Wait, I'm not grading Walters. Wait...the Jets gave Russell Wilson (37 years old) $11 million per year to backup Walters?? Wait...Russell Wilson has regressed into obilivion??? Wait....IT'S A FIVE YEAR DEAL???? No!!! My eyes!! My eyes!!!
Okay I've calmed down. Let's grade it.
THIRTY THREE MILLION GUARANTEED?????? AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Jets sign RB James Conner (4 Years, $19.8 million: $6 guaranteed)
Grade: B+
Okay now that I've washed myself off, let's dig into the James Conner signing. Foolishly pushed aside for a committee in Pittsburgh, Conner requested to hit the market to prove his worth. He actually gets a nice deal to join the Jets, and he still has a lot left in the tank. The Jets have been looking for an every down back who can carry the rock 20 times a game, Conner is that guy. Giving him less than $5 mil a year is a steal, as he has proven that his age of 31 hasn't stopped him. Like this move more than most do.
Jets sign OLB Shaquem Griffin (5 Years, $106 million: $39.5 guaranteed)
Grade: C+
Shaq Griffin was extremely productive for the Seahawks in his time there, averaging over 100 tackles a season for the last 4, and even finished top five in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The kid just makes plays, and now at the age of 30, he heads to the Jets on an extremely pricy deal. The Jets are as thin as it gets at linebacker, so adding him is a massive upgrade, although the yearly price tag of $25+ mil a year stings. That is a ton of money for a guy entering the twilight of his career. He needs to be the difference maker he was in Seattle to justify this.
Jets sign CB Donte Jackson (5 Years, $115 million: $35.6 guaranteed)
Grade: B
The Jets needed a corner bad, and they signed one of the top corners on the market to a lucrative deal. He is immediately their day one starter, and is among the best defenders on their roster. I really like this move for them, as the going rate for corners is about this range. Jackson was not the top corner available, but I like that the Jets opted for a bottom of the first tier guy, and saved about $45 mil doing so. Really pricy, but a massive upgrade.
Detroit Lions
Lions sign OLB Bobby Okereke (2 Years, $10.8 million: $3.14 guaranteed)
Grade: B+
Bobby 'Boucher' Okereke comes in to either start at LOLB for the Lions, or be a very servicable backup. He is a solid player, with good athleticism, and really solid cover skills for a linebacker. I like this move for the price and need, as Detroit will make most of their moves in the draft. Having a guy like Bobby around to mentor is a good choice, especially for $5 mil per.
Lions sign SS Terrelle Reed (4 Years, $18.6 million: $8.44 guaranteed)
Grade: A
Reed was paid for his speed and his elite ability to defense in man coverage, as he is one of the best graded safeties when covering tight ends or running backs in man to man situations. Detroit keeps adding athleticism to their back end, a secondary that already has Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Marshon Lattimore. For just $4.5 per, I think Reed is great value for the Lions.
Green Bay Packers
Packers sign WR Davante Adams (3 Years, $36.6 million: $12.4 guaranteed)
Grade: A+
Who says you can't go home again?? The Packers let Adams test the market, then they brought their beloved receiver back home to the trailer park of Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is an all-time player for them, so giving him this contract is one out of love and respect, as it is production. Adams has slowed down, but is still a big-time threat to catch anything thrown his way. For Preston Boothe, this is as good a move as you can make.
Packers sign OLB Myles Jack (3 Years, $29.6 million: $9.33 guaranteed)
Grade: A+
The band in Jacksonville continues to break up, as Jack heads to Green Bay. First of all, he is really, really good. Jack is elite in terms of his athleticism, his disruption in the run and pass game, and is smart a player as they come. He is just turning 30, and compared to what guys like Shaq Griffen and..Brenden Cann got...this is a steal at just under $10 per year. This vaults Green Bay back into NFC North contention.
Carolina Panthers
Panthers sign Jesse Zamora (5 Years, $116 million: $57.3 guaranteed)
Grade: D+
Wow. The top two quarterbacks in terms of youth and potential on the market were Jesse Zamora and Bernard Short, and I thought Short was clearly the better of the two. Zamora has been a career backup, throwing a career high of 10 touchdown passes. As a full-time starter, I'm not sure the upside he brings. Average arm, average accuracy short and deep. He can run, i'll give him that - he is actually really athletic. Can the Panthers build an offense to utilize that part of his game? Time will tell, but it is an expensive experiment.
Panthers sign WR Deebo Samuel (2 Years, $12.4 million: $4.5 guaranteed)
Grade: A
Carolina needed an upgrade behind D.J. Moore, and Samuel is a great fit for them. At only $6 mil per for two years, he is an all-around threat in the receiving game. He is going to be huge for Zamora if they can build up a rapport. I think opting for Deebo and allowing Curtis Samuel to walk was a great choice.
