NFL free agency signing grades: Bucs, Antonio Brown like fit with new deal

With NFL free agency beginning March 17, this is where you can find analysis of every noteworthy deal that is signed. Some major agreements have been reached well in advance. Many of the top 150 free agents available are set to join the list — and report cards — soon.

Big Board: Current best available free agents
The latest: Updated deals around the NFL
Predictions: Sheil Kapadia’s free-agency forecast
Needs: Holes each team must fill
Spenders: Ranking the salary cap space available
Fantasy: Implications for skill players

April 28

The Bucs’ one-year deal with Antonio Brown

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back wide receiver Antonio Brown on a one-year, $3.1 million deal, according to The Athletic’s Greg Auman. The deal can bump up to $6.25 million with incentives.

Brown, 33, was the 74th-ranked free agent on our initial big board. Tampa signed him during last season, and Brown had 45 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns in eight regular-season games. All along, it seemed like the Bucs were the best fit for Brown. It didn’t make much sense for another team to take a risk on him at this stage of his career.

The Bucs could have looked at another option for depth at wide receiver, but Tom Brady obviously wanted Brown, and he played well for them last season. Tampa doesn’t have to rely on Brown and can part ways with him at any time if things don’t work out. On the other hand, if Mike Evans or Chris Godwin suffers an injury, Brown would offer a nice replacement option who is capable of playing increased snaps. This is a reasonable signing.

Grade: B

April 14

The Browns’ one-year deal with Jadeveon Clowney

The Browns added a veteran pass-rusher to their defense, signing Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year, $8 million deal. Clowney can earn an additional $2 million in incentives.

Clowney, 28, was looking for a big payday last offseason but didn’t find one and had to settle for a one-year, $13 million deal with the Titans. He failed to notch a single sack in eight games and then underwent season-ending knee surgery.

The Browns went into this offseason knowing they needed to add defensive talent after finishing 25th in defensive efficiency last year. Clowney is no sure thing, given his injury history. But if he’s healthy, he’ll join a pass-rush group that includes Myles Garrett, Malik Jackson and Sheldon Richardson.

Cleveland’s secondary should be improved too with the additions of safety John Johnson and cornerback Troy Hill.

Given that Clowney is on a one-year deal, this is a low-risk move, and it won’t prevent the Browns from addressing their pass rush in the draft. This is a reasonable gamble with upside for Cleveland.

Grade: B

March 29

The Chiefs’ one-year deal with Jarran Reed

The Chiefs are signing defensive tackle Jarran Reed to a one-year, $5 million deal that can bump up to $7 million if he hits certain incentives, a source confirmed to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor.

The Seahawks released Reed after the two sides reportedly were unable to agree to terms on a restructured contract. He appeared in 72 games over five seasons with Seattle. Last year, Reed had 6.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hits. Reed was suspended for the first six games of the 2019 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He was a free agent last offseason, and the Seahawks brought him back on a two-year deal worth $11.5 million per season.

Had Reed become available at the start of free agency, he might have found a similar deal this offseason. But given that teams have spent a lot of their cap space at this point, he settled for a lesser deal. From the Chiefs’ perspective, this is great value. Reed is a quality starting defensive tackle who can line up next to Chris Jones and be disruptive.

Grade: B

March 26

The Ravens’ one-year deal with Sammy Watkins

The Ravens are signing wide receiver Sammy Watkins to a one-year, $5 million deal, a source confirmed to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec.

Watkins, 28, battled injuries last season with the Chiefs and had 37 catches for 421 yards in 10 games. He’s had some memorable playoff moments, but in three years in Kansas City, Watkins never topped 673 yards. He ranked 64th out of 78 players last season in yards per route run. Now Watkins is going to a run-heavy offense.

Given the low one-year cost, there’s not much risk from the Ravens’ perspective. But it feels like a stretch to expect him to perform better in Baltimore’s offense than he did in the Chiefs’ offense. Watkins is a competent starter at this point in his career, but the upside might not be big — especially in the Ravens’ scheme. This signing is fine, but it’s probably not the big addition Ravens fans were hoping for when the offseason started.

Grade: C+

The Bucs’ one-year deal with Leonard Fournette

The Buccaneers are bringing Leonard Fournette back on a one-year, $3.25 million deal, a source confirmed to The Athletic’s Greg Auman.

Fournette carried 97 times for 367 yards (3.8 YPC) in the regular season last year but “Playoff Lenny” performed well during Tampa’s Super Bowl run (64 rushes for 300 yards, 4.7 YPC). Overall, the advanced metrics were not kind to Fournette.

It would have been a mistake for the Bucs to pay big to keep Fournette, given that supply outweighs demand at running back in the NFL. But they didn’t have to do that, committing just $3.25 million on a one-year deal. That’s a reasonable deal to bring back a player they’re familiar with.

Grade: B

March 25

The Seahawks’ two-year deal with Carlos Dunlap

The Seahawks are signing defensive end Carlos Dunlap to a two-year, $16.6 million deal with $8.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Seattle traded for Dunlap during last season but then released him prior to free agency because he was going to cost $14 million against the salary cap. Now Dunlap returns at a much lower price.

Dunlap has been consistently productive. His 23 sacks over the past three seasons rank 21st league-wide, and his 60 quarterback hits are tied for 12th. He’s also been incredibly durable, having played in 163 games in 11 seasons.

This is a great value signing for the Seahawks. Several edge rushers — Shaquil Barrett, Yannick Ngakoue, Matt Judon, Bud Dupree, Leonard Floyd, Carl Lawson and Trey Hendrickson — found deals between $13 million and $17 million per season. The Seahawks get Dunlap for more than $4 million less than all those players. Dunlap is 32, but he showed last season that he can still be productive. And the Seahawks are really only making a one-year commitment, given the guaranteed money.

Grade: A

March 24

The Colts’ one-year deal with T.Y. Hilton

The Colts are bringing back wide receiver T.Y. Hilton on a one-year, $8 million deal that could be worth as much as $10 million, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Athletic’s Stephen Holder.

