2016 NFL Free Agent Signing Grades

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I’ll list the good and bad moves made during the trade deadline and in free agency on this page.

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Jan. 23 Updates

Browns re-sign LB Jamie Collins (4 years, $50M; $26M guaranteed): B+ Grade
The Browns traded for Jamie Collins in the middle of the season, so they would’ve looked pretty foolish – more so than usual – had they let him go. Re-signing him was a priority, and they managed to get the job done a month and a half prior to free agency.

Collins is a mega talent at linebacker, but the Patriots reportedly wanted to unload him because he caused problems in the locker room. Collins didn’t fare as well in Cleveland, however, because he didn’t know the coverages, and because of the insane practice policies of the CBA, Collins could never get quite on track. That won’t be the case in 2017, as Collins will have all offseason to familiarize himself with the Browns’ schemes.

This contract is fair. If anything, it’s a slight overpay, as Collins is now the fourth highest-paid linebacker in the NFL behind Von Miller, Justin Houston and Clay Matthews, but the Browns had more than $110 million in cap space to spend, so they needed to shoot higher to make sure Collins stayed.

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Jan. 17 Updates

Jets re-sign G Brian Winters (4 years, $29M; $15M guaranteed): B+ Grade
The Jets had an abysmal offensive line this past season, thanks in part to Nick Mangold seldom being healthy. One of the two bright spots up front happened to be guard Brian Winters, sixth in our NFL Free Agent Guard Rankings, so it’s not a surprise that New York is rewarding him with a substantial contract that includes $15 million guaranteed.

This seems like a bit too much for Winters, as he didn’t play on a Pro Bowl level, or anything. However, he has great upside; he’s only 26 (in July) and should continue to improve, so it could turn out that the Jets might have even underpaid him. Thus, I think this grade probably deserves a solid “B.”

Update: I’ve heard from a reliable source that the guaranteed money on this deal is a bit less than what was originally reported. I also did some thinking about this, and given how important offensive lines are in the post-CBA NFL, re-signing Winters was almost imperative. I’ll increase this to a B+ for the time being.

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Dec. 30 Updates

Seahawks re-sign DE Michael Bennett (4 years, $39M; $17.5M guaranteed): A- Grade
This seems like a win-win for both Michael Bennett and the Seahawks. Bennett will be getting a nice contract with $17.5 million guaranteed. Seattle, meanwhile, gets to lower Bennett’s cap number. It’ll be able to keep Bennett, who is one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL. Bennett has enjoyed a terrific 2016 campaign when he’s been healthy, and I can’t remember the last time Bennett had a down year.

I’d probably give this grade an “A” if it weren’t for Bennett’s age. Bennett will turn 32 in the middle of the 2017 season, so he’s likely to decline in the near future. However, that may not happen until 2018 or 2019, and it’s not like the $17.5 million guaranteed over four years will serve as a big albatross on Seattle’s payroll. I think an A- seems about right.

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Dec. 15 Updates

Patriots claim WR Michael Floyd: A Grade
The Cardinals waived Michael Floyd on Wednesday, so any team had a chance to put in a claim for the talented receiver. The Patriots obtained him, and they happen to be near the bottom of the waiver order, which means that no other team put in a bid for Floyd.

In a way, it almost makes sense that the Patriots obtained Floyd. They’ve rehabilitated troubled players before. In fact, one is on the roster right now, and he’s highly productive. If you recall, LeGarrette Blount was cut by the Steelers after getting into trouble off the field. New England scooped him up, and now he’s a 1,000-yard rusher for them.

It remains to be seen if the Patriots will have the same success with Floyd, but the potential is there. Floyd, a first-round pick from the 2012 NFL Draft, has major upside, but has never lived up to it. He accumulated more than 1,000 yards in 2013, but just hasn’t appeared to be trying very hard for the Cardinals this year. A DUI was the final straw, prompting Arizona to waive him. However, Floyd could really work out in New England; remember, Blount was also accused for dogging it in Pittsburgh.

There’s no risk involved here, and the Patriots have a proven track record of getting the most out of troubled players, so I’m giving this an “A” grade.

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Dec. 10 Updates

Browns re-sign CB Jamar Taylor (3 years, $15 million): C+ Grade
Jamar Taylor was dreadful in Miami, where he was chosen as a second-round pick, but improved his game in Cleveland. He actually has served as the Browns’ best cornerback in 2016, as Joe Haden has been hampered by a lingering injury.

Is this season a fluke? It’s certainly possible. Taylor could easily regress back to how poorly he played in Miami, or he could continue being solid. He’s a big question mark, so I think this 3-year, $15 million contract is an overpay, but definitely not an egregious one.

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Dec. 9 Updates

49ers sign TE Vance McDonald (5 years, $35M; $16M guaranteed): KNEEL TO PROTEST LACK OF KIELBASA MILLEN Grade
Holy hell, what in the world are the 49ers doing? It seems like they get dumber each year. Their mistakes used to be limited to replacing top-five NFL coaches with men who have absolutely no idea what they’re doing, but now they’re overpaying average players at an unbelievable rate.

I don’t get this signing at all. Have I slipped into a coma and awakened to miss Vance McDonald tearing up the league? McDonald is an OK player, but that’s just it. He’s logged 24 catches for 391 yards and four touchdowns, which isn’t horrible considering that the 49ers have some of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL on their roster. I’m fine with the 49ers re-signing McDonald, despite his issues with drops, but at this sort of deal? This report almost seems fake or just wrong, like San Francisco forgot a decimal point, or something.

The 49ers should’ve been able to retain McDonald at a 3-year, $9 million pact. That’s very appropriate for a player of his caliber. Instead, the 49ers overpaid, as they continue to ensure that they remain the laughing stock of the NFL for a very long time.

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Dec. 8 Updates

Falcons re-sign CB Robert Alford (4 years, $38M; $21M guaranteed): D Grade
Atlanta signing Mohamed Sanu to a 5-year, $32.5 million contract this offseason was one of the worst transactions in free agency. It was by far the worst thing the Falcons had done in the spring, but this deal almost rivals that. It’s not bad enough to warrant a Millen grade, but it’s close.

A horrible thing teams can do is misevaluate their own talent. That’s what the Falcons are doing here. Robert Alford isn’t worth anything close to $38 million over four years. I’m not sure he’s even worth half of that. Alford has struggled this season and was only above average the year before. There was no reason to give him this sort of contract. If the Falcons couldn’t retain Aford at $20 million over four years, which might even be too much, they should’ve let him walk.

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Nov. 29 Updates

Patriots re-sign OT Marcus Cannon (5 years, $32.5M; $14.5M guaranteed): C Grade
Wow, this is a lot of money for Marcus Cannon. I know he has played well this year, but he resembled a human turnstile in 2015. In fact, there was talk that he would be a cap casualty this past offseason. It’s amazing how much can change in less than a year.

I think the Patriots are making the classic mistake of buying high. Cannon, based on his 2015 performance, isn’t worth a tenth of this amount. I don’t necessarily think he’ll regress back to 2015 form, but he easily could. And if he does, the Patriots will have an albatross of a contract on the books that they’ll have to deal with.

I don’t think this is a horrible signing, and a “C” isn’t a horrible grade. This move could certainly work out if Cannon continues to play well, but I would need more than a 10-game sample size to give Cannon this much money.

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Nov. 26 Updates

Broncos re-sign S Darian Stewart (4 years, $28M; $17.5M guaranteed): B+ Grade
The Broncos lost a couple of key members of their defense this past offseason, so it’s nice that they’re able to re-sign one of their remaining key players. Retaining Darian Stewart was a key move in preserving the defense’s dominance.

Stewart has made some tremendous strides after being an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft. He has improved each year and has been exceptional in 2016. Given how well he’s played, it could be argued that Stewart is a bargain at just $17.5 million guaranteed for this 4-year deal. This isn’t a steal, or anything, but it’s a very good move that is definitely worthy of a B+ grade.

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Nov. 21 Updates

Falcons re-sign OT Ryan Schraeder (5 years, $32M; $12.5M guaranteed): B+ Grade
Ryan Schraeder ended up doing pretty well for himself after being an undrafted free agent following the horrendous 2013 NFL Draft. The Falcons had a big hole at right tackle prior to plugging Schraeder into that spot last year. Schraeder thrived, but was set to hit free agency after the 2016 campaign. That’s no longer the case in the wake of this 5-year extension.

Schraeder is a very talented blocker, and keeping him around will ensure that Matt Ryan will continue to have solid pass protection. The overall price of this contract seems about right, and the guaranteed money ($12.5 million) could’ve been a bit higher without any complaints. Schraeder is just 28, so he should continue to play on a high level throughout the duration of this contract. Thus, I think this signing deserves a grade of a B+ or perhaps even an A-.

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Nov. 1 Updates


Lions acquire CB Johnthan Banks from Buccaneers for 2018 7th-round pick
It was reported that the Buccaneers had waived Johnthan Banks, but apparently the Lions called Tampa right away and requested Banks so it wouldn’t have to count on him getting to them through waivers. The cost of this was a 2018 seventh-round pick.

Banks is a talented corner, as he was chosen in the second round of the horrible 2013 NFL Draft. However, he hasn’t lived up to expectations whatsoever, prompting the Buccaneers to give up on him. Banks still has some potential though, and he did perform well at Mississippi State across from Darius Slay. Perhaps Slay will be able to help Banks reach his potential. If not, the Lions didn’t really give up anything.

As for the Buccaneers, obtaining a 2018 seventh-round choice is whatever, but they at least got something for a player they were more than willing to cut, so that’s a solid move.

Grade for Lions – B
Grade for Buccaneers – B+

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Bills sign WR Percy Harvin (1 year, $1.5 million): D Grade
I did not expect Percy Harvin to sign with anyone again. After all, the Collard Kector announced his retirement just six months ago. Now, he’s back, and people in Buffalo couldn’t be more excited.

And by excited, I mean depressed. I don’t understand this signing unless it’s to troll the Seahawks, whom Buffalo will battle this week. Injuries have derailed Harvin’s career, so it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to contribute much. Plus, he’s not a good guy to have in the locker room. I know the Bills are hurting for play-makers, but this seems like a desperate, unnecessary move that could do more harm than good.

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Oct. 31 Updates


Browns acquire LB Jamie Collins from Patriots for compensatory 3rd-round pick
I … don’t … understand … what’s … going … on … here …? When I fist saw this trade announced, I thought I was still asleep. I slapped myself in the face to wake myself up, but this turned out to be real life. Then, my mind raced. What could Jamie Collins have done that’s not being reported? Did he tell people that Bill Belichick’s hoodies smell? Did he make fun of Tom Brady’s ridiculous haircuts? Did he delete e-mails and then lie about it? Something must be terribly wrong about Collins, right?

Then, I thought about it, and the Patriots have been on the end of sketchy trades before. Take the Logan Mankins deal, for example. New England screwed itself out of a Super Bowl last year because it dealt Mankins earlier for a terrible tight end. The Chandler Jones swap doesn’t seem to be going so well either. I get that this could have contractual ramifications, but if Collins were to leave at the end of the season, the Patriots were going to receive a compensatory third-round pick anyway. Why not keep Collins when the end result is the same?

The Patriots get an easy Millen grade for now. That’ll change if Collins’ e-mails are leaked, or whatnot, but New England trading its best defensive player just seems like a horrible mistake. The Browns, meanwhile, get an actual NFL player, which they were in desperate need of. It’s an easy A+, as they now have a pair of stud inside linebackers in Collins and Christian Kirksey. It’s at least a start!

Grade for Browns – A+
Grade for Patriots – MILLEN

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Oct. 25 Updates


Broncos acquire TE A.J. Derby from Patriots for 5th-round pick
This is a surprising trade. A.J. Derby hasn’t caught a single pass in the regular season, yet the Broncos are giving up fifth-round pick for him? What gives?

Granted, Derby missed all of 2015 with an injury and hasn’t been able to pass Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett on the depth chart, so there’s a reason why he hasn’t done anything. However, my issue with this trade is that the Patriots were so willing to give up Derby to one of their greatest rivals. Bill Belichick clearly doesn’t believe that Derby is going to hurt his team in a potential playoff matchup.

I feel like the Broncos should’ve been able to acquire Derby with a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Derby was chosen in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, so why is he suddenly worth more despite doing nothing as a pro?

Grade for Broncos – C
Grade for Patriots – A

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Patriots acquire LB Kyle Van Noy, 7th-round pick from Lions for 6th-round pick
This is the first trade of the day, and it isn’t a very exciting one. It does have some potential for the Patriots, however.

Kyle Van Noy has not played well thus far in his 3-year career. He’s been a limited player for the Lions this season, struggling in every regard. However, there are two things to consider. First, Bill Belichick frequently does well in these mid-season deals to acquire depth, so perhaps this trade will work out as well. Second, Van Noy was a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, so he definitely has potential. Perhaps Belichick will be able to get the most out of him.

Even better for the Patriots, they’re not really giving anything up. They’re just moving back from the sixth to the seventh round, which isn’t any sort of issue. The Patriots are the clear winners of this trade because of potential, though I won’t give the Lions a bad grade either because they at least got something for a player who wasn’t performing well for them.

Grade for Patriots – A-
Grade for Lions – B-

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Oct. 18 Updates


Packers acquire RB Knile Davis from Chiefs for conditional late-round pick
Knile Davis was once considered to have good potential when he was selected in the third round out of Arkansas back in the dreadful 2013 NFL Draft. He flashed a bit, but quickly found his way into Andy Reid’s dog house. He eventually dropped to fourth on the depth chart.

That said, I don’t mind this acquisition for the Packers, who are desperate; Eddie Lacy is out for Thursday’s game, while James Starks will be sidelined for about a month. Perhaps Davis will finally be able to live up to his potential, especially considering how solid Green Bay’s offensive line is, though I definitely have my doubts.

I think both teams make out well in this trade. The Packers could get a productive player, but even if they don’t, they’re not giving up anything. The Chiefs, meanwhile, did well to obtain something for a player they weren’t even using.

Grade for Packers – B
Grade for Chiefs – A-

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Oct. 11 Updates

Vikings sign OT Jake Long: A- Grade
I initially dismissed the Jake Long signing when it happened, but Facebook friend Nathan T. talked me into writing about it. After reading up on it, I definitely made the right call to listen to Nathan.

It’s unclear how much the Vikings signed Long for, but it can’t have been for much; they had around just $44,000 in cap space in the morning, and Rick Spielman said he needed a magic wand to bring in Long. The Ravens actually tried to sign Long over the summer, but he failed their physical. He passed Minnesota’s, and Long told the media that he feels better than he has in the past couple of years.

The Vikings practiced Long at left tackle, which is a problem area in the wake of Matt Kalil’s injury. It sounds like the Vikings could be preparing Long to start there sometime in the near future – they’re on bye this week – as replacement T.J. Clemmings has been ineffective. Long has immense talent, so the upside is there. The question is: Will he stay healthy? Based on his history, probably not, but you never know, and this move could end up really panning out for Minnesota if Long can manage to stay on the field, given his immense talent.

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Lions sign RB Justin Forsett: B Grade
It’s been a while since I’ve updated this page, but the time seems right in the wake of the Justin Forsett signing. The Ravens cut Forsett exactly a week ago for the second time in less than two months. This time, Forsett has moved on, and he’ll be joining the Lions.

This move isn’t exciting, as Forsett is no longer the same player – he averaged 3.2 yards per carry on 31 attempts with Baltimore – but the signing makes sense. The Lions needed another pass-catching running back with Ameer Abdullah out for so long. Abdullah brings experience and receiving ability to the table, so he should be a capable backup behind Theo Riddick for the time being.

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Sept. 15 Updates

Rams re-sign DT Michael Brockers (3 years, $33M; $16M guaranteed): B+ Grade
I have a subconscious urge to grade the Rams poorly for anything they do right now, based on how horrible they were on Monday night. I feel like they could save some orphans from a building fire, and I’d mark that down as a D- before changing it.

After thinking about it, I’ve realized that this is a very good signing. Michael Brockers is one of the better young defensive tackles in the NFL. He’s terrific in run support and is pretty decent as a pass-rusher.

In terms of the value of this deal, it’s very good. Malik Jackson, another interior defensive lineman, received $90 million over six years with $42 million guaranteed. Brockers is a pretty comparable player, so I’m willing to give the Rams a B+.

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Sept. 13 Updates

Packers re-sign OT David Bakhtiari (4 years, $51.67M; $17M guaranteed): A- Grade
We now see why the Packers jettisoned Josh Sitton, as it has allowed them to pay their young left tackle handsomely. I still don’t get why Green Bay didn’t wait until the end of the season, as that would’ve allowed them to keep Sitton for one more year and then receive a compensatory pick for him, but I’ve already discussed that.

As for this contract, it’s definitely a logical one. Bakhtiari is one of the better young left tackles in the NFL. He’s just 25, so keeping him around for four years is important, as shielding Aaron Rodgers’ blind side is obviously very crucial. The overall value of this deal may seem high, but Bakhtiari is receiving just $17 million in guarantees, which is about half as much as Cordy Glenn and Terron Armstead obtained from the Bills and Saints, respectively, earlier this offseason.

I gave the Glenn and Armstead signings grades in the B/B+ range, so this definitely should be higher. I think an A- makes the most sense.

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Sept. 9 Updates

Lions re-sign RB Theo Riddick (3 years, $12.75 million): C+ Grade
I flipped back between a B- and a C+ for this signing, and I think I’m going to settle on the latter. This decision-making may not seem significant to you, but I’ve seriously deleted and changed B- to C+ and back to B- like 20 times.

Here’s the dilemma: Theo Riddick is an important piece of Detroit’s offense. He caught 80 passes last year, after all. Keeping him around will undoubtedly make Matthew Stafford happy. On the flip side, however, Riddick isn’t very talented. He’s a middling player who just happens to be in a great opportunity. His reception total figures to drop as well, as a healthy Ameer Abdullah is now in his second year.

So, in summary, I think this is an overpay, but I do understand why the Lions would want to make sure Riddick sticks around. I think a C+ makes sense No, wait, B-. Argh, C+ it is.

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Lions re-sign P Sam Martin (4 years, $13.6 million): C Grade
Despite Andy Lee’s performance in the NFL opener, I still believe that punters shouldn’t be worth that much money. They definitely grow on trees, as competent punters can be picked up off the street. Thus, there’s no way I could grade this signing highly, as I don’t think any punter is worth about $3.5 million per year.

However, I don’t think this is an egregious amount either, and Sam Martin is one of the better punters in the league. He has finished fourth and ninth in net punting the past two years, so I’m willing to give this a “C.”

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Sept. 7 Updates

Broncos re-sign WR Emmanuel Sanders (3 years, $33M; $27M guaranteed): B Grade
This is a lot of guaranteed money for a 2-year deal given to a wide receiver, but I don’t think it’s a bad contract, or anything. Emmanuel Sanders has been a highly productive player for the Broncos, helping them win the Super Bowl with six catches for 83 yards while Demaryius Thomas was swallowed up by Josh Norman.

Sanders will now be around until he’s 32, so that’s a great frame to roster him. It was important for Denver to retain Sanders, as he and Thomas will both be instrumental in the development of Paxton Lynch.

As I said with the Drew Brees contract right below, I can’t give this an “A” or anything because Denver’s not getting a great deal, and it first glance, this seems like a ton of money. I think it’s a decent contract though, so a “B” seems right.

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Saints extend QB Drew Brees (2 years, $44.25 million): B Grade
The Saints have been talking about giving Drew Brees a 4- or 5-year extension, which always seemed foolish to me, given that Brees will turn 38 in January. They managed to extend Brees to a contract with $44.25 million, all of which is guaranteed, but the deal will void following the 2017 campaign.

This makes a lot more sense. Brees has about one or two very good years remaining, so it’s logical to keep him around until he’s about to drastically decline. It’s also a nice lifetime achievement gift from the Saints, as Brees was instrumental in both reviving the franchise and rebuilding the city in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. This didn’t stop fascist, racist bigots for criticizing him recently because he stated his opinion, but Brees’ new deal is well deserved.

I can’t give this anything in the “A” range because the Saints aren’t getting a great bargain. Some may argue a B+, but I’m actually wondering if the Saints would be better off beginning anew. Their roster is in shambles, and even if Brees has the best season of his career, it’s difficult to imagine New Orleans qualifying for the playoffs. With DeShone Kizer and Deshaun Watson eligible to declare for the draft – Kizer is now No. 1 in my 2017 NFL Mock Draft – perhaps it would best for New Orleans to hit the reset button. That would be difficult to do, however, given all Brees has done for the team and city.

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Sept. 6 Updates


Patriots acquire CB Eric Rowe from Eagles for conditional 4th-round pick
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was not a fan of what Chip Kelly did last year, apparently. He has released or traded almost every major piece Kelly acquired, and now he has parted ways with Eric Rowe, Philadelphia’s 2015 second-round selection.

Roseman has made some great deals this offseason, but I wouldn’t characterize this as one of them. Rowe is a young player with nice size and loads of potential. He didn’t perform well as a rookie, but the upside was definitely there. Besides, if I’m the Eagles, I’m terrified that Bill Belichick will turn yet another one of my former defensive backs into a stud. It worked with Patrick Chung, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Rowe turns into a star.

I like this move for the Patriots, as they’re getting a player with upside in exchange for a reserve lineman. Josh Kline was solid in some starts last season, but struggled in training camp, losing out to rookies Joe Thuney and Ted Karras. Still, I don’t think this is a horrible trade for Philadelphia, as Kline will provide some needed help up front, while the conditional fourth-round selection could come in handy for a team low on draft resources.

Update: Josh Kline is reportedly not involved in this trade, making it difficult to grade because it’s unclear what the deals are, exactly. I definitely like this less for the Eagles if they can’t get Kline, but perhaps they obtained something/someone else.

Grade for Patriots – A-
Grade for Eagles – C

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Sept. 4 Updates

Bears sign G Josh Sitton (3 years, $21.75M; $10M guaranteed): A Grade
I still can’t get over the Packers cutting Josh Sitton because of a simple contract dispute. He was arguably Green Bay’s best lineman, and now because of a truly horrible decision, he’ll be playing for one of Green Bay’s rivals.

This is a fantastic signing for the Bears, who are not nearly as bad as everyone thinks they are. They were highly competitive last season despite their 6-10 record, but one of their weaknesses entering 2016 was their offensive line. That group is so much better now, as Sitton upgrades the interior, which only had one weak link.

Sitton is only 30, and because interior linemen can play well into their mid-30s, he should be able to perform on a high level throughout the duration of this contract. I think this is a fantastic signing – worse linemen have been signed for more this offseason – making this an easy “A” grade.

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Ravens sign KR Devin Hester: C+ Grade
If this were Devin Hester of five years ago, this would get an obvious A+, assuming the price tag wasn’t too high. Hester, of course, is the greatest return specialist of all time in terms of touchdowns scored (21).

Unfortunately, this is now 2016, and Hester is a shell of his former self. He’s 33, and he’s scored just two return touchdowns since 2012. I suppose it can’t hurt to bring him in. Perhaps some punters and special-teams coordinators who are stuck in the past will have boot the ball out of bounds to keep it away from Hester, but I can’t see him doing much once everyone figures out that he’s done.

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Sept. 3 Updates


Vikings acquire QB Sam Bradford from Eagles for 2017 first-rounder, 2018 conditional pick
I had a fantasy football draft last night, and then I had some people over for cards. I ended up going to bed at 6 a.m. It’s noon now, and I woke up 20 minutes ago. I looked at my phone, which was on silent, and I had texts from eight people telling me to wake the hell up and grade this trade. My apologies for being so late, but I didn’t anticipate a blockbuster deal like this on a Saturday morning!

This is shocking to say the least, but it obviously makes sense. The Vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater for the season to a gruesome knee injury, and their Super Bowl hopes were dashed as a result. They have one of the top defenses in the NFL, a strong running game and some solid play-makers, but Shaun Hill wasn’t going to make a deep run into the postseason.

By making this deal, the Vikings are basically saying, “We can win the Super Bowl with Bradford.” And in theory, they can! Peyton Manning took a similar team to the Super Bowl last year, and statistically, Bradford was way better than Manning in 2015, and it wasn’t even close. Manning was an interception machine who couldn’t connect on any passes downfield. Bradford is an accurate quarterback who can play the role of game-manager quite well. He’s also a nice fit for the offense, as he’s worked with Pat Shurmur in both St. Louis and Philadelphia.

With Bradford on the roster, Minnesota’s Super Bowl chances have increased. There’s no doubt about that. In fact, for a second, I thought that this was a good trade for the Vikings. And then I remembered something…

Bradford will get injured at some point!

There’s no way Bradford lasts 16 games for the Vikings. I don’t care if they run the ball every down. He’s going to get hurt somehow, and once that happens, the Vikings will be back where they started, only to be missing their first-round pick. I understand why the Vikings made this trade, but this deal was made out of panic, and that’s never a good thing. Also, this compensation seems ridiculous. Giving up a first-rounder for Bradford alone seems like too much. They’re also throwing in a 2018 choice that could be as high as a second-rounder! That’s absolutely ridiculous.

I’m not going to give the Vikings a poor grade because they don’t really have many options, but this can’t be higher than a “C.” I feel like fair compensation for Bradford would’ve just been a 2017 second-round selection. Had that trade been made, Minnesota would’ve been awarded a B+, or even an A-. But this trade is just way too lopsided.

As for the Eagles, well, how do you not grade this as an A+? This may go down as one of the greatest trades in the NFL this decade. Getting a first for Bradford is a gift itself, and Philadelphia could have an extra second-day choice in 2018 on top of that.

The Eagles, by making this trade, have announced that they are effectively punting this season, but this was seen as a transitional year anyway. They didn’t have much of a chance of winning more than six or seven games, so why not continue to build for the future? The pedestrian Chase Daniel will start until Carson Wentz is healthy and ready, and the Eagles can insert Wentz into the lineup without having to worry about Bradford pouting again.

Update: I was reminded by Facebook friend Anthony A. that the Browns deserve a grade for this trade as well. Why? Because they own Philadelphia’s first-round pick. The Eagles are obviously worse without Bradford in the immediate future, so Cleveland will be drafting earlier as a result. In fact, it’s not out of the question that the Browns will own the top two picks in the 2017 NFL Draft. You can check out my 2017 NFL Mock Draft here. Let’s give the Browns an A+ as well.

Grade for Vikings – C
Grade for Eagles – A+
Grade for Browns – A+

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Cowboys sign QB Mark Sanchez: D Grade
The Broncos released Mark Sanchez in the wake of Trevor Siemian winning the starting job. The Cowboys, in dire need of a veteran backup behind Dak Prescott, signed him almost instantly.

This signing is pretty irrelevant. Having a veteran like Sanchez on the roster as insurance for Prescott may sound like a nice idea, but the Cowboys won’t be able to win any games if Sanchez starts. It’ll be exactly like it was last year with Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden. Sanchez is just as bad as them, if not worse.

With that in mind, I’m giving the Cowboys a “D.” I’d rather see them go after a young quarterback with some sort of upside. I also thought Tarvaris Jackson was a better option if Dallas wanted to go to the veteran route. There’s really no point in having Sanchez on the team, and it’s kind of sad that Dallas had to resort to signing him.

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Bears re-sign G Kyle Long (4 years, $40M; $30M guaranteed): B Grade
This may seem like a lot of money for Kyle Long, especially after a 2015 season in which he didn’t play all that well. Long, however, was miscast as a tackle. He’s been much better in the interior, however, and I can’t exactly blame the Bears for giving him a long-term extension.

I’m not going to give the Bears an “A” or something else in that range, as they’re not getting a great deal or anything. But this extension makes a lot of sense, as the Bears will have the cornerstone of their offensive line around until the end of the decade. I’m willing to give Chicago a solid “B” grade as a result, as this contract is what it should be.

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Steelers acquire CB Justin Gilbert from Browns for 2018 6th-round pick
Based on the Browns’ luck alone, would it surprise anyone if Justin Gilbert bounced back from his horrific stint in Cleveland to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player for Pittsburgh? This almost has to happen, right?

Gilbert has been an enormous bust, but he has tons of raw talent. I think it’s definitely worth the risk to surrender a sixth-round pick for a player like that. Perhaps Gilbert, who has been a knucklehead, will see this as a wake-up call. Maybe he’ll get his head on straight in a stronger locker room. Gilbert, in all seriousness, is likely to stay a bust, but there’s a high level of upside with this trade.

As for the Browns, I’m not going to give them a bad grade for this deal, but I’d prefer for them not to trade within the division. If Gilbert finally lives up to his potential, Cleveland will look even more stupid than it would under normal circumstances.

Grade for Steelers – A-
Grade for Browns – C+

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Seahawks acquire S Dewey McDonald from Raiders for conditional pick
Every time I begin thinking about what to write about the Dewey McDonald trade, I can’t help but remember that annoying kid brother on Malcolm in the Middle. I always thought the writers should’ve treated him like Judy from Family Matters and just wrote him off the show. Malcolm wouldn’t quite be in the middle then, but whatever. The world would’ve been a better place.

As for this Dewey, McDonald is a reserve safety and special-teamer. It seems nonsensical to trade any sort of pick, even if it’s a conditional seventh-rounder, for someone like that when Seattle could’ve obtained him or someone comparable off waivers.

The Raiders are the clear winners here, as they’re fortunate to get anything for a replacement-level player who probably wouldn’t have made the final 53.

Grade for Seahawks – C+
Grade for Raiders – B+

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Cardinals acquire CB Marcus Cooper from Chiefs for 2018 conditional pick
Marcus Cooper was drafted in the seventh round, but played a fair amount as a rookie. He was inconsistent, but serviceable. Ever since then, however, Cooper has regressed. He saw limited snaps last year and did not perform well when he was on the field. Thus, it’s not a surprise that the Chiefs were willing to part ways with him for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2018.

I can’t blame the Cardinals for taking a chance here. They have absolutely nothing across from Patrick Peterson, where struggling third-round rookie Brandon Williams is slated to start. Arizona will be hoping that Cooper can step up and start ahead of Williams. That’s unlikely to happen, but the Cardinals aren’t giving up anything of significance to at least have that chance.

As for the Chiefs, they’re the winners of this deal. They were likely to cut Cooper anyway, so why not get something for him, even if it’s a conditional seventh-rounder?

Grade for Cardinals – B
Grade for Chiefs – B+

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Sept. 2 Updates

Saints re-sign C Max Unger (3 years, $21 million): B Grade
The Saints dealt Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks for Max Unger and a 2015 first-round pick. A year later, and it’s evident who won the trade, though it’s thanks in part to Graham’s torn patellar tendon.

Unger, meanwhile, was solid but unspectacular last season. Given the issues the Saints have on their offensive line, it’s nice that they’ll be keeping a dependable player for several years.

I think this contract is about right. It may be on the slightly expensive side, given that Unger just turned 30 and could decline at any time, but the Saints should be safe. I feel as though a “B” grade is warranted.

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Aug. 30 Updates

Giants re-sign OT Will Beatty (1 year, $1.1 million): B+ Grade
The Giants have some major problems on the offensive line. Their scoring unit has barely done anything this preseason, so they need all the help they can get.

Signing Will Beatty makes a lot of sense. He’s familiar with the team, and he was the best option available on the market. Beatty is a talented tackle, but his career has been derailed by injuries. He missed all of 2015 with a shoulder problem. Relying on him would be risky, but the Giants aren’t really doing that. If Beatty stays healthy, it’s an added bonus at a very low price, and if not, then things will remain the way they are, and New York hasn’t really risked anything.

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Bills acquire DE/OLB Lerentee McCray from Packers for 2018 draft pick
This is effectively the same trade as yesterday between the Saints and Dolphins. It’s a deal that allows one team to address depth, while the other obtains a draft pick for a player who probably wouldn’t make the roster.

Like the Saints, the Bills happen to be incredibly thin at linebacker, thanks to their numerous injuries. Lerentee McCray isn’t horrible, so he can provide serviceable depth at a position of weakness. The Packers, meanwhile, are doing better in terms of recouping any sort of draft choice for a replacement-level player.

Grade for Bills – B-
Grade for Packers – B

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Aug. 29 Updates


Saints acquire DE/OLB Chris McCain from Dolphins for conditional 7th-rounder
We take a break from Drew Brees correctly slamming Communist Kaepernick’s stance on the national anthem to discuss an insignificant trade the Saints have made. What page is this going to be in tomorrow’s edition of the Times-Picayune in the wake of the Brees quotes? Z-716?

This trade may not matter at all, but it makes sense for both teams. Chris McCain is a former undrafted free agent from 2014 with just two career sacks. He saw very brief action last year despite Cameron Wake sustaining a season-ending injury. That shows how little regard the Dolphins had for him. They were probably going to cut him this weekend, so why not potentially get a seventh-round pick for him? As for the Saints, they need pass-rushing depth, so McCain might be able to clinch a roster spot.

