Grading every notable NFL free agency signing so far

One of the biggest names of this cycle, Alec Pierce stays in Indianapolis. Talks surrounding Pierce’s price tag fluctuated between assuming whether he’d deserve a bag north of $30 million annual or not. Instead, Pierce opted for giving the Colts a hometown discount, signing for just $24 million a year. He’s a thousand yard receiver and a true home-run threat, and gets to stay with Indy.

Dre’Mont Jones to the Patriots: B

With Christian Barmore and Milton Williams disrupting the interior, edge rushers have a much easier path to the quarterback. As such, signing almost any solid DE would be a good deal for the Patriots. Dre’Mont Jones ended 2025 with 51 pressures, 7 sacks and 24 QB hits. Uncertainty surrounding K’Lavon Chaisson’s future with the team makes this a surefire way to assure there’ll still be consistent pressure on the edges.

Eric Stokes to the Raiders: A

Hobbs signed a one-year deal with Vegas following an underwhelming tenure in Green Bay. His 9.3 yards per catch allowed ranked him top 11 among corners, and he allowed just 28 receptions on the year. Now, he gets to stay in Sin City and will help the team find greener pastures on the other side of their rebuild.

Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs: A

With a Super Bowl MVP trophy under his belt, Walker hopes to taste another championship by signing with Kansas City. Kansas City were in the market for a new big-time RB. The last time they saw one of their rushers eclipse the thousand yard mark was back in 2017. Given the poise of Patrick Mahomes and the pass-attack, the team has fared well without a true threat on the ground. This year was different, as the Chiefs saw their division crown ripped away while their offense stumbled. Kenneth Walker gives them immediate juice, and if Andy Reid is willing to pay more attention to his run-game, Kansas City could rebound quite quickly.

Cade Otton to the Buccaneers: B

As the starting tight end for the Buccaneers, Cade Otton has racked up 2018 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s a reliable tight end who’s also a capable blocker. The scheme fit is there, and the chemistry with Baker Mayfield is clear, making this a good deal for a solid contributor.

Jaylen Watson to the Rams: B+

Another Chiefs DB gets to join the Rams. In their hunt for a better secondary, the Rams secure Jaylen Watson for $17 million a year. Watson ended his 2025 ranking 14th among all corners in PFF grade. He’s also a reliable tackler, ending the year with just 4 missed tackles.

Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders: A-

$30 million a year for a surefire left tackle is worth it. Especially when considering Jayden Daniels’ injury concerns, it was key for the Commanders to maintain stability at his blindside. Though he’s getting older, Tunsil is still an elite pass protector while also being solid in the run.

Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers: C+

Perhaps a riskier move, but in order to further solidify the ascent of Carolina’s defense, they lock up Jaelan Philips. Philips now gets a big payday of $30 million a year, and will rush alongside Derrick Brown and Co. Though it’s a bit of an overpay for someone with lingering injury concerns, pairing their rookies from last year with a proven force is a way for Carolina to level-up their pass-rush.

Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers: B

Pittsburgh gets their number two. When the news broke that Alec Pierce would remain in Indiana, Michael Pittman’s time with the Colts was all but over. Now, he joins Mike McCarthy’s Steelers and becomes a true reliable option at #2 receiver. His new extension puts him just under $20 million a year, and while he did post a career low in yardage since his rookie season, he’s still a viable option and could likely play above his contract.

Malik Willis to the Dolphins: A-

One of the bigger questions from this free agency class was the value of Malik Willis. Willis came in relief for Jordan Love and showed great call command of the offense. He was poised, accurate, and at times without a run game pulled above his weight. Now, he lands with Jeff Hafley’s team in Miami for $23 million a year, with a contract that is friendly for both sides. Whether he’ll work out with the Dolphins remains to be seen, but if he plays like he did in Green Bay, he’ll be a very stable presence at signal-caller.

John Simpson to the Ravens: B+

It was no secret that Baltimore’s Achilles heel this year was their interior pass protection. More specifically, their guard duo was a big reason why they failed to keep Lamar Jackson upright. Their two starters at guard combined for an average PFF grade of 55.7. Now that Tyler Linderbaum is no longer the saving grace on the line, prioritizing solid play at the position is key. Granted, John Simpson’s on the older side. Nevertheless, he’s a sturdy and reliable piece who’ll raise the floor for Baltimore.