Hilton started off slow but came on strong in the second half of last season and finished with 56 catches for 762 yards and five touchdowns. He’ll play with his fourth different quarterback in as many years, going from Andrew Luck to Jacoby Brissett to Philip Rivers to Carson Wentz.

The Colts were in dire need of wide receiver help and opted for the player who’s been with them rather than gambling on someone from another team. Considering that Hilton will turn 32 in November, $10 million is pricey. Emmanuel Sanders is 34 and put up similar numbers to Hilton last season. He got a $6 million deal from the Bills. Marvin Jones got $6.25 million from the Jaguars. JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is 24, had to settle for an $8 million deal from the Steelers. In other words, there was no hometown discount here. The Colts had to pay up to keep Hilton. This story from Holder chronicles how and why it played out the way it did.

He’s played 133 games for the Colts, and they know what they’re getting from Hilton from a culture/teammate standpoint. There’s always risk signing a speed receiver who’s in his 30s, but it’s only a one-year deal, and the Colts can continue to look for younger options in the draft. This is a reasonable move.

Grade: B-

The Bucs’ one-year deal with Ndamukong Suh

The Buccaneers are bringing back another member of their Super Bowl squad, signing defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a one-year, $9 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Suh played well in 2020, producing six sacks and 19 quarterback hits. He has not missed a game in nine seasons. Last offseason, Suh signed a one-year, $8 million deal to return to Tampa. Now at the age of 34, he gets a raise.

The Bucs are not getting any kind of a discount here with Suh, but given his durability and how well he performed last year, it’s hard to fault them for continuing to be aggressive to try and repeat next season. This is a perfectly reasonable move.

Grade: B

The Packers’ one-year deal with Kevin King

The Packers are bringing back cornerback Kevin King on a one-year, $5 million deal.

The defining memory of King from last year is how poorly he played in the NFC Championship Game. That was only one game, but there are other concerns too. King has been active for just 41 out of a possible 64 games in four seasons. Originally the 33rd overall pick in 2017, King’s career has been marred by inconsistencies.

At $5 million, the Packers are not signing him for competition or to add depth. They are signing King to be a starter opposite Jaire Alexander. This looks like a case of a team opting to go with a player it’s familiar with, rather than gambling on a new player who could offer more upside.

Maybe it will work out and King will stay healthy and perform well, but there’s a strong case that the Packers should have gone in a different direction at cornerback.

Grade: C-

The Seahawks’ two-year deal with Kerry Hyder

The Seahawks are signing defensive lineman Kerry Hyder to a two-year, $6.5 million deal, according to The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar. The deal was originally reported as three years, up to $17.5 million, but Dugar points out the final year is voidable.

Hyder, 30, was a great value signing for the 49ers last offseason (one year, $1.5 million). He had 8.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits. In 2016 and 2020, Hyder combined for 16.5 sacks and 37 quarterback hits. In his other five seasons, he’s produced two sacks and six quarterback hits.

It was no secret going into free agency that the Seahawks needed pass-rush help, especially after they released Carlos Dunlap. Rather than aggressively pursuing a big name (although maybe that will still happen), Seattle tried to find less expensive options like Hyder and Benson Mayowa (two years, $8.5 million). The two players combined for 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits last year and will cost a total of $7.5 million per year.

This is a reasonable approach by the Seahawks to improve their pass rush.

Grade: B+

The Broncos’ one-year deal with Kareem Jackson

The Broncos are bringing safety Kareem Jackson back on a one-year, $5 million deal, according to The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider.

Denver initially declined Jackson’s 2021 option, making him a free agent, but the two sides agreed to a new contract. Jackson, 32, started 16 games for the Broncos last season and is a nice complement to free safety Justin Simmons.

The Broncos bring back a quality starter and a reliable veteran on what should be a much improved defense in 2021. This move makes a lot of sense.

Grade: B+

March 22

The Giants’ three-year deal with Adoree’ Jackson

The Giants are expected to sign cornerback Adoree’ Jackson to a three-year, $39 million deal, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan.

The Titans opted to release Jackson before his fifth-year option for 2021 became guaranteed. Jackson made 41 starts in four seasons but was limited to three games last year because of a knee injury. He played well in 2019, although he missed five games.

Jackson will be just 26 years old at the start of next season and offers big upside. He’ll be paired with James Bradberry, who played at a high level last season.

The $13 million per year deal is in the same neighborhood as the top corners who have already signed (Shaquill Griffin and William Jackson). It’s a significant deal from the Giants for a player coming off of injury, but Jackson is young and plays a premium position. This signing is a reasonable gamble by the Giants. The Giants have made a series of significant deals during this free agency period, as The Athletic’s Dan Duggan writes.

Grade: C+

March 20

The Giants’ four-year deal with Kenny Golladay

The Giants are signing wide receiver Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million deal, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Athletic’s Josh Tolentino. The deal includes $40 million guaranteed and incentives that can push it to $76 million.

Golladay is coming off a season in which he played just five games because of a hip injury. But his 2,253 yards across 2018 and 2019 ranked ninth among all wide receivers. He’s averaged 16.8 yards per reception (YPR) for his career and is a terrific downfield threat who knows how to use his size to out-muscle opponents.

At $18 million per year, this is a monster deal, especially considering how tepid the wide receiver market has been. Corey Davis received $12.5 million per year from the Jets. JuJu Smith-Schuster got a one-year, $8 million deal from the Steelers.

Golladay is now the sixth-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. Jason Garrett showed no evidence last season of being able to maximize the Giants’ offensive talent. Will he be able to get the most out of Golladay? It’s fair to wonder whether the Giants would have been better served to spread the $18 million out to other areas of the roster. Golladay offers a high ceiling, but this is an aggressive, boom-or-bust signing.

