NFL free agency, for all intents and purposes, is over — at least for the big names.
After a whirlwind first week, the vast majority of PFN’s Top 100 Free Agents list has either found new homes or signed with new teams.
Who was at the head of the class? Who should repeat the grade? We break it all down with our 2023 NFL free agency grades after the first wave.
Week 1 NFL Free Agency Grades
Note: These transactions are all as of Friday afternoon
Arizona Cardinals
Players added: G Hjalte Froholdt, DT Kevin Strong, LB Kyzir White
Players lost: DE Zach Allen, G Cody Ford, DT Trysten Hill, CB Byron Murphy, DE J.J. Watt (retired)
Players re-signed: LT Kelvin Beachum, RB Corey Clement, G Will Hernandez, K Matt Prater, LB Ezekiel Turner
Remaining free agents: WR Robbie Anderson, TE Stephen Anderson, S Chris Banjo, LS Aaron Brewer, DE Michael Dogbe, G Max Garcia, LB Markus Golden, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, CB Antonio Hamilton, G Sean Harlow, C Rodney Hudson, CB Josh Jackson, P Andy Lee, QB Trace McSorley, LB Ben Niemann, G Billy Price, G Justin Pugh, LB Tanner Vallejo, LB Nick Vigil, S Charles Washington, WR Antoine Wesley, RB Darrel Williams, Maxx Williams
Analysis: The Cardinals gave up the second-most points in football in 2022, and it’s hard to see how it’s going to get much better in 2023, even with Jonathan Gannon in charge. Three of their best defensive players are gone, and no suitable replacements have yet been found.
Grade: D+
Atlanta Falcons
Players added: S Jessie Bates III, LB Tae Davis, LB Kaden Elliss, QB Taylor Heinicke, DT David Onyemata, TE Jonnu Smith
Players lost: QB Marcus Mariota, CB Isaiah Oliver
Players re-signed: OT Kaleb McGary, FB Keith Smith
Remaining free agents: DE Abdullah Anderson, LS Beau Brinkley, WR Damiere Byrd, DE Matt Dickerson, OT Chuma Edoga, LB Rashaan Evans, TE Anthony Firkser, CB Michael Ford, G Colby Gossett, S Erik Harris, WR Khadarel Hodge, OT Germain Ifedi, DT Jaleel Johnson, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, P Bradley Pinion, TE MyCole Pruitt, DT Vincent Taylor, G Elijah Wilkinson, WR Olamide Zaccheaus
Analysis: The Falcons had the second-most cap space in football this cycle and were determined to use it. Their defense should be much improved after adding several starters that fit the scheme of new coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Did they overpay? Perhaps at times. But it’s the nature of free agency.
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens
Players added: None
Players lost: S Chuck Clark, C Trystan Colon-Castillo, TE Josh Oliver, G Ben Powers
Players re-signed: RB Justice Hill, QB Lamar Jackson (franchise tag designee), Trayvon Mullen
Remaining free agents: LB Vince Biegel, DE Calais Campbell, RB Kenyan Drake, CB Kyle Fuller, DE Justin Houston, OT Ja’Wuan James, DE Steven Means, CB Marcus Peters, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, WR Demarcus Robinson, CB Kevon Seymour, S Geno Stone, WR Sammy Watkins, LB Kristian Welch
MORE: Lamar Jackson Contract — Did Baltimore Ravens QB Turn Down a Fair Deal?
Analysis: It was a predictably quiet week for the Ravens, who didn’t have much cap space coming into the process, particularly with $32.4 million tied up in Lamar Jackson’s franchise tag. Still, Baltimore needs wide receiver help, and the expectation is Eric DeCosta will get some in the second wave.
