And just like that, we’re through three days of NFL free agency.
With Wednesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline now behind us, teams can finalize deals and make them official. And although Wednesday didn’t feature as many fireworks as the first two days, there still were some notable moves — and it’s time to grade them.
NFL Free Agency Grades | Day 3
Tennessee Titans | WR Calvin Ridley
Terms: Four years, $92 million, $50 million guaranteed.
After all that talk about joining the Patriots or staying with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ridley ultimately signed with the Tennessee Titans.
Is Ridley a good player? Yes, and he definitely was the best receiver available in free agency. But he also will turn 30 next December and has just two 1,000-yard campaigns over his first five seasons. He’s a low-end No. 1 receiver — at best.
So, yeah, this is an overpay. But credit to the Titans for swinging big despite entering a rebuild.
Grade: C+
Arizona Cardinals | OT Jonah Williams
Terms: Two years, $30 million.
Williams was one of the best tackles on the market, and he went to a team that desperately needed another tackle.
The Cardinals reportedly plan to move Paris Johnson to left tackle while having Williams stay on the right side. We’ll see if they stick to that plan. Either way, Arizona is prioritizing protecting Kyler Murray, and signing Williams accomplishes that goal.
The Cardinals also made some solid additions to their defense early in free agency. They’ve done a good job so far.
Grade: A-
Indianapolis Colts | QB Joe Flacco
Terms: One year, $8.7 million.
Flacco went from the couch last season to starting a playoff game for the Cleveland Browns, now, he lands a decent chunk of change from the Colts.
Have yourself a few months, Joe.
Indianapolis is wise to sign a veteran, experienced backup to support Anthony Richardson, who missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury. And Flacco won’t cause any problems if he’s forced to sit all season.
But is Flacco actually a high-level backup, or was last season’s comeback story a fluke? We’re going with the latter.
Grade: B-
Dallas Cowboys | LB Eric Kendricks
Terms: One year, salary TBA.
Plot twist!
Earlier in the day, Kendricks reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. But after free agency officially started, he apparently changed his mind and decided to join the Cowboys.
Kendricks should be a good fit in Dallas. After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, Kendricks posted 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble last season for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Now 32 years old, Kendricks is years removed from his First-Team All-Pro nod in 2019. But he’s a solid player and a good pickup for the Cowboys.
Grade: A-
New England Patriots | EDGE Anfernee Jennings
Terms: Three years, $12 million, max value $24 million.
Jennings isn’t a household name, and his numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet. But he sets one of the best edges in the NFL and arguably was New England’s best run defender last season. He also is the kind of physical, hard-nosed player that fits within the identity of the Patriots defense.
Considering Jenning’s significant improvement last season, it was fair to wonder whether he’d receive a huge offer on the open market. Instead, he returns to the Patriots on a fair deal for both sides.
Grade: B+
Buffalo Bills | WR Mack Hollins
Terms: One year, $3 million.
This could be a sneaky-good signing.
Hollins, who posted 57 catches and 690 yards for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, was a disappointment last season for the Falcons. He finished with just 251 receiving yards and battled injuries throughout the season.
Maybe he was washed up. Maybe he never was that good to begin with. But we think he still has upside and should be a solid, low-cost replacement for Gabe Davis, who now is with the Jaguars.
Grade: B
New York Jets | OT Morgan Moses (Trade)
Jets receive: Morgan Moses, 2024 fourth-round pick
Ravens receive: 2024 fourth-round pick, 2024 sixth-round pick
The Jets entered the day with needs at both tackle spots, one of which will be filled by Moses.
New York didn’t need to give up much to reunite with the 33-year-old, who started 16 games at right tackle for the Jets in 2021. Moses still is a good all-around player, one who finished 2023 as Pro Football Focus’ 10th-ranked tackle.
He also earned the site’s sixth-highest run-blocking grade and gave up the sixth-fewest QB pressures among qualifying tackles. The Jets needed to make a move like this, and they found a willing partner in the Baltimore Ravens.
Grade: A
New England Patriots | TE Austin Hooper
Terms: One year, $4.25 million.
Honestly, you could argue the Patriots instead should’ve re-signed Pharaoh Brown, who went to the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year, $3.9 million deal. Brown is a good blocker and was impressively efficient with his receiving opportunities last season.
But the Patriots go with Hooper as their No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry, who re-signed on a three-year deal. The signing — which technically was agreed on Tuesday night — shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Hooper has experience with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
But is it a good deal? Eh, it’s fine. Hooper is a solid blocker and still is capable of making plays in the passing game, even if he’s no longer the player he once was with the Atlanta Falcons.
Grade: B-
KEEP READING: 2024 Free Agents by Position
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