Grade: C

The Broncos’ one-year deal with Kyle Fuller

The Broncos are signing cornerback Kyle Fuller to a one-year, $9.5 million deal, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider.

The Bears tried to trade Fuller but were unsuccessful. A two-time Pro Bowler, Fuller is 29 years old and has not missed a game in six NFL seasons. He previously played for Vic Fangio in Chicago.

Given Fuller’s familiarity with Fangio’s scheme, this move had to be pretty much a no-brainer for the Broncos. With the addition of Fuller, and Von Miller returning from injury, the Broncos’ defense has a chance to be really good in 2021.

Grade: B+

The Seahawks’ two-year deal with Chris Carson

The Seahawks are signing running back Chris Carson to a two-year deal. It’s worth $10.4 million with $5.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

Carson, 26, had 968 yards from scrimmage in 12 games last season. The advanced stats suggest he was one of the league’s most efficient backs. At his best, Carson is a physical, punishing back who can make plays even when the blocking is less than perfect. His 51 runs of 10-plus yards over the past two seasons are tied for sixth most.

The Seahawks have mishandled their running back situation in recent years. They used a first-round pick on Rashaad Penny in 2018, and he has 823 rushing yards in 27 career games. It’s fair to question whether the Seahawks should have used the $5.5 million they’re spending on Carson at another position. But it’s essentially a one-year commitment, and he’s not getting paid like a top-10 back.

Carson has played well in the Seahawks’ scheme, running back was a hole on their roster, and they didn’t have to break the bank to keep him. This deal is fine.

Grade: C+

The Patriots’ four-year deal with David Andrews

The Patriots are re-signing center David Andrews to a four-year, $19 million deal with $6.5 million guaranteed, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.

Andrews, 29, has 69 career starts. He missed all of 2019 because of a blood clot issue but returned last year, started 12 games and played well.

Andrews tested the market but ultimately decided to return to New England. At $4.75 million per year, the Patriots got him on a team-friendly deal. Corey Linsley reset the center market with his deal with the Chargers that will pay him $12.5 million annually. This might be the Patriots’ best signing in free agency.

Grade: A

The Bengals’ one-year deal with Riley Reiff

The Bengals added some protection for Joe Burrow, signing offensive tackle Riley Reiff to a one-year, $7.5 million.

Reiff, 32, has made 127 career starts. He played left tackle with the Vikings for the last four seasons but is expected to play right tackle for Cincinnati.

Addressing the offensive line has to be a priority for the Bengals. Reiff gives them a competent starter at right tackle, and he can provide insurance for Jonah Williams at left tackle. It’s a one-year commitment, so Cincinnati can still address the offensive line in the draft.

Reiff’s $7.5 million salary is in line with other right tackles who signed this offseason like Daryl Williams and Matt Feiler (although Feiler might play guard). This move makes sense for the Bengals.

Grade: B

March 19

The Eagles’ one-year deal with Anthony Harris

The Eagles are signing safety Anthony Harris to a one-year, $4 million deal, The Athletic’s Zach Berman confirmed. Josina Anderson was first to report the move.

The Vikings surprisingly tagged Harris last year when he was coming off of a six-interception season, and he didn’t play as well in 2020, in part because the surrounding talent wasn’t as good.

Harris is a prototypical free safety with good ball skills. His nine interceptions over the past three seasons are tied for sixth among safeties, and his 24 passes defended over that span are tied for seventh. Harris has 47 career starts and has missed just three games in the last five seasons.

The Eagles are trying to implement a new defensive scheme under coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who coached Harris in Minnesota. This move doesn’t have a lot of upside, considering this will largely be a rebuilding year for the Eagles. But at $4 million for one season, Harris is fine value.

Grade: B-

The Steelers’ one-year deal with JuJu Smith-Schuster

In a surprise move, the Steelers are bringing back wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a one-year deal. It’ll be worth $8 million, according to NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti.

Smith-Schuster had 97 catches for 831 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020. Among the 103 wide receivers who ran at least 200 routes, Smith-Schuster ranked 81st in yards per route run and 100th in yards per reception. The Steelers used him mostly out of the slot in the middle, intermediate part of the field.

For a lot of teams, getting Smith-Schuster on this deal would be great value, but for Pittsburgh it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. The Steelers don’t have a lot of cap space, and the decision to use $8 million on Smith-Schuster when they have Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and James Washington on the roster is surprising.

Pittsburgh ranked 22nd in offensive efficiency last season and appears to be mostly running it back with what might be a worse offensive line. It’s fair to question whether the Steelers would have been better served to use the resources they’re committing to Smith-Schuster elsewhere on the roster.

Grade: C

The Broncos’ four-year deal with Justin Simmons

The Broncos are signing safety Justin Simmons to a four-year, $61 million contract. The deal was first reported by Benjamin Allbright.

Denver initially used the franchise tag on Simmons for the second consecutive offseason. He has 64 career starts and has not missed a single defensive snap in the past three seasons. He made the Pro Bowl last season and has been the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for two consecutive years.

As far as big-money signings go, Simmons is just about as low-risk as it gets, given his age (27) and durability. Plus he already knows Vic Fangio’s scheme. The Broncos made a smart move here, even if it meant making Simmons the NFL’s top-paid safety.

Grade: B+

The Giants’ two-year deal with Kyle Rudolph

The Giants are signing veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph. It’s a two-year deal worth $12 million, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Rudolph can earn as much as $14 million if he hits incentives.

The Vikings released Rudolph after a 10-year, 132-start run. He appeared in 12 games last season and played 57 percent of the snaps, producing 334 yards on 28 catches. Among the 91 tight ends who have run at least 100 routes over the past two seasons, Rudolph ranks 48th in yards per route run.

Given their other needs on the roster and the presence of Evan Engram, this is a bit of a puzzling move by the Giants. Rudolph is 31 years old and was a non-factor over the last two seasons in Minnesota. Maybe he performs better with more opportunities, but given his age, that doesn’t seem likely. This doesn’t seem like a good use of resources for the Giants.

