Grading every team’s performance in 2021 NFL free agency based on who clubs signed, how much they paid and what it means moving forward.
For the most part, the NFL has settled down after a furious and wild start to 2021 NFL free agency. Yes, there are still plenty of players available such as Richard Sherman and Jadeveon Clowney, just to name a couple, who could help teams in the upcoming season; but the majority of the big names have inked their deals either to suit up for new teams or re-sign and stay put.
Now is the part when we can start to grade and assess each team on how they fared to start the offseason. To be sure, there is more than one way to succeed when it comes to NFL free agency. Just because a team spends a lot of money doesn’t mean their winners. It’s all about being able to see the plan in place and how well it was executed in terms of talent and value.
So with that in mind, we’re going to go through all 32 NFL teams and grade their free agency through the first few weeks of signings to see how they fared. We’ll break it down by division, starting with the AFC East, one of the busiest quartets of teams thus far in the offseason.
NFL Free Agency Grades: AFC East
Buffalo Bills | Grade: A-
Though the names Emmanuel Sanders and Mitchell Trubisky are more than notable, they aren’t the reason the Bills’ early free agency haul should be considered successful. Instead, it’s the players they were able to retain as they held onto linebacker Matt Milano and offensive tackle Daryl Williams, both of whom are key to their success. This is a team on the precipice of something special and keeping the core together is the proper course of action.
Miami Dolphins | Grade: B+
This wasn’t necessarily the over-the-top spending spree we saw last offseason but the Dolphins made some key signings for 2021 that should help their team. Though Will Fuller remains a boom-or-bust player, his fit in this offense is pristine. Throw in a sneaky great value with Justin Coleman and some further depth signings and Miami could be poised for another jump if they can utilize their two first-round picks wisely while also seeing a step forward from Tua Tagovailoa.
New England Patriots | Grade: C+
No team spent as frivolously as the Patriots in NFL free agency with high-priced additions of Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry and Matt Judon. All of those players make sense for New England to help them progress, as does a stopgap retention of Cam Newton. But the pricetag on those players is concerning, though not as concerning as substantially overspending on Nelson Agholor and Jalen Mills. Frankly, if this wasn’t Bill Belichick, their grade would be even lower than this.
New York Jets | Grade: A+
While their potential quarterback situation looms large as to how things work out overall, it’s hard not to love what the Jets did in free agency with their big money to spend. Corey Davis and Keelan Cole are substantial additions to a lacking receiving corps while Carl Lawson potentially gives them the dominant pass-rusher off the edge they’ve lacked for so long. If fliers on Jarrad Davis and Lamarcus Joyner work out, this could be a seminal moment in the future of Gang Green.