As minicamps and OTAs come to a finish around the league, it’s time to look at which teams got better, and which got worse during NFL free agency. Some teams overspent, and some forgot they had money to spend at all. Here are our 2025 AFC free agent grades.
Baltimore Ravens: C-
The Ravens didn’t have a ton of money to spend, especially after they retained Ronnie Stanley. For a team that continues to fall short in the postseason, a marquee move would’ve been nice, and I don’t really feel like DeAndre Hopkins cuts it.
Buffalo Bills: C
Buffalo had to take care of business with some extensions. Their biggest money signing was Joshua Palmer, who they handed $36 million to but I’m not sure that moves the needle.
Cincinnati Bengals: D
While it is a major positive that the Bengals got Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins back, the Bengals are showing they have a far more serious franchise issue. They dragged it out with their two wide receivers and now they are doing the same with Trey Hendrickson and their first-round pick who are taking their frustrations to the media.
Cleveland Browns: C-
Who is excited about Kenny Pickett? They signed him to compete with two other quarterbacks they drafted, but at least they got things handled with Myles Garrett.
Denver Broncos: B
The Broncos made some risky signings with guys prone to injury in Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, and J.K. Dobbins. If they get the best versions of those guys, this is a great haul this offseason.
Houston Texans: F
This was an incredibly confusing offseason for the Texans who needed to protect C.J. Stroud but instead traded away two legit starters and failed to bring in anyone of starting quality.
Indianapolis Colts: C+
Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum will help rework a secondary that needed reinforcements. The Colts got better with these two moves.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B
There wasn’t one major splash made by the Jaguars, but they spent the right way and were able to address a ton of different positions. They got better without breaking the bank and that’s a big win.
Kansas City Chiefs: B-
The Chiefs best move of the offseason was getting Nick Bolton back on a great deal. They also went out and poached two depth players from their NFC foes, the 49ers, to get a starting offensive lineman and a reinforcement at running back.
Las Vegas Raiders: B
I was impressed by the Raiders strategy. They traded for Geno Smith and gave him a nice deal. They drastically improved their defensive line to get Maxx Crosby some help and added two safeties to shore up a weak secondary that faces the best QB in the league.
Los Angeles Chargers: D
Another year where the Chargers seem to be knocking on the door, another year where they seemingly come up short in the offseason. They brought back Khalil Mack but lost at the wide receiver position and switched out J.K. Dobbins for Najee Harris.
Miami Dolphins: D
If you can find a name on the Dolphins addition list that makes you impressed, let me know. It felt like trading Tyreek Hill who seems fed up with the organization would’ve been wise to bring back a haul.
New England Patriots: A
Mike Vrabel came right in and made it clear he wants to win. They signed Stefon Diggs, Carlton Davis, Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, and Morgan Moses to big deals. They got talented players who have experience.
New York Jets: D+
The Jets were far too lax in this free agency. They went out and signed Justin Fields, a guy who is now on his third team and couldn’t beat out Russell Wilson. Outside of that, they lost and didn’t add.
Pittsburgh Steelers: F
If you think that Aaron Rodgers is walking through that door and giving this team a chance, you will be sorely surprised. This team might be fully out of contention by November.
Tennessee Titans: D
They gave more than $80 million to Dan Moore Jr. who will certainly help the offensive line, but they made no moves outside of that. Cody Barton and Xavier Woods don’t really move the needle.