While 2023 NFL free agency is still going strong, a number of the big-name players are off the board. We’ve also seen multiple blockbuster trades go down.
The backdrop here includes major shake ups at the quarterback position around the league. That includes Derek Carr heading to the New Orleans Saints and Jimmy Garoppolo finding his way to the Las Vegas Raiders. Another domino could soon fall, too.
As teams prepare to go bargain shopping ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, we figured it was as good of a time as any to provide you with NFL free agency grades for all 32 teams.
Related: NFL free agency tracker
Arizona Cardinals
Players Cardinals re-signed: Will Hernandez (G), Kelvin Beachum (OT), Ezekiel Turner (LB), Antonio Hamilton (CB), Matt Prater (K)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Kyzir White, linebacker | Zach Allen, EDGE |
| Hjalte Froholdt, guard | Byron Murphy, cornerback |
| Kevin Strong, defensive tackle | Trysten Hill, defensive tackle |
| Dennis Daley, offensive tackle | Cody Ford, guard |
| L.J. Collier, EDGE | Robbie Anderson, wide receiver |
| Zach Pascal, wide receiver | Rodney Hudson, center |
| Markus Golden, EDGE |
- Best move: Arizona’s decision to sign linebacker Kyzir White to a two-year, $10 million contract was an absolute steal. White recorded 110 tackles with seven passes defended a season ago. The former college safety also yielded a mere 74.4 QB rating when targeted.
- Worst move: The release of edge rusher Markus Golden didn’t seem to make much sense in the grand scheme of things. Arizona had already lost J.J. Watt to retirement. It has no real pass-rush threat in a division that includes the high-octane San Francisco 49ers.
Arizona Cardinals NFL free agency grade: C+
Atlanta Falcons
Players Falcons re-signed: Kaleb McGary (OT), Keith Smith (FB), Michael Ford (CB), Germain Ifedi (OT)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Jessie Bates, safety | Marcus Mariota, quarterback |
| Kaden Elliss, linebacker | Isaiah Oliver, cornerback |
| Taylor Heinicke, quarterback | Chuma Edoga, offensive tackle |
| David Onyemata, defensive tackle | |
| Tae Davis, linebacker | |
| Mike Hughes, cornerback | |
| Mack Hollins, wide receiver |
- Best move: The signing of stud safety Jessie Bates was an absolute home run for Atlanta. While he did end up costing $64.02 million over four years, the veteran is a major upgrade for the Falcons. Last season saw Bates record four interceptions while yielding a mere 51.4% completion in coverage.
- Worst move: Atlanta probably could have used some of its excess cap room to find a better option than Heinicke at quarterback. He never proved to be starter-caliber with the Washington Commanders, making the Falcons’ trust in youngster Desmond Ridder all that much more important.
Atlanta Falcons NFL free agency grade: A-
Baltimore Ravens
Players Ravens re-signed: Justice Hill (RB), Trayvon Mullen (CB), Geno Stone (S)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Ben Powers, guard | |
| Josh Oliver, tight end | |
| Calais Campbell, EDGE |
- Best move: N/A
- Worst move: Letting Ben Powers walk wasn’t in Baltimore’s best interest. The team needs all the pass protection it can get in front of the disgruntled Lamar Jackson. Powers, 26, has started 29 games over the past two seasons. He allowed just one sack in 2022.
Baltimore Ravens NFL free agency grade: D
Related: 2023 NFL mock draft
Buffalo Bills
Players Bills re-signed: Jordan Poyer (S), David Quesenberry (OT)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Kyle Allen, quarterback | Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker |
| Connor McGovern, center | Case Keenum, quarterback |
| Deonte Hardy, wide receiver | Isaiah McKenzie, wide receiver |
| Trent Sherfield, wide receiver | Devin Singletary, running back |
| David Edwards, guard | Jaquan Johnson, safety |
| Damien Harris, running back |
- Best move: Re-signing Jordan Poyer was an absolute home run for general manager Brandon Beane and Co. It seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the Pro Bowl safety would leave in free agency. Instead, he comes back to Western New York on a two-year contract. Last season saw the 31-year-old Poyer record four interceptions while yielding a 60.1 passer rating.
- Worst move: We’re not 100% sure why Buffalo opted to replace Keenum with Kyle Allen as Josh Allen’s QB2. Allen has started just two games over the past two seasons with three touchdowns and four interceptions. Keenum, 35, has 64 career regular season starts under his belt.
