It has been said countless times that championship teams are built by drafting and developing well. That’s true, but some key additions in free agency always help.
There were four teams that spent a total of more than $200 million in free-agent contracts last offseason, according to Spotrac, and two met in the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots were the biggest spenders. The Seattle Seahawks were fourth. The Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants were second and third on that list and neither made the playoffs. Nobody ever said spending a lot guaranteed anyone a postseason spot. It’s just that teams can benefit from the right signings.
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There were plenty of signings in the first couple days of NFL free agency. The league year starts officially Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, but the period in which teams can contact free agents brought about a flurry of activity as usual, including the majority of my top 25 free agents.
Here are the very early grades for what teams have done so far in free agency, including the major trades that were reported:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks
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AFC East
Buffalo Bills
The Bills had to improve at receiver, and did so by trading for DJ Moore. Giving up a second-round draft pick was expensive, but it’s not a strong draft and the Bills needed help now. Buffalo practically chose to re-sign center Connor McGovern over guard David Edwards, who left to the Saints, and at least they retained one of them. There’s still work to do, but Moore helps.
Grade: B-
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins had to do some gymnastics with the salary cap, but being able to sign Malik Willis after cutting Tua Tagovailoa and his $99 million dead cap hit was impressive. Paying $67.5 million over three years for a quarterback with six career starts is obviously risky, but it’s a worthwhile gamble for a team that is otherwise in a rebuild. At least there’s some hope if Willis hits. Tyreek Hill, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bradley Chubb and Tagovailoa are gone, but it could have been worse.
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Grade: C
New England Patriots
Offensive line was a clear position of need after the playoffs, and signing oft-injured guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is a high-risk, high-reward but worthwhile gamble. If Vera-Tucker can stay healthy, he can be a Pro Bowler. It’s a big if. Grabbing Romeo Doubs at four years and $80 million makes for a reasonable replacement for Stefon Diggs. Adding Dre’Mont Jones to the defensive line after Khyiris Tonga left to Kansas City is solid as well.
Grade: B+
New York Jets
The Jets knew they had to improve on defense. They traded for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and signed linebacker Demario Davis, edge rushers Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai, defensive tackle David Onyemata and safety Dane Belton. Fitzpatrick, Davis and Onyemata are on the wrong side of 30 years old, which isn’t what you generally want with a team in a rebuild, but head coach Aaron Glenn needs to win games to build a culture (and probably save his job). Giving running back Breece Hall the franchise tag is another curious move for a team that won’t win many games, but Hall is talented. Trading for quarterback Geno Smith might be necessary to get through the 2026 season, but it won’t get New York any closer to a permanent answer at the position. Losing guards John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker doesn’t help the offense, but at least a miserable defense should be better.
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Grade: B
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
We’ll remember this offseason for a while. The Ravens traded for, and then backed out of, a massive deal for defensive end Maxx Crosby. Then came the predictable move of signing defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal. We’d normally applaud the Ravens for signing Hendrickson, the top free agent on the board this offseason, but the controversy will linger. The Hendrickson signing helped stop the bleeding for the Ravens’ offseason. Most of the headlines from the first few hours of free agency included players getting massive deals to leave Baltimore: center Tyler Linderbaum, tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones and safety Alohi Gilman. However the Hendrickson signing came about, the Ravens added a very good player. And they keep those two first-round picks they were going to send to the Raiders. Though the amount of talent that left the building can’t be ignored either.
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Grade: B-
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals added two of the better defensive players available in free agency, grabbing edge rusher Boye Mafe on a three-year, $60 million deal and safety Bryan Cook for $40.25 million over three years. That helps tremendously, though it is offset by losing defensive ends Joseph Ossai and Trey Hendrickson. The offensive line is still a work in progress, and that’s alarming. But give the Bengals credit for paying up to help their defense.
Grade: B-
Cleveland Browns
The Browns had work to do on the offensive line, with all five of last season’s starters set to hit free agency. They traded for guard Tytus Howard and signed him to an extension, then signed guard Zion Johnson, and center Elgton Jenkins, who was cut by the Packers. Not a bad start. They also signed linebacker Quincy Williams to replace Devin Bush, who signed with the Bears. There’s still the pesky question of what to do at quarterback, but that might be best settled in the 2027 draft. Overall, Cleveland did well.