Grade for Saints – B-
Grade for Dolphins – B

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Panthers acquire P Andy Lee, 2017 7th-rounder from Browns for P Kasey Redfern, 2018 4th-rounder
Am I reading this right? The Panthers and Browns have made a trade, and Cleveland is the team to come away with the better end of it? Can someone check and make sure hell isn’t freezing over?

I don’t get this move for Carolina. Sure, Andy Lee is a better punter, but to move down three rounds in the draft to upgrade that position is insane, especially when half-decent punters can be found on the street. Besides, I’m not sure if Lee is still good. He’s 34 now, and he showed no effort on a Buccaneers punt return touchdown. He was in position to try and stop the returner, but he just stood there and watched. Why would Carolina want someone like that, especially when surrendering a fourth-round pick is required?

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Browns have won this trade. And it’s not even close!

Grade for Panthers – D
Grade for Browns – A

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Aug. 27 Updates


Lions acquire G Brandon Thomas from 49ers for WR Jeremy Kerley
This is probably a meaningless trade in the long run, but only the 49ers would acquire a pedestrian receiver on his way out of the league for an athletic, young, promising player.

Brandon Thomas was an excellent prospect heading into the 2014 NFL Draft; he did well as Clemson’s left tackle, even playing well against Jadeveon Clowney. Unfortunately, he sustained a torn ACL prior to the draft and slipped to the fourth round. He missed all of 2014 and played sparingly in 2015, not looking horrible. Thomas could be back to full strength this upcoming season, though there’s a chance that his knee will limit him for his entire career.

Thomas, as you can see, has potential. Jeremy Kerley, on the other hand, is a limited player who caught just 16 passes last year. The 49ers do need help at receiver, but that hasn’t exactly changed with Kerley now on the roster.

Grade for Lions – A-
Grade for 49ers – C-

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Rams re-sign WR Tavon Austin (4 years, $42M; $30M guaranteed): D Grade
When I first heard that Tavon Austin signed a 4-year extension, I guessed that he might have obtained a deal worth $16 million in total with about $9 million in guarantees. That’s what Austin deserves, though if the Rams paid him a bit more, I wouldn’t have been surprised.

Well, I was absolutely floored when I heard the figures of this contract. In what universe does Austin deserve $30 million guaranteed? I mean, he scored 10 times last year, but his touchdowns are fluky; he found the end zone just three times the season before. Austin is a nifty gadget player, but that’s all he is. He’s not a No. 1 wideout, which is what the Rams are now paying him as.

I have no choice but to give the Rams a “D.” I’m actually tempted to award the Rams a Millen, but Austin is a good player, and having him around will help Jared Goff’s development. Still, the contract details are absolutely ridiculous.

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Chiefs acquire CB Kenneth Acker from 49ers for 2018 7th-round draft pick
I feel like it’s odd that 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is acquiring draft picks that he probably won’t be around to make. That would be like already selling your house and then deciding to build a swimming pool two weeks before moving out for no good reason. But I guess this sort of stupidity is par for the course in San Francisco, ranging from the front office to the players throwing the ball.

The 49ers didn’t need Kenneth Acker, given that Chris Davis – yes, Iron Bowl hero Chris Davis – is slated to start in the slot this year. Randall Cobb beat up on Davis badly Friday night, but that apparently doesn’t matter to Baalke, who needs draft choices he won’t ever make.

I don’t get why Baalke couldn’t have obtained a seventh-rounder for the 2017 NFL Draft, a class he has a remote chance of sticking around for. That should’ve been a possibility, as Acker is a capable reserve who happens to be a sound tackler. He could compete to see action in Kansas City.

Grade for Chiefs – B
Grade for 49ers – C-

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Aug. 25 Updates


Patriots acquire DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo from Browns for 5th-round draft pick
It’s odd, but Bill Belichick has now acquired the sixth- and seventh-overall picks from the 2013 NFL Draft this offseason, quite possibly the worst draft class in NFL history. Soon, Belichick will own all top 10 choices, making him emperor of the world!

In the meantime, Barkevious Mingo will provide some pass-rushing depth and special-teams play. I want to stress the word “some,” as Mingo hasn’t gotten to the quarterback much in his failed career thus far. He accumulated five sacks as a rookie, but has generated only two since. He’s still just 25 though, so perhaps he can become a late bloomer and contribute to his new team. Probably not, though.

The Patriots are probably just surrendering a conditional seventh-round choice, and if that’s the case, I’m fine with this deal. It also makes sense for the Browns, as they were able to unload a player who probably wasn’t going to make their final roster. Why not get something in return, even if it’s a conditional draft selection?

Update: The Patriots have actually sent a fifth-round draft choice to the Browns for Mingo. I don’t understand this at all. As noted earlier, Mingo was unlikely to make Cleveland’s final roster, so why didn’t New England just wait until he was released? I’m also sure the Browns would’ve taken a seventh-rounder for Mingo. The Patriots definitely overpaid.

Grade for Patriots – D
Grade for Browns – A

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Aug. 24 Updates


Redskins acquire C Bryan Stork from Patriots for conditional draft pick
It was reported earlier today that the Patriots waived Bryan Stork, and they probably would’ve done so had the Redskins not swooped in with an 11th-hour trade offer for the young center. Washington has dealt a conditional selection for Stork.

This trade seems to make sense for both sides. Stork wasn’t horrible last year, but he did struggle. However, he’s still young – just 25 – and as a 2014 fourth-rounder, he still has some potential. The Redskins are desperate for center help, so perhaps they’ll be able to coach Stork up into becoming a viable starter. And if not, they’re likely just surrendering a seventh-round choice, so it’s not a big deal.

As for the Patriots, they were willing to just waive Stork, so getting anything for him is just a bonus. Even if it’s just a seventh-round pick, New England made out well in this transaction.

Update: Mike Jones of the Washington Post reported that Stork is “possibly” retiring, and former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley echoed that on Twitter. I’d have to nullify both grades if this is true; the Redskins won’t be getting a young center, while the Patriots almost certainly won’t be receiving any sort of draft pick.

Grade for Redskins – B
Grade for Patriots – B+

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Aug. 22 Updates

Colts sign CB Antonio Cromartie (1 year): B+ Grade
Antonio Cromartie was signed to much acclaim last offseason, but he struggled mightily and was released after one year as a consequence. Cromartie, now 32, is definitely on the decline, but that doesn’t mean that he’ll play poorly for Indianapolis in 2016.

A major reason Cromartie was constantly torched this past year was because he dealt with knee and thigh injuries. If Cromartie is healthy – he obviously passed Indianapolis’ physical – then he could definitely bounce back. There’s a chance he won’t – again, he’s 32 now – but this is a low-risk signing that comes with upside. Cromartie could help a secondary that’s desperate for an upgrade across from Vontae Davis.

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Aug. 21 Updates

Eagles sign ILB Stephen Tulloch (1 year, $3M; $1.75M guaranteed): B+ Grade
Stephen Tulloch was a liability for the Lions last year in coverage. He did play well in run support, but why would Philadelphia sign a linebacker in his 30s who had so much trouble covering this past season? Well, two things…

First of all, the Tulloch everyone saw in 2015 wasn’t his true self. Tulloch was coming off an ACL tear and wasn’t 100 percent as a result; Tulloch was once a formidable linebacker for the Titans and Lions. And second, Tulloch thrived under Eagles’ current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in the past, so perhaps Schwartz will be able to get a quality season out of Tulloch again.

I think this is a quality signing. It may not work out – Tulloch could actually be done at 31 – but the Eagles aren’t risking anything, and I think it has a reasonable chance of helping the team.

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Aug. 16 Updates


Eagles acquire WR Dorial Green-Beckham from Titans for OT Dennis Kelly
My friend and former neighbor Drew alerted me of this trade as I was rolling around in bed. At first, I thought it was a typo. Dennis Kelly? Why would the Titans want him in exchange for Dorial Green-Beckham? Sure enough, however, this is very real.

For anyone who thinks this is a good deal for the Titans, think about this for a second: Philadelphia probably has the worst offensive line depth in the NFL. With that in mind, why would the Eagles move a tackle unless that particular player meant nothing to them? Kelly is as pedestrian as they get; if Tennessee has to use him, things won’t go very well.

The Eagles are the clear winners of this trade. There’s a chance they won’t get anything out of Green-Beckham, who is a knucklehead. However, he at least has potential. It also should be noted that Doug Pederson’s mentor, Andy Reid, has gotten the most out of many troubled players like Green-Beckham. It’s unclear if Pederson will have the same results, but perhaps he learned how to handle this sort of situation from his old boss.

Grade for Eagles – A-
Grade for Titans – C-

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49ers sign QB Christian Ponder: D Grade
I don’t know if I would’ve graded this signing for any other team. Then again, I don’t think any other team would’ve made such a signing.

I honestly had no clue Christian Ponder was still in the NFL. I don’t even think Ponder knew he was still in the NFL! I imagine incompetent general manager Trent Baalke calling Ponder and asking him if he wanted to sign, and Ponder responding, “Really? You want me? Why?”

It’s sad what the 49ers have disintegrated into. They have outstanding fans, and I feel bad for them that they have to deal with this crap. Signing Ponder is a joke. He can’t play, and there were better quarterbacks available, yet supposedly Ponder fits into Chip Kelly’s horrible dink-and-dunk offense that has been a proven failure.

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Aug. 15 Updates

Buccaneers re-sign OT Demar Dotson (3 years, $16.5 million): A- Grade
For some reason, I thought Demar Dotson was going to receive a larger contract. After all, Buccaneers’ general manager Jason Licht did call Dotson a “cornerstone” of the team, which would be correct; Dotson had been the team’s top lineman prior to his injury-ridden 2015 campaign.

I like this signing, but I’m not willing to give it an “A” or an A+ because there’s a chance Dotson could be on the decline. He turns 31 in October, and he played in just six games last year. Still, an A- is still a great grade, and the Buccaneers have done very well by retaining Dotson.

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Aug. 13 Updates

Cowboys extend C Travis Frederick (6 years, $56.4M; $28.2M guaranteed): A- Grade
Most teams considered Travis Frederick to be a reach when the Cowboys chose him in the first round. They expected Frederick to be available during the second day – perhaps even in the third round! While the Cowboys could’ve obtained someone else in the opening frame and then selected Frederick later, I doubt they regret their decision. That’s evident based on this massive contract.

Dallas has made Frederick the highest-paid center in the NFL. Frederick deserves it, as he’s the best center in the league. Center is also one of the most important positions in football despite the public not realizing it, and Fredrick consequently is such an important player for the Cowboys’ offense.

I can’t grade this poorly, obviously. It’s not an A+ or an “A” because those grades are reserved for extreme bargain deals. Frederick is just getting paid what he deserves, so this should be an A- or a B+.

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Aug. 12 Updates

Saints CB Cortland Finnegan: C Grade
The Saints signing a cornerback makes sense in the wake of losing Keenan Lewis to an injury. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much out there. It’s a bit sad that Cortland Finnegan was the best New Orleans could come up with.

I don’t blame the Saints for signing Finnegan, who is completely done, but this “C” grade is more about not addressing the position in the offseason. New Orleans knew about Lewis’ injury history, so failing to either sign or draft someone was an obvious mistake.

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Bills extend QB Tyrod Taylor (6 years, $92 million): A- Grade
Remember those rumors that said the Bills were going to draft a quarterback early this past April? The Bills just squashed any belief that they don’t have faith in Tyrod Taylor for the long term, signing him to a 6-year contract worth $90 million.

As it stands now, I don’t love the deal, but I don’t hate it either. This is a ton of money for a quarterback with only 14 starts. Granted, Taylor played extremely well last year, but that wasn’t much of a sample size. Also, Taylor is small for a player at his position, so he could be prone to injury. He missed two contests this past season.

We’ve seen big contracts for non-elite quarterbacks really hurt teams, as their depth is depleted as a result. The same thing could happen to the Bills. However, once more details come out for this deal, it could be apparent that it’s more team-friendly than initially anticipated. Thus, I could change my grade, but this seems like a B- right now.

Update: As expected, this contract is more team-friendly than it originally seemed. It includes a $27.5 million option for 2017, so if Taylor struggles, the Bills can just release him next offseason. I’m bumping this up one whole letter grade as a result.

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Aug. 10 Updates

Bills sign LBs Brandon Spikes, David Hawthorne: C- Grade
I’ve been waiting to grade these signings because it wasn’t clear what happened with Reggie Ragland. I just posted a Disaster Grade for Ragland’s season-ending injury, so this free agent grade now becomes possible.

I’m grouping the Brandon Spikes and David Hawthorne signings together because they’re effectively the same. Both are pedestrian players who won’t do a good job of replacing Ragland. Spikes is just a sub-par two-down thumper against the run, and it remains to be seen if he kept in football shape during his year off for off-the-field issues. Meanwhile, Hawthorne isn’t good at anything anymore. It’ll be a surprise if he makes the final roster.

These signings aren’t horrible because the Bills didn’t really have any strong alternatives (DeMeco Ryans and Stephen Tulloch were the other top linebackers available). However, they deserve a C- for not being prepared for this. Counting on just a second-round rookie linebacker was stupid. Sure, Ragland was considered a first-round prospect by some teams, including Buffalo, but failing to have a Plan B is inexcusable.

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Aug. 9 Updates

Dolphins sign CB Chris Culliver (1 year, $5 million): A- Grade
This is quietly a solid signing. Chris Culliver has been floating around in free agency for a while now because of his dubious injury history. He has played in just 20 of 48 possible games in the past three years because of multiple ACL injuries.

However, Culliver has been effective when on the field. The Dolphins were in desperate need of cornerback help, and Culliver can provide that if he stays healthy. If he gets hurt again, then it’s not a huge deal because this contract is just a 1-year “prove it” deal. Thus, this all-upside signing deserves a great grade.

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Aug. 7 Updates

Seahawks sign G Jahri Evans: A- Grade
Jahri Evans played extremely well for the Saints for a very long time. That changed last year, however, as Evans appeared to take a step backward. Evans, 33 later this month, may never be the same player again. Interior linemen have shown that they can play well into their mid-30s, but that’s not the case for everyone.

That said, Evans could totally rebound if he stays healthy for a change. He dealt with numerous injuries in 2015, which contributed to his mediocre campaign. He wasn’t horrible by any means, so that’s a positive sign when factoring in how banged up he was.

With that in mind, I like this signing a lot. One of the holes the Seahawks had up front was at left guard, so Evans could definitely fill that void very well. Now, if only they could address the two tackle spots…

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Aug. 6 Updates

Saints sign FB John Kuhn: B+ Grade
It’s surprising that John Kuhn was floating around in free agency for so long. Kuhn, despite his age (34 in November), played very well this past season. He touched the ball just 15 times, but he was a very effective blocker for the Packers.

Signing Kuhn seems like a solid move for the Saints, worthy of a B+ grade. New Orleans didn’t have a logical starting fullback, and Kuhn is certainly capable of filling that void. Mark Ingram has to like this move, though Kuhn might take some of his goal-line touches.

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Aug. 5 Updates

Falcons sign WR Lance Moore: C Grade
This signing is probably irrelevant, as Lance Moore may not make the final roster. Still, this has generated lots of interest on social media, so I’ll go ahead and grade it.

A “C” sounds right to me. Moore is the second receiver the Falcons have added this offseason who can’t beat coverage, with Mohamed Sanu being the first. Moore, 33 as of the end of August, caught just 29 passes for the Lions last year and does not have much remaining in the tank. If he wins a job and manages to play enough, that’s not a good sign, as it’ll mean the Atlanta receivers not named Julio Jones weren’t able to impress. Regardless, very little good can come out of this signing, but it’s not an awful one either.

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Aug. 4 Updates

49ers re-sign ILB NaVorro Bowman (7 years, $77M; $20M guaranteed): D Grade
Wow. Just, wow. I can’t believe how bad this contract is. Actually, wait, never mind. I can believe it, since this is the sort of stupidity we’ve come to expect from the Jed York- and Trent Baalke-run 49ers.

It’s almost as if Baalke didn’t watch Bowman at all last year. Bowman was not very good, to put it nicely. He was absolutely abused in coverage, as he didn’t look nearly the same following his gruesome knee injury from a couple of years ago. Based on how he performed, Bowman didn’t even deserve a quarter of this contract.

I was almost tempted to give this signing a Millen grade, but I think a “D” is more appropriate. That’s because it could work out. Perhaps with another year of recovery, Bowman will be more like the player he was in 2013 and beforehand. With that said, I don’t know why the 49ers didn’t just wait to see if that would be the case. Had Bowman played well in 2016, Baalke could’ve just given Bowman a similar-type contract in October or November. Rushing the deal was just stupid – and par for the course in terms of what the 49ers have done the past few years.

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Chiefs sign QB Nick Foles: B Grade
What I wrote in the Leon Hall signing analysis also applies in this case. Nick Foles was released eight days ago, but had trouble finding a suitor despite being a quarterback who threw 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions in a season a few years back. Thus, I don’t think the Chiefs spent much on Foles, but if that’s incorrect, I’ll adjust this grade.

This is a decent signing, and it makes a ton of sense. Andy Reid spent a third-round pick on Foles back in 2012, so he obviously thinks he’s a good fit for his offense. In fact, I was surprised that the media didn’t link Foles to the Chiefs prior to Wednesday. It was just a logical fit.

Foles has played well at times in the past, so he can step in and be at least somewhat effective if Alex Smith sustains an injury. At worst, he’s just a much better No. 2 quarterback than Aaron Murray. This feels like a solid “B” move.

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Giants sign CB Leon Hall: A+ Grade
There are no financial details available yet, but I’m going to assume that Leon Hall didn’t sign for too much, given that he was available for so long. If so, this is an outstanding acquisition, fully deserving of an A+ grade.

Hall was one of the top cornerbacks in free agency, but remained unsigned because of a back injury. He has reportedly fully recovered from that, and if that’s the case, he’s going to be an important member of the Giants’ secondary. New York already had a pair of talented outside corners in Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but the team lacked a solid nickel. Hall will be more than solid in that role. In fact, if Hall’s back holds up, it could be argued that the Giants have the best group of corners in the NFL.

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Aug. 2 Updates

Bengals re-sign FB Ryan Hewitt (3 years, $7.5 million): B+ Grade
Ryan Hewitt isn’t known to most people because he barely posts any stats – he’s had one carry and 18 receptions over the past two years – but he’s a valuable member of Cincinnati’s offense because of his excellent blocking skills.

I’m not sure what the going rate for fullbacks should be, as there hasn’t been one signed to any sort of significant deal this offseason. A contract worth $2.5 million per year seems like a lot for a fullback, but keeping Hewitt around for a while is important, so I’m fine with giving this a B+.

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Cardinals re-sign CB Tyrann Mathieu (5 years, $62.5M; $40M guaranteed): B+ Grade
It’s still difficult to believe that Tyrann Mathieu was chosen in the third round. Mathieu was one of the top prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft, but dropped because of glaring character concerns. To his credit, Mathieu has stayed clean, and has been rewarded with this massive contract.

At first glance, this seems like a lot of money for a non-quarterback. However, Mathieu received just as much guaranteed money as Eric Fisher did from the Chiefs a few days ago. This is mind-boggling, considering that Mathieu is one of the best nickel corners in the NFL, while Fisher is pedestrian at best.

This is a very good signing, but I’m not giving it an “A” or an A-. Mathieu is coming off a torn ACL, so I think it might have been smarter to wait. What if he struggles next year as a result? The Cardinals could’ve gotten him at a cheaper rate if that happened to be the case. Still, I can’t grade this poorly, and I think a B+ is appropriate.

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Aug. 1 Updates

Bills sign RB Reggie Bush (1 year, $3 million): D Grade
Before I begin, I should note that the full value of this deal is $3 million. It’s unclear what the base pay is, but I’m sure it’s the veteran minimum, or something close to it. Because anything more would be insane.

It’s unclear why the Bills are even signing Reggie Bush. The former No. 2 overall pick was benched late by the Lions in 2013, then struggled mightily in 2014. He didn’t appear to have anything left last year – he was averaging 3.5 yards per carry – when he sustained a season-ending injury.

Bush is done. He’s been done for years. There’s no reason he should still be in the NFL. I almost gave this a Millen, but I don’t want to cheapen that particular grade by giving it out for small contracts like this.

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July 30 Updates

Chiefs extend OT Eric Fisher (4 years, $48M; $40M guaranteed): DOWNLOAD KIELBASA GO APP MILLEN Grade
Uhh… what the hell is this? Seriously, is this some kind of joke? Are the Chiefs trolling everyone? Or did their accountants tack on an extra zero to this contract by accident? Because Eric Fisher deserves $4 million guaranteed on his new deal; not $40 million.

I can’t even begin to explain this. Fisher has been a mega bust since being the first-overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft. Fisher was awful for two seasons and improved last year enough to be sub par at best. Without seeing the numbers and hearing that the Chiefs extended him for four years, I would’ve guessed that he received $10 million overall with $4 million in guarantees. And that may have been too much.

This reeks of the Chiefs failing to admit that they made a mistake. It’s one thing to make an error. We’re all human, after all, and no one’s perfect. It gets bad, however, when people start compounding mistakes by failing to concede being wrong in the first place. That’s exactly what the Chiefs are doing here, and they’re getting slapped with a dreaded Millen grade as a result.

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Lions extend CB Darius Slay (4 years, $50.2M; $23M guaranteed): A Grade
I can’t remember whom I was having the conversation with two years ago, but we were both surprised that Darius Slay struggled so much as a rookie. Slay made improvements the following year, and he continued to upgrade his game in 2015. In fact, it could be argued that he – not Josh Norman or Richard Sherman – was the best cornerback in the NFL this past season.

I know this is a lot of money for a non-quarterback, and I usually don’t grade signings like this so highly, but if Slay continues to evolve, this could seem like a steal a couple of years down the road. Slay will be earning just as much as Janoris Jenkins is from the Giants, and Slay is unquestionably better. He’ll be getting $2.5 million per year less than Norman, and as I said, it could be argued that Slay was better despite Norman getting all the acclaim from the talking heads on ESPN.

I think this deserves an “A.” Again, I’m not used to giving out such a grade for a signing like this, but Slay could definitely prove to be better than his impending $12.5 million per season salary.

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Eagles extend RB Darren Sproles (1 year, $4.5 million): C Grade
There were two signings I somehow missed yesterday, so I’ll get to them now. This is the lesser of the two transactions, so I’ll get to it first.

I can’t say I understand this move. Sproles was set to become a free agent after this season, so why was it so imperative for the Eagles to keep him on for 2017 as well? Sproles performed well as a pass-catcher last year, logging 55 receptions, but he just turned 33 this summer. It’s very reasonable to expect him to decline this upcoming year, so why would the Eagles want to be on the hook for $4.5 million in 2017 if that’s the case? Why not just re-sign Sproles next spring if he continues to play well?

I’m not going to grade this too harshly because it’s a transaction that could definitely work out, but it just doesn’t seem too smart. Hence, a “C” feels appropriate.

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July 29 Updates

Titans sign WR Andre Johnson: C+ Grade
This almost has to be for the veteran minimum. That’s what I’m going to assume, and if it’s anything more, I’ll re-grade this as an easy Millen.

As it stands now, this transaction is almost irrelevant. Andre Johnson is completely finished, as he can no longer separate from NFL cornerbacks. In fact, on talent alone, Johnson may not make the team.

However, there are two things to consider. First, Johnson could add a needed veteran presence in the locker room. The value of that is often overlooked. And second, Johnson could provide some intel on the rival Texans and Colts, given that he has played for them in the past two years. That’s not nearly enough to put Tennessee ahead of those two squads, but every little bit helps, I suppose.

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Panthers re-sign S Kurt Coleman (3 years, $17 million): B- Grade
After he retires, Kurt Coleman should write a book, explaining what he did to improve his game. Coleman played poorly in Philadelphia and was just a mediocre backup for the Chiefs prior to 2015. A year later, he’s getting $17 million after thriving this past season for the Panthers.

I’m a bit torn on this signing. On one hand, Coleman is getting way more money than he would’ve deserved before last season. What if 2015 was an outlier? It could be possible that Coleman will regress without Josh Norman. On the other hand, if Coleman performs like he did last year, this 3-year, $17 million pact will seem like a bargain.

I was wavering between a “B” and a B- for this grade. I think B- is slightly more appropriate, but that doesn’t mean I hate this signing. It could definitely work out, but it’s on the risky side.

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July 27 Updates

Jets re-sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (1 year, $12 million): B+ Grade
After a 5-month impasse, the Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick have finally come to terms, with the former being the clear-cut winner.

Fitzpatrick wanted a long deal with lots of guaranteed money, but that was never going to happen. Fitzpatrick is a sub-par starting quarterback who clearly overpriced himself, as no one but the Jets was interested in his services, and rightfully so. He’s simply too limited, and there’s a reason he has never taken a team into the playoffs.

That said, Fitzpatrick was sadly the Jets’ top option. This contract is a good one, as New York won’t have to worry about any long-term ramifications. It can just use Fitzpatrick this year and then move on to Christian Hackenberg or perhaps a first-round quarterback chosen next year (go here for my 2017 NFL Mock Draft.)

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July 26 Updates

Ravens sign OT Jake Long (1 year): B Grade
As with the Anquan Boldin signing, contract details aren’t available, so I’m going to assume that this is for the veteran minimum or something close. If it’s an egregious amount, I’ll adjust the grade.

I’m not as enthused about this acquisition as I was with the Boldin one. That’s because unlike Boldin, Jake Long didn’t play well in 2015. In fact, he barely even played, seeing action in just four games for the Falcons.

That said, I definitely don’t hate this signing. Long was injured in 2015 and claims that he’s healthy now. We’ll see if that’s true or not, but if it is, Long should be able to provide quality depth at tackle, where sixth-overall rookie Ronnie Stanley is slated to start. If Stanley proves to be awful – some teams were skeptical of his toughness and passion for football entering the 2016 NFL Draft – Long might be able to step in and do an OK job if he’s truly over his injuries. If not, the Ravens aren’t risking much by obtaining him, so it’s not a big deal.

Update: This deal has been negated because Long failed his physical. Surprise, surprise.

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Lions sign WR Anquan Boldin (1 year): A- Grade
Anquan Boldin has finally found a home. He signed with the Lions for one year. Additional terms aren’t available yet, but I’m going to assume that this is for the veteran minimum, or something close to it. If it’s drastically more, I’ll adjust this grade.

I like this signing a lot. Boldin turns 36 in October, but he still performed well this past season. He was actually the best receiver on the 49ers. That’s not saying much, but he managed to haul in 69 receptions for 789 yards.

The Lions needed a large possession receiver in the wake of Calvin Johnson’s retirement. It seems as though they found a decent one in Boldin. Now, I’ll concede that it’s possible that Boldin will regress as a result of his age and fail to accomplish much in Detroit, but if this deal is for something close to the veteran minimum, it doesn’t matter, since this signing will be all upside at that point.

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July 25 Updates

Seahawks extend GM John Schneider (5 years, approx $19 million): A Grade
General manager John Schneider was entering the final year of his contract with the Seahawks. The team obviously didn’t want him to get away, so they extended for five more seasons for about $3.75 million per year.

And rightfully so. Schneider is arguably the best general manager in the NFL, and if he’s not, he’s absolutely in the top five. Seattle’s current front office has drafted so many gems in the middle rounds, it’s unreal. Russell Wilson, Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman and Tyler Lockett were all obtained in the third round or later. Also, Thomas Rawls was found as an undrafted free agent. Sure, the Seahawks have made a couple of gaffes – Matt Flynn and Percy Harvin stick out – but no team has a flawless track record.

This is an easy “A” grade. Allowing Schneider to walk would’ve been incredibly stupid. Keeping him was the smart thing to do, and it sounds as though Pete Carroll is next up for an extension.

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July 18 Updates

Dolphins sign RB Arian Foster (1 year, $1.5 million): A Grade
My, how the mighty have fallen. Just a couple of seasons ago, Arian Foster was considered one of the top running backs in the NFL. Unfortunately, Foster has wrecked his career as a result of some dubious dietary habits, and now he’s settling for scraps from dysfunctional football teams.

That said, I love this signing. I’ve made it known that I’m a huge fan of “prove it” contracts, and this is a perfect example of one. Foster definitely has a ton to prove, as no one believes he can stay healthy. If he can, he’ll provide a big upgrade for one of the worst running backs corps in the league. If not, the Dolphins aren’t risking anything, as $1.5 million is nothing in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the NFL.

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July 15 Updates

Jets re-sign DE/DT Muhammad Wilkerson (5 years, $85M; $37M guaranteeed): A- Grade
The first thing I wanted to do prior to grading this signing was to look up other contracts given to other big-name defensive linemen this offseason. I found two comparable deals:

Jaguars sign DE/DT Malik Jackson (6 years, $90M; $42M guaranteed)
Eagles re-sign DT Fletcher Cox (6 years, $103M; $63M guaranteed)

Muhammad Wilkerson is receiving less than both of these players, which doesn’t seem right. Wilkerson and Cox are probably about on the same talent level, and there’s no question that Wilkerson is superior compared to Jackson. Thus, I think a signing of this caliber deserves either an “A” or an A-. As I said with the Von Miller deal, I want to reserve “A” grades for unreal bargains.

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Raiders re-sign CB David Amerson (4 years, $38M; $18M guaranteeed): C+ Grade
It’s almost hard to believe that David Amerson is receiving this amount of money. He was released by the Redskins about 10 months ago, and now he’s getting a deal that includes $18 million. It’s insane how much can change in such a short amount of time.

That said, based on last year’s play, Amerson totally deserves it. He was excellent for the Raiders after they scooped him up off waivers. He was actually one of the league’s top cornerbacks, finally living up to the potential he had coming out of N.C. State.

Many Oakland fans may love this re-signing, and I can totally see it working out. However, I’m more cautious about it. Amerson was so awful prior to 2015, and there’s always a chance he could revert to his former play. I’m going to give this a C+, but only because I think it’s pretty risky.

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Ravens re-sign K Justin Tucker (4 years, $16.8M; $10.8M guaranteeed): B Grade
Paying big money to kickers has not been a good strategy over the years, but that has changed recently. Kickers are more important than ever because of the new extra-point rule, so having a skilled one is crucial now.

Justin Tucker is one of the better kickers in the NFL. He had his worst year as a pro, but still hit 33 of 40 attempts and didn’t miss any of his 29 extra points. Tucker should be able to rebound, making this is a solid signing. It’s not great, but I think it’s worthy of a “B.”

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Broncos re-sign DE/OLB Von Miller (6 years, $114.5M; $70M guaranteeed): A- Grade
I’m usually not very happy about huge contracts like this to non-quarterbacks. I don’t grade them all poorly – they tend to get “B” grades – but it’s usually unwise to dedicate that many resources to players at other positions.

However, this contract definitely seems like an exception. Aside from J.J. Watt, Von Miller is the best defensive player in the NFL. Like Watt, he is capable of single-handedly changing the course of a game. Just see this past Super Bowl as proof. The Broncos lost some key defensive personnel this offseason, so they couldn’t afford to see Miller hold out. Thus, this grade seems like it should be an A- at the very least. I could see this being an “A,” but that’s reserved for deals that provide incredible value.

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July 11 Updates

Giants re-sign P Brad Wing (3 years, $6.45 million): D Grade
This is a Millen-type of signing. Not that Matt Millen was into punters – it’s difficult to call them 100-percent USDA Men – but signing a pedestrian punter to a contract worth more than $2 million annually just seems like the type of strategy an incompetent general manager would utilize.

Brad Wing is not a good punter. He ranked 25th in net yardage last season and doesn’t have much experience otherwise. It almost seems insane to pay him this amount of money when punters like him effectively grow on trees. That said, I won’t give this a Millen grade because this transaction isn’t nearly as impactful as some of the other horrible moves made this offseason.

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June 29 Updates

Colts extend QB Andrew Luck (6 years, $140M; $87M guaranteed): A- Grade
Wow. This is way more than the average architect receives, so it’s a great thing for Andrew Luck that he’s good at football. With this contract, Luck has become the highest-paid player in NFL history.

This deal is extremely difficult to grade, however. On one hand, the Colts absolutely had to re-sign Luck. If all of the NFL players were placed into a pool, and owners had to draft them and keep them around for a decade, Luck would strongly be considered as the first pick. He, along with Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton, are the most important players for their team. We saw what happened to Indianapolis when Luck was hurt in 2015; the Colts went from playing in the AFC Championship to missing the playoffs entirely.

On the other hand, this contract could have negative long-term ramifications. The Colts will eventually become very cap-strapped, and they won’t be able to retain some of their key players. As a consequence, they won’t have much depth, and they’ll have major problems if even a handful of their starters go down with injuries. Just look at what happened to the Ravens in the wake of Joe Flacco’s big deal. Granted, Luck is much better than Flacco, but the depth issues will be the same.

