While the 2016 Free Agency is far from over, multiple teams have bettered their futures for the long run by making some key signings. From risk takers like the Houston Texans to teams giving players a second chance like the Miami Dolphins, several teams are taking a step for the future, hopefully in the right direction.
In the end this is just one person's opinion, but this person has watched the free agency intensely. Let's look and grade the early signings of the 2016 Free Agency.
Malik Jackson, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars had money to spend this offseason and they successfully brought in the top player on the market. Jackson can play and three or five technique at the next level and will be getting paid like a top defensive lineman. The Jags also have themselves in prime position now to draft for their defensive backfield and offensive line early and worry about the front line later. Win-Win for both sides.
Final Grade: A
TRADE: Byron Maxwell, CB/ Kiko Alonso LB, 13th Pick- Miami Dolphins
Say what you will haters, but this has the potential to be a really solid trade off for the Dolphins in the long run. While not the best season for the Eagles last year, Byron Maxwell has the ability to be a great shutdown corner in the NFL. His size will let him break off blocks and fight for interceptions against the number two receiver. Meanwhile Kiko Alonso was one of the top rookie linebackers before he got hurt in 2014. If he has the same production like he did in 2013, and the Dolphins still get to pick in the first round, this has a lot of potential to be a good trade for Miami.
Final Grade: B
TRADE: 8th overall pick/ 4th round pick, Philadelphia Eagles
While the Eagles did clear up cap space and completely stripped down the mess that Chip Kelly made, did they really get enough? Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alsono both have a chance to be huge for the Miami defense if healthy and all the got was a pick five spots up? Meanwhile, yes while they opened up a ton a space by trading DeMarco Murray to the Titans, a fourth round pick and the Titans took Murray’s contract. The Alonso/Maxwell deal should have had at least a mid-round selection while the Murray deal should have had maybe a later round pick as well. Did Philly clear up cap space? Yes. Did they really address the main issue? Not at the moment.
Final Grade: C
TRADE: DeMarco Murray- Tennessee Titans
DeMarco Murray wanted to get out of Philadelphia probably about three weeks into the season. According to reports, Murray asked his agent if he could make a trip down to the “Music City” to have a chance to work with their offense. While the Titans are still in shambles, if Murray has the type of season he did back in 2015 for them, they may not be the best team in the league, but he was worth all $36 million of his contract.
Final Grade: B-
Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans
The Texans recently released four-time pro-bowl running back Arian Foster due to his health issues, so running back was a need to address. Lamar Miller has a solid combination of both speed and quickness running through gaps as well as the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. The issue with Miller is he finally broke out last season and it wasn’t exactly a “breakout” year. While he did have over 1,000 total yards of offense and 10 total touchdowns last season, his combined. Still, the Texans got the best running back available and can now focus on other offensive needs.
Final Grade: B
Brock Oswieler, QB, Houston Texans
Both the top running back and quarterback of free agency are headed to Houston? Stop the presses. The Texans hopefully found their franchise quarterback in the 6’7” gun-slinger who replaced Peyton Manning and went 5-2 (6-1 minus the Vernon Davis drop). There’s a lot to like about Oswiler’s style of play and the fact he learned under on of the top quarterbacks of the generation and one of the top offensive-minded coaches in the league (Current Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase).
Still, we’ve seen deals like this before where several games are all these players are good for yet they get paid like top-tier quarterbacks. Time will tell if Oswiler will be more of an Alex Smith in Kansas City or Matt Cassel in Kansas City.
Final Grade: B-
Alex Mack, Center, Atlanta Falcons
There’s a lot about this deal that makes sense for both sides. Alex Mack wanted to be with a contender and Atlanta is several pieces from being one. Meanwhile, center was the weakest spot of the Falcons offensive line last season and they went out and got a top-five center in the league. Overall, thank Kyle Shannahan for being your offensive coordinator cause his influence just gave “Matty Ice” a huge pass protector in the middle.
Final Grade: A-
Tashaun Gipson- FS, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville once again got a deal that had money well spent. Tashuan Gipson is a “ball-hawking” free safety who has 14 career interceptions at the pro-level. Yes, Gipson has succumbed to injuries recently, but overall he might be the best safety on the board for long term. The Jaguars still need defensive back help but with Gipson and Jonathan Cyprien at the safety position, their defensive backs got a whole lot stronger.
Final Grade: B
Bruce Irvin, OLB, Oakland Raiders
While I’m personally not a fan of this pick, Oakland had the money to get a will-backer for the future and they might have gotten the best on the board. While Irvin’s numbers have gone down over the past seasons, he plays consistent in tackles and sacks and has managed to stay healthy throughout his career. The Radiers now can move Kahlil Mack to a defensive end full time and focus on their defensive backs early on in the draft to bolster the improved defense.
Final Grade: B+
Sean Smith, CB, Oakland Radiers
An older cornerback with tons of bite, Sean Smith hit the jackpot by signing with Oakland for $40 million. Great in press coverage, Smith was part of one of the most exciting defensive backfields in football last season down in Kansas City. Smith will be able to resume his role as a number one cornerback for the Radiers and will automatically become a leader in the locker room for the young defensive backs. Great for both parties in the long run.
Final Grade: A
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
This works for both parities in the long run. While JPP may have blown his hand up in 2015, his production didn’t diminish as much as expected. The Giants could draft another defensive end if they don’t think JPP will produce the same as he did in 2015. Still, the Giants didn’t break the bank and they got their former All-Pro defensive end for a steal price.
Final Grade: B
Olivier Vernon, DE, New York Giants
The New York Giants have been known for their defensive ends. Micheal Strahan, Osi Umienyora, Justin Tuck, JPP and now they have found their next big name in Olivier Vernon. Vernon is a powerful end who is best in 4-3 defense where he can rush right off the outside hip. Vernon will thrive in the “Big Apple” but the issue is with the Giants on this deal. Vernon only had 7 sacks in 2015, yet they are paying him $85.5 million, more than Texans defensive end JJ Watt. It’s a solid move by the Giants but they broke the bank big time to steal Vernon away from Jacksonville.
Final Grade: C+
Janoris Jenkins, CB, New York Giants
Janoris Jenkins has the abitliy to be a top five cornerback at the next level and after being let go by the Rams, he wanted to get paid like one. The Giants had a solid cornerback in Prince Amukamara but they could have upgraded from him in order get a guy like Jenkins. Jenkins is as strong is pass coverage and he is in the run support. Was the price steep for the Giants? Yes. Was it worth it? I really think this was their best free agency pickup.
Final Grade: B+
Danny Travethan, LB, Chicago Bears
Danny Treavathan was very much under appreciated in Denver last season due to the success of All-Pro linebacker Von Miller. Travethan led the team in tackles with 115 in 2015 and was a major factor in the 2015 Super Bowl run. The Bears needed inside linebacker help with the switch to Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense. John Fox and Treavthan have a very strong bond, which make a lot of sense for him to come to the Windy City. In the end, both sides win this deal.
Final Grade: A+
Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets
While Matt Forte isn’t the same top of runningback he was back in 2012, he still has plenty left in the tank to offer a team. Forte has had 1,000 yards rushing seasons and that was with a weak offensive line. Putting him behind a solid line might be a win-win for both sides. Meanwhile, the Jets now can focus on the offensive line and quarterback situation at the moment rather then finding Chris Ivory’s replacement. Plus they got him cheap, big bonus.
Final Grade: A-
