The 2019 NFL free-agency period contains all sorts of
highlights -- or is it lowlights for some teams? -- spanning trades for
quarterbacks (Ryan
Tannehill), the movement of veteran safeties (Earl Thomas),
the addition of top-tier receivers (Antonio Brown)
and much more.
NFL Nation rates each team in its free-agent efforts as well
as its most impactful move.
Start with the teams that scored a perfect rating or click
the corresponding logo to jump ahead to your team:
- NEAR
PERFECTION
- AVERAGE
- BELOW
AVERAGE
- INCOMPLETE
NEAR
PERFECTION
BUFFALO BILLS
Most impactful move: The Bills made former Chiefs
center Mitch Morse the
highest paid in the NFL at his position, signing him to a four-year deal that
averages $11.1 million per season. He is expected to anchor an offensive line
that could have as many as four new starters in 2019 under new O-line coach
Bobby Johnson. Buffalo is hoping its offensive line can protect
quarterback Josh Allen better
in his second season while paving the way for a revival of running back LeSean McCoy's
career.
Key additions: Mitch Morse, center; John Brown,
wide receiver; Cole Beasley,
wide receiver
Key subtractions: John Miller,
guard
CAROLINA
PANTHERS
Most impactful move: Carolina signing arguably the
best available center in Matt Paradis to
replace retired Pro Bowler Ryan Kalil was big. Paradis has the experience to
replace Kalil's leadership and is highly regarded in pass protection. Both are
key for quarterback Cam Newton to
be effective. With limited salary-cap space, general manager Marty Hurney made
the most of his budget in getting Paradis, re-signing tackle Daryl
Williams and signing an edge rusher in Bruce Irvin.
Key additions: Matt Paradis, center; Bruce Irvin,
defensive end/outside linebacker; Daryl Williams, offensive tackle
Key subtractions: Matt Kalil,
left tackle; Thomas Davis,
outside linebacker; Devin
Funchess, wide receiver
CLEVELAND
BROWNS
Most impactful move: It would not be fair to assess
the Browns' moves without including the blockbuster trade that changed the
nature of the team and the AFC North. The acquisition of wide receiver Odell Beckham
Jr. was a dynamic move to acquire a dynamic player -- and to help
quarterback Baker
Mayfield. Beckham joins an offense that also includes his good
friend Jarvis Landry at
receiver, tight end David Njoku and
running backs Nick Chubb,
Duke Johnson and (after his eight-game suspension ends) Kareem Hunt.
It's an offense that should have the Browns contending to win the division and
advance in the playoffs.
Key additions: Odell Beckham Jr., wide
receiver; Sheldon
Richardson, defensive tackle; Olivier
Vernon, defensive end
Key subtractions: Tyrod Taylor,
quarterback; Breshad
Perriman, wide receiver; Briean
Boddy-Calhoun, cornerback
GREEN BAY
PACKERS
Most impactful move: It was two moves, actually, that
happened within minutes of each other. By signing Za'Darius
Smith and Preston Smith on
the same morning early in free agency, the Packers revamped their outside pass
rush. They essentially replaced aging stars Clay Matthews and
Nick Perry with a pair of reliable 26-year-old players who may have their best
football in front of them. While Matthews and Perry have battled injuries, the
Smiths have a track record of reliability. It should give defensive coordinator
Mike Pettine more flexibility with his defensive calls.
Key additions: Za'Darius Smith, outside linebacker;
Preston Smith, outside linebacker; Adrian Amos,
safety
Key subtractions: Clay Matthews,
outside linebacker; Randall Cobb,
wide receiver; Bashaud
Breeland, cornerback
JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
Most impactful move: For the Jaguars to return to the
postseason, they needed to make a change at quarterback, and signing Nick Foles was
the move they absolutely had to make. Foles might not be an elite quarterback,
but his consistency will make the offense significantly better. The Jaguars
never knew what they were getting each week with Blake Bortles,
and the offense was borderline nonfunctional when he was bad. Foles was the
only major free agent the Jaguars signed, but that alone made free agency a
home run.
