[Hacksaw_64]

During the season, Pro Football Focus grades every player on every play of every game. We are doing the same for every transaction this free-agency period, with the return of our Deal Grader.

How should you feel about the moves your team made? Take a look at our grades for each move, on an A through F scale, which we will update throughout free-agency season as contract terms become known:
A-plus:

None
A:

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (NYG): One year, $10 million with $8.5 million guaranteed

When you see what other edge defenders have got, how can you not like this? Even if JPP never completely adjusts to his injured hand, he proved in 2015 he can still get it done, recording one of his best pass-rushing seasons of his career.

DE William Hayes (LA): Three years, $17.5 million with $10 million guaranteed

Whenver called upon Hayes delivered the goods in St Louis, and he has earned this deal and the starting spot that comes with it. Four strong seasons in a row for the one time Titan who can contribute on every down. Not a lot of money at all for a guy who had the 13th best grade of all edge defenders in 2015.

LB Danny Trevathan (CHI): Four years, $24.5 million with $12 million guaranteed

Is there a more perfect fit in free agency? Chicago desperately needed linebacker help, and the only surprise about this move is how little it cost them to execute. Sure Trevathan has battled some injury issues in the past. But he’s a guy who had the 10th highest grade of all linebackers and was one of our top 10 free agents on the open market.
A-minus:

OLB Tamba Hali (KC): Three years, $22 million with $12 million guaranteed

While Hali isn’t getting any younger, he still proved to be a productive pass-rusher this season, even when Justin Houston went down to injury and he had more attention to deal with.

RB Lamar Miller (HOU): Four years, $26 million with $14 million guaranteed

Given that Miller took less money to go to Houston should give you an idea of the value of this move. Miller has graded positively the past three years, with his 2015 effort worthy of a top-five grade at the position. Now he should get the opportunity to carry the load in a way Miami never gave him.

G Ramon Foster (PIT): Three years, $9.5 million with $2.75 million guaranteed

The past five years Foster has developed into one of the most reliable guards in a league devoid of them. To retain his services for so little money, and with the knowledge the team isn’t tied to him if his performance drops, is great work.
B-plus:

G Richie Incognito (BUF): Three years, $11.5 million with $5.45 million guaranteed

Buffalo is rewarded for taking a chance on Incognito with a per annum payout far less than his 2015 performance (top ranked left guard) would say he’s worth.

RB Doug Martin (TB): Five years, $35.75 million with $15 million guaranteed

It was a big move for the Buccaneers to keep Martin in town. He was our first-team All-Pro running back and led our rushing rankings with a nice bounce-back year after two years of underwhelming play. If he can maintain that level, he’s well worth this deal, which looks huge on the surface but isn’t too crazy in terms of guaranteed money.

K Adam Vinatieri (IND): Two years, $6 million with $3 million guaranteed

Maybe this is the year age catches up with the leg of Vinatieri, who is one of the greatest kickers of all time.

S George Iloka (CIN): Five years, $30 million with $5 million guaranteed

This was a big move for the Bengals, ensuring they kept an important part of their defense in town. Iloka isn’t your Earl Thomas type of playmaking safety, but he is a more than competent player who can make an impact as a center fielder. The money, given what others have been given, makes this a real win for the Bengals.

DE Derrick Shelby (ATL): Four years, $18 million with $7.5 million guaranteed

Coming off a year where he had the 10th-highest PFF grade of all 4-3 defensive ends, we expected Shelby to walk away a little richer, so kudos to Atlanta for getting value on a day when not everyone did. The former undrafted free agent really took advantage of Cameron Wake’s injury to show himself as more than just a run defender.

OT Mitchell Schwartz (KC): Five years, $33 million with $12.66 million guaranteed

One of the top right tackles in the league, Schwartz was a PFF selection for a second-team All-Pro spot after a strong 2015 season. He did an admirable job against Von Miller this season, but will now get to show whether that was a fluke when he faces off with him and Khalil Mack twice a year.

CB William Gay (PIT): Three years, $7.5 million with $1.9 million guaranteed

This really isn’t a lot of money for a guy who graded above average and was as solid as it got in a disappointing Steelers secondary in 2015. Gay might not be getting any younger, but the structure of the deal ensures the Steelers are covered if his play drops off.

C Alex Mack (ATL): Five years, $45 million with $28.5 million guaranteed

It’s a lot of money for a center, but given that no team lost as many games last year because of the play of their center, it was somewhat necessary. The Falcons retooled offensive line is one of the better ones in the league, especially if Mack can return to his pre-leg break form.

