Compared to the primary week of 2023 NFL free company, this week has been fairly delicate. All beginning quarterback vacancies — save for that of the Jets, which has been reserved for Aaron Rodgers — are mainly crammed till April’s draft. Most of the big-name free brokers are settling into their new houses. Still, dozens of strikes have taken place, and generally, the transactions that fly beneath the radar find yourself being crucial.
Here, we’re grading every of probably the most notable signings and trades to happen through the second week of free company. Check out grades from Week 1’s main acquisitions proper right here.
Back for the second time in as a few years, Dobbs proved able to a spot begin or two throughout his Titans run late in 2022. On a one-year, $2 milion deal changing Jacoby Brissett behind Deshaun Watson, he is a superbly serviceable (and reasonably priced) backup.
Grade: B
Dameon Pierce is a promising bruiser atop Houston’s depth chart, however coming off damage, he might use a operating mate. Singletary does the whole lot properly with out essentially doing something particular, making him a high-floor No. 2. On only a one-year, $2.75M deal, he is a discount contemplating his beginning expertise with the Bills.
Grade: A-
With Singletary gone, Buffalo was available in the market for a much bigger again to pair with the shifty James Cook, the favourite to take over as RB1. Harris is a prototypical low-risk, high-reward guess coming from the rival Patriots. You cannot rely on him to remain on the sector, however when lively, he is a well-rounded possibility who ought to function within the pink zone.
Grade: A-
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Tony Pollard is locked in as the brand new No. 1 on the franchise tag, and Jones provides Dallas an skilled substitute for the departed Ezekiel Elliott. On an inexpensive one-year deal, he is simply advantageous. But his utilization and effectiveness have waned in three straight years, most just lately with the champion Chiefs.
Grade: B-
Travis Etienne Jr. is a centerpiece of the Jaguars’ offense, and JaMycal Hasty fared comparatively properly in aid through the 2022 season. Johnson has low mileage even at 27, nonetheless, and was explosive in restricted doses for the Browns.
Grade: B+
Hungry for extra juice out extensive reverse Amari Cooper, Cleveland seized on Moore’s shaky standing with Jets brass by buying the previous second-rounder through a decide swap — with a second going to New York and a 3rd coming again. He’s been a bit unstable on and off the sector, however on a rookie deal, the speedster represents a legit No. 2 possibility for Deshaun Watson.
Grade: A-
Amid continued commerce talks for Aaron Rodgers, New York has given its already-stocked WR corps a makeover. But it is controversial they’ve now overpaid for 2 competent, if unspectacular, veterans in Allen Lazard ($11M per yr) and Hardman, who can earn as much as $6.5M on a one-year pact. No doubt the ex-Chiefs position participant is electrical, however he is coming off an injury-riddled yr and seems like an pointless luxurious with Lazard, Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis and possibly quickly Odell Beckham Jr. in tow.
Grade: C+
There was by no means gonna be a straightforward means for Carolina to switch D.J. Moore, however think about these two choices: A.) Moore stays because the WR1, with a middling veteran taking up at QB; or B.) Chark and Adam Thielen substitute Moore, however a high rookie prospect takes over beneath heart. Chark has but to duplicate his Jaguars peak, however his top and pace are properly value a one-year flyer.
Grade: A-
This will not essentially persuade Lamar Jackson to return bolting again by way of the door, however on a one-year, $3.25M deal, you are able to do loads worse for a No. 3-type wideout. Agholor is extra mercurial than you need, however he is nonetheless acquired juice downfield.
Grade: B-
With Parris Campbell relocating to the Giants, Indy has changed a few of his pace with McKenzie, who flashed however could not stick as a dependable outlet for Josh Allen in Buffalo. He’s a advantageous rotational and particular groups piece, however you’d in all probability desire to have Campbell’s upside, all issues thought-about.
Grade: C+
Speaking of ex-Colts veterans, Pascal is following Jonathan Gannon from Philadelphia. He’s nearer to a WR4 than WR3, but when that is his position, he’ll thrive as a tone-setter, willingly organising blocks, taking part in particular groups and contributing to the locker room.
Grade: B
New York has actually spent cash at receiver; you simply surprise how a lot the Giants will get in return. After including Parris Campbell and retaining Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, Crowder feels somewhat redundant with Wan’Dale Robinson additionally onboard. He’s the kind of vet who might simply put up 400 yards as a Daniel Jones security valve or fail to make the preseason lower.
Grade: C
The former Cowboys standout did not discover the blazing market he may’ve loved with out a franchise tag a yr in the past, and he is actually a notch or two beneath the small tier of difference-makers on the spot. But for one yr and $9M, this can be a strong rental for a confirmed cross catcher, aiding whichever rookie QB they add subsequent month.
Grade: A-
We’re lumping them collectively as a result of they’re each on low-cost one-year offers to switch the departed Darren Waller (traded to Giants) and Foster Moreau, who’s stepping away from soccer after his most cancers prognosis. Their arrival is symbolic of your complete Raiders offseason: completely affordable however largely unexciting. Hooper and Howard are high quality plug-and-play choices, however they don’t seem to be supplying you with the pop that Waller does when wholesome.
Grade: C
With T.J. Edwards leaving for the Bears and Kyzir White becoming a member of the Cardinals, the Eagles wanted one other physique to compete with Nakobe Dean. Morrow, 27, was sturdy for Chicago in 2022 and has been somewhat bit higher in every of his final three years.
Grade: A-
It’s been a couple of years for the reason that ex-Rams starter was an above-average defender, however with 71 begins beneath his belt, he is a serviceable one-year flyer for DeMeco Ryans’ restocked “D.”
Grade: B
Some of Tennessee’s different gambles, resembling for ex-Jaguars cross rusher Arden Key, deserve reward. And Murphy-Bunting, 25, not less than brings contemporary legs to their secondary. But he is missed 13 video games the final two seasons, and one of many Titans’ chief points within the defensive backfield has been availability. For a couple of million extra, they might’ve had a barely extra promising vet like Byron Murphy or Emmanuel Moseley.
Grade: C
After shedding each C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps within the first week of free company, Philly seems content material to have 4 or 5 veterans compete for the 2 open jobs on the again finish. Edmunds is the most recent addition — and most intriguing — of their bunch; he was extra strong than splashy in Pittsburgh, however he is solely 26 and has positional versatility.
Grade: A-