NFL Free Agent Tracker:
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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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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: March 9 Updates
Giants sign TE Isaiah Likely (3 years, $40 million): MILLEN Grade
Ladies and gentlemen, our first Millen grade of free agency.
When I first saw this signing, I said, “$40 million? You’ve gotta be kidding me.” I can’t believe Isaiah Likely signed for this much money. He’s had some great games in his young career, but he’s also done a whole lot of nothing as well. The fact that he couldn’t be a consistent producer means that he’s not an elite tight end, and any time a team spends big bucks on a non-elite tight end, they always regret it. Always.
Besides, this wasn’t even a need. Theo Johnson is a quality tight end with lots of promise. There was no reason to block his production like this with a mega overpay.
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Ravens sign G John Simpson (3 years, $30 million): A Grade
The Ravens already had a huge win this offseason by trading for Maxx Crosby, and now they scored another victory by addressing the other side of the line of scrimmage.
John Simpson was awesome for the Jets in 2024. He regressed in 2025, but the entire Jets team was a mess, so can you really blame him? Simpson was part of the Ravens in 2023, so I like that there won’t be too much of a transition to reunite with his old unit.
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Dolphins sign QB Malik Willis (3 years, $67.5 million): A+ Grade
This signing can’t have surprised anyone. The Dolphins hired a former Packer coach to be their new head coach and a former Packer front office person to be their new general manager, so they obviously signed a former Packer quarterback to be their new franchise signal-caller.
Malik Willis has been awesome in relief of “No Cookie” Jordan Love over the past couple of years, so he deserved another chance to start in the NFL. It’s fair to be skeptical because Willis has had six starts, but he’s been better than Love in his relief appearances. Even if he fails, the Dolphins didn’t exactly spend a huge sum on him. This is a great deal for Miami.
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Rams sign CB Jaylen Watson (3 years, $51 million): A+ Grade
I understand that the Rams and Chiefs used to play next to each other, but did the Rams really have to steal all of Kansas City’s cornerbacks? They initially traded for Trent McDuffie, and now the Rams signed Jaylen Watson.
This is an amazing signing. Watson had an incredible season in 2025 after missing the second half of 2024. He’s going to be a huge upgrade at a big position of weakness. This is also a great bargain, as Watson should’ve signed for much more.
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Panthers sign DE Jaelan Phillips (4 years, $120 million): A Grade
The sound you hear is the hearts of Eagles fans being broken, as Jaelan Phillips, who was acquired via the Dolphins at the trade deadline last season, signed with the Panthers.
This is a huge signing for the Panthers. Phillips is an extremely talented, young edge rusher who will transform Carolina’s usually pedestrian defense into one that will be able to generate consistent quarterback pressure. I imagine there might be some sticker shock to seeing the terms of this deal, but Phillips can do for the Panthers what Milton Williams did for the Patriots last year, albeit at a different position. This signing says that the Panthers are here to contend in the NFC South with the Saints and Falcons seemingly improving.
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Chiefs sign RB Kenneth Walker (3 years, $45 million): D Grade
Kenneth Walker made a lot of money in the Super Bowl because there was no way he was getting this contract prior to it. We know this because Walker wasn’t even handling the majority of the workload in Seattle, as Zach Charbonnet was given the important carries, namely those inside the 20.
This is an insane amount of money for any non-elite running back, especially a committee back. The Seahawks didn’t think Walker could shoulder a big workload for a long period of time, so I don’t understand why the Chiefs think he can. I understand that Kansas City was desperate to upgrade its running game, but is Walker even going to have the blocking to be successful?
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Steelers re-sign LB Cole Holcomb (2 years, $5 million): A+ Grade
This isn’t an exciting signing like Alec Pierce getting $116 million, or Kenneth Walker inking a deal with the Chiefs, but this is a great move by the Steelers because there’s no downside whatsoever. Cole Holcomb isn’t a great player by any means, but he’s a solid, two-down linebacker who thrives against the run. He’s an important piece of Pittsburgh’s defense, and retaining him for just $5 million is a huge win.