Key additions: Nick Foles, quarterback; Chris Conley,
wide receiver; Geoff Swaim,
tight end
Key subtractions: Malik Jackson,
defensive tackle; Tashaun
Gipson, safety; Donte
Moncrief, wide receiver
NEW YORK JETS
Most impactful move: Running back Le'Veon Bell was
a home run signing because he can be a legitimate game-changer on offense, and
the Jets haven't had one of those since 2015 (wide receiver Brandon Marshall).
His dual-threat ability should make things easier for quarterback Sam Darnold.
Bell's price was big ($13.1 million average per year), but not crazy big. The
"near perfection" grade is based on a best-case scenario.
Key additions: Le'Veon Bell, running back; C.J. Mosley,
middle linebacker; Jamison
Crowder, wide receiver; Kelechi
Osemele, left guard
Key subtractions: Jason Myers,
place-kicker; Andre Roberts,
kick returner/wide receiver; Buster Skrine,
cornerback
OAKLAND
RAIDERS
Most impactful move: Trading for Antonio Brown and
giving up only third- and fifth-round draft picks for an All-Pro receiver.
Sure, Sticky Bun/Mr. Big Chest comes with some baggage from his unseemly exit
from Pittsburgh, but he provides a consistent deep threat for the Raiders that
should only help quarterback Derek Carr.
Brown is the playmaker coach Jon Gruden and his staff have been waiting for,
and Brown, on his best behavior in this honeymoon period, already has started
working out with Carr.
Key additions: Antonio Brown, wide receiver; Trent Brown,
offensive tackle; Vontaze
Burfict, linebacker; Lamarcus
Joyner, free safety
Key subtractions: Jared
Cook, tight end; Kelechi Osemele, left guard; Jon Feliciano,
offensive lineman
AVERAGE
ARIZONA
CARDINALS
Most impactful move: Signing Robert Alford fills
a significant void opposite Patrick
Peterson at cornerback, which has been a position of concern
for the past few seasons. Alford stops a carousel of corners since Jerraud
Powers retired almost two years ago, at least for the time being. While Alford
might not end up being the long-term answer at the position, he will provide
the Cardinals a solution for this season and potentially in 2020.
Key additions: Robert Alford, cornerback; Terrell Suggs,
outside linebacker; Jordan Hicks,
inside linebacker
Key subtractions: Deone
Bucannon, inside linebacker; Markus Golden,
outside linebacker
ATLANTA
FALCONS
Most impactful move: James
Carpenter, the 6-foot-5, 321-pound veteran offensive guard who is
coming off of shoulder surgery, is known to be "tough as nails'' and
brings 97 games of starting experience to the Falcons' offensive line.
Carpenter said in the past he prefers a gap scheme over a zone scheme, and the
Falcons could mix it up under first-year offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and
run more power with Carpenter and fellow newcomer Jamon Brown.
Carpenter will be an instant upgrade at left guard over last year's
starter, Wes
Schweitzer. The Falcons needed to upgrade the line to better protect
quarterback Matt Ryan and
fare better in short-yardage situations.
Key additions: James Carpenter, offensive guard;
Jamon Brown, offensive guard; Luke Stocker,
tight end/fullback
Key subtractions: Matt Bryant,
place-kicker; Tevin Coleman,
running back; Bruce Irvin, defensive end
BALTIMORE
RAVENS
Most impactful move: The arrival of safety Earl
Thomas gives Baltimore its best ball hawk since soon-to-be Hall of Fame safety
Ed Reed left after the 2012 Super Bowl season. Thomas, a six-time Pro Bowl
defender, has drawn comparisons to Reed throughout his career because of his
great range. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta emphasized the need for
getting playmakers, and Thomas' 28 interceptions rank third in the NFL since he
entered the league in 2010.
