The NFL’s annual music chairs game is underway as the legal tampering period began Monday afternoon and continued Tuesday with several big moves. This is truly the unofficial start of free agency, as teams are allowed to contact aspiring free agents and negotiate contract terms until the start of the new league year – when those deals can go official – on Wednesday.
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Day 1 saw arguably the greatest defensive free agent come off the board when former Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave signed a monster contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Speaking of the Niners, their former quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo agreed to join the Raiders and reunite with Josh McDaniels.
On Day 2, the Raiders stayed active, giving their new quarterback another passing weapon while the Browns reinforced their defensive line. The Eagles had a big day when they re-signed James Bradberry and signed Rashaad Penny as their No. 1 running back.
And the madness is just beginning.
Below are the ratings for each deal struck along with other notable players in the free market involving the top 100 free agents, according to CBS Sports senior NFL writer Pete Prisco. We’ll start with our quarterback grades, followed by Day 2 moves and Day 1 moves.
Scores for all QB moves
Jimmy Garoppolo lands in Sin City
The Raiders have found their Derek Carr replacement and signed Garoppolo to a three-year, $67.5 million deal with $34 million guaranteed. Of course, Garoppolo has a relationship with head coach Josh McDaniels, who was his offensive coordinator during their days together in New England. So there is intimacy between these two sides. Garoppolo is a slight upgrade over Carr, but the big concern will be whether or not he can stay healthy. If he can, he could have the Raiders in the AFC playoffs. Meanwhile, the short-term deal leaves Las Vegas — which owns the No. 7 draft pick in the NFL — still leaves the option of drafting and developing a quarterback behind Garoppolo, which is interesting.
Degree: B+
Taylor Heinicke joins Falcons
Former Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke is leaving the DC area and making his way to Atlanta to join the Falcons. The veteran has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million. The Falcons were on the lookout for another quarterback after sacking Marcus Mariota and only having Desmond Ridder and Logan Woodside on the list, and Heinicke gives you a quality backup to start in a pinch. The Old Dominion product should be a valuable mentor for Ridder if this is truly the path the Falcons are taking for 2023.
Degree: C+
Jameis Winston stays with Saints
Jameis Winston has reportedly decided to stay with the Saints as the two finalize a new deal. This is a great step for both sides. The Saints have a well-known commodity backing new starting quarterback Derek Carr. Winston is allowed to stay in New Orleans instead of trying to gain a foothold elsewhere.
Degree: A
Andy Dalton joins Carolina
The former three-time Pro Bowler has agreed to a two-year contract with the Panthers. This is a great step for both sides. The Panthers are getting a very experienced quarterback who has put up good stats for the Saints last season. Carolina also gets a veteran who can act as a mentor to whoever the team decides with the No. 1 overall pick.
Degree: A
Notes from the 2nd
Jets land Rodgers former WR
New York sweetened the pot for Aaron Rodgers after he settled with former Packers wideout Allen Lazard on a purported four-year, $44 million deal. While that will likely help convince Rodgers to join them, that’s a lot of money for a player who has put up solid but unspectacular numbers at Green Bay.
Degree: B
Eagles re-sign James Bradberry
While losing a slew of players in free agency, the Eagles were able to keep cornerback James Bradberry, who agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $44 million. according to ESPN. Bradberry played a key role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run last year with three interceptions and 17 pass breakups. At the age of 29, Bradberry should still have some good years ahead of him.
Degree: A
Leighton Vander Esch stays in Dallas
The Cowboys retain their previous first-round pick and at an affordable price of $11 million over two years. according to NFL media. While not a star, Vander Esch is a solid player who has become a key wheel in the Cowboys’ defense. He’s coming off a 2022 season in which he recorded 90 tackles in 14 games. However, one could argue that the Cowboys might have been better off finding an upgrade to Vander Esch’s position.
Degree: B
Jakobi Meyers reunites with McDaniels in Vegas
The Raiders were able to agree a three-year, $21 million guaranteed contract with former Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. While Meyers has been New England’s top wideout in recent seasons, he is best suited for a No. 2 role on an NFL offense, which he will be in Las Vegas. Placing him across from Davante Adams should allow Meyers to be a nice safety blanket for newly signed QB Jimmy Garoppolo, complementing both wideout Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller. Of course, Meyers should be able to move quickly onto that offense given his familiarity with head coach Josh McDaniels, who was his OC with the Patriots for the first three seasons of his career.
Degree: B+
Eagles pounce on Rashaad Penny
Along with the signing of Boston Scott, the Eagles came to terms with former Seahawks first-round pick Rashaad Penny. While injuries played a role in his time in Seattle, Penny played like a first-round pick when he was healthy. He had three consecutive 100-yard rushing strides late in the 2021 season and averaged 5.7 yards per carry during his time in Seattle. Penny is also a much cheaper option compared to Miles Sanders, who is likely to sign elsewhere.
