Just going through the dates and grading the contracts as I see em
3/8/22
- Mike Williams resigns with Chargers B+ (60 Mil, 40 guaranteed, 3 years)
Thought he would command more money. Seems like basically a 2 year deal while Herbert is on his rookie deal so I like that a lot. Think Williams is very talented and works well with his young QB but there is a lot of risk. Chargers have a lot of cap space too so this doesn’t break the bank.
- TRADE
SEA (C+): Two first-round picks, two second-round selections, QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant and DL Shelby Harris
DEN (A) : Russell Wilson, 4th round pick
Winner: DEN
Fant, Lockett and DK will be a fun trio for the time being, look for a rookie QB to not do terribly with these weapons. But this just didn’t feel like enough to trade Russ. SEA is going full rebuild now and that’s fine but not sure why would want Lock and Harris for the roster currently. At least get another young guy instead of Harris. DEN was a QB away from Super Bowl contention and now they have him. Super Bowl contenders they are.
-Harold Landry III resigns with Titans A- ($87.5, $52.5M guaranteed, 5 years)
That’s a lot of guaranteed money but he’s worth it. Underrated player who is a leader on that young TEN defense. Pairing him with Fulton, Simons and Farley for the next few years is just good defense building. TEN can win now with some old vets on D and a young core. Keeping Landry will make this D a force for the next year at least if not 3 or 4 years. Lots of money spent but worth it.
3/9/22
- TRADE
WAS (B-): Carson Wentz (and his contract) swap 2nds this year
IND (B): 3rd rounder tis year and next year’s third rounder that can convert to a 2nd based on last year’s incentives. and a 7th. They are swapping second rounders this year too.
Winner: IND
I guess this controversial but WAS upgrades at QB might even say it’s a massive upgrade. The football team has lots of strengths and they were just missing a QB. Kinda like Denver but on a way lesser scale. Indy got good compensation even if they gave up too much last year so they are def not losers here. Time for IND to go rebuild and they might be a year late to that realization. Or if they get someone like Pickett they might try and win with a rookie contract considering WAS has to pay the Wentz contract. People saying Wentz isn’t a clear upgrade are dumb as fuck
3/10/22
- TRADE
LAC (A): Khalil Mack
CHI (B-): 2023 2nd, 2022 6th
Winner: LAC
It’s really hard to hate the Chargers when they keep pulling off really good moves. They take on a huge contract on a dude who is 31 years old and was hurt last year but who cares. They have so much cap space and are really trying to fix the defense after they kinda fixed the offense last year (adding OL but it wasn’t really broken). Mack still has at least 2 more years of high level/elite play as long as the injuries don’t catch up. For the Bears this is fine. They needed to remove that big contract if they didn’t think they were going to compete in 2022. Which is fair they probably weren’t especially with Rodgers returning. Full rebuild for the Bears. Feel like they could have gotten more but maybe there wasn’t a huge market considering Mack’s contract and age.
3/14/22
Alright lets catch up on the news this weekend and what’s going on through 2pm today
Chase Edmonds (two-year, $12.6 million contract that includes $6.1 million guaranteed)
Grade: B-
RB signings are never great but a 2 year deal is kinda perfect. Didn’t think MIA needed to address RB but Edmonds is a fine RB. He was my RB6/75th overall player on my FA big boardEmmanuel Ogbah (four-year, $65 million deal that includes $32 million fully guaranteed)
Grade: B
This is is a little much for Ogbah but hard to deny that MIA D over the past 2 years. Keeping the team together is fine but man that is over 15 a year. 32 mil guaranteed is helping me temper my dislike for this contract. To be fair Ogbah is a good player but this is like Fa money not resigning money. He’s was my 26th overall player and my 5th ranked Edge player.Alex Cappa (4 year $40 Million dollar deal)
