NFL training camps start later this month, and we are just over two months away from the start of the NFL season. Many teams don’t look the same as they did last year thanks to major blockbuster trades, as well as some flashy free agent signings. Let’s grade the AFC free agency moves by team.
AFC EAST
New England Patriots: A year after the Pats seemed to sign every big name in free agency, they were awfully quiet and lost a couple of main pieces. New England’s biggest loss is CB J.C. Jackson, who signed a big deal with the LA Chargers. Grade: C –
Buffalo Bills: The big signing was LB Von Miller who will shore up any defensive issues that the Bills had last season. They added some nice depth pieces as well. Grade: B+
New York Jets: TE C.J. Uzomah, CB D.J. Reed, S Jordan Whitehead, and OG Laken Tomlinson headline a stacked free agency class from New York who found great pieces for great value. Grade: B
Miami Dolphins: While the Dolphins added WR Tyreek Hill through a trade, I thought their free agency class brought a ton of good, but not great players. They did a nice job retaining their guys. Grade: B-
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers: They lost WR Juju Smith-Schuster, they added QB Mitch Trubisky. When I look at the Steelers free agency, I just see a very meh class. Grade: C –
Cleveland Browns: While Cleveland had a ton of new additions like WR Amari Cooper and embattled QB Deshaun Watson, neither of those guys were acquired via free agency. Their signing class was minimal, and they lost a ton. Grade: D
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals know how close they are to winning a Super Bowl and took advantage of their momentum to sign a great class by tagging S Jessie Bates III and shoring up their offensive line. Grade: A
Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore typically adds one big name per offseason, and they did again this year by getting S Marcus Williams. It was quiet, but successful. Grade: A –
AFC SOUTH
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags spent A TON of money for guys who candidly don’t deserve it. WR Christian Kirk becoming one of the highest paid wide receivers is a great example. Grade: D –
Houston Texans: The Texans are in a rebuild so they didn’t make any flashy moves and they decided to keep it simple by letting some veterans go and bringing in younger names. Grade: C
Indianapolis Colts: Their biggest moves came through trades, swapping out QBs. Matt Ryan is a definite upgrade at the position. The Colts already have a great roster, so not much was done to revamp. Grade: C
Tennessee Titans: Getting LB Harold Landry III was a big-time move for the Titans. Outside of that, they retained key players and added great depth. Grade: B
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: While QB Russell Wilson came via trade, DE Randy Gregory turned heads by heading to Denver after it looked like he was coming back to Dallas. I loved what Denver did this year. Grade: B+
Kansas City Chiefs: They traded away a great playmaker but added in free agency by getting WR Juju Smith-Schuster, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and signed DB Justin Reid. Grade: B+
Los Angeles Chargers: This might be the best free agency class in the NFL. They signed CB J.C. Jackson and kept their best WR Mike Williams. Add in great depth, and they killed it. Grade: A
Las Vegas Raiders: Adding DE Chandler Jones was a big win for the Raiders. They did lose some key pieces from the last few years, but none that should set them back. Especially considering they added WR Davante Adams in a trade. Grade: B