Grading all 32 NFL teams based on offseason moves
Pre-draft grades
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL is going full-speed ahead into the draft, which starts April 29 and runs through May 1. There have been plenty of moves made since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in February. What teams are winners, and what teams are losers? Let's take a look...
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The Cardinals get an "A" for adding the aged. Arizona has signed J.J. Watt and A.J. Green, so it wins the initial game. Colt McCoy is the new/old backup. Patrick Peterson is off to the Minnesota Vikings, and Malcolm Butler ships in from Tennessee as a free agent. The Cardinals are banking on veterans, and they need to hope the window hasn't closed on these players because it won't matter if Kyler Murray is exceptional. Grade: C
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Arthur Smith is going to have his work cut out for him in Atlanta. He still has Matt Ryan ensconced at quarterback, and the Falcons haven't done a ton more to whip the ATL into a football frenzy. Grade: D
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Adding offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler from the New York Giants was a swift and smart move for Baltimore. The Ravens need more WR help for Lamar Jackson, and Sammy Watkins should help fill that void, assuming he stays healthy. Grade: B
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
The Bills added some familiar names in the offseason. They have a backup QB in former No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. With any fortune, he will learn from watching Josh Allen. They also have Emmanuel Sanders, a strong receiver for that group, and Matt Breida. Matt Haack as a punter will improve that position. Sean McDermott already has the foundation, and the house in Buffalo got stronger. Grade: A
Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports
The defense should get better with Haason Reddick and Denzel Perryman coming into the fold. Quarterback becomes a question, and possible controversy with Sam Darnold landed from the Jets. Figure Teddy Bridgewater won't be around by camp. That said, is Darnold better than Bridgewater? Pat Elflein and Cam Ervin will solidify the line. The biggest issue is whether Christian McCaffrey will stay healthy. That is the key to this team. Grade: C+
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Mitchell Trubisky is gone, and Andy Dalton has arrived. Not sure if that is addition by subtraction or a team stuck in neutral. Damien Williams comes over from the Chiefs after opting out of 2020. He could be a sneaky-good signing at running back. Keeping Cairo Santos seems to solve a long-standing kicking problem. Jeremiah Attaochu is a nice addition on defense. Marquise Goodwin just was added at WR. Grade: D (as in Dalton)
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
All-time great wideout A.J. Green exited for Arizona. He's been injury-prone, and the time to part had long overdue. William Jackson is off to Washington. Signing Mike Hilton was a good move. Adding Eli Apple is befuddling. Grade: C-
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Browns added defensive backfield help in John Johnson and Troy Hill from the Rams. They just tacked on Jadeveon Clowney, who will bookend with Myles Garrett. That's a pair of No. 1 overall picks as bookends, although Clowney has not proven to be Garrett. Malik Jackson will help in the D-Line, too. Some good moves, especially in the secondary. Grade: B+
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest free agent, of course, was keeping Dak Prescott and getting the QB to sign a long-term deal. Among the already-made additions are former Atlanta Falcons secondary players Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee, along with defensive linemen Brent Urban and Carlos Watkins. If Neal stays healthy, he would be a huge plus. Ty Nsekhe helps fill the void left by Cam Erving's exit. Grade: A-
Denver Broncos
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Fuller enters as A.J. Bouye exits the secondary. Ronald Darby will be a concern if he is going to be depended on for DB strength. Not quite sure Mike Boone adds up to losing Phillip Lindsay. Guessing Melvin Gordon made Lindsay expendable. Better hope so. Grade: C
Detroit Lions
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Kenny Golladay was a big loss, but the price was stiff. Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman don't add up to Golladay and Marvin Jones. Matt Prater was a solid kicker, and his exit means to watch the kicking position intently. A lot of movement, and not all of it was positive. Grade: C-
Green Bay Packers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Jones was a must re-sign and Green Bay handled that promptly. Corey Linsley at center (headed to the Chargers) was a big loss. Grade: B
Houston Texans
David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Somehow amid all the chaos, the Texans were able to sign some players. Phillip Lindsay helps the backfield situation, assuming he stays healthy. Have to wonder what Mark Ingram has left as he moves on to his third team. Tyrod Taylor (pictured) was a prudent move, given the uncertainty around Deshaun Watson. J.J. Watt is off to the desert. This team is in bad shape. Grade: F
Indianapolis Colts
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest move -- and the one that future success hinges upon -- is Frank Reich acquiring Carson Wentz. The Colts are banking on the former Eagle to be their future at quarterback. That's daunting. Grade: C as in Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
David Platt/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Only time will tell if Urban Meyer has the foundation to be a coach in the NFL. Not exactly a wager we would like to make. Trevor Lawrence is what you get for losing 15 straight games. Will the Clemson QB be everything the Jags are dreaming of? The addition of Shaquill Griffin will help the defense. The wide receivers added seem more of a hodgepodge -- Phillip Dorsett, Marvin Jones Jr. Reality will set in fast for Meyer and Lawrence. Talk about rebuilding from the ground. Grade: C-