Key additions: Earl Thomas, free safety; Mark Ingram,
running back; Justin Bethel,
special teams/cornerback
Key subtractions: C.J. Mosley, middle
linebacker; Terrell Suggs, outside linebacker; Za'Darius Smith, outside
linebacker
CHICAGO BEARS
Most impactful move: Signing safety Ha Ha
Clinton-Dix to a reasonable contract -- one year, $3.5 million
-- to replace the departed Adrian Amos is a nice recovery. Amos was guaranteed
$12 million to sign and will get $20 million from the Packers over the next two
seasons. Clinton-Dix has been a Pro Bowl player, and he has the chance to be a
much cheaper playmaking safety.
Key additions: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, safety; Cordarrelle
Patterson, wide receiver; Buster Skrine, cornerback
Key subtractions: Adrian Amos,
safety; Bryce
Callahan, cornerback
DALLAS
COWBOYS
Most impactful move: After losing slot receiver Cole
Beasley to the Buffalo Bills, the Cowboys made a nice recovery in adding
Randall Cobb to fulfill some of that production at a lower cost. Cobb has been
injured in recent years, but if he can remain healthy, then he has a chance to
be a vital part of the offense for quarterback Dak Prescott.
Nobody caught more passes from Prescott then Beasley in three seasons. If Cobb
can be as quarterback-friendly and have more flexibility to play outside, the
Cowboys' offense could be more explosive because it will allow them to
move Amari Cooper around.
Key additions: Jason Witten,
tight end; Randall Cobb, wide receiver; George Iloka, safety
Key subtractions: Cole Beasley, wide
receiver; Geoff Swaim, tight end; Damien Wilson,
linebacker
DENVER
BRONCOS
Most impactful move: When you make a guy the league's
highest-paid player at his position, as the Broncos did with right tackle Ja'Wuan James(four
years, $51 million), it's a clear message about how much you need the player
and how much you think of his potential. The Broncos have to be right about
James, 26, who will need to stay healthy. This is a position the Broncos have
tried to fill for years.
Key additions: Ja'Wuan James, offensive tackle; Kareem
Jackson, cornerback/safety; Bryce
Callahan, cornerback
Key subtractions: Brandon Marshall,
linebacker; Jared Veldheer, offensive tackle; Bradley Roby,
cornerback
DETROIT LIONS
Most impactful move: The Lions have needed consistent
pass-rush help for the past few seasons, even with Ezekiel Ansah on the roster.
With Ansah a free agent, Detroit brought in Trey Flowers,
a player who knows Coach Matt Patricia's system well. Plus, Patricia will have
a plan for how to use Flowers since he has done it before. Why this -- and
Detroit's other moves -- isn't considered near perfection is because of the
cost involved. The Lions gave $56 million guaranteed to a player who has never
had a double-digit sack season.
Key additions: Trey Flowers, defensive end; Justin
Coleman, cornerback; Jesse James,
tight end
Key subtractions: Ezekiel Ansah,
defensive end; Glover Quin, safety; Nevin Lawson,
cornerback, T.J. Lang, right guard
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS
Most impactful move: Colts general manager Chris
Ballard waited until the second wave of free agency before addressing a
significant pass-rush need by signing former Kansas City
Chiefs linebacker Justin
Houston to a two-year, $24 million contract. Houston, who will
transition to defensive end with the Colts, has 78.5 sacks in his pro career.
Houston's experience and ability to get to the quarterback will help the Colts'
young but promising group of pass-rushers.
Key additions: Devin Funchess, wide receiver; Justin
Houston, defensive end
Key subtractions: None
KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS
Most impactful move: Safety Tyrann
Mathieu will be key to making the move to a 4-3 base defense
work. But the Chiefs traded one of their top pass-rushers in Dee Ford after
his best season and when he should be heading into the prime of his career. The
Chiefs had doubts about Ford's ability to play in the new scheme, but will they
be able to replace his 13 sacks?