Grade: C-

March 18

The Dolphins’ one-year deal with Will Fuller

The Dolphins are signing wide receiver Will Fuller to a one-year deal, a league source confirmed to The Athletic’s Josh Tolentino. Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the contract is worth $10.6 million.

In late November, it looked like Fuller was making the most of his contract year. He had 53 catches for 879 yards and eight touchdowns with the Texans and ranked sixth in yards per route run. But Fuller got suspended for the final five games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. He will have to sit out the first game of the 2021 season with Miami.

Previously, the question with Fuller was durability. He missed 20 games the previous three seasons. When Fuller is on the field, there’s no denying he’s one of the league’s best field-stretching vertical threats. Given the injury history and last year’s suspension, there’s obvious risk. But the Dolphins are committing to just one year, and Fuller opposite DeVante Parker is a nice pairing. This is a reasonable gamble with big upside for Miami.

Grade: B-

The Bills’ one-year deal with Mitchell Trubisky

The Bills are signing Mitchell Trubisky to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia.

Over the past three seasons, 44 quarterbacks have totaled at least 500 pass plays. Among that group, Trubisky ranks 26th in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play, according to TruMedia’s model. In other words, he hasn’t been great, but Trubisky hasn’t been a complete train wreck, either. He’s basically been slightly below average. And that’s great for your backup.

Right now, the Bills make more “that makes sense” moves than any team in the NFL. They brought back Matt Milano, Daryl Williams and Jon Feliciano on reasonable deals. They added Emmanuel Sanders as part of their wide receiver rotation. And now they get Trubisky as a high-level backup should Josh Allen suffer an injury.

And $2.5 million for one year is great value. That’s significantly less than what guys like Jacoby Brissett and Tyrod Taylor received. Trubisky was better than Andy Dalton last year, and Dalton got $10.5 million to start for the Bears.

The Bills haven’t stolen as many headlines as the Patriots this offseason, but they’ve done a terrific job over the last week and remain the team to beat in the AFC East

Grade: A

The Browns’ four-year deal with Troy Hill

The Browns are signing cornerback Troy Hill to a two-year, $9 million deal.

Hill had never played 50 percent or more of the defensive snaps until 2020 when he performed well as a 16-game starter. He saw significant snaps both in the slot and on the outside. Hill ranked 15th out of 106 corners in yards per snap allowed when playing man coverage, and he has seven interceptions in the past three seasons. Hill was N0. 70 on our free agency big board.

If the Browns get the same production from Hill that he had last year, this deal is a home run. But he turns 30 in August and had been a part-time player for his first five seasons.

It’s generally risky to sign 30-year-old corners, but I like Hill’s competitiveness and versatility. For 2021 at least, he should be a nice option to start opposite Denzel Ward or in the slot. When this deal was originally reported as four years, $24 million, I gave it a C+. But considering it’s actually two years, $9 million, with only the first year ($4.5 million) guaranteed, I like the move for the Browns.

Grade: B

The Jets’ one-year deal with Keelan Cole

The Jets are signing wide receiver Keelan Cole to a one-year, $5.5 million deal, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes.

Cole, 28, set a career high with 55 catches last season and produced 642 yards for a putrid Jaguars passing attack. He ranked 70th out of 78 qualifying wide receivers in yards per route run. Cole averaged 17.8 yards per reception as a rookie in 2017, but that dropped to a career low 11.7 last season.

For the Jets, Cole can be an option in the slot with Corey Davis and Denzel Mims on the outside. That’s assuming the Jets will now part ways with Jamison Crowder.

This isn’t an exciting signing for Jets fans, but Cole is a fine option at this price.

Grade: C+

The Lions’ one-year deal with Breshad Perriman

The Lions are signing wide receiver Breshad Perriman to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.

Perriman, 28, signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Jets as a free agent last offseason. He played 66 percent of the snaps and had 30 catches for 505 yards. Perriman has averaged 16.5 YPR for his career. He was No. 81 on our free agency big board.

Perriman is a nice, low-cost, field-stretching option for the Lions.

Grade: B

The Texans’ one-year deal with Desmond King

The Texans are signing defensive back Desmond King to a one-year, $3 million deal.

King’s career started off great, but he fell out of favor with the Chargers’ coaching staff and was traded to the Titans last season. In Tennessee, he played just 40 percent of the snaps on one of the league’s worst defenses.

King is a slot corner with some versatility to play a safety-like role in certain schemes. He’d previously added value as a return specialist but did not fill that role last season. King, 26, will look to build his value back up and re-enter the market next offseason. He was No. 68 on our free agency big board.

From the Texans’ perspective, this is a fine flier to take.

Grade: B

The Bengals’ one-year deal with Larry Ogunjobi

The Bengals are signing defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to a one-year deal that will be worth $6.2 million, according to OverTheCap.com.

Ogunjobi started 47 games in four seasons with the Browns and produced 14.5 sacks and 37 quarterback hits. He should be a nice fit next to nose tackle D.J. Reader. The Bengals also added Trey Hendrickson this offseason. Signing Ogunjobi could allow the team to comfortably move on from 33-year-old Geno Atkins.

As of this writing, the Bengals have still not addressed their offensive line, and ultimately their moves up front on offense will determine the success of this offseason. But Ogunjobi is a quality starter at a reasonable price.

Grade: B

The Chiefs’ one-year deal with Mike Remmers

The Chiefs are re-signing offensive tackle Mike Remmers to a one-year deal, according to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor. The contract has $3.3 million guaranteed and can bump up $6.8 million based on incentives.

Remmers, 32, has started 88 games in nine seasons. He was put in a tough spot having to play left tackle in the Super Bowl after Eric Fisher suffered an injury. But he can be a competent right tackle or swing tackle.

The Chiefs can go into 2021 hoping that second-year player Lucas Niang or a rookie steps up at right tackle. But if that doesn’t happen, Remmers gives them insurance at a reasonable cost.