Buffalo Bills NFL free agency grade: A-
Carolina Panthers
Players Panthers re-signed: Bradley Bozeman (C), Henry Anderson (EDGE)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Miles Sanders, running back | D.J. Moore wide receiver (trade) |
| Vonn Bell, safety | P.J. Walker, quarterback |
| Hayden Hurst, tight end | Sam Darnold, quarterback |
| Shy Tuttle, defensive tackle | Pat Elflein, center |
| Andy Dalton, quarterback | D’Onta Foreman, running back |
| DeShawn Williams, defensive end | Myles Hartsfield, defensive back |
| Adam Thielen, wide receiver | Corey Littleton, linebacker |
| Justin McCray, guard | |
- Best move: The ability to get a Pro Bowl running back in Miles Sanders on a four-year, $25 million contract tells us what we need to know about the Panthers’ offseason thus far. Sanders went for nearly 1,300 yards on the ground with 11 touchdowns for the Philadelphia Eagles last season. Not a bad long-term replacement for Christian McCaffrey.
- Worst move: Trading D.J. Moore. We’re not 100% sure if the Panthers would’ve been able to land the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft without trading the Pro Bowl wide receiver. What we do know is that sending him to the Chicago Bears creates a major hole at wide receiver for whoever the Panthers take No. 1. There are also very limited options in free agency or on the NFL trade block.
Carolina Panthers NFL free agency grade: A
Chicago Bears
Players Bears re-signed: N/A
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| D.J. Moore, wide receiver (trade) | David Montgomery, running back |
| Tremaine Edmunds, guard | Riley Reiff, offensive tackle |
| DeMarcus Walker, EDGE | Nicholas Morrow, linebacker |
| T.J. Edwards, linebacker | |
| P.J. Walker, quarterback | |
| Travis Homer, running back | |
| D’Onta Foreman, running back | |
| Andrew Billings, defensive tackle | |
| Robert Tonyan, tight end | |
| Dylan Cole, linebacker | |
| Matthew Adams, linebacker | |
| Nate Davis, guard | |
| P.J. Walker, quarterback |
- Best move: Acquiring Pro Bowl wide receiver D.J. Moore in the blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers was a home run for general manager Ryan Poles. Just 25 years old, Moore is averaging 1,040 yards throughout his five-year career. Young quarterback Justin Fields needs more weapons at wide receiver. He now has a true No. 1 to call his own.
- Worst move: Doling out $18 million per season for a linebacker in today’s NFL runs contrary to what other teams are doing. Obviously, defensive-minded head coach Matt Eberflus loves what he has in Edmunds. But that’s a whole lot of cash for someone who yielded a triple-digit passer rating in each of the previous two seasons before a solid 2022 campaign.
Chicago Bears free agency grade: A
Cincinnati Bengals
Players Bengals re-signed: Germaine Pratt (LB), Trayveon Williams (RB), Trent Taylor (WR), Max Scharping (G), Michael Thomas (S)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Orlando Brown Jr., offensive tackle | Jessie Bates, safety |
| Cody Ford, offensive line | Vonn Bell, safety |
| Nick Scott, safety | Hayden Hurst, tight end |
| Samaje Perine, running back |
- Best move: Regardless of how he performed last season with the Kansas City Chiefs and some sort of regression, Brown Jr. is an absolutely perfect fit as Joe Burrow’s blindside protector. He’s still in his prime and will solidify pass protection in front of the soon-to-be extended quarterback.
- Worst move: We understand that the relationship with Jessie Bates might have been beyond repair. But not re-signing fellow safety Vonn Bell was a major mistake for the championship contenders. The veteran was brilliant last season, yielding a mere 64.0 QB rating when targeted. His departure to the Carolina Panthers leaves a major hole in the secondary.
Cincinnati Bengals free agency grade: C+
Related: Top 2023 NFL free agents
Cleveland Browns
Players Browns re-signed: Sione Takitaki (LB), Anthony Walker (LB)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Dalvin Tomlinson, defensive tackle | Jacoby Brissett, quarterback |
| Juan Thornhill, safety | Taven Bryan, defensive tackle |
| Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE | Chase Winovich, EDGE |
| Trysten Hill, defensive tackle | Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE |
| Elijah Moore, wide receiver (trade) | John Johnson, safety |
| Jordan Akins, tight end | Greedy Williams, cornerback |
| D’Ernest Johnson, running back |
- Best move: Cleveland was looking for an upgrade at defensive tackle during the early stages of free agency. When it missed out on Javon Hargrave to the San Francisco 49ers, the team pounced on a great run-stuffing defensive tackle in Tomlinson who can also create havoc in the offensive backfield. Signing him for a mere $57 million over four seasons was a steal.
- Worst move: We’re not sure what the reasoning was for releasing John Johnson and replacing him with Chiefs free agent Juan Thornhill. Over the past three seasons, Thornhill has given up a 100-plus quarterback rating when targeted. Johnson regressed some last season, but he was still much better in coverage than his counterpart. This was a confusing trade off.