Grade: C
Buffalo Bills
Players added: QB Kyle Allen, WR Deonte Harty, G Connor McGovern
Players lost: LB Tremaine Edmunds, QB Case Keenum
Players re-signed: CB Dane Jackson, S Jordan Poyer
Remaining free agents: WR Jamison Crowder, G Bobby Hart, S Jaquan Johnson, RB Taiwan Jones, LB A.J. Klein, WR Jake Kumerow, DE Shaq Lawson, WR Isaiah McKenzie, S Dean Marlowe, OT Justin Murray, DE Jordan Phillips, OT David Quessenberry, G Rodger Saffold, RB Devin Singletary, TE Tommy Sweeney, G Greg Van Roten
Analysis: Good on Brandon Beane for finding a way to bring back Jordan Poyer, but look at that talent drain, between the players who signed elsewhere and those who remain free agents. The Bills addressed their two biggest needs — safety and guard — but created some others.
Grade: C+
Carolina Panthers
Players added: S Vonn Bell, QB Andy Dalton, TE Hayden Hurst, RB Miles Sanders, DT Shy Tuttle, DE DeShawn Williams
Players lost: QB Sam Darnold, D’Onta Foreman, WR DJ Moore, QB P.J. Walker
Players re-signed: C Bradley Bozeman
Remaining free agents: S Juston Burris, S Sean Chandler, C Pat Elflein, OT Cameron Erving, CB Myles Hartsfield, WR Rashard Higgins, DE Matthew Ioannidis, G Michael Jordan, CB Justin Layne, LB Cory Littleton, K Eddy Pineiro, WR Andre Roberts, LB Damien Wilson
Analysis: The proper prism through which we should view the Panthers’ free agency cycle is this: Have the moves made it more or less likely that their rookie quarterback succeeds? Adding Hurst and Sanders helps, but they need two starting-caliber wide receivers.
Grade: B-
Chicago Bears
Players added: DT Andrew Billings, G Nate Davis, LB Tremaine Edmunds, LB T.J. Edwards, RB D’Onta Foreman, RB Travis Homer, WR DJ Moore, TE Robert Tonyan Jr., DE DeMarcus Walker, QB P.J. Walker
Players lost: RB David Montgomery, OT Riley Reiff
Players re-signed: None
Remaining free agents: LB Matthew Adams, DE Angelo Blackson, CB Breon Borders, CB Dane Cruikshank, OT Dakota Dozier, TE Ryan Griffin, WR N’Keal Harry, S DeAndre Houston-Carson, LB Nicholas Morrow, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, C Sam Mustipher, DT Mike Pennel, QB Nathan Peterman, WR Dante Pettis, WR Byron Pringle, G Michael Schofield, QB Trevor Siemian, LB Joe Thomas, DT Armon Watts, FB Trevon Wesco, LB Javin White
Analysis: The Bears were the cap-richest team in free agency, and they spent a lot of it — but not necessarily on the biggest names. But DJ Moore counts as a free agent signing, and the Bears’ linebackers should be among the best in the league in 2023.
Grade: B+
Cincinnati Bengals
Players added: OT Orlando Brown Jr., G Cody Ford
Players lost: S Jessie Bates III, S Vonn Bell, TE Hayden Hurst, RB Samaje Perine
Players re-signed: LB Germaine Pratt, WR Trent Taylor, S Michael Thomas, RB Trayveon Williams
Remaining free agents: QB Brandon Allen, CB Eli Apple, CB Tre Flowers, LS Clark Harris, LB Clay Johnston, CB Chris Lammons, TE Drew Sample, G Max Scharping, TE Mitchell Wilcox
Analysis: The Bengals are worse today than they were in the AFC Championship Game at every position group except for the offensive line. Their defensive backfield, which was a strength the last two years, is now a big question mark.
Grade: C
Cleveland Browns
Players added: DT Trysten Hill, DT Maurice Hurst, DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, S Juan Thornhill, DT Dalvin Tomlinson
Players lost: QB Jacoby Brissett, DT Taven Bryan, LB Tae Davis, G Hjalte Froholdt, CB Greedy Williams, DE Chase Winovich
Players re-signed: C Ethan Pocic, LB Sione Takitaki
Remaining free agents: TE Pharaoh Brown, DE Jadeveon Clowney, OT Michael Dunn, S Ronnie Harrison, OT Chris Hubbard, RB Kareem Hunt, TE Jesse James, RB D’Ernest Johnson, S John Johnson III, LB Deion Jones, LB Jordan Kunaszyk, DE Chris Odom, LB Anthony Walker Jr., DE Stephen Weatherly
Analysis: Credit Browns GM Andrew Berry: He had a plan to improve a very bad defense this offseason, and he executed that plan by adding a number of quality players. We’d still like to see him add some firepower to Cleveland’s offense, though.