S Tavon Wilson (DET): Two years, $2.2 million with $500k guaranteed

Wilson always impressed in spot duty for the Patriots, but never really got the extended look to really showcase if he could turn that small sample size into a sustained career. Now he gets that opportunity in a Detroit system that will offer a path to playing time. For the Lions the lack of cash means they really have nothing to lose here.

CB Sean Smith (OAK): Four years, $40 million for $20 million guaranteed

The Raiders made a big statement raiding their AFC West rivals, getting our 12th highest grade of all cornerbacks in 2015. Given some of the deals that cornerbacks have got recently this has to be considered a real value get for Oakland.
B:

DL Malik Jackson (JAX): Six years, $90 million with $42m guaranteed

Have the Jaguars overpaid? Heck yeah. But they have so much cap room they have to spend that it’s justifiable. Grabbing an inside pass-rushing beast in Jackson (seventh highest grade of all interior defenders) is a win for the team.

OT Joe Barksdale (SD): Four years, $22.2 million with $10.5 million guaranteed

Given the Chargers’ luck with injuries you wouldn’t be surprised if Barksdale got injured signing his contract. But presuming he can make it to the regular season in good shape, Barksdale was a bright spot (21st-ranked tackle in PFF grades) on a terrible offensive line.

TE Antonio Gates (SD): Two years, $12 million with $6 million guaranteed

It was hard to imagine Gates playing anywhere else, and common sense shines through with this re-signing. Sure, Gates isn’t the athlete he once was, but his ability to get open remains excellent, as evidenced by him having the ninth-highest receiving grade of any tight end despite missing nearly half the season.

G Brandon Brooks (PHI): Five years, $40 million with $17 million guaranteed

It’s a lot of money, especially since Brooks didn’t have his best year in 2015. But his work prior to that was of a level of a player who deserved to paid near the top of his position. A rare athlete, he can really open up lanes in the run game.
B-minus:

G Alex Boone (MIN): Five years, $26.8 million with $10 million guaranteed

Boone hasn’t really built upon his breakout 2012 season and become one of the best guards in the league. But he has always graded positively, and given the money the Vikings have put into this deal they can consider this a good value pickup as they retool their offensive line.

DE Olivier Vernon (NYG): Five years, $85 million with $52.5 million guaranteed

In three years time, when people are re-grading this free-agent period, Vernon won’t sit here in the middle of the pack. No, he’ll either be right at the top because he delivered, or right near the bottom because he failed to. If he can play close to the way he did in the second half of the 2015 season, then he’ll be considered a success. He was as good as any edge rusher in the league during that stretch, and he did it against top tackles like Dallas’ Tyron Smith. But if he reverts closer to how he played earlier in his career — when he was a solid player, not an elite one — he won’t come close to justifying this contract.

LS Morgan Cox (BLT): Five years, $5.6 million with $700k guaranteed

Long snappers are people, too! Cox is one of the more reliable ones in the league, and this kind of figure puts him rightfully near the rest of the top earners at the spot.

LB Audie Cole (MIN): One year, $760k with $40k guaranteed

Caught our eye with some impressive play in 2014 but then got bitten by the injury bug last year. There’s definitely talent there, and given the money involved the Vikings will be happy to get at the very least solid depth and a good special teamer.

TE Ben Watson (BAL): Two years, $7 million with $3 million guaranteed

He’s not getting any younger but the Ravens need at tight end combined with his good work in the passing game show what a valuable weapon he could be for Joe Flacco. The worry is if they’re expecting an every down guy, his blocking isn’t what it once was.

RB Matt Forte (NYJ): Three years, $12 million with $8 million guaranteed

With a back who has had as many touches as Forte you always worry that the cliff is just around the corner. For that reason it’s a little scary that they team are tied to him for a couple of years, but on the plus side the Jets have got a do it all back who had the 10th highest grade of all running backs last year.

T Chris Clark (HST): Two years, $6 million with $3.25 million guaranteed

Outside of a game against Miami where he was torn apart, Clark has a nice first year in Texas. He’s got his limitations but the Texans are paying a small chunk of change for a guy who can play both tackle spots, and do it to a serviceable level. He might lose some battles, but at this cost he’ll win more than enough.

S Isa Abdul-Quddus (MIA): Three years, $12.75 million with $4.23 million guaranteed

An underrated move by the Dolphins to pick up a safety in the prime of his career who hasn’t cost them an arm and a leg. Sure he’s not the flashiest player but generally if you can get a safety who keeps it safe, you’ve done alright.

