{"id":516024,"date":"2026-03-11T00:45:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T00:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/516024\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T00:45:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T00:45:08","slug":"2026-nfl-free-agency-grades-colts-re-sign-alec-pierce-kenneth-walker-to-chiefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/516024\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL Free Agency Grades: Colts Re-sign Alec Pierce; Kenneth Walker to Chiefs"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most optimistic times of the year for NFL<\/a> fans has arrived. Free agency has started with a bang, with several huge deals around the league already completed.<\/p>\n

We’re grading every notable signing and even a few trades as the deals happen. Did your favorite team make smart moves?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Let’s take a look at how we view some of the top signings and trades around the league.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[NFL Top 100 Free Agents<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Henry McKenna<\/a>: Willis will be the highest-paid QB on the open market, signing a three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million guaranteed, per multiple reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The former Packer joins ex-Green Bay defensive coordinator and now Miami head coach Jeff Hafley and Dolphins<\/a> GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, who also came from Green Bay. The Dolphins will give Willis at least a year to prove himself in an offense that includes good skill players: RB De’Von Achane<\/a> and WR Jaylen Waddle<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Willis will be tasked with doing what he did in Green Bay as a backup. With the Packers<\/a>, he converted his unique (and raw) gifts into becoming a game manager. Miami will have to turn him into a game-changer.<\/p>\n

At the combine, the Dolphins were concerned that Willis\u2019 contract would get bloated beyond what they could accommodate, per a source. But at $22.5 million per year, he lands just north of what the New York Jets<\/a> gave Justin Fields<\/a> last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be fascinating to see how Miami gets under the cap, given they\u2019re about to take on $99 million in dead money from Tua Tagovailoa<\/a>\u2019s impending release.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ultimately, I like this move. I like Willis. The risks are sizable. But this offseason won\u2019t offer much in the way of young QBs with upside. The Dolphins chased their guy and got him.<\/p>\n

Grade for Dolphins: A-<\/p>\n

Ben Arthur<\/a>: Pierce\u2019s return is pivotal for a Colts<\/a> offense that is looking to get back to the explosiveness it displayed at the start of last season. A homegrown talent with plenty of upside, the 25-year-old Pierce had a strong connection with quarterback Daniel Jones<\/a>, who\u2019s on the transition tag (at least for the time being).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pierce is a deep threat with a growing route tree, but he became more expensive than he needed to be. Indianapolis could\u2019ve extended the former second-round pick before last season or earlier this offseason, when he would\u2019ve been significantly cheaper.<\/p>\n

Grade for Colts: B-<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons. \u00a0(Photo by Jeffrey Brown\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Eric D. Williams<\/a>: Running backs matter. Just ask the Chiefs, who grabbed the top back available at the start of free agency. The Super Bowl<\/a> MVP for the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> will not get a chance to defend the Lombardi Trophy next season. Instead, he\u2019ll try to help Patrick Mahomes<\/a> and Andy Reid chase another ring.<\/p>\n

Kansas City needed an upgrade to its running game from the backfield of Isiah Pacheco<\/a> and Kareem Hunt<\/a>. The Chiefs averaged just 106.6 rushing yards a contest last year, which was No. 25 in the NFL. And with Mahomes recovering from ACL surgery, the Chiefs now have a bell-cow running back to lean on in Walker.<\/p>\n

According to reports, it\u2019s a three-year, $45 million deal with $28.7 million fully guaranteed. That\u2019s a heavy investment to fix the running game for Kansas City for a player who had some injury concerns during his time in Seattle.<\/p>\n

Grade for Chiefs: B<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kenneth Walker III joins Kansas City after a Super Bowl MVP performance for the Seahawks. (Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Falcons agree to terms with former Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa<\/a><\/p>\n

Williams: With former first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.<\/a> still recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in November, the Falcons<\/a> added some insurance with the signing of veteran quarterback Tagovailoa to a one-year deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While serving as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns<\/a>, new Atlanta coach Kevin Stefanski drafted a left-handed quarterback in Dillon Gabriel<\/a>. Stefanski takes over a team with a left-handed quarterback as the team\u2019s projected starter in Penix.<\/p>\n