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Grade: B
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers got a nice deal on receiver Michael Pittman Jr., trading for him after the Colts paid big for Alec Pierce. Then they signed running back Rico Dowdle. The skill positions are upgraded, which will help whoever the quarterback will be. Jamel Dean was perhaps the top cornerback available and the Steelers landed him on a three-year, $36.75 million deal. It was surprising the Steelers didn’t bring back guard Isaac Seumalo, who didn’t sign a massive deal to leave to Arizona. The additions of Pittman, Dowdle and Dean are pretty good though.
Grade: A-
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AFC South
Houston Texans
The Texans seemingly had one job, and that was to fix their offensive line. They traded away versatile lineman Tytus Howard and didn’t add any offensive linemen in the first day of free agency. There’s still plenty of time to go, and the draft will be huge for Houston, but its nonchalant approach to the offensive line the past couple years has been strange. The Texans signed safety Reed Blankenship, who is a good player, but didn’t seem like a pressing need. Trading for running back David Montgomery was fine, but his effectiveness will be determined by Houston’s plan to fix its offensive line, if there is one.
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Grade: C-
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts wanted receiver Alec Pierce back and didn’t care about the cost. He got a four-year, $116 million deal. Pierce is good but he also has just 2,934 yards and 17 touchdowns in four seasons. Now he’s one of the top-paid receivers in the NFL. The Colts also traded Michael Pittman Jr. for very little return, presumably because they didn’t have the budget for two large receiver contracts. Daniel Jones got a two-year deal worth $88 million that can rise to $100 million (via NFL Media) after getting the transition tag. It’s a lot for a quarterback coming off an Achilles injury but the Colts felt they couldn’t lose Jones. On the defensive line, Arden Key was signed to replace Kwity Paye, which is a bit of a downgrade. If you love Pierce no matter the price, and understand quarterbacks like Jones get overpaid, the Colts’ offseason plan has been fine.
Grade: C
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Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars had a rough start to free agency. They lost three players who got at least $10 million a year elsewhere: LB Devin Lloyd, RB Travis Etienne Jr. and CB Greg Newsome II. And they added nobody right away. It’s not the worst thing to sit out the first bit of free agency when huge money is flying around, but Jaguars fans might have wanted more after last season’s breakout.
Grade: D
Tennessee Titans
To be clear, adding four free agents from a Giants team that has been terrible for years seems weird. And perhaps lazy; just because offensive coordinator Brian Daboll coached them in New York doesn’t mean they’re the best players available. But the Titans needed some quick fixes. They signed their top six free agents — receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott, tight end Daniel Bellinger and center Austin Schlottmann — to deals totaling $269 million. They also added backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The Titans are moving to a new era with head coach Robert Saleh, and they spent big to make for an easier transition.
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Grade: A-
AFC West
Denver Broncos
The Broncos not spending any money early was strange, only because Russell Wilson’s dead cap hit is off the books and Sean Payton teams always spend like there is no tomorrow. A running back would have been nice, though the Broncos re-signed J.K. Dobbins. They need to hope he can stay healthy. A top-end receiver might have been too expensive in this market, though they could have used that too. Seeing defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers move on to Tennessee is an underrated loss. It was weird to see the Broncos be so passive at the beginning of free agency.
Grade: D-
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs lost three-quarters of their secondary. Cornerback Trent McDuffie was traded to the Rams, cornerback Jaylen Watson signed with the Rams and safety Bryan Cook left for the Bengals. That’s a lot to replace, though signing safety Alohi Gilman helps. Kenneth Walker III will lift the running game, it’s nice to have Travis Kelce back for at least one more season and defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga is a nice value signing. Losing Gardner Minshew II isn’t great given Patrick Mahomes’ uncertainty coming off a torn ACL. It’s hard to say the Chiefs got better.