Grade: A+
Position of need on a Super Bowl team. 4 years averaging about 10 years doesn’t even feel like FA pricing and IDK if he’s interior OL. This is still great value. My number 8 overall Fa and IOL #2. Great job Bengals, winning the offseason so far.Michael Gallup (Re-signing five-year, $62.5 million deal, $27 million guaranteed)
Grade: B-
In a vacuum I love this deal. Not too much guaranteed but I believe in Gallup, he’s a good receiver and with Ceedee and Dak they should be perdy fine at that position. But the problem is they got rid of Cooper for this deal so it drops it from a A- to B-. Shoulda kept Amari but if Gallup keeps improving I may eat my words. Is my WR4 and 39th overall.James Conner (three-year, $21 million extension that includes $16 million on the first 2 years)
Grade: C
Like the player, have been a believer for a long time. But 7 million over 3 years for an aging asset isn’t great. Would have much rather role with Eno and a rookie in this years draft then spend money like this on a contending team. Don’t get the grade twisted tho Connor can run, he was my RB5 and my 65th overall player in FA. That’s not a bad number for an RB.Mitch Trubisky (2 years undisclosed, breaking news)
Grade: C-
If he is going to be the starter this is a D but as a backup or if the Steelers want to try out a bunch of QBs he’s fine. Wouldn’t move the needle either way. Mitch is my QB5 and didn’t make my top 120 so that’s where I am on Trubisky.Larry Ogunjobi (signed with CHI, undisclosed)
Grade: C
Fine depth for a team that needs bodies. Rather sign him for a little then pay Hicks on a rebuild when he only plays half the games a year if lucky.Quandre Diggs (3 year resigned with SEA for 40 million)
Grade: A-
Really like this deal, close to loving it. This is a deep safety class though so kinda tempered my grade. Diggs is an underrated safety too and my 27th overall player in FA while being the 4th best safety in FA. Maybe this looks like SEA is hinting at a quick rebuild with this signing.Brandon Scherff (undisclosed to JAX)
Grade: A
Replacing star FA G Andrew Norwell (2018) with Scherff is an interesting move. No but for real the OL wasn’t bad last year but this signing helps to turn the OL into a strength. Doug loves to build in the trenches. Don’t care if he’s an IOL, don’t care. My 6th overall player and my 1 IOL. Love the move.Ted Karras (3-year, $18M deal to CIN)
Grade: B+
Another addition to bolster the OL. Love the move and Karras is underrated. Easy B+ not problem. 8th best IOL and the 87th best on the market. Got about his value here.Tracy Walker (resigned with DET $25 million deal that includes $17 million guaranteed)
Grade: D
Hated this signing, way too much guaranteed and I don’t think Walker is a good player. Bad deal for sure.Foye Oluokun (3 years, $45 Million, $28M fully guaranteed to JAX)
Grade: D+
With so many holes on the Jags spending big on a LB who I disliked way more than the average NFL Fan. This is a deep LB class and Oluokun us my 6th best LB out there. Would have rather signed so many others for less money. At least it’s an upgrade on defense.Al Woods (2 years, $9M with $4.75M back to SEA)
Grade: C-
Not sure how to grade a 35 year old DT getting 9 million from SEA but again adds to a quick rebuild idea for sure. Al is a fine player just a bit old. SEA has a lot to spend to be fair but this seems like at least a below average transaction.Laken Tomlinson (3 year deal worth $40M, $27M Guaranteed to the NYJ)
Grade: A
Bolstering the OL is always good see for teams with young QBs, or any team with a QB honestly. Tomlinson is a really good player especially in the run game. Jets have spent a lot on OL in the past 3 years. hopefully with Laken this signing pushes the OL to good territory from “underwhelming”Foley Fatukasi to a three-year, $30 million contract, $20 Guaranteed to the JAX)
Grade: A-
