With the bulk of free agency and the entire NFL Draft officially behind us, it’s time to look at how each team did in the offseason. Did they get better? Worse? What grade did each team receive? All those questions, and more, answered here. We’ll move through one division at a time starting today with the AFC East:
Buffalo Bills
Free Agency Grade: A-
The Bills entered free agency with only one must-sign player from their own team in Jerry Hughes. They got that done. In addition, they added Charles Clay, Percy Harvin, and traded for Matt Cassel and Lesean McCoy. This offense is suddenly as promising as the defense. The only reason the grade isn’t an A or A+ is Cassel/Manuel is still the starting QB. That’s troublesome.
NFL Draft Grade: D+
Their draft was rough to say the least. It clearly hurt not having a first round pick (or fourth rounder), which is why they came away with so little talent. And while I love Ronald Darby as a prospect, they missed out on impact players at their largest positions of need. Passing on Bryce Petty (twice) could be costly, and I thought they could improve their offensive line more than adding John Miller, who I don’t love as a prospect.
Overall Grade: B
Despite a poor draft, the team still improved overall this offseason. Not only did they make the most of trades and free agent signings, but they also added Rex Ryan, which was big addition. They are really just one player away from being really good (QB obviously), but Rex Ryan took the Jets to the playoffs while having the same problem.
Miami Dolphins
Free Agency Grade: A
What I loved about what Miami did was they parted ways with bologna, and filled it in with filet. Gone is Jared Odrick, signed is Ndamukong Suh. Gone is Charles Clay, signed is Jordan Cameron. Gone are Gibson, Wallace, and Hartline, signed are Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings (and another from the draft). They also extended Tannehill, which is a smart move. The only complaints were a suspension to Dion Jordan (who really wasn’t going to play this year) and trading away Ellerbe. But honestly, those weren’t huge losses.
NFL Draft Grade: B+
While Miami didn’t kill it in the NFL Draft, they made some very solid selections. I loved their selection of DeVante Parker in the first round. He’ll be an instant starter and will form a great trio with Landry and Stills. Jordan Phillips was another solid selection, as he’ll be great alongside Suh up front. Jay Ajayi was a steal in the fifth round too, as he could become their workhorse in the next year or two.
Overall Grade: A-
While they may have cap issues in the near future, this team made some aggressive plays that could equal massive improvement and a playoff birth. If you are a fan of the Dolphins, you should be excited by what they did in the offseason. If Tannehill takes another step forward this year, this could be the team to finally dethrone the Patriots.
New England Patriots
Free Agency Grade: D
Wanted to give this team an F, but they did re-sign Devin McCourty, so it kept them at a D. But that was the only positive really. Gone are studs Revis and Browner (Revis to a division rival no less). Wilfork, the long time rock of the defense is gone too. Even role players such as Ayers, Ridley, and Vereen left in the offseason (Ridley to those pesky Jets also). And nobody was signed to replace these guys or fill the void at WR. It really wasn’t pretty.
NFL Draft Grade: C-
Wanted to give this team a D, but I loved their selection of Malcom Brown at the end of the first round. It may have been the biggest steal of the first round, if not the entire draft. It also filled a need with Wilfork gone. After that though, I hated what they did. I didn’t like the players, or the positions they filled. I thought they passed up quality at need positions such as CB and WR. I literally can’t tell you another pick I liked outside of maybe Tre’ Jackson.
Overall Grade: F
Not only did I hate what they did through free agency and the draft, but the punishment for “Deflategate” came out yesterday. Tom Brady is suspended for four games, and they lost draft picks over the next two years. One of those is even a first round pick in the 2016 draft. Overall, it was a brutal offseason for the defending champs. Due to this, they could lose their grip on the division, and they definitely won’t enter the postseason as the favorites again in the AFC.
New York Jets
Free Agency Grade: A+
Similar to Miami, the Jets struck gold in free agency. They struggled in the secondary last season so they went out and added Revis, Cromartie, and Skrine. They parted with Percy Harvin (who sucked and always gets injured) but added Brandon Marshall. They re-signed their best free agents (Colon and Harris), and added building blocks in the run game with Carpenter and Ridley. This team truly had a great free agency.
NFL Draft Grade: A-
While the team didn’t draft high enough to get a marquee quarterback, they added the third best QB, Bryce Petty, in the fourth round. They also added the best player in the draft, Leonard Williams, a deep threat receiver in Devin Smith, and an impact linebacker in Lorenzo Mauldin. These guys are all going to be solid in the years to come.
Overall Grade: A+
The Jets couldn’t have done better this offseason barring a trade for Andrew Luck or something ridiculous. They dominated free agency, killed it at the draft, and started a fresh regime in the front office and on the sidelines. I loved the Todd Bowles hire in particular. If Geno Smith takes a step forward or Bryce Petty is ready in year 1, this is a playoff team.
By: The Sports Guys
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