I think giving this a “B” grade makes the most sense. Luck is obviously a great quarterback, but this contract isn’t nearly as spectacular. Still, it almost seems necessary.

Update: Reports indicate that the early analysis of this contract weren’t as accurate, and Luck surrendered some money. I’m willing to bump this up to an A-.

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June 28 Updates

Seahawks extend WR Doug Baldwin (4 years, $46M; $24.25M guaranteed): C+ Grade
It can’t be a surprise that Doug Baldwin received a big extension. He was unstoppable in the second half of this past season. Baldwin, beginning in Week 10, caught 47 passes for 724 yards and 11 touchdowns. Translate that over a 16-game slate, and Baldwin would’ve logged 94 receptions for 1,448 yards and 22 scores. Not too shabby.

Having said that, this seems like a lot of money for Baldwin. Prior to 2015, he hadn’t registered more than 825 receiving yards or five touchdowns in any season. It’s possible that Baldwin could continue to be highly productive, but if so, Seattle probably would’ve given him the same amount of money in the future. If Baldwin were to decline, the Seahawks would end up paying less. They’re buying high, which is almost never a good idea in any line of business.

I’m not giving this a bad grade, however. I think a C+ is fine. There’s something to be said about keeping around a quarterback’s favorite weapon, so it’s understandable that Seattle is paying a bit of a premium.

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June 18 Updates

Panthers re-sign OT Michael Oher (3 years, $21.6M; $9.5M guaranteed): MILLEN SHOPPING FOR KIELBASAS TO GIVE TO MILLEN SR. TOMORROW Grade
Carolina’s front office usually makes smart decisions, so this comes as quite a shock. Michael Oher earning this sort of money is completely unwarranted, as he’s one of the worst starting left tackles in the NFL.

As those who support the Ravens and Titans very well know, Oher can be a huge liability. He was horrible at the end in Baltimore and during the 2014 campaign in Tennessee. When he signed with the Panthers last offseason, it seemed as though they were bringing him on as a backup with experience, which made sense. Oher started, however, and as I pointed out prior to the Super Bowl, he and right tackle Mike Remmers were never challenged all year. The Panthers seldom played teams with a strong edge rush, but that was about to change against the Broncos. As expected, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware absolutely humiliated Oher and Remmers to the point that I thought it was a lock that Carolina would address the position this offseason.

That never happened, and to compound its mistakes, the front office gave Oher this ridiculous $21.6 million extension. With a tougher schedule in 2016 being inevitable, Oher is likely to struggle, especially since he just turned 30. I have a feeling that Carolina will quickly regret this decision, making this an easy Millen grade.

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June 14 Updates

Broncos re-sign LB Brandon Marshall (4 years, $32M; $20M guaranteed): B- Grade
The Broncos lost Danny Trevathan this offseason, so seeing Brandon Marshall depart would’ve hurt the defense too much. Fortunately for the organization, it was able to agree on a deal with its lone remaining stud inside linebacker.

However, it’s fair to wonder if Denver is paying too much for Marshall. Here are some similar signings that occurred this offseason:

Bears sign ILB Jerrell Freeman (3 years, $12M; $6M guaranteed)
Bears sign ILB Danny Trevathan (4 years, $24.5M; $12M guaranteed)

Marshall is better than both Freeman and Trevathan, but is he worth $14 million more in guarantees than Freeman or $8 million more in guarantees than Trevathan? Definitely not. It’s nice that Marshall will be sticking around, but this sort of money dedicated to a defender who doesn’t rush the passer could have negative implications going forward, especially after Von Miller is re-signed.

Having said that, I’m not going to give this a bad grade. Keeping a Pro Bowl-caliber player isn’t horrible by any means. As with the Eagles’ re-signing of Fletcher Cox yesterday, this seems like it deserves an underwhelming B-.

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June 13 Updates

Eagles re-sign DT Fletcher Cox (6 years, $103M; $63M guaranteed): B- Grade
Wow, this is a lot of money. In fact, it’s the most ever for a non-quarterback, as Fletcher Cox’s $63 million eclipses Ndamukong Suh’s $60 million haul from last offseason. The Dolphins might be regretting that deal, and the Eagles may feel the same way about this one in the near future.

There’s no denying that Cox is a great player. He’s one of the better defensive linemen in football, in fact. However, no non-quarterback deserves this much money, unless, perhaps, he happens to be the top player in the NFL. I bring that up because J.J. Watt, who plays the same position as Cox – at least he used to when the Eagles ran a 3-4 – signed a contract worth $108.8 million and $51.8 million guaranteed. While Cox is fantastic, he’s not superior compared to Watt in any universe. Furthermore, while Watt received a higher total amount, it was over eight years; not the six that Cox was given.

Paying a non-quarterback this much can have dire consequences, as the Eagles will have too much money locked into one spot. That said, it’s difficult to grade this too poorly. The Eagles would be heavily criticized if they let their best player walk, and Cox was undoubtedly going to receive a similar offer from some other team. As a Hall of Fame running back once said, they were stuck between a rock and a pillow. Thus, I can’t give Philadelphia anything worse than a B-.

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June 11 Updates

Chargers re-sign WR Keenan Allen (4 years, $45M; $20M guaranteed): B Grade
I was looking for other receiver grades as soon as I saw this, and the first one that popped up after hitting ctrl-F was Allen Hurns. The Jacksonville wideout effectively was paid the same amount as Allen, and that earned a B-. Given that Allen is a bit better than Hurns, this should be a slightly higher grade.

I have no issues with San Diego retaining Allen for four more years. He was having a great 2015 campaign – 67 catches, 725 yards in eight games prior to suffering a lacerated kidney – and he’s obviously very talented. However, this is a “B” instead of an “A” because Allen was very lethargic in 2014. Now, he may never act like that ever again, but what if he does? He could be fat and happy with his $20 million guarantee, so it’s possible that he could take another year off sometime in the near future. That has to be somewhat worrying, but overall, this seems like a good deal.

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June 8 Updates

Bengals extend RB Giovani Bernard (3 years, $15.5 million): B+ Grade
In an offseason in which running backs like Chris Ivory and Doug Martin have earned more than $30 million in total salary, any contract like this has to be considered a bargain.

That said, while I like this deal, I don’t think it’s as great as some of the other contracts we’ve seen in free agency. Giovani Bernard hasn’t carried the ball more than 170 times in a single season, and he lost his job as the primary back in the second half of the 2014 campaign to Jeremy Hill. Marvin Lewis clearly wants Hill to shoulder the majority of the workload in terms of carries. Bernard is great in the passing game – he caught 49 passes last year – so it’s nice that the Bengals are keeping him around. The money seems about right, but again, it’s not a steal that deserves a grade in the “A” range.

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June 6 Updates

Panthers re-sign C Ryan Kalil (2 years, $16.75M; $13M guaranteed): A Grade
Ryan Kalil has become one of the highest-paid centers in the NFL, which makes sense because he’s one of the top players at his position. It’s quite possible that Carolina couldn’t have given Kalil such a deal if Josh Norman were still on the roster, so even though they lost a great corner in the offseason, it’s nice that they can re-sign some of their other key players.

This is an easy “A” for me. I hate giving out two great grades on one day because I’m a curmudgeon, but both of these contracts are excellent. Keeping Kalil around for two more seasons is very crucial, considering how important he is to the franchise. Kalil turned 31 in March, but because centers have been known to play on a high level well into their 30s, he should still be a great blocker a couple of years from now.

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Vikings extend S Harrison Smith (5 years, $51.25M; $15.3M guaranteed): A Grade
This seems like a ton of money for a safety at first glance, but here are some of the other big contracts handed out to players at the same position this offseason:

Eagles extend S Malcolm Jenkins (5 years, $40.5M; $21M guaranteed)
Eagles sign S Rodney McLeod (5 years, $37M; $17M guaranteed)

The overall value of Harrison Smith’s deal is greater than that of what Jenkins and McLeod received, but interestingly enough, Smith was given less guaranteed money than the two. That’s definitely more important than the overall sum.

Smith is arguably the best safety in the NFL right now, and he’s certainly better than the two Philadelphia players. I gave the Jenkins and McLeod a B+ and B-, respectively, so this grade needs to be better than those. I’m even willing to give it an “A,” as the Vikings are retaining one of the best defensive players in the NFL at a very reasonable price.

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June 2 Updates

Jaguars extend WR Allen Hurns (4 years, $40M; $20M guaranteed): B- Grade
Allen Hurns has come a long way from being an undrafted free agent out of Miami in 2014. Hurns flashed as a rookie, but then exploded in his sophomore campaign, catching 64 passes for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s not as talented as Allen Robinson, but it appears as though he’ll be able to establish himself as one of the better No. 2 receivers in the NFL.

Hurns definitely deserves a big contract, but I’m not a huge fan of this signing. It has nothing to do with Hurns himself, but the timing of it. The Jaguars’ passing numbers will be down in 2016. Their defense has improved markedly, so Blake Bortles won’t be able to compile garbage yardage as frequently this upcoming season. With that in mind, there’s a chance Hurns’ stats could decline a bit – particularly his touchdown total. If so, it’s possible the Jaguars could’ve retained him on a cheaper deal next spring.

Having said that, I’m not grading this poorly. A B- grade isn’t bad. It’s just OK, as I think the Jaguars could’ve bought a bit lower than they did.

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May 25 Updates

Rams sign DT Dominique Easley (1 year, $600,000): A+ Grade
When it was revealed that the Patriots cut Dominique Easley because of some locker room issues, it became quite obvious that Los Angeles was a very likely destination for him. The Rams, after all, have had success with troubled individuals, including one (Janoris Jenkins) who was also from Florida.

This is an outstanding signing. Easley wasn’t cut for performance issues; on the contrary, he was extremely effective when healthy. If Jeff Fisher can get the most out of him like he did with Jenkins and other players with character concerns, Easley could be a big-time player for the Rams.

The one other thing to note is that health is also a problem for Easley, who has missed 10 games the past two seasons. However, there’s absolutely no risk with this deal. Los Angeles signed Easley to a 1-year contract worth $600,000, which includes no guaranteed money. If Easley becomes a problem or can’t stay healthy, the Rams can simply get rid of him with no penalty. Given that this deal contains no risk and happens to be all upside, I think this signing deserves an easy A+.

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Jaguars sign DE Bjoern Werner (1 year, $755,000): A Grade
When the Colts foolishly spent the 24th-overall pick on Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner in the 2013 NFL Draft, everyone except general manager Ryan Grigson knew it was a big mistake. Werner was projected purely as a 4-3 left end, so Grigson’s thought process that Werner could play in the 3-4 made absolutely no sense. Three disappointing seasons comprised of just 6.5 sacks later, Indianapolis finally released Werner.

The rival Jaguars were smart to scoop him up – and at a very cheap price to boot! Werner appears to be a much better fit in their scheme than he was in Indianapolis’. He said as much to the media as well, telling reporters that he was thrilled to be back in a 4-3 formation. Werner obviously has talent, given that he was a first-round pick, so this signing could work out greatly for Jacksonville. And if it doesn’t, the Jaguars won’t be hurt by this, as losing $755,000 isn’t a big deal.

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Ravens sign CB Jerraud Powers (1 year, $1.75M; $750K guaranteed): C+ Grade
This is definitely not as bad as the Greg Toler signing because Jerraud Powers can be a functional football player. So, sorry Ozzie Newsome, the $750,000 guaranteed you’re giving to Powers won’t be tax-deductible, as the Crappy Cornerbacks Foundation won’t accept your donation.

That said, Powers is not a good player. He’s not horrific like Toler, but he gets burnt quite frequently. I don’t mind this signing from a depth perspective, however, as Baltimore happens to be extra thin at cornerback. Powers should at least be able to make the final roster.

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Chargers sign C/G Matt Slauson (2 years, $3 million): A+ Grade
Though this acquisition occurred after the 2016 NFL Draft, it was still one of the best free agent signings this offseason. It’s truly remarkable that the Chargers were able to obtain Matt Slauson at such a cheap price.

It’s equally inexplicable that the Bears cut Slauson in the first place. He played very well last season and wasn’t taking up much cap room, and at 30, he should have at least two more high-quality seasons left in the tank. Chicago’s loss is definitely San Diego’s gain, as Slauson will fill a huge void at center. He’ll be a massive upgrade over the incompetent Chris Watt, who will be better as a depth player. Slauson can also slide in at guard in the event of an injury, so his versatility could prove to be extremely valuable.

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Rams re-sign K Greg Zuerlein (1 year, $1.25 million): C+ Grade
Greg “the leg” Zuerlein has been a disappointment thus far. He has eclipsed an 80-percent conversion rate on his field goal tries just once in his career, when he pieced together a sterling 26-of-28 campaign in 2013. The negative numbers are somewhat misleading, however, as Zuerlein has missed a lot from 50-plus. For example, as a rookie, he was 23-of-31 overall, but six of those whiffs came from beyond 50, where he was 7-of-13. In 2014, Zuerlein was 24-of-30, but drilled 5-of-7 attempts from long distance.

Zuerlein was awful last season, however. He was 20-of-30 (66.7%) and just 3-of-9 from deep. He also went only 5-of-8 in the 40-49 range, which is pretty underwhelming. When taking account that he played at least half of his games in a dome, it’s easy to see why the Rams would be displeased with him.

Having said that, Zuerlein is certainly worthy of another chance. He obviously has the leg power, so perhaps he’ll be able to improve upon his accuracy this offseason and put together a bounce-back 2016 campaign.

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Redskins sign CB Greg Toler (1 year, $840K; $80K guaranteed): D Grade
You know what would’ve been a better use of the $80,000 the Redskins gave Greg Toler? Lighting it on fire would’ve qualified. Flushing it down the toilet works, too. Or, they could’ve funded the Peter King Redskins Team Name Should Be Banned Federation, since I’m sure there is some clueless individual still out there who believes the team name is offensive despite 90 percent of American Indians saying otherwise. I mean, numerous American Indian high schools use the “Redskins” as their mascot, for crying out loud. This Washington Post report shouldn’t have been surprising in the slightest to anyone with a functioning brain.

At any rate, Greg Toler sucks, but he should at least be happy that I was able to use his signing to go on a mini-rant (for more, the Redskins team name controversy was my Jerk of the Year in 2013.) Toler has been an abomination in coverage for years, and he was so bad that the Colts, who are desperate for cornerback help, showed no interest in re-signing him. Giving Toler $80,000 guaranteed almost seems like charity. The Help the Crappy Cornerbacks Foundation, perhaps.

So, why is this grade not a Millen? This signing just isn’t prominent enough. And giving $80,000 away isn’t going to hurt the team at all. Still, this signing deserves a “D,” as I don’t think Toler will make it through final cuts.

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Cowboys re-sign ST Jeff Heath (4 years, $7.67 million): B- Grade
Jeff Heath plays sparingly on defense, and he struggled during his time on the field at safety last year. However, he’s an excellent special-teamer, so it’s not like Dallas is giving some bum close to $2 million per season.

That said, it’s a bit odd to see a pure special-teamer receive a long contract like this. It seems like a bit of an overpay, as finding good special-teamers isn’t all that difficult. Still, it’s not an egregious amount, and Heath is one of Dallas’ leaders on kickoffs and punt returns, so I won’t give the team a bad grade for this signing.

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Cardinals re-sign RB Chris Johnson (1 year, $3 million): B Grade
I have a list of free agent signing grades I haven’t gotten to yet. These players either didn’t have their financial terms disclosed at the time of the acquisition, or they occurred near the draft and I didn’t have time to grade them.

Chris Johnson is an example of the former, as I tried desperately to find his contract details, but to no avail. They’re available now, however, and Johnson signed a 1-year, $3 million pact to remain with Arizona.

I guess this move is fine. It’s not great, but I don’t have a problem with it, and it definitely makes sense that Arizona would want to bring Johnson back for just one season. Johnson had an explosive start to his 2015 campaign, but predictably wore down during the stretch, averaging 3.6 yards per carry or worse in five of his six contests. David Johnson will be the starting running back, but Chris Johnson knows the system and can be a solid backup for the time being.

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May 17 Updates

Bengals extend S Shawn Williams (5 years, $20.19M; $4M guaranteed): A- Grade
At first glance, this contract might seem ridiculous. How can the Bengals justify giving $20 million to a player with just four career starts? However, there are a couple of brilliant things about this deal, with the first being that there is only $4 million guaranteed. If Williams flops, Cincinnati can just cut him without any repercussions.

The second thing is that the Bengals will save themselves so much money if Williams has a great 2016 campaign. Williams was set to become a free agent after this season, and he would’ve commanded a huge contract on the open market had he thrived in 2016. This way, Cincinnati can keep him around for a while at a cheap rate.

Williams, a third-round pick in 2013, has flashed some excellent coverage skills despite his limited playing time. The Bengals are very high on him, obviously, which is why they were willing to allow Reggie Nelson to walk. If they’re right, and Williams emerges as a solid starter, this will look like a genius move. If not, then it doesn’t matter because there’s no downside to this contract.

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May 9 Updates


Lions acquire LB Jon Bostic from Patriots for conditional 2017 draft pick
Jon Bostic didn’t exactly pan out as a 2013 second-round pick. One of the many busts from that class, Bostic joined the Patriots when he was obtained from the Bears. He didn’t do much, seeing limited snaps on defense – and struggling in the process – and mostly participating on special teams.

This seems like a waste of time for the Lions. We don’t know the exact terms, but if Detroit surrenders even a seventh-round choice, it’ll be too high of a price. Conversely, if New England obtains anything – even if it’s the final selection of the 2017 NFL Draft – it’ll be highway robbery. I can’t see Bostic doing anything of significance.

Having said all of this, I imagine the Patriots won’t receive anything for Bostic. This is conditional, after all, and it’ll be surprising if the terms will be met. I imagine Bostic will ultimately be part of the final cuts, and New England likely won’t get anything in return.

Grade for Lions – C-
Grade for Patriots – B+

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May 8 Updates

Dolphins re-sign DE Cameron Wake (2 years, $15M; $10M guaranteed): C+ Grade
If this didn’t reduce Cameron Wake’s cap figure for this season, this extension would probably earn a “D.” Perhaps even a Millen. Cameron Wake has been a great player for a long time, but there’s a very good chance that he’ll begin to decline this year.

Wake, of course, is coming off a torn Achilles. That’s a tough injury for any player to return from, but it’ll be extra taxing for a 34-year-old. It’s also noteworthy that Wake sustained that injury at the end of October, so he won’t have a full year to recover. It’s not even a guarantee that he’ll be ready for Week 1, though it’s certainly possible that he’ll be on the field by then.

I wouldn’t say this is a horrible move, but it’s questionable as to why the Dolphins are doing this now. I understand that this is instant cap relief, but wouldn’t it make more sense to wait and see how Wake performs coming off a gruesome injury?

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May 7 Updates

Titans re-sign TE Delanie Walker (2 years, $14.7M; $8.2M guaranteed): B+ Grade
Teams are apparently determined to not allow talented tight ends to hit the market next spring. A day after the Redskins re-signed Jordan Reed to a big extension, Tennessee managed to agree to terms with Delanie Walker.

Walker had always been just an average player for the 49ers, but he has really found a home in Tennessee. His numbers have increased in his three seasons there, going from 60-571-6, to 63-890-4, to 94-1,088-6. Walker is at the top of his game right now, though that may not last long, given that he turns 32 in August. Still, Walker should be able to play well for a couple more years, which is exactly the duration the Titans signed him to.

This is a good move, as Walker was signed for a great price on a short-term deal. The one slight issue I have with this deal is that I wonder if it would’ve been better to wait until after 2016 to retain him. It’s possible that Walker could decline this upcoming campaign as a result of age. If he does, the Titans will be stuck with him for at least one more year, though the money won’t be absurd or anything.

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May 6 Updates

Redskins re-sign TE Jordan Reed (5 years, $46.5M; $22M guaranteed): B Grade
I somehow missed this yesterday; the Redskins re-signed Jordan Reed to a massive contract Thursday morning, but I’m just seeing it now. This proves once again that no NFL transactions should ever occur prior to 11 a.m.

And yes, this is most definitely a massive contract. It’s more than I thought Jordan Reed would ever see prior to 2015, when he was barely able to take the field. Reed missed 12 games in the two years prior to this past season, so most figured that anything he’d contribute in 2015 would be a bonus. However, Reed improved his workout regimen and diet prior to last year, and that’s a major reason why he was able to stay on the field for 14 games.

Having said that, this is still a big risk. Reed hasn’t played a full season yet, so giving him $46.5 million over five years with $22 million in guarantees is pretty ballsy. It could definitely pay off, and if last season was a sign of things to come, it definitely will. Thus, I think this deserves a “B” grade.

Before I move on, let me just address some of the comments below regarding the “B” grades I’ve handed out for big contracts recently. By no means is a “B” a bad grade. A “B” is a good/solid grade. Conversely, an “A” is a great grade. “A” signings are great moves, while “B” signings are good/solid/logical moves. This is a good/solid/logical move. If the Redskins were able to retain Reed at an outstanding bargain (i.e. five years, $20 million with $10 million in guarantees) that would earn an “A” or an A+. This is an obvious “B” transaction.

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May 4 Updates

Saints re-sign OT Terron Armstead (5 years, $64.5M; $38M guaranteed): B+ Grade
Cordy Glenn recently became the second-highest-paid left tackle in the NFL. Terron Armstead is now the third in the wake of his colossal contract.

I think Armstead deserves this sort of money a bit more than Glenn does, as he is slightly better than Glenn. It’s crazy to think that Armstead was some raw, clueless lineman a couple of seasons ago, but he has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier blind-side protectors. He’s also only 24, so he might even continue to improve his game.

I’m still unwilling to give this an “A,” given how much money is being allocated to a single non-quarterback, but I think re-signing Armstead to this amount makes a bit more sense than the Glenn contract. Thus, I think a B+ is appropriate.

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Bills re-sign OT Cordy Glenn (5 years, $65M; $36M guaranteed): B Grade
The Bills re-signed their franchise-tagged left tackle to a massive deal. Cordy Glenn has now become the second-highest-paid left tackle in the NFL, only behind Washington’s Trent Williams.

Glenn is a great blind-side blocker, but is he the second-best at his position in the league? I don’t think so. Thus, Buffalo is overpaying, and definitely does not deserve a grade in the “A” range because of it.

Having said that, this is not a bad deal. Glenn is an important player to this team, so the Bills were in between a rock and a hard place. They’d either have to overpay Glenn or lose him after next year (and possibly watch him hold out this season), which would substantially hurt the team’s chances of finally reaching the playoffs. That’s why I’m giving this grade a middling “B.” I definitely don’t agree with the money, but I can understand why the Bills did it.

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April 30 Updates

Bears sign QB Brian Hoyer (1 year, $2 million): A- Grade
People might just shrug at seeing Brian Hoyer getting signed, but this is actually a very good move by the Bears. First of all, they didn’t have a viable backup behind Jay Cutler; their previous No. 2 was David Fales. Hoyer is an obvious upgrade; while we’ve seen by now that he can’t be a viable long-term starter, he’s an excellent backup who won’t kill a team if he has to start for a few games.

Second, take a look at this price. The going rate for backup quarterbacks is $3-$4 million per season. Hoyer will be earning less than that, making him a solid bargain.

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April 22 Updates

Redskins sign CB Josh Norman (5 years, $75M; $50M guaranteed): B+ Grade
I still find it mind-boggling that the Panthers allowed Josh Norman to get away. Teams and franchised players have endured contract squabbles before, so this wasn’t like the first time it ever happened in NFL history. There were reports that Norman wanted $16 million or so annually, and he was able to receive a deal close to that amount with Washington.

Norman is now the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, and it’s a well-deserved honor. Norman was one of the top corners in the NFL last year, and the argument can be made that he was the absolute best. The Redskins have been in desperate need of a cornerback for several years, so I can understand why they pulled the trigger.

Having said that, I can’t award the Redskins anything in the “A” range because this is so much money for a non-quarterback. Dedicating a big portion of the cap to one player who doesn’t happen to be a signal-caller is seldom a winning proposition. However, the Redskins were already a playoff team that didn’t have too many holes on the roster, so making one of their weaknesses a major strength could help them make a deep push into the postseason. Thus, I think a B+ is appropriate.

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April 20 Updates


Eagles acquire No. 2 overall pick, 2017 4th-rounder from Browns for Nos. 8, 77, 100, 2017 first-rounder, 2018 second-rounder
My friend Will messaged me minutes after this trade went down, saying, “Eagles had such a great offseason, now this!?” I feel the exact same way. Philadelphia brilliantly ripped off the Dolphins and then managed to get rid of DeMarco Murray’s ghastly contract. Though I disagreed with some of the signings – Chase Daniel in particular – the offseason overall was a success.

Not anymore.

Words can’t describe how utterly stupid this trade is. It’s horrible on so many levels, so let’s try to list them all.

First of all, the Eagles have surrendered too much. Like the Rams, they’ve given up too many picks, meaning their depth will be depleted. Teams trading up like this seldom have success, and Philadelphia will be paying for it in the future. It’ll definitely miss its 2017 first-rounder, given how great next year’s class is projected to be. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of that 2018 second-rounder. All of this means the Eagles will have just three choices in the top two rounds over the next three drafts. That’s terrible.

Second, why did the Eagles feel they need to do this? Why re-sign Sam Bradford in the first place and give Chase Daniel more money than backup quarterbacks usually deserve? They weren’t like the Rams, who had absolutely nothing at quarterback. Philadelphia at least had viable options. Granted, they weren’t great options, but the team could’ve been competitive in the weak NFC East with Bradford or Daniel.

It also must be asked whether Carson Wentz or Jared Goff are even better than Bradford. This is a weak quarterback class. The 2017 and 2018 editions are considered to be better around the league. Surrendering so many resources for a signal-caller who will probably be just above average at best is insane.

I have no choice but to give the Eagles a Millen for this move. Like the Rams, they’ve squandered too many resources, but I at least understand Los Angeles’ mindset. Philadelphia’s role in this deal is utterly confusing.

As for the Browns, this is an easy A+. Sure, they’ll have to start Robert Griffin until he gets hurt or fumbles way too many times, but they’re set up incredibly well for the future. They’ll have two shots at Deshaun Watson next year (go here for my 2017 NFL Mock Draft) and they’ll be able to fill out their roster with talented players to replace the ones who left this offseason.

Two more things. First, I think it’s telling how mediocre this quarterback class is that the Browns, who are so desperate for a quarterback, didn’t want to bother with either of the top two prospects at the position. It makes you wonder what the hell the Eagles and Rams are thinking.

Second, I’ll be updating my 2016 NFL Mock Draft shortly.

Grade for Eagles – Millen 4-20 Kielbasa Hallucination
Grade for Browns – A+

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April 14 Updates


Rams acquire No. 1 overall pick, Nos. 113 and 177 from Titans for Nos. 15, 43, 45 and 76, and 2017 first- and third-rounders
Four years ago, the Rams dealt the No. 2 overall choice to the Redskins for a king’s ransom of draft picks, which Washington used to select Robert Griffin. That was deemed as a great trade at the time for the Redskins, who were desperate for a franchise quarterback. That move would look outstanding at first, as Griffin led the team to the playoffs as a rookie, but flamed out ever since. Because Washington surrendered so many draft choices, its depth was shot. The team finally recovered in 2016, though it needed the quarterback from the best squad in the division to go down in order to claim the NFC East.

It’s funny to see that the Rams are on the other side of things. They’ve soared all the way from No. 15 to move in position to select a franchise quarterback. As I tweeted out, Charlie Campbell reported two months ago that the Rams love Carson Wentz, so that’s apparently whom they are going to take.

Let me clear here: I understand the importance of a franchise quarterback. For those who have been reading the site for a while, you know that I do. However, surrendering countless resources like this is a sketchy move to begin with, even if it’s for a highly rated prospect like Griffin was four years ago. Depth is extremely important, so with all of these picks gone – as well as several key free agents departing this offseason – the Rams won’t be very deep. Like the Ravens, they’ll be done after incurring a couple of key injuries.

Making matters worse, this is the wrong year to trade up for a signal-caller. It’s not like last year when there were two studs – Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota – atop the class. And it’s not like next year when Deshaun Watson will be available (click here for my 2017 NFL Mock Draft.) This class is very weak, and it’s headlined by two quarterbacks other teams have been lukewarm on. Neither Wentz nor Jared Goff is a slam-dunk franchise quarterback. In fact, it’s quite possible that both will flop. If so, the Rams will be horrible for a very long time.

I can’t give Los Angeles a Millen grade for this. At least it’s trying, and it’s adding some excitement, which is needed in Los Angeles, where people haven’t expressed enthusiasm for pro football in the past. However, I have to penalize them with a “D” grade. This is an awfully risky move that has a huge chance of backfiring.

As for the Titans, this is an unbelievable trade, worthy of an A+. They won’t be able to obtain a blue-chip prospect anymore, but as mentioned, this class wasn’t good to begin with. The 2017 draft will be loaded, however, so Tennessee will really be able to strengthen its roster with two potential top-10 selections. Having three second-rounders this year will be enormous for depth purposes.

At 15, I expect Tennessee to do what it was planning to do at No. 1 – target a tackle or a defensive back. Jack Conklin, Mackensie Alexander and Eli Apple are some of the names that will be under consideration. We’ll have a better idea once we talk to our sources in the coming days, so check back in our 2016 NFL Draft Rumors page.

Oh, and two things: First, I’ll be updating my 2016 NFL Mock Draft later today, and I’ll also be posting a winners and losers column for this trade.

Second, Would it kill the Rams not to conduct a trade so early? The five fans they have in Los Angeles were all asleep when the trade was announced at 6:15 a.m. locally. How are the Rams expected to build up excitement in their new city by making big moves when everyone is still in bed?

Grade for Rams – D
Grade for Titans – A+

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April 12 Updates

Patriots re-sign RB LeGarrette Blount (1 year, $1 million): A- Grade
I guess the rest of the NFL learned its lesson after the last time LeGarrette Blount was a free agent. No other team was willing to give him a ton of money after his stint in Pittsburgh, allowing the Patriots to retain him cheaply.

Bringing back Blount is just fine without taking financial implications into account, but for just $1 million in 2016? That’s a fantastic deal. Blount isn’t great by any means, but he’s a serviceable two-down runner who has averaged more than 4.3 yards per carry over the past two years, scoring 11 touchdowns in the process. He missed the end of the 2015 campaign with a hip injury, but he should be 100 percent by training camp.

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April 11 Updates

Buccaneers sign P Bryan Anger (1 year, $1.75 million): C Grade
Remember when former Jaguars general manager Gene Smith spent a third-round selection on Bryan Anger? I gave it a “Matt Millen Presidential Assassination Attempt Via Kielbasa Grade” and wrote, “Wow. A punter in Round 3? I suppose a punter is useful because the Jaguars will be punting a lot, but under no circumstances should you ever select a punter before Round 5.” The funny thing is, the mistake is magnified now because while Anger was the 70th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Olivier Vernon was 72nd, and Russell Wilson was 75th. Think Wilson would look good in a Jaguar jersey right now? Perhaps I should’ve given the pick a “Matt Millen God Assassination Attempt Via Kielbasa Grade.” Yes, it’s so bad that Millen is trying to insert kielbasas up God’s backside.

Four years later, Anger is no longer on the Jaguars, but he continues to be overrated by NFL general managers. I don’t get it. Anger finished 21st in net yardage last year, so what is Tampa doing by giving him more than $1 million for 2016? It just seems dumb to pay this amount of money to a mediocre punter, though it’s not bad enough to compare it to deicide.

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Saints sign ILB Craig Robertson (3 years, $5 million): B+ Grade
The Saints have made numerous questionable signings this offseason, senselessly throwing tons of money at pedestrian players like Coby Fleener and James Laurinaitis. This is definitely not like those moves, as I’m giving it a B+ instead of a Millen.

Bringing in Craig Robertson for less than $2 million annually is a solid deal. Robertson didn’t play that well in 2015 because of a lingering foot injury, but he has been a decent player in the past. He can start, and he wouldn’t be too much of a liability – he’s actually probably better than Laurinaitis – but his main role will be as a sub-package linebacker who will help in coverage.

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Bills sign CB Sterling Moore (1 year, $840,000): A Grade
I still have some transactions to get to that haven’t been graded yet because of delayed contract information. Might as well begin the week on a positive note!

This is an underrated acquisition that isn’t being talked about very much for some reason. It’s a great one, though. Sterling Moore was Tampa’s best cornerback this past season. I know that’s not saying much because the Buccaneers’ secondary was garbage, but Moore played well in the slot, and he should be able to do the same for the Bills.

The beauty of this signing is the amount of money. At just $840,000, Moore was an absolute steal. It’s also worth noting that he’s just 26, so there’s definitely room for improvement.