Cleveland Browns NFL free agency grade: B+
Dallas Cowboys
Players Cowboys re-signed: Tony Pollard (RB), Leighton Vander Esch (LB), Donovan Wilson (S), Cooper Rush (QB), C.J. Goodwin (CB), Dante Fowler Jr. (EDGE)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Stephon Gilmore, cornerback (trade) | Connor McGovern, center |
| Brandin Cooks, wide receiver (trade) | Ezekiel Elliott, running back |
| Chuma Edoga, offensive tackle | Luke Gifford, linebacker |
| Ronald Jones, running back | Noah Brown, wide receiver |
| Dalton Schultz, tight end |
- Best move: Releasing Ezekiel Elliott. We have to be 100% honest with ourselves here. While Elliott is a legend in Big D, he’s also regressed big time recently. That included going for under 900 yards at a clip of 3.8 yards per rush in 2022. Given Elliott’s big cap hit next season, there was no real reason for the Cowboys to retain him. They’ll now rely on Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard.
- Worst move: It’s clear that the Cowboys were looking to make a splash move at wide receiver. Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins had been bandied about before acquiring Brandin Cooks. It still didn’t make sense to let Noah Brown walk on a mere $2.6 million contract to the Houston Texans. Brown, 27, was solid last season with 43 receptions for 555 yards.
Dallas Cowboys NFL free agency grade: A
Denver Broncos
Players Broncos re-signed: Alex Singleton (LB)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Mike McGlinchey, offensive tackle | Dre’Mont Jones, defensive line |
| Ben Powers, guard | Andrew Beck, fullback |
| Zach Allen, EDGE | Mike Boone, running back |
| Jarrett Stidham, quarterback | DeShawn Williams, defensive end |
| Samaje Perine, running back | Eric Saubert, tight end |
| Chris Manhertz, tight end | Calvin Anderson, offensive tackle |
| Tremon Smith, cornerback | Graham Glasgow, guard |
| Michael Burton, fullback | Ronald Darby, cornerback |
| Riley Dixon, punter | Chase Edmunds, running back |
| Corliss Waitman, punter |
- Best move: General manager George Paton made it a priority to find pass protection in front of Russell Wilson. That’s exactly what he did in signing Ben Powers away from the Baltimore Ravens. Still only 26 years old, Powers yielded a mere one sack in 17 starts last season.
- Worst move: It’s not that Denver went out there and signed a starting right tackle in Mike McGlinchey. It’s the five-year, $87.5 million contract. That’s a lot for a right tackle. It’s also a lot for a player who was extremely inconsistent throughout his five-year run with the San Francisco 49ers. Pro Football Focus had McGlinchey with a 65.4 pass-blocking grade last season. That’s terrible.
Denver Broncos NFL free agency grade: B+
Detroit Lions
Players Lions re-signed: Alex Anzalone (LB), John Cominsky (DE), Matt Nelson (OT), Michael Badgley (K),
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Cameron Sutton, cornerback | Jamaal Williams, running back |
| David Montgomery, running back | Deshon Elliott, safety |
| Emmanuel Moseley, cornerback | Michael Brockers, defensive tackle |
| Graham Glasgow, guard | Evan Brown, guard |
| C.J. Gardner Johnson, safety | Mike Hughes, cornerback |
| Chris Board, linebacker | |
| Austin Bryant, EDGE |
- Best move: The Emmanuel Moseley signing will prove to be extremely underrated when all is said and done for Detroit. However, the signing of ball-hawking safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a mere one-year, $6.5 million contract is among the best moves of NFL free agency. Lat season for the Eagles, he recorded a league-leading six interceptions while yielding a 78.4 QB rating when targeted.
- Worst move: N/A
Detroit Lions NFL free agency grade: A+
Green Bay Packers
Players Packers re-signed: Keisean Nixon (CB), Johnathan Ford (S), Justin Hollins (LB)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Matthew Orzech, long snapper | Allen Lazard, wide receiver |
| Tarvarius Moore, safety | Jarran Reed, defensive end |
| Dean Lowry, EDGE | |
| Robert Tonyan Jr., tight end |
- Best move: N/A
- Worst move: Regardless of the Aaron Rodgers situation and the fact that Jordan Love will be Green Bay’s quarterback next season, this team needed to retain its top receiver. Allen Lazard was worth the four-year, $44 million contract that ultimately landed him with the New York Jets. With Love now set to take over under center in 2023, he’s missing the necessary proven talent at wide receiver to succeed.