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Patriots sign DL Dre’Mont Jones (3 years, $39 million): B+ Grade
One of those India-based X NFL accounts told Dre’Mont Jones that he would be signing a 3-year, $60 million contract, to which Jones said, “Yeah, I don’t know about that.” Jones signed a 3-year deal worth “just” $39 million.
The Patriots’ schedule is much tougher this upcoming year than it was in 2025, so they needed to continue to bolster their roster. Putting as much pressure on Josh Allen will be vital, so Jones and his seven sacks from 2025 will be quite welcome in New England.
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Raiders re-sign CB Eric Stokes (3 years, $30 million): B Grade
This isn’t the first early-round bust who received a big contract after having his best year with a new team. We saw it with Ed Ingram re-signing with the Texans, and now we have it with Eric Stokes re-signing with the Packers.
Stokes was a mega bust in Green Bay, but had his best year, by far, with the Raiders. Stokes was excellent, so I can understand this $30 million contract. However, there’s a chance this was all a mirage, so I’m not too excited about this deal.
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Colts re-sign WR Alec Pierce (4 years, $116 million): C- Grade
Our first signing of the tampering period was the Colts retaining Alec Pierce to an absurd deal. A year ago, I never would have imagined that Alec Pierce would be getting $114 million because he was just an inconsistent deep threat, yet here we are.
Pierce had his best season at the right time, hence the mega contract. However, Pierce’s big year included just two 100-yard games, so it’s very fair to be skeptical about this deal, which the Colts could easily regret down the road.
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Texans re-sign G Ed Ingram (3 years, $37.5 million): B+ Grade
I imagine Minnesota fans believe this is the worst contract of all time. Ed Ingram was a second-round pick of the Vikings in 2022, but never lived up to his potential. He started with the Vikings, but was eventually benched. Ingram went to Houston last offseason, and he finally emerged with his best year yet.
Ingram was so good last year that he was Houston’s best offensive lineman, somehow. It was important to retain him, especially with continuity being vital for offensive linemen. I would be worried about some regression, so there’s definitely a downside to this signing.
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Jaguars re-sign CB Montaric Brown (3 years, $33 million): B Grade
No one would have imagined that a season ago, Montaric Brown would eventually sign a 3-year, $33 million contract. Part of the reason is that no one ever had heard of him. Brown was just a seventh-round pick in 2022 who barely played in his first two seasons. He became a mediocre starter in 2024, but blossomed into a very good corner last year.
Brown’s upward trajectory has to excite the Jaguars. Part of this feels like an overpay, but Brown is just 27 (as of August), so he should continue to improve.
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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: March 9 Updates
Vikings re-sign LB Eric Wilson (3 years, $22.5 million): C+ Grade
The Vikings did not evaluate their quarterback situation well last offseason, and it cost them. We’re seeing a habit of this, as the Vikings weren’t able to appropriately determine the value of their own players once again.
Eric Wilson is a strong run defender, but he’s a big liability in coverage. He’s a nice fit for Brian Flores’ defense, but giving him this sort of money certainly constitutes as an overpay. It’s not an egregious one, and it won’t hurt like the quarterback decision, but it’s still a poor contract.
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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: March 8 Updates
Chargers sign FB Alec Ingold (2 years, $7.5 million): B+ Grade
If we were doing SAT analogies, Adam Trautman is to Sean Payton, as Alec Ingold is to Mike McDaniel. The former Dolphins coach loves Ingold, making this the most predictable signing of all time. In one game two years ago, McDaniel gave Ingold, a simple fullback, more targets than Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined.
Despite the odd play-calling, Ingold is actually useful in an offense because he can block well. A contract worth less than $4 million per season is very reasonable, and I like that Ingold won’t have to learn a new offense.
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Broncos re-sign TE Adam Trautman (3 years, $17 million): C Grade
I saw one writer opine in the wake of this signing: “Sean Payton loves Adam Trautman.” That’s an understatement. I think if Trautman asked for Payton’s daughter’s hand in marriage, Payton would say yes without a second thought. Actually, I think Payton would say yes to Trautman asking to marry him.
Trautman is just a blocking tight end, so it’s odd to see this sort of deal. Sure, he’s a pretty great blocking tight end, but there are so many blocking tight ends, one could say that they grow on trees. In fact, a few are coming into bloom in my backyard as you are reading this.