Key additions: Tyrann Mathieu, safety; Carlos Hyde,
running back; Bashaud Breeland, cornerback
Key subtractions: Eric Berry, safety;
Dee Ford, linebacker; Justin Houston, linebacker
LOS ANGELES
CHARGERS
Most impactful move: Although he's 36 years old, the
Chargers believe linebacker Thomas Davis has productive snaps in his future --
signing him to a two-year, $10.5 million deal that includes $5.25 million in
guaranteed money. The Chargers penciled in Davis as the starting weakside
linebacker. He'll be counted on to help improve the Chargers' leaky run
defense, along with adding a veteran voice to a young but talented linebackers
group that includes Denzel
Perryman, Jatavis Brown and Kyzir White.
Key additions: Thomas Davis, linebacker; Tyrod
Taylor, quarterback
Key subtractions: Tyrell
Williams, wide receiver; Darius Philon,
defensive tackle; Jason Verrett,
cornerback
LOS ANGELES
RAMS
Most impactful move: The Rams did not use the
franchise tag on linebacker Dante Fowler,
who started 11 games (including the playoffs) after he was acquired at the
trade deadline, and it appeared the fourth-year pro would test the market as an
unrestricted free agent. But the Rams negotiated a one-year, prove-it deal
worth up to $12 million with the pass-rusher, keeping his price from likely
going up in free agency and keeping a key playmaker in defensive coordinator
Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme.
Key additions: Eric Weddle,
safety; Clay Matthews,
linebacker
Key subtractions: Rodger
Saffold, guard; John Sullivan,
center; Ndamukong Suh,
defensive tackle
NEW ENGLAND
PATRIOTS
Most impactful move: Veteran cornerback Jason
McCourty made one of the key plays in Super Bowl LIII by
batting away a would-be touchdown pass in the end zone. McCourty's return on a
two-year deal with a base value of $10 million (it can increase to $11 million)
bolsters what is arguably the deepest position group on the team with Stephon
Gilmore, McCourty, J.C. Jackson,
Jonathan Jones, Duke Dawson and Keion Crossen.
Key additions: Phillip
Dorsett, wide receiver; Mike Pennel,
defensive tackle; John Simon,
outside linebacker
Key subtractions: Trent Brown,
offensive tackle; Trey Flowers, defensive end; Cordarrelle
Patterson, wide receiver
NEW ORLEANS
SAINTS
Most impactful move: Signing Jared Cook (finally). It
took a couple of weeks to finalize, but adding Cook on Tuesday arguably filled
the Saints' most glaring need. They badly needed another reliable pass-catcher
to flank receiver Michael
Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara.
Last season, tight end Benjamin Watson ranked third on the team with 35 catches
-- and Watson has since retired. Cook turns 32 next week, but he is coming off
the best season of his career and his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Key additions:
Jared Cook, tight end; Malcom Brown,
defensive tackle; Latavius
Murray, running back; Nick Easton,
center/guard
Key subtractions: Max Unger, center
(retired); Mark Ingram, running back; Alex Okafor,
defensive end
PITTSBURGH
STEELERS
Most impactful move: Signing corner Steven Nelson to
a three-year, $25.5 million deal gives the Steelers a starter on the outside
opposite Joe Haden and
sets a tone of aggressiveness for an oft-conservative franchise. The Steelers
had the salary-cap space to make this move because it decided not to tag
running back Le'Veon Bell for a third season.