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April 10 Updates

Raiders sign S Reggie Nelson (2 years, $8.5M; $4M guaranteed): A Grade
The Raiders have enjoyed a terrific offseason thus far. They’ve signed a number of talented players to great deals, and this move is no different.

Reggie Nelson has been a stellar cover safety for a long time. He was still playing at the top of his game in 2015 as a 32-year-old, though his age is the reason he didn’t receive more interest in the open market. However, safeties can play well into their 30s, so Nelson should continue to perform on a high level. Even if his production drops a bit, he’ll be well worth it at this extremely cheap contract.

This signing definitely deserves an “A.” The Raiders needed a worthy successor for Charles Woodson, and they found one who can excel in the back end of their defense for a couple of seasons without breaking the bank.

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April 9 Updates

Jets sign OT Ryan Clady (2 years, $16 million): A Grade
I graded the Ryan Clady trade for both the Jets and Broncos below, but what about the actual contract? Signing Clady to a new deal was part of the swap, so I think it deserves its own separate grade.

While the Jets earned an “A” in the actual trade, this signing deserves a lesser mark, though not by much. Clady has missed 30 games in the past two seasons and happens to be coming off a torn ACL, so $9 million annually is obviously not ideal compensation. However, this is just a 2-year term, so the Jets aren’t really locked into him for that long. Also, Clady’s durability issues could be exaggerated. Sure, 30 missed games in three years is a ton, but Clady had never been out of the lineup a single instance before that. Perhaps he’s just had some bad luck. He’s still only 29, so he can certainly turn things around, and if so, this contract will look like a bargain.

Update: This was initially reported at two years and $18 million, but as it turns out, it’s really just a 1-year, $6 million contract with a $10 million option for 2017. Thus, this is a great, no-risk signing for the Jets that deserves an “A.”

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Jets acquire OT Ryan Clady, 7th-rounder from Broncos for 5th-rounder
My apologies for this being several hours late. I was at a charity benefit tonight, and this trade took place as soon as I got there. I think we can all agree that NFL teams should be barred from making deals on Saturday night from now on. I think it would be better for everyone.

I want to keep complaining, but this trade is pretty logical for both teams. The Jets just lost D’Brickashsaw Ferguson – check out the disaster grade – and desperately needed to find a replacement because they were unlikely to land Jack Conklin at No. 20 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Broncos, meanwhile, were shopping Ryan Clady after signing Russell Okung, making this a perfect match.

Clady is one of the more talented blind-side protectors in the NFL. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He has missed 30 games the past three seasons, including all of 2015 with a torn ACL. However, Clady has immense upside, and he actually never was absent for a single start prior to 2013. Given that the Jets barely gave up anything, this is a steal.

Denver, on the other hand, struck a ridiculously cheap deal with Okung to help with its financial difficulty. Getting rid of Clady will allow them to have enough money to trade for Colin Kaepernick. That’s not much of a reward, but the fact remains that the Broncos had to do this to relieve their cap situation.

Grade for Jets – A
Grade for Broncos – B

Comment on the other free agent signings below.

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April 7 Updates

Texans re-sign S Quintin Demps (1 year, $1.5 million): B Grade
Quintin Demps was starting for Houston last year, but only by default. He was fine in coverage, but struggled to tackle at times. It’s not ideal for him to be starting again, but bringing him back as a cheap alternative as a reserve isn’t so bad.

In fact, I think it’s a decent move, as this price is what a quality backup safety goes for. The Texans are likely to use a second-day selection on a safety. The rookie will ideally start, but if he can’t develop quickly enough, Demps can fill in and not be a big liability.

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Eagles sign C/G Stefen Wisniewski (1 year, $1.51 million): A Grade
I don’t understand why Stefen Wisniewski didn’t receive a larger contract this offseason. Sure, he had to sign a 1-year “prove it” deal with Jacksonville last spring because he was coming off an injury-ridden 2014 campaign, but Wisniewski performed well in 2015. He wasn’t good in run blocking, but he was a very strong pass protector. When healthy, he’s certainly one of the top 15 centers in the NFL.

With that in mind, this signing is a slam dunk. I actually considered giving the Eagles an A+, but there’s just one issue: They already have Jason Kelce as their starting center, so Wisniewski would have to shift over to guard. It’s unclear how Wisniewski will play at his new position. Then again, this signing was so cheap that it probably doesn’t matter. Even if Wisniewski doesn’t make the cut at guard, Philadelphia will still have perhaps the best backup center in the NFL at a very cheap rate, meaning a Kelce injury won’t matter very much.

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Bills sign LB Zach Brown (1 year, $1.25 million): B+ Grade
Zach Brown was chosen in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and while he flashed at times, he never reached his potential. Brown has played well in coverage, but has been a major liability in run support.

Having said that, this is a solid signing by the Bills. Brown is young enough (26) where he can perhaps turn his career around in a new scheme. It’s actually possible that he could win the starting job, though I think it’s highly probable that Buffalo spends its first-round selection on a linebacker. I have the Bills taking Darron Lee in my 2016 NFL Mock Draft.

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Lions sign DE Wallace Gilberry (1 year, $1.75 million): B Grade
Wallace Gilberry tallied 14 combined sacks in 2012 and 2013, but saw that figure drop to four over the past couple of seasons. Has age been the issue? That’s certainly fair to say, as Gilberry just turned 31. However, he did see a reduced role, and he was still an effective situational pass-rusher at times this past year.

This is a decent, cheap signing by Detroit. Gilberry will offer effective depth behind Ziggy Ansah and Devin Taylor, replacing Jason Jones, who is still a free agent. Bringing Jones back would’ve been better, but the Lions probably couldn’t have gotten as lucrative of a deal done.

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April 6 Updates

Jets sign ILB Bruce Carter (1 year, $840K; $250K guaranteed): A+ Grade
This is an unbelievable contract. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has been absolutely on fire this offseason, and that has continued with this signing.

Tampa fans may be scratching their heads at this point, given that Carter performed woefully prior to getting benched in favor of a rookie last year. Carter, who inked a 4-year, $17 million contract last offseason, was cut just one campaign into his deal. The problem, however, was that the Buccaneers screwed up in the first place by signing Carter. Because they run a 4-3, it was never going to work. Carter has always thrived when in a 3-4, but has struggled when playing in a defense that features a four-man front.

The Jets, of course, utilize a 3-4 scheme, so Carter will fit right in. He’ll play much better than he did in 2015, and he’ll be doing so at an absolutely cheap rate. Remember, Carter was good enough in the past to warrant his $17 million contract with the Buccaneers, and the Jets are getting him for just a mere fraction of that amount. Carter is also just 28, so there’s no reason for him to decline anytime soon.

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Broncos sign DE/DT Jared Crick (2 years, $4 million): C Grade
The Broncos were in search of a replacement for Malik Jackson, who left in free agency. Jared Crick plays the position, but he’s certainly not the answer. He’s just a backup, so it makes sense that he’s being paid like one.

Crick was very ineffective this past season. He struggled in run support and barely got to the quarterback despite J.J. Watt drawing tons of attention away from him. Crick will have a similar luxury in Denver, but he has proven that he can’t do anything with it. This is definitely an overpay by the Broncos, who should’ve been able to obtain Crick closer to the veteran minimum.

That said, this isn’t an awful signing. A 2-year, $4 million pact isn’t going to crush Denver’s cap situation, and Crick has experience in Wade Phillips’ scheme.

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Raiders re-sign DE/OLB Aldon Smith (2 years, $11 million): A Grade
Having Aldon Smith on the roster is risky business. He has shown an inability to stay out of trouble on the field, and he can’t even play until November this season because of a suspension. The Raiders, well aware of this, created a contract for Smith that mitigates the risk.

This is a 2-year, $11 million deal in full value, but that overall figure is misleading. That’s because the $11 million includes $250,000 bonuses for every game Smith is on the 53-man active roster. So, if Smith gets into off-the-field trouble again, the Raiders can either deactivate or cut him, and they won’t owe anything to him or the cap. This is a brilliant move, as giving Smith lots of guaranteed money would’ve been a terrible decision. Smith is one of the most-talented edge rushers in the NFL, and at just 26, he has a very bright future ahead of him if he can stay clean. Unfortunately, he’s one major issue away from receiving a long ban.

If Smith can indeed remain out of trouble, this will turn out to be a tremendous deal for Oakland. If not, then the Raiders didn’t lose anything. This deserves an easy “A” grade.

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Patriots sign TE Clay Harbor (2 years, $3M; $400K signing bonus): C Grade
The Patriots brought in Clay Harbor for a visit early in the offseason as a potential backup for Rob Gronkowski, but they ended up trading for Martellus Bennett. Thus, it was strange that three weeks after Harbor’s initial visit, New England signed him to a 2-year, $3 million deal.

If this contract included more than just a $400,000 bonus, I’d award the Patriots with a Millen grade. Instead, a “C” seems appropriate. Harbor is borderline rosterable, as he has never caught more than 26 passes in a season throughout his career. Harbor will turn 29 in July, so he has very little upside, and he’s also coming off sports hernia surgery. He’s not a horrible third tight end – he served the same role in Jacksonville – but it’ll be a surprise if he makes much of an impact in New England.

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Bears sign G/C Manuel Ramirez (1 year, $965K; $80K guaranteed): B+ Grade
Manuel Ramirez has had his ups and downs throughout his career. He’s coming off a high, as he played well for the Lions this past season after struggling in Denver. Ramirez, now 33, shouldn’t be relied upon as a starter at this stage of his career, but it won’t be the worst thing if he is in the opening lineup, and he very well could be, given Chicago’s issues in the interior.

I like this signing. Ramirez offers versatility, as he can play both guard and center. Even if he doesn’t claim a job, he can be a valuable backup, thanks to his ability to play three positions. The Bears obtained him at a cheap rate, so there’s nothing to really dislike about this move.

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April 5 Updates

Lions sign RB Stevan Ridley (1 year, $1.25M; $80K guaranteed): C Grade
Though this was a minor signing, it was a bit of a surprise. With Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner on the roster, it didn’t seem like the Lions would want another non-star running back.

This acquisition isn’t a big deal, as it contains just $80,000 guaranteed. It seems like a waste though, as Stevan Ridley might have trouble making the final roster. If so, the $80,000 was completely wasted. Even if he happens to make the cut, Ridley won’t make any sort of impact, and the Lions would be better served to have a younger player with upside; not a fumble-prone 27-year-old coming off a torn ACL.

Having said that, the money here is so minimal that’s inconsequential. I’m fine with giving this a “C.”

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April 4 Updates

Redskins sign TE Vernon Davis (1 year, $2.38M; $1.1M guaranteed): EYE OF KIELBASA MILLEN BAN Grade
The Redskins have done a better job in free agency in recent years, but this signing feels like a move Daniel Snyder would’ve made about a decade ago. Bringing in a washed-up, overpriced players is not a recipe for success, so I don’t understand why Washington is doing this.

And yes, Davis is overpriced, even at $2.38 million overall and $1.1 million guaranteed. I don’t know why Davis is receiving any sort of guarantee. I wouldn’t have even offered him a pack of gum and called it a guarantee. Davis has been one of the least-efficient tight ends in the NFL over the past several seasons. He wasn’t even useful for the Broncos, who were forced into using Owen Daniels, a tight end who could barely move. All Davis did was drop passes and get benched. At 32, his career is over.

I just don’t get this signing. I understand that the Redskins need some insurance for Niles Paul, who may not be ready for OTAs, but they could’ve signed, I don’t know, literally anyone else, and it would’ve been better. It shouldn’t shock anyone if Davis fails to make the final roster, meaning Washington effectively lit $1.1 million on fire.

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Lions sign G Geoff Schwartz (1 year, $840,000): B+ Grade
Signing Geoff Schwartz would’ve been a very risky move had the Lions paid him anything substantial. Fortunately, the front office mitigated that by giving him a 1-year “prove it” deal worth less than $1 million.

Schwartz’s talent level has never been an issue, as he is a skilled, versatile blocker. He’s also turning 30 in July, which is relatively young for an interior lineman. The problem for Schwartz has been his durability. He has missed 21 games the past two seasons and is currently dealing with nerve damage in his foot. That obviously doesn’t bode well, and it’ll be a minor miracle if he plays all 16 contests in 2016. However, getting Schwartz for even 10 starts would be a bonus for Detroit’s poor blocking unit, and at just $840,000, why not take the chance?

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Bengals sign LB Karlos Dansby (1 year, $2.25 million): A Grade
I’ve been searching for Karlos Dansby’s contract details for several days now, so I’d like to thank some Facebook friends, including Tyrus H., Niraj J. and Cory M., for finding the numbers for me.

The Bengals have enjoyed a stellar offseason thus far, re-signing their players cheaply and finding an adequate replacement for Mohamed Sanu for $30 million overall less than their former receiver obtained from his new team. Cincinnati’s great spring continues with this move. I love this signing, as it deserves a very easy “A.”

Karlos Dansby is not the player he once was, as he turns 35 in November. However, he’s still a solid defender, particularly in coverage. He should still have a solid campaign or two left in the tank, and he should fit in nicely with the Bengals, who needed to bolster their linebacking corps. The price is incredible, as the only guaranteed money seems to be a $700,000 signing bonus.

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April 1 Updates

Texans re-sign QB Brandon Weeden (2 years, $4 million): C Grade
Jerry Jones declared that Brandon Weeden was a great quarterback when he initially stepped in for Tony Romo last season. Weeden actually made a great start against the Falcons, but declined in every game afterward until he was benched in favor of Matt Cassel. The Cowboys then waived Weeden, who signed with the Texans. Once Brian Hoyer got hurt, Weeden went a combined 16-of-42 for 305 yards, three touchdowns and no interception in a game-and-a-half of action versus the Colts and Titans.

The Texans apparently have seen enough of Weeden to make him Brock Osweiler’s direct backup (assuming Brian Hoyer is cut or dealt). I can’t say I’m a huge fan of this. Sure, Weeden is making less than what No. 2 signal-callers usually earn ($3-$4 million annually), but despite his solid showings in Weeks 15 and 16, I’m not confident that he can be a reliable second quarterback. He imploded when he was with the Cowboys, and the same thing will happen once again if he has to play in the event of an Osweiler injury. This isn’t a terrible move by any means, but Houston should’ve been able to find a better No. 2 quarterback.

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Titans sign S Rashad Johnson (1 year, $2 million): A- Grade
I have a list of players I want to grade whose contracts haven’t been released yet. Some prominent names include Karlos Dansby, Vernon Davis and Geoff Schwartz. Rashad Johnson was also on this list, but his contract – one year, $2 million – has finally been reported despite the fact that he signed with the Titans a week ago. I’m not sure what takes so long, but here we are.

This deal is so cheap that I’m almost wondering if it’s an April Fools’ Joke. Rashad Johnson isn’t a great safety by any means, but he has been a solid player who has been decent in coverage. He’s also 30, which could explain why he didn’t obtain a sizable deal. However, he’s still a quality player who should’ve gotten more money. He’s a nice, temporary solution for the Titans, who have endured some major issues at safety over the past several seasons.

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Chiefs extend RB Charcandrick West (2 years, $3.6M; $2.35M guaranteed): A- Grade
It turns out that Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware received identical extensions. Both were handed 2-year, $3.6 million deals to stay on with Kansas City.

I awarded the Chiefs with a B+ for Ware, so this obviously needs be a bit higher because West is slightly better than Ware. West’s YPC wasn’t nearly as good as Ware’s (4.0), but unlike Ware, who had the luxury of ripping through the incompetent Chargers twice, West’s figures are weighed down by some tough, grindy matchups against the Bengals, Vikings and Broncos. West, who gained 4.4 YPC or better in three of his final four contests, also caught the ball well, logging 20 receptions in 2015.

I like that the Chiefs did this. Keeping West and Ware around cheaply is smart, as Jamaal Charles is coming off injury and enterting the twilight of his career.

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Patriots extend S Patrick Chung (1 year, $5.7 million): B Grade
Based on how poorly Patrick Chung played for the Eagles, it was almost surprising that he performed exceptionally well for the Patriots. Then again, it wasn’t the first time that a player thrived in Bill Belichick’s scheme and struggled elsewhere.

Chung was actually great for the Patriots in 2015, especially when it came to blanketing tight ends. He’s also just 28, so he won’t be declining in the next few years. This is a solid extension, but it’s not great enough to warrant a grade higher than a “B,” since Chung is more valuable to New England than any other team. Thus, I don’t think any other squad would’ve offered Chung $5.7 million or more for a single season.

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March 31 Updates

Bengals sign WR Brandon LaFell (1 year, $2.5M; $1M signing bonus): B- Grade
This NFL offseason has been a bizarre one. The Falcons signed former Bengals receiver Mohamed Sanu to a $32.5 million contract over five seasons. Cincinnati managed to replace him with Brandon LaFell, who was inked to a 1-year pact worth $2.5 million. That’s a huge disparity in the two deals, yet LaFell and Sanu are basically the same player. Crazy, right?

The one difference between LaFell and Sanu is age, with former being three years older. Otherwise, they’re the same. Both are sub-par No. 2 receivers who can’t separate. They both should be fourth wideouts on the depth chart, and unlike the Falcons, the receiver the Bengals signed will likely hold that position following the 2016 NFL Draft (I currently have Cincinnati selecting a wideout in my 2016 NFL Mock Draft.)

While Atlanta got a Millen grade for signing Sanu, the Bengals deserve a B- for this much more sensible deal. LaFell is still being paid a bit too much here, but this wasn’t a bad move at all.

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Patriots sign NT Terrance Knighton (1 year, $4.5 million): B Grade
I usually love 1-year “prove it” deals, but I only mildly like this one. That’s because Terrance Knighton is coming off a 1-year “prove it” contract with the Redskins in which he didn’t really prove anything.

Knighton wasn’t very good this past season. He was just OK in terms of stopping the run, and he offered very little as a pass-rusher. Turning 30 in July, Knighton doesn’t have much upside going forward, and he might never be the same again. However, there’s always a chance Knighton could rebound somewhat, and at just $4.5 million for 2016, he’s certainly worth a shot for a team that needed help on the defensive line.

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Chiefs extend RB Spencer Ware (2 years, $3.6M; $2.35M guaranteed): B+ Grade
The Chiefs have extended both of their primary backup running backs this morning. While the Charcandrick West figures are unavailable – outside of the term, which is three years – the Spencer Ware numbers are in, and they look pretty solid.

Ware was great in relief of West this past season. He rushed for 403 yards and six touchdowns on just 72 carries. That’s a YPC figure of 5.6, which is obviously amazing. Granted, this number is inflated because much of the yardage came against the woefully inept Chargers, but Ware seemed like he could be a capable No. 2 NFL runner as a worst-case scenario. Ware is just 24, so it’s smart of Kansas City to lock him up for a couple more seasons.

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March 30 Updates

Panthers sign CB Brandon Boykin (1 year, $840,000): A+ Grade
I’ve handed out six A+ grades for signings/re-signings this offseason prior to this one. This is the seventh, and it just might be the best of them all.

I can’t believe the deal the Panthers are getting. They could’ve paid Brandon Boykin eight times more than this, and it still would’ve been an acceptable amount. Boykin is one of the top nickel corners in the NFL. He’s also just 26 (in July), so he has a bright future ahead of him. He would’ve earned a much larger contract, but he barely played for the Steelers, who inexplicably mishandled him. Pittsburgh finally wizened up late in the year, and Boykin predictably thrived, just as he did for Philadelphia previously. This left many wondering – including one reader – why the Steelers didn’t have him on the field the entire season.

The Panthers were already one of the top teams in the NFL. One of their few weaknesses was secondary depth, so they’re much stronger in that regard now. And they didn’t really have to spend anything to make it that way.

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March 29 Updates

Saints sign DT Nick Fairley (1 year, $3 million): A+ Grade
The Saints had been enduring a miserable spring thus far, greatly overpaid for bad players like James Laurinaitis, Josh Hill and Coby Fleener. I had given them a Millen grade in my NFL Free Agent Team Grades page, but this signing moves them out of that territory.

This is an outstanding addition. Nick Fairley is extremely talented and would be playing for a much greater contract if teams weren’t concerns for his lethargy issues. It’s why Fairley had to sign a 1-year pact last offseason, and he happened to play extremely well for the Rams. It’s likely he’ll perform just as well for the Saints, given that he’ll once again be trying to prove that he’s worthy of a big contract. Fairley, who offers no downside here, fills a big hole for the Saints, who desperately needed an interior pass-rusher.

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March 28 Updates

Falcons sign OLB Courtney Upshaw (1 year, $1.25 million): B Grade
Courtney Upshaw was chosen with the 35th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, but has proven to be a disappointment thus far. Upshaw has offered very little as an edge rusher, recording only six sacks in his 4-year career.

However, Upshaw hasn’t been a complete bust, as he has excelled as a run-stopping specialist. That’s not something the Ravens wanted out of a high second-round selection, but given that the Falcons signed Upshaw to a contract worth only $1.25 million, they won’t be nearly as distraught when Upshaw notches only one or two sacks in 2016.

This is a decent signing. The Falcons were only in the middle of the pack last season in terms of stopping the run, so Upshaw can definitely offer some help in that department. At just $1.25 million, the price is definitely right.

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Buccaneers sign LB Daryl Smith (1 year, $2.5 million): B+ Grade
Daryl Smith was signed 11 days ago, but the contract details are finally available. It’s a 1-year deal worth $2.5 million, with all but $500,000 of it guaranteed.

I really like this move by the Buccaneers. Smith has been a very underrated linebacker for his entire career, being a major reason why the Jacksonville and Baltimore defenses usually performed on a high level when he was playing linebacker for them. Unfortunately, Smith, who just turned 34, declined last year and proved to be ineffective in most aspects.

There’s a chance Smith could have one solid year remaining in the tank, and if he does, it’ll be for his former defensive coordinator Mike Smith. Daryl Smith, being familiar with Tampa’s scheme, will fit right in and provide much-needed depth in a thin linebacking corps.

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Saints re-sign TE Josh Hill (3 years, $7.5M; $3.25M guaranteed): C- Grade
The Saints signed Nick Fairley today, but the financial terms aren’t available for that quite yet. What I can grade for New Orleans is the re-signing of Josh Hill, whose offer sheet from the Bears was matched on Friday.

I don’t get why the Saints matched the offer sheet. Even though $3.25 million guaranteed isn’t an absurd amount of NFL money in the grand scheme of things, it’s way too much for Hill, who was a disappointment last year. Expected to post big numbers in the wake of Jimmy Graham’s departure, Hill caught just 16 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Granted, Hill is a solid blocker, but blocking tight ends can be found anywhere. With that in mind, are those figures really worth $2.5 million annually and $3.25 million guaranteed?

I could maybe understand this signing if Hill was the best option at the position on the Saints’ roster, but the team signed Coby Fleener to a laughable amount earlier in free agency. It’s becoming quite evident that the New Orleans front office can’t appropriately determine the value of tight ends.

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Rams sign DE Quinton Coples (2 years, $6.5M; $750K guaranteed): B+ Grade
Quinton Coples is a talented, former first-round pick who has disappointed his entire career. I had concerns about his effort when he was coming out of North Carolina, and his lethargy has caused two teams to dump him thus far.

Will the third team be the charm? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean this is a bad signing of any sort. The overall value of this contract is $6.5 million, but only $750,000 of it is guaranteed, so Los Angeles can cut him without any sort of consequence. Much like the Jared Cook signing from earlier today, this deal is all upside. If Coples pans out, the Rams will have incredible pass-rushing depth. If not, then it doesn’t really matter.

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Packers sign TE Jared Cook (1 year, $3.65 million): A Grade
The Packers handle free agency exactly like all teams should. They avoid the early spending spree and watch in amusement as incompetent franchises like the Dolphins acquire overrated players at bloated prices. They then scoop up the remaining talent at bargain rates.

This is a great signing. Jared Cook is a gifted, athletic tight end, but has been a chronic underachiever in St. Louis. He failed to put forth the maximum amount of effort, stealing money from Stan Kroenke in the process. However, Cook will now be trying his hardest in an attempt to land another big contract. It’ll also help that Cook will be in a structured environment for the first time, and unlike in Tennessee and St. Louis, he’ll actually be catching passes from a professional quarterback.

As a result, Cook could have his best year yet, making this contract a huge steal. If Cook continues to struggle, it’s not like Green Bay is taking any sort of risk. This signing is all upside.

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March 25 Updates

Bengals re-sign OLB Vincent Rey (3 years, $10.5M; $3M guaranteed): C+ Grade
I somehow missed this re-signing when it happened two weeks ago, and it was pointed out to me on the NFL Free Agent Team Grades page, so here it is.

Vincent Rey struggled last year, so one might think that this is a big contract for him. However, he was playing out of position, as he was better at inside linebacker in the past; he wasn’t great, but he was a serviceable starter in the wake of injuries. Thus, I don’t think this is a bad deal, though I think the Bengals paid a bit more than they should have, given that Rey was coming off a rough campaign.

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Saints sign LB James Laurinaitis (3 years, $8.5M; $1.8M guaranteed): D Grade
E-mailer Felton S., a Saints fan who wanted to know the details of this deal for quite some time, joked that New Orleans kept this contract under wraps for so long that it was basically a state secret. Well, we can finally see why, as the numbers are relatively astronomical for a player who isn’t remotely good.

I don’t really understand why the Saints are paying Laurinaitis so much money. I mean, less than $3 million per year and $1.8 million guarantee may not seem like an overwhelming amount, but it is when factoring in how horrible of a player Laurinaitis has been over the past few years. He’s been one of the worst starting linebackers for quite some time. I wouldn’t have minded if some team brought him in as a reserve, but this is more than backup money. It’s almost like New Orleans hasn’t watched any tape on him recently. That, or its stop unit has been so bad that the team has forgotten what a good defensive player looks like.

I have the urge to give this a Millen, but the overall amount of this deal isn’t crippling. It’s way too much for Laurinaitis, but it won’t exactly kill the Saints down the road.

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March 24 Updates

Browns sign QB Robert Griffin (2 years, $15M; $6.75M guaranteed): C+ Grade
Backup quarterbacks typically get paid $3-$4 million per season, so the Browns are paying Robert Griffin more than that. Of course, he’s more than a simple backup, as he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

This contract is about as much annually as the deal Chase Daniel received from the Eagles, though with far less guaranteed. Then again, Griffin is much better than Daniel, as he has way more upside. Griffin can still turn his career around and become a solid starter, though that would require him to both stay healthy and put work into the film room, which he has avoided thus far. Shedding his horrible diva attitude and becoming a good teammate would also help matters.

I like this signing for the Browns, as it’s possible they can develop him and either use him as a starter or trade him. If Griffin fails, it won’t be a huge deal, as they’ve given him less than $7 million guaranteed.

Finally, it needs to be noted that this won’t preclude the Browns from selecting Carson Wentz (or Jared Goff) at No. 2 overall, which is what I have happening in my 2016 NFL Mock Draft. Griffin was brought in to be a backup – Josh McCown will be dealt soon – and the Browns even told Griffin that he may have to compete with a highly drafted rookie. Simply going with Griffin as the starter would be a huge mistake, considering what happened in Washington.

Update: Something Facebook friend Dave P. said made me think about this signing, and why it could backfire. He pointed out that Griffin was so horrible in Washington’s locker room that he could wreck whatever team chemistry Cleveland has, though that may not even exist considering the turnover this offseason. Still, Griffin’s poor attitude could adversely affect the team, especially if a young quarterback eventually wins the job. Also, I don’t like the report saying that Griffin will start. Automatically handing the job to a guy who hasn’t put any sort of effort into improving his game is a horrible mistake, as Jay Gruden learned last year. I’ve decided to drop this grade from a B+ to a C+.

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Colts sign CB Patrick Robinson (3 years, $12 million): B+ Grade
Have you ever had an experience where you feel like something’s so weird that it can’t possibly be real? Like walking on water, or watching the sun rise at midnight, or thinking Rosie O’Donnell is actually a pleasant person. No, I haven’t either – until now, at least. Grading this signing is as strange of an experience I’ve ever encountered.

I never thought I’d write this, but Ryan Grigson made a solid move in free agency. It’s not great – let’s not get carried away here; that could never happen – but this is a very logical signing. The Colts needed help at cornerback, and Robinson was one of the better ones available on the open market. Robinson has struggled at times in the past, but played well in 2015. Perhaps he’ll carry that over into Indianapolis – where he’ll be playing for a pretty fair price.

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March 23 Updates

Eagles sign WR Rueben Randle (1 year, $1M; $500K guarantee): A- Grade
Want to know how bad the wide receiver free-agent market was this offseason? Outside of the fact that Marvin Jones was the second-best player available to begin free agency, Rueben Randle was the top wideout remaining on the market heading into today – despite the fact that only four players ahead of him were unavailable!

Randle has been a sub-par No. 2 receiver for the Giants. He caught eight touchdowns in 2015, but hauled in just 57 balls overall for 797 yards. He’s the epitome of average, as he struggles to gain separation. Having said that, this is a very good deal, given that the Eagles are obtaining him for just $1 million. He’ll provide solid depth, thanks to his experience, and could even challenge Nelson Agholor as the second receiver on the roster. If he doesn’t work out, then Philadelphia didn’t risk anything, meaning this move has nothing but upside. Granted, the upside isn’t very high, but it’s still a quality signing nonetheless.

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Jets re-sign ILB Erin Henderson (2 years, $3.1 million): B Grade
The Jets lost Demario Davis this offseason, so seeing Erin Henderson move on as well would’ve hurt. It’s nice that they were able to retain him at such a small price.

Henderson is a strong, two-down run defender. He can’t start because he’s such a liability in coverage, but he provides solid depth. He’s definitely worth it at about $1.5 million annually.

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49ers sign G Zane Beadles (3 years, $11.75 million): D Grade
To be quite honest, I was expected a contract worth very little for Zane Beadles. Something along the lines of two years and $5 million. An agreement like that would’ve made sense. However, the 49ers are involved, so of course there’s a money stretch. Only they could make a mediocre lineman so expensive.

I’m giving this a “D” grade, though I have to say that the appeal of giving this a Millen (or a Baalke?) is calling me. But in terms of a Millen/Baalke grade, there won’t be none tonight. Zane showed very little in his time with Jacksonville, but had a bright moment here and there when he was with Denver. Maybe he can rebound, but I have my doubts. I also doubt that the 49ers played any sort of hardball with Beadles, frivolously handing him money like they do with all of the crappy players they obtain. This is exactly why San Francisco isn’t going anywhere.

By the way, bravo to you if you caught and understood all eight puns in this signing grade.

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March 22 Updates

Cowboys sign DE Benson Mayowa (3 years, $8.25 million): C- Grade
The Cowboys apparently know something the rest of us don’t. And “the rest of us” in this case includes the Raiders themselves, who decided not to match the offer sheet Dallas gave to Benson Mayowa.

This is a confusing move to say the least. Mayowa hasn’t seen much action in the pros, owning two career sacks. He played about a third of the Raiders’ defensive snaps this past season and didn’t look very good. He wasn’t horrible, but there wasn’t any indication that he would be paid close to $3 million per season.

I’m not going to give this a Millen or anything. The money is low, and there are too many unknowns. Plus, it could actually be true that the Cowboys know something that the rest of us don’t.

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Cowboys sign RB Alfred Morris (2 years, $3.5 million): A Grade
See, why do teams pay tons of money to running backs when they can just acquire solid ones for less than $2 million? It doesn’t make any sense. Sure, Doug Martin was much better than Alfred Morris in 2015, but that wasn’t the case the previous season, and given the volatility of the position, it’s quite possible that Morris could out-perform Martin next year (if/when Darren McFadden gets hurt), especially given how powerful Dallas’ offensive line is. I’m not saying it’ll happen for sure, but the potential for it is there.

With that in mind, this is an easy “A” grade. Morris is coming off a season in which he averaged just 3.72 yards per carry, but that was hardly his fault; the offensive line simply sustained too many injuries. Morris is just 27, so there’s definitely a decent chance that he’ll rebound and look like the running back who averaged 4.73 YPC in his first two seasons.

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March 21 Updates

49ers re-sign NT Ian Williams (1 year, $6 million): MILLEN / A- Grade
Oh, happy day, we get two grades in a single signing, one of which is a Millen. In this case, I think I’ll go with Trent Baalke is Such a Miserable Person That Millen Doesn’t Want to Touch Him with His Kielbasas Grade.

Why two polar-opposite grades? Well, the initial terms of this deal, which I’ve been trying to hunt down, were five years and $27.5 million. Williams is a talented run-stuffer, but his extensive injury history made those terms worthy of only a truly inept general manager like Baalke. Prior to 2015, Williams had played just 15 games in five years, thanks to various maladies, including a fractured leg in 2014. Giving Williams that much money was completely irresponsible.