Grade: B+
Dallas Cowboys
Players added: CB Stephon Gilmore
Players lost: WR Noah Brown, LB Luke Gifford, G Connor McGovern
Players re-signed: CB C.J. Goodwin, RB Tony Pollard (franchise tag designee), QB Cooper Rush, LB Leighton Vander Esch, S Donovan Wilson
Remaining free agents: LB Anthony Barr, CB Anthony Brown, RB Rico Dowdle, RB Ezekiel Elliott, DE Dante Fowler Jr., DT Johnathan Hankins, WR T.Y. Hilton, K Brett Maher, LS Jake McQuaide, LS Matt Overton, OT Jason Peters, TE Dalton Schultz, DE Carlos Watkins
Analysis: The Cowboys get bumped up a full letter grade for the Stephon Gilmore trade, and the Joneses do deserve praise for making the hard (but right) decision to move on from Zeke. But the interior defensive line and wide receiver rooms still need to be addressed.
Grade: B+
Denver Broncos
Players added: DE Zach Allen, FB Michael Burton, TE Chris Manhertz, OT Mike McGlinchey, RB Samaje Perine, G Ben Powers, CB Tremon Smith, QB Jarrett Stidham
Players lost: OT Calvin Anderson, FB Andrew Beck, RB Mike Boone, RB Chase Edmonds, G Graham Glasgow, DE Dre’Mont Jones, TE Eric Saubert, DE DeShawn Williams
Players re-signed: LB Alex Singleton
Remaining free agents: LB Dakota Allen, CB Essang Bassey, LS Jacob Bobenmoyer, G Tom Compton, CB Ronald Derby, OT Cameron Fleming, LB Jonas Griffin, S Kareem Jackson, DE Jonathan Kongbo, S P.J. Locke, RB Marlon Mack, RB Latavius Murray, CB Darius Phillips, G Dalton Risner, QB Brett Rypien, DE Eric Tomlinson, RT Billy Turner
Analysis: The Broncos added quality players and got rid of players who fell short of that standard. And most importantly, they built a wall between Russell Wilson and opposing defenders. So good job, Sean Payton and George Paton.
Grade: A-
Detroit Lions
Players added: G Graham Glasgow, RB David Montgomery, CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB Cameron Sutton
Players lost: LB Chris Board, G Evan Brown, S Deshon Elliott, RB Jamaal Williams
Players re-signed: LB Alex Anzalone, K Michael Badgley, DE John Cominsky, OT Matt Nelson
Remaining free agents: DT Michael Brockers, DE Austin Bryant, WR DJ Chark, LB Jarrad Davis, CB Mike Hughes, RB Justin Jackson, G Tommy Kraemer, CB Amani Oruwariye, S Bobby Price, OT Dan Skipper, QB Nate Sudfeld, LB Josh Woods
Analysis: The Lions had one of the worst pass defenses in recent memory in 2022. It should be appreciably better with Mosley and Sutton aboard. And Montgomery is an upgrade over Williams. We’d still like to see an upgrade at safety, but the big, important things got done.
Grade: A-
Green Bay Packers
Players added: S Tarvarius Moore, LS Matthew Orzech
Players lost: WR Allen Lazard, DE Dean Lowry, DE Jarran Reed, TE Robert Tonyan Jr.