Grade: B-

The Saints’ one-year deal with P.J. Williams

The Saints are bringing back defensive back P.J. Williams on a one-year, $2.3 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The key word with Williams is versatility. He played 50-plus snaps at slot corner, outside corner, free safety and strong safety last season. When playing man coverage, he ranked 11th out of 106 corners in yards per snap allowed. Williams’ playing time dipped to 48 percent of the defensive snaps, but he can offer competency at different spots.

This is a nice, low-cost deal for the Saints that gives them options in the secondary.

Grade: B

The Raiders’ two-year deal with Kenyan Drake

The Raiders are signing running back Kenyan Drake to a two-year, $11 million deal, according to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur.

The Cardinals used the transition tag on Drake last offseason, which meant a one-year deal worth $8.5 million. He was not as effective as he’d been in 2019. Drake averaged 4 yards per carry on 239 attempts, and the advanced stats were not kind to him. Drake had just 137 receiving yards, but that was probably more a function of the Cardinals’ offense than his skill set. In 2018, Drake showed strong receiving chops with 53 catches for 477 yards.

The Raiders traded center Rodney Hudson and right guard Gabe Jackson in part so that they could free up money to use on other areas of the roster. But using it on a second running back is unwise. The Raiders used a first-round pick on Josh Jacobs in 2019, and he’s done a fine job as their lead back. Building depth is one thing, but that doesn’t mean spending $5.5 million per year on a complementary back. Drake is now being paid like a top-15 back.

Meanwhile, the Raiders have big holes to fill on a defense that ranked 28th in efficiency last season. Whether the Raiders actually have a plan remains to be seen, but either way, this is a reckless use of resources.

Grade: F

The Chargers’ one-year deal with Jared Cook

The Chargers are signing tight end Jared Cook to a one-year, $4.5 million deal that can bump up to a max of $6 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Cook is 34, and his best days are behind him. But he still played 43 percent of the snaps last season for the Saints and had 37 catches for 504 yards and seven touchdowns. He ranked 14th among 41 qualifying tight ends in yards per route run. Cook was used primarily as a pass-catcher, lining up in the slot on 43.3 percent of his snaps. He was No. 79 on our free agency big board.

This is a smart move by the Chargers. They let Hunter Henry walk rather than pay him $12.5 million per year. Henry is a better overall player than Cook, and he’s younger. But he’s not $8 million per year better, and Cook can still contribute in the passing game. Meanwhile, the savings at tight end allowed the Chargers to sign All-Pro center Corey Linsley.

With Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jared Cook and Austin Ekeler, along with an upgraded offensive line, Justin Herbert is positioned to have a big second season.

Grade: B+

The 49ers’ one-year deal with Alex Mack

The 49ers continued to revamp their offensive line, signing center Alex Mack to a three-year, $14.85 million deal.

Mack previously played for Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta. He’s 35 years old but has been remarkably durable with 179 starts in 12 seasons. Mack has been a 16-game starter 10 times in his career and started 14 games for the Falcons last season.

The six-time Pro Bowler is obviously not the player he was in his prime, but on a one-year deal in a scheme that he’s familiar with, this move makes plenty of sense. The deal has $5.6 million guaranteed, so the 49ers can move on after 2021. But if Mack plays well and they want to keep him, he’s already under contract at a reasonable price for 2022 and 2023.

Grade: B+

The Browns’ one-year deal with Rashard Higgins

The Browns are bringing back wide receiver Rashard Higgins on a one-year, $2.38 million deal, according to ESPN.

Higgins, who is 26 years old, started six games last season and set a career high with 599 yards. Among the 103 wide receivers who ran at least 200 routes, Higgins ranked 17th in yards per route run, and he caught 71.2 percent of his targets.

When given the opportunity last season, Higgins proved he could produce like a competent No. 2 wide receiver. And given how young he is, there’s room to grow. At $2.38 million, this is a smart signing for the Browns.

Grade: A

The Patriots’ two-year deal with Kyle Van Noy

The Patriots are bringing Kyle Van Noy back on a two-year deal that’s worth up to $13.2 million, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. Per OverTheCap.com, the base value of the contract is $12 million with $6 million guaranteed.

The Dolphins surprisingly released Van Noy after signing him to a four-year, $51 million deal last offseason. He started 13 games for Miami and had six sacks to go along with 10 quarterback hits.

Van Noy played well for the Patriots previously, starting 45 games for them from 2016 to 2019. Bill Belichick knows his strengths and weaknesses, and Van Noy knows the scheme. New England is basically committing to Van Noy for one season. This move makes a lot of sense and is a nice value for the Patriots.

Grade: B+

The Cowboys’ three-year deal with Jourdan Lewis

The Cowboys are bringing back slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis on a three-year deal. It’s worth $13.5 million with $7.75 guaranteed, according to OverTheCap.com.

Lewis played 74 percent of the defensive snaps last year and has missed just three games in four seasons. He ranked 18th out of 106 corners in yards per snap allowed when playing man coverage last season. He was 107th on our free agency big board.

The top slot cornerbacks have gotten deals in the range of $8 million to $9 million per season. Given that Lewis is only 26 and has been durable, re-signing him for $4.5 million per year is a nice move for the Cowboys.

Grade: B

March 17

The Vikings’ one-year deal with Patrick Peterson

The Vikings are signing cornerback Patrick Peterson to a one-year, $8 million deal, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Athletic.

Peterson was suspended for six games in 2019 for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. He played 99 percent of the Cardinals’ defensive snaps in 2020 but looked like a declining player. Peterson has put together a Hall of Fame-caliber résumé and, at his best, is an elite man corner. But his best days are behind him. He was 42nd on our free agency big board.

From the Vikings’ perspective, even if Peterson’s not great, he can give them competent cornerback play while their younger options develop. Although, as with everything Vikings-related, it’s fair to wonder whether this money could have been better spent on the offensive line. The two big moves the Vikings have made so far are both on defense: Peterson and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson.