Green Bay Packers NFL free agency trade: F
Houston Texans
Players Texans re-signed: Tavierre Thomas (CB), Derek Rivers (EDGE)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Shaq Mason, guard (trade) | Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE |
| Robert Woods, wide receiver | Tremon Smith, cornerback |
| Jimmie Ward, safety | Kyle Allen, quarterback |
| Sheldon Rankins, defensive tackle | Phillip Dorsett, wide receiver |
| Case Keenum, quarterback | A.J. Cann, guard |
| Andrew Beck, fullback | Mario Addision, EDGE |
| Hassan Ridgeway, defensive tackle | Jalen Reeves-Maybin, EDGE |
| Mike Boone, running back | Jordan Akins, tight end |
| Noah Brown, wide receiver | O.J. Howard, tight end |
| Dalton Schultz, tight end | Justin McCray, guard |
| Denzel Perryman, linebacker | |
| Devin Singletary, running back | |
| Cory Littleton, linebacker | |
| Michael Deiter, guard |
- Best move: New Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans added two of his former 49ers players in free agency. One will obviously make a larger impact. Of course, that comes in the form of defensive back Jimmie Ward. He has played all over the secondary throughout his career, and is going to active as a tremendous veteran presence for youngster Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr.
- Worst move: We get that the Texans were looking for some short-term options at the skill positions. We just don’t understand why that included doling out a two-year, $15.25 million contract to Robert Woods before free agency even opened. Given the deals that JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Meyers and Allen Lazard received, this seems to be a massive overpay.
Houston Texans NFL free agency grade: A+
Indianapolis Colts
Players Colts re-signed: E.J. Speed (LB), Ashton Dulin (WR)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Matt Gay, kicker | Bobby Okereke, linebacker |
| Samson Ebukam, EDGE | Brandon Facyson, cornerback |
| Taven Bryan, defensive tackle | Matt Ryan, quarterback |
| Gardner Minshew, quarterback | Parris Campbell, wide receiver |
| Isaiah McKenzie, wide receiver | Gardner Minshew, quarterback |
- Best move: Colts general manager Chris Ballard knew that they needed another edge pass rush guy to help out stalwart defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Bringing in an underrated Ebukam from San Francisco was solid. In a part-time role with San Francisco over the past two seasons, he recorded 24 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
- Worst move: What is a team like the Colts doing handing out the second-richest contract to a kicker in NFL history? Matt Gay is good. He will make a difference. But with needs all over the field, this seemed to be a massive reach. We’re not 100% sure what Indy’s front office was thinking here.
Indianapolis Colts NFL free agency grade: D
Jacksonville Jaguars
Players Jaguars re-signed: Andrew Wingard (S), Adam Gotsis (DE), Tre Herndon (CB)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| D’Ernest Johnson, running back | Jawaan Taylor, offensive tackle |
| Arden Key, EDGE | |
| Chris Manhertz, tight end | |
| Shaquill Griffin, cornerback |
- Best move: Signing D’Ernest Johnson on the cheap to back up Travis Etienne was an underrated move. The former Cleveland Browns running back put up 671 total yards at a clip of 5.6 yards per touch back in 2021 before taking on a special teams-only role this past season.
- Worst move: Part-time pass rush specialist Arden Key received a three-year, $21 million contract with the division-rival Tennessee Titans. The deal included only $13 million guaranteed for the 26-year-old. You mean to tell us that Jacksonville couldn’t have matched this for a youngster who has put up 32 QB hits and 11 sacks over the past two seasons? Ouch!
Jacksonville Jaguars NFL free agency grade: Incomplete
Related: Updated NFL trade rumors
Kansas City Chiefs
Players Chiefs re-signed: Nick Allegretti (G), Derrick Nnadi (DT)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Jawaan Taylor, offensive tackle | Orlando Brown Jr., offensive tackle |
| Charles Omenihu, EDGE | JuJu Smith-Schuster, wide receiver |
| Mike Edwards, safety | Andrew Wylie, offensive tackle |
| Drue Tranquill, linebacker | Juan Thornhill, safety |
| Michael Burton, fullback | |
| Khalen Saunders, defensive tackle | |
| Frank Clark, EDGE | |
| Mecole Hardman, wide receiver | |
| Ronald Jones, running back |
- Best move: The Omenihu signing really paints Kansas City in a great light. After moving off high-priced veteran Frank Clark, the defending champs land a 25-year-old pass rusher who might end up producing at a higher level. Last season with San Francisco saw Omenihu record 16 quarterback hits and 4.5 sacks in limited action.
- Worst move: We’ll have to wait and see what the Chiefs plan to do at wide receiver. However, the contract JuJu Smith-Schuster signed with the New England Patriot would have been relatively easy to match. Kansas City’s leading pass-catcher from the wide receiver position last season landed just $16 million guaranteed on a three-year deal from New England.