Young enough, good player on a deal that will last through Trevor’s rookie deal. My number 1 defensive interior player and my number 25 overall player. That should speak to how much I’m a fan. Fits really well in as a 3/4 end. Very happy to have him on JAXSidney Jones (Back to SEA, for I can’t imagine much)
Grade: B
Still Underrated. SEA trying to have a good defense still I see. Can’t imagine they payed much either but even if they did I’d still like it.Ben Jones (2-year deal worth $14M to go back to TEN)
Grade: A
Love this for everyone on TEN. Jones is an underrated player. Really exploded over the past 2 years. Helps keep this TEN run game and even passing game to an extent going good. Going to be an underrated signing but you shouldn’t ignore it’s significance.Christian Kirk (four-year, $72 million deal, JAX)
Grade: C-
Too much money, not even sure how much better he is then like Chark. Just too much money. Will need to see what the guarantees look like. 7th ranked WR on my FA board. Not a huge fan. Hope he is better than I think he is. (Ok so after reflection the details of the deal make this a way more palatable deal. Probably like a B- at this point but I’m leaving my original thoughts).Zach Ertz (Back to ARI three-year, $31.65 million, $17.5 million guaranteed)
Grade: B+
Competing team with a good QB. Ertz isn’t done. Easily the best TE on the market. 17.5 guaranteed is fine. Hard to find anything to hate. but 31 mil and 17 mil for an old TE is holding this back from an A.Rodger Saffold (BUF for undisclosed)
Grade: D+
Not a great player but it’s fine adding to the BUF OL but only as a backup.Haason Reddick (PHI for 45 million with $30 million fully guaranteed for 3 years)
Grade: A-
Think this is a really good fit for Reddick and PHI. Big fan. He may be my 6th rated edge guy but considering his age he would be a top edge for a middle of the road team. Lots of money here holds if back from being any higher but a good length for a player who has proven it over the past 2 years. 33rd best player in FA and my 6th best Edge player.BJ Hill (3 years and $30mil to stay in CIN)
Grade: B
My 3rd best IDL on the board. Good job keeping the defense together for CIN. Could be a B- tho and I was close to that. Don’t think he’s worth the money but the reason this is a B is because the defense is good and Hill was def a big contributor last year and is only 26 y/o. Fine signing for sure teetering on good.De’Vondre Campbell (5 years $50M to return to GB)
Grade: B+
It’s a lot for LB which keeps this out of A range. But by far the best LB contract so far and Campbell was really good on that defense. If he went somewhere else I would be way more concerned.JC Jackson (five-year, $82.5 million deal, $40 million guaranteed)
Grade: A
Easy A grade for this, not even that much guaranteed. Chargers a lock for the playoffs now. Great job with the signing. 3rd best player on the market.Carlton Davis (returning to TB for 45 mil for 3 years)
Grade: A
Brady effect? One of the most underrated players in FA, good on TB for realizing his worth and putting him next to Winfield for the next 3 or maybe even 5 or 6 years?Teddy Bridgewater (MIA to backup Tua for a year)
Grade: C+
Nothing wrong with brining in a backup like Teddy. MIA ready to make a run this year. Just a reminder C is a fine pick, nothing wrong with a C in my book.Cedrick Wilson (3-year, $22.8 million deal that includes $12.75 million guaranteed)
Grade: C+
This is fine, the guarantees arn’t too much. Giving Tua another low tier weapon is fine at this price but I hope they add someone in the draft and that is a maybe a sign of that.Evan Engram (one-year, fully-guaranteed 9 million deal)
Grade: D+
He’s still a bad player, so a 1 year deal is what is saving this from an F. Waste of money if it was 5 million. The Jags all in at the slot position I guess.Mark Glowinski (3 years for $20M with $11.4M fully guaranteed)
Grade: D
Not really the upgrade you want NYG. Hopefully just coming in as insurance. Did not make my top 120.Xavier Woods (CAR three-year, $15.75 million)
Grade: B-
Def a lower tier safety but still a capable starter going forward. CAR has a good defense, this helps a bit.Austin Corbett (CAR?)