Typically, spending on 31-year-old corners in free agency is unwise. But head coach Mike Zimmer knows what he wants from defensive players, and it’s only a one-year deal. This move is fine.

Grade: C

Washington’s three-year deal with Curtis Samuel

Curtis Samuel is headed to Washington, per The Athletic’s Ben Standig. It’ll be a three-year, $34.5 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Samuel set career highs with 77 catches for 851 yards in 2020, and he caught 79.4 percent of his targets. The Panthers used Samuel as a ballcarrier, too — he had 41 carries for 200 yards. At 25 years old, he can be really fun in the right scheme. Samuel was 24th on our free agency big board.

But Samuel played for Ron Rivera for three years in Carolina and was one of the least efficient wide receivers in the NFL. From 2017 to 2019, the idea of Samuel was better than the actual player. Among the 56 wide receivers who ran at least 1,000 routes during that span, Samuel ranked 51st in yards per route run and 52nd in catch percentage.

Washington’s hope has to be that offensive coordinator Scott Turner can build on what Samuel did last year with Joe Brady in Carolina. It’s a reasonable gamble, but no sure thing. Washington’s staff will need to prove it knows how to maximize Samuel’s skill set.

Grade: C

The Seahawks’ one-year deal with Gerald Everett

The Seahawks are signing tight end Gerald Everett to a one-year, $6 million deal.

Everett has started 11 games in four seasons with the Rams, and last year was the first time in his career that he played more than 50 percent of the snaps. He set career highs with 41 catches and 417 yards. The efficiency numbers suggest that Everett could be more productive with increased opportunities. He ranked 18th out of 41 qualifying tight ends in yards per route run and sixth in yards after the catch per reception last season. He was 66th on our free agency big board.

Given Everett’s age (27) and athletic traits, there should still be upside with him. Considering that Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith received more than $12 million per year from the Patriots, Everett at $6 million is nice value for the Seahawks.

Grade: B

The Panthers’ one-year deal with Haason Reddick

Matt Rhule is getting another one of his Temple players in Carolina. Edge defender Haason Reddick is signing with the Panthers on a one-year deal, a person with knowledge of the matter to The Athletic’s Joseph Person. The deal is worth $6 million, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, and can bump up to $8 million if Reddick hits certain incentives.

Reddick had a big second half of last season and finished with 12.5 sacks, which was tied for fourth league-wide. Reddick’s role in Arizona has changed about 400 times in four seasons, but he has shown pass-rushing chops. He’s a hybrid-type player, and with Rhule, he gets to play for a coach who knows him well from their time together in college.

Reddick is just 27 years old and was 18th on our free agency big board. It’s somewhat surprising that he was not able to land a bigger deal. Reddick can try to play well again in 2022 and then re-enter the market. This is a great value signing for the Panthers.

Grade: A

The Cardinals’ one-year deal with A.J. Green

The Cardinals are signing wide receiver A.J. Green to a one-year, $6 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

On a per-snap basis, Green was one of the least efficient wide receivers in the league last season. He averaged just 1.06 yards per route run, which ranked 92nd out of 103 qualifying wide receivers. Green caught 47 balls for 523 yards and averaged a career-low 11.1 yards per reception. He caught just 45.2 percent of his targets, which ranked last out of 103 qualifying wide receivers. This was after he played just nine total games from 2018-19.

Maybe Green surprises, but why are the Cardinals rushing out to sign him for $6 million? The wide receiver market has been slow, and there are strong indications that younger, more productive players will be available for less in the weeks and months ahead. Arizona needs pass-catching help, but the process here is a bit of a head-scratcher.

Grade: D

The Titans’ one-year deal with Jayon Brown

The Titans are bringing back linebacker Jayon Brown on a one-year, $5.25 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

A season-ending elbow injury limited Brown to 10 games last year. But he missed just two games in his first three seasons. Brown’s eight passes defended last year were tied for third-most among linebackers. He’s a three-down linebacker who can affect the pass both in coverage and as a blitzer. Brown was 25th on our free agency big board.

Brown was one of the top off-ball linebackers available but apparently didn’t find much of a market. At 26, if he plays well and stays healthy in 2021, he should be able to cash in next offseason. This is a nice value signing for the Titans.

Grade: A

The Dolphins’ one-year deal with Jacoby Brissett

The Dolphins are signing quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal, a league source confirmed to The Athletic’s Josh Tolentino. Brissett gets a $5 million contract that can bump up to $7.5 million with incentives, according to ESPN.

Until the Deshaun Watson situation is resolved, it’s fair to wonder whether the Dolphins still have a big quarterback move up their sleeve. But for now, it will be Tua Tagovailoa with Brissett as his backup.

Brissett finished 21st in QBR in 2019 and then attempted just eight passes last season as Philip Rivers’ backup. By all accounts, he was an excellent teammate in Indianapolis.

Brissett is a great backup option, regardless of who’s playing quarterback for the Dolphins, and the one-year, $5 million commitment is a win for Miami.

Grade: A

The 49ers’ six-year deal with Trent Williams

The 49ers were able to retain their top free agent, Trent Williams, and agreed to terms on a six-year, $138.06 million deal with the left tackle. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal includes $55.1 million guaranteed and a $30.1 million signing bonus.

Williams was arguably the NFL’s best left tackle in 2020 and is a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan’s system. If Jimmy Garoppolo is healthy, or if the 49ers upgrade at quarterback, they are legit Super Bowl contenders. By keeping Williams, they shore up a premium position for the next few years.

Having said that, the signing comes with some risk. As part of the terms of last year’s trade with Washington, the 49ers could not use the franchise tag on Williams, so he had all the leverage and was able to test the market. At over $23 million per year, Williams is now the top-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. And he’ll be 33 years old at the start of next season.

Williams showed no real signs of decline last season, but to expect him to maintain the same level of play for the next few seasons is probably unrealistic. The last time Williams started 16 games was 2013, and older players are at greater risk for injuries.