Kansas City Chiefs NFL free agency grade: A-
Las Vegas Raiders
Players Raiders re-signed: Josh Jacobs (RB), Jerry Tillery (DT), Jakob Johnson (FB), Jerry Tillery (DT), Jermaine Eluemunor (OT), Keelan Cole (WR)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agent losses |
| Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback | Derek Carr, quarterback |
| Jakobi Meyers, wide receiver | Darren Waller, tight end (trade) |
| Marcus Epps, safety | Jarrett Stidham, quarterback |
| Robert Spillane, linebacker | Clelin Ferrell, EDGE |
| Brandon Facyson, cornerback | Andrew Billings, defensive tackle |
| Phillip Dorsett, wide receiver | Denzel Perryman, linebacker |
| O.J. Howard, tight end | Mack Hollins, wide receiver |
| Austin Hooper, tight end | |
| David Long, cornerback | |
| Cam Sims, wide receiver | |
| Jordan Willis, EDGE | |
| Jaquan Johnson, safety |
- Best move: The Jakobi Meyers signing was underrated in the grand scheme of things. He knows Josh McDaniels’ system very well dating back to their time together in New England. The slot receiver is also still only 26 years old and is averaging 70 receptions over the past three seasons. He’s a great fit with Garoppolo in Vegas.
- Worst move: Are the Raiders just looking to get worst on defense? Sure, Robert Spillane is a solid run defender. But the idea of putting him in coverage will prove to be a disaster. The former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker yielded an 83.7% completion in coverage last season. That’s just impressively bad.
Las Vegas Raiders NFL free agency grade: D+
Los Angeles Chargers
Players Chargers re-signed: Trey Pipkins (OT), Morgan Fox (EDGE), Donald Parham (TE)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Eric Kendricks, linebacker | Storm Norton, offensive tackle |
| Troy Reader, linebacker | |
| Drue Tranquill, linebacker |
- Best move: Despite some regression in recent seasons, Kendricks will provide the middle of Los Angeles with veteran experience. He should also team up with Kenneth Murray while playing a solid complementary role. The former All-Pro came to the Chargers on a mere two-year, $13.25 million contract.
- Worst move: N/A
Los Angeles Chargers NFL free agency grade: C
Los Angeles Rams
Players Rams re-signed: Coleman Shelton (C)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Hunter Long, tight end (trade) | Jalen Ramsey, cornerback (trade) |
| Matt Gay, kicker | |
| Matthew Orzech, long snapper | |
| Leonard Floyd, EDGE | |
| Bobby Wagner, linebacker | |
| Baker Mayfield, quarterback | |
| Nick Scott, safety | |
| Riley Dixon, punter | |
| Greg Gaines, defensive tackle | |
| David Edwards, guard | |
| David Long, cornerback |
- Best move: The trade of Jalen Ramsey was a necessary evil for Los Angeles. He was just too expensive for their blood. As general manager Les Snead tears this up to rebuild again, these are the hard decisions a team must make.
- Worst move: We’re still not sure what the point of releasing All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner was. Sure, the Rams are in cost-cutting mode. But there wasn’t necessarily a long-term commitment. It’s also not like Los Angeles is making waves in free agency. The team should have taken a wait-and-see approach on this.
Los Angeles Rams NFL free agency grade: F
Miami Dolphins
Players Dolphins re-signed: Jeff Wilson (RB), Raheem Mostert (RB), Duke Riley (LB), Myles Gaskin (RB), Nik Needham (CB), Geron Christian (OT), Andrew Van Ginkel (LB)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Jalen Ramsey, cornerback (trade) | Byron Jones, cornerback |
| David Long, linebacker | Elandon Roberts, linebacker |
| Mike White, quarterback | Mike Gesicki, tight end |
| Eric Saubert, tight end | Trent Sherfield, wide receiver |
| Deshon Elliott, safety | Michael Deiter, guard |
| Braxton Berrios, wide receiver | Thomas Morstead, punter |
| Dan Feeney, guard | |
| Jake Bailey, punter | |
| Malik Reed, EDGE |
- Best move: Jalen Ramsey. Jalen Ramsey. Jalen Ramsey. Acquiring the multi-time All-Pro at the cost of a third-round pick was absolutely insane from Miami’s perspective. Ramsey now teams up with Xavien Howard to form one of the best cornerback groups in the league. Given Miami’s potent offense, this makes the team a legit Super Bowl contender.