As it turns out, the 49ers have lucked out. Williams failed his physical today – shocker – so the $27.5 million pact was downgraded to a 1-year deal worth as much as $6 million. This is obviously so much better for San Francisco, as it nullifies any sort of risk. If Williams can get healthy – his status is currently up in the air for Week 1 – then the 49ers will have a talented player on the defensive line at a very cheap price. If Williams can’t suit up, then it’s not any sort of a financial problem.

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Bills sign S Robert Blanton (1 year, $840K; $80K guaranteed): C+ Grade
It wasn’t the worst idea for the Bills to find some depth at safety this offseason after watching Bacarri Rambo struggle there this past year. It was definitely a position of weakness in the wake of Aaron Williams’ injury-plagued campaign in which he was on the field for just three games.

However, I’m not so sure that Blanton is an upgrade over Rambo. Though he was generally decent in run support, he struggled in coverage with the Vikings. The team, as a result, wanted to move on from him and find a new starting safety next to Harrison Smith. On the bright side, Blanton can at least play special teams pretty well.

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Browns sign S Rahim Moore (1 year, $1.85M; $400K guaranteed): A- Grade
The Browns have been criticized for having a terrible offseason in which they’ve lost countless players to the open market. However, it hasn’t been the current regime’s fault, as the players who left reportedly wouldn’t have played for Cleveland at any price, desiring to escape from the league’s least-successful franchise.

The team appears to have hit rock bottom, but this is a nice start toward rebuilding. Rahim Moore used to be an excellent player for the Broncos until he nearly lost his leg in 2013 due to llateral compartment syndrome. He hasn’t been the same player since – he was downright awful in Houston this past season – but at just 26, there’s still plenty of time for him to rebound. Perhaps he’ll do so in Cleveland, where a replacement for Tashaun Gipson was needed. There’s a chance Moore could play better and look like his former self, and if so, the Browns will have found a steal. If not, then they don’t really lose anything, so why not take a chance on Moore at a low price?

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Patriots sign RB Donald Brown (1 year, $965K; $300K guaranteed): C Grade
One of the few things the Patriots absolutely had to do this offseason was find some running back depth. Things got so bad last year that they were forced into signing Steven Jackson, who saw extensive action despite the fact that his only move was to fall forward for two yards each time. Donald Brown, despite being a huge first-round bust, is an obvious, major upgrade over Jackson.

Having said that, New England is still overpaying Brown, despite the low overall total. I’m looking at the guarantee, which is a lot for a contract like this. I don’t understand why Brown would command any sort of guarantee when he’s as below average as they come at the position. It’s obviously not an egregious amount, or this would be a much worse grade, but I don’t know why the Patriots felt the need to pay a guarantee to a running back who has averaged 3.9 YPC or worse in five of his seven NFL seasons.

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March 20 Updates

Patriots sign DE/OLB/ILB Shea McClellin (3 years, $9M; $3.5M guaranteed): BRACKETS AND BACKSIDES BUSTED VIA KIELBASA MILLEN Grade
I’ve been requested to do a grade for this signing by multiple people, as they’ve all cited how bad the terms were. The numbers weren’t available initially, so I couldn’t post a grade until now. Well, I just saw what this contract is worth, and I am absolutely shocked.

What the hell is this all about? Why in the world is Shea McClellin getting $3 million annually and $3.5 million guaranteed? I get that he’s a nice fit for the Patriots’ defense because of his versatility, and that Bill Belichick coveted McClellin when he was coming out of school, but the money here makes no sense.

Two things: First, McClellin has never played well throughout his pro career. He has been a major bust as a former first-round selection. The Bears were so disappointed with him that they moved him around to multiple positions, hoping that he would improve. He never did. And second, no team in its right mind would’ve given McClellin anything more than $1 million guaranteed. In fact, most teams probably wouldn’t have handed him any sort of guarantee. With that in mind, why are the Patriots giving him so much? It’s like they were bidding against themselves.

This is an obvious Millen grade. I can’t imagine how hard Bears fans are laughing right now. Granted, those laughs are mixed with tears because Jay Cutler is still their quarterback, but this is still the most fun they’ve had in a long time.

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March 19 Updates

Bengals re-sign DT Pat Sims (2 years, $2.3 million): B- Grade
This signing happened about a week ago, but contract terms have finally been announced. Pat Sims is set to earn a bit more than $1 million per season over this 2-year deal.

I have no issues with this transaction. It’s not a great re-signing, or anything, but it’s a somewhat decent move. Sims was a quality rotational lineman for the Bengals this past year, generating a nice pass rush on occasion. He turns 31 in November, so he should still be a serviceable player.

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March 18 Updates

Broncos sign OT Russell Okung (5 years, $53 million): A+ Grade
The Broncos were set on improving their left tackle spot this offseason after seeing Ryan Clady miss tons of action, including the entire 2015 campaign with a torn ACL. So, in response, Denver managed to sign… umm… another injury-prone tackle…? OK…?

I’m not sure I understand this thought process. Okung is two years younger and has been on the field more than Clady over the past three seasons, but he’s not a reliable player. Whereas Clady has missed 30 games since 2013, Okung has been out of the lineup for 13 contests in that span. That’s obviously better, but as Okung ages, his body could continue to break down as a result of all of his injuries, prompting him to miss more time.

I will say that the upside can’t be ignored. Okung is extremely talented, so if he stays healthy, Denver will have an elite left tackle on its roster for a price that makes sense. On the flip side, however, Okung could continue to miss action, and the Broncos, as a result, might be looking for another blind-side protector in the near future.

Update: Further contract details have come in, and it’s become apparent that this “5-year contract” is really a 1-year pact worth $5 million with a team option for four years at $12 million per. I initially gave this a “C,” but I’m willing to upgrade it for an A-. Obtaining a talented tackle like Okung for just one season and $5 million is definitely worth it, and there’s no risk involved if these new details happen to be true.

Another update: Adam Schefter is reporting that Okung’s contract contains absolutely no guaranteed money. This obviously has to shift the grade up to an A+. I can’t recall a talented player like Okung ever taking a long-term deal with no guarantees. That’s unheard of. The Broncos are getting a crazy deal.

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Buccaneers re-sign S Chris Conte (1 years, $3 million): B+ Grade
Chris Conte was so downright awful for the Bears that he was effectively exiled from the city of Chicago. I can’t say for certain, but I’m willing to bet that the Buccaneers will need to obtain a special permit when they play the Bears on the road that will allow Conte to enter the city temporarily. I’m kidding, of course, but I was just illustrating how much Chicago fans grew tired of Conte’s ineptitude during the four years he played there.

However, something unexpected happened: Conte improved this past season, inexplicably performing admirably for his new team. In fact, he was Tampa’s best defensive back, though that’s not saying much. Re-signing him would’ve been tricky though, as 2015 could have been a fluke. The Buccaneers apparently thought the same thing, as they inked Conte to just a 1-year deal worth a fair $3 million. This is a solid move; Tampa Bay is bringing back a defensive back who played well (a rarity for them) without taking any sort of risk.

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Packers re-sign RB James Starks (2 years, $6 million): B+ Grade
It’s a bit surprising that James Starks couldn’t find a better offer on the open market, especially considering all of the bizarre contracts handed out to running backs this offseason. However, Starks reportedly was talking to the Dolphins, so maybe he is taking a worse deal to be in a better situation. Starks, after all, will be able to play for a winner and perhaps even start if Eddie Lacy continues to have weight issues.

This is a quality re-signing by Green Bay. Starks is a solid talent who happens to be one of the better No. 2 running backs in the NFL right now. He turned 30 this offseason, but with just 555 career carries under his belt, Starks could be someone like Fred Jackson who could perform decently into his 30s.

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March 17 Updates

Jaguars sign OT Kelvin Beachum (5 years, $40 million): A- Grade
Five years and $40 million for a tackle coming off an ACL tear? Are the Jaguars insane? You might think so, based on the overall value of this contract. However, NFL deals can often be very deceiving, and that’s the case here.

This pact is actually a 1-year agreement worth $4.5 million, and the rest of it is a 4-year, $35.5 million team option. So, with that in mind, this is a great move by the Jaguars. In order to finally make a playoff push, they’ll need to provide Blake Bortles with adequate protection, which Luke Joeckel hasn’t been capable of producing. Kelvin Beachum, if healthy, should be a big upgrade. If he plays well, the Jaguars simply can exercise the option. If not, then they didn’t really lose anything.

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Cowboys re-sign RB Lance Dunbar (1 year, $1.75 million): B Grade
The Cowboys really missed Lance Dunbar when he sustained a torn ACL in Week 4 of 2015. Then again, that might have been because so many other key players were injured. Dunbar was a key part of the passing attack through three games though, catching 21 passes for 215 receiving yards.

It remains to be seen if Dunbar will be ready for the start of the 2016 campaign, but the Cowboys aren’t risking anything with this deal. The upside is definitely worth it, as Tony Romo will love having a possibly healthy Dunbar around as a safety valve again.

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Steelers re-sign G Ramon Foster (3 years, $9.6M; $2.75M guaranteed): A Grade
Pittsburgh usually doesn’t do very much in free agency, which is a good thing, as the incompetent teams tend to overspend on the open market. However, the Steelers seem to make it count whenever they do something, like signing Ladarius Green. Here, they managed to keep their top free agent at an unbelievable price.

I can’t believe Pittsburgh was able to re-sign Ramon Foster to a deal worth slightly more than $3 million per season. Foster was the sixth-ranked guard on my list, and the player slotted right ahead of him, Richie Incognito, received about $15 million over three years. I graded that as a B+ for the Bills, so this is an easy “A” for Pittsburgh. Foster, who was terrific last season, should continue to play well, as he’s only 30.

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Eagles sign WR Chris Givens (1 year, $840,000): B+ Grade
Chris Givens seemed like he had a bright future following his 2012 rookie campaign. He caught 42 passes for 698 yards and three touchdowns, and he was also a factor in the return game. Flash forward four years later, and Givens has bounced around lately, as his numbers have regressed almost every season. He was down to 20 receptions for 353 yards in 2015. So, will this trend continue? If so, why did the Eagles sign Givens?

Well, there is some cause for optimism here. Givens did his best work with Sam Bradford as his quarterback – 2012 was one of Bradford’s two full seasons – so it’s a good thing that the two are reunited. Of course, Bradford could easily sustain yet another injury, rendering this moot, but at less than $1 million, who cares? Givens also gives the Eagles’ receiving corps some much-needed speed.

It’s possible that Givens won’t even make the final roster. However, the Eagles needed receiving depth, so obtaining a cheap option who has familiarity with the starting quarterback makes a lot of sense.

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Dolphins sign OT/G Jermon Bushrod (1 year, $1.5 million): A- Grade
The Dolphins are getting quite the discount for Jermon Bushrod. The tackle signed a 5-year, $36 million contract with the Bears three offseasons ago, prompting me to give out a Z- grade. The acquisition was so ridiculous that even Matt Millen scoffed at it.

Bushrod is so much better at this price. He struggled in 2015, leading to his benching, but he has played somewhat well at times in the past. He’ll turn 32 in August, so he might not be able to turn his career around, but then again, a positional switch might help. The Dolphins are fine at tackle, but need major assistance at guard. Bushrod has told the media that he’ll compete for a starting guard spot, so there’s a chance this signing could really work out. If not, the Dolphins aren’t risking anything.

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Bears sign DE/DT Akiem Hicks (2 years, $10M; $5M guaranteed): B Grade
Outside of Eddie Goldman, the Bears didn’t have any sort of quality play from their defensive line this past season. That obviously had to change, which is why I had them addressing the area in the second round of my 2016 NFL Mock Draft. That’s still a possibility, as Hicks should be a rotational lineman, but Chicago at least has some sort of solution.

Hicks played well for the Patriots this past season, as he wasn’t a liability in any area. He’s much better than anyone Chicago had up front this past season, excluding Goldman, and the front office added him for a pretty reasonable price. This is a solid signing that’s definitely worth a “B” grade.

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Vikings sign OT Andre Smith (1 year, $3.5 million): A+ Grade
The dichotomy between the good and bad teams in the NFL is startling, and it’s very evident why there’s such a difference between the have and the have-nots based on the two signings today. Whereas the inept 49ers added a bad lineman to a 3-year contract worth almost $12 million, the Vikings, a franchise that has been on the rise, inked a much better player to a smaller deal.

Like Beadles, Smith struggled last year, but he has a much greater history of high-level play. Just 29, Smith is unlikely to be finished, so he’s definitely a candidate to rebound. The Vikings are taking absolutely no risk with this high-reward signing – only $1 million of it is guaranteed – making this a very easy “A” grade.

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49ers sign G Zane Beadles (3 years, $11.75 million): D Grade
When a high-priced player sucks and is consequently released by a bad team like the Jaguars, they usually have to sign a 1-year “prove it” deal to rehabilitate their stock. That’s what I thought Zane Beadles would have to do, but the 49ers apparently don’t believe in such trivial things as 1-year “prove it” deals. Then again, Trent Baalke was probably too busy asking his magic mirror who the fairest GM of them all is to actually watch tape on Beadles.

This is just too much money for Beadles. He was atrocious this past season, so he doesn’t project as a sure upgrade of any sort on the interior of the offensive line. The silver lining though is that Beadles had some bright moments in the past, so perhaps he can rekindle those in his new home. He probably won’t, but that just means he’ll fit right in with the rest of the terrible 49er players.

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March 16 Updates

Patriots sign DE Chris Long (1 year, $2 million): A Grade
I just graded Miami for signing Andre Branch, so it’s only fitting that this is coming up next. As it turns out, the Patriots added a superior player at the same position for less money. If that doesn’t epitomize how this AFC East rivalry has gone since 2001, I don’t know what does.

Unlike Branch, who can only be on the field for obvious passing situations, Chris Long is an every-down player. He used to be a terrific defensive end, actually, but numerous injuries have derailed his past couple of seasons. He played in just six games in 2014 and then was hobbled with a knee issue this past year. However, Long, who turns 31 later this month, might be able to bounce back and put together some quality campaigns. And if not? Well, it’s not like the Patriots are risking much by bringing him in for just $2 million.

I like this move a lot for the Patriots. In case you haven’t noticed, I love 1-year “prove it” deals, and this is a clear-cut example of one. Long is a talented player who will be trying his hardest to receive one last big pay day before he retires, so New England will be getting him at his best – provided he is capable of playing.

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Dolphins sign DE Andre Branch (1 year, $3 million): C Grade
The good news is the Dolphins didn’t add another defensive end who gets discounted tickets at the movie theater. The bad news is the Dolphins added another defensive end who isn’t very good.

Because he’s a liability in run support, Andre Branch is just a situational pass-rusher on obvious passing downs, and he’s not a very good one. Branch recorded just four sacks in 2015, being pretty ineffective in the process. His career-high total is six, which he achieved in 2013.

With that in mind, this is an overpay. Branch isn’t worth $3 million in a season, especially if it’s fully guaranteed. This isn’t egregious enough to warrant a Millen or anything, but Miami’s entire offseason has been Millen-esque thus far.

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Patriots acquire TE Martellus Bennett, 6th-round pick from Bears for 4th-round pick
New England fans made it a point to remind me that their team was going to be searching for a tight end after I failed to slot one to the Patriots in my 2016 NFL Mock Draft. I didn’t have that happening out of circumstance; New England’s need for a tight end was definitely apparent, as the mediocre Scott Chandler’s contract had expired.

Martellus Bennett is definitely an upgrade over Chandler, and he’ll provide some terrific insurance for Rob Gronkowski, who has dealt with his fair share of injuries. Bennett is surprisingly young for how long he has apparently been around; he just celebrated his 29th birthday, so it’s not like he’s in decline, or anything. Bennett did catch 90 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns just two years ago, after all. His numbers dropped in 2015 (53-439-3), but he played just 11 games. Bennett also lost his job to Zach Miller after he clashed with the coaching staff. Bennett simply needed a fresh start, and I’m sure the Patriots will be able to utilize his talents. Thus, I like this move for New England. Moving back about 50 selections on Day 3 is well worth it.

As for the Bears, it was widely known that they wanted to jettison Bennett. There was some doubt, at least according to the Chicago Tribune, that they would even be able to trade Bennett, so I like that they actually obtained something for him. Moving from the middle of the sixth round to the bottom of the fourth isn’t bad, as it’ll allow Chicago to perhaps add an additional starter for the near future.

This might seem boring, but I’m giving high grades to both the Bears and Patriots. It’s a nice trade that makes sense for the two teams.

Grade for Patriots – A-
Grade for Bears – A-

Comment on the other free agent signings below.

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Broncos sign OT Donald Stephenson (3 years, $14 million): D Grade
The Broncos are having a pretty rough offseason. They lost both of their quarterbacks (though one was old and decrepit), and they watched some of their talented players leave via free agency. Making matters worse, the reinforcements Denver brought in aren’t very good. John Elway traded for Mark Sanchez, who has embarrassed himself quite enough in the NFL. He also signed Donald Stephenson, a move that isn’t any better.

Stephenson isn’t lacking in playing-time experience, as he was on the field quite a bit for the Chiefs. Too often, in fact. Stephenson has struggled for the most part. In fact, the one part of his career in which he didn’t disappoint was when he didn’t even play; he was popped for a four-game suspension because of PEDs in 2014.

With that in mind, it’s extremely puzzling as to why the Broncos are paying Stephenson $14 million over three years. He’s an OK backup, but can’t possibly start. By comparison, a solid left tackle in Donald Penn received the same amount over just two seasons.

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Raiders re-sign OT Donald Penn (2 years, $14 million): A Grade
Earlier in the offseason, Donald Penn told the media that he wanted to remain a Raider, but that he wouldn’t give the team a “hometown discount.” I suppose he changed his mind because it seems as though Penn should’ve earned more on the open market. I mean, sure, he’ll be 33 in March, but he still should have a couple of decent seasons remaining.

Penn has motivational issues in his past, but he has grown out of those. He served as a stout blind-side protector for Derek Carr over the past couple of years, so losing him would’ve hurt. Kelechi Osemele, who was signed to big money, could’ve played left tackle, but he’s much better stationed in the interior.

Keeping Penn allows the Raiders to maintain one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. That will be one of the main reasons they’ll be making a serious playoff push in 2016. As a result, this signing deserves an easy “A” grade, as Oakland is retaining a key player at a relatively cheap price.

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Cardinals sign G Evan Mathis (1 years, $6 million): A+ Grade
Think the Cardinals are going all-in for a Super Bowl run this year? One day after trading for stellar pass-rusher Chandler Jones, Arizona managed to ink the top-available interior lineman on the market to shore up one of the few holes on its roster.

This is an outstanding signing, and I have no problem giving it an A+. Evan Mathis is one of the better guards in the NFL. He had a rough start in 2015 because of an injury, but he was terrific down the stretch and was instrumental in the Broncos winning the Super Bowl. Mathis turns 35 in November, so he is the process of declining. However, he’s still great, and there’s no doubt that he’ll be a huge upgrade. This is very important, as Carson Palmer isn’t the most durable quarterback in the NFL, as we’ve seen from his injuries over the past couple of seasons.

If Mathis keeps Palmer healthy, this will go down as one of the best signings of this offseason, and given that the Cardinals signed him to a 1-year deal, there’s no risk. This is the type of move that could put Arizona over the top.

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Jets sign NT Steve McLendon (3 years, $12 million): C+ Grade
The Jets had a huge hole in the middle of their defensive line when Damon “Snacks” Harrison departed via free agency and signed with the Giants. Harrison, after all, was one of the primary reasons they were one of the best teams in terms of stuffing the run. Their replacement for Harrison will be former Steeler Steve McLendon.

McLendon is an obvious downgrade. There’s no doubt about that. While Harrison was one of the top nose tackles in the NFL, McLendon has been just a mediocre player at his position. The Steelers didn’t even want him anymore, and they have some glaring defensive issues of their own.

With that in mind, this is an overpay, but I won’t grade the Jets too harshly though because their options were limited. In the wake of B.J. Raji’s retirement, the only other legitimate nose tackle out there was Terrance Knighton. The draft is a possibility, but if the Jets want to go quarterback at No. 20 – as I have happening in my 2016 NFL Mock Draft – there’s no telling who would’ve been available in Round 2 and beyond.

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Titans sign ILB Sean Spence (1 year, $2.5 million): C+ Grade
Sean Spence has yet to live up to his third-round billing. He was chosen in that frame back in 2012, but couldn’t even take the field until 2014 because of injuries. He was just mediocre by then, and continued to play that way this past season. Spence wasn’t bad in coverage, but was abused against the run – which was expected of him when coming out of college.

Spence is a bit overpaid here, as he could’ve been obtained for less. As a positive though, Spence will be reunited with his former defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau, so there won’t be any sort of transition period.

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Browns sign ILB Demario Davis (2 years, $8 million): B Grade
The Browns have been crucified for not doing anything in free agency, but I don’t think it’s been the worst thing. Sure, some talented players have left, but Cleveland will be getting tons of quality compensatory picks in return (which can be traded in the future), and building through the draft has been proven to be more effective than doing so via the free-agent market.

This is Cleveland’s first signing, and it’s a solid one. It’s very similar to Philadelphia’s acquisition of Nigel Bradham. Like Bradham, Demario Davis struggled in 2015, but played well beforehand. Thus, the Browns are buying low, which is always a great strategy. The only difference is that Bradham will be playing under a familiar coach again, so he’s more likely to have a rebound campaign than Davis. Still, this is a quality move.

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Eagles sign OLB Nigel Bradham (2 years, $7 million): B+ Grade
Nigel Bradham didn’t play very well last year. He was a huge liability in run support and was only mediocre when in coverage. However, there was a reason for this, as Bradham simply didn’t take to Rex Ryan’s defense. Bradham was much better the prior season when he was playing under Jim Schwartz, who will be his defensive coordinator once again in Philadelphia.

I like this signing quite a bit. The Eagles are buying low on Bradham, who would’ve commanded a much greater contract had he been available following the 2014 campaign. Bradham figures to rebound this upcoming season, and he’ll be doing so at a very cheap price.

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Rams sign CB Coty Sensabaugh (3 years, $19 million): D Grade
I have some signings to catch up on, such as this one. I would’ve gotten to these earlier, but the contract details weren’t available at the time. Facebook friend Adam P. wrote the following before I saw the terms: “I’m starting to fear the Rams are going to receive a Millen for the Sensabaugh signing.”

Well, this isn’t a Millen, but it’s a pretty poor grade. Sensabaugh struggled last year, so I’m not sure why the Rams felt as though they needed to pay him more than $6 million per season. Something along the lines of a 3-year, $9 million pact would’ve made so much more sense for a nickel who was poor in coverage this past season.

However, if you’re one of the five Ram fans out there, don’t be too discouraged. Sensabaugh has played well at times in the past, so there’s a chance he could be a somewhat decent player on his new team. A somewhat decent, overpaid player, but a possible OK contributor nonetheless. Then again, he could suck again like he did in 2015, which is why it’s so confusing as to why Los Angeles paid him so much.

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March 15 Updates

Redskins sign S David Bruton (3 years, $9 million): B+ Grade
David Bruton was stuck behind a pair of talented safeties in Denver, but he still got to play a fair amount as a reserve. He performed pretty well, but wasn’t on the field enough to command any sort of moderately sized contract. Thus, he had to settle for a 3-year, $9 million deal with the Redskins.

This is a solid move for Washington. Unlike the Broncos, the Redskins had a miserable safety situation. It was so bad that they had to move DeAngelo Hall there, and he was the top safety on the roster despite struggling. Bruton should be able to start right away, making this signing a solid bargain. Washington won’t be getting a Pro Bowler or anything, but he’s a decent, temporary solution until the team finds a long-term answer.

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Redskins re-sign DE/OLB Junior Galette (1 year, $4 million): C- Grade
This would be an easy A+ grade if it were based on talent alone. Junior Galette is a ferocious edge rusher who recorded 22 combined sacks in 2013 and 2014. One of the reasons he’s available so cheaply is because he’s coming off a torn Achilles that caused him to miss all of 2015. There’s a chance Galette could regress as a result, but at one year and $4 million, the Redskins aren’t taking any sort of financial risk. I’m not sure you’re aware, but I love 1-year “prove it” deals. Galette will be trying his hardest for a new deal, so getting a talented player at his best and cheapest is quite appealing.

However, the other reason Galette was available so cheaply was his off-the-field situation. Galette, of course, was taped attacking women on a beach, prompting his release from New Orleans. Also, it’s known that Galette is a pretty horrible person to have in the locker room. He had a huge, negative impact on the Saints, and he could cause a similar divide in the Washington locker room.

I don’t think Galette is worth the trouble, and I wouldn’t have re-signed him. However, I do see the upside, so I think a C- is a pretty fair grade.

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Dolphins re-sign QB Matt Moore (2 years, $3.5 million): A- Grade
For perhaps the final time this offseason, I’ll mention that the going rate for most backup quarterbacks is $3-$4 million per season. Matt Moore was one of the better No. 2 signal-callers available in free agency, so the Dolphins are getting him on a great deal. It’s puzzling as to why Moore wasn’t paid a larger sum in free agency. Perhaps it’s because he turns 32 in August. That’s my best guess. Either way, Miami is getting quite the bargain by retaining Moore.

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Seahawks sign OT J’Marcus Webb (2 years, $6M; $2.45M guaranteed): D Grade
When this contract was announced, I happened to see a hilarious reaction on Twitter: “Is this real life right now?” It really doesn’t feel like it. J’Marcus Webb getting $3 million per season, with $2.45 million of it guaranteed, is like something out of a strange parallel universe.

Webb, to be brutally honest, is pretty awful. He struggled with the Bears and Vikings earlier in his career and then was out of the league in 2014. He signed with Oakland last year and struggled when he was on the field. The Seahawks could’ve signed him to the veteran minimum, so I’m utterly confused as to why they’re paying him any guaranteed money. It’s almost like general manager John Schneider lost a bet and had to pay an absurd amount of money to some crappy free agent.

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Steelers sign OT Ryan Harris (2 years, $3.9 million): C+ Grade
The Steelers were evidently in the Russell Okung sweepstakes, but they’ve reportedly dropped out in the wake of signing Ryan Harris, which is pretty confusing. Harris was brought on to be a reserve, so why would he have an impact on any effort to sign Okung?

If this is true, Pittsburgh will go into the season with Alejandro Villanueva as the starting left tackle, which sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Villanueva struggled in relief of Kelvin Beachum last year, while Harris was even worse when shielding Peyton Manning’s blind side. The two will struggle to block for Ben Roethlisberger, who has to be praying that his front office will use an early draft choice on a tackle.

As for this signing itself, it’s not terrible. Harris has plenty of experience, so he could provide somewhat decent depth. There were better or cheaper options out there, but Pittsburgh could’ve done worse than Harris at less than $2 million per season.

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Broncos re-sign RB C.J. Anderson (4 years, $18 million): A- / F Grade
One of the best things my dad taught me is that it seldom pays off to be cheap. “You always f*** yourself or someone in the end,” he said. And he didn’t mean that in the good way. John Elway’s father apparently didn’t teach him the same lesson, and that’s the reason this transaction comes with two grades.

For re-signing C.J. Anderson alone, it’s an A-, which is what I gave to the Dolphins for giving him this exact offer sheet. With Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler gone, the Broncos will have to rely on their running game more than ever. Anderson has proven to be a talented runner who gets stronger as the years progresses, and compared to all of the other contracts the top running backs received this offseason, the Broncos are getting great value…

…Or are they? That brings me to my second grade, which is an “F” for Elway’s decision-making. When Elway tendered Anderson at the lowest level, that raised some eyebrows. Of course someone was going to bid on Anderson if they didn’t have to surrender any sort of compensation. Elway could’ve avoided all of this by tendering Anderson on a second-round level. By doing so, he would be paying Anderson just $2.5 million in 2016. And if he didn’t want to match, he would’ve received a second-round choice in return. Why Elway failed to apply a higher tender to Anderson is beyond me. In the end, he basically f***ed himself. And not in a good way.

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Cardinals acquire DE Chandler Jones from Patriots for G Jonathan Cooper, 2nd-round pick
Wow, this came out of nowhere. It was never even reported that Chandler Jones was on the market, yet the Cardinals managed to acquire him this afternoon. The public reaction to this is that Arizona won this trade in a landslide. Is that really the case?

Well, there’s no doubt that Arizona got a hell of a deal. Chandler Jones is one of the better edge rushers in the NFL. The Patriots apparently thought that he would be too expensive to keep as an impending free agent following 2016, which would explain why they dealt him. The Cardinals, who desperately needed someone who could apply heavy pressure on the quarterback from the exterior, are greatly benefiting. They are in a position to win now, so why not spend a second-round choice on someone who could put them over the top? Jones is better than anything Arizona could have obtained at the end of the second round, and Jones just turned 26 anyway, so he could continue to improve.

As for the Patriots, this looks like a terrible deal on the surface. They probably won’t be able to properly replace Jones with Arizona’s second-round selection, so their pass rush will be weaker as a result. Jonathan Cooper gives them some hope to fix the offensive line, but he has been a huge bust thus far. Bill Belichick evidently liked Cooper coming out of North Carolina, but so did most teams. Cooper is lazy and just doesn’t care about improving. Perhaps that’ll change in his new home, but Patriot fans shouldn’t hold their breath.

Having said that, this isn’t nearly as bad of a trade for New England as the atrocious Logan Mankins-Tim Wright swap of a couple of years ago. I already mentioned that the Patriots were fearful they wouldn’t be able to retain Jones after 2016. With that in mind, New England is effectively trading a 2018 third-round selection (compensatory pick for Jones leaving) for a 2016 second-rounder and Cooper. That’s not a bad deal, but at what cost? If Jones is the difference between the Patriots winning the Super Bowl this year and not, then they shouldn’t have done the deal.

Grade for Cardinals – A
Grade for Patriots – C

Comment on the other free agent signings below.

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Ravens sign WR Mike Wallace (2 years, $11.5 million): C Grade
It’s astonishing how far Mike Wallace has fallen. Once seen as one of the better receivers in the NFL when he was a Steeler, Wallace was banished from Miami and then went on to struggle with the Vikings. Lesson learned: If paired with a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback, don’t take the money and run to a lesser franchise with a worse signal-caller.

It’s unknown how much Wallace has left. He used to burn defensive backs with his great speed, but given that he’s turning 30 in August, he won’t be able to rely on that attribute as much anymore. We’ll certainly find out early, as the big-armed Joe Flacco will undoubtedly launch some deep shots toward Wallace downfield. Wallace has been extremely inefficient when catching those sorts of passes recently, but he hasn’t exactly been paired with the greatest downfield throwers.

It should be noted that the Ravens are at risk here. The contract isn’t a big deal, but Wallace’s attitude is. Wallace quit on the Dolphins, and there’s a reason the Vikings didn’t want him back. He’s a bad guy to have in the locker room, so he could damage Baltimore in that regard. It’s also possible that he could turn his career around with a solid season, but that’s not as likely.

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Vikings re-sign CB Terence Newman (1 year, $3 million): B+ Grade
Terence Newman seems like he’s a billion years old, doesn’t he? He’s been in the league forever, yet he’s still going strong. He’ll be back with the Vikings for at least one more year, as he signed a $3 million contract Tuesday afternoon.

Newman is actually 38 (come September), so it’s amazing that he’s still performing on a somewhat high level. He’s obviously not as talented as he used to be, but he’s been effective for the Vikings in Mike Zimmer’s scheme. He’ll regress one of these years, but Minnesota isn’t taking any sort of risk with this deal.

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Eagles sign CB Nolan Carroll (1 year, $2.36 million): B+ Grade
Nolan Carroll was the best cornerback on Philadelphia’s roster last year, but that’s sort of like saying Rosie O’Donnell is the most attractive woman in a room when standing next to females who are somehow more hideous. Ehh… maybe I should think about something else while eating breakfast.

Carroll isn’t a great player by any means, but he’s somewhat solid. He’s fine in coverage, but struggles to tackle. Still, beggars can’t be choosers, and Philadelphia is definitely the former at the moment when it comes to the cornerback position. Besides, retaining Carroll at a cheap price like this is a quality move.

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March 14 Updates

Panthers sign DT Paul Soliai (2 years, $7 million): B Grade
The Falcons cut Paul Soliai two seasons after he signed a 5-year, $32 million contract. Soliai wasn’t terrible, but he definitely regressed from the strong starter he once was.

Having said that, Soliai is definitely worth a shot at two years and $7 million. He can still stuff the run pretty well, and Carolina needed depth at defensive tackle, especially considering that Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei have expiring contracts in the near future. Plus, taking a player from a rival is never a bad idea.