Players re-signed: CB Keisean Nixon
Remaining free agents: S Adrian Amos, LB Krys Barnes, WR Randall Cobb, K Mason Crosby, S Jonathan Ford, LB Justin Hollins, S Dallin Leavitt, TE Marcedes Lewis, LB Eric Wilson
Analysis: The cop-out here would be to give the Packers an incomplete until the compensation for the Aaron Rodgers trade is in, but that would let Brian Gutekunst off the hook. The truth is Green Bay looks to be taking a significant step back in 2023.
Grade: D+
Houston Texans
Players added: FB Andrew Beck, RB Mike Boone, WR Noah Brown, QB Case Keenum, G Shaq Mason, DT Sheldon Rankins, DT Hassan Ridgeway, S Jimmie Ward, DE Chase Winovich, WR Robert Woods
Players lost: QB Kyle Allen, WR Phillip Dorsett, DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, CB Tremon Smith
Players re-signed: LB Derek Rivers, CB Tavierre Thomas
Remaining free agents: DE Mario Addison, TE Jordan Akins, C Justin Britt, RB Rex Burkhead, G A.J. Cann, LB Blake Cashman, QB Jeff Driskel, RB Royce Freeman, DE Rasheem Green, LB Neville Hewitt, TE O.J. Howard, G Justin McCray, WR Chris Moore, S Jonathan Owens, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, OB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Analysis: The Texans didn’t have nearly enough pros in the last couple of years. DeMeco Ryans seems determined to fix that. The Texans are building quality depth, and that’s an excellent way for a team to get from horrendous to acceptable. Still, we don’t like that they let the Panthers jump them for the No. 1 pick.
Grade: B
Indianapolis Colts
Players added: DT Taven Bryan, DE Samson Ebukam, K Matt Gay, QB Gardner Minshew
Players lost: WR Parris Campbell, CB Brandon Facyson, CB Stephon Gilmore, LB Bobby Okereke
Players re-signed: WR Ashton Dulin, LB E.J. Speed
Remaining free agents: DE Ben Banogu, CB Tony Brown, DT Byron Cowart, P Matt Haack, DE Khalid Kareem, OT Dennis Kelly, K Chase McLaughlin, FS Rodney McLeod, DE Yannick Ngakoue, G Matt Pryor, QB Matt Ryan, S Armani Watts, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Analysis: The Colts are trying to be too cute with their rebuild. And with the Jaguars head and shoulders the class of the AFC South, what’s the point of half-trying? If you’re going to let a ton of talent walk, go all in on the tank.
Grade: D
Jacksonville Jaguars
Players added: None
Players lost: DE Arden Key, TE Chris Manhertz, OT Jawaan Taylor
Players re-signed: TE Evan Engram (franchise tag designee), S Andrew Wingard
Remaining free agents: TE Dan Arnold, DE Adam Gotsis, CB Shaquill Griffin, OT Blake Hance, CB Tre Herndon, WR Marvin Jones, OT Brandon Murphy, K Riley Patterson, DT Corey Peters, DE Dawuane Smoot
Analysis: The Jaguars had their spending spree last year, and with just pocket change in cap space, they certainly couldn’t do it again. What they’re telling us: Their core will be good enough to compete with another year of development from Trevor Lawrence. They might be right.
Grade: C
Kansas City Chiefs
Players added: S Mike Edwards, DE Charles Omenihu, OT Jawaan Taylor
Players lost: OT Orlando Brown Jr., FB Michael Burton, DT Khalen Saunders, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, S Juan Thornhill, OT Andrew Wylie
Players re-signed: G Nick Allegretti
Remaining free agents: TE Blake Bell, S Deon Bush, DE Frank Clark, DE Carlos Dunlap, WR Mecole Hardman, RB Ronald Jones II, Jerick McKinnon, DT Derrick Nnadi, WR Justin Watson
Analysis: Another free agency, another year of change on the Chiefs’ ever-changing offensive line. Are Taylor and Lucas Niang better than Brown and Wylie? Probably not. But at this point, Brett Veach has earned the benefit of the doubt.