S Dwight Lowery (SD): Three years, $7.2 million with $1.5 million guaranteed

Similar to the William Gay deal the Chargers have lined up a tried and tested veteran who can ably fill in without impacting too much on the cap. Lowery had a solid year in Indianapolis after resurrecting his career somewhat in Atlanta.

WR Rishard Matthews (TEN): Three years, $15 million with $2.5 million guaranteed

It also felt a little odd Matthews couldn’t get more of an opportunity in Miami, but with a tidy little outlay from Tennessee he should get the chance to showcase his skills in extended playing time.
C-plus:

OLB Bruce Irvin (OAK): Four years, $37 million with $12.5 million guaranteed

This contract is a bit rich for a player who never delivered consistently, despite getting ample opportunities. But at the very least Irvin is a solid starter to whom the team isn’t tied for the long term, and when you have the cap room Oakland has, it’s hard to go wrong front-loading these deals.

DB Tyvon Branch (ARZ): Two years, $10 million with $5 million guaranteed

Is Branch an insurance plan in case Tyrann Mathieu can’t come back early next season? In any case, the Cardinals love themselves players who can do multiple things, and Branch is a guy who can line up all over the defensive backfield and provide solid play.

CB Kyle Wilson (NO): One year, $840k with $80k guaranteed

Wilson never delivered on his first-round potential, but has developed into the definition of an average slot corner. Not every player on your team needs to be a star, so if you can land contributors for less than market value it’s got to be considered a marginal win.

S Keith Tandy (TB): Two years, $1.85 million with $250k guaranteed

It might win the award for least flashy move, but free agency isn’t just about finding starters. It’s about finding reliable depth players who can contribute on special teams and Tandy checks those boxes nicely.

DT Haloti Ngata (DET): Two years, $12 million with $6 million guaranteed

Ngata proved he still has some juice in the tank with a strong finish to his 2015 season. He might not be the player he once was, but he can still make the kind of plays you look for at an interior spot. This is a reasonable move Detroit couldn’t afford not to make.

G Lane Taylor (GB): Two years, $4.15 million with $600k guaranteed

Didn’t look out of place when forced into the starting lineup. This is a useful chunk of change for the insurance of having someone fill in should either of the Packers stellar guards be forced from the field.

OL Kelechi Osemele (OAK): Five Years, $60 million with $25.4 million guaranteed

On one hand we love Osemele at guard. And if the Raiders play him there the move makes a degree of sense because Oakland simply has to burn some cash in this window. But there’s a sneaky suspicion that he might end up at left tackle, and that’s a huge leap of faith given how little experience has at the spot and how he played when forced to play there last year. Fantastic run blocker mind.

WR Marvin Jones (DET): Five Years, $40 million with $20 million guaranteed

It is certainly a great time to be a free agent receiver. Jones broke out in 2014 but nothing he did in 2015 suggested this big a pay day was coming his way. The talent is certainly there, but is the consistency? He’ll be vying with Golden Tate to be the Lions top target and now the pressure is cranked up on our 38th ranked receiver in 2015.

LB Frank Zombo (KC): Three years, $3.5 million with $500k guaranteed

With Tamba Hali locked up, the Chiefs are in consolidation mode on defense and the signing of Zombo brings back a guy who can help at any of the linebacker spots, as well as on special teams. He may not wow you when on the field, but for the cost involved it’s worth it.

TE Ladarius Green (PIT): Four years, $20 million with $4.75 million guaranteed

A move that could pay off or one that might see Green looking for a new contract this time next year. A somewhat aggressive move for a team scrambling to replace the ever excellent (and now retired) Heath Miller. Green must be happy to be out of the shadow of Antonio Gates, and you’d imagine he’s set to improve upon his career high mark of 686 snaps.
C:

TE Dwayne Allen (IND): Four years, $29.4 million with $16 million guaranteed

On his recent performance this deal makes little sense. But Allen has talent like few others at the position. If he can find the kind of form he did in his rookie year, and if the Colts can figure out how to use him more often, he has the talent to get Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods.

C Ben Jones (TEN): Four years, $17.5 million with $7.5 million guaranteed

While we don’t like this is verging on top-10 center money, we do like that the Titans are rectifying their big-time issues at the pivot. The three guys they started at center last year had a combined minus-47.0 grade, so they simply had to do something here.