Isaiah Likely to the Giants: C+

Reuniting with John Harbaugh, Isaiah Likely now gets to play with a team where he’s first on the depth chart. Likely has consistently performed well and flashed the potential to be a capable starting tight end. It’s a bit of a strange move though. New York saw Theo Johnson take a leap in year two and total 528 yards. Paying Likely more than $13 million annually means that they plan to have him be the starter, which relegates Johnson to being a backup. Of course, Likely can and may already be an upgrade. Still, perhaps New York could have allocated that money elsewhere.

Joseph Ossai to the Jets: B

New York is making an accumulation of moves that raise the floor of their team. Joseph Ossai isn’t a world-ender by any means, but he’s a solid defender that’s gone under the radar due to playing on the putrid Cincinnati defense. He ended the year with 5 sacks and 43 pressures, and will join Aaron Glenn’s staff as a rotational pass rusher.

Demario Davis to the Jets: B-

Back where it began. At 37 years old, Demario Davis played a whopping 98.3% of snaps on defense. He still maintained solid play, ranking sixth among linebackers in PFF grade. He now pivots towards joining a rebuilding team, where his veteran presence will be a great boon for a defense which desperately needed any semblance of competence.

Kenneth Gainwell to the Buccaneers: B+

Tampa Bay opts to replace their versatile RB Rachaad White with Kenneth Gainwell. If we factor in Gainwell’s 2025 campaign, it’s an upgrade. Despite splitting carries and having a few games without a single rush attempt, he still totaled 537 yards on the ground and 486 through the air. For $7 million a year, it’s a great signing.

Alex Anzalone to the Buccaneers: B-

Filling Tampa Bay’s hole at LB, Alex Anzalone joins Todd Bowles’ staff. Considering the fact that it seems like age finally caught up to Lavonte David, finding a replacement in their linebacking core was crucial. Anzalone has been a leader for the Lions and is great both against the run and the pass. He now joins his hometown team

Cade Mays to the Lions: A-

Detroit lands a mauler lineman as their Graham Glasgow replacement. The Lions saw key pieces on their unit of protectors either request to be released or retire, so locking up Mays is a crucial move. Mays ended the year with the 13th best PFF pass-block grade and allowed just 9 pressures. He’ll now be tasked with keeping Jared Goff upright.

Coby Bryant to the Bears: A

Attrition to the safety room was looming over the Bears’ roster. None of their safeties from last year were under contract, and for a time that got a lot of mileage out of the position, they couldn’t afford to have a drop-off. Coby Bryant solves that issue, and for $13.3 million a year Dennis Allen will appreciate his versatility and stout coverage.

Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders: A

Breaking all sorts of records, Linderbaum joins Klint Kubiak’s staff in Vegas. The price tag will obviously be a shocker to some, but considering his landing spot, it’s a great deal for both sides. Linderbaum is a perfect fit with Kubiak’s style of offense. Additionally, he acts as an anchor for the interior of an offensive line, improving those around him. Paired with the fact that the Raiders have a boatload of cap space, they’re one of the only locations where Linderbaum’s $27 million AAV makes sense.

Tyler Allgeier to the Cardinals: B-

In his lone season as starter, Allgeier eclipsed the thousand yard mark with Atlanta. Later on paired with Bijan Robinson, he still managed to surpass 500 yards every year. He’s a starting-caliber RB who’ll split carries with James Conner and Trey Benson, forming a dynamic trio in the desert.

Wan’Dale Robinson to the Titans: A-

Along with Daniel Bellinger, Wan’Dale Robinson also gets to play under his former head coach Brian Daboll once more. Not only does he join an offensive coaching staff that knows how to maximize his skillset, he’s also a great fit with Cam Ward. Ward saw a good portion of his yardage in Miami come thanks to one Xavier Restrepo. Robinson’s toolset is similar to Restrepo’s, and he’ll likely become a favorite of Ward immediately.

Jahan Dotson to the Falcons: B

$7 million a year for a receiver is a great deal all things considered. Sure, Dotson’s a player who’s been WR3 for the last two years, but at 25 years old and showing signs of improvement, it’s worth giving him a shot. Above all else, it was important to secure someone like Dotson, allowing wing Drake London to not be the only player opposing defenses have to worry about covering.

David Edwards to the Saints: A

Edwards had a career-best year and paved the way for James Cook’s league-leading 1621 rush yards. Besides his wonders in the ground game, he also posted a PFF pass-block grade of 73, putting him 14th among guards. The Saints are doing everything in their power to build a foundation for Tyler Shough, and Edwards will be one of the final missing pieces on the path towards fielding a top offensive line.