And now Stefanski adds another left-handed quarterback in Tagovailoa to serve as the team\u2019s starter until Penix is healthy enough to return. The Alabama<\/a> product is a good fit in Stefanski\u2019s system, a West Coast-based scheme that leans on running the football and a precision passer in the play-action game.<\/p>\n

Atlanta has a solid offensive line and one of the best groups of offensive weapons in the league, led by running back Bijan Robinson<\/a>, tight end Kyle Pitts<\/a> and receiver Drake London<\/a>. Yes, Tagovailoa is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro. He got benched for the last three games of the regular season in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tagovailoa has struggled to stay healthy, missing significant time over his six NFL seasons due to concussion issues in addition to rib fractures, finger fractures and a back injury. However, the Hawaii native has played winning football, posting a 44-32 record, reaching the playoffs once during his time in Miami and making the Pro Bowl in 2023, leading the NFL in passing yards that season.<\/p>\n

Grade for Falcons: B+<\/p>\n

Arthur: The guarantees in Oweh\u2019s reported four-year, $100 million deal will be important. His sack numbers show he\u2019s more than worth this kind of money \u2014 he has 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons, including playoffs \u2014 but he doesn\u2019t put up the pressure numbers of the top-end edge rushers. According to Pro Football Focus, he had 51 pressures in 2025 (including postseason), which ranked 29th among edge defenders.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The uptick in his numbers after getting traded to the Chargers<\/a> is notable \u2014 after joining Los Angeles in Week 6, he generated the sixth-highest pressure rate in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. But we don\u2019t have a long-term sample size of the former first-round pick being a consistent, every down game-wrecker. Also, Oweh isn\u2019t a major disruptive force in the run game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grade for Commanders: C+<\/p>\n

McKenna: Phillips has long been an analytics darling, with a propensity to generate as much pressure as anyone. But there are a few reasons why this deal is a major risk for the Panthers<\/a>. Phillips\u2019 sack numbers have never hit double digits in a single season. He has been at his best in Vic Fangio\u2019s defense (in Miami and Philly), and he won\u2019t have that luxury in Carolina. Phillips also has a long injury history (torn ACL in 2024, torn Achilles in 2023).\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Eagles<\/a> were able to buy him pretty cheap at the trade deadline. That\u2019s not what the Panthers are doing here. When the dust settles in free agency, Phillips is likely to finish in the top 10 (or near it) among pass-rusher salaries \u2014 alongside Josh Hines-Allen<\/a> ($28.3 million) and Nick Bosa<\/a> ($34 million per year). Anytime you buy into a guy after a meteoric rise, there\u2019s the possibility of regression. That risk feels even bigger with an oft-injured defender like Phillips.<\/p>\n

Grade for Panthers: C+<\/p>\n

Williams: Las Vegas significantly upgraded one of its main weaknesses, bringing in an anchor up front to protect the pending addition of quarterback Fernando Mendoza<\/a> as the No. 1 overall pick. The Raiders<\/a> signed Ravens<\/a> free-agent Tyler Linderbaum<\/a> to a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million in guaranteed money, making him the highest paid center in the league.<\/p>\n

Last season, Las Vegas allowed a league-worst 64 sacks and struggled to clear running lanes for rookie running back Ashton Jeanty<\/a>. Linderbaum should help on both fronts as Las Vegas looks to revamp an offensive line around blindside protector Kolton Miller<\/a>. Las Vegas entered free agency with more than $100 million in salary cap space \u2014 the most in the NFL \u2014 and should still have more room to make some splashes in free agency. The addition of Linderbaum fills a major hole, giving the Raiders a cornerstone quarterback-center tandem to build around.<\/p>\n

Grade for Raiders: A-<\/p>\n

Ralph Vacchiano<\/a>: For just $5.5 million over one year, the Jets may have gotten a huge bargain in this 27-year-old, big (6-foot-4) cornerback. He\u2019s coming off a phenomenal season in Chicago, during which he had five interceptions and went to the Pro Bowl.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Granted, it took a long time for Wright to bloom into the player the Cowboys thought he\u2019d be when they took him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft<\/a> \u2014 and a string of injuries didn\u2019t help. It\u2019s probably why bidders were scared away. But he\u2019s exactly the kind of player the Jets should take an inexpensive shot at. They had zero interceptions last season, so if Wright is the ball-hawk they think he is, they have an ascending young player they can pay next season. If he\u2019s not, they\u2019ve lost absolutely nothing but a little time.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Grade for Jets: A<\/p>\n