- Worst move: N/A
Miami Dolphins NFL free agency grade: A+
Minnesota Vikings
Players Vikings re-signed: Garrett Bradbury (C), Alexander Mattison (RB), Andrew DePaola (LS), Nick Mullens (QB), Greg Joseph (K), Ben Ellefson (TE)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Byron Murphy, cornerback | Adam Thielen, wide receiver |
| Marcus Davenport, EDGE | Dalvin Tomlinson, defensive tackle |
| Josh Oliver, tight end | Patrick Peterson, cornerback |
| Dean Lowry, EDGE | Eric Kendricks, linebacker |
| Troy Reader, linebacker |
- Best move: Byron Murphy is going to be a player and a long-term solution at cornerback in Minnesota. That’s what a general manager wants when he hits free agency. Still only 25 years old, Murphy yielded a mere 87.6 QB rating when targeted in 2021 before injuries caught up with him this past season. His two-year, $17.5 million contract is a boon for Minnesota.
- Worst move: Moving on from three veteran mainstays on defense just didn’t seem to make sense for Minnesota. Is the team in rebuild or retool mode? We have no idea, because it continues to send mixed signals. In particular, the unwillingness to re-sign Dalvin Tomlinson could loom large moving forward.
Minnesota Vikings NFL free agency grade: D+
New England Patriots
Players Patriots re-signed: Jonathan Jones (CB), Jabrill Peppers (S), Raekwon McMillan (LB), Joe Cardona (LS), Mack Wilson (LB), Jalen Mills (CB)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster, wide receiver | Jakobi Meyers, wide receiver |
| James Robinson, running back | Devin McCourty, safety (retired) |
| Riley Reiff, offensive tackle | Jake Bailey, punter |
| Calvin Anderson, offensive tackle | Damien Harris, running back |
| Mike Gesicki, tight end | |
| Chris Board, linebacker | |
| Corliss Waitman, punter |
- Best move: The JuJu Smith-Schuster signing is all sorts of awesome. It gives struggling young quarterback Mac Jones a consistent intermediate receiving target. Smith-Schuster is a marked upgrade from Jakobi Meyers in New England.
- Worst move: Why would the Patriots even take a chance on Riley Reiff? Here’s an offensive lineman that has not been starter-caliber since his days with the Minnesota Vikings years back. Right now, the Pats have Trent Brown and Reiff as their starting tackles in front of Jones. That can’t be seen as a good thing.
New England Patriots NFL free agency grade: B+
New Orleans Saints
Players Saints re-signed: Isaac Yiadom (CB), Malcolm Roach (EDGE)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Derek Carr, quarterback | Kaden Elliss, EDGE |
| Jamaal Williams, running back | Shy Tuttle, defensive tackle |
| Khalen Saunders, defensive tackle | Marcus Davenport, EDGE |
| Nathan Shepherd, EDGE | Andy Dalton, quarterback |
| Storm Norton, offensive tackle | Deonte Hardy, wide receiver |
| Jonathan Abram, safety | David Onyemata, defensive tackle |
| Lonnie Johnson, cornerback | Justin Evans, safety |
- Best move: Derek Carr is a great fit in offensive coordinator Harold Carmichael’s system. He likes to rely on the quick strikes and yards after the catch. Carr has proven to be accurate in this regard. His willingness to throw deep should also be a boon with young wide receiver Chris Olave doing his thing. Carr also came cheap from a contractual standpoint in the grand scheme of things.
- Worst move: N/A
New Orleans Saints NFL free agency grade: A+
New York Giants
Players Giants re-signed: Daniel Jones (QB), Matt Breida (RB), Darius Slayton (WR), Saquon Barkley (RB), Jihad Ward (DE)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Darren Waller, tight end (trade) | Nick Gates, guard |
| Bobby Okereke, linebacker | Kenny Golladay, wide receiver |
| Rakeem Nunez-Roches, defensive tackle | Julian Love, safety |
| Parris Campbell, wide receiver | Jon Feliciano, offensive line |
| Jeff Smith, wide receiver | |
| Amani Oruwariye, cornerback | |
| Bobby McCain, cornerback | |
| Jamison Crowder, wide receiver |
- Best move: The Darren Waller trade was an absolute home run. He gives recently extended quarterback Daniel Jones yet another target to work with. Prior to an injury-plagued 2022 campaign, Waller was averaging north of 1,000 receiving yards over his previous three seasons. He came at the cost of the 100th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Whew!
- Worst move: Giants general manager Joe Schoen opted against going after some of the big fish at wide receiver in free agency. Instead, New York re-signed Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. Is this really going to improve one of the worst wide receiver groups in the league?
New York Giants NFL free agency grade: A-
New York Jets
Players Jets re-signed: Solomon Thomas (DL), Greg Zuerlein (K), Nick Bawden (FB)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Allen Lazard, wide receiver | Nathan Shepherd, EDGE |
| Wes Schweitzer, guard | Sheldon Rankins, defensive tackle |
| Mecole Hardman, wide receiver | James Robinson, running back |
| Nate Herbig, guard | |
| Mike White, quarterback | |
| Jeff Smith, wide receiver | |
| Braxton Berrios, wide receiver | |
| Dan Feeney, guard | |
| Elijah Moore, wide receiver (trade) |
- Best move: The Allen Lazard signing was great in a vacuum. Coming off a career season with Green Bay, he’ll team up with Garrett Wilson to form a tremendous duo. Of course, everything here is reliant on Aaron Rodgers actually landing with the Jets. While Rodgers notes that he wants to play in Jersey, Green Bay is seemingly holding up the deal.