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Grade: D+
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders thought they traded away Maxx Crosby to the Ravens (more on this in a moment), but then their free agency moves indicated they wanted to improve now. They overpaid center Tyler Linderbaum (his $27 million per season is 50% more than the previous record for a center) but he’s a good player. Defensive lineman Kwity Paye, and linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean also got healthy deals, and everyone seemed surprised that receiver Jalen Nailor got $35 million over three years. When you’re a perennially rebuilding team, you have to overpay sometimes. The Raiders also retained cornerback Eric Stokes and defensive end Malcolm Koonce. The Raiders had made some big moves, and then were stunned when the Ravens “backed out” of the Crosby trade. That bombshell makes it hard to give the Raiders a grade, not knowing what Crosby’s future is. If we remove that wild part of the offseason equation, the Raiders have done well to upgrade the roster, even if it was expensive.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers had a lot of cap space, which made their initial foray into free agency this offseason disappointing. The offseason rests on how the remade interior offensive line plays. Center Tyler Biadasz and guard Cole Strange were value signings that better work out after guard Zion Johnson got a big payday with the Browns. Fullback Alec Ingold and tight end Charlie Kolar fit the hard-nosed style Jim Harbaugh wants. Defensive end Khalil Mack is back, but Odafe Oweh got a $100 million deal to leave. Given what the Chargers had to work with, another big ticket player or two would have been nice.
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Grade: C-
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas made a solid trade to get Rashan Gary, and safety Jalen Thompson is a nice piece for the defense. But the massive spending spree Jerry Jones hinted at hasn’t happened. Remember to not be fooled when he inevitably does that again next offseason. The Cowboys have a lot of money tied up in George Pickens’ franchise tag, which was necessary as they figure out if a long-term deal is feasible.
Grade: B-
New York Giants
The Giants had a lot of high-priced players coming and going (and mostly going to the Titans). Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, tight end Daniel Bellinger and center Austin Schlottmann all went to Tennessee. The Giants added tight end Isaiah Likely, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (who is presumably replacing Bobby Okereke), cornerback Greg Newsome II and punter Jordan Stout while retaining right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. Maybe the losses and gains cancel each other out, but changing a roster that was 13-38 the past three seasons isn’t the worst idea.
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Grade: B-
Philadelphia Eagles
Somehow, Howie Roseman will still get an A+ from some graders. The Eagles mostly sat out the first phase of free agency, signing only cornerback Tariq Woolen to a one-year deal, while losing three good players off the defense in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship. It’s prudent, and signing defensive tackle Jordan Davis to a three-year, $78 million extension was better than just about any outside free agent. But the salary cap exists, and the Eagles are having to slow down their spending. Losing good players is never enjoyable.
Grade: C-
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Washington Commanders
The Commanders double-dipped at edge rusher. One seems like a huge overpay, one was a good bargain. Odafe Oweh got a stunning four-year, $100 million deal less than six months after the Ravens gave up on him in the middle of a slump and traded him to the Chargers for little in return. Oweh is a good pass rusher but there’s plenty of risk in that deal. There isn’t much risk in a one-year, $12 million contract for K’Lavon Chaisson, via NFL Media. Chaisson had a good season with the Patriots and maybe a late first-round bloomer. The two deals, at a combined $37 million per season, even out OK. Defensive lineman Tim Settle and cornerback Amik Robertson were other cheap deals that help the defense, but the offense around Jayden Daniels still needs work.
Grade: B
NFC North
Chicago Bears
The Bears haven’t made a huge splash, but made a few additions to the defense. Devin Bush replaces Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker, and that should be an upgrade. Coby Bryant is a nice addition at safety. The Bears traded DJ Moore, but he wasn’t a big part of the offense last season and Chicago got a second-round pick for him. It seems like there could be a big move coming for Chicago, but what they’ve done so far is fine.
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Grade: B
Detroit Lions
The Lions continue to add to the line with some low-cost options, like center Cade Mays, tackle Larry Borom and versatile Juice Scruggs, who was part of the David Montgomery trade to Houston. The Lions got some good years out of Montgomery, and will replace him with Isiah Pacheco. It hasn’t been a splashy offseason but cap space was going to run out for the Lions at some point.