Grade: B-
Las Vegas Raiders
Players added: WR Phillip Dorsett, S Marcus Epps, CB Brandon Facyson, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Jakobi Meyers, LB Robert Spillane,
Players lost: DT Andrew Billings, QB Derek Carr, DE Clelin Ferrell, QB Jarett Stidham, TE Darren Waller
Players re-signed: OT Jermaine Eluemunor, RB Josh Jacobs (franchise tag designee), FB Jakob Johnson, DT Jerry Tillery
Remaining free agents: CB Anthony Averett, LB Curtis Bolton, DE Tashawn Bower, LB Jayon Brown, WR Keelan Cole, S Matthias Farley, S Duron Harmon, WR Mack Hollins, LB Jordan Jenkins, CB Sidney Jones, LB Micah Kiser, TE Foster Moreau, LB Denzel Perryman, DE Isaac Rochell, CB Rock Ya-Sin
Analysis: The Raiders are trying to recreate the “Patriot Way.” Spoiler alert: That won’t work. Sure, Garoppolo to Meyers and Davante Adams should be a fun show, but did the Raiders actually upgrade at quarterback? We think not.
Grade: C
Los Angeles Chargers
Players added: LB Eric Kendricks
Players lost: OT Storm Norton
Players re-signed: DE Morgan Fox, TE Donald Parham, OT Trey Pipkins, P J.K. Scott
Remaining free agents: S Nasir Adderley, WR Michael Bandy, CB Bryce Callahan, WR DeAndre Carter, C Will Clapp, DT Christian Covington, QB Chase Daniel, DT Tyeler Davison, P Cameron Dicker, DT Breiden Fehoko, G Matt Feiler, WR Jalen Guyton, LB Troy Reeder, TE Richard Rodgers, LB Drue Tranquill, LB Kyle Van Noy
Analysis: Zzzzzzzzzzzz. The Chargers did nothing.
Grade: C-
Los Angeles Rams
Players added: TE Hunter Long
Players lost: K Matt Gay, QB Baker Mayfield, LS Matthew Orzech, CB Jalen Ramsey
Players re-signed: G Coleman Shelton
Remaining free agents: G Oday Aboushi, WR Odell Beckham Jr., RB Malcolm Brown, DT Marquis Copeland, P Riley Dixon, G David Edwards, LB Leonard Floyd, DT Greg Gaines, S Jake Gervase, CB Grant Haley, CB Troy Hill, LB Travin Howard, WR J.J. Koski, CB David Long, OT Ty Nsekhe, QB Bryce Perkins, WR Brandon Powell, S Taylor Rapp, DE A’Shawn Robinson, S Nick Scott, C Matt Skura, LB Bobby Wagner, QB John Wolford
Analysis: The hard reboot is on. Let’s see how much Sean McVay enjoys irrelevance. But it’s a needed pain. The Rams’ model certainly deserves praise when it works (and it did with a championship). But it also means there will be years like this.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins
Players added: P Jake Bailey, WR Braxton Berrios, S Deshon Elliott, G Dan Feeney, LB David Long, CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Eric Saubert, QB Mike White
Players lost: TE Mike Gesicki, TE Hunter Long, P Thomas Morstead, LB Elandon Roberts
Players re-signed: OT Geron Christian, WR River Cracraft, RB Myles Gaskin, RB Raheem Mostert, CB Nik Needham, LB Duke Riley, RB Jeff Wilson
Remaining free agents: CB Justin Bethel, QB Teddy Bridgewater, TE Cethan Carter, G Michael Deiter, LB Sam Eguavoen, S Clayton Fejedelem, OT Eric Fisher, DE Trey Flowers, LB Melvin Ingram, DT John Jenkins, CB Byron Jones, OT Greg Little, S Eric Rowe, TE Adam Shaheen, OT Brandon Shell, WR Trent Sherfield, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, CB Trill Williams
Analysis: The Dolphins are where the Rams were two years ago. They entered the offseason believing they were close to competing for championships and went on all in to build the most star-studded roster in the NFL. Will it work? It’s perhaps the predominant storyline of the 2023 season.
