NFL Free Agency 2021: Grades for every major signing on tampering period Day 2

Grades for every major signing in 2021 NFL free agency on Day 2 of the legal tampering period after a wild first day around the league, though big names remain available.

Monday at the open of the legal tampering period in NFL free agency should be a holiday. It was a wild way to kick off the heart of the 2021 offseason and Day 2 on Tuesday figures to bring more of the same as the morning began with one of the biggest names on the market, Hunter Henry, getting signed.

As fate would have it, Henry signed with the Patriots in 2021 NFL free agency, which fits into the early narrative of the legal tampering period. New England has been the clear aggressor around the league early on, landing Jonnu Smith, Matthew Judon, Jalen Mills, Davon Godchaux, Nelson Agholor and more on Monday.

Outside of the Patriots, though, we also saw plenty of other big moves and big names come off the free agency board. Shaquil Barrett re-signed with the Buccaneers, Yannick Ngakoue landed with the Raiders, the Jets made a splash with Carl Lawson and Corey Davis, Joe Thuney will now be protecting Patrick Mahomes, and Corey Linsley is the pivot man for the Chargers now.

While that’s a lot of big-name free agents off the board, there are plenty of guys left to be signed. Henry going early on Day 2 of the legal tampering period is evidence of that. So we’re once again grading every major move that gets made on Tuesday and offering some instant analysis on each deal.

NFL Free Agency grades for major signings on Day 2 of the 2021 legal tampering period

Washington signing CB William Jackson III (3 years, $42 million) – Grade: A-

The Football Team’s secondary saw some unexpected players step up and play well in key roles but, after losing Ronald Darby in free agency, they needed a replacement. They found one with arguably the best young cornerback left on the market — or on the market as a whole.

Jackson has flashed immense talent throughout his time with the Bengals though he has not been able to do so consistently. In a better, more stable situation, the young cornerback could very much live up to this deal, even though it’s an expensive one.

Jaguars signing WR Marvin Jones Jr. (2 years, $14.5 million) – Grade: A

Love this move for the Jaguars as they are actually operating with some discernment in NFL free agency. Jones is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the league and they get him for great value. He’s the type of player that is never going to be at the top of the league at the position but, for a team like Jacksonville bringing in Trevor Lawrence, he’ll help a young offense grow and stabilize.

Bears signing QB Andy Dalton (1 year, $10 million) – Grade: D

Chicago struck out time and again this offseason when it came to trades. They were in on Stafford, in on Wentz and tried to go after Wilson. When they came up empty, they settled on handing Andy Dalton $10 million per year as being their best option.

After watching Dalton in Dallas last season, I’m not convinced this is a substantial upgrade over Nick Foles and it doesn’t come cheap for the Bears either. This is a bad signing, one that a desperate team makes without sound reasoning.

Jaguars signing CB Shaquill Griffin (3 years, $40 million) – Grade: A

When the Jaguars were at their best, they were doing so on the defensive side of the ball. They took C.J. Henderson in the first round last year in hopes that he could be a top-tier cornerback to get them back to something close. Now Shaquill Griffin can be the other piece of that puzzle.

Griffin had an unfriendly task in Seattle by playing on the back end with no pass rush to aid him in coverage. He’s a better player than that showed and the Jaguars will see that. As Jacksonville had plenty of money, this is a great move for a talented young player.

Patriots signing TE Hunter Henry (3 years, $37.5 million) – Grade: A

Sorry if your favorite team wanted to sign a tight end in NFL free agency. The Patriots have the market cornered, first signing Jonnu Smith and now signing Henry. We know how New England has historically favored the position and they’re clearly utilizing that approach once again with two highly talented, highly versatile tight ends now taking up residence in Foxborough.

I would still love to see the Patriots further address the wide receiver position moving forward but giving Cam Newton two top-end tight ends will only help a passing offense that was anemic in 2020. They’re spending a lot of money on Smith and Henry but it’s a duo that could pay off in this type of situation.