Key additions: Steven Nelson, cornerback; Donte
Moncrief, wide receiver; Mark Barron,
linebacker
Key subtractions: Le'Veon Bell,
running back; Antonio Brown, wide receiver; Jesse James, tight end; L.J. Fort,
linebacker
SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS
Most impactful move: The Niners have been desperate
for a dynamic edge rusher since Aldon Smith's departure in 2014, and they
believe they found it by trading for and signing defensive end Dee Ford. It
took a 2020 second-round pick and a lucrative contract to make it happen, which
is a big bet on a player who has one dominant season and a history of back
issues on his résumé. Nonetheless, it was a risk worth taking given Ford's
ability to make game-altering plays. Last season, he led the NFL in turnovers
forced by pressure with 10, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Key additions: Dee Ford, defensive end; Kwon
Alexander, linebacker; Tevin Coleman, running back; Jason Verrett,
cornerback
Key subtractions: Cassius Marsh,
defensive end
TENNESSEE
TITANS
Most impactful move: Guard Rodger
Saffold instantly upgrades the Titans' offensive line and
provides a player who fits the physical mindset that coach Mike Vrabel desires.
Teaming up on the left side with tackle Taylor Lewan should
bode well for running back Derrick Henry,
who seems to get his best results when running to the left side.
Key additions: Rodger Saffold, left guard; Adam Humphries,
wide receiver; Ryan Tannehill, quarterback
Key subtractions: Derrick Morgan,
edge rusher; Quinton Spain, left guard; Johnathan Cyprien, safety
WASHINGTON
REDSKINS
Most impactful move: The Redskins have long needed a
safety who can be a major contributor, and Landon
Collins will provide a major boost to Washington's run defense.
He's an excellent tackler and will be a pivotal player in the meeting room,
something else the team needs in the secondary. Washington must use him
properly in coverage, which wasn't his strength in New York, but he does have
skills that help in various coverages, too.
Key additions: Landon Collins, safety; Ereck Flowers,
guard; Dominique
Rodgers-Cromartie, cornerback
Key subtractions:
Preston Smith, linebacker; Jamison Crowder, wide receiver; Ha Ha Clinton-Dix,
safety
BELOW AVERAGE
CINCINNATI
BENGALS
Most impactful move: Two moves resonated for the
Bengals -- releasing Vontaze Burfict and re-signing Bobby Hart. The Bengals are
hitching their wagon to the right tackle for at least another year in a move
that did not go over well with fans. The O-line struggled at times last season
and the right side alone combined for 25 penalties (Hart had a team-leading
14). Meanwhile, Cincinnati parted ways with Burfict despite signing him to an
extension in 2017, signaling it is finally ready to move on after the
linebacker unit as a whole struggled in 2018.
Key additions: John Miller, guard; B.W. Webb,
cornerback; Kerry Wynn, defensive line
Key subtractions: Vontaze Burfict,
linebacker; Tyler Kroft,
tight end
HOUSTON
TEXANS
Most impactful move: Even with good seasons from
Tyrann Mathieu, Kareem Jackson and rookie Justin Reid,
the Texans allowed an average of 260 passing yards per game, which ranked 28th
in the NFL in 2018. Safety Tashaun Gipson will replace Mathieu, who signed a three-year
deal with the Chiefs, and will play alongside Reid, who impressed last season.
The Texans hope Gipson will be especially effective against opposing tight
ends. Last season, Gipson held Rob
Gronkowski to two catches for 15 yards on four targets. For
comparison, against the Texans in 2018, the former Patriots tight end had seven
receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown on eight targets.
Key additions:
Tashaun Gipson, safety; Bradley Roby, cornerback; AJ McCarron,
quarterback
Key subtractions: Tyrann Mathieu,
safety; Kareem Jackson, cornerback/safety
MIAMI
DOLPHINS
Most impactful move: Trading Ryan Tannehill to the
Titans and signing Ryan
Fitzpatrick starts a new era for the Dolphins at quarterback.
Tannehill has been the Dolphins' starter since 2012, and his departure means
Miami will be searching for a franchise quarterback in the NFL draft (be it in
2019 or in 2020). Fitzpatrick will serve as a veteran stopgap for a rebuilding
team.