Kansas City Chiefs
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Shockwaves were felt when Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher were released. The signing of Joe Thuney from New England made Chiefs Nation feel better. And throw in Kyle Long, too. Grade: B
Las Vegas Raiders
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
DE Yannick Ngakoue lands in Las Vegas as he continues his tour of the NFL. Raiders have to hope he settles in and plays well. Losing Rodney Hudson, Trent Brown and Gabe Jackson aren't going to do wonders for the offensive line. Kenyan Drake could have found a place he would have been used more than the Raiders' backfield. John Brown continues his tour of the NFL, too. The Gruden II Regime is going to be under the scope. Grade: D
Los Angeles Chargers
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Corey Linsley was a great get from Green Bay via free agency. He's a tremendous addition for the line in front of Justin Herbert. Not crazy about Jared Cook. He looked indifferent with New Orleans in 2020. More capable of making a gaffe than a great catch. Special teams need a vast improvement and Ryan Smith is a start. Chase Daniel? Seriously. Grade: B-
Los Angeles Rams
USAT
This season depends on one thing and one thing only: Matthew Stafford. If you believe he will be a star in the Land of Stars, then it was a great move. If you go by his record in Detroit, danger looms. Grade: C
Miami Dolphins
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The Laremy Tunsil trade is the gift that keeps on giving. Trading out of three and being able to wheel another deal to pick sixth. Wonderful stuff by Miami. Meanwhile, Ryan Fitzpatrick exits, and Jacoby Brissett enters as the backup to Tua Tagovailoa. Will Fuller V could be a nice target if he stays on the field ... and that is huge "if." Grade: C
Minnesota Vikings
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Minnesota stocked up on defense, led by Patrick Peterson and Xavier Woods (who comes over from the Cowboys). There is talent on the offense, and the defense needed a boost. Mike Zimmer has to be hoping this strategy falls into place in the NFC North. Grade: C
New England Patriots
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
A year after Tom Brady left, opt-outs and COVID-19 ravaged the team. And that triggered Bill Belichick to go on a spending spree this offseason. Admirable move to try and keep the Patriots alive in a division with the rising Bills and Dolphins. The challenge is to create chemistry. Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry make for great TE targets for Cam Newton ... if the Heisman winner from Auburn still has the goods to be a starter in the NFL. Grade: B+
New Orleans Saints
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Drew Brees is gone, and Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston will battle for the starting QB job. Following the future Hall of Famer is daunting, without question, so that will be the entire picture for Sean Payton and the Saints. Otherwise, it was a fairly tame offseason. Grade: C
New York Giants
Detroitfreepress
The New York media celebrated the signing of Kenny Golladay. I think Adoree' Jackson got way too much money. Mike Glennon? John Ross? On what planet? Grade: C-
New York Jets
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
This offseason will all depend on the No. 2 overall pick of the draft. All signs point to Zach Wilson of BYU. Corey Davis, Carl Lawson, and Sheldon Rankins broke the bank. Will Robert Saleh fix what no one has been able to get right in more than a half-century? A massive task. Grade: C+
Philadelphia Eagles
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The Carson Wentz deal didn't get anywhere near the return the Eagles had thought they could get after the Stafford trade. Woohoo, there is a Super Bowl QB in Philadelphia. Oh, it is Joe Flacco. Grade: D
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Bud Dupree took his talents to Tennessee. Vince Williams stayed. Ben Roethlisberger re-worked his contract so the Steelers would have more room, and he could stick around another year. JuJu Smith-Schuster is back. Mike Tomlin knows how to win. That's not the concern. Age of Roethlisberger and nothing behind him for the present or future would be. Grade: C
San Francisco 49ers
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The Niners made the big move to wind up in the third slot in the draft. That's the first place that has draftniks in a tizzy. Mac Jones? Trey Lance? Justin Fields? What of Jimmy Garoppolo? Alex Mack should be snapping the ball to whatever player wins the QB spot. Grade: B
Seattle Seahawks
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Wilson didn't go anywhere, and that is the big win. Chris Carson stayed put, too. Not wild about adding Aldon Smith, but Pete Carroll knows how to get the most out of his players. CB Shaquill Griffin, TE Jacob Hollister and RB Carlos Hyde were among the losses. Grade: B-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucs have everyone back from the team that won the Super Bowl. OK, Antonio Brown is still out there. Winning one year with players doesn't mean you are going to do it again. However, this was strong crew that only build chemistry as 2020 went along. Gonna doubt Tom Brady? Grade: A
Tennessee Titans
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Bud Dupree and Danico Autry were big names brought in by Mike Vrabel & Co. Gone are DE Jadeveon Clowney, WR Corey Davis, TE Jonnu Smith, Adoree' Jackson, and Malcolm Butler. Grade: C
Washington Football Team
ALLEN EYESTONE / THE PALM BEACH POST
The quarterback situation is intriguing and probably not in a good way. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke don't make anyone think a repeat is going to happen in the NFC East. Like adding William Jackson and Curtis Samuel. The QB position is going to have to improve. Grade: C- | For full free agency breakdowns for each NFL team, check out the 2021 tracker from USA TODAY's Nate Davis. |
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