S Rodney McLeod (PHI): Five years, $37 million with $17 million guaranteed

McLeod is very much an ascending player, and brings with him an intensity and aggressiveness you don’t often see from safeties. But as good as he is, it’s an almighty leap of faith to pay him like a top-5 safety when he’s never played like one.

DT Damon Harrison (NYG): Five years, $46.25 million with $24 million guaranteed

We love the play of “Snacks,” who has developed into a one-man wrecking crew in the run game, regularly leading the league in defensive stops against the run. There is no doubt that he makes the Giants better on early downs, but we can’t go higher with our grade because of the money involved. It’s simply too much for a guy who doesn’t get after the passer.

RB Chris Ivory (JAX): Five years, $32 million with $10 million guaranteed

It’s hard for the Jaguars to make bad moves, given how much money they have to spend. But that doesn’t mean every move they’ve made sees them hitting it out of the park, and there is a question whether Ivory was a player they really needed to go after, especially with the impressive rookie year of T.J. Yeldon. Nonetheless, they have acquired one of the better runners in the league.

TE Michael Hoomanawanui (NO): Three years, $5.2 million with $1.85 million guaranteed

In a league filled with terrible run-blocking tight ends, being around average has a level of value. Hoomanawanui won’t pull up any trees, but he will serve a function as a No. 2 tight end in an offense not afraid to use them.

P Brad Nortmann (JAX): Four years, $8.8 million with $1.65 million guaranteed

While Nortmann isn’t a top tier punter, that’s okay, because the Jags haven’t paid him top dollar. He’ll do a job worth the money on offer.

G Jeff Allen (HST): Four years, $28 million with $12 million guaranteed

It’s a big investment in a player who until last year was someone who didn’t inspire confidence when he got on the field. But the versatile and tough lineman did enough last year that Texans fans should be relatively happy with this move. Allen was our 10th ranked guard in 2015.

TE Coby Fleener (IND): Five years, $36 million with $14.6 million guaranteed

Was it Fleener’s inability or the all round ability of Dwayne Allen that limited his contributions in Indianapolis? Well they’ll be no excuses in New Orleans where the team will be counting on Fleener to best his 491 receiving yards of 2015.

S Tashaun Gipson (JAX): Five years, $35.5 million with $12 million guaranteed

If Gipson can get back to his 2014 form then this move will prove much better than the grade we’ve currently given it. But we can’t ignore how Gipson struggled last year and that’s what makes this move something of a leap of faith.

CB Ron Brooks (PHI): Three years, $5.5 million with $1.55 million guaranteed

A solid signing by the Eagles which reunites new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz with another player from his time in Buffalo. Brooks struggled to get on the field last year but with the money involved he should provide handy depth and special teams assistance.

DE Jaye Howard (KC): Two years, $10 million with $5.8 million guaranteed

A versatile lineman who can play over the center or up to a five tech, Howard had a breakout 2015 and while he didn’t deliver the consistency we wanted to see, there was enough to show he can start in this league. Our 24th ranked interior defender in 2015.
C-minus:

DE Mario Williams (MIA): Two years, $17 million with $7.5 million guaranteed

Rarely has Williams lived up to what is expected of him, but last season was a borderline disaster for him, as he ranked dead-last in pass-rush grade among edge defenders. It was less an aberration and more the culmination for a player who has rarely delivered against top competition. He is by no means a bad player, and the relatively little money involved here makes this worth a flyer. But why has the team gotten older and less explosive at a premium position?

DT Ahtyba Rubin (SEA): Three years, $12m with $5.5m guaranteed

Rubin did get better towards the end of the season, but he has a skill set that is readily available in the NFL. It’s a move that means the team doesn’t need to go out shopping for an early-down player, and it’s relatively cheap, so consider this a giant “meh.”

T Eric Winston (CIN): One year, $1.1m with $80k guaranteed

It’s not a lot of money for a guy who more than likely acts as little more than insurance given the team spent their first two picks last year on offensive tackles. Once one of the best right tackles in the league, Winston isn’t that guy any more, but at a push he could fill in.

DT Brandon Mebane (SD): Three years, $13.5 million with $5.5 million guaranteed

While Mebane had a good run in Seattle, he’s not the player he was once and it’s hard to envisage him making a big impact on the nose in a Chargers defense that is devoid of talent. Mebane had the 70th highest grade of 123 qualifying interior defenders.