Arthur: It never made sense for the Seahawks to let Shaheed walk. They traded two mid-round picks to the Saints for the Pro Bowl returner midseason, and his playmaking ability in the return game and field-stretching capabilities as a receiver played an integral role in Seattle winning the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n

At $17 million AAV on the new three-year deal, Shaheed is firmly in the low end WR2 range. And that makes a lot of sense for Seattle. Establishing contract value is all about projecting what said player can be for your team moving forward. Shaheed\u2019s history in New Orleans demonstrates that he can be a legitimate running mate alongside WR1 Jaxon Smith-Njigba<\/a> given a full year in the Seahawks\u2019 offense \u2014 on top of everything he already does as a returner. Shaheed\u2019s full potential as an offensive weapon is yet to be unlocked.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grade for Seahawks: A\u00a0<\/p>\n

Arthur: The Saints<\/a> desperately needed a three-down running back of the future, considering that a declining Alvin Kamara<\/a> will be out of the picture sooner than later. It\u2019s why Notre Dame\u2019s Jeremiyah Love<\/a> was widely considered an option for New Orleans with the ninth overall pick.<\/p>\n

Instead of the draft, the team earmarks the 27-year-old Etienne \u2014 a\u00a0Louisiana native \u2014 as its RB1. At $13 million AAV, the former Jag becomes the NFL\u2019s seventh-highest paid running back. Without a clear picture on guarantees, it appears to be a win for New Orleans on paper. That\u2019s lower than what the Chiefs gave Kenneth Walker<\/a>, who has one fewer 1,000-yard rushing season. Etienne also has more career receiving yards than the Super Bowl LX MVP.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A former first-round pick, Etienne looks like a strong running back option to take pressure off second-year quarterback Tyler Shough<\/a> at a reasonable price.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grade for Saints: A-<\/p>\n

Eagles sign ex-Seahawks CB Riq Woolen<\/a><\/p>\n

Vacchiano: The Eagles seemed to have bigger priorities than their second outside corner, but it\u2019s hard to argue with the value they get in the 26-year-old Woolen on a deal worth “up to” $15 million. He\u2019s a ball-hawk who had six interceptions as a rookie, though it took him three more years to get his next six. And he\u2019ll be an upgrade over Adoree\u2019 Jackson<\/a> and motivated to prove his worth with eyes on a bigger payday next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Woolen, Quinyon Mitchell<\/a> and Cooper DeJean<\/a>, it\u2019ll be hard to find a better trio of corners anywhere in the NFL. So despite the early free-agent departures, Vic Fangio\u2019s defense isn\u2019t finished yet.<\/p>\n

Grade for Eagles: A-<\/p>\n

McKenna: Did New England OC Josh McDaniels just find his Wes Welker? The Patriots<\/a> inked the 25-year-old Doubs to a four-year, $70 million deal. At $17.5 million per year, he lands alongside free-agent receivers Wan’Dale Robinson ($17.5M\/year) and Rashid Shaheed<\/a> ($17M\/year).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Doubs, a slot specialist, always seemed like he was just scratching the surface of his potential in Green Bay, in part because of the team’s deep cast of receivers. But given the prominence of slot receivers in McDaniels\u2019 offense, Doubs may have a massive role in New England, perhaps for years to come.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was (past) time for the Patriots to start investing in QB Drake Maye<\/a>\u2019s pass-catchers. They were smart to bail on Stefon Diggs<\/a> and instead focus on someone like Doubs, still very young and with plenty of upside. The next step will likely be drafting a perimeter receiver (if they can\u2019t trade for disgruntled Eagles receiver A.J. Brown<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Grade for Patriots: A<\/p>\n

