Fabulous (Bucs) to failure (Texans): Offseason grades for all NFL teams

NFC WEST

ARIZONA CARDINALS: Although the Cardinals made multiple questionable moves this offseason, landing a 28-year-old DeAndre Hopkins without giving up a first-round pick and convincing the Texans to take all of David Johnson’s contract is worth a full letter grade. Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk form a strong receiving trio, joining transition-tagged running back Kenyan Drake to aid Kyler Murray’s development. Arizona overpaid in re-signing injury-prone left tackle D.J. Humphries and in adding once-waived defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. But the team — after years of linebacker issues — is now fully equipped on its defensive second level following the selection of versatile dynamo Isaiah Simmons eighth overall. GRADE: A-minus

LOS ANGELES RAMS: Fallout from this offseason will sting the 2020 Rams, with the Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks exits creating over $33M in dead money and showing managerial flaws. The Rams did not renew decorated defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ contract; inexperienced ex-Broncos outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley now fills that role. While re-signing defensive end Michael Brockers — after his Ravens deal fell through — represents a rare middle-class free agent the Rams chose to retain, they lost several Super Bowl LIII starters and are again undermanned at edge defender. GRADE: D+

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Recognizing that meeting DeForest Buckner’s lofty extension asking price was unrealistic, the 49ers shipped him to the Colts and replaced him with the asset acquired in the swap (first-round defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw). San Francisco retained contract-year wonder Arik Armstead to keep a deep (albeit now slightly less talented) defensive line and re-signed safety Jimmie Ward. The 49ers are gambling a bit on trade acquisition Trent Williams replacing the retired Joe Staley — considering Williams’ past injuries and his 2019 holdout — but surrendering third- and fifth-round picks (less than they gave up for a half-season of Emmanuel Sanders) showed savvy deal-making for a win-now team needing a left tackle lifeboat. GRADE: B+

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Following Russell Wilson’s plea for the Seahawks to add more star power, the team did its usual — bargain additions, including many on the offensive line — and still has questions about a pass rush that produced the second-fewest sacks last season. The Seahawks-Jadeveon Clowney holding pattern has lasted months, but re-signing defensive tackle Jarran Reed should prove pivotal. The Seahawks again used their first-round pick on a player not on most Round 1 radars (linebacker Jordyn Brooks), and their Greg Olsen-Will Dissly tight end group consists of two of the NFL’s most injury-prone players. GRADE: D+

- Sam Robinson

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS: It may be on trade acquisition Nick Foles to salvage a Bears era seemingly doomed by the team passing on Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson to draft Mitchell Trubisky three years ago. The Bears decided to readdress their years-long tight end issue, giving past-his-prime veteran Jimmy Graham a stunning contract — two years, $16M — and using their top draft resource to select Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet in Round 2. Chicago’s defense should remain one of the NFL’s best, but returning four starters from a 2019 offensive line Football Outsiders ranked 29th in its top run-blocking metric will make Foles and/or Trubisky’s task more difficult. GRADE: C-minus

DETRIOT LIONS: Vying with the Dolphins to see who could acquire the most ex-Patriot regulars, Matt Patricia’s team forged a three-all tie by adding safety Duron Harmon, defensive tackle Danny Shelton and soon-to-be 31-year-old linebacker Jamie Collins. Detroit traded one of the league’s best cornerbacks, Darius Slay, for a modest return but aggressively invested at the position with No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah, the highest-drafted cornerback in 23 years, and ex-Falcon Desmond Trufant. The Lions are, however, thin on pass rushers after big investments at other spots — overpaying Collins, Trufant and longtime Eagles backup tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai. GRADE: C

- Sam Robinson

GREEN BAY PACKERS: The Packers needed wide receivers for Aaron Rodgers. They got none, unless you count uninspiring veteran Devin Funchess. Green Bay’s draft started with a controversial selection of Utah State quarterback Jordan Love at 26th overall and continued with A.J. Dillon, a between-the-tackles runner from Boston College, and Josiah Deguara, a tight end from Cincinnati. Selecting Love is defensible, even laudable, provided the Packers’ evaluation was right. The rest of their work was anything but. GRADE: F

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: The Vikings got their Stefon Diggs replacement in LSU’s Justin Jefferson at pick 22, and they helped their secondary with TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney with the 31st overall selection. Ezra Cleveland is an intriguing tackle prospect, and assuming RB Dalvin Cook’s standoff over a new contract doesn’t linger into the season, Minnesota should have a dangerous offense. Offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski leaving to take the Browns’ head coaching job will hurt, but Minnesota looks like the best team in the division. GRADE: B