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Bears re-sign TE Zach Miller (2 years, $6 million): A Grade
The tight end market was crazy earlier in free agency. Coby Fleener signed a 5-year, $36 million contract, while Dwayne Allen was given a 4-year, $29.4 million pact. Even Marcedes Lewis was overpaid at three years and $12 million, and all he can do at this stage of his career is block. It’s been inexplicable how much these mediocre players have been overpaid, but based on this signing, it appears as though things are going back to normal, proving once again that waiting is the key to finding great bargains in free agency.

This is a terrific deal. Zach Miller proved to be a great weapon for Jay Cutler down the stretch this past season, catching 34 balls for 439 yards and five touchdowns despite barely doing anything prior to Week 9. Miller grew stronger as the year progressed, logging 18 receptions in his final three contests. I thought he would get a much bigger deal, especially after seeing what his peers were paid, but Chicago is retaining him for an incredible bargain. The one downside with Miller is that he’ll turn 32 in October, but the Bears aren’t taking any sort of risk with this move.

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Bengals re-sign CB Pacman Jones (3 years, $20 million): B+ Grade
This transaction occurred on the first day of free agency, but I wasn’t able to find contract details until now. Thanks to Facebook friend Jason B. for providing those to me.

There were plenty of rumors going around that said Pacman Jones would sign with the Dolphins, as he had a relationship on the coaching staff with that team. I was fearful that Miami was going to offer Jones lots of money, which would’ve been a huge mistake because of his age, even though he was the sixth-best cornerback on the market. Jones turns 33 in September, so despite the fact that he was great last year, he could suddenly regress.

The Bengals managed to keep Jones with a 3-year, $20 million contract, which may sound like a lot for a soon-to-be 33-year-old, until you look at some of the other contracts to cornerbacks that were handed out this offseason. Jones is a bargain in comparison, and he still may have one or two very strong seasons left in the tank. The Bengals are thrilled to have him back, and they should be. I’m giving this a solid B+, as it should help Cincinnati stay atop the division.

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Titans sign QB Matt Cassel (1 year, $2 million): HAPPY KIELBASA IN THE PI HOLE DAY Grade
I promised I would grade this signing as soon as the contract details were released. Well, they are, and they’re not pretty. This signing has earned a Millen grade – perhaps the final one of the regular free-agent signing period.

I’ve said that the going rate for No. 2 quarterbacks is $3-$4 million per year. Matt Cassel was signed for $2 million, which is a problem because he’s not the No. 2. Zach Mettenberger is. Cassel will be the third signal-caller on the depth chart, and players who hold that role typically get signed for $750,000 to $1.2 million per season. Jimmy Clausen and Thad Lewis recently signed in that range, for example.

There’s no reason Cassel should’ve been paid more than $1 million to play in 2016. In fact, it’s puzzling why he was signed at all. Cassel was atrocious for the Cowboys last year, and at 34, he offers absolutely no upside. I’d rather have my third quarterback be someone who could be developed into something, even if it’s just a No. 2. Cassel has no future in the NFL, so why waste $2 million on him?

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Jaguars sign CB Prince Amukamara (1 year, $5M; $3M guaranteed): A Grade
I love 1-year “prove it” contracts because teams often get great value with talented players at very little risk. More importantly, the players under these “prove it” deals often try their hardest because they’re seeking a more-lucrative contract the following offseason.

The Jaguars will definitely be getting Prince Amukamara at his best. Amukamara had to sign a short-term deal because of his extensive injury history. He has missed 25 games in his 5-year career, including 13 in the past two seasons. He’s great when he’s on the field – I had him slotted as the eighth-best free agent cornerback – but he has proven to be unreliable thus far. That could continue to be the case, but Jacksonville isn’t taking any sort of risk, making this a great signing.

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49ers re-sign K Phil Dawson (1 year, $3.14 million): B+ Grade
Phil Dawson signed for the value of Pi, and his contract details were released on Pi Day. Coincidence? Or Illuminati confirmed?

Conspiracy theories aside, Dawson, despite being 41, is still one of the better kickers in the NFL. He drilled 24-of-27 attempts in 2015, including 20-of-21 extra points. Having a talented kicker is very important now in the wake of the NFL’s new asinine rules, so Dawson will definitely prove to be worth this value. This is provided he doesn’t regress because of age, but Adam Vinatieri is two years older, and he’s still going strong.

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Ravens sign S Eric Weddle (4 years, $26M; $13M guaranteed): B Grade
The Ravens were/are desperate for defensive back help, and they really wanted to draft Jalen Ramsey with the sixth-overall pick. However, that’s looking extremely unlikely now, as Jalen Ramsey is now the favorite to be the Titans No. 1 pick. Thus, Baltimore had to make a move in free agency.

Eric Weddle was the top free agent available as of this signing, and the Ravens aren’t paying him an egregious amount, so this should be an automatic “B” or higher. I’m going to stick with that exact grade, as this might be a slight overpay based on past production. Weddle has been a great safety for years, but declined a bit in 2015. Is that a sign of things to come? Weddle is 31, after all.

Even still, Weddle will be a big upgrade over what Baltimore had at safety last season, and he’ll be a great leader on and off the field. Besides, Weddle is talented enough to rebound, so I think he can enjoy about two more Pro Bowl-caliber years.

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March 13 Updates

Chargers sign CB Casey Hayward (3 years, $15.3M; $6.8M guaranteed): A+ Grade
I can’t believe this deal. The Chargers are getting an absolute steal. I mean, just take a look at some of the other contracts given to cornerbacks this offseason:

Raiders sign CB Sean Smith (4 years, $40M; $20M guaranteed)
Seahawks re-sign CB Jeremy Lane (4 year, $23M; $11M guaranteed)
Buccaneers sign CB Brent Grimes (2 years, $16.5 million)

Casey Hayward and Smith are about even, yet the former is getting much less. He’s also far superior when compared to Lane and Grimes, yet will also be set to earn less than them. I don’t get it.

Hayward has some tackling issues, but in terms of pure coverage, he’s excellent. It’s inexplicable that he didn’t receive a greater offer, and San Diego is getting away with robbery here. This is my second A+ of this offseason in terms of signings alone (Charles Johnson to Carolina being the other), and the high grade is well deserved. Great job, Chargers.

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Rams re-sign DE Eugene Sims (3 years, $10M; $3.5M guaranteed): C+ Grade
I had the Rams selecting two defensive ends in this past week’s 2016 NFL Mock Draft because Chris Long, William Hayes and Eugene Sims were all impending free agents. Well, things will definitely change in the next update, as Los Angeles has now managed to retain two of those players.

I liked the Hayes re-signing, but this one is an overpay. Giving more than $3 million per season to a 30-year-old declining, mediocre bench player seems like a bit too much. It’s nice to have Sims back, but I think the Rams could have kept him (or signed someone similar) for a bit less.

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Bears sign ILB Jerrell Freeman (3 years, $12M; $6M guaranteed): A- Grade
Think the Bears wanted to upgrade the inside linebacker position this offseason? They signed Danny Trevathan a few days ago, giving him a $24.5 million contract over four years, but weren’t done, inking the best-available inside linebacker Saturday afternoon.

It’s crazy that Jerrell Freeman was signed so cheaply. A contract featuring $4 million per season and $6 million guaranteed is fine for an above-average starter, yet Freeman is much better than that. He was terrific last year, being forceful against the run and playing well in coverage for the Colts. The one downside is that he turns 30 in May, but Freeman should still be able to play well for at least a couple of seasons. If so, he and Trevathan will be major much-needed upgrades for Chicago’s defense.

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Chiefs sign WR Rod Streater (1 year, $4.8 million): C+ Grade
Rod Streater showed some promise back in 2013 when he caught 60 passes. However, Streater never evolved into a dependable starting receiver, as he completely vanished, almost inexplicably. He has logged 10 receptions in the past two years, as he was a healthy scratch in 2015.

This contract is reportedly “worth up to” $4.8 million, meaning there are incentives pushing up this overall value. If the true value happened to be near $5 million, this would deserve a Millen grade, given that Streater hasn’t done anything recently. However, it’s not, so it’s tough to grade this, so I’m going to give Streater a C+ until further notice. Streater really deserves about $1.5 million this upcoming season, as he could do nothig again, or perhaps rekindle what he had in 2013 and serve as a third receiver in Kansas City’s offense.

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Titans sign NT Al Woods (3 year, $10.5M; $5M guaranteed): B- Grade
Everyone knows about some of the Titans’ obvious needs like offensive tackle, cornerback and safety, but the nose tackle position had to be addressed as well, especially in the wake of Al Woods’ impending free agency. Well, Tennessee brought Woods back, but that doesn’t mean the position doesn’t need to be fixed anymore.

Woods is a sub-par starter at best. He’s not bad, but he’s pretty underwhelming, as he doesn’t excel in any sort of department. The Titans are bringing him back on a contract that’s somewhere in between starter and reserve money, which I guess makes sense, given that the front office probably doesn’t know if it can find an upgrade in Week 2 of free agency (B.J. Raji, Terrance Knighton?) or via the NFL Draft. Both options seem kind of bleak, so a B- grade seems pretty appropriate.

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Lions sign S Rafael Bush (1 year, $2.4 million): B- Grade
I love 1-year “prove it” deals, but I’m not sure what exactly Rafael Bush has to prove here. That he can actually stay healthy? That he can be a decent backup? I think that’s the best that he can do.

Despite what I wrote, I don’t mind this signing. It sounds like the contract Bush signed is loaded with incentives, which makes sense, given that he has missed 21 games the past two seasons with various injuries. Bush has been a quality reserve in the past, but that hasn’t been the case since the early stages of the 2014 campaign. Bush, if healthy, might even compete for a starting job, given the departure of Isa Abdul-Quddus, but as Tony Pauline reported in the NFL Draft Rumors page, Detroit is expected to use a second-day selection on a safety.

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March 11 Updates

Cowboys re-sign TE James Hanna (3 years, $8.25 million): C Grade
There have been some pretty strange contracts given to tight ends this offseason. This one isn’t as terrible as the Coby Fleener deal, but it’s still an overpay.

James Hanna is a solid blocker, but offers absolutely nothing in the passing game, as he caught just nine passes in 2015. However, like punters and long-snappers, blocking tight ends pretty much grow on trees and can be found as undrafted free agents. I don’t think there was any need to pay Hanna more than $2 million per season, but at least the Cowboys weren’t guilty of overly egregious spending here.

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Jaguars sign G Mackenzy Bernadeau (2 years, $4 million): C Grade
The Jaguars needed a guard prior to this signing. Well, they still need a guard because Mackenzy Bernadeau isn’t very good, to put it nicely. To put it meanly, Bernadeau has looked like a human turnstile when thrust into action the past couple of seasons with the Cowboys.

I’m not going to give Jacksonville a Millen or anything because there’s very little risk here, but it’s still a waste of money. The front office could’ve found a better reserve, as there are plenty of decent guards still available on the market.

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Jets sign DE/DT Jarvis Jenkins (3 years, $6 million): C Grade
Jarvis Jenkins has been a major disappointment after being a second-round selection five years ago. Now 28, Jenkins doesn’t have much upside, so it’s hard to justify paying him anything above the veteran minimum.

With that in mind, I’m giving the Jets a “C” for this. It’s not a terrible signing, but the front office could’ve found a better option at this price. Jenkins might be asked to provide needed depth up front once Muhammad Wilkerson moves on next offseason (presumably), but I’m not confident he’ll still be on the roster by then.

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Cowboys re-sign CB Morris Claiborne (1 year, $3 million): B- Grade
This is pretty much like the Redskins’ signing of Kendall Reyes earlier today. Reyes was a second-round pick in 2012 NFL Draft who has disappointed for most of his career, but is still young enough to warrant a second chance. Claiborne was chosen a round earlier in the same class, but has been just as bad as Reyes. Burned constantly, no one was going to give Claiborne any sort of significant contract this offseason.

However, Claiborne is just 26, so the Cowboys shouldn’t give up on him yet. Perhaps he can become a late bloomer. Even if he continues to struggle, Dallas isn’t taking any sort of risk with this 1-year, $3 million contract, so this isn’t a bad transaction by any means.

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Buccaneers sign DE Robert Ayers (3 years, $21M; $10.5M guaranteed): B+ Grade
The Buccaneers were hungry for a pass-rusher, and there was only one defensive end remaining ranked three stars or better. Tampa Bay landed him – and failed to overspend in the process.

This is obviously a very good signing. Ayers recorded nine sacks in 12 games last year and was also excellent in run support. The one downside to him is that he’ll turn 31 right when the 2016 season begins, so he could begin regressing shortly. However, Tampa is getting Ayers at a good price, and isn’t taking that much of a risk with this signing. Ayers figures to be a great short-term solution at defensive end, but he won’t preclude the front office from taking a defensive end with the ninth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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Patriots sign WR Chris Hogan (3 years, $12 million): B Grade
The Patriots have made this offer to Chris Hogan, and the Bills have five days to match. However, that is “very unlikely,” according to beat writer Sal Capaccio.

At first glance, this offer sheet goes along with some of the insane contracts we’ve seen for receivers in free agency this offseason. Here are some of the crazy numbers:

Lions sign WR Marvin Jones (5 years, $40M; $17M guaranteed)
Falcons sign WR Mohamed Sanu (5 years, $32.5M; $14M guaranteed)
Seahawks re-sign WR Jermaine Kearse (3 years, $13.5 million)
Titans sign WR Rishard Matthews (3 year, $15 million)

Save for Jones, none of these players are very good, and even Jones is just OK. I get that the receiver market is pretty lackluster, but that certainly doesn’t excuse this sort of irresponsible spending.

This move might be a bit different, however. Bill Belichick has proven to be the master of finding unknown slot receivers and turning them into major stat producers in his offense. From Troy Brown, to Wes Welker, to Julian Edelman, Belichick has shown that he has an eye for these sorts of players, and he has apparently identified Hogan as one. Thus, I’m going to give New England a pretty fair “B” grade for this offer sheet. They might be overpaying a bit, but they almost had to in order to make sure they could pry Hogan away from Buffalo.

Update: The Bills have declined to match the offer, allowing the Patriots to officially sign Hogan, who is reportedly a player they’ve monitored “for years.”

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Seahawks re-sign P Jon Ryan (4 years, $10 million): PUNTERS ARE NOT 100-PERCENT USDA MEN MILLEN Grade
If I were a Seahawk fan, I’d start being pretty worried right now. Based on the four players Seattle has re-signed this offseason, it’s becoming apparent that the front office can’t properly evaluate the talent on its own team. Jermaine Kearse and Ahtyba Rubin were clearly overpaid, and now Jon Ryan can be added to that list.

There’s no reason to pay a punter a ton of money because they can easily be found as undrafted free agents. Perhaps the top punters in the league should be getting a contract like this. Well, Ryan certainly isn’t a great punter. In fact, he’s not even mediocre. In terms of net average, he’s been 29th, 26th and 19th in that department over the past three years. That would be OK if he managed to hit a high percentage of attempts inside the opposing 20, but that hasn’t been the case.

This is an easy Millen (F) grade. I don’t get what the Seahawks are doing, but this irresponsible spending needs to stop.

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Broncos acquire QB Mark Sanchez from Eagles for conditional late-round pick
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has made a couple of questionable signings this offseason, but he has been an absolute wizard when making trades. He ripped off the Dolphins in a highway-robbery swap, and then managed to unload DeMarco Murray’s terrible contract to the Titans. Roseman got rid of another bad deal today, shipping off Mark Sanchez to the Broncos.

Philadelphia may not get anything in return for Sanchez, depending on what the conditions are, but it doesn’t matter. Sanchez’s bad contract was a hindrance, but that’s not the Eagles’ problem anymore. It’s not like they needed him anyway, given that they brought in Chase Daniel to be Sam Bradford’s backup/eventual replacement.

The Broncos, meanwhile, needed a veteran quarterback because, well, they didn’t have one. They probably should’ve just signed Matt Moore, as he is better than Sanchez. It should be noted that Sanchez was definitely not brought in to be the starter. That could be Colin Kaepernick, or perhaps Dak Prescott, whom the Broncos have major interest in, as Charlie Campbell reported a few weeks ago.

Grade for Broncos – C
Grade for Eagles – A

Comment on the other free agent signings below.

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Buccaneers sign CB Brent Grimes (2 years, $16.5 million): B- Grade
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this transaction is that as soon as it was announced that Brent Grimes signed with the Buccaneers, his wife suspended her Twitter account. If you haven’t heard, Grimes’ wife has been guilty of harassing people at games and on Twitter. She was even arrested once during a game last year. Some teams crossed Grimes off their free-agent boards because of his wife’s antics. I’m wondering if the Buccaneers actually had something in their contract that Grimes’ wife had to stay off social media. If so, that’s a smart move on their part.

Assuming she won’t be an issue going forward, this signing is just OK. Grimes has been a great corner for a long time, but he regressed this past season. He wasn’t bad or anything, but he performed on just an average level. Given that he turns 33 in July, there’s a good chance Grimes will continue to decline.

Even with that in mind, this signing isn’t bad. More than $8 million per season sounds like a lot, but this contract is just for two years, so there isn’t any sort of long-term risk. Plus, even if Grimes plays like he did in 2015, he’ll be a major upgrade over both Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks, who were both horrible this past season.

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Redskins sign DE/DT Kendall Reyes (1 year, $2.5 million): B- Grade
Kendall Reyes has been a big disappointment thus far in his professional career. He was taken in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft and was solid as a rookie, recording 5.5 sacks. However, he regressed since and has never developed into a quality starter.

Having said that, this move is pretty decent. Reyes has potential for sure, so perhaps he can be a late bloomer and make something of himself. He’s only 26, so there’s still time. At just one year for $2.5 million, the Redskins really aren’t risking anything.

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Browns waive QB Johnny Manziel: A+ Grade
I normally don’t post grades for teams waiving or cutting players – perhaps I should – but I had nowhere else to write about this move, so here we are. Johnny Manziel, as of Friday morning, is no longer a Cleveland Brown. He has been waived, meaning he has about a day before he clears waivers and officially becomes a free agent.

This is obviously a great move by the Browns. They absolutely had to move on from Manziel, a self-destructive alcoholic who reportedly actually showed up drunk to practice ahead of Week 16 when he was the team’s starter. He also has other potential serious issues, involving an alleged assault of his girlfriend. Manziel’s father told the media that he fears that the former Cleveland quarterback may not live to see his 24th birthday (Dec. 6) if he doesn’t get serious help.

Cleveland couldn’t go forward with Manziel. He has some natural ability, and if he were completely clean off the field, he could be the team’s starter. However, the baggage is too much for the Browns – or any other NFL organization, for that matter – to deal with. No team should even consider signing Manziel until he goes into rehab (legitimately, this time) and gets his life in order. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like that’s going to happen anytime soon, as Manziel hasn’t even hit rock bottom yet.

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March 10 Updates

Dolphins sign S Isa Abdul-Quddus (3 years, $12.75 million): B+ Grade
I mentioned earlier that one of the many reasons the Lions had a surge at the end of the season was the insertion of Tahir Whitehead into the lineup. Another was the play of Isa Abdul-Quddus. He replaced James Ihedigbo and proved to be a major upgrade, playing well in coverage and being even better in run support.

His departure hurts the Lions, but the Dolphins won’t mind, as he’ll provide a much-needed boost for their secondary. He has shown that he can be a solid starter – albeit not with very much of a sample size (16 career starts in five years) – so this price is pretty good for him.

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Rams re-sign C Tim Barnes (2 years, $5.5 million): C Grade
This could have been a lot worse. When general manager Les Snead told the media earlier in the offseason that he absolutely wanted Tim Barnes back, I thought he would hand him a huge contract. Well, he did, relatively.

To say that Barnes struggled as the Rams’ starting center last year would be an understatement. He was poor in every facet, especially in terms of run blocking. Having him back as a backup is fine, but if Los Angeles uses him as a starter again, the team is going to be in big trouble. This is something in between starter and reserve money, so I’m not sure where the Rams are going with this, so I think I’ll settle on giving them a “C.”

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Jets re-sign RB Bilal Powell (3 years, $11.25M; $6M guaranteed): B+ Grade
Here’s yet another quality signing by the Jets. When they brought in Matt Forte, I assumed Bilal Powell would head elsewhere, but surely enough, New York managed to retain him.

This is a great price for Powell, especially considering what some of the other running backs obtained this offseason. Powell is a key part of the Jets’ passing game as a threat coming out of the backfield, so being able to re-sign him at a low price is a very good move.

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Seahawks re-sign WR Jermaine Kearse (3 years, $13.5 million): C Grade
Receivers are being ridiculously overpaid this offseason, and just because a few teams are doing it – especially the Lions and Falcons – doesn’t make it right, nor does it mean that I’m going to inflate grades. A bad signing is a bad signing, so if that means more Millens, then let’s just celebrate with more kielbasas.

Jermaine Kearse is not worth this sort of money. He’s just a mediocre third wideout who hasn’t caught more than 49 passes in a single season. I get the appeal of allowing Russell Wilson to keep all of his weapons, so I don’t think this is a terrible move by any means, but Seattle could’ve spent its cap space more efficiently.

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Jets sign RB Khiry Robinson (1 year, $1.175M; $80K guaranteed): A Grade
The Jets should run a seminar on how to appropriately pay running backs. Then again, the Buccaneers and Jaguars could still attend and probably not get anything out of it, thinking that they’d have to pay Khiry Robinson five times as much as New York just did.

This is a great signing. Bill Parcells told Sean Payton a few years ago that Robinson reminded him of Curtis Martin. Robinson has never developed into a capable starter, thanks in part to injuries, but the potential is there. Robinson will be a valuable backup, and if Matt Forte goes down, he’ll be an effective replacement.

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Packers re-sign DE/OLB Nick Perry (1 year, $5 million): C+ Grade
Based on his production, Nick Perry would have been more suited being the 228th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft rather than the 28th. He hasn’t recorded more than four sacks in any of his four NFL seasons, and while statistics are sometimes misleading, his tape backs up his lack of production. He just sucks.

I didn’t think Perry would return for 2016, but the Packers have decided to bring him back for one more year. It’s not the worst idea in the world. Perry is still only 25, so there’s a chance he could be a late bloomer. Plus, he’s not terrible in run support, so having him around for depth is fine. I wouldn’t have given him $5 million for one season, but the Packers aren’t taking any sort of risk.

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Titans sign WR Rishard Matthews (3 year, $15 million): C Grade
This isn’t a very good signing, but hey, it could be much worse. The Titans could’ve pulled an Atlanta and given an even worse receiver more money. Hey, when it comes to absurd contracts in free agency, you have to look for any silver lining you can find.

Rishard Matthews has never logged more than 43 receptions or 662 yards in any season. He does have some potential though, flashing some play-making ability at times for the Dolphins. I don’t think that warrants a contract worth $5 million per year, but once again, this crushes Atlanta’s signing of Mohamed Sanu.

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Seahawks re-sign CB Jeremy Lane (4 year, $23M; $11M guaranteed): C+ Grade
Jeremy Lane is a pretty valuable member of the Legion of Boom, though he understandably doesn’t get as much publicity as the three bigger names. Lane is a very talented slot corner who was excellent in the final few games of the 2015 campaign after beginning the year on the PUP list.

So, why the C+ instead of a grade that sounds like it should be a B+ or A-? Lane’s durability is a major issue, as he has played in just 13 games the past two years. In fact, he has never played 16 contests in any of his four professional seasons. That’s definitely an issue, so I’m a bit worried about the money the Seahawks are dedicating to him. It feels like they should’ve been able to retain him at a discount.

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Giants sign ILB Keenan Robinson (1 year, $3 million): C- Grade
When it was first announced that the Giants signed Keenan Robinson, I assumed that they were going to pay him a ton of money, like $30 million over five years, or something. They’ve been spending like crazy in free agency, so it’s a good sign that they’ve decided to tone it down, especially for this move.

To say Keenan Robinson struggled last year would be an understatement. It was horrifying how bad he was in run support. He should not be a starter, but the Giants aren’t paying him like one. They’ve still given him a bit too much money, but if they want him to be a backup who specializes in coverage, I guess that wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.

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Lions re-sign OLB Tahir Whitehead (2 year, $8 million): A Grade
There were a number of reasons the Lions enjoyed a terrific finish to their 2015 campaign after beginning the year so miserably. A primary one was Tahir Whitehead’s insertion into the lineup. Whitehead became a starter in the middle of the year and was terrific. He was stellar in run support and also held his own in coverage.

The Lions have made a great move to retain Whitehead, especially at this price. He should’ve gotten a much better offer in free agency, especially considering some of the outrageous deals other players have been receiving. I’m not sure why it never happened, but Detroit will greatly benefit.

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Cowboys sign DT Cedric Thornton (4 year, $18 million): B Grade
The Cowboys have needed help at the one-technique position on their defense for a while now, and it seems as though they finally found their man. Cedric Thornton, a fierce run-stuffer, will provide a big upgrade.

Though Thornton will definitely help Dallas’ run-stopping efforts, he won’t provide anything in terms of a pass rush. Thus, handing a one-dimensional player $4.5 million per season feels like a bit too much. I think I’d normally give the Cowboys a B- for this signing, but I’m bumping this grade up a bit because they’re stealing a key player from a rival’s defense.

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Dolphins sign RB C.J. Anderson to offer sheet (4 year, $18 million): A- Grade
Hey, look, it’s another running back who happens to better than Chris Ivory getting less money in free agency. C.J. Anderson received a 4-year, $18 million offer sheet from the Dolphins, and the Broncos have five days to match.

I’ve been hard on the Dolphins this offseason so far, but this is a great move, provided it actually goes through. Anderson has started his seasons slow thus far in his career, but he has been terrific down the stretch when given the opportunity, and his performance at the end of the 2015 campaign was instrumental in the Broncos’ Super Bowl run. Granted, Anderson won’t be doing much (anything) in the playoffs with the Dolphins, but he won’t have any sort of transition period, given that he’ll fit right into Adam Gase’s offense again.

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Vikings re-sign G/OT Mike Harris (1 year, $1.9 million): A Grade
I was worried that Mike Harris would get a huge contract this offseason. Harris had been a reserve tackle for most of his career prior to this past year, when he was thrust into the lineup at guard. He was exceptional at his new position, especially in terms of pass protection. However, given that Harris was a 1-year wonder, giving him a long-term deal with lots of guaranteed money would’ve been a mistake.

Harris reportedly had some interest from the Giants – and based on their spending this week, they might have given him $100 trillion – but he opted to return to Minnesota to sign a 1-year “prove it” deal. This is a fantastic move by the Vikings, as they’re getting back a player who has shown that he can be an exceptional, interior blocker. They’ll also be getting Harris at his best; he’ll be desperate to prove that he deserves a big contract. And even if Harris fails, the Vikings aren’t taking any sort of risk with this deal. There’s literally no downside.

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Lions re-sign DT Haloti Ngata (2 years, $12M; $6M guaranteed): C+ Grade
Detroit’s acquisition of Haloti Ngata was seen as a huge move by the Lions last offseason, but as usual, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome had the last laugh. Newsome sold the Lions a bit of a lemon, as Ngata wasn’t anywhere near the player who dominated the line of scrimmage for Baltimore years ago. Ngata was still solid at stopping the run, but at 32, his pass-rushing skills have eroded.

The Lions have lost some veterans this offseason, so I can understand why they wouldn’t want to see another depart. I’m fine with Detroit keeping Ngata, though the team is overpaying a bit for him. Brandon Mebane is a comparable player in terms of talent level, and he’s getting slightly more overall and a bit less guaranteed on three years instead of two.

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Redskins re-sign QB Colt McCoy (3 years, $9 million): B Grade
As I’ve mentioned, the going rate for backup quarterbacks in this day and age is somewhere between $3 and $4 million per year. The Redskins are getting Colt McCoy back at the lower end of that scale, making this a quality move.

McCoy is a pretty reliable reserve, as he’s proven that he can win some games when asked to start in relief. With Robert Griffin gone, Washington had just one backup signal-caller left who was familiar with the system, so losing McCoy might have hurt a bit.

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Chargers sign DT Brandon Mebane (3 years, $13.5M; $5.5M guaranteed): B Grade
Brandon Mebane turned 31 this offseason, so it’s not a surprise that he lost some of his pass-rushing skills this past year. He struggled to get to the quarterback, but that’s not what the Chargers are going to ask him to do. Fortunately for Mebane, he’s still solid versus the run, so he’ll help in that regard.

It was imperative for the Chargers to find some help on the defensive line. They were gashed against potent ground attacks this past season, so Mebane will help change that. He’ll be doing so under a pretty reasonable contract, as this is pretty much what I thought he’d obtain on the open market.

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Falcons sign WR Mohamed Sanu (5 years, $32.5M; $14M guaranteed): LAUGHING TOO HARD TO CONCENTRATE ON KIELBASA INSERTION Grade
Whoever was responsible for this signing needs to be thrown in prison for stupidity. It’s that horrible. In fact, it’s so terrible that even Matt Millen, who was notorious for overpaying pedestrian receivers, must be laughing at it. The Falcons should apologize to him for spoiling the mood.

I don’t get the thought process behind this. Sure, the Falcons needed a new No. 2 receiver, but that doesn’t mean that they should’ve thrown $32.5 million at a terrible player. And Sanu is terrible for sure. Sanu caught just 33 balls in 2015, and in the year before, when he was utilized more in the wake of numerous injuries, he led the league in dropped passes, all while struggling to separate. He logged 56 catches for 790 yards.

A realistic contract for Sanu should’ve been a 2-year, $5 million deal with about $1.5 million guaranteed. And that’s being generous. It’s quite apparent that the Falcons haven’t watched any tape of Sanu. Either that, or they’re intentionally trying to ruin Millen’s afternoon.

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Falcons sign C Alex Mack (5 years, $45M; $28.5M guaranteed): B- Grade
I can’t blame Atlanta fans if they are being overly enthusiastic about this signing. Alex Mack was the top center on the market, and he’ll be filling a huge need for the team. Matt Ryan’s pass protection has been poor over the past few seasons, and Mack, in theory, should be able to help the veteran quarterback bounce back after a couple of down years.

However, it should be noted that Atlanta’s front office has been guilty of overpaying on past production in the current regime. Acquisitions like Steven Jackson, Paul Soliai and Osi Umenyiora come to mind. I can’t help but think that this could be another instance. Mack has been fantastic, and he’ll feel at home in Kyle Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme, but the fact of the matter is that he’ll turn 31 in November. He could still be able to play on a very high level, but there’s a chance that he’ll begin to regress soon, given that he’s now into his 30s. Either way, the Falcons probably won’t be getting Mack at his best, though 90 percent is still great.

Having said that, I can’t grade this poorly. We’re not living in a secret world where the Falcons have been fine at center; Alex Mack more than satisfies that need. Plus, as I wrote earlier, I don’t have an issue if a team wants to slightly overpay for a player who can protect the franchise quarterback.

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Chargers re-sign TE Antonio Gates (2 years, $12M; $6M guaranteed): B- Grade
I don’t exactly know if this signing precluded the Chargers from retaining Ladarius Green or not. If so, I think this is a mistake. Gates doesn’t have much time left in this league, while Green has a ton of upside, which I’m sure Ben Roethlisberger will enjoy going forward.

Since I don’t know about the Gates-Green dynamic, I’ll ignore it for this grade and focus on this contract alone. It seems somewhat fair, but I’m wondering if the Chargers will get much out of their long-term tight end going forward. Gates, 36 in June, saw his numbers regress from 69-821-12 to 56-630-5 in 2015. He missed some action because of a suspension, but he could barely move in some games because of an injured knee. Given his age, that could just be a sign of things to come for Gates.

I think a B- is fair. Gates could completely fall off, but there’s a chance he’ll still be a solid weapon for Philip Rivers. At just two years, $12 million with half of it guaranteed, there’s not much of a risk.

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Chargers sign WR Travis Benjamin (4 years, $24M; $13M guaranteed): C Grade
If you were to tell anyone a year ago that Travis Benjamin would be getting a contract worth $6 million per season this spring, you would’ve been taken away in a stretcher and transported to a mental hospital, where you’d play Connect Four with a guy who would eventually give you cursed lottery numbers. As it turns out, Benjamin had a terrific 2015 campaign, catching 68 balls for 966 yards.

I can’t say I like this deal though, and it has to do with Benjamin’s sudden surge. Benjamin had done nothing prior to 2015. We’ve seen plenty of 1-year wonders who have failed before, and Benjamin could be the latest one. I’m not saying it’s a definite that Benjamin will regress, but I just think there’s too much of a risk involved to spend this sort of money on him.

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Titans sign C Ben Jones (4 years, $17.5M; $7.5M guaranteed): B- Grade
It’s no surprise that the Titans made an upgrade to the offensive line in free agency. They’ve made it known that bolstering Marcus Mariota’s protection is a priority this offseason, and it’s almost certain that they’ll continue with that strategy with Laremy Tunsil, as you can see in my 2016 NFL Mock Draft.