Grade: A-
Minnesota Vikings
Players added: DE Dean Lowry, TE Josh Oliver, CB Byron Murphy, DE Marcus Davenport
Players lost: DT Dalvin Tomlinson, CB Patrick Peterson, LB Eric Kendricks
Players re-signed: C Garrett Bradbury, RB Andrew Mattison, LS Andrew DePaola, QB Nick Mullens, K Greg Joseph, G Austin Schlottmann, TE Ben Ellefson
Remaining free agents: WR Adam Thielen, CB Chandon Sullivan, TE Irv Smith Jr., DE Jonathan Bullard, OT Oli Udoh, Kris Boyd, WR Olabisi Johnson
Analysis: Doesn’t it feel like the Vikings are perpetually treading water? They’ve yet again done enough to compete for a playoff spot but not enough to compete for a Super Bowl. But in truth, they likely never will with Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
Grade: B
New England Patriots
Players added: OT Calvin Anderson, LB Chris Board, TE Mike Gesicki, OT Riley Reiff, RB James Robinson, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
Players lost: P Jake Bailey, FS Devin McCourty (retired), WR Jakobi Meyers, TE Jonnu Smith
Players re-signed: LS Joe Cardona, DT Daniel Ekuale, CB Jonathan Jones, LB Raekwon McMillan, S Jabrill Peppers, LB Mack Wilson
Remaining free agents: WR Nelson Agholor, OT Marcus Cannon, DT Carl Davis, FS Cody Davis, RB Damien Harris, QB Brian Hoyer, CB Jalen Mills, K Quinn Nordin, CB Joejuan Williams, OT Isaiah Wynn
Analysis: Death, taxes, and a weird Patriots offseason. Bill Belichick did it again, adding a bunch of names we know, but names that are not coming off peak seasons. Is it a good value play? Perhaps. But for the love of Pete, can we get Mac Jones a No. 1 receiver?
Grade: B
New Orleans Saints
Players added: QB Derek Carr, OT Storm Norton, DT Khalen Saunders, DE Nathan Shepherd, RB Jamaal Williams
Players lost: QB Andy Dalton, DE Marcus Davenport, LB Kaden Ellis, WR Deonte Harty, DT David Onyemata, DT Shy Tuttle
Players re-signed: None
Remaining free agents: WR Marquez Callaway, LB Andrew Dowell, S Justin Evans, OT Ethan Greenidge, LB Chase Hansen, DT Albert Huggins, RB Mark Ingram, RB David Johnson, WR Jarvis Landry, CB Bradley Roby, S Daniel Sorensen, DE Kentavius Street, P.J. Williams
Analysis: If you’re in the “salary cap isn’t real” camp, you often point to the New Orleans Saints as proof. But in reality, the Saints are Exhibit A in just how real the cap is. Their defensive line is a shell of its former self. It might not matter in a terrible NFC South, however. Derek Carr is the best quarterback in the division — by far.
Grade: B
New York Giants
Players added: WR Parris Campbell, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, TE Darren Waller, WR Jeff Smith
Players lost: G Nick Gates, S Julian Love
Players re-signed: RB Saquon Barkley (franchise tag designee), RB Matt Breida, WR Darius Slayton, DE Jihad Ward
Remaining free agents: DT Justin Ellis, C Jon Feliciano, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Richie James, S Tony Jefferson, WR Marcus Johnson, CB Fabian Moreau, DT Nick Williams, LB Oshane Ximines
Analysis: Joe Schoen is building something really good in New York. After locking down Barkley and Daniel Jones before free agency even started, he went about further adding weapons to an undermanned offense. The Waller trade was excellent. Now let’s add some corners.