In all seriousness, I like Trautman as a player, but this is too much money for the role he plays on the team.
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Broncos re-signed LB Justin Strnad (3 years, $13 million): A Grade
We saw one overpay today, but the Broncos did not make the same error. They managed to re-sign a player of theirs at a very reasonable price.
Justin Strnad saw action last year when Dre Greenlaw was injured. He filled in well, but when Greenlaw returned, he went back to the bench. Strnad is fine enough to start, and yet the Broncos are getting him at a very cheap deal.
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Packers re-sign G/C Sean Rhyan (3 years, $33 million): C Grade
We’re going to see lots of absurd contracts over the next week, so I don’t want to waste my Millen grades just yet. When I saw this grade, my thoughts immediately raced to Millen consideration, given how surprising it was. However, there are some positives to this signing, so it’s just a run-of-the-mill “C” signing.
The reason this contract is absurd is that Rhyan, simply, isn’t any good. He’s a decent run blocker, but is horrible in pass protection. However, he’s young (25), so there’s room for improvement. Rhyan is also versatile, in that he can play guard and center, so he’s a useful player to have on the team.
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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: March 7 Updates
Chargers re-sign DE Khalil Mack (1 year, $18 million): A Grade
We saw how important Khalil Mack was to the Chargers last year. Mack suffered an injury in September, and the defense took a dive after that. Then, Mack returned after five weeks, and the Chargers’ stop unit was far better from that point onward.
Mack is 35, but he’s still a ferocious pass rusher. Age is an issue, but this 1-year contract mitigates that. If Mack regresses, the Chargers won’t be punished for the long haul. This mitigated downside makes this a great re-signing.
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Ravens re-sign QB Tyler Huntley (2 years, $11 million): B Grade
This signing isn’t nearly as exciting as the Maxx Crosby trade, but it’s still an important one for the Ravens because Tyler Huntley has been called to duty multiple times over the years in the event of a Lamar Jackson injury. We’ve seen that having a viable backup quarterback is important, and Huntley has proven himself to be capable in that role.
A salary of about $5 million or so is the going rate for a decent backup quarterback, so these terms are appropriate for Huntley.
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Eagles extend NT Jordan Davis (3 years, $78 million): B Grade
It’s hardly a surprise that Jordan Davis received a contract like this. Davis has been a dominant nose tackle since entering the NFL out of Georgia. He’s a monstrous run stuffer who can generate ample pressure on opposing quarterbacks. It would be wrong to say that he’s not worth this sort of a contract.
So, why just the “B” grade? Well, I’m always wary of very heavy defensive tackles getting massive contract. It doesn’t always happen, but they tend to get fat and lazy, and once an already-heavy human being gains even more weight, it’s very difficult for them to get back in shape. Still, what were the Eagles going to do, allow Davis to walk soon? I can’t grade this signing poorly.
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Bills re-sign C Connor McGovern (4 years, $52 million): B Grade
The Bills finally landed a top receiver for Josh Allen (go here for the D.J. Moore NFL Trade Grades), but if they lost two of their key offensive linemen free agents, then they’d just be back to square zero, as a Hall of Fame running back once said.
Connor McGovern was one of the free agent offensive linemen the Bills needed to re-sign. McGovern has been a rock-solid center for the Bills for the past few years, so losing such a player at an important position would have hurt. This seems like a bit more than I would have paid for McGovern, but continuity on the offensive line is very important, and the NFL salary cap is fake anyway.
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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: March 6 Updates
Rams re-sign S Kam Curl (3 years, $36 million): B Grade
The Rams just made a big trade to acquire their new top cornerback, Trent McDuffie. It wouldn’t make much sense if they would allow their top safety, Kam Curl, to depart. So, it’s no surprise that they re-signed Curl to a $36 million contract.
Curl is a talented safety who thrives in run support and does well in coverage. Retaining him is a good thing, but I’m not a fan of the price. Curl is a talented safety, but given the lack of positional value, as well as all the skilled safeties entering the league via the 2026 NFL Draft, safeties will be much cheaper this offseason (or at least they should be.)