Panthers sign TE Josh Oliver (3 Years, $39 million: $9.15 guaranteed)
Grade: A-
Carolina loves their tight ends, and they just acquired one of the best in the league. Josh Oliver was a Pro Bowler for the Jaguars, with his elite hands and athleticism that makes him a tough cover for any linebacker or corner. He is going to be a matchup nightmare for any defense. This is a great move for the Panthers to help establiish more weapons for Zamora, and was done on a short term deal.
Panthers sign TE Mike Gesicki (3 Years, $13.4 million: $4.5 guaranteed)
Grade: A-
Gesicki goes from starter to backup in Carolina, but still gets a nice paycheck to do so. Gesicki has sure hands, and is probably one of the best #2 tight ends in the league. If the Panthers can get a dual tight end offense infrastructure, this offense could really take off. The more weapons around the questionable Zamora, the better.
Panthers sign CB Chris Shepherd (3 Years, $21.5 million: $6 guaranteed)
Grade: D-
Phrew....that is a ton of money for Chris Shepherd. The speed is tantalizing, there is no doubt about that. But can this guy actually play corner? He has poor coverage grades, and has been a middle of the depth chart guy his whole career, and now he is getting $7 million per season to play alongside Byron Jones. This seemed like a move based on the athleticism, and that they would figure it out later. Woof.
Baltimore Ravens
Ravens sign OG Elgton Jenkins (3 Years, $34.6 million: $14 guaranteed)
Grade: F
The Ravens had less than $30 mil to spend in free agency, and they went after upgrading the offensive line inititally. I would be really excited about this move if Elgton Jenkins was better, but he...is fine? He is really strong, one of the strongest guards in the leauge, but from a pure pass and run blocking standpoint, he struggles with the fundamentals. Giving a decent to middle of the road starter over $10 mil per year is hard to stomach, and I think this money could have been better spent elsewhere, or on better guards.
Washington Redskins
Redskins sign RT Daquan Rouse (5 Years, $45.8 million: $23.5 guaranteed)
Grade: B+
Daquan Rouse is a really solid right tackle, one of the strongest players in our leauge. His weaknesses are in blocking, as he struggles with fast edge rushers, and will be put to the test right away with Demarcus Lawrence in his division. With Terron Armstead retiring, the Redskins needed a fix for their line, and Rouse provides that, with still a ton of development left in him. Comparing this to the Elgton Jenkins deal...what were the Ravens thinking?
Redskins sign CB Kendall Fuller (5 Years, $162 million: $81.1 guaranteed)
Grade: C-
Does that say $62 million or $162 million? Nobody would give a corner that kind of deal, right?
Fuller pairs with Sweed to become one of the most dangerous cornerback pairs in the league, as Washington goes all-in on their secondary to lift their team. There is no doubt that Fuller is talented, and brings a shutdown corner presence to the Redskins defense. The problem is, they are paying him like a starting quarterback.
This is a championship or bust type of move. If Fuller doesn't lead to a Super Bowl run, this signing is all-time bad, because it cripples their ability to make moves elsewhere. The Redskins defense has holes - depth on the line, linebackers. Can Fuller be that much of a difference maker to warrant $30 mil per season?
New Orleans Saints
Saints sign WR Jamison Crowder (5 Years, $8.25 million: $3.5 guaranteed)
Grade: A
Zero chance Crowder plays out the five year deal, so New Orleans locks in a coach favorite receiver, at $1.5 per. Crowder is a really solid third to fourth option, and at the age of 33 can still play. I think Tyler Lockett was a better fit here, but you can't go wrong with a player like Crowder. Great signing.
Saints sign RT Joe Thuney (5 Years, $33.8 million: $10.5 guaranteed)
Grade:
Thuney is a solid player, and is actually an above average run blocker. The Saints gave him a big contract despite being 33, banking on the same concept of him not playing out the full deal. $6 million for a very solid blocker is a good deal in my book, and is their immediate starter on the right side. Another nice move by the Saints.
Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks sign C Ryan Kelly (2 Years, $11.9 million: $3.38 guaranteed)
Grade: A+
Seattle needed an upgrade at center, and nabbed the best one on the market on a realtively cheap deal. Kelly is still really solid at this point of his career, and will bring an upgrade to that entire offensive line. I like Seattle staying the course and building to win now.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers sign DE Jonathan Allen (1 Year, $9.33 million)
Grade: Corn and Smokes on Vacation Together Grade
ILLEGAL CONTRACT ALERT!!! You have got to love it. The Steelers illegaly signed Allen to a 1 year contract and were forced to release him. Granted, the penalty wasn't that bad, but there is nothing more embrassing than an illegal contract. Watch out, Ravens! Here come the Steelers!!