Grade: A-
New York Jets
Players added: S Chuck Clark, WR Allen Lazard, C Trystan Colon-Castillo, P Thomas Morstead, G Wes Schweitzer
Players lost: WR Braxton Berrios, G Dan Feeney, G Nate Herbig, DT Sheldon Rankins, RB James Robinson, DE Nathan Shepherd, WR Jeff Smith, QB Mike White
Players re-signed: FB Nick Bawden, DE Solomon Thomas, K Greg Zuerlein
Remaining free agents: WR Rodney Adams, LB Kwon Alexander, DE Vinny Curry, OT George Fant, QB Joe Flacco, LB Marcell Harris, RB Ty Johnson, S LaMarcus Joyner, DT Isaiah Mack, C Connor McGovern, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, OT Mike Remmers, G Dru Samia, OT Greg Senat
MORE: Aaron Rodgers Headed to NY Next Week, Deal ‘Nearly’ Done
Analysis: We’re going to assume that Aaron Rodgers is a Jet because there’s no other outcome that makes sense. He wants to be there. The Jets want him there. And the Packers want him there. What we don’t know: How much Rodgers has left in the tank. But it’s likely enough to get New York to the playoffs.
Grade: A-
Philadelphia Eagles
Players added: QB Marcus Mariota, RB Rashaad Penny, CB Greedy Williams
Players lost: OT Andre Dillard, T.J. Edwards, S Marcus Epps, DT Javon Hargrave, QB Gardner Minshew, RB Miles Sanders, LB Kyzir White
Players re-signed: CB James Bradberry, DT Fletcher Cox, C Jason Kelce, RB Boston Scott, OT Brett Toth
Remaining free agents: S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, TE Tyree Jackson, DT Linval Joseph, LS Rick Lovato, WR Zach Pascal, DE Robert Quinn, G Isaac Seumalo, DT Ndamukong Suh
Analysis: We’re going to grade Howie Roseman on a curve. Basically, half the Eagles’ roster were free agents, and they weren’t exactly cash-flush to keep them all. But finding a way to keep Bradberry and Slay was a home run. And aside from Sanders, the offense will basically return in full.
Grade: B+
Pittsburgh Steelers
Players added: G Nate Herbig, LB Cole Holcomb, CB Patrick Peterson, LB Elandon Roberts
Players lost: LB Devin Bush, LB Robert Spillane, CB Cameron Sutton
Players re-signed: S Damontae Kazee, DT Larry Ogunjobi
Remaining free agents: S Marcus Allen, DE Tyson Alualu, WR Miles Boykin, G Jesse Davis, S Terrell Edmunds, TE Zach Gentry, C J.C. Hassenauer, LB Myles Jack, CB William Jackson, LB Jamir Jones, S Karl Joseph, CB James Pierre, CB Carlins Platel, LB Malik Reed, QB Mason Rudolph, G Trenton Scott, WR Steven Sims Jr., RB Benny Snell Jr., FB Derek Watt, DT Chris Wormley
Analysis: Free agency really isn’t the Steelers’ thing, and the moves they made this offseason certainly played to type. But if they really are committed to Kenny Pickett, they should break the tendency and go out and sign a wide receiver.
Grade: C
San Francisco 49ers
Players added: QB Sam Darnold, DE Clelin Ferrell, DT Javon Hargrave, CB Isaiah Oliver
Players lost: LB Azeez Al-Shaair, C Daniel Brunskill, DE Samson Ebukam, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, DT Maurice Hurst, OT Mike McGlinchey, S Tarvarius Moore, CB Emmanuel Moseley, DE Charles Omenihu, DT Hassan Ridgeway, S Jimmie Ward
Players re-signed: C Jake Brendel, LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, DT T.Y. McGill
Remaining free agents: TE Ross Dwelley, K Robbie Gould, DE Kerry Hyder, QB Josh Johnson, TE Tyler Kroft, CB Jason Verrett, DE Jordan Willis
Analysis: There’s no easy way to say this: The 49ers are a worse team now than they were two months ago. Hargrave was a nice addition, but he alone won’t make up for the exodus of talent on defense — including the coaching staff.