Jalen Nailor to the Raiders: B

Klint Kubiak is going to need more than just Brock Bowers to succeed at fielding a proper offense in Vegas. A step in the right direction is bringing in Jalen Nailor. Nailor will step into an offense where he is an obvious starter for the first time in his career. The Raiders are banking on him making the most of his opportunity, and hopefully he’s up for the task.

Travis Etienne to the Saints: B

Ending his eight year run as teammates of Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne now returns home to Louisiana to take handoffs from Tyler Shough. Though Alvin Kamara is a legend in the city, his wheels seem to finally have come off after this past year. With the infusion of Etienne’s young running ability, Kellen Moore now gets to improve his run-game to support Shough. The cash though is a bit questionable, as he is now annually paid more than James Cook.

David Onyemata to the Jets: B+

Another cheap floor-raiser deal for the Jets. Onyemata is an elite run-stopper while also being a contributor against the pass. As a rotational piece, he’ll be invaluable for the Jets defense in order to rebound from their disastrous 2025.

Mike Evans to the 49ers: B+

Ending his famed tenure with Tampa Bay, Mike Evans is now heading to San Francisco with hopes of getting another ring. For the 49ers, it’s huge to bring in a proven star at wideout, not just as a weapon for Brock Purdy, but as a veteran presence for the younger players at the position.

Jamel Dean to the Steelers: A-

After moving Jalen Ramsey to safety, the Steelers now get their third CB. The conjoined unit of Asante Samuel Jr., Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean now builds a very capable secondary for Pittsburgh. He finished the season with a three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a PFF grade of 81.5. Experience in the secondary is a recipe for success, and for $12 million a year it’s a good get.

Devin Bush to the Bears: B+

After releasing Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago pivots to signing a former top 10 pick. Though Devin Bush’s reputation is marred by him not reaching the standards of his draft status, he’s slowly become a force in the linebacking core. He posted a career-high 125 tackles, had 3 INTs, 8 passes defensed, 7 TFLs, 4 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles and 2 sacks. This signing will go under the radar, but it’ll prove to be a bountiful one for the Bears.

Zion Johnson to the Browns: D+

Beggars can’t be choosers. As per usual, the free agency pool from this year is lacking depth at o-line. Unfortunately for the Browns, that’s their biggest need, as none of their starters on the line from last year are under contract. Therefore, signing Zion Johnson to band-aid a massive hole is a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, Johnson was one of the worst qualifying guards in the game, and this is a desperation move more than anything else.

John Franklin-Myers to the Titans: A-

After trading away T’Vondre Sweat, Tennessee needed to find another capable interior defensive lineman to pair with Jeffery Simmons. John Franklin-Myers is the choice, and he’ll help to disrupt opposing QBs. He was an underrated piece on Denver’s elite line, and will continue to pressure QBs in the AFC South.

Arden Key to the Colts: B-

Continuing his tour around the AFC South, Arden Key joins Lou Anarumo’s pass-rush rotation. The loss of Kwity Paye obviously opens up a hole at EDGE for the team, so they go ahead and bring in a proven contributor for just $10 million a year.

Tremaine Edmunds to the Giants: C

Releasing long-time mainstay of the defense Bobby Okereke freed up 9 million in the cap for New York. They still needed to find his replacement, and they may have gotten an upgrade with Edmunds. Edmunds isn’t an elite player by any means, but at linebacker he’ll be a stable force for the defense.

Charlie Kolar to the Chargers: B+

Going from John to Jim Harbaugh, Charlie Kolar fits like a glove with LA’s staff. He’s one of the best blocking tight ends in the game, while still having upside in the pass game. Now having him with Oronde Gadsden shores up LA’s tight end room perfectly.

Cor’Dale Flott to the Titans: B

Interestingly enough, Flott was set to remain with the G-men. According to Connor Hughes , he had a deal prepared to stay in Metlife. However, after Robert Saleh detailed how he’d be utilized in his defense, Clott had a change of heart. Flott ended his year ranking 44th in PFF grade among cornerbacks. If Saleh truly has a plan for him, the Titans will hopefully have shored up their CB issue.

J.K. Dobbins to the Broncos: B

It would’ve been preferable to secure one of the premium players at RB, but maintaining consistency at the position and getting someone who racked up 700 yards in 10 games is a solid choice. Dobbins does have injury concerns, but he was a great fit in Sean Payton’s offense.