- Chris Mueller

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS: Edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. came over from the Rams on a three-year, $45 million deal, $29 million of which is guaranteed. Fowler should help the Falcons pass rush, but all eyes will be on RB Todd Gurley, who came over from the Rams on a one-year, $5.5 million deal. First-round corner A.J. Terrell should start immediately, but Atlanta’s offseason being successful depends largely on whether Gurley can stay healthy and regain his early-career form. GRADE: C+ 

CAROLINA PANTHERS: The Panthers gave Christian McCaffrey a four-year, $64 million extension, $38.1 million guaranteed. Giving any running back that kind of money is a major risk, but McCaffrey’s excellence in the run and pass games, coupled with his durability — he hasn’t missed a game in his career — makes him as good a candidate as can be. Newly signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t have Cam Newton’s penchant for the spectacular, but he could be a steadier hand under center. Seventh overall pick Derrick Brown is a high-floor, low-ceiling prospect at defensive tackle. Did the Panthers play it too safe with this pick? GRADE: B-minus

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Drew Brees is back, WR Michael Thomas got paid (five years, $96.25 million, $60.5 guaranteed) and the Saints could have three immediate impact draftees in center Cesar Ruiz, linebacker Zack Baun and tight end Adam Trautman. Free-agent signee Emmanuel Sanders looks like a perfect fit with Brees, and Jameis Winston gives the Saints terrific quarterback depth — and at a bargain price. The Saints didn’t have many draft picks, and they were destined to lose Teddy Bridgewater, but they did well with limited resources. GRADE: B+

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: No team had a better offseason. Tom Brady makes Tampa Bay the center of the NFL universe, and he managed to draw Rob Gronkowski out of retirement to join him. The Buccaneers crushed the draft, too: 13th overall pick Tristan Wirfs should be an instant starter at either offensive tackle spot, second-round safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is a natural ball-hawk and his Minnesota teammate Tyler Johnson was a great value at wide receiver in the fifth round. Third-round running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn also has plenty of pundits excited. Tampa Bay went from also-ran to NFC South favorite in no time. GRADE: A+

- Chris Mueller

AFC EAST

BUFFALO BILLS: Supplementing Josh Allen was the team's top goal entering the offseason, and it earned huge points in that department by adding wide receiver Stefon Diggs via trade. Diggs ranked second among wide receivers with 12 yards per target in 2019. Buffalo also bolstered its edge rush with the addition of veteran defensive end Mario Addison and second-round pick A.J. Epenesa. GRADE:  B+

MIAMI DOLPHINS: Miami is building a strong all-around core. The Dolphins were aggressive in free agency, adding CB Byron Jones, LB Kyle Van Noy, DE Shaq Lawson, guard Ereck Flowers, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, and RB Jordan Howard. In the draft, the Fins grabbed their franchise quarterback in Tua Tagovaiola and picked up a pair of offensive linemen to develop alongside him in Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt. GRADE: A

NEW YORK JETS: In his first offseason at the helm, GM Joe Douglas addressed plenty of long-ignored needs for the Jets. He added free agents Connor McGovern (center) and Greg Van Roten (guard) and selected left tackle Mekhi Becton at No. 11 to bolster an atrocious offensive line. He also picked wide receiver Denzel Mims in the second round to give the Jets the high-upside young wideout they have lacked. Douglas also made shrewd re-signings by bringing back solid starters Brian Poole (CB) and Jordan Jenkins (OLB) on affordable one-year deals. GRADE: B+

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Any offseason in which a team loses arguably the greatest player in the history of its sport cannot be considered anything but a massive negative. New England then stubbornly ignored the position throughout all facets of the offseason and is now heading into 2020 with a quarterback room headlined by Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer. Making this offense respectable would be one of Belichick's all-time best achievements. GRADE: D

- Michael Nania

AFC WEST

DENVER BRONCOS: Denver got plenty of offensive help for franchise quarterback Drew Lock. In free agency, the Broncos added RB Melvin Gordon, who will pair up with Phillip Lindsay to create a devastating one-two punch, and also signed G/C Graham Glasgow, who adds tenacity and elite run-blocking to the interior offensive line. In the draft, Denver followed up the selection of Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy in the first round with Penn St. WR K.J. Hamler in Round 2. Jeudy, Hamler, Gordon, Lindsay, Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant give Lock a tantalizing young core to grow alongside. GRADE B+

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Kansas City had a mostly quiet offseason in the aftermath of its Super Bowl victory. Defensive starters Kyle Fuller (CB) and Emmanuel Ogbah (DE) were lost, but the Chiefs needed to keep future cap room open for its core stars. The team did make an excellent first-round pick in the draft, picking up LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a top-notch receiver who will superbly fit into Andy Reid's offense. GRADE: B