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Chargers sign C Tyler Biadasz (3 years, $30 million): B+ Grade
There was speculation that the Chargers were going to sign Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. They decided that they didn’t want to risk Linderbaum not being available for them, so they’ve opted to sign Tyler Biadasz instead.
I like this signing quite a bit. The Chargers had severe offensive line issues last season, and not just as a result of their two tackles being injured. Center was a big issue for them, so Biadasz is a big upgrade. Biadasz is not the amazing center Linderbaum is, but he’s a solid player.
This seems like a bit of an overpay, considering that the Redskins just cut him, but I like that this gives the Chargers a better chance of finally not failing in the playoffs.
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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: Feb. 23 Updates
Cowboys re-sign RB Javonte Williams (3 years, $24 million): D Grade
Jerry Jones has lost his marbles. He’s not willing to pay elite players at highly important positions like Micah Parsons and George Pickens, yet he’s perfectly comfortable shelling out plenty of cash for running backs with an injury history. We can now see why this once-proud franchise hasn’t had much success in recent years.
This is an embarrassing move. Javonte Williams played very well last year, but there are two issues with this re-signing. The first is that, as mentioned, Williams has an injury history that involves a devastating torn ACL. Second, running back is a very replaceable position. The Cowboys probably would have been able to find someone who could offer the same production for less than half the cost.
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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: Jan. 31 Updates
Saints re-sign S Julian Blackmon (1 year, $3.1 million): A+ Grade
Julian Blackmon seemed like a great signing by the Saints last offseason. He was known as a strong player in coverage and was supposed to help an ailing New Orleans secondary. He had a great first game, but was then lost for the season with a torn labrum.
Blackmon figures to be 100 percent entering 2026, yet the Saints were able to re-sign him to a 1-year “prove it” deal. This is a terrific bargain worthy of an A+ grade.
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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: Jan. 26 Updates
Chargers re-sign DT Teair Tart (3 years, $37.5 million): B- Grade
Is there a more perfect last name for a defensive tackle than “Tart?” Perhaps Marshmallow. If there’s a defensive tackle named Robert Marshmallow in the NFL Draft, teams need to target him early in the first round.
Tart, true to his name, is a quality run stuffer. He can also get a bit of pressure on the quarterback, though not very much. He’s a decent defensive tackle who can play about 60 percent of the snaps. I like that the Chargers retained him, though $37.5 million over three years seems like a hefty price, especially for a player who has just one year remaining in his 20s. However, I think this signing is fine and shouldn’t be graded poorly because Tart is a quality member of the Chargers’ defensive front.
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NFL Free Agent Signing Grades: Jan. 3 Updates
Jaguars re-sign OT/G Cole Van Lanen (3 years, $51 million): A Grade
I’m experiencing a Mandella Effect moment right now because I swear Cole Van Lanen’s name was Cole Van Laren. Either way, Van Lanen/Laren has been an awesome blocker for the Jaguars this year. He has played both guard spots, as well as left tackle, where he’s done his best work. In fact, Van Lanen’s move to left tackle was the start of Jacksonville’s offensive explosion. Jakobi Meyers integration into the offense was also a big factor, but Van Lanen has provided elite blind-side protection for Trevor Lawrence.
With that mind, how can you not love this contract? Van Lanen can play four positions on the offensive line, and he can do that on a very high level. He’s also just 27, so there’s no reason to expect any sort of regression.
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Rams re-sign S Quentin Lake (3 years, $42 million): B Grade
At first glance, this signing doesn’t seem too amazing. Quentin Lake is a talented safety, and at just 27 years old, he has a bright future ahead of him. If safeties were valued highly, Lake would deserve this sort of money. Safety, however, is not a premium position. There’s a reason safeties fall in the draft each year.
However, the Rams have an owner who is willing to spend lots of money, so the cap is not a real thing for them. Like the Eagles and Saints, the Rams are known to add bogus years to their players’ contracts to circumvent the cap. Given that the Rams are known to do that, this signing can be graded relatively favorably.
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NFL Free Agent Tracker:
Top 100 | QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Rumors
2026 NFL Mock Draft - March 7
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
NFL Power Rankings - Jan. 26
