NFL Free Agency grades, March 17: Tracking every major signing

NFL free agency and the new league year officially begins on Wednesday, March 17 and we’re handing out grades for every signing after a busy couple of days.

Though the legal tampering period has been furiously going through the past two days, 2021 NFL free agency and the new league year will officially begin on Wednesday, March 17 at 4 p.m. ET. But when that happens, many of the top names will be off the market.

On the first day of legal tampering, we saw the likes of Jonnu Smith, Corey Linsley, Joe Thuney and many more go off the free agency board. Tuesday was less busy — unless you’re were the New England Patriots — but Hunter Henry and more continued to fly off the market this offseason. You can check out our grades for Monday and Tuesday here.

But on Wednesday, we’ve already had another big name fly off the board with Trent Williams, the top offensive tackle on the market, signing a monster contract. Perhaps there will be more to follow now that teams have to be under the cap and are ready to start the new league year.

When they do happen, we’ll be here with an instant grade, analysis and more for every signing on Day 3.

Grades for every Day 3 signing in NFL free agency

Vikings sign CB Patrick Peterson (1 year, $10 million) – Grade: B+

There’s no doubt that Peterson has dropped a step from being one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. There’s no denying the fact, though, that the former Cardinal has the ability to play a solid role in a team’s secondary.

Minnesota hit a hard reset on the cornerback room last offseason. However, their young corners, though talented, struggled. Bringing in a veteran with some miles still left in the tank should help that room a lot — though this is expensive.

Washington signs WR Curtis Samuel (3 years, $34.5 million) – Grade: A+

Paying the first big-name wide receiver to come off the NFL free agency market and one of the hottest commodities means you’re going to pay a premium. But for Washington, signing Curtis Samuel makes too much sense for the Football Team.

Washington has severely lacked the versatile presence Samuel is capable of being for the wide receiver corps. His ability to line up in multiple areas and attack all levels of the field is impressive. Reuniting with Ron Rivera is a home-run signing for the Football Team.

Titans re-signing LB Jayon Brown (1 year, $5.25 million) – Grade: A

Tennessee has been bleeding in terms of cutting players to save cap space or letting key free agents walk, so signing Jayon Brown was huge for them. The fact that they were able to do so on such a cheap contract (reportedly when other teams were offering him more money as well) is huge moving forward. Brown has been a great value in the middle of the defense and should continue to be.

Cardinals re-signing WR A.J. Green (1 year, $8 million “range”) – Grade: C

If you’re paying $8 million for the player A.J. Green once was, then you would absolutely love this signing. But you’re not. You’re signing a player who has struggled with injuries and staying on the field in recent years. Even worse, he’s lost a step when he’s been on the field.

Arizona is clearly trying to get weapons and, if Green finds a time machine somehow, then this could look silly. But I’m not buying it as it happens.

49ers re-signing OT Trent Williams (6 years, $138 million) – Grade: A

Trent Williams returned to the field last season after being trade to the Niners from Washington and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. The veteran was one of the best offensive tackles in the league by almost anyone’s metric and that’s why San Francisco was so intent on retaining him.

This is obviously a massive contract that pays Williams like one of the top-earning players at the position in the league. Having said that, he’s critical to the 49ers’ success as he was the replacement for Joe Staley at left tackle and a stalwart on the edge. Thus, he’s worth the money at relative market value, especially with how good he was last year.