Grade: C-
Seattle Seahawks
Players added: G Evan Brown, LB Devin Bush, DL Dre’Mont Jones, S Julian Love, DE Jarran Reed
Players lost: LB Cody Barton, RB Travis Homer, RB Rashaad Penny,
Players re-signed: QB Drew Lock
Remaining free agents: S Johnathan Adams, CB Artie Burns, LB Ben Burr-Kirven, CB Justin Coleman, DE L.J. Collier, DE Poona Ford, C Kyle Fuller, FB Cullen Gillaspia, WR Marquis Goodwin, DT Shelby Harris, WR Penny Hart, G Gabe Jackson, DT Quinton Jefferson, DE Darryl Johnson, S Josh Jones, RB Tony Jones, LB Tanner Muse, LS Tyler Ott, CB Jalen Tabor, LS Carson Tinker
Analysis: The Niners’ loss is the Seahawks’ gain. Seattle methodically improved its defense, and with another corner, they will have a roster that can compete not just for a diminished NFC West, but the whole conference.
Grade: A-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Players added: RB Chase Edmonds, QB Baker Mayfield
Players lost: QB Tom Brady (retired), S Mike Edwards, G Shaq Mason, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Players re-signed: LB Lavonte David, CB Jamel Dean, LB Anthony Nelson, G Aaron Stinnie
Remaining free agents: DE Genard Avery, RB Gio Bernard, TE Cameron Brate, CB Sean Bunting, RB Leonard Fournette, QB Blaine Gabbert, DE William Gholston, LB Cam Gill, DE Akiem Hicks, WR Julio Jones, WR Scotty Miller, DE Carl Nassib, S Keanu Neal, DE Pat O’Connor, WR Breshad Perriman, TE Kyle Rudolph, CB Logan Ryan, DT Deadrin Senat, OT Donovan Smith, OT Josh Wells
Analysis: This is going to be a horrendous team in 2023. But credit the Buccaneers for being committed to the rebuild. They lived off credit card debt during the Tom Brady era, and they’re wisely taking their medicine now. Plus, they will give us Baker Mayfield snaps, so thumbs up.
Grade: B
Tennessee Titans
Players added: LB Azeez Al-Shaair, OT Daniel Brunskill, OT Andre Dillard, LB Luke Gifford, DE Arden Key
Players lost: G Nate Davis, K Josh Lambo (retired), LB David Long, DT Kevin Strong, DE DeMarcus Walker, WR Robert Woods
Players re-signed: WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Remaining free agents: S Andrew Adams, K Randy Bullock, RB Trenton Cannon, OT Le’Raven Clark, LB Dylan Clark, LB Zach Cunningham, OT Dennis Daley, LB Bud Dupree, DE Mario Edwards, RB D’Onta Foreman, DE Da’Shawn Hand, RB Dontrell Hilliard, WR Cody Hollister, TE Austin Hooper, CB Lonnie Johnson, C Ben Jones, LB Joe Jones, CB Joshua Kalu, C Corey Levin, OT Taylor Lewan, CB Terrance Mitchell, S A.J. Moore, TE Geoff Swaim
MORE: Remaining 2023 NFL Free Agents by Position
Analysis: There was a lot of addition by subtraction in Nashville this week (cutting Bud Dupree was a net positive), but the Titans are another team seemingly stuck running in mud. Until they move on from Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry, this team will be somewhere between average and slightly above.
Grade: C
Washington Commanders
Players added: LB Cody Barton, QB Jacoby Brissett, G Nick Gates, OT Andrew Wylie
Players lost: QB Taylor Heinicke, LB Cole Holcomb, G Wes Schweitzer
Players re-signed: CB Danny Johnson, C Ted Larsen, DE Efe Obada, DT Daron Payne
Remaining free agents: LB Jon Bostic, LB Milo Eifler, C Nick Martin, CB Bobby McCain, RB J.D. McKissic, RB Jaret Patterson, WR Cam Sims, G Trai Turner, QB Carson Wentz, CB Rachad Wildgoose, TE Eli Wolf
Analysis: More deck-chair shuffling. The Commanders said they want to see what they have in Sam Howell and apparently meant it. The offensive line is slightly better, so that should help. But they’re probably a last-place team again in 2023.
Grade: C