- Worst move: N/A
New York Jets NFL free agency grade: Incomplete
Philadelphia Eagles
Players Eagles re-signed: James Bradberry (CB), Jason Kelce (C), Fletcher Cox (DT), Boston Scott (RB), Brett Toth (OT)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Rashaad Penny, running back | Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle |
| Marcus Mariota, quarterback | Andre Dillard, offensive tackle |
| Greedy Williams, cornerback | Miles Sanders, running back |
| Nicholas Morrow, linebacker | T.J. Edwards, linebacker |
| Justin Evans, safety | Marcus Epps, safety |
| Kyzir White, linebacker | |
| Gardner Minshew, quarterback | |
| Isaac Seumalo, guard | |
| Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, safety | |
| Zach Pascal, wide receiver |
- Best move: James Bradberry gave Philadelphia a hometown discount (3 years, $38 million) after testing the free agent market. The defending champions are not going to complain. An All-Pro performer this past season, opposing quarterbacks completed 45.3% of their attempts with a 51.6 passer rating with Bradberry in coverage. That seems good.
- Worst move: Given the Eagles’ cap situation, it really didn’t make sense to re-sign an aging Fletcher Cox on a one-year, $10 million contract. Loyalty aside, that cash could have gone elsewhere. Look at it this way. Former Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is counting just $6.62 million against the 49ers’ cap this season. It would have made more sense to dole out huge bucks to re-sign Hargrave.
Philadelphia Eagles NFL free agency grade: A-
Pittsburgh Steelers
Players Steelers re-signed: Larry Ogunjobi (DE), Damontae Kazee (S)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Cole Holcomb, linebacker | Cameron Sutton, cornerback |
| Patrick Peterson, cornerback | Robert Spillane, linebacker |
| Nate Herbig, guard | William Jackson, cornerback |
| Elandon Roberts, linebacker | Myles Jack, linebacker |
| Isaac Seumalo, guard | Devin Bush, linebacker |
- Best move: There’s several moves we can point to here. Patrick Peterson stands out given his status as a future Hall of Famer and with the cornerback still playing great football. Pittsburgh was able to land him on a two-year, $14 million contract. Last season with Minnesota, Peterson yielded a mere 79.6 QB rating when targeted.
- Worst move: N/A
Pittsburgh Steelers NFL free agency grade: A+
San Francisco 49ers
Players 49ers re-signed: Jake Brendel (C), Jauan Jennings (WR), Tashaun Gipson (S), Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB), TY McGill (DT), Ross Dwelley (TE)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle | Mike McGlinchey, offensive tackle |
| Sam Darnold, quarterback | Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback |
| Isaiah Oliver, cornerback | Samson Ebukam, EDGE |
| Clelin Ferrell, EDGE | Charles Omenihu, EDGE |
| Austin Bryant, EDGE | Jimmie Ward, safety |
| Jon Feliciano, offensive line | Emmanuel Moseley, cornerback |
| Myles Hartsfield, defensive back | Hassan Ridgeway, defensive tackle |
| Azeez Al-Shaair, linebacker | |
| Daniel Brunskill, guard | |
| Tarvarius Moore, safety | |
| Jordan Willis, EDGE |
- Best move: The idea of teaming Javon Hargrave up with reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa was too hard for the 49ers to pass up on. Hargrave is among the five-best interior pass rushers in the game (16 QB hits, 11 sacks last season). This duo is going to strike fear in offensive lines and quarterbacks throughout the NFL next season. What a brilliant move from general manager John Lynch and Co.
- Worst move: Isaiah Oliver might be a good player, but the idea of letting Jimmie Ward walk for what was a smallish contract with the Houston Texans didn’t make any sense. San Francisco’s longest-tenured player suited up at all positions in the defensive backfield throughout his career and has upped his game big time. Ward ended up receiving just $8.5 million fully guaranteed with an average salary of $6.5 million.
