Grading notable non-QB deals in NFL free agency

NFL free agency has arrived, with teams taking advantage of the legal tampering period before the start of the new league year March 12. 

Deals abound, so let's grade the more notable non-quarterback agreements so far. 

DT Milton Williams | New England Patriots

Contract: four years, $104M ($63M guaranteed), per Adam Schefter of ESPN | Grade: B-

It's hard to knock the Patriots for overpaying in free agency considering they entered the offseason with the most cap space in the NFL, but this is a hefty contract for an interior defensive lineman.

Williams finished last season with just 24 combined tackles, five sacks, seven tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits. The former Philadelphia Eagles DT raised his price tag with two sacks, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in the Super Bowl, but he alone won't be able to fix a Patriots pass rush that recorded the fewest sacks in the NFL last season (24). 

LB Josh Sweat | Arizona Cardinals

Contract: Four years, $76.4M ($41M guaranteed), per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network | Grade: C+

Arizona was always the favorite to land Sweat because Jonathan Gannon was his defensive coordinator in Philadelphia for two seasons (2021-2022). The Cardinals needed to invest in an edge after no one on the defense recorded more than five sacks in 2024, but there's no evidence Sweat can be a premier pass-rusher in the NFL.

The 27-year-old has just one Pro Bowl appearance and one season with more than eight sacks, and he had the luxury of playing on one of the best — and deepest — defensive lines in the league. He'll need to take a big step forward to justify this contract.

WR Davante Adams | Los Angeles Rams

Contract: Two years, $46M ($26M guaranteed), per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network | Grade: A-

With Cooper Kupp likely leaving Los Angeles this offseason, the Rams entered free agency needing another wide receiver. All they did was snag the best option of the bunch to upgrade their WR2 position. 

Adams has recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns in five straight seasons. He's the perfect veteran target for Matthew Stafford.

CB D.J. Reed | Detroit Lions

Contract: Three years, $48M ($32M guaranteed), per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports | Grade A

The Lions desperately needed a shutdown cornerback, especially after Carlton Davis decided to sign with the Patriots. Detroit ranked 31st in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game last season (247.1). The former Jet has double-digit passes defended in three of the past four seasons. He has a ton of upside at CB, and the Lions grabbed him for $12M less than the Patriots gave Davis.

Safety Camryn Bynum | Indianapolis Colts

Contract: Four years, $60M, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network | Grade: A-

Bynum checks a lot of boxes as a strong free-agent pickup. The former Minnesota Viking is still young (26), has a knack for the ball (five interceptions, 19 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over the past two seasons) and is as reliable as they come (played all 17 regular-season games in three straight years).