Bryan Cook to the Bengals: A

This signing will go under the radar, but one of Cincinnati’s biggest issues on their horrendous defense was the safety play. Bryan Cook is a surefire tackler who is great in coverage, immediately moving the needle for the Bengals.

Alontae Taylor to the Titans: D+

You expect overpays in free agency, but this is especially puzzling. Though Alontae Taylor seemed to be turning a new leaf this past year, there’s no way he’s worth the $20 million annual price tag. Yes, Tennesse is a team that can afford to overpay. Nevertheless, it’s a lot of money for a very risky DB.

Josh Jobe to the Seahawks: C+

During Seattle’s Super Bowl run, Josh Jobe logged a career-high in tackles, PDs and allowed a career-low 45 completion percentage when targeted. Seattle was set to lose two of their top three cornerbacks, and it’d be quite difficult trying to replace both. So, they opt to let Riq Woolen walk, and bring Jobe back. Of course, it’s fair to assume that Jobe’s development could continue heading into next year. Still, $7 million a year for three years is a bit of a gamble by Seattle.

Boye Mafe to the Bengals: C+

$20 million a year feels like a number too big for a player with 20 sacks in four years. However, considering the problems that plague Cincinnati’s pass-rush, they’ll take all the help they can get. Mafe hasn’t seen much starting opportunity recently. When he has, he’s been effective at getting to the quarterback. Maybe the Bengals are banking too much on his potential, but they did the same with Trey Hendrickson, and we know how that turned out.

Odafe Oweh to the Commanders: C+

As we saw from this past year, Odafe Oweh needs to be utilized correctly in order to get home. With Baltimore, he had all but cemented his status as a first round bust. With Jesse Minter, he recorded 7.5 sacks and added 3 more in his one playoff game.

Jalen Thompson to the Cowboys: B+

As part of a movement to avoid fielding the league’s worst defense, the Cowboys sign the underrated Jalen Thompson. Paired with Budda Baker, Thompson was used all over the field. He’s also a very reliable tackler, only missing 6.3% of his tackles the past two years.

Alex Singleton to the Broncos: C-

It’s hard to find a flaw in Denver’s defense from this past year. Singleton in coverage was a clear one though. While he is among the best in the game against the run, his status as a liability in the pass makes this re-signing questionable. Sure, keeping him in the rotation on running downs could prove valuable, but with the linebacker pool in free agency, it’s hard to justify this deal.

Kwity Paye to the Raiders: C-

Replacing Maxx Crosby’s presence is going to be near impossible for Las Vegas. Still, the team will try to fix their pass-rush, even if it means overpaying for players. Kwity Paye had a year where he produced career-low numbers since his rookie campaign. Though he still could develop, $16 million a year for a defensive end with little pass-rush upside feels like a miss.

Tim Settle to the Commanders: B+

Tim Settle has been very capable at rushing from the inside with Houston. Of course, having Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter taking some of the attention away from you is a massive boon. As such, it’s hard to project whether he’ll be able to replicate his 60 pressures from the past two years with Washington. Right now though, considering how much money the Commanders are giving him, it’s a decent and cheap acquisition.

Jermaine Eluemunor to the Giants: A

Jermaine Eluemunor has quietly been one of the better offensive tackles in the game. Following Rasheed Walker, he was the clear best tackle in the free agency pool. John Harbaugh values his trench play, and keeps him in New York. At just $13 million a year, it’s one of the best value signings of this cycle, and he’ll keep Jaxson Dart upright for the next three seasons.

Nakobe Dean to the Raiders: B+

Perhaps not the best linebacker against the pass, Nakobe Dean is still very reliable in coverage. Against the run is where his talents shine, as he’s one of the best in that regard. He’ll now captain the Raider defense, and is very capable of doing so.

Quay Walker to the Raiders: C+

The Raiders decided to lock up both of their starting linebackers through free agency. Quay Walker isn’t as prolific as Nakobe Dean, but as the second option he’ll raise the floor for the team. Additionally, reuniting him with Dean from their time in Georgia can make his job easier for him, as the chemistry is already there.

Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks: A-

It’s arguable that the Rashid Shaheed acquisition is what certified Seattle’s path to the Super Bowl. He’s not just an elite field-stretcher and speed threat, he’s perhaps one of the biggest impact players in special teams. With Cooper Kupp’s age, keeping Shaheed for the foreseeable future gives the Seahawks flexibility at the position, and a constant dynamic presence in the return game.

