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 continuing today with the NFC North:
Chicago Bears
Free Agency Grade: A
New GM Ryan Pace killed it in free agency. Without going after the top-of-the-line guys (Suh, Revis, McCourty, etc.), he improved the team tremendously, particularly on defense. All of the signings came cheap, and many of them are low risk, one-year deals. McPhee is the centerpiece, but Rolle, Acho, McDonald, Jenkins, Foster, and Ball will all help on defense this year. Royal was a smart signing as well, and adding Montgomery, Gafford, and Ducasse gives them flexibility on offense. Parting with Marshall (trade) and others (left as free agents) were smart decisions made by the new regime.
NFL Draft Grade: B+
While there are parts of the draft I loved, I’m not rating it as highly as the media. I have questions about Kevin White, despite the upside, and taking four offensive players out of their six picks was questionable considering the defense last year. However, White, Grasu, and Langford could be a big part of the Bears future, and Goldman and Amos could start this year. So it was pretty good despite the questions.
Overall Grade: A
The team definitely improved, and there is suddenly young talent and optimism in Chicago. I loved the hires of Pace, Fox, Fangio, Gase, and all the other coaching additions. They were solid in free agency and the draft, although Jay Cutler and his contract are still an issue moving forward. This was about as good of an offseason as possible however.
Detroit Lions
Free Agency Grade: D
Remember that ferocious defensive line last year? Well, Suh, Johnson, Mosley, and Fairley are now gone. That’s brutal. That did trade for Ngata, but he was somewhat expensive to trade for considering his age. They clearly got worse through free agency.
NFL Draft Grade: B
The draft was definitely better than free agency. In the first round they added two offensive linemen (Tomlinson via selection, Ramirez via trade). Those two will help tremendously. Ameