Day 1 FA Grades - NFC Edition
by adelfish | 3 years ago | 0 Comments
NFC Free Agency Grades - Day One
NFC East
Cowboys sign TE Robert Tonyan - 4 Years, $33 Million - A Grade
Robert Tonyan exploded onto the scene for the Packers the last few seasons, and now heads to Dallas to join Coach Allen, replacing the recently departed Dalton Schultz. This is a huge upgrade for Dak Prescott, as Tonyan is a massive upgrade over Blake Jarwin and the aforementioned Schultz. With Tonyan only 28 years old, this is a very good deal for just $8 million a year.
Eagles sign QB Cam Newton - 1 Year, $6.96 Million - A Grade
Cam Newton heads to Philadelphia to replace Jalen Hurts on a 1 year deal, barring any quarterbacks drafted by the Eagles with one of their 1st round picks. Either way, this move is low-risk, potentially high reward. Newton is declining, but can definitely keep the Eagles afloat if needed. I forsee his season backing up a 1st round rookie, but he should be a good mentor in the locker room. Well worth $7 million.
Eagles sign WR JuJu Smith-Schuster - 4 Years, $78.2 Million - D- Grade
The Eagles passing offense was a disaster last year, finishing in the bottom five in most statistical categories. After investing 1st round choices in DeVonta Smith and Jalen Reagor, the Eagles opt to splash in free agency, and pay JuJu Smith-Schuster nearly $20 million a year. I think this was a massive panic move by the Eagles front office. Smith-Schuster is a #2 being paid like a clear-cut #1 superstar. He will struggle to produce elite numbers in this offense, and this move also hints to a change with the two young wideouts Philly has. Not a fan.
Eagles sign FS Quandre Diggs - 3 Years, $17.4 Million - B- Grade
Quandre Diggs can still play, and was trapped in purgatory known as the Detroit Lions last season. Only 29 years old, he definitely has a couple years left in him, and the Eagles desperately need secondary help. Can he produce at a $6 million a year level? Probably not, but the need was certainly there and I don't see this as a drastic overpay. Diggs is a big upgrade for the Eagles.
Washington signs LT Terron Armstead - 2 Years, $65.9 Million - B+ Grade
Washington was eliminated from the playoffs in the Divisional Round last year at the hands of the Carolina Panthers, and has splashed since. They traded for quarterback Baker Mayfield to lead their explosive offense, and now have signed the best tackle on the market, and one of the best in football.
Washington clearly believes in their defense enough to invest this heavily in the offense. After last year's offensive explosion, adding Armstead only pushes them up a tier for me. Armstead is a legit superstar left tackle, and will solidify the left side of this line as one of the best in football. With elite protection, this offense is going to be very difficult to stop.
$32 million is a lot for one player, but Washington has the luxury of cap space. The only issue will come next offseason when Mayfield and others are due an extension.
Washington signs LG Richie Incognito - 1 Year, $16.45 Million - A+ Grade
Despite being 39 years old, Incognito is still getting it done. The fact that Washington gets a superstar offensive guard for 1 year is a steal. Granted, the price tag is high, but that is the going rate for great offensive linemen these days.
As mentioned above, Incognito joins Armstead on the left side of this offensive line, with right guard Brandon Scherff as well. On just a 1 year deal, I love moves like this when it is for a bonafide stud.
NFC South
Falcons sign WR Michael Gallup - 4 Years, $60 Million - A Grade
How did JuJu Smith-Schuster get $20 million more than Michael Gallup? Sure, Gallup was third string last season (and his career) in Dallas behind Amari Cooper and Ceedee Lamb, but the talent is clearly there. Gallup heads to Atlanta to join Calvin Ridley in a now-dangerous passing attack featuring new quarterback Jordan Love. At just $15 million a year, I love this move, especially since Gallup is just 26 years old. How is it that we manage to make Tauph the GM look silly this consistently?
Falcons sign DE Derek Barnett - 4 Years, $31.8 Million - C Grade
Former 1st round pick Derek Barnett comes to Atlanta on a deal worth nearly $8 million per, despite being a rotational rusher for most of his career. He did tally 3 sacks in limit play last year, but this contract is Coach Johns betting on his ability to develop Barnett. I think Barnett helps in the run game for Atlanta, and is certainly an upgrade of who they had last year. This just seems like a long and pricey commitment for me.
Falcons sign SS Vonn Bell - 4 Years, $40.6 Million - B- Grade
No doubt that the Falcons want to improve their defense after a 3 win campaign. The addition of the 27 year old Vonn Bell is a big upgrade on the back end. His ability to cover all over the field, and cover that ground fast, is going to be important for this defense. Was Bell worth $10 million a year? No, but this is a huge need for Atlanta, and the safety market was bare. I view it as a big upgrade for them, at a high price.
NFC South besides Atlanta signs backups to 1 Year Deals - Reading Rap Battle Chat Grade
NFC North
Bears signs DE Justin Jones - 3 Years, $4.02 Million - A+ Grade
Justin Jones is not a household name, but he accounted for 6 sacks last season and is only 26 years old. This deal is tremendous value for Chicago, as they lock him in for $1.3 million per year. He will never be a splashy player, but this is a fantastic depth signing for the Bears.
Lions sign WR Demarcus Robinson - 3 Years, $18.75 Million - B+ Grade
The Lions picked up Robinson off waivers last season, and he became their #1 receiving threat. They rewarded him with a 3 year deal worth $6 million per year, which is a steal for a #1 receiver....but the Lions better hope they find another weapon alongside him. Robinson is a fine player, but is not a true #1 threat. Getting him as a #2 for $6 million per year is a good deal.
Lions sign LB Benardrick McKinney - 2 Years, $18.3 Million - C+ Grade
Detroit's defense is awful, so bringing in help was necessary this offseason. McKinney is by no means an elite defender, but he is an above-average linebacker who will shine in the run game. I think $9 million a year for his services is too much, but Detroit needed talent on the defensive side.
Lions sign CB Levi Wallace - 3 Years, $17.25 Million - A- Grade
Detroit made some solid moves this offseason to bring in depth defensively, I actually like this Wallace signing quite a bit. The Lions have already committed to Okudah and Oruwariye as their top two cornerbacks, but you can never have enough. Bringing in a 27 year old who just caught 4 interceptions last season is a really solid move for a 3rd cornerback.
Packers sign WR Jarvis Landry - 4 Years, $43.4 Million - A Grade
How did JuJu Smith Schuster get $40 million more than Jarvis Landry? Landry is still 29 years old, and fell out of favor in the run-heavy Browns attack last year. He is a fantastic possession receiver, and should be a great weapon alongside Davante Adams for new quarterback Joe Burrow. The only concern is his age, but Landry definitely has 2-3 good years left in him. I love this move for the Pack.
Packers sign TE Eric Ebron - 4 Years, $23.8 Million - A Grade
Green Bay lost Robert Tonyan in free agency to Dallas, and replaced him with the athletic Eric Ebron for less money. Tonyan is a better all-around player, but this is a good replacement for his production. In what could be a high octane offense, I love the addition of Ebron at just $6 million per year.
Vikings sign CB Jason Verrett - 2 Years, $22.9 Million - A Grade
After losing Patrick Peterson to free agency, the Vikes needed a veteran corner to join a very young secondary. Verrett is a great addition to this group, and just a little above $10 million per season is about right for a player of his talents. Can he stay healthy? That is the big question surrounding him, but if he can this Vikings defense will benefit tremendously from his cover skills.
Vikings sign WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling - 2 Years, $9.92 Million - A+ Grade
How did JuJu Smith Schuster get $70 million more than....okay I'm joking on this one. This is really good value for Minnesota, who lost their 3rd wideout Josh Gordon to free agency, and get a big upgrade with MVS joining the team. The Vikes are now truly 3 deep at wide receiver, featuring Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and now the talented Valdes-Scantling. At just $5 million per year, that is a steal for this young deep threat.
NFC West
Cardinals sign WR Preston Williams - 4 Years, $25.28 Million - F Grade
This is a really strange one. Preston Williams had 6 receptions for Miami last year, and gets $6 million per year for the next 4 seasons. Sure, he is only 25, but he isn't great at anything. The Cardinals already have Hopkins, Kirk, and Rondale Moore in the building - shelling out $6 million for Williams seemed completely unnecessary. Also, there were better receivers on the market that got less...just a lot of questions on this one.
Seahawks sign RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif - 3 Years, $30.39 Million - B- Grade
Good offensive linemen cost money, and despite the fact that Duvernay-Tardif is slightly above-average, he gets paid $10 million. He is a great upgrade at right guard for Seattle, and is a very smart player. He will help elevate this offensive line, and help them get towards the power running style of offense Coach Sampson wants to run. Is it a lot of money? Yes, but we know how much blockers cost these days.
49ers sign LG Ereck Flowers - 2 Years, $12.7 Million - A Grade
See the breakdown above for Durvernay-Tardif, rinse, repeat. But...this is a way cheaper deal, and I would rather have Flowers for $6 million a year over Duvernay-Tardif for $10 million a year, easy. The 49ers are upgrading their offensive line, and I think Flowers is a really solid piece for them at guard.
Rams sign WR Tim Patrick - 3 Years, $17.85 Million - A+ Grade
How did Tim Patrick get less money than Preston Williams? What is going on? Tim Patrick is a very underrated receiver, who was stuck behind Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler in Denver, but now will battle for the #2 receiver spot in Los Angeles behind Robert Woods. Patrick is a speedster who is a fantastic 50/50 ball guy, being at 6"4 certainly helps. For just $6 million a year, I love this move for the Rams. I think Patrick could be very productive for them.
Rams sign DE Bilal Nichols - 5 Years, $64.25 Million - 'Did Beatoven Do This?' Grade
...what.
We just had to end on one of these, didn't we?
So the Rams trade away Aaron Donald, the best defensive player in football. They decide to spend $12 million a year on the unproven 25 year old Bilal Nichols who was a rotational player for the Bears last season.
Yes, Nichols is talented. He is a very intriguing power rusher, and still has room to grow. He will help the Rams in the run game for sure, but how did he get this much money? There were better rushers in free agency who got less money, and players who got 1-2 year deals for pennies that produced as much as he did last year
If the Rams can't develop Nichols, this is a monumental failure. This is a terrible contract right now, and could look a lot worse in a couple seasons. I will have my eye on Nichols this season to see how he performs. My guess is....poorly.