Key additions: Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback; Eric Rowe,
cornerback; Dwayne Allen,
tight end
Key subtractions: Ryan Tannehill,
quarterback; Ja'Wuan James, RT; Cameron Wake,
DE
NEW YORK
GIANTS
Most impactful move: Consider it strange that the
Giants traded a 26-year-old for assets that likely will reap benefits down the
road while signing a soon-to-be 31-year-old at the same position for
substantial money ($23 million guaranteed). But Golden Tate still
has a couple of good years left, and he brings a skill set that should work
well in coach Pat Shurmur's offense.
Key additions: Golden Tate, wide receiver; Jabrill Peppers,
safety; Kevin Zeitler,
guard
Key subtractions: Odell Beckham Jr.,
wide receiver; Landon Collins, safety; Olivier Vernon, outside linebacker
TAMPA BAY
BUCCANEERS
Most impactful move: The Bucs re-signed left
tackle Donovan Smith,
let linebacker Kwon Alexander walk and traded wide receiver DeSean
Jackson to the Philadelphia
Eagles. But the biggest "move" the Bucs made was one they
didn't actually make -- rather than freeing up $13 million in salary-cap space
by cutting or trading 31-year-old defensive tackle Gerald McCoy,
they chose to stay put for the time being. Coach Bruce Arians was noncommittal
about McCoy at the NFL owners meetings, but sources told ESPN the Bucs would
entertain a "wow" offer for him. Keeping McCoy during free agency,
though, limited the Bucs' ability to bring in impact playmakers.
Key additions: Shaquil
Barrett, outside linebacker; Deone Bucannon, inside
linebacker; Breshad
Perriman, wide receiver
Key subtractions: Kwon
Alexander, inside linebacker; Adam Humphries, slot receiver; Ryan Fitzpatrick,
backup quarterback
INCOMPLETE
MINNESOTA
VIKINGS
Most impactful move: It's difficult to judge whether
the Vikings prioritizing the use of their very limited salary-cap space by
keeping Anthony Barr and Everson
Griffen over going after one of the top-tier offensive linemen
was the right choice until their impact can be critiqued this season. Barr is a
staple in Coach Mike Zimmer's defense, and Griffen is one of the NFL's top
pass-rushers. But it still feels like Minnesota missed the mark by failing to
address the O-line at the start of the new league year. The fact Josh Kline was
the sole addition to the interior of the line feels problematic, especially
after the Vikings saw the departures of Nick Easton, Tom Compton and
Mike Remmers.
Key additions: Anthony Barr, linebacker; Josh Kline,
right guard; Dan Bailey,
kicker
Key subtractions: Sheldon Richardson,
defensive tackle; Latavius Murray, running back; Nick Easton, left guard
PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES
Most impactful move: The trade acquisition of wide
receiver DeSean Jackson gives Coach Doug Pederson the exact type of deep threat
his offense needs. Quarterback Carson Wentz's
long-ball numbers are about to skyrocket now that he is partnered up with one
of the best downfield receivers in NFL history.
Key additions: DeSean Jackson, wide receiver; Malik
Jackson, defensive tackle; Vinny Curry,
defensive end
Key subtractions: Jordan Hicks,
linebacker; Nick Foles, quarterback
SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS
Most impactful move: Losing safety Earl Thomas, even
though it was also the most predictable move. The Seahawks kept a piece of
their defensive core together by re-signing K.J. Wright,
but Thomas' departure leaves them without their most experienced defender and
an All-Pro eraser on the back end. That the Seahawks didn't make one last
effort to re-sign Thomas shows how content they were to move on and get a
likely third-round compensatory pick in 2020. But the loss of Thomas increases
the need to restock with playmakers.
Key additions: Mike Iupati,
left guard; Jason Myers, place-kicker
Key subtractions: Earl Thomas, free safety; Justin
Coleman, cornerback; J.R. Sweezy,
left guard
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