San Francisco 49ers NFL free agency grade: A-
Seattle Seahawks
Players Seahawks re-signed: Geno Smith (QB), Drew Lock (QB)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Dre’Mont Jones, defensive end | Travis Homer, running back |
| Jarran Reed, defensive end | Cody Barton, linebacker |
| Julian Love, safety | Rashaad Penny, running back |
| Devin Bush, linebacker | Shelby Harris, defensive tackle |
| Evan Brown, guard | Quinton Jefferson, defensive tackle |
| Jonathan Abram, safety | |
| L.J. Collier, EDGE | |
| Gabe Jackson, guard | |
| Al Woods, defensive tackle |
- Best move: When Geno Smith’s contract details emerged, some people were taken aback. But much like we’ve seen throughout the past several years, it’s all in the details. The reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year got just $27.5 million guaranteed. They can move on from him after two seasons, leaving open the possibility of selecting a quarterback hit in the 2023 NFL Draft.
- Worst move: Seattle picked up former Pittsburgh Steelers top-10 pick Devin Bush on a smallish contract during free agency. But the idea that he’s going to solve this team coverage issues at linebacker is laughable. Bush gave up a 73.7% completion and 107.1 QB rating last season in coverage.
Seattle Seahawks NFL free agency grade: B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Players Buccaneers re-signed: Jamel Dean (CB), Anthony Nelson (LB), Lavonte David (LB), Aaron Stinnie (G)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Baker Mayfield, quarterback | Tom Brady, quarterback (retired) |
| Chase Edmonds, running back | Shaq Mason, guard (trade) |
| Rakeem Nunez-Roches, defensive tackle | |
| Donovan Smith, offensive tackle | |
| Leonard Fournette, running back | |
| Cameron Brate, tight end | |
| Sean Bunting-Murphy, cornerback | |
| Mike Edwards, safety |
- Best move: We knew that Tampa Bay was going to add a low-cost option to compete with young quarterback Kyle Trask. It did extremely well in adding a starter-caliber option in that of Baker Mayfield. It was just a few years ago that Mayfield looked to be a franchise guy with the Cleveland Browns (26 TD, 8 INT in 2020). Tampa added him on the cheap with just $4 million guaranteed.
- Worst move: The Shaq Mason trade didn’t really make any sense. Sure, he had a big cap hit for the 2023 season. But whoever is under center this coming campaign needs someone of his ilk to protect from the interior of the offensive line. The Bucs should have found a way to retain the underrated guard.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL free agency grade: C+
Tennessee Titans
Players Titans re-signed: N/A
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Andre Dillard, offensive tackle | Nate Davis, guard |
| Arden Key, EDGE | DeMarcus Walker, EDGE |
| Luke Gifford, linebacker | Robert Woods, wide receiver |
| Azeez Al-Shaair, linebacker | David Long, linebacker |
| Daniel Brunskill, offensive line | Kevin Strong, defensive tackle |
| Sean Bunting-Murphy, cornerback | Bud Dupree, EDGE |
| Taylor Lewan, offensive tackle | |
| Zach Cunningham, linebacker | |
| Ben Jones, center | |
| Randy Bullock, kicker | |
| Austin Hooper, tight end | |
| Dennis Daley, offensive tackle | |
| Lonnie Johnson, cornerback |
- Best move: The Azeez Al-Shaair signing was legit by Tennessee. General manager Ran Carthon has first-hand knowledge of the linebacker dating back to their days in San Francisco. He started 22 games over the past two seasons and held his own next to some dominant linebackers such as Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.
- Worst move: Talk about finding the opposite of value. After releasing Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan, Tennessee replaced him on the line by a former Philadelphia Eagles first-round bust. Dillard started all of nine games in four seasons with the Eagles. It translated to a three-year, $29 million contract in Tennessee. Yuck!
Tennessee Titans NFL free agency grade: F
Washington Commanders
Players Commanders re-signed: Daron Payne (DT), Denny Johnson (CB), Efe Obada (EDGE), Tyler Larsen (C)
| NFL free agency additions | NFL free agency losses |
| Andrew Wylie, offensive tackle | Carson Wentz, quarterback |
| Nick Gates, guard | Bobby McCain, cornerback |
| Jacoby Brissett, quarterback | J.D. McKissic, running back |
| Cody Barton, linebacker | Cole Holcomb, linebacker |
| Trenton Scott, guard | Taylor Heinicke, quarterback |
| Wes Schweitzer, guard | |
| Cam Sims, wide receiver |
- Best move: Being able to land a starter-caliber quarterback in Jacoby Brissett on a mere one-year, $8 million contract was an absolute steal for Washington. Heck, there’s a darn good chance that he’ll beat out youngster Sam Howell for the starting job during training camp.
- Worst move: Is Washington really going to rely on Cody Barton to be its starting middle linebacker next season? We sure the heck hope not. The former Seattle Seahawks mid-round pic was a disasterclass in coverage last season, yielding an 86.3% completion when targeted. Back in 2021, he gave up a 76.5% completion and 100.9 QB rating. Ouch!
Washington Commanders NFL free agency grade: A
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