This is a tough one. Ultimately, the 49ers kept an All-Pro-caliber player at a premium position. And given that they’re ready to win now, that makes sense. But with what they’re paying Williams, the ability to address other areas of the roster in the next few years will be more challenging.

Grade: B-

The Dolphins’ one-year deal with Justin Coleman

The Dolphins are signing slot cornerback Justin Coleman to a one-year deal, a source confirmed to The Athletic’s Josh Tolentino. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is worth up to $2.25 million, which means the base value is less than that.

Coleman set the salary ceiling for slot corners in 2019, signing a four-year, $36 million deal with the Lions. He appeared in 27 games over the past two seasons. Coleman played better in 2019 than he did last year. But he is only 28 years old and has the talent to still be one of the league’s top slot corners.

This is a really smart signing by the Dolphins. They have Byron Jones and Xavien Howard on the outside. Now they have Coleman and Noah Igbinoghene as options in the slot. That’s one of the best cornerback groups in the league.

Given Coleman’s age, and considering what a mess the Lions were last year, it’s reasonable to think that he can bounce back and play at a high level. And given how little the Dolphins are paying, this could turn out to be a tremendous value signing.

Grade: A

The Raiders’ one-year deal with John Brown

The Raiders are signing wide receiver John Brown to a one-year, $3.75 million deal, according to Adam Caplan. Brown can make up to $5.5 million with incentives.

Brown, 31, was outstanding in 2019 with 72 catches for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns. But he battled injuries last season and appeared in just nine games. He was, however, still productive (33 catches for 458 yards and three touchdowns).

The Raiders lost Nelson Agholor in free agency, but if Brown’s healthy, he could actually offer an upgrade. Betting on Brown with a one-year, $3.75 million deal makes more sense than betting on Agholor on a two-year, $22 million deal.

Much of what the Raiders have done so far has been confusing. But this move, viewed in isolation, is a good one.

Grade: A

The Lions’ two-year deal with Jamaal Williams

The Lions are signing running back Jamaal Williams to a two-year, $6 million deal. Williams is expected to serve a complementary role behind D’Andre Swift.

Williams averaged 8.3 carries per game in four seasons with the Packers. Last year, he produced 741 yards from scrimmage. Williams has been solid as a receiver — he has 122 catches for 961 yards — and has never fumbled.

It’s generally unwise to pay running backs in free agency, but Williams has upside, and the Lions are trying to build a culture more than anything else right now. This is a short-term deal, and it’s not like Detroit is breaking the bank. This is a reasonable signing.

Grade: B

March 16

The Bears’ one-year deal with Andy Dalton

The Bears are signing Andy Dalton to a one-year, $10.5 million contract, a league source confirmed to The Athletic’s Adam Jahns. The deal can bump up to $13 million if Dalton meets certain incentives.

This is another direction-less move by a direction-less franchise. Dalton is 33 years old. Playing on a Cowboys team last season that has a much better supporting cast than he’ll have in Chicago, he ranked 25th out of 33 quarterbacks in QBR. As a point of reference, Mitchell Trubisky was 21st.

What’s the plan for Chicago? The best-case scenario would be a nine-win season with Dalton and Nick Foles, which would put them in the exact same spot at quarterback next offseason, only with a worse draft pick.

If the Bears were unable to land a real upgrade at quarterback, they should have just rolled with Foles and an inexpensive veteran or a rookie. If everything fell apart, that wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world. They would have been better positioned to draft a quarterback next offseason.

Instead, they blow $10.5 million on Dalton for no reason. They need help in other areas of the roster, and cap space rolls over, so this is $10.5 million less that the Bears could have saved for next offseason. That could be useful if surprise quarterbacks become available, like what we saw with Matthew Stafford this offseason.

Signing Dalton is the direct result of the short-term thinking that happens when a general manager and coach feel the need to grasp for straws to field a competitive team and maintain job security.

Grade: F

Washington’s three-year deal with William Jackson

The Washington Football Team is signing cornerback William Jackson, a league source confirmed to The Athletic’s Ben Standig. It’s a three-year, $40.5 million deal with $26 million guaranteed.

Jackson hasn’t been a shutdown, Pro Bowl-caliber player and has just three interceptions in 59 career games, but he has played well. Jackson ranked 17th out of 106 corners in yards per snap allowed when playing man coverage last year.

Jackson’s deal is nearly identical to the one Shaquill Griffin signed with the Jaguars. Barring something unforeseen, those will be the top two cornerback deals signed in free agency.

Washington ranked third in defensive efficiency last season. They lost Ronald Darby to the Broncos but will replace him with a superior player. Jackson has established himself as a quality starter, he has upside, and he’s 28 years old. This is a smart signing by Washington.

Grade: B

The Bills’ one-year deal with Emmanuel Sanders

The Bills are signing Emmanuel Sanders to a one-year, $6 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Sanders spent last season with the Saints and was productive with 61 catches for 726 yards and five touchdowns.

The Bills have Stefon Diggs at one starting spot and Cole Beasley in the slot. They released John Brown, but Gabriel Davis had a nice rookie season with 35 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdowns. Sanders can either start or share snaps with Davis. And he offers insurance should the Bills suffer an injury.

Given the cost and only the one-year commitment, this is a fine signing.

Grade: B

The Texans’ one-year deal with Tyrod Taylor

The Texans are dipping their toe in the “hopefully a backup, but maybe a starter” market. The team is signing Tyrod Taylor to a one-year deal that’s worth $5.5 million with $2.5 million guaranteed.

Taylor is a fine backup option. But if the Texans were sure they were going to roll with Deshaun Watson, it would have made sense to spend that $5.5 million elsewhere on the roster. If you’re Houston and Watson goes down, backup quarterback is mostly irrelevant. Your season is over, so you go cheap.

In other words, if you’re someone who believes that Watson is going to be traded, this move could be viewed as insurance to give the Texans a low-end starting option. The uncertainty around Watson’s future makes this a tough one to evaluate.