Former Colts OT Braden Smith<\/a> agrees to terms with Texans<\/a><\/p>\n

McKenna: With the addition of Smith, the Texans<\/a> are on their way to rebuilding their offensive line. He is set to sign a two-year, $25-million deal with $13.5M fully guaranteed, per reports. In all likelihood, Smith will replace right tackle Tytus Howard<\/a>, whom Houston recently traded to the Browns.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Smith took time away from the game to address obsessive-compulsive disorder, but he returned last year and started 12 games \u2014 with mixed results (as was the case for the entire Colts offense.) The Texans have already re-signed tackle Trent Brown<\/a> and right guard Ed Ingram<\/a>. I\u2019m just not sure Smith is a sizable upgrade from Howard.<\/p>\n

Grade for Texans: C+\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vacchiano: The Cowboys<\/a> needed a pass rusher and Gary cost them a fourth-round pick<\/a>, which seems like a high price to pay for a player the Packers were prepared to release. Gary, 28, did have 7.5 sacks last season, but they all came in the first seven games of the season. He had zero over the last nine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Rashan Gary averaged 7.5 sacks over the past six seasons with the Packers. (Photo by Rich Graessle\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Still, the Cowboys are banking on the fact that he\u2019s averaged 7.5 sacks over the past six seasons. They’re also willing to take on the two years and $42 million left on his contract because they knew the edge market was going to be more expensive, for far less accomplished players.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an expensive risk, but less expensive and less risky than what Dallas expected to find in free agency.<\/p>\n

Grade for Cowboys: B<\/p>\n

Arthur: The Steelers<\/a> desperately needed wide receiver help alongside DK Metcalf<\/a> and got that in Pittman, a two-time 1,000-yard receiver. The former second-round pick is a physical receiver and a yards-after-the-catch threat, so he fits the profile of Pittsburgh\u2019s offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old Pittman has missed just three games since 2021, making him hugely reliable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The three-year, $59 million contract the Steelers are giving Pittman and the draft compensation involved in the trade \u2014 late-round pick swap \u2014 are very palpable for someone who projects to be Pittsburgh\u2019s WR2. This is a strong move overall for the Steelers and new head coach Mike McCarthy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grade for Steelers: A\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vacchiano: The 29-year-old Fitzpatrick had a down season in Miami last year after three straight Pro Bowl years in Pittsburgh, but he\u2019s still a perfect fit for the Jets<\/a>. He\u2019s not the dominant player he was a few years ago, but he\u2019s low-risk, coming at the cost of a seventh-round pick and a three-year, $40 million deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Embattled Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is taking over the defense and wants smart veterans who can run it. Fitzpatrick fits that profile. He also has much-needed ball-hawk skills, even though he had just two interceptions over the past three seasons. (The Jets had zero interceptions last season, so they\u2019ll take any help they can get in that department.) He\u2019ll help stabilize a secondary that was mostly awful last season, especially after the trade of cornerback Sauce Gardner<\/a> to the Colts.<\/p>\n

Grade for Jets: B+<\/p>\n

McKenna: It\u2019s hard not to love this one. The 49ers offense continues to be a hotspot for the best skill players in the NFL \u2014 albeit those at an advanced age. Evans is 32 and not in the same league with Justin Jefferson<\/a> or Ja\u2019Marr Chase<\/a> anymore, but he has 11 career 1,000-yard seasons and six with double-digit touchdowns.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He\u2019s perfect for this offense. He should return to dominant form in this offense, in part because of how much help he\u2019ll get. It starts with coach Kyle Shanahan, but it extends to quarterback Brock Purdy<\/a> and running back Christian McCaffrey<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At first glance, it\u2019s a big price for the aging star \u2014 a three-year, $60.4 million deal \u2014 but it\u2019s a deal that\u2019s comparable to what the Rams are paying Davante Adams<\/a>. The 49ers should plug Evans into their offense in a comparable way.<\/p>\n

Grade for 49ers: A<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mike Evans has 11 career 1,000-yard receiving seasons, all with the Buccaneers. Can he get one with the 49ers? (Photo by Cliff Welch\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Travis Kelce<\/a> re-signing with Chiefs for 14th NFL season<\/p>\n