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: Las Vegas used free agency and the draft to attack two big needs. In free agency, the Raiders emphasized patching up their awful defense, adding LB Nick Kwiatkowski, DE Carl Nassib, S Jeff Heath, DT Maliek Collins and LB Cory Littleton. On draft weekend, the Raiders added three electric weapons with their first four picks in WR Henry Ruggs, WR/RB Lynn Bowden and WR Bryan Edwards. GRADE: A

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: The Chargers got their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, but they are in a unique spot as they possess a talented roster that is ready to compete. Tyrod Taylor was added to hold down the fort in the short term and lead the group to immediate wild-card contention. L.A. made three excellent additions in free agency. RT Bryan Bulaga is an immense upgrade to a brutal offensive line.  DT Linval Joseph does the same for a lackluster interior defensive line, and CB Chris Harris pairs up with Casey Hayward and Desmond King to form a scary cornerback trio. GRADE: A-minus

- Michael Nania

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE RAVENS: The Ravens have had a largely uneventful 2020, which is fine considering how great a roster they have. However, Baltimore's talent level took a slight downturn, as the team allowed DT Michael Pierce to walk and traded TE Hayden Hurt — part of the team's devastating trio (with Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle — to Atlanta for a second-round pick. Baltimore made an excellent first-round pick in LSU's Patrick Queen, who should revitalize a linebacker core that has been lacking in talent. GRADE: B-minus

CINCINNATI BENGALS: The Bengals avoided any trade temptations and made the obvious correct move by standing pat at No. 1 and taking Ohio kid Joe Burrow to become their franchise face. Cincinnati grabbed first-round-caliber WR Tee Higgins at the top of Round 2. In free agency, the usually conservative Bengals surprised by adding DT D.J. Reader, CB Trae Waynes and S Vonn Bell on big-money deals to bolster a terrible defense. GRADE: A

CLEVELAND BROWNS: Cleveland crushed its first two picks of the draft, stealing OT Jedrick Wills in the first round and S Grant Delpit in the second to knock out two key needs. In free agency, the Browns signed OT Jack Conklin, who will pair up with Wills to give Cleveland a massive upgrade on the offensive line; Baker Mayfield should thank the front office. The Browns also signed TE Austin Hooper, whose top-tier receiving skills represent a major upgrade for a team that did not have a tight end hit 250 yards last season. GRADE: A+

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Pittsburgh's offseason was mostly quiet, but the Steelers already had an elite roster. The Steelers just need a healthy Ben Roethlisbeger to elevate it; Pittsburgh somehow went 8-8 with Devlin Hodges and Mason Rudolph replacing injured Big Ben for most of last season. Pittsburgh lost DT Javon Hargrave in free agency to Philadelphia, but the team made solid additions to the offense in guard Stefen Wisniewski and TE Eric Ebron. GRADE: B

- Michael Nania

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON TEXANS: Bill O’Brien’s work this offseason has been questionable, and that’s if you’re feeling charitable. Laremy Tunsil not only cost the Texans a major draft haul (first-rounders in 2020 and 2021, plus a second-rounder in 2021), but he also broke the bank with his three-year, $66 million contract extension, $50 million guaranteed. O’Brien traded WR DeAndre Hopkins and got injury-plagued running back David Johnson in return and didn’t do much to patch up the receiving corps. Last year’s division champions have taken a clear step back. GRADE: F

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: If 2018 Philip Rivers shows up, the Colts should improve on their 7-9 mark from last season, one defined by Jacoby Brissett’s inability to maintain a strong early start. If 2019 Rivers shows up, it could be a long, frustrating year in Indy. The Colts did add two plug-and-play offensive weapons with their pair of second-round picks (USC WR Michael Pittman Jr. and Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor. DeForest Buckner, acquired from the Niners, is a major upgrade on the defensive line. The 2019 Colts were filled with solid players but few stars. They’ve done much to fix that this offseason. GRADE: A-minus

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: The Jaguars’ draft haul is intriguing, particularly their first three picks — corner C.J. Henderson, edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson and wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. But outside of those three, there isn’t much to get excited about. Linebacker Joe Schobert is a nice addition to the middle of the defense, but trades of A.J. Bouye and Calais Campbell netted just fourth- and fifth-round picks, respectively. The Jaguars look like a team angling for a high draft pick in 2021. GRADE: D-minus

TENNESSEE TITANS: If you believe in Ryan Tannehill, you probably love the Titans offseason. If you don’t, you’re probably not thrilled with Tennessee’s moves. Locking Tannehill up with a four-year, $118 million extension, $91 million guaranteed, is a big gamble on a quarterback who played at a near-MVP level but only for three-quarters of a season. RB Derrick Henry is back on the franchise tag, and second-round corner Kristian Fulton should provide immediate secondary help. Tennessee is hoping that small tweaks to what it had last season will be enough to put them over the top. GRADE: C

- Chris Mueller