T LaAdrian Waddle (NE): Two years, $2.35 million with $250k guaranteed

If Waddle can forget his 2015 performance and play more like he did when he entered the league, then this isn’t such a bad deal. But there’s no guarantee of that, with the only guarantee being Waddle is going to get $250k. That seems rich for a guy who will do well to make the roster.

CB Jeremy Lane (SEA): Four years, $23 million with $11 million guaranteed

Is Lane a bad player? No. But has he done enough to warrant double digits on the guaranteed money front? We’d say no, given in four years he’s never managed more than 356 snaps. He’s a guy you’d want on your roster but it’s hard to imagine many teams getting close to paying him that figure.
D-plus:

WR Travis Benjamin (SD): Four years, $24m with $13m guaranteed

It’s a terrible market for wide receivers, and the result is guys getting paid far more than they warrant. Benjamin may be coming off a career year, but he still only finish 66th in our wide receiver rankings. Is he the kind of receiver Philip Rivers needed?

WR Brian Quick (LA): One year, $3.75 million with $1.5 million guaranteed

For a guy who has never managed more than 400 snaps in a year, with a career best of 375 yards, you wonder if the Rams couldn’t have sweated a lower figure out of a guy who you imagine will be competing for a roster spot.
D:

QB Brock Osweiler (HOU): Four years, $72 million with $37 million guaranteed

There are those who like Osweiler’s potential and those who don’t, but wherever you stand you can’t deny there’s a huge air of uncertainty about a guy who was benched for a fading Peyton Manning last year. Osweiler did a serviceable job when coming into the lineup, but enough to think that he could be “the guy”? He ranked just 20th in PFF quarterback grades and second-worst in deep-ball accuracy percentage this season. This is the kind of risky move that could define Bill O’Brien’s time as Texans head coach.

S Andrew Sendejo (MIN): Four years, $16 million with $3.9 million guaranteed

It’s starter money for a guy who isn’t all that likely to start (certainly not in an every-down role), and isn’t all that good. Sendejo had the 85th-highest grade of 88 safeties in 2015.

T Donald Stephenson (DEN): Three years, $14 million with $10 million guaranteed

Paying Stephenson starter money is fine if he can play like he did Week 2 of the 2015 season against the Broncos. He was impressive then, but that was the exception to his season, and not the rule. He’s consistently been one of the weaker starters in the league, and paying him to be something else seems unnecessary.

C Tim Barnes (LA): Two years, $5.6 million with $2.5 million guaranteed

It’s not so much the max value of the deal that bothers us. In any move there’s an element of projection, and the Rams will hope that Barnes is better for having a year’s worth of starts under his belt. But the guaranteed figure seems unnecessary, given that Barnes could only finish the year 29th out of 39 ranked centers.

G J.R. Sweezy (TB): Five years, $32.5 million with $14.5 million guaranteed

He of the highlight-reel block. Sweezy can do things that coaches and fans can’t help but fall in love with, but it’s the lack of consistency (especially in pass protection) that has us shaking our heads at this deal. He’s earned a negative grade in each of his four years and looks to be quite the drop-off from the recently retired Logan Mankins.

LB Mark Barron (LA): Five years, $45 million with $15 million guaranteed

The league may be shifting to smaller linebackers but this seems an overpay for a guy who produced his first decent season in the NFL last year. And we emphasize the word decent, because while he was much improved in St Louis, he was still only our 20th ranked linebacker on the year. He’ll need to play at a level we haven’t seen to justify this cash.

LB Emmanuel Lamur (MIN): Two years, $6 million with $2.2 million guaranteed

While Lamur is familiar with Mike Zimmer from their time in Cincinnati he really isn’t a guy who has got better the more he played. In fact the past two years he’s really struggled, to the point where he’s really a guy you bring into compete for a spot on a roster, rather than offering enough in guarantees that you’re pretty much obliged to keep him.
D-minus:

Janoris Jenkins (NYG): Five years, $62.5 million with $29 million guaranteed

This is just an awful lot of money for a good corner who still gambles way too much. Big plays win games, and while Jenkins can make them, he’s been on the wrong end of more than his fair share. The Giants paid top-10 cornerback money for a guy who barely cracked the top 20 in our 2015 cornerback grades.

QB Chase Daniels (PHI): Three years, $21 million with $12 million guaranteed

It’s just an awful lot of money for a backup, and if he isn’t a backup, then why was so much money spent on Sam Bradford? In some respect you have to trust new head coach Doug Pederson, who has more knowledge of Daniels than any of us, but even he hasn’t seen how Daniels might handle significant game action.
F:

None

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