Grade:Zay Jones (JAX 3 years. 24 mil base)
Grade: D
Waste of money for the Jags, maybe he’s like the 5th best receiver on the roster right now? Head scratcher for sure.Sebastian Joseph-Day (LAC for 3-year deal worth $24M with $15M fully guaranteed)
Grade: C
Yea this is a good fit for LAC who need help in the run D department. Like to see this on a team already likely to make a playoff push.Harrison Phillips (three-year, $19.5 million deal, $13M guaranteed overall)
Grade: D+
Not really a great signing at all, too much guaranteed. Think he’s washed.Justin Reid (three-year, $31.5 million, $20 million guaranteed with KC)
Grade: C+
Def a downgrade from Mathieu but he’s not a bad player. Not really a good player either, will have to have some quick growth if he’s going to help KC make and win playoff games. May have given him too harsh of a grade at Saftey15 but this is a deep safety FA classDJ Chark (DET, it’s a 1-year deal worth $10M fully guaranteed)
Grade: B-
An interesting deal for DET. 1 year prove it deal on a team that is likely not heading to the playoff anytime soon is odd. The fully guaranteed deal is interesting, think this trend continues, but that’s fine for DET. Probably a good move for ARSB’s fantasy value. Chark is a good player and if he stays healthy he can easily get to 1,000 yards in this offense. DET offense not looking to bad but not good enough to overcome the defense (and probably the QB)Charvarius Ward (49ers, 3 years 42 million, 26.7 guaranteed)
Grade: A-
A little bit too much money for me but the guarantees are fine. Very underrated player who has been improving every year. 49ers really needed to improve the secondary and they do here. Very good move and good job waiting, but woulda rater have had Davis. My 32nd ranked player.Randy Gregory (five-year, $70 million deal that includes $28 million guaranteed, COWBOYS)
Grade: B-
So only 28 mil guaranteed makes me like this deal so much more. Could be a two year prove it deal. Don’t love Gregory 88th best player in FA (total numbers makes this an overpay but if he’s good it’s probs worth it). I like giving him a shot but I would have gone in another direction if they wanted quick edge helpMalik Hooker (Cowboys resigned for 2 years 8 mil)
Grade: C-
Take a shot on Hooker, he will most likely be hurt for over half the year. But at this price tag he could be worth 8 games at this price. But getting older, hence the “C-” instead of a “C”. This signing doesn’t really move any needle anyway.Connor Williams (2 year $14M deal with $7.5M fully guaranteed)
Grade: A
My Number 14th ranked player on my FA big board. Cheap price. Very good young player. Huge fan of this for MIA to help Tua stay upright.James Daniels (PIT agree to 3-yr, $26.5M deal)
Grade: B
A good signing, my 58th best FA available. He’s young and the Steelers need OL help. Like this for Najee (as he gets better) and for whoever is going to QB for them in 2022 (I expect at least 3 different QBs get to play unless they draft one in the first or second round)James White (two-year, $2.5 million deal that includes $500,000 guaranteed.)
Grade: B-
Good signing, not a good player but knows the system. If it was anyone else it would have been in the C category. Bill knows it’s important to keep a cheap stable of RBsJ.D. McKissic (2 years $7 million deal)
Grade: B+
Very good deal, very good pass catching RB. Should help the offense and it leaves room for a bigger back to compliment the great pass catcher in McKissic. A good offense gets better (even if by only a little because it’s an RB)Marcus Williams (BAL five-year deal worth $70 million, $37 million guaranteed)
Grade: A+
Best FA out there on defense. Not too many guarantees but think he finishes out the contract at what seems like even a discount. Love the Ravens this year and this just makes them more likely to be a playoff contender this year. Can’t think of a better player on a better deal than this.D.J. Reed (NYJ, three-year, $33M)
Grade: A-
44th ranked player on my FA list. Like that it’s only 3 years. Jets making moves where I think even the layman sees they are going to be improved this year. Good signing for sure. Love the Jets and the deal is at a nice value considering the market this offseason. They needed another CB to play outside with Bryce Hall.Jordan Whitehead (NYJ 2-year deal worth $14.5M)
Grade: B
I’m still not sure if he was a product for TB or the other way around but he played last year. Def an improvement from where I had him at the beginning of the 2021 season. Hopefully not too much money but we will see. (Yea this money is worth it)TRADE
TB (B): Shaq Mason
NE (C-): 5th rounder
If it was anyone else besides Bill I might have dragged this deal for more, but I expect them to go next man up and they are really good doing that in NE. Shaq will be an adequate if not downright an upgrade for TB after Marpet left. Really love this move for Brady.TRADE
CLE (A): Amari Cooper (contract too)
DAL (D-): 2022 5th and a swap of 6th rounds
Yea I avoiding saying any deals were bad in the first part of FA but man DAL got fleeced. Easy CLE win here idk if you have to take on the contract. Signing Gallup and letting Amari go was a terrible move DAL, terrible. Go Browns. If Baker can’t make Amari work then he’s a lost cause. Good think Amari is young enough to help mold the next guy just as a backup plan.