As for this signing, it’s a slight overpay for Ben Jones, who is just a mediocre starting center. However, he’s way better than last year’s starter, Brian Schwenke, so this move makes sense. I’m OK with paying a bit more than the market price for someone who will help keep the franchise quarterback healthy.

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Steelers re-sign CB William Gay (3 years, $7.5 million): B+ Grade
The Steelers don’t have much talent in their secondary, but one of the few skilled players in the defensive backfield is William Gay, who performed like a solid No. 2 corner last year. Thus, it’s not like there’s anything wrong with re-signing Gay; keeping him was important.

Gay turned 31 this offseason, but he should play well over the next year or two. Even if he regresses, the Steelers aren’t risking much with this minuscule 3-year, $7.5 million contract. This is a solid re-signing that doesn’t have any sort of downside.

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Chiefs re-sign DE/OLB Tamba Hali (3 years, $22M; $12M guaranteed): B Grade
The Chiefs selected Dee Ford in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft just in case they lost Tamba Hali this offseason. Ford can’t be happy about this re-signing, as Hali has been brought back to finish his career in Kansas City.

Hali, now 32, may have lost a step from his dominant prime, but he was still excellent last year, as his 6.5 sacks weren’t indicative of the amount of pressure he placed on opposing quarterbacks. He was also very good in run support. Ford, meanwhile, was just mediocre when stepping in for an injured Justin Houston, so losing Hali would’ve hurt.

I like Kansas City’s decision to bring Hali back, and the price is about right for him. This seems like an easy “B” grade.

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Jets sign RB Matt Forte (3 years, $12M; $8M guaranteed): A Grade
Jaguars and Buccaneers take note: This is how much a running back is supposed to be paid in the current market. It’s not 1996, guys. It’s 2016, and running backs now grow on trees. Talented ones can be obtained very cheaply, as proven here.

It’s crazy that Forte, who is better than Ivory, even at this stage of his career, is receiving more than $2 million less per year and only $8 million guaranteed. Compared to what the Buccaneers and Jaguars paid for Doug Martin and Ivory, respectively, this is an absolute steal.

Granted, Forte isn’t the player he used to be, but he’s still a talented runner who can be a threat catching the ball out of the backfield. The Jets will probably add another running back who can split the workload with Forte in 2016 before taking over as the starter the following year. But even when that happens, Forte will be a solid weapon to have on third downs.

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Jaguars sign RB Chris Ivory (5 years, $32.5 million): STICK THE KIELBASA IN YOUR OWN TAILPIPE MILLEN Grade
At 11:41 Thursday morning, e-mailer Marco A. sent me this recommended new Millen grade, so I figured I’d use it on my next opportunity. I never would’ve imagine that I’d be copy-pasting his e-mail text just 10 minutes later.

This signing is a joke, right? If I’m Chris Ivory, I have to feel like I’ve just gotten an e-mail from the prince of Nigeria, who is willing to give me $32.5 million for sneaking his funds into the U.S. Except that the prince of Nigeria happens to be the Jacksonville Jaguars in this instance.

Why are the Jaguars giving Ivory so much money? What’s the logic here? They already have a talented starter in T.J. Yeldon. Sure, they needed a backup, but signing a cheap option or spending a third-round pick on a runner would’ve sufficed.

Ivory isn’t that good anyway. He had a great start to his 2015 campaign, but wore down the stretch, failing to eclipse 100 rushing yards in all but one game after Week 6. In fact, the Jaguars themselves limited Ivory to 26 yards on 23 carries in Week 8. Ivory was so bad at the end of the year that he was given just six touches in the finale. Does that sound like someone who deserves $32.5 million, especially in a market in which running backs grow on trees?

I published the Worst NFL Free Agent Signings of 2015 recently, and I can all but guarantee that this acquisition will be in the 2016 edition.

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Raiders sign CB Sean Smith (4 years, $40M; $20M guaranteed): B- Grade
One of Oakland’s top three needs entering the offseason was to find a better starting cornerback across from David Amerson. Well, mission accomplished. Smith was the third-best corner available as of his signing, so he’s definitely an upgrade over what the Raiders had previously.

But the big question, the one that comes with every signing, is: Did the front office overspend on Smith? I think so, though not by much. Janoris Jenkins was given a deal worth $12 million per year, and he’s both better and younger than Smith. The former Chief has been great in the past two years, but inconsistent earlier in his career. Will he revert to his pre-2014 playing ways?

I’d say a contract like this deserves a C+ or so, but I’m going to bump this up slightly because the Raiders stole a key defender from one of their biggest rivals.

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March 9 Updates

Raiders sign G/OT Kelechi Osemele (5 years, $58.5 million): B Grade
This is a ton of money for a guard, but Kelechi Osemele is one of the top players at his position in the NFL. He has been terrific for the Ravens, and at just 26 years old, he’s going to be playing at the top of his level throughout the duration of his contract. Adding him to the roster makes Oakland’s offensive line one of the league’s best.

There’s one caveat here, and that’s the possibility that Osemele could end up playing left tackle if Donald Penn departs via free agency. Osemele has proven that he can play the blind side last year when he stepped in for the injured Eugene Monroe. Granted, he wasn’t as great as he was inside, but he held his own. It wouldn’t be the worst thing if Osemele kicked outside in his new home, but ideally, the Raiders will either retain Penn or sign another left tackle so they can keep Osemele where he’s at his best.

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Bears sign OT Bobby Massie (3 years, $18 million): D Grade
I had the urge to make this yet another Millen, but it just doesn’t feel egregious enough. The Bears are overpaying, but they’re not giving Bobby Massie a ridiculous amount. Massie is a solid run blocker, and he has ample starting experience. He also fills a need, allowing Kyle Long to slide back inside to guard.

Having said that, Jay Cutler will suffer from Massie’s poor pass protection. Massie was the one who was responsible for Palmer’s season-ending injury back in 2014. He routinely struggles to keep opposing pass rushers out of the backfield, which makes this contract look extremely questionable.

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Chiefs sign OT Mitchell Schwartz (5 years, $33M; $15M guaranteed): B Grade
Mitchell Schwartz didn’t play well in 2014, but all he needed to do was get out of Kyle Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme, since he performed like one of the top right tackles this past season.

In fact, Schwartz was better than any tackle on Kansas City’s roster in 2015, though that’s not saying much. Eric Fisher struggled, yet he was the best of the bunch. Outside of retaining some key free agents, upgrading the offensive line was the Chiefs’ priority, and they definitely managed to do so by signing Schwartz.

As for the money, it’s about right for Schwartz. He’s getting about $6.5 million per season, which is exactly what I thought he’d receive.

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Chargers sign S Dwight Lowery (3 years, $7.2 million): C+ Grade
This signing isn’t very good, but it won’t break the bank, so I’m not going to grade it too harshly. I will say this though: If this is the best San Diego can do as a replacement for Eric Weddle, its secondary is going to struggle mightily in 2016.

Dwight Lowery is just fine in coverage, but he’s a big liability in run support. He’s better off being a backup at this stage of his career. The problem is, he’s being paid a bit more than an average backup, though, like I said, it’s not an egregious amount.

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Buccaneers sign G J.R. Sweezy (5 years, $32.5 million): MILLEN TRIPLE KIELBASA ORGY PARTY Grade
I’ve been asked on Facebook to differentiate some of the Millen (“F”) grades, since all Millen grades shouldn’t be created equal. I agree. Most of them are the same, but there are some that stand out. For instance, the Raiders’ signing of Nate Allen earned a Captain Kielbasa grade last year, which was upgraded to Admiral Kielbasa in my Worst NFL Free Agent Signings of 2015. This one is just as bad. It’s a Millen Triple Kielbasa Orgy Party.

There’s no defense to this signing. None. J.R. Sweezy was one of the worst starting linemen in the NFL last year. He was bad as a run blocker, and even worse in pass protection. I graded Sweezy as a 1.5-star free agent, expecting him to sign a 1-year, $1.5 million contract this offseason. I literally refreshed my Internet browser when I saw these numbers, thinking that the page I was looking at had some sort of parsing error. I then checked another source because I still couldn’t believe it.

Did the Buccaneers watch tape of Sweezy at all? I’m thinking they didn’t. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have offered him an eighth as much. I know they were desperate to replace the suddenly retired Logan Mankins, but this signing is absolutely absurd.

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Rams re-sign WR Brian Quick (1 year, $3.75M; $1.5M guaranteed): B- Grade
This is the most non-terrible confusing move of the day, if that makes any sense. I figured neither party wanted anything to do with the other, yet the Rams and Brian Quick will be together once more in 2016.

Quick has been poorly utilized by the Rams. He was on the field for only about 300 snaps in 2015, catching just 10 passes. Why would he want to return to a team that didn’t value him that much? And why would Los Angeles want him back when it didn’t appear to be interested in utilizing him much in the first place?

Quick has upside, so I’m going to mark this down as a B- just in case, but I just don’t understand the logic behind this move.

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Bears sign ILB Danny Trevathan (4 years, $24.5M; $12M guaranteed): A- Grade
When the news broke that Danny Trevathan agreed to terms with the Bears, I assumed that he signed for a boatload of money. After all, he was going from the defending Super Bowl champion and to a team that hasn’t enjoyed much success in recent years. As it turns out, the Bears signed him to a very fair deal.

I actually like this move quite a bit. It’s a good bargain for Chicago, as the team is paying him a bit more than $6 million per year, while Derrick Johnson has earned $7 million per season from the Chiefs. I graded that signing highly, so the same applies here, given that the two players are right next to each other in my free agent linebacker rankings. Also, there won’t be any sort of transition period for Trevathan, who played in John Fox’s defense earlier in his career.

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Falcons re-sign DE Adrian Clayborn (2 years, $9 million): B Grade
Adrian Clayborn missed all but one game in 2014 because of torn biceps, but returned to the field this past season and played well. The stats don’t show it (3 sacks), but he got to the quarterback rather well in sub packages.

The Falcons are making a solid move by bringing Clayborn back. He reportedly generated some interest from other teams, so it sounds like another organization would’ve paid him more. Thus, Atlanta is getting a decent bargain.

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Steelers sign TE Ladarius Green (5 years, $20 million): A- Grade
The Steelers usually don’t make much of a splash in free agency, but when they sign someone, it’s usually a quality move. That’s definitely the case here, as the front office found a new play-maker for Ben Roethlisberger.

Green is very talented, but never got much of a chance in San Diego because he was playing behind Antonio Gates. He’ll be a starter now, as the Steelers needed someone to replace the retired Heath Miller. Even better, this is a great bargain, especially when considering that other tight ends were paid more, despite the fact that Green was the top player at his position in free agency. It’s laughable that Green is set to earn $20 million over four years, while Coby Fleener is getting $36 million over five seasons. This is a great transaction by Pittsburgh.

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Jaguars re-sign TE Marcedes Lewis (3 years, $12 million): C- Grade
I never would’ve imagined that Marcedes Lewis would be getting $4 million per season at this stage of his career, but given that we’re in a strange market in which Coby Fleener earns $36 million over five years, it almost feels oddly appropriate. That doesn’t make it right, though.

If this was what it cost to keep Lewis, the Jaguars should’ve just cut ties with him. Giving an old blocking tight end who offers absolutely nothing in the passing game $12 million over three seasons doesn’t make much sense.

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Falcons sign DE Derrick Shelby (4 years, $18 million): B Grade
The Dolphins didn’t want to keep Derrick Shelby around because he’s too young for their roster. Shelby only turned 27 this month, making him quite unappealing for the Dolphins. The Falcons won’t complain, as they managed to find a potential starter across from Vic Beasley.

Shelby hasn’t started much as a pro, but he looked good playing in place of Cameron Wake last year. He was good in run support and only OK in terms of getting to the quarterback, but he has potential. At four years and $18 million, he’s a pretty decent bargain.

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Chiefs re-sign DE/DT Jaye Howard (2 years, $12 million): A Grade
No one’s talking about it on TV, but the Chiefs are one of the big winners today. They’ve done a great job of maintaining some of their top talent, as this signing is yet another great move.

Jaye Howard played extremely well last year, especially in terms of getting to the quarterback. He collected 5.5 sacks, which is a decent amount for a five-technique. At just 27, Howard should continue to be a quality player for quite a while, and at just two years and $12 million, he’s returning at a great price.

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Eagles sign CB Ron Brooks (3 years, $6 million): C- Grade
This is a bit much for a player who was on the field for just 54 snaps in 2015. Brooks played more under Jim Schwartz the previous year, so I guess that’s the appeal here. Still, the Eagles are overpaying for a cornerback who should’ve gotten the veteran minimum.

Brooks could provide decent depth for the Eagles, but that would require him to stay healthy. He hasn’t played a full season as a pro, missing 17 games in his four years.

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Chiefs re-sign ILB Derrick Johnson (3 years, $21 million): A- Grade
The Chiefs had a number of impending defensive free agents, but they’ve been able to keep most of them thus far. The best player of theirs who was still on the market was Derrick Johnson, who is coming off a stellar season. Thus, keeping him around is huge.

Kansas City made a great move with this deal. Johnson is one of the better inside linebackers in the NFL right now. That’s bound to change soon, as Johnson turns 34 around Thanksgiving, but he should still be able to play on a high level for a year or two. Given that this isn’t a long-term contract, the Chiefs aren’t risking much, even if Johnson regresses right away. This is pretty much all upside.

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Saints sign TE Coby Fleener (5 years, $36 million): KIELBASA SLIPS THROUGH THE FINGERS MILLEN Grade
I wonder how it feels to be a Colts fan right now. On one hand, they must be very depressed that they still have the incompetent Ryan Grigson running things. On the other hand, they have to be cracking up upon seeing the numbers Coby Fleener received from the Saints.

This signing is horrible. Aside from perhaps Vernon Davis, no tight end drops more passes than Coby Fleener. I’m sure he’ll post some great numbers with Drew Brees throwing the ball to him, but he’ll absolutely kill his new team with some untimely drops. Then again, maybe he won’t be a fantasy monster, given that he couldn’t produce with Andrew Luck, even when Dwayne Allen was out of the lineup with his injury issues.

This is an easy Millen. I don’t understand what the Saints saw in him to make them believe that he’s worth more than $7 million per year. Fleener, an average starter at best, would’ve been overpaid had he gotten half as much.

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Jaguars sign S Tashaun Gipson (5 years, $35.5 million): B+ Grade
The Jaguars had some glaring holes in their secondary that they needed to address, and getting Tashaun Gipson is a great start. Gipson is a very talented safety who will provide a big boost for Jacksonville’s woeful pass defense.

As for the price, it seems pretty reasonable. Gipson has gotten a bit less than Rodney McLeod received from the Eagles, and Gipson is a better player. On the flip side, he received less than the slightly superior George Iloka, though that was a re-signing.

I think a B+ is about right. This acquisition should pan out. If so, Gipson will play well for the Jaguars for quite a while, given that he’s just 25. The Jaguars also don’t have to worry about the dynamic of a player leaving a better franchise and taking money because Gipson has been with the Browns.

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Bears re-sign CB Tracy Porter (3 years, $16.5 million): D Grade
Ugh, why are the Bears doing this? The appropriate value of Tracy Porter would’ve been something like two years, $5 million. There was no reason for them to overspend for him, especially when considering how many similar players there were on the open market.

Porter played well early in 2015, but declined as the season progressed. This wasn’t a surprise, given how poorly he performed in his final years with the Saints. Porter, now 30, will only get worse, so it’s puzzling why Chicago decided to throw all of this money at him.

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Vikings sign G Alex Boone (4 years, $26.8M; $10M guaranteed): A Grade
At first glance, $26.8 million may seem like a ton of money. It’s not, though. Just look at the two other prominent guards who signed today:

Texans: Jeff Allen – 4 years, $28 million
Eagles: Brandon Brooks – 5 years, $40 million

Boone is slightly better than Allen and is set to earn a bit less. He’s much better than Brooks and will be getting a lot less. Thus, under those conditions, this is a terrific signing.

I’m guessing the Vikings have gotten such a bargain with Boone because he’s coming off a slightly down year. Everyone struggled in San Francisco, however, and Boone was considered one of the top guards in the NFL prior to 2015. He’s still young (28), so the Vikings are buying low and getting a steal, all while filling a huge hole on their roster. This is an easy “A.”

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Eagles sign QB Chase Daniel (3 years, $21M; $12M guaranteed): NOODLE-ARMED KIELBASA MILLEN Grade
I’ve mentioned before that backup quarterbacks typically earn $3-$4 million per season. Given that the Eagles have such an injury-prone starter, I wouldn’t have blamed them had they spent $5 million on a reserve signal-caller. Sam Bradford will miss action – there’s no doubt about that – so having a reliable No. 2 was extremely important.

But this is ridiculous. In what world does Chase Daniel deserve $7 million per year with $12 million guaranteed? Drew Stanton is a very similar quarterback with a comparable skill set, and yet Arizona gave him just $6.5 million over two seasons. The noodle-armed Daniel should have received $10 million over two years (or 3-15), and not nearly as much guaranteed money. I don’t understand the obsession Andy Reid and his cronies have with Daniel, but it’s not like they have a great read on quarterbacks, given that they’ve been trying to sell the mediocre Alex Smith as a great quarterback to their fans for years.

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Rams re-sign DE William Hayes (3 years, $17.5M; $10M guaranteed): B+ Grade
In a market in which Olivier Vernon earns $85 million over five seasons, this is an absolute steal. Granted, William Hayes isn’t as good, as he’s also about five years older than Vernon, but he’s still a talented player who was retained at a bargain.

The Rams would’ve had a big hole at defensive end if Hayes departed. Besides the obvious, the reason they were so dominant up front even when Chris Long was hurt was Hayes’ great play. Hayes has never recorded double-digit sacks, but as with Vernon, that’s a misleading figure. He’s a very underrated player, so the Rams deserve a high mark for retaining him.

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Giants sign DE Olivier Vernon (5 years, $85M; $40M guaranteed): C- Grade
Wow. This is a ton of money for a player who has recorded double-digit sacks just once in his career. The Giants are going crazy in free agency, which is generally not a very good thing.

Don’t get me wrong here. Vernon is a very talented player, as his sack figures are misleading. He generated great pressure on the quarterback this past season despite his low sack total (7.5). He’s also just 25, so the sky is the limit for him.

However, dedicating this amount of money to just one defensive player doesn’t seem like a winning strategy. Teams have signed other defensive linemen to this sort of money in the past, and it has almost never panned out. Will Vernon be different? Perhaps. I’m not giving the Giants a Millen or anything, but they really should be more careful with their spending rather than acting like Daniel Snyder in his prime.

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Texans sign G Jeff Allen (4 years, $28 million): B+ Grade
It’s no surprise that Jeff Allen bolted out of Kansas City as soon as possible. What Andy Reid did when he sat Allen early in the year was disgraceful. Allen had the last laugh, earning a contract paying him $7 million per year.

The Texans made a great move by bringing in the former Chief. As a reference, Brandon Brooks, an inferior blocker, just earned more money year season than Allen. That makes no sense, but the Texans won’t complain. Allen will definitely be an upgrade over Brooks, who was already solid.

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Cardinals sign S Tyvon Branch (2 years, $10M; $5M guaranteed): A- Grade
What a steal. Tyvon Branch is a solid safety when he’s actually on the field, and the Cardinals desperately needed one after their starters were torched by Cam Newton in the NFC Championship. This is a great, cheap solution.

The only reason this isn’t an “A” or higher is because of Branch’s dubious injury history. Branch didn’t miss any time last year, but he played just five games in the two seasons prior, so the Cardinals can’t exactly count on him to stay healthy. However, they’re barely risking anything here, as $5 million guaranteed for a quality starting safety is a great price.

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Rams re-sign OLB Mark Barron (5 years, $45 million): D Grade
When the Rams said that retaining Mark Barron was a priority, I never thought that they would pay him $9 million per season. As it turns out, that’s exactly what they did in an absolutely stunning move.

Mark Barron, the former No. 7 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, had been a failure his entire career, but finally played well last year when he was moved from safety to linebacker. Was the positional change the reason, or was it his desperate attempt to land a big contract? If it’s the latter, the Rams are in a lot of trouble. But even if it’s the former, Barron didn’t play well enough to warrant this sort of deal. He was solid, especially in run support, but he looked like he was worth maybe $4 million per year. Instead, he’s getting double!

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Eagles sign G Brandon Brooks (5 years, $40 million): C- Grade
The Eagles have made some great moves thus far, but I can’t say I’m a big fan of this one. Perhaps this wouldn’t have happened if the Dolphins were involved.

I don’t think there’s any question that the Eagles are overpaying Brandon Brooks. He’s not a bad player – he’s solid in pass protection, while his run blocking needs work – but there were better options available on the market, and some of the ones who were signed already got less money per year. I understand that the Eagles were desperate to upgrade their offensive line, but that doesn’t excuse giving a slightly above-average lineman this sort of contract.

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Texans sign RB Lamar Miller (4 years, $26M; $14M guaranteed): C- Grade
The Texans won’t be getting a Millen like the Buccaneers did for Doug Martin. Lamar Miller and Martin are pretty even, and Houston is giving the former a bit less, so the grades can’t be the same.

Another thing to consider is that Houston doesn’t really have to worry about any sort of lethargy from Miller. I’m sure the former Dolphin will work harder now that he’s actually on a real NFL franchise, and unlike Arian Foster, he’ll probably be able to play most of the year.

Once again, however, running backs grow on trees, so giving one lots of money to one in this day and age is ridiculous. The Texans probably could’ve found a slightly lesser player at the position at a much cheaper price.

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Texans sign QB Brock Osweiler (4 years, $72M; $37M guaranteed): B Grade
This is a tough grade. On one hand, the Texans have offered Brock Osweiler $3 million more per year than the Broncos were willing to. Denver reportedly was willing to give Osweiler $45 million over three seasons, and the front office and coaching staff obviously knows him better than anyone else. Thus, the Texans giving him even more money seems pretty dubious.

On the other hand, it’s understandable that the Texans would overpay Osweiler. They’re completely desperate for a quarterback, after all. It was so bad last year that DeAndre Hopkins was yelling at the coaching staff to get Brian Hoyer off the field during the playoff debacle. Osweiler is unquestionably a major upgrade over Hoyer, and he gives the Texans a legitimate signal-caller for the first time since Matt Schaub was in his prime.

Osweiler has his flaws, no doubt, as he was inconsistent in his starts last year. However, he has a great skill set, and he’s only 25. Bill O’Brien can coach him up and get the most out of him, and so this move could really pay off. Or, Osweiler could just be mediocre, making this signing still pretty OK.

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Giants sign DT Damon “Snacks” Harrison (5 years, $46.25M; $24M guaranteed): C- Grade
First of all, let’s be clear: Damon “Snacks” Harrison is a fantastic player. He’s a monstrous run-stuffer, and he happened to be one of the top nose tackles in the NFL last year. He was one of the primary reasons why the Jets were so stellar versus the rush in 2015.

Having said that, this is not a good signing for two reasons. First, it really doesn’t make much sense, given that the Giants already have Johnathan Hankins, who plays the same exact position. Sure, they can play the two next to each other at defensive tackle to completely shut down the run, but that just means that they won’t be getting any sort of interior pass rush, which is very important in today’s NFL. The Giants needed a true three-technique who could get to the quarterback; not another nose tackle.

Second, as good as Harrison is, the Giants are overpaying. Harrison is a two-down player, so giving someone like that this sort of money seems like a mistake.

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Lions sign WR Marvin Jones (5 years, $40M; $17M guaranteed): MILLEN “D” Grade
I’m giving the Lions a Millen for this, but unlike other Millen grades, this isn’t an “F.” I’m giving this a “D,” but I just couldn’t resist slapping the Lions with a Millen for spending major resources on an underwhelming wide receiver. That’s the very origin of the Millen grade.

In all seriousness, this is a ton of money for a player who is nothing more than a No. 2 receiver. The Lions are paying Marvin Jones like a top wideout, but he’s not one. He has never eclipsed 65 catches or more than 816 receiving yards in a single season. He also had A.J. Green drawing attention away from him. Teams will be able to focus more on him now, which will limit his production.

This signing reminds me a lot of the Eagles bringing in Byron Maxwell last spring. Maxwell, also a No. 2 on his former team, was given a ton of money because the Eagles were desperate at corner, and he happened to be the best player at the position available. That’s exactly the case with Jones, as the free-agent receiver market is very weak. The Lions are overreacting to the Calvin Johnson retirement, and panicking in any market never ends well.

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Buccaneers re-sign RB Doug Martin (5 years, $35.75M; $15M guaranteed): PARTYING LIKE IT’S 1996 MILLEN Grade
Dumb teams make dumb moves in free agency. That’s how it works, and it’s why the same organizations are constantly drafting in the top 10 each year. The Buccaneers, a prime example, just made one of the worst signings of the offseason thus far.

I can’t believe these numbers. There’s no other sensible team that would’ve offered Martin this sort of money. Martin had a great year, sure, but this was after two horrible seasons. He was clearly motivated by obtaining a big contract, so what’s going to happen now that he has secured $15 million in guarantees? Will he be giving it his all again, or will he go back to slacking off?

Forget Martin for a second. Handing any running back a contract like this is asinine. Running backs grow on trees nowadays, and they’re a lot less prevalent in today’s pass-happy NFL. This signing would’ve made much more sense 20 years ago, but it’s just dumb now. It’s like buying a bottle of oxygen from someone for $10,000. Is oxygen good, and do you need it to survive? Of course. But you can find it anywhere. Tampa could’ve saved so much money by finding a slightly less-talented runner, and that player probably would be trying harder than Martin going forward.

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Raiders sign OLB Bruce Irvin (4 years, $37M; $19M guaranteed): C+ Grade
Bruce Irvin was seen as a reach by many when he was chosen in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He ended up playing well for the Seahawks, but was never overly dominant. He did a number of solid things as a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none linebacker.

I’d say the Raiders maybe overpaid Irvin by a little bit, so a C+ seems appropriate. It’s always a concern when a player on a perennial Super Bowl contender takes a lot of money and signs with an inferior franchise, but Oakland is an up-and-coming team that has legitimate playoff aspirations, so that dynamic may not apply here.

Irvin figures to help the Raiders’ defense, as a linebacker who could rush the passer was needed in the wake of Aldon Smith’s suspension.

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Cowboys re-sign ILB Rolando McClain (1 year, $5 million): A Grade
Rolando McClain wasn’t as great as he was in his outstanding 2014 campaign last year, but he still enjoyed a solid season. He was very good in coverage, and the Cowboys seemed to struggle defensively when he wasn’t in the lineup.

It’s difficult to imagine that McClain couldn’t have gotten a better offer elsewhere, so the Cowboys are extremely fortunate to get him back for just a 1-year deal worth $5 million. Given that he’ll be playing for a bigger contract next year on this “prove it” deal, Dallas will be getting McClain’s best effort, making this an outstanding signing.

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Eagles sign S Rodney McLeod (5 years, $37M; $17M guaranteed): B- Grade
This is a lot of money for the seventh-ranked free agent safety this offseason. Also consider that George Iloka, a better player overall at the same position, obtained $7 million less overall over five years from Cincinnati.

Having said that, this still seems like a decent signing. It’s not a steal like the Iloka acquisition, but Rodney McLeod is exactly the type of defensive back the Eagles needed to improve their secondary. McLeod is a great scheme fit, and he’s only 26, so it’s possible that he could improve his game and ultimately make the grade I’m giving this signing seem lower than it should’ve been. However, I can’t give Philadelphia anything better than a B- (I waffled between that and a C+) because the team overpaid a bit.

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Titans acquire RB DeMarco Murray from Eagles for swap of 4th-round picks
This trade isn’t nearly as lopsided as the Miami-Philadelphia swap. In fact, I think it’s a solid move for both teams, as Eagles general manager Howie Roseman wasn’t able to absolutely fleece two teams in this offseason. Only the Dolphins were stupid enough to be victimized.

For Philadelphia, the team is getting out of Murray’s terrible contract. Murray was a huge disappointment in 2015 for numerous reasons. He was a horrible fit in Chip Kelly’s offense, and he was also set to regress after leading the league in touches by a wide margin the year before. Moving on from all of Kelly’s failed acquisitions is something the Eagles almost had to do.

Meanwhile, the Titans are filling a major need, and Murray is a much better fit for their offense, which has been described as “exotic smashmouth.” It’s unlikely that Tennessee will ask Murray to run east-west like Kelly foolishly did. Murray will also be in superior condition now that he’s two years removed from that ridiculous 2014 campaign, though it’s fair to assume that he’ll never be the same because the Cowboys ran him into the ground. Either way, the Titans aren’t risking much, moving down just 10 spots in the fourth round.

Grade for Titans – B+
Grade for Eagles – B+

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Dolphins acquire CB Byron Maxwell, ILB Kiko Alonso, No. 13 overall from Eagles for No. 8 overall
I can’t stop laughing at this trade. The Dolphins essentially acquired two injured, overpriced players, one of whom has a bloated contract, and also traded out of the top 10. What’s the upside here? Why are they doing this? Have they cursed the No. 8 overall pick? Is the prospect the Eagles draft there destined to sustain a torn patellar tendon during the first day of practice? If so, this trade still sucks for Miami!

This really reminds me of an NBA trade, something like Isiah Thomas would’ve made with the Knicks. Normal NBA trades where teams unload contracts usually involve them giving up something; not upgrading their draft positioning. Like, if the Eagles swapped one of their third-rounders for Miami’s fourth-rounder, this would’ve made much more sense. It’s completely illogical that the Dolphins would want to move down after acquiring a linebacker who’s always hurt and a mediocre, high-priced cornerback whose shoulder is so damaged right now that he told a physician that he can’t even bench press right now.

This really might be one of the lopsided trades in NFL history, and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is being hailed as a god right now by the fans. Philadelphia earns a very easy A+. As for the Dolphins, well, it’s like Matt Millen and Isiah Thomas mated and made the worst trade possible.

Grade for Dolphins – MILLEN ISIAH BABY
Grade for Eagles – A+

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Bengals re-sign S George Iloka (5 years, $30 million): A- Grade
The Bengals typically do a great job of retaining their talent, and they did that once again here. With numerous free agents set to hit the market, they managed to re-sign their best player who happened to have an expiring contract.

George Iloka is one of the better safeties in the league, and he’s only 26. He has a very bright future ahead of him, so keeping him on the roster was imperative. Cincinnati is doing so at a very fair price, especially considering the money that some of the other players are receiving thus far this offseason.

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Giants sign CB Janoris Jenkins (5 years, $62.5 million): B- Grade
This is a ton of money, but Janoris Jenkins was the top-available free agent – per the Top 100 NFL Free Agent Rankings – so I can’t say I’m surprised to see this sort of figure.

The Giants desperately needed help at cornerback, especially in the wake of Prince Amukamara’s expected departure. Jenkins is much better than Amukamara, and he’s only 27, so he has a very bright future ahead of him and should continue to be one of the league’s top corners – assuming he doesn’t get fat and happy from this contract.

In fact, I would say that’s the main risk here. Signing big-name free agents is seldom a winning plan, and I don’t think Jenkins will solely put the Giants over the top. Considering how much he’ll be earning, he almost needs to. That’s why I can’t give the Giants a great grade, but a B- makes sense to me.

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March 8 Updates

Panthers re-sign DE Charles Johnson (1 years, $3 million): A+ Grade
This is the best signing of the offseason thus far. Even though free agency hasn’t technically begun yet, it’ll be very difficult for any team to beat this.

Carolina re-signing Charles Johnson is the very definition of buying low. Johnson was considered one of the NFL’s better 4-3 defensive ends heading into 2015. He’s coming off a lost season in which he recorded just one sack, however. That definitely wasn’t the real Johnson though, as he missed half the year with a hamstring injury and never was the same afterward.

Johnson could’ve taken more money – other teams reportedly offered him $6 million – but he wisely returned to one of the NFL’s top teams. He took less money, but he’ll be given more of an opportunity to rebound so that he can obtain a better contract next offseason.

This is an easy A+. I love 1-year “prove it” deals. Johnson will be giving it his all, so the Panthers will stand to benefit from that at a ridiculously cheap price.

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Cardinals re-sign QB Drew Stanton (2 years, $6.5 million): B Grade
We’ve seen that the going rate for backup quarterbacks is $3 or $4 million per year. Drew Stanton is set to earn an amount somewhere in between those two figures, so this makes sense.

The Cardinals have to find a long-term solution at quarterback, but in the meantime, bringing Stanton back as a reliable backup at a reasonable price is a solid move. Stanton has proven that he can hold down the fort for a few games from his performance back in 2014. It’s unlikely that Carson Palmer will last 16 games in 2016, so having Stanton around figures to pay off.

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Ravens sign TE Ben Watson (2 years, $8 million): C+ Grade
This was pretty shocking, to say the least. The Ravens already have Crockett Gillmore and Maxx Williams on the roster, so they weren’t expected to pursue one of the better tight ends on the market.