Arthur: Kelce returning to Kansas City on a one-year deal, reported to be worth up to $15 million ($12 million base value), is a win for the Chiefs. The future Hall of Fame tight end is 36 years old and has been declining for a few years, but he’s still a productive player in Andy Reid\u2019s offense \u2014 as evident last season by his team-leading 851 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns (tied for the team-high).\u00a0<\/p>\n

A $12 million base value puts Kelce\u2019s deal in the top 12 for AAV among tight ends, which is a good rate for Kansas City given the stage of his career, the value to its offense and the interest he surely generated from other teams. An 11-time Pro Bowler, Kelce is positioned to officially retire after the upcoming season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grade for Chiefs: A-\u00a0<\/p>\n

Williams: Chicago adds a defensive playmaker with a Super Bowl pedigree by signing free agent Coby Bryant<\/a>. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Selected in fourth round of the 2022 draft by the Seahawks, Bryant arrived in the NFL as a cornerback but successfully converted to safety in 2024. Over the past two seasons, he started 26 games for Seattle, totaling seven interceptions and 139 combined tackles over the period.<\/p>\n

Chicago has four safeties expected to hit free agency \u2014 NFL interceptions leader Kevin Byard<\/a>, Jaquan Brisker<\/a>, Elijah Hicks<\/a> and Jonathan Owens<\/a>. Bryant provides a versatile defensive playmaker who improves a team expected to contend for the Super Bowl under second-year head coach Ben Johnson.<\/p>\n

Grade for Bears<\/a>: A<\/p>\n

Williams: The Rams<\/a> have taken a sledgehammer this offseason to the team’s main weaknesses: the defensive secondary. After giving up four picks \u2014 including a first-round selection \u2014 in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> for Southern California native Trent McDuffie<\/a> and signing him to the richest cornerback contract in league history<\/a>, Los Angeles then grabbed his teammate, Jaylen Watson<\/a>, in free agency.<\/p>\n

According to reports, the Rams signed Watson to a three-year, $51 million deal that includes $34 million guaranteed. Los Angeles has four free-agent cornerbacks in Cobie Durant<\/a>, Derion Kendrick<\/a>, Ahkello Witherspoon<\/a> and Roger McCreary<\/a>. The team has found replacements to upgrade that position group in McDuffie and Watson.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, after allocating money to outside free agents, the Rams might need to turn their attention to star receiver Puka Nacua<\/a>, who is eligible for a new deal as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.<\/p>\n

Grade for Rams: B+<\/p>\n

Giants sign former Ravens TE Isaiah Likely<\/a><\/p>\n

Vacchiano: With WR Malik Nabers<\/a> recovering from a torn ACL and Wan\u2019Dale Robinson<\/a> headed to free agency, the Giants<\/a> needed weapons for QB Jaxson Dart<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Likely, a 6-foot-4, 245-pounder, has plenty of untapped potential, and no one knows that better than new Giants coach John Harbaugh. Likely\u2019s production was always capped in Baltimore, mostly because of the prominence of Ravens TE Mark Andrews<\/a>. But in limited opportunities, Likely always showed he had reliable hands and could stretch the field.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He might have to split the job with TE Theo Johnson<\/a>. Likely also could see time as a “big slot receiver.” Either way, he didn\u2019t cost a ton (three years, $40 million) and he quickly emerges as Dart\u2019s No. 2 target.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Grade for Giants: A-<\/p>\n

Vacchiano: Brian Daboll loved the 5-foot-8 Robinson in New York, so it always seemed inevitable that once he landed as the Titans<\/a>‘ OC that he\u2019d bring his favorite slot receiver with him. And the price (four years, $70 million) wasn\u2019t going to stop Daboll, even though Robinson had just one good season in New York.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The truth is he\u2019s little more than a slot receiver. He can be a high-volume receiver, but he\u2019s never been the slippery, yards-after-catch guy that Daboll envisioned. And his numbers only went up last season (315 more yards on one fewer catch than in 2024) because No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers<\/a> got hurt. Robinson will help QB Cam Ward<\/a> for sure, but it\u2019s hard to imagine he\u2019s worth that money, even if it is a reasonable rate in an unreasonable free-agent market.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Grade for Titans: C+<\/p>\n