Degree: B+
Browns reinforce the D line with Dalvin Tomlinson
Former Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson has agreed to a four-year deal to join the Cleveland Browns worth $57 million that includes $27.5 million in guaranteed money. The 29-year-old should step into Jim Schwartz’s defensive line and help improve their running defense, which has been abysmal at times in 2022. Last year, Cleveland’s defense ranked 28th in the DVOA against the run, so Tomlinson’s arrival inside will help patch that up.
Degree: B+
Donovan Wilson stays with Cowboys
The Cowboys kept one of their own on Tuesday and certainly signed Donovan Wilson to a three-year deal worth up to $24 million, which includes $13.5 million fully guaranteed. That’s quite a lot of money the Cowboys are spending, but Wilson has set the tone for Dallas in recent seasons and has been a key reason for the club’s success on the defensive side of the ball. He comes off a 2022 campaign in which he led the team in tackles and also registered five sacks. With this signing, the Cowboys are keeping their three-headed monster of Wilson, Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker intact.
Degree: A-
Jason Kelce stays with the Eagles
A day after Kelce announced on social media that he would be returning for another season in the league, the all-pro center agreed to a one-year, $14.25 million deal with the Eagles. The idea of Kelce playing for another team in Philadelphia seemed far-fetched as it was likely down to the Eagles or retirement. His return should be seen as a huge win for an Eagles team that has already left several players in the open hand. Not only do they keep the top center in the league, they also keep one of their most important leaders in the dressing room.
Degree:A
Dolphins re-sign Raheem Mostert
The Dolphins signed running back Raheem Mostert to a two-year, $5.6 million deal guaranteed $2.2 million. It’s a relatively inexpensive and low-risk move for Miami, but we’ll likely have to see one more shoe drop before we can fully evaluate this signing. If Mostert becomes the Dolphins’ RB1 it won’t be enough, but if he’s an addition to a looming addition, that’s a lot more palatable.
Degree: B-
The Lions sign Emmanuel Moseley
Moseley is coming off a torn cruciate ligament, but he’s an excellent cover corner. He allowed a 43.6 passer rating in his five starts last season, with no touchdown passes allowed. Moseley is only 26 and has conceded just one touchdown over the past two seasons with a 63.2 passer rating.
Moseley is an excellent find in free agency, and the Lions will only pay him $6 million in 2023. They improved a lot with Moseley and Cam Sutton at cornerback.
Degree: A+
Colts pay Matt Gay
Indianapolis paid big bucks for a kicker as Gay received $22.5 million over four years. Gay has taken 60 of his last 64 kicks (93.8%) and 79 of his last 81 extra points (97.5%), but that’s a lot of money to pay for a kicker when a team has a lot of holes in their roster.
Gays were supposed to do well in Indianapolis, but the money had to be spent elsewhere.
Degree: C+
Dolphins bring back Jeff Wilson
The Dolphins are bringing it back in 2023 with Wilson, whom they acquired at the close of trade last season. Wilson is an ideal defender for Mike McDaniel’s offense, and he and Raheem Mostert will split carries in the backfield at some point.
Wilson averaged 4.7 yards per carry with the Dolphins and averaged 4.9 yards per carry last season. Solid move for Miami that didn’t pay too much for a back.
Degree: B
Michael Thomas back with Saints
Thomas has been injured for the past few seasons, but the Saints are paying him $10 million in 2023 based on past performance. If healthy, this could be theft of free agency. Remember, Derek Carr is now throwing passes to him.
Degree: B+
The Lions sign David Montgomery
Montgomery agreed a three-year deal with Detroit when the Lions ran back from Jamaal Williams in favor of the former Bears. While Montgomery was productive (over 800 rushing yards in each of his four seasons), the Lions lost a stellar leader in Williams to sign Montgomery.
Montgomery is a good player and should still do well on the Lions offense.
Degree: B
Charles Omenihu to Chiefs
The Chiefs agreed late on the second day of the free hand with Omenihu to a two-year, $16 million contract that gave him the opportunity to play on the defensive line against George Karlaftis. After his best season, Omenihu had 54 pressings and 16 quarterback hits for the 49ers last season.
Omenihu is only 25 and has a lot of potential and should thrive in Steve Spagnuolo’s defence. Playing alongside Chris Jones will benefit him immensely.
Degree: A-
Titans land Arden Key
The Titans were able to keep Key in the AFC South because he agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal with Tennessee. A career high of 44 Encumbrances and 28 Haste adds to Key’s value since he’s only 26 years old.
Key along with Jeffery Simmons could keep the Titans a threat at the AFC South, but Tennessee still has work to do on that side of the ball.
Degree: B
grades from 1
49ers recharge with Javon Hargrave
It didn’t seem possible for the San Francisco defense to get any scarier, and then they went out and signed Javon Hargrave, arguably the best defensive player on the free agent market. The former Eagles defenseman cashed in on a four-year, $84 million deal to join the 49ers and create one of the league’s more feared defensive lines. Hargrave is coming off a 2022 season in which he had 11 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits while playing mostly inside. He will now position himself alongside Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw while Nick Bosa works from the edge.