In a vacuum, this is a somewhat fair deal for Ben Watson. The former Saint is coming off his best year yet, catching 74 passes for 825 yards and six touchdowns. However, he did this with Drew Brees, and prior to this past season, he hadn’t logged more than 501 receiving yards since 2010. Watson, 36 in December, is bound to regress because of his age and downgrade at quarterback. If the Ravens gave Watson more than $8 million over two years, I’d have more of a problem with this acquisition, but the team isn’t exactly breaking the bank.

So, how does Watson fit with the Ravens? That’s not clear right now, but I’m willing to bet that we’re about to find out something bad about Gillmore’s health. Gillmore is coming off back and shoulder injuries, so perhaps the front office and coaching staff isn’t optimistic about his availability for the season opener. If so, this would make so much more sense.

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Giants re-sign DE Jason Pierre-Paul (1 year, $10.5 million): A- Grade
This deal is worth up to $10.5 million, so it’ll be interesting to see how much of it is guaranteed. Regardless, I’m a big fan of this move.

The worst thing the Giants could’ve done is sign Jason Pierre-Paul to a long-term deal. They had a small sample size of Pierre-Paul this past season, and the numbers weren’t pretty; he recorded just one sack in eight contests. However, that stat is misleading, as Pierre-Paul put a decent amount of pressure on opposing passers. What isn’t known is how Pierre-Paul will hold up, given the issue he has with his blown-up hand.

This signing is perfect because the Giants can see what they have in Pierre-Paul with a very little risk. If he plays well in 2016, they can sign him to a longer deal. If not, they can move on from him.

I’m grading this as an A- for now, but if the guaranteed money is much smaller than the overall reported $10.5 million figure, I’ll upgrade this to an “A.”

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Bills re-sign G Richie Incognitio (3 years, $15.75 million): B+ Grade
It’s a bit surprising that Richie Incognito didn’t hit the open market, given that the Bills were reportedly offended that he wouldn’t take a hometown discount. It’s unclear if Incognito did indeed sign on a reduced price, as we don’t know what he was initially asking for. The important thing, however, is that the Bills managed to retain him.

Incognito had to take a year off for Bully-gate, which was just ridiculous, but the Bills took a chance on him this past season. It predictably panned out, as Incognito emerged as one of the top guards in the NFL. Buffalo had to re-sign him, as Tyrod Taylor has shown that he isn’t overly durable.

This would be in the “A” or A- range, but Incognito turns 33 in July and could be set to decline. That’s a chance the Bills have to take though, and based on the amount of money they’re paying Incognito, they’re not taking that much of a risk.

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Dolphins sign DE Mario Williams (2 years, $16 million): KIELBASA KINGS OF THE OFFSEASON Grade
Of course the Dolphins signed Mario Williams. Of course they did. Taking over as Kings of the Offseason from the Daniel Snyder-controlled Redskins from a decade ago, the Dolphins think they put themselves in position for the Super Bowl by signing big-name free agents each spring. And come fall, they never live up to the expectations they set for themselves.

The Dolphins really don’t learn their lesson, do they? And I’m not just talking about their penchant for signing overrated free agents anymore. A couple of years ago, they had an overpriced, declining player who quit on their team in Mike Wallace. Now, they have the same exact type of player – and with the same initials, coincidentally – albeit at a different position.

Mario Williams used to be a great pass-rusher, but now that he’s 31, his best days are behind him. Even worse, he completely quit on the Bills last year. It was so blatant that the Jets were even talking and laughing about it before their game. Miami already has a defensive lineman in Ndamukong Suh who doesn’t give it his all most of the time. Now with Williams on the roster, the Dolphins officially have the laziest defensive line in the NFL.

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Bears re-sign WR Alshon Jeffery (1 year, $14.6 million): B+ Grade
Alshon Jeffery signed his franchise tender, so he’ll definitely be back with the Bears in 2016. He could still sign a long-term contract as well, which would be ideal.

Chicago needed to keep its top play-maker. Jeffery is one of the better receivers in the NFL, and losing him would be devastating, given that the team has no other proven, talented wideouts. Kevin White could turn out to be great, but he’s an unknown. Jeffery is coming off a down year that saw him play just nine games because of injuries, but he didn’t miss a start in 2013 or 2014, so there’s no sign that he has any sort of durability issues.

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Eagles sign CB Leodis McKelvin (2 years, $6 million): C Grade
Ian Rapoport has reported that this deal is worth $6 million, though the amount of guaranteed money is unknown right now. I’m going to assume that it’s in the $1-$1.5 million range. If not, I’ll adjust this grade accordingly.

Leodis McKelvin did not play well at all last year. Turning 31 in September, his days as a starter are long gone. He also hasn’t been able to stay healthy, as he hasn’t played a full season since 2011, missing 17 games in the past four years. The Eagles are overpaying him just a bit, as he should be closer to the veteran minimum.

Having said that, McKelvin, when healthy, can provide quality depth. Another plus is that he’s familiar with Jim Schwartz’s scheme, having played for Philadelphia’s current defensive coordinator in 2014. A “C” grade for this move seems appropriate, but once again, I’ll re-grade this if the guaranteed money is higher or lower than anticipated.

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Jaguars sign DE/DT Malik Jackson (6 years, $90M; $42M guaranteed): C- Grade
Believe me, I had a very strong urge to give the Jaguars a Millen for this. By giving Malik Jackson a 6-year deal worth $90 million with $42 million guaranteed, Jacksonville has made him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL history. Jackson is certainly not one of the top non-quarterback players ever. In fact, he wasn’t even a top-three free agent on the Broncos! He was fourth, behind Von Miller, Derek Wolfe and Brandon Marshall.

Unfortunately, I can’t award a Millen here. The Jaguars have a ton of cap room and really nothing to spend it on. They needed to overpay to lure players to their team. They did so with Julius Thomas last year, and that didn’t work. Jackson has a better chance of panning out, so the Jaguars deserve the tiniest bit of credit for effort.

Having said that, this is not a recipe for success. It’s been proven time and again that overpaying in free agency doesn’t work – especially when a particular player leaves a perennial Super Bowl contender and signs with a terrible franchise. Those moves have a very low-percentage chance of working. Making matters worse, the Jaguars will be asking Jackson to play in a 4-3 for the first time when he’s always operated in a 3-4. Again, Jackson could pan out in Jacksonville, but his production almost certainly won’t match his price tag.

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Chargers re-sign OT Joseph Barksdale (4 years, $22.2M; $10.5M guaranteed): B+ Grade
The Chargers had numerous injury issues to their offensive line this past season, but the one constant was Joseph Barksdale. The former Ram was on the field for all 16 games, and it’s not like he was just a body up front. He blocked very well, so the Chargers had to do everything in their power to keep him around.

This is a very fair deal for Barksdale, whom I listed as a 2.5-star free agent. Given the market for talented linemen – Kelechi Osemele is about to earn $11 million annually – it could be argued that Barksdale could’ve gotten a bit more.

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Seahawks re-sign DT Ahtyba Rubin (3 years, $12 million): C- Grade
The Seahawks have made numerous quality moves under the current regime, but there have been some dubious ones (see Cary Williams, per the Top 10 Worst NFL Free Agent Signings). This will definitely fit under the latter category, though it’s not as bad as the Williams contract.

Ahtyba Rubin didn’t do very much this past season. The Seahawks asked him to stuff running lanes, and he did that, albeit not very effectively. Rubin also put no pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In other words, he was a very sub-par defensive lineman, who definitely isn’t worth any sort of contract that pays him $4 million annually. Granted, the guaranteed money hasn’t been announced, but it’s pretty apparent that Seattle overpaid Rubin.

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March 7 Updates

Colts re-sign TE Dwayne Allen (4 years, $29.4 million): C- Grade
This is exactly what happens when a team has a chance to get rid of an incompetent general manager, but doesn’t. Ryan Grigson, who still somehow has a job, had one major task this offseason, which was to improve Andrew Luck’s offensive line. He might still do that, but he has decided to continue with his original failed strategy, which is to dedicate chunks of cap room to underwhelming players.

Allen is an OK tight end, but this sort of compensation is ridiculous. Allen isn’t worth half as much as the $29.4 million over four years that he’s receiving. He’s a solid blocker, but he happens to be inconsistent in the passing game. His durability is the biggest issue, however. He has missed 21 games in the past three years.

Heading into free agency, I had Allen pegged as a two-star player. I wrote that he was a nice buy-low candidate who could be obtained cheaply. Grigson clearly didn’t get the memo.

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Steelers re-sign WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (3 years, $3.8 million): C- Grade
The first thing that popped into my head when I saw this was: Why? Why would the Steelers give more than $1 million per season to Darrius Heyward-Bey, who happens to be one of the least-efficient first-round wide receivers in NFL history? There are very few players who do less with more than Heyward-Bey, who continues to keep getting opportunities for some reason.

I can’t give this a Millen because the Steelers aren’t exactly breaking the bank here, and Heyward-Bey is a decent special-teamer. However, the Steelers could’ve easily found a cheaper, more-promising player who could do exactly what Heyward-Bey does (or doesn’t do).

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Steelers re-sign S Robert Golden (3 years, $5 million): B+ Grade
Robert Golden had always been a backup or a special-teamer, but he was given the chance to start a few games in 2015, and he made the most out of it. Golden wasn’t great or anything, but he was solid, particularly in run support. He proved that he can be an occasional starter, all while serving as a reliable reserve. It seems like the Steelers are getting a great bargain by retaining him for just $5 million over three years.

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Ravens re-sign CB Shareece Wright (3 years, $16M; $5M guaranteed): B Grade
It’s been quite a ride for Shareece Wright, who was so bad for the 49ers that he was released early during the 2015 season. The Ravens, however, had the foresight to sign Wright, who played well as a starter the rest of the year once numerous injuries occurred. Wright has shown that he has the talent to compete for the No. 2 cornerback job, so this is a pretty fair price to pay for him.

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March 5 Updates

Vikings re-sign S Andrew Sendejo (4 years, $14 million): D Grade
I don’t understand this whatsoever. The Vikings have said that they want to upgrade the safety position next to Harrison Smith, and this was with Andrew Sendejo on the roster. With that in mind, why would they give a player they don’t like very much this sort of contract?

Sendejo isn’t completely useless. While he whiffs on tackles, he’s a decent backup and a quality special-teamer. However, players like that can be found anywhere and at a much cheaper price. This contract is almost three years and $13 million too much. I don’t mind that the Vikings are preserving continuity, but they’re paying way too much to do that.

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Rams re-sign CB Trumaine Johnson (1 year, $13.952 million): B+ Grade
Both Los Angeles cornerbacks are talented, but I didn’t think either was overly deserving of the franchise tag. Trumaine Johnson was slapped with it, and he’ll consequently earn $13.952 million in 2016 if a long-term deal isn’t completed.

That price is a bit steep for Johnson, but one thing needs to be considered: Los Angeles has about $45 million in cap space this spring, so it could definitely afford to dedicate a big chunk of salary to one player. Plus, the Rams had to ensure that they’d re-sign one of Johnson or Janoris Jenkins this offseason so that their defense could continue to be dominant.

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Bills re-sign OT Cordy Glenn (1 year, $13.706 million): A- Grade
Cordy Glenn signed his franchise tender, meaning he’ll make $13.706 million in 2016 and hit free agency following next season if he and the Bills can’t agree to a long-term deal.

Franchising Glenn was a no-brainer. He’s one of the better left tackles in the NFL, and at just 26, he has a very bright future ahead of him. Glenn is worth every penny of the $13.706 million he’s slated to earn right now, as he’ll be instrumental to whatever playoff chances the Bills have entering the 2016 campaign.

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March 4 Updates

Ravens re-sign K Justin Tucker (1 year, $4.5 million): B+ Grade
As I wrote earlier, kickers are more important than ever because of the NFL’s new asinine extra-point rule. The difference between a great kicker and a mediocre one could mean going for two at the end of the game because of a botched one-point try earlier in the contest.

Justin Tucker is a great kicker. There’s no doubt about that. He didn’t miss an extra-point attempt in 2015. He did have a down year, yet he still connected on 82.5 percent of his tries. He’s also extremely clutch, so the Ravens will be able to count on him when there are games on the line.

Tucker signing his tender for this amount definitely deserves a good grade, so a B+ seems right.

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March 2 Updates

Redskins re-sign QB Kirk Cousins (1 year, $19.953 million): A- Grade
I was worried the Redskins were going to give Kirk Cousins a huge mega deal that would’ve posed a big risk to the franchise. Cousins has just one year of strong production, so handing him an insane amount of money over a long-term agreement would’ve been a huge mistake.

What really happened was that the Redskins and Cousins agreed to a 1-year pact worth close to $20 million. That may seem like a ton of money, but it’s only for one year. There’s no risk, and that’s the most important thing.

This move is great – though it is just Cousins signing the franchise-tag tender – because Washington isn’t taking much of a chance. Cousins played well in the second half of the 2015 campaign, but he had the luxury of navigating through a very easy schedule. If he has another great season, the Redskins can safely give him the big contract he’s looking for. Until then, he just needs to prove himself. If he disappoints in 2016, the Redskins can simply part ways with him without any ramifications.

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Ravens extend QB Joe Flacco (3 years, $66.4M; $40M guaranteed): C+ Grade
This is a tough contract to grade, but I’m going to give it a try anyway. It’s difficult because the Ravens are effectively between a rock and a hard place, or, as a Hall of Fame running back once said, between a rock and a stone.

No one has really talked about this, but Joe Flacco’s initial contract has murdered the Ravens. The team has been dedicating such a high percentage of its cap to Flacco that it hasn’t been able to appropriately address depth elsewhere. That’s why the Ravens struggled early in 2015 after sustaining only a couple of injuries. Sure, there were more players who got hurt each week, but the Ravens had trouble winning early on because of their depth issues.

I’ve heard the argument that the Ravens should just get rid of Flacco and start over. I get it, as finding a cheaper alternative at quarterback would allow the rest of the roster to be much stronger. Under the team’s current structure, it would need absolutely no major injuries to get to the Super Bowl, so it’s unlikely Baltimore will win another championship with Flacco at the helm.

Then again, obtaining a competent quarterback is pretty difficult, and moving on from a Super Bowl winner is a very risky decision. I don’t know what I’d do, and for once, I’m glad I’m not Ozzie Newsome.

This grade is a C+. I can’t mark it down too low because Flacco is a very good quarterback. However, he’s not worth this sort of money, and he should have been more like Tom Brady and accepted less so that his team could be a contender every year.

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Titans sign CB Brice McCain (2 years, $5 million): D+ Grade
Brice McCain was recently released from the Dolphins, a team with a dire cornerback situation, and he managed to sign with a team that has an even worse one. The Titans are desperate at the position, so I can understand why they were so eager to pounce on a player who suddenly became available to them. However, they definitely overpaid. A 2-year, $5 million contract isn’t going to break the bank, but it’s a lot for a player who struggled mightily for Miami last season. The Dolphins are a mess, and they didn’t even want him, so why is McCain getting more than the veteran minimum?

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March 1 Updates

Packers re-sign K Mason Crosby (4 years, $16.1M; $5M bonus): B- Grade
I criticized the Raiders for paying big money to a punter a couple of days ago. Well, kickers are more important, so this grade has to be higher, given that the teams gave their special-teamers somewhat similar contracts.

Mason Crosby has been one of the better kickers in the NFL since 2013. His percentages in the three years since have been: 89.2, 81.8 and 85.7. It’s also worth noting that Crosby didn’t whiff on a single extra point last season, drilling all 36 tries. Kickers are more important than ever now in the wake of the NFL’s new asinine extra-points rule, so keeping a great one around at a somewhat reasonable price is a solid move.

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Eagles re-sign QB Sam Bradford (2 years, $36M; $26M guaranteed): B- Grade
The worst thing the Eagles could’ve done is re-sign Sam Bradford to a long-term deal. Bradford is basically held together by Scotch Tape and Elmer’s Glue, as evidenced by his extensive injury history. Bradford has played 16 games just twice in his 6-year pro career, and he also missed most of an entire season in college. It’s highly unlikely that he’ll be on the field for every game in either 2016 and 2017.

With that in mind, the length of this contract makes a ton of sense. The Eagles aren’t taking much of a risk, yet they’re still retaining an average starting quarterback, which is good enough to be competitive in the weak NFC East, as the Redskins proved last year. However, the amount of money on this deal is a bit much. There’s no way Bradford is worth $26 million in guarantees over two years, and there’s no question that the Eagles are overpaying. Bradford just isn’t that good, but the Eagles didn’t have much of a choice. Banking on someone like Paxton Lynch at No. 13 overall, who might not even be available, isn’t that great of a proposition either.

I’d like to give the Eagles a lower grade than this – a contract like this deserves a “C” – but they were effectively trapped. I expect them to target a rookie quarterback on Day 2 of the 2016 NFL Draft. I currently have them selecting Connor Cook in the third round of my 2016 NFL Mock Draft.

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Feb. 29 Updates

Raiders re-sign P Marquette King (5 years, $16.5M; $7.75M guaranteed): C- Grade
Marquette King is one of the better punters in the NFL. He has ranked in the top 12 of net yardage in each of the past two seasons, and only the Rams’ Johnny Hekker planted more attempts inside the opposing 20 than King in 2015.

Having said that, this is a ton of money for a punter. Again, King is very good for a player at his position, but punters grow on trees. Teams literally sign solid ones all the time as undrafted free agents. Dedicating any sort of significant salary-cap room to a punter is just irresponsible.

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Feb. 25 Updates

Ravens sign RB Trent Richardson: C Grade
I wasn’t going to bother writing about this until I noticed that Trent Richardson was trending on Twitter for several hours. I realized that people obviously still care about him, so maybe I was wrong to ignore this signing for so long.

Richardson has been a bum, so I enjoyed the joke I saw about him putting in his two weeks’ notice at Wendy’s in the wake of signing with Baltimore. Richardson wasn’t on a roster during the regular season last year because he showed up to Raiders’ camp overweight. Is it possible that he has grown as a person and will finally live up to expectations? Sure, but it’s also possible that I’ll score a date with Alison Brie.

Having said that, there is upside to this signing, and there’s almost no risk, assuming that Baltimore didn’t pay Richardson more than the veteran minimum (if they did, I will turn this into a Millen). I say “almost no risk” because there’s always a chance Richardson could hurt team morale by eating all of the food in the cafeteria. Plus, in all seriousness, his lethargy could spread like a virus to some of the younger players, and that’s definitely not a good thing.

Update: It was reported that Richardson signed with the Ravens. It turns out that he did not.

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Feb. 24 Updates

49ers extend DE/DT Quinton Dial (3 years, $12M; $5M guaranteed): B Grade
How strange. After Trent Baalke threw $11 million overall and $5 million guaranteed to a mediocre blocking tight end, I figured that he would hand Quinton Dial a bag full of $100 million with no questions asked.

Dial is a decent defensive lineman who is a jack of all trades; master of none. He’s fine in terms of stopping the run and getting to the quarterback, but he’s not great at either aspect. However, Dial is just 26 (in July) and had a solid finish to his 2015 campaign, so there’s definitely some potential here. Thus, I’m actually going to give the 49ers a somewhat positive grade for a change.

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Feb. 23 Updates

49ers extend TE Garrett Celek (4 years, $14M; $5M guaranteed): D Grade
Trent Baalke strikes again. Along with meddlesome owner Jed York, Baalke has been responsible for ruining San Francisco’s once-proud franchise, and this is yet another move that will ultimately ensure that the 49ers become the worst team in the NFL.

Garrett Celek has 27 career receptions. Yes, you read that right: 27! That means Celek is being paid $518,518.52 per catch. That’s quite a bit!

Now, if Baalke is reading this, he’s probably shouting: “Who cares about how many catches he has!? He’s a blocking tight end!” Well, that’s part of the problem. Blocking tight ends grow on trees, so there was no need to spend so much money on Celek, especially considering that Vance McDonald and Blake Bell are on the roster. Celek is a solid blocker, but paying this much for him seems pretty irresponsible.

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Feb. 22 Updates

Eagles extend S Malcolm Jenkins (5 years, $40.5M; $21M guaranteed): B+ Grade
The Eagles have overspent extending some of their players this offseason, but I like this move much better than all of the others. Giving Malcolm Jenkins $21 million guaranteed on a 5-year pact is certainly not overspending.

Jenkins has been one of the top safeties in the NFL over the past couple of years. He was exceptional last season, and at 28, he has several years of high performance remaining. Locking up Jenkins at a very reasonable rate for someone of his talent level is a very smart move. It’s just the first step in what the Eagles need to do to fix a secondary that was horrific in 2015. Moving forward, they’ll need to find a new cornerback and also either re-sign or replace Walter Thurmond.

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Cardinals re-sign P Drew Butler (2 years, $2.4 million): Kielbasa West Asks for $1 Billion Grade
While we wait for the Malcolm Jenkins contract details, here’s a grade for the Cardinals re-signing their punter. It’s an “F.”

I don’t get why the Cardinals thought that they had to pay Drew Butler more than $1 million per year when he was the worst punter in terms of net average in 2015 without placing many kicks inside the opposing 20. He wasn’t much better in 2014, ranking 31st. Butler was the worst free-agent at his position in my Free Agent Rankings, and I didn’t think he’d even be on an NFL roster in 2016.

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Feb. 18 Updates

Jaguars re-sign QB Chad Henne (2 years, $8 million): C Grade
Ahh, the life of an NFL backup quarterback. Do nothing but hold a clipboard and get paid $4 million per year for doing so, all while dodging brain injuries stemming from concussions. They might just have the best job in the entire world.

Chad Henne earning $4 million per year seems wrong, doesn’t it? I’d say about $3.5 or $4 million per season is the going rate for backup signal-callers, but Henne is a pretty mediocre No. 2 quarterback. He’s not a bad reserve, but he’s not very good either. Thus, it seems like the Jaguars are overpaying a bit, but not by a substantial amount.

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Feb. 13 Updates

Raiders re-sign S Nate Allen (1 year, $3M; $1.85M guaranteed): STRUCK BY MILLEN’S ARROW Grade
I just literally laughed out loud and shuddered at the same time at the thought of Matt Millen flying around in a diaper, shooting people with arrows so that they have the urge to insert a kielbasa into the first 100-percent USDA Man they see. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

But yeah, this is an F/Millen grade. I don’t understand what Oakland’s obsession is with overpaying Nate Allen. A 1-year, $3 million deal may not sound like much, but it includes $1.85 million guaranteed, which is $1.85 million guaranteed more than Allen deserves. Allen is a horrible safety who barely even deserves the league minimum. I wasn’t even sure he’d be on an NFL roster going into 2016. This signing makes absolutely no sense.

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Feb. 12 Updates

Packers re-sign DE/DT Letroy Guion (3 years, $11.25 million): C Grade
Letroy Guion had to take a 1-year “prove it” deal last offseason because of some legal issues he was a part of. His charges were eventually dropped, but he didn’t exactly play particularly well.

Guion was just OK as a rotational lineman, so with that in mind, nearly $4 million per year seems like a lot to pay that sort of player. This isn’t a terrible move, as I like when teams re-sign their own players for chemistry issues, but the Packers probably could’ve obtained a cheaper alternative who would’ve performed just as well.

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Feb. 9 Updates

Raiders signed S Nate Allen last year (4 years, $23M; $11.8M guaranteed): CAPTAIN KIELBASA Grade
*** Nate Allen was cut today. I remember giving the Raiders a harsh grade for signing him in the first place, so I looked up what I wrote previously. I found it hilarious, so I thought it would be fun to post it, given that the acquisition was so terrible. ***

I actually laughed for a good minute when I saw these numbers posted on Twitter by Aaron Wilson. I then tweeted – @walterfootball – that the numbers in the contract must have been displaced. Signing Nate Allen to a 4-year, $2.3 million contract actually seems more reasonable than this.

I don’t get it. Allen was one of the worst starting safeties in the NFL last year. He was partly responsible for the ineptitude of Philadelphia’s secondary, and the team was more than happy to watch him walk away in free agency. Allen wouldn’t have gotten a quarter of the value of this deal from anyone else, so why in the world did Oakland give him all this money? It makes absolutely no sense.

This is an easy “F” grade, and it’s arguably the worst signing of the offseason thus far. I’m giving the Raiders a “Captain Kielbasa” – half for Matt Millen, half for owner Mark Davis and his ridiculous Captain Kangaroo haircut.

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Feb. 2 Updates

Eagles re-sign DE Vinny Curry (5 years, $47.25M; $23M guaranteed): C Grade
Vinny Curry is being paid like a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end. Yet, he’s never started, and I had him as a 2.5-star free agent, ranked 64th in my overall NFL Free Agent Rankings. Something’s not right.

The Eagles have been overpaying their own free agents this offseason, and the trend has continued with Curry. It’s definitely a better strategy than overpaying someone else’s free agents, as continuity is key. However, Curry hasn’t been an every-down player, and he has yet to prove that he’s capable of handling that role. He’ll definitely need to at his current price.

I don’t hate this move. Curry has some potential, though not a lot, given that he’ll turn 28 in June. Curry also figures to be better in the 4-3. However, the Eagles are giving him too much money, considering that he really hasn’t proven himself yet.

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Jan. 30 Updates

Chargers remain in San Diego for 2016: B Grade
There was speculation that the Chargers would move to Los Angeles and share a stadium with the Rams. This was not ideal, as owner Dean Spanos didn’t exactly want to become a tenant in Stan Kroenke’s building. I’m sure it would help if Kroenke wasn’t a douche, but not having a true home would suck nonetheless.

Avoiding Los Angeles is a great decision. If the Chargers thought their horrible home-field advantage was bad, they would have even fewer supporters in the stands in Los Angeles, rather than the usual two dozen in San Diego. Los Angeles is a horrible home for an NFL team, as the people in the city are from different parts of the country, and they don’t care about anything real anyhow.

Staying in San Diego is better than moving to Los Angeles, but the reason this is just a “B” because San Diego’s not a proper home either. It was absolutely embarrassing that no one but Dolphin fans were the ones giving a standing ovation to Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd in their supposed final curtain call. The Chargers don’t have many real fans; like Los Angeles, most people living in San Diego are from somewhere else.

Spanos needs to forget about Los Angeles. Moving his team to San Antonio, Portland or Oklahoma City would be a much better option.

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Jan. 29 Updates

Chiefs extend TE Travis Kelce (5 years, $46M; $20.5M guaranteed): C+ Grade
Travis Kelce must have been ecstatic when he saw that Zach Ertz received $42.5 million over five years with $20 million guaranteed. A slightly better tight end than Ertz, Kelce must have known that he’d receive a larger contract, and sure enough, that’s exactly what happened.

Having said that, I’m not a huge fan of this deal. Kelce is a good player, but he’s not great enough to warrant such a huge contract. Kelce is talented for sure, but he tends to disappear some weeks. He also makes a large amount of mental mistakes, dropping passes and fumbling balls away. His blocking is horrific as well.

This isn’t a bad move by any means – a C+ isn’t a terrible grade – but I think the Chiefs are overpaying.

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Eagles extend OT Lane Johnson (5 years, $63M; $35.5M guaranteed): B Grade
I like when teams re-sign their own free agents, as continuity is very important in the NFL. The Eagles did overpay for their two tight ends, but this deal makes much more sense.

Philadelphia had immense issues blocking this past season, but the problems were in the interior; the two tackles were solid. Jason Peters, following a sluggish start, was exceptional, while Lane Johnson was only just a bit worse. Johnson, however, is the future blind-side protector for the team, and he could even take over that post in 2016, considering the aging Peters counts nearly $10 million against the cap. Thus, extending Johnson was crucial.

Johnson figures to play on an extremely high level throughout the duration of this contract. He turns 26 in May, so he’ll be in his early 30s by the time he’s a free agent again. Locking him up was smart, and the money he received seems appropriate for a talented left tackle.

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Jan. 26 Updates

Eagles extend TE Brent Celek (3 years, $13M; $6M guaranteed): D Grade
I wasn’t a fan of the Zach Ertz extension, but I at least understood it. This one makes absolutely no sense to me.

Brent Celek used to be a solid starting tight end, but those days are over. Now, he’s just a second option at the position, and a declining one at that; he just turned 31, and he managed his lowest reception total in 2015 (27) since his sophomore campaign.

Celek’s primary function now will be to serve as an in-line blocker. He’ll play well in that role, but giving an old blocking tight end $6 million guaranteed just seems asinine to me.

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Jan. 25 Updates

Eagles extend TE Zach Ertz (5 years, $42.5M; $20M guaranteed): C+ Grade
This is a ton of money for an inconsistent player who has never produced in meaningful action. Zach Ertz is very talented, but prior to December of this past season, his production hadn’t matched his skill set, as he was often guilty of costing the Eagles with crucial drops.

Ertz did go berserk in the final four games, posting lines of: 5-98, 8-78-1, 13-122 and 9-152. He was impressive for sure, but will it carry over into 2016? I’m not exactly positive. Ertz did the same thing last year, snatching 15 receptions in the penultimate game, only to begin his 2015 campaign very slowly.

That said, I don’t think this is an awful extension. Perhaps Ertz did finally break through, and maybe he’ll continue to post monstrous numbers on a consistent basis going forward. It’s just too difficult to trust him, though.

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Jan. 16 Updates

Broncos extend DE/DT Derek Wolfe (4 years, $36M; $17.5M guaranteed): A- Grade
The Broncos have a number of significant free agents this offseason that they need to re-sign. Derek Wolfe, one of the most prominent ones, is the first to be brought back, as he just inked a 4-year extension.

Wolfe obviously isn’t of J.J. Watt’s caliber, but he is in the second tier of 3-4 defensive ends. He’s an outstanding player, strong in every regard. And to top it off, he’ll only be 26 in February, so he’ll play at the top of this game for the duration of the contract.

I’d say Jurrell Casey is a comparable player to Wolfe. Casey was re-signed recently for the same total amount, but he received $20 million guaranteed instead of Wolfe’s $17.5 million. That makes this a great deal.

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Jan. 13 Updates

Rams move to Los Angeles: C- Grade
The St. Louis Rams, via a 30 to 2 vote, have been approved to move back to Los Angeles.

Everyone saw this coming. While the Rams drew large crowds when they first moved to St. Louis – having the “Greatest Show on Turf” helped – attendance dwindled in recent seasons. In fact, when a big-market team like the Steelers or Packers didn’t come into town to buy tickets, the Edward Jones Dome resembled an empty cavern. The Rams were fortunate to have half their seats filled against opponents like Detroit or Tampa. There just wasn’t any interest.

Moving out of St. Louis, a city that doesn’t support the NFL, was a good idea. However, going back to Los Angeles was not. If owner Stan Kroenke thought the people in St. Louis were apathetic, he hasn’t seen anything yet. The people in L.A. don’t care about anything except for their own movie careers. Those who are passionate about football have their own team. Thus, the Los Angeles Rams are going to have one of the worst home-field advantages in the NFL. Sure, in the first few years, B-list celebrities will show up because they’ll think it’s cool, but once the novelty wears off, the stadium will be empty – unless, of course, the Steelers or Packers come to town.

Matvei and I talked about this on the podcast. If Kroenke truly wanted to establish a real fan base and sell out most games, he would have moved the team to Portland or Oklahoma City – a location with football fans starved for a pro franchise. The people in Los Angeles don’t care. It’s why the Rams left in the first place.

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Dec. 29 Updates

Eagles fire HC Chip Kelly: A+ Grade
In a disappointing and frustrating season, this is the best thing they could’ve done. Firing Chip Kelly is an outstanding decision.

Kelly has been a complete failure on every level. Foolishly believing he could be Bill Belichick by handling personnel duties on top of his coaching responsibilities despite barely having any pro experience, Kelly gutted the entire team. He let most of his skilled players leave, making a huge mistake in believing that scheme trumps talent. That could be the case in college, but not in the NFL. Kelly squandered all of his draft picks; surrendered a second-round choice senselessly for Sam Bradford; and overspent for overrated free agents.

Kelly’s personnel moves hurt him as the coach, but he did a terrible job in the latter regard as well. His play-calling was extremely obvious, and some of Philadelphia’s opponents were even calling out the plays. Kelly also failed to connect with his players, prompting several to declare that he was a racist. On top of that, Kelly lost the locker room at the end. Jason Peters took himself out of the game at the end of the Washington contest, and he was overheard saying, “I’m not getting injured for this.”

The worst thing the Eagles could’ve done was bring back Kelly for another year. He was a sunk cost, and he would’ve ruined the team even more, so they did a great job of cutting their losses. They can now move forward with a normal coach who understands basic NFL concepts.

As for Kelly, all of the top college vacancies have been filled. Some are connecting him to the Titans because of Marcus Mariota, but Tennessee would be crazy to hire him. I think Kelly could sit out a year and then receive a ton of money from Texas to coach the Longhorns.

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