Lions set to sign former Panthers C Cade Mays<\/a><\/p>\n

McKenna: The Lions<\/a> lost Frank Ragnow<\/a> before the 2025 season and never quite replaced him \u2014 until now. This year, Mays took over the Panthers\u2019 starting center job after an injury to Austin Corbett <\/a>in Week 3. Mays played well in relief of Corbett, helping the Panthers engineer a run-first identity for Rico Dowdle<\/a> and Chuba Hubbard<\/a>. Mays also didn\u2019t allow a sack, per PFF.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mays is 26 years old, and has 52 games of experience. On a three-year, $25-million deal, these should be his prime years of production for an ascending player.<\/p>\n

Grade for Lions: B+<\/p>\n

McKenna: In many ways, this resembles the Panthers\u2019 signing of Jaelan Phillips<\/a>. New England addressed a position of need by signing a 26-year-old player who was the best available in free agency. Vera-Tucker\u2019s only downside (like Phillips) is his injury history. He has torn his Achilles (2023) and his triceps (2022 and again in 2025). The thing I like about this move is the way the Patriots mitigated costs. Vera-Tucker’s $14 million AAV ranks 19th among guards, behind Browns guard Wyatt Teller<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The move also allows the Patriots to break up their inexperienced offensive linemen. Last season, rookies Will Campbell<\/a> and Jared Wilson<\/a> lined up next to each other. Wilson now moves to center, and left tackle Campbell should have the luxury of working beside an All-Pro talent at left guard. It\u2019s an incredible idea \u2014 it\u2019s also hard to trust that Vera-Tucker will make it through the entire season healthy.<\/p>\n

Grade for Patriots: B+<\/p>\n

Jets trade for Raiders QB Geno Smith<\/a><\/p>\n

Vacchiano: In fairness to the Jets, they were in an impossible spot. They desperately need a quarterback, are picking second in a one-QB draft, and aren\u2019t exactly a destination spot for free agents with options. Add in the fact that they want to win, but don\u2019t want to ruin their chances at a high pick in the 2027 draft and \u2026 well, that\u2019s how they landed on Smith.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Geno Smith started his career with the Jets before having a few good years in Seattle. But his lone season with the Raiders was a disaster as he led the NFL in interceptions. (Photo by Ian Maule\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Once an abject failure for them from 2013-16, he\u2019s a better, more mature player now. But he\u2019s also about to turn 36, and he\u2019s thrown 32 interceptions over the past two seasons (and averaged 13 over the past four). What makes the Jets think he\u2019ll be more successful with them? Well, they probably don\u2019t think that. But what other choices did they have? At least he only cost them a sixth-round pick and the Raiders are paying most of his salary \u2014 and they can cut him after the season when they\u2019ll be ready to draft a quarterback who can actually help.<\/p>\n

Grade for Jets: D<\/p>\n

Vacchiano: If there was one position the Giants were desperate to upgrade on defense, it was linebacker. And when they cut veteran Bobby Okereke<\/a>, it was clear they wanted to get younger, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old Edmunds fills that need and gives the Giants a strong leader in the middle, who still has the sideline-to-sideline speed to help against the run. He may not be a Pro Bowler anymore, but he\u2019s topped 100 tackles in each of his eight NFL seasons. Also, at three years and $36 million, he\u2019s affordable and came cheaper than he would have in a trade.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Grade for Giants: B<\/p>\n

Bengals<\/a> agree to terms with former Ravens edge Boye Mafe<\/a><\/p>\n

McKenna: Former All-Pro edge Trey Hendrickson<\/a> said goodbye to Cincinnati earlier this offseason, so the Bengals<\/a> are investing in the 27-year-old Mafe. He and the Bengals have agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal that\u2019ll pay him similar to the Bills<\/a>\u2019 Gregory Rousseau<\/a> ($20 million\/year) and the Cardinals<\/a>\u2019 Josh Sweat<\/a> ($19 million\/year).\u00a0<\/p>\n