Grade: C+
Green Bay Packers
The Packers finally got on the board on the second day of free agency by signing cornerback Benjamin St.-Juste. Before that they had seen quarterback Malik Willis, receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker and edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare sign elsewhere. They also released offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, who had a fantastic career in Green Bay, and traded edge defender Rashan Gary. They can replace Walker with linebacker Zaire Franklin, who reportedly will be dealt to the Packers by the Colts for defensive tackle Colby Wooden. A few really good players left Green Bay without much coming back.
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Grade: C-
Minnesota Vikings
The salary cap caught up to the Vikings. They didn’t make any huge signings right away in free agency while running back Aaron Jones ,and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were released, and center Ryan Kelly retired. Receiver Jalen Nailor is gone too, having signed with the Raiders. The Vikings could also trade defensive end Jonathan Greenard. Maybe they sign quarterback Kyler Murray, but there’s a reason the Cardinals moved on. This has been a rough offseason so far for Minnesota, who is operating underneath interim general manager Rob Brzezinski.
Grade: D
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NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons had to address quarterback due to Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL recovery (and his middling play), and they moved quickly to sign Tua Tagovailoa. He was cheap and he has been good in the past, but expectations should be low. There weren’t any big signings while running back Tyler Allgeier and cornerback Dee Alford signed elsewhere. They did hold onto Kyle Pitts by giving him the franchise tag, but that and signing Tagovailoa is tough to get too excited about.
Grade: C-
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers believe Jaelan Phillips is one of the best edge rushers in football because they paid him as such. Phillips’ four-year, $120 million deal will be discussed for a long time, good or bad. The Panthers also spent $45 million over three years for linebacker Devin Lloyd. They needed improvements on defense and paid up for them. Losing center Cade Mays and running back Rico Dowdle wasn’t ideal but not unexpected either. It’s hard to penalize the Panthers too much for overpaying Phillips but it’s hard to ignore the price tag there.
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Grade: B-
New Orleans Saints
The Saints had a desire to get a difference-making running back and landed Travis Etienne Jr. That will draw headlines, but landing guard David Edwards might be an even more important signing. Losing cornerback Alontae Taylor and linebacker Demario Davis hurts the defense, with newly signed LB Kaden Elliss representing a downgrade. The Saints decided to allocate resources to give quarterback Tyler Shough some help, which isn’t a bad thing.
Grade: B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers said goodbye to franchise icon Mike Evans and top cornerback Jamel Dean. Coming off an enormous collapse last season, that stings. They signed linebacker Alex Anzalone and running back Kenneth Gainwell, and while they’re solid players, neither one will be a huge difference maker. Tampa Bay might have needed a jolt after how last season ended, and it’s hard to get excited about what the Buccaneers did to start free agency.
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Grade: C-
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals came into the offseason needing a quarterback and they still need a quarterback. Arizona made one of the better value signings of the first day with guard Isaac Seumalo for a little more than $10 million a season. Adding running back Tyler Allgeier at $12.25 million over two years was a good deal too. They lost safety Jalen Thompson to the Cowboys and that is a blow to the defense. The Cardinals’ signings made sense, but there was nothing that moved the needle too much. Arizona came into the offseason as clearly the worst team in the NFC West and that hasn’t changed.
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Grade: B-
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams know what they’re doing. There was a severe need at cornerback, so they added a couple of Chiefs. They traded for elite corner Trent McDuffie and then signed Jaylen Watson. There were no other major additions, but the Rams didn’t need to make a ton of moves. Just the ones that addressed their biggest need. The Rams didn’t have any free agents that absolutely needed to be retained, so there won’t be any significant losses. The Rams were a Super Bowl contender coming into the offseason and probably leave it as the Super Bowl favorite.
Grade: A
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ addition of receiver Mike Evans is very interesting for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, though there is always risk in signing a 33-year-old receiver. A big part of the offseason will be whether they can figure out the contract drama with Trent Williams, because they can’t afford to lose their left tackle. But the Evans signing was needed for an offense that had questions with their pass catchers coming into the offseason.
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Grade: B
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks did not want to pay Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who left to the Chiefs. It’s fine to not invest a big second contract in a running back, but Seattle now has to figure out that position. Seeing edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Coby Bryant leave won’t get the same headlines as Walker departing, but might be more damaging. Retaining receiver/kick returner Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Josh Jobe was good news though.
Grade: C-
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