Degree:A
Steelers lock up Patrick Peterson
While they lost Cam Sutton to the Lions, the Steelers replaced him with a cornerback who may be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Steelers agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Peterson’s ability to make splash plays is one of the things that likely led to the Steelers signing him. Last season, Peterson made five passes, his highest total in 11 years. Pittsburgh will likely look to add playmakers to its defense after the unit struggled with it in the early stages of the 2022 season (Pittsburgh dropped multiple interceptions during their Week 8 loss at Miami).
Age is the only concern here as Peterson will be 33 before the start of next season. But given what he did last year (he played in each of the Vikings’ 17 games), Peterson appears to be playing younger than his actual age. He may also serve as a possible mentor should the Steelers use the No. 17 overall pick to select Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Degree: A-
Seahawks land Dre’Mont Jones
One of the league’s highest-scoring defense goals last season received a big boost on Monday. Seattle has managed to settle with former Broncos defenseman Dre’Mont Jones on an alleged three-year, $51.53 million deal. A very consistent player in Denver, Young is a steady pass rusher who is also solid against the run.
This situation seems eerily similar to the signing of Javon Hagrave with the Eagles four years ago. Hargrave was a solid player in Pittsburgh and blossomed into a Pro Bowl player in Philadelphia. Seattle certainly hopes the same will happen with Jones.
Degree: A
Broncos strengthen O-line with two moves
The Broncos made two key moves to solidify the offensive line ahead of Russell Wilson, and we combine them here for review purposes. Denver first agreed guard Ben Powers to a four-year, $52 million deal, then signed one of the best offensive tackles on the market in Mike McGlinchey to a five-year, $87.5 million deal. Guard and right tackle were two big needs for the Broncos, entering this offseason after a 2022 season that saw Wilson fired 55 times, which was the most common in the NFL. Now they solved both in no time.
Degree:A
Denver is going for defense with Zach Allen
The Broncos agreed to a three-year, $45.5 million contract with former Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen. Allen, who was hired to replace Dre’Mont Jones, gets big money for an 11.5 sack player during his four seasons in Arizona. This is a big gamble that the Broncos must pay off.
Degree: D
Marcus Davenport gets a fresh start with Vikings
Former first-round pick Marcus Davenport agreed to a reported one-year $13 million deal with the Vikings. While it’s not a lot of money, it’s a surprising amount for a player who conceded less than a sack last season. The Vikings certainly expect Davenport to be the player who had a career-high nine sacks in 2019.
Degree: C
Bears bring TJ Edwards on board
Expected to be a key player in free agency, Chicago made its first move by signing former Eagles linebacker TJ Edwards to a three-year, $19.5 million deal. The Bears’ defense needs improvement wherever they can get it, and Edwards is someone who can turn off the ball in mid-defense. There’s also some familiarity with Edwards, as Chicago assistant GM Ian Cunningham was a former Eagles manager when he signed with the team in 2019.
Degree: B
Chargers land former Pro Bowler Eric Kendricks
About a week after his release, longtime Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks found a new home with the Chargers. While the teams of the deal have not been announced at the time of writing this article, it’s hard not to like this move for both sides. Kendricks gets a chance to continue his career with a playoff-caliber team. The Chargers are getting a talented player who can shore up the middle of their defense.
Degree: A-
Patriots retain Jonathan Jones
New England turned to one of its key internal free agents early in the legal tampering period, retaining cornerback Jonathan Jones. He signed a two-year, $20 million deal with a $13 million guarantee. Jones had made it clear he wanted to stay in New England, so this was his preferred outcome while the Patriots retain a diverse portion of their secondary education. Jones primarily appeared as a slot corner, but moved outside and played well in that role in 2022.
Degree: B
Lions secondary talk to Cameron Sutton
Detroit had one of the worst defenses in the league last year, so diving into the free hand to fix that was an expected result. Their first attempt to bolster that group was to sign former Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton to a three-year, $33 million deal that includes $22.5 million fully guaranteed. Sutton enjoyed the best season of his career in 2022, in which he totaled 15 pass separations and three interceptions. He also kept opposing quarterbacks at a 65.3 passer rating, a dramatic improvement from the 104.9 passer rating he gave up in 2021. If the Lions get the 2022 player, he should be of great help to their secondary school.
Degree: B-
Buccaneers stick to the formation of CB Jamel Dean
While a team in transition, the Buccaneers have managed to keep one of their key starters in Tampa. The team re-signed cornerback Jamel Dean to a four-year, $52 million contract. Dean is a contributor on special teams, so he’ll certainly make his living. And while continuity is a good thing, the Buccaneers need Dean to transform into a Pro Bowl-level player to justify the amount of money they’re paying him.
Degree: B-