For quarterback Joe Burrow<\/a>\u2019s sake, hopefully this is the first of multiple pieces that fall into place \u2014 on both sides of the ball \u2014 for Cincy. He spent four seasons with the Seahawks, hitting a career-high nine sacks in 2023. The risk is that Mike Macdonald is probably the best defensive coach in football. If he couldn\u2019t get double-digit sacks out of Mafe, then who will? But relative to Mafe’s age, past production and the market, the deal makes a lot of sense for the Begnals.<\/p>\n

Grade for Bengals: A-<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Patriots QB Drake Maye is pressured by Boye Mafe during the second quarter of Super Bowl LX in February. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Arthur: In the first several hours of free agency, the Titans remade their defense in the image of Robert Saleh.<\/p>\n

Franklin-Myers, a key part of the Broncos<\/a>\u2019 defensive line success over the past couple seasons, rejoins his former Jets head coach to give All-Pro Jeffery Simmons<\/a> legitimate help in the pass-rush department. And Tennessee gets two new starting cornerbacks in Flott and Taylor.<\/p>\n

With 14.5 sacks since the start of 2024, Franklin-Myers was going to land big money. So $21 million AAV is fair market rate for the former fourth-round pick, who can play multiple spots on the D-line. Saleh\u2019s history indicates a reluctance to blitzing \u2014 he wants to generate pressure with the front four \u2014 so Franklin-Myers fits that vision perfectly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to NFL Network, Tennessee committed $74 million fully guaranteed between Flott and Taylor. That\u2019s doable for the Titans, who entered free agency with over $90 million in cap space, but it’s still a hefty price tag. That says a lot about how bad the outlook was for the Titans\u2019 cornerback room \u2014 the L\u2019Jarius Sneed<\/a> deal a couple years ago was a disaster \u2014 and how the team views the CBs in this year\u2019s draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grade for Titans: Be<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One of the most optimistic times of the year for NFL fans has arrived. Free agency has started…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":516025,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[86310,5778,1327,233427,8849,15353,94961,14389,3687,8850,115047,1822,1799,154678,119096,1816,15946,31130,8395,57760,86324,233428,1804,4058,3686,31109,98001,50490,213884,15944,31094,1808,14826,1818,1236,69175,27527,1812,1820,1322,1815,1814,977,5702,17351,1239,8852,99,8853,46810,154629],"class_list":{"0":"post-516024","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-ahkello-witherspoon","9":"tag-alvin-kamara","10":"tag-atlanta-falcons","11":"tag-austin-corbett","12":"tag-baltimore-ravens","13":"tag-bijan-robinson","14":"tag-bobby-okereke","15":"tag-cam-ward","16":"tag-carolina-panthers","17":"tag-chicago-bears","18":"tag-chuba-hubbard","19":"tag-cincinnati-bengals","20":"tag-cleveland-browns","21":"tag-cobie-durant","22":"tag-cooper-dejean","23":"tag-dallas-cowboys","24":"tag-daniel-jones","25":"tag-davante-adams","26":"tag-dillon-gabriel","27":"tag-drake-london","28":"tag-ed-ingram","29":"tag-elijah-hicks","30":"tag-green-bay-packers","31":"tag-houston-texans","32":"tag-indianapolis-colts","33":"tag-isiah-pacheco","34":"tag-jamarr-chase","35":"tag-jaquan-brisker","36":"tag-jared-wilson","37":"tag-jaxson-dart","38":"tag-jaylen-waddle","39":"tag-joe-burrow","40":"tag-jonathan-owens","41":"tag-justin-fields","42":"tag-kansas-city-chiefs","43":"tag-kareem-hunt","44":"tag-kenneth-walker-iii","45":"tag-las-vegas-raiders","46":"tag-los-angeles-rams","47":"tag-miami-dolphins","48":"tag-new-england-patriots","49":"tag-new-orleans-saints","50":"tag-new-york-giants","51":"tag-new-york-jets","52":"tag-nfl-draft","53":"tag-philadelphia-eagles","54":"tag-seattle-seahawks","55":"tag-sports","56":"tag-tennessee-titans","57":"tag-theo-johnson","58":"tag-wyatt-teller"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/516024","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=516024"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/516024\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/516025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=516024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=516024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=516024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}