3/15/22
Little late on the change but here I am
Levi Wallace (PIT 2-yr deal worth $8M)
Grade: B+
Underrated player, had some bad games in 2021 sure but he’s an above average starter. Getting to play with the front 7 of PIT is an upgrade in that respect. Won’t have quite the same secondary to fall back on as he did in BUF but still. This is a good move by Wallace and the Steelers. Good job.Marcus Maye (New Orleans, 3 years 28.5 Million)
Grade: A-
Yea the ACL and last years play does not make this a slam dunk but it’s a dang good deal. Honestly going from Jenkins to May and considering the price difference this isn’t too much of a loss at safety this offseason for NO. He’s a good player in good deal. My Number 20 overall FA available.Morgan Moses (3 years, 15 Million to the Ravens)
Grade: B+
Another good signing by the Ravens (will they ever stop being good). Underrated and not that old he finally got a longer deal than 1 year. Shoulda happened last year. My number 28th overall player in FA, not sure why I’m higher on him then most but here I am.
3/16/22
Darious Williams (3 years 30 Million, 18 guaranteed)
Grade: B+
Good price for a very good CB at a valuable position nonetheless. Jags offseason has been a mixed bag but this is a very good signing with little guarantees. My 30th best FA on my list. Go Jags.Z’Darius Smith (BAL, 35 Million)
Grade: B
Coming back to BAL is def good for his career after some disappointment in GB. Think this is a really good fir for BAL. They already were my favorites to win the division, this helps a lot too.TRADE
IND (B): Yannick Ngakoue
LVR (D): Rock Ya-Sin
Indy clearly won this trade and it hurts my heart. Yan isn’t what he used to be for sure but this really helps bolster a light (and possibly bad depending on Paye) edge rushing group. Very smart by the Colts and it’s not like Yan is even sniffing 30 yet. Not sure what LVR get out of it besides making room for Jones. Rock is a bad CQ but I guess the Raiders are light on CB so that’s why this isn’t an “F”.Chandler Jones (LVR, 3 year 17 Million-ish)
Grade: B+
Jones is a great player but was this the best use of resources Raiders? My opinion no, they have other holes especially on the defense. Pass rusher is probably the most important position on defense but would have rather signed Gilmore or Char or any other CB and kept Yan. if Jones went somewhere else it would have been a better grade for sure. I guess it makes sense when you cut Nassib too but still not my favorite string of moves to get Jones. I guess the arms race is real in the AFC West.
3/17/22
Some stuff from yesterday will be here, just catching up
Andrew Norwell (WSH, Short term deal likely)
Grade: B
Probably not making too much. Def a downgrade from Scherf but he can be a very reliable G kinda like Eric Flowers (but probably better). Ron gets his guy back who was an all pro last time they were together. Good signing.Chris Godwin (TB, 3 years 60 Million, 40 guaranteed)
Grade: A+
May have even gotten a discount here consider the injury. Great singing. Keeping Godwin and Evans long terms is smart, Trask will need them when he’s the QB next year. This is better then the Williams deal by an order of magnitude.Raheem Mostert (MIA, 1 year 3.1ish Million)
Grade: C+
Cheap one year deal for an RB that will bring something to the room. Like it a lot just can’t love it more then a C+ because well (RB). lol. Good signing for a playoff worthy team.OJ Howard (1 year BUF)
Grade: C+
Fine dart throw, I think he deserves another shot and BUF needed to sure up the TE position. I’m not a Knox guy, reminds me of Julius Thomas.Von Miller (6 years, 120 Million, 52 guaranteed)
Grade: A-
Yea this deal is def going to be shorter then 6 years. 52 for like 3 years is a really good deal. He’ll be like 35 when this is done and not worth that money anymore. Hope he can stay healthy but I already thought BUF had a really nice young edge group. This adds to that good young group twofold. Maybe Rousseau can play inside?Myles Jack (PIT, 2 years 16 Million)
Grade: A-
He’s had such an u[pa nd down career but I think he’ll thrive in PIT considering the talent and system they have around him. He’s going to be really good here and the price is actually reasonable for an LB. But for as much confidence as I have in him he’s had some really bad years as a pro and that always can reemerge.