EDIT: Jonathan Allen signed with the Bills - BRILLIANT!
Steelers sign DE Derek Barnett (2 Years, $27.7 million: $7.76 guaranteed)
Grade: C
This will be similar to the T.J. Watt grade, where funny enough the Steelers front office continues to slander his good name after trading him. Barnett is a power rusher. He will never be a 20 sack guy, as his career high is 14.5 with the Chargers. Expect more of a 9-10 type of production, but he is being paid nearly $15 mil per year. The Steelers run defense will improve with him there, but I think the expectation for the front office is higher. Overall, he is a good player, but not for what they lack.
Steelers sign CB Kenny Moore (2 Years, $37 million: $11.1 guaranteed)
Grade: A+
Value signing!! I love it. Kenny Moore can play, despite being 31 (only 1 year older than Kendall Fuller) he is making $21 million less over the next two years than Fuller is. Moore is not as good, don't get me wrong, but the ability to bring in a good player like Moore, on a shorter deal, gives the Steelers flexibility elsewhere. Moore is still athletic, and is still borderline elite in zone coverage. Love this move for Pittsburgh.
Houston Texans
Texans sign WR Curtis Samuel (3 Years, $21.5 million: $6.6 guaranteed)
Grade: C+
Black Magic, NEVER CHANGE!! Speed is the name of the Texans game, and after letting Wilkerson walk, they are bringing in Curtis Samuel on a nice 3 year deal to be a deep threat for them. The Texans have a decent receiving core now with him, but I am not as high on Samuel as the Texans are. I thought there were at least 3-4 other guys who they could have gotten at a similar contract. How great would Michael Gallup have been in this offense? Either way, with Watson they will find a way to produce together.
Texans sign OT Trent Brown (2 Years, $8.68 million: $2.78 guaranteed)
Grade: A
Bargain signing for the Texans, as Trent Brown can still play, and getting him for only $4 mil per year is a really good move. He is going to likely be the starter at right tackle for them, or could move inside depending on how the draft goes. Really like the move, the price, and the fit.
Tennessee Titans
Titans sign LT Ronnie Stanley (5 Years, $55.7 million: $20.9 guaranteed)
Grade: B+
Great signing, as the Bears paid Shaq Anderson $71 million, the Titans got a better player for $16 million less. From a raw strength standpoint, Stanley has regressed (he is 32 after all) but is still one of the best technique guys in the league. I think that his strength could be a liability against elite rushers, especially the ones in that division, but for the stability and veteran leadership, the Titans couldn't pass on him. Compared to what the market was, I think this move is really good for the Titans, but could get ugly fast.
Titans sign WR Corey Davis (4 Years, $58.8 million: $17 guaranteed)
Grade: B
This is an overpay, but the Titans get their beloved receiver back on a 4 year deal. This was crucial for any sort of championship hopes they had to bring back their team leading receiver. I would have liked to see Tennessee go after a higher upside guy like Wilkerson, or even a combination of Deebo Samuel/Gallup, but the heart wants what it wants. Like I said, this is an overpay. Davis has produced very well in the Titans offense, but I think there is a ceiling.
Minnesota Vikings
Vikings sign RB Melvin Gordon (1 Year, $4.95 million: $1.6 guaranteed)
Grade: A (By Default)
Remember how the Vikings paid Oliver Pounds, Kareem Hunt, and Dalvin Cook all at the same time? Wasn't that weird? Well here they go again. I get it, it's a 1 year deal for a backup for Pounds. But can we all put our heads together and try to find out what Minnesota's plan is? Do they have one?
Vikings sign WR Amari Cooper (2 Years, $21.2 million: $7.48 guaranteed)
Grade: B-
Hey, a good signing! The Vikings have been looking for an Adam Thielen replacement since he went to Miami, and now they appear to have one in Amari Cooper. Cooper is no Thielen, but is a very solid number two in an offense that needed one desperately. I think there were better options, especially that Cooper was paid $10 million per year, but the need was definitely there.
Vikings sign FS Malik Hooker (2 Years, $8.9 million: $3.4 guaranteed)
Grade: A
I like Malik Hooker, he is a really solid player. As an Indiana man, the front office has an affinity for him as well. Hooker will come in and be a Harrison Smith replacement for the Vikes at a cheap premium. He is still pretty fast, he makes plays in the run game, and is consistent. This guy averages 5 interceptions a season. Really like this move for Minnesota.