Isaac Seumalo to the Cardinals: A-

For Pittsburgh, Seumalo was an above-average run-blocker and an elite pass-blocker. He allowed just 15 pressures on the year, and was ranked 4th among guards in PFF pass-block grade. It’s fair to question whether his high-tier play will continue for the entirety of his three year contract with Arizona. Nevertheless, it’s a great deal for a great player.

Reed Blankenship to the Texans: B-

Adding more firepower in the defense, Reed Blankenship packs his bags to Houston. While this previous year was a rough one for Blankenship, he has three very good seasons of play under his belt which suggest he simply had a fluky bad year. What’s most important of this deal is that it allows Houston to continue employing Jalen Pitre in the slot, whilst also keeping solid safety play.

Quincy Williams to the Browns: C-

Given the Deshaun Watson contract’s ramifications, Cleveland can’t afford to keep players like Devin Bush. Instead, they can only settle for older players like Quincy Williams, who’s been on the decline. Williams can provide a veteran presence in the linebacking core, but not much else.

Rico Dowdle to the Steelers: B

Dowdle went on a bit of a tear with Carolina in the middle of the year and stole the starting spot from Chuba Hubbard. Given how he wasn’t able to keep up his pace, the Panthers chose to let him go. He now serves as Pittsburgh’s Kenneth Gainwell replacement. Though he doesn’t have the upside that Gainwell does in the pass, he’s probably a better pure rusher than Gainwell, making him a good option at RB2.

Devin Lloyd to the Panthers: A+

At just $15 million a year, Carolina patches up their biggest hole by securing one of the top players on the market. Devin Lloyd could prove to be a game-changer for the Panthers defense. He’s great against both the run and the pass, has top football IQ, and comes in very cheap for Carolina. It’s one of the best deals of this cycle, and may be the move that puts the Panthers on the map as contenders.

Alohi Gillman to the Chiefs: B

Gillman is a versatile defensive back who was effective both with the Chargers and the Ravens. His tackling could see some improvement, but he’s a solid starting safety all things considered. As a replacement for Bryan Cook, he’ll serve as a good starter.

Alijah Vera-Tucker to the Patriots: B+

Stealing him away from their division rivals, the Patriots bring in Alijah Vera-Tucker to stabilize their offensive line. When on the field, Vera-Tucker is a great in pass-pro and in the ground game. His main issue though is staying on it. New England isn’t oblivious to Vera-Tucker’s injury concerns. So, as part of his contract, they added a historic $250,000 per-game roster bonus. There’s risk involving this deal, but if Vera-Tucker sees a change in his injury luck, it’ll patch a massive hole for the Pats.

Noah Fant to the Saints: B+

Fant is a reliable backup tight end. For the price the Saints are paying him, he’s not expected to be anything but a solid rotational contributor, but these kinds of moves are what raise a squad’s floor, and New Orleans is pushing all the right buttons.

Greg Newsome to the Giants: B-

Newsome wasn’t particularly effective during his stint with Jacksonville. Nevertheless, he’s still 25 and has the potential to be a decent starter. The Giants are willing to take a chance on him, and a one-year $8 million dollar deal is a low-risk deal.

Kalif Raymond to the Bears: B

Reuniting with Ben Johnson, Kalif Raymond gives the Bears depth in the receiving room and an above average returner. He’s familiar with Johnson’s scheme and is a reliable target all things considered.

Isiah Pacheco to the Lions: B

Finding their new physical runner to replace knuckles, the Lions bring in Isiah Pacheco. There’s a lot of criticism surrounding Pacheco’s vision as a ball carrier. Fortunately, Detroit won’t give him a heavy workload. Instead, he’ll be taking the bulk of the team’s short yardage carries. For less than $2 million, it’s a move that improves their backfield.

Braden Smith to the Texans: A+

Braden Smith gets to stay in the AFC South, but no longer needs to deal with the two-headed monster in Houston. He’ll sharpen his craft with them instead, on a salary of just $10 million a year. The offensive line has been one of the biggest weaknesses for the Texans recently. Getting a high-tier starter on such a small price is an outright steal.

Romeo Doubs to the Patriots: C

Missing out on the top free agent wideouts led the Patriots to scraping the barrel at the position. While Romeo Doubs is a solid option, $17 million annually for his services is a bit of an overpay. Still, New England needed all they could get, so they’ll have to settle for him.

Nahshon Wright to the Jets: B-

The high volume of turnovers were what made Wright so valuable for Chicago on their run. Turnovers, especially at such a high rate, aren’t sustainable though. Paired with Wright’s tendency to get burnt, it was obvious his value in free agency wouldn’t be that high. He’s betting on himself now on a deal that’s very low-risk for New York.

