NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Paying Amari Cooper was necessary to the offense, and he’ll be that 1,000-yard threat for Dak Prescott on a $100 million deal. According to reports, an agreement between Prescott and Dallas is in the works after putting an exclusive tag on him for 2020. The offensive trio will be back while the line still is pretty good.
I say pretty well because Travis Fredrick called it a career last week. The team will now need to address the center position early unless they feel comfortable with Joe Looney or Connor Williams. The secondary will need help as well at both cornerback and safety with the departure of Jones and Heath. The additions of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe should at least stabilize the trenches this season and take away a need come next month.
Grade: B+ (if the Prescott deal gets done)
New York Giants: Who did they add? Blake Martinez — a wrap-up tackler who still loses in coverage? Anyone else? Leonard Williams, a some-what disappointment in the past two years? Well, it’ll be another long season for Big Blue indeed.
Grade: C-
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles had two needs this offseason — wide receiver and cornerback. They addressed one by trading away a pair of mid-round picks for perhaps the top cornerback in football. Darius Slay has been one of the top players at his positions and ranks second in interceptions since 2017. He’ll finally be paid the deal he deserves with a contender.
Javon Hargrave is an excellent addition to the defensive line while Rodney McLeod and Jalen Mills will be back on prove-it deals. The addition of Will Parks was an underrated signing and should contend for a starting role for the departed Malcom Jenkins. Throw in the acquisition of Nickell Robey-Coleman and Philly had a productive offseason that could be capped off with a speed receiver in the first round.
Grade: B+
Washington: They brought back Kendall Fuller, who can play both slot corner and safety. The team also tagged Brandon Scherff to keep their offensive line in-tact. Anything else? Oh, Trent Williams still wants out, so have fun with that Dan Snyder.
Grade: C
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Nick Foles is going to push Mitchell Trubisky in 2020… right to the bench more than likely. A team won’t pick up that contract if they don’t believe he’s the answer under center. The signing of Jimmy Graham for $16 million is a head-scratcher after two lackluster seasons in Green Bay. Same with Robert Quinn; is he going to be a double-digit sack guy? He better be for that price.
The NFC North is back to being wide open, and Chicago could miss out once again. All their moves seemed to be trending backward instead of towards the future. Ryan Pace, that resume better be fresh if this fails.
Grade: C-
Detroit Lions: If you can’t beat New England, be New England. That was Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn’s approach this offseason as they signed all Patriots players. Danny Shelton should contribute on the defensive line while Jamie Collins had a strong first half and will reunite with his first defensive coordinator. The same could be said with Duron Harmon, who they traded for in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
The only thing that stands out is that deal for Halapoulivaati Vaitai. The guy has started four games in two years, and Quinn gave him a $50 million contract. That’s more than Bulaga and Conklin — even if it’s for five years. That’s just a move destined to backfire.
Grade: C-
Green Bay Packers: Ricky Wagner will at least be serviceable as Bulaga’s replacement. The same could be said for Christian Kirksey in place for Martinez. Other than that, did Green Bay do anything? They’ll be banking on the draft to help them improve for 2020 because it was quiet up north.
Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings were a team that regressed because of cap space. Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, Alexander, Everson Griffin, Linval Joseph, and several others will be gone. Diggs will be heading out to Buffalo after the team elected to extend Kirk Cousins.
Two first-round picks will help for the long-term, but the extension proves that Minnesota will be looking to win now. Without a plethora of defensive talent, they’re not looking great. The Vikings should follow a similar approach to Tennessee and trust Dalvin Cook if they hope to win the division. Even that might not be enough.
Grade: C- (But not entirely their fault)
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: This was a high-risk, high-reward offseason for Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn. Todd Gurley will return home, but will his production return to his 2017 form? The same goes for Dante Fowler Jr. after posting a career-high 11.5 sacks in a contract year. Hurst could replace Hooper, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll ever produce up to his first-round grade.
If all works, this should keep Atlanta in contention for a wild card, but they also released Desmond Trufant and gave up a second-round pick for an unproven tight end. This grade could go up or down by midseason.
Grade: B-
Carolina Panthers: Coaches will always bring in names they know. That’s what Matt Rhule did by adding former Temple players PJ Walker, Anderson, and Tahir Whitehead. Anderson should be a quality weapon for new franchise quarterback Teddy Bridgewater early in their new careers.
The problem is the team couldn’t find a trade partner for Cam Newton. Instead, Marty Hurney had to cut his losses and let him walk. Moves like that and failing to address middle linebacker could hurt Carolina’s short-term goals, especially if Bridgewater’s five games in New Orleans were a fluke.
Grade: C+
New Orleans Saints: The Saints were a call away from making it to the divisional round. This year, they’ll hope to give Drew Brees a ring before he calls it a career after 2021. Bringing back Andrus Peat, who underachieved will keep the line intact while the addition of Emmanuel Sanders is going to open the offense for Michael Thomas.
On defense, Malcolm Jenkins will replace Bell. Jenkins began his career in the Bayou and became a star when the team elected to move him to safety. He will pair nicely as the thumper to Marcus Williams’ speed in coverage. While other teams became better, New Orleans remained the same. They’re not giving up control of the south without a fight.
Grade: B+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They got Brady and kept Shaquil Barrett. Even a down Brady is better than no Brady. Plus, the team will be able to use picks to fix smaller needs and contend with an already impressive offensive arsenal. Next.
Grade: A-
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Steve Keim tendered Kenyan Drake after a breakout season and traded the massive contract of David Johnson to Houston for All-Pro wideout Hopkins. The team also added depth at linebacker with Devon Kennard, and De’Vondre Campbell will adding Jordan Phillips in the trenches.
So let’s reiterate; Arizona received perhaps the top wide receiver and kept their first-round pick during 2020 free agency? Hi world, meet an early winner in for best 2020 free agency grade.
Grade: A
Los Angeles Rams: The Rams are free agency losers in 2020 solely for the 2018 extension they handed to Todd Gurley. Had they waited until 2019, they would have been able to save over $20 million and let him walk in free agency. Instead, they now are hoping they’ll find a lead running back in the draft to keep them in contention against a fleeting cap.
If Leonard Floyd hits, he’ll be a decent replacement for Clay Matthews. Other than that, Los Angeles could have had a one-year window for the Lombardi.
Grade: D+
Seattle Seahawks: Depending on if Seattle can bring back Jadeveon Clowney, they didn’t do anything. Trading for Quinton Dunbar will help their secondary, but can he remain healthy? Other than that, so long as Russell Wilson has another MVP-like year and they add Clowney, this will keep Seattle as a contender.
Grade: B
San Francisco 49ers: Well, you can’t pay everyone. The 49ers watched Emmanuel Sanders leave in free agency and traded away Buckner in favor of Arik Armstead. The first-round pick should have the team looking for Sanders’ replacement. The other first should target Buckner’s eventual suitor. Will either hit? If so, great job John Lynch. If not, bad John Lynch! Bad.
Grade: B
Cole Thompson is a lead writer for PFN. You can follow him on Twitter @MrColeThompson, and follow PFN @PFN365.