Grade: C

The Jaguars’ two-year deal with Marvin Jones

The Jaguars are adding a veteran wide receiver, signing Marvin Jones to a two-year, $12.5 million deal with $9 million guaranteed.

Over the last five years, Jones ranks 16th among wide receivers in receiving yards and seventh in touchdowns. He was a high-volume option for the Lions in 2020, catching 76 balls on 115 targets for 978 yards and nine touchdowns.

At $6.25 million per year, this is a relatively low-cost signing for a reliable, veteran starting wide receiver.

Grade: B

Leonard Williams’ three-year deal with the Giants

The Giants and defensive lineman Leonard Williams have agreed to terms on a three-year, $63 million deal that includes $45 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The good news for the Giants is they get to keep a young (27), productive player. Williams turned in a career year in 2020 with 11.5 sacks (seventh league-wide) and 30 quarterback hits (third). If he’s finally reaching his potential, Williams could be one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the NFL for the next three seasons.

The bad news for the Giants is that they’re paying Williams under the assumption that last year’s performance was not flukey. He had 17.5 sacks in his first five NFL seasons, including 0.5 sacks in 2019. Williams is now tied for second among interior defensive linemen in average annual salary at $21 million. It’s the same salary that DeForest Buckner is making and just below Aaron Donald ($22.5 million). The Colts were able to get a fourth year on Buckner’s deal, which gives them some upside. Here, the Giants have control of Williams’ rights for only three seasons, and then he again hits free agency.

Williams is durable (has played in 95 out of a possible 96 games) and performed well in the Giants’ scheme. There’s risk with this deal, but sometimes you have to gamble if you think you’ve identified elite talent.

Grade: C+

Mike Hilton’s four-year deal with the Bengals

The Bengals raided an AFC North opponent to add to their secondary, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $24 million contract with Mike Hilton, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Hilton gives the Bengals a versatile slot cornerback. He played 43 percent of the snaps last season and was up over 50 percent the previous three years. Hilton was an excellent blitzer for Pittsburgh, piling up 9.5 sacks and 23 quarterback hits in four seasons. It’ll be up to the Bengals to find a way to take advantage of Hilton’s aggressiveness.

As for the contract, $6 million per year is in the second tier of slot corners. Hilton is a nice piece at a reasonable price for Cincinnati.

Grade: B

Chidobe Awuzie’s three-year deal with the Bengals

It looks like the Bengals will replace William Jackson with Chidobe Awuzie. The team is signing Awuzie to a three-year, $21.75 million deal, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Awuzie has 42 career starts with the Cowboys, but injuries limited him to eight games last season. He isn’t as good as Jackson but also won’t be as expensive. Awuzie can play on the outside and is only 26 years old.

The caveat with all of the Bengals’ moves is that they only make sense if they’re in coordination with upgrading the offensive line, which hasn’t happened yet. But in isolation, the Bengals are paying a reasonable price for a young, starting corner.

Grade: B

Shaquill Griffin’s three-year deal with the Jaguars

The Jaguars made a splash at cornerback, signing Shaquill Griffin to a three-year deal worth $40 million.

Griffin is the type of player the Jaguars should be spending money on. He started 53 games in four seasons with the Seahawks. Griffin’s 48 passes defended since 2017 rank 10th league-wide. He ranked 25th out of 106 corners in yards per snap allowed in man coverage last season.

Griffin hasn’t yet put it all together, but he’s just 26 years old and has impressive physical traits. There’s a chance that his best football is ahead of him. Teaming Griffin up with C.J. Henderson gives the Jaguars a young, talented pair of corners.

Grade: B

Hunter Henry’s three-year deal with the Patriots

A day after signing Jonnu Smith, the Patriots agreed to terms on a three-year, $37.5 million deal with tight end Hunter Henry, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Henry’s 613 receiving yards last season ranked 12th among tight ends. Among the 41 tight ends who ran at least 200 routes, Henry ranked 23rd in yards per route run and 31st in yards after the catch per reception.

The only tight ends making more money annually than Smith and Henry are George Kittle and Travis Kelce. The Patriots’ moves come one year after they spent two third-round picks on tight ends.

New England obviously plans on using a high percentage of 12 personnel (one RB, two TEs), but the Patriots are paying big for both Henry and Smith. Maybe it will work out, but the truth is the Patriots are following in the footsteps of teams that often make mistakes in free agency: paying premium prices for players with question marks.

Grade: D

Michael Davis’ three-year deal with the Chargers

The Chargers are holding on to cornerback Michael Davis, signing him to a three-year, $25.2 million deal with $10.4 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

After originally signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Davis has developed into a quality starting corner. He has size (6-feet-2) and athleticism. Davis has 35 career starts and was on the field for 92 percent of the Chargers’ defensive snaps in 2020.

Given that Davis is only 26 and will be playing for a defensive-minded head coach in Brandon Staley, it’s possible that his best football is ahead of him. He gets a deal that will pay him like a quality starter, and the Chargers get a young, ascending corner. This move makes sense for both sides.

Grade: B

Rayshawn Jenkins’ four-year deal with the Jaguars

Despite entering free agency with the most cap space in the NFL, the Jaguars have not yet landed any of the top-tier free agents. They did, though, add a starting safety in Rayshawn Jenkins on a four-year, $35 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Jenkins has started 32 games in four seasons, including 15 last year. The majority of his snaps with the Chargers last year came in the box, but Jenkins saw more than 100 snaps at slot corner and free safety too. He has five interceptions in the past two seasons.

The Jaguars are paying significant money to a player who has been an average starter so far. Maybe Jenkins’ career will take off in Jacksonville, but this was an aggressive signing.

Grade: C-

More grades: March 14-15 — Aaron Jones, Shaquill Barrett, Matt Judon and more

More grades: From J.J. Watt to Dak Prescott

(Photo of Antonio Brown: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)