PJ Locke to the Denver Broncos: A-

Given the abundance of DB talent in Denver, PJ Locke saw little opportunities. He carried his own weight when his name was called though, and even came down with a big-time interception against Denver’s playoff game against Buffalo. He now reunites with his former DBs coach and current Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker on a very cheap deal that could be bountiful for Dallas.

Elgton Jenkins to the Browns: B

Jenkins is not only a sturdy and reliable piece on the o-line, he’s also quite versatile. That attribute will be helpful for the Browns, as they’re still unsure how their remodeled offensive line will look come week 1.

Kaden Ellis to the Saints: A-

Remaining in the NFC South, Kaden Ellis makes his way to New Orleans. He’s another floor-raiser that the Saints picked up, and he’ll fill in the big shoes left by Demario Davis. For $11 million a year, he also brings in top play when blitzing, racking up 22 career sacks.

Riq Woolen to the Eagles: A-

Consistency has been Riq Woolen’s issue during his pro career. While he’s mostly a great cover corner, he often has miscues which could jeopardize a win. He likely could have secured a longer-term deal if he wanted to, but chose instead to bet on himself. The Eagles will appreciate this decision, as it allows them to keep Cooper DeJean in the slot while still having a solid option on the outside.

Leo Chenal to the Commanders: A

Relying on 35 year old Bobby Wagner to captain the defense wasn’t a smart strategy. The Commanders instead now bring in Leo Chenal as part of their youth movement. This is a signing that seems innocuous at first, but Chenal is a perfect fit in Washington’s defense. At just 25 years old, he’ll be the new leader for their defense.

Patrick Ricard to the Giants: B-

Another Giant moving to New York, Ricard has been the unsung hero of Baltimore’s run game. He’ll now heed the way for Cam Skattebo in what is shaping out to be a very physical ground game in Metlife.

Logan Hall to the Texans: B+

Tampa Bay saw a lot of improvement from Logan Hall down the stretch of his last year. On a two year deal worth $7 million total, he’ll be a high-upside option for the Texans.

K’Lavon Chaisson to the Commanders:

Still in search of a long-term deal, K’Lavon Chaisson hopes to string together another successful year. Now with the Commanders, he won’t have the dominant interior pressure he had in New England. Nevertheless, he’ll provide Washington with some juice in their pass-rush.

Trey Hendrickson to the Ravens: B-

Concluding the drama of the Maxx Crosby saga, the Ravens snag a premier division rival. Hendrickson gets the price he believed he was worth, and lands with a team in desperate need for some help in their pass-rush. Hendrickson will put up some numbers for the team, but a potential concern is how he isn’t a needle-mover against the run. Furthermore, his abilities against the pass may suffer due to his age and injury concerns. Even though Hendrickson is sure to improve Baltimore’s situation, this contract comes with more risk than one may think.

Daniel Jones to the Colts: C

The ramifications of the Sauce Gardner trade for Indianapolis are constantly rearing their ugly heads. While Daniel Jones’ fit with the Colts could lead to him justifying his $44 million AAV, given his injury history and tendency to falter out of structure, it’s a very risky move to re-sign him. Still, it’s not like Indy had much choice anyways.

Kevin Byard to the Patriots: B+

Reuniting with his former head coach from Tennessee, Kevin Byard is an albeit older but reliable replacement for Jaylinn Hawkins. He turned out a Pro Bowl season with Chicago, and led the league in interceptions. He’s a short term solution at the position, but will likely be maximized thanks to his established relationship with Mike Vrabel.

Jaylinn Hawkins to the Ravens: A

Finding themselves a cheap and effective solution for the Ar’Darius Washington departure, the Ravens make a very underrated signing. In 2025, he was a key contributor on New England’s Super Bowl run, being effective against both the pass and the run.

Nick Cross to the Commanders: B+

Another younger replacement for Washington’s defense. Nick Cross has been one of the best run defending safeties the game has to offer in his Colts tenure. Though he had issues in coverage this last year, he’s another small signing that can be big for the Commanders.

Bradley Chubb to the Buffalo Bills: C

Another older edge rusher makes his way to Buffalo. Bradley Chubb is a fine enough edge rusher, but he’s nowhere near being a needle mover. At this point, it’s hard to justify Chubb’s 14.5 annual value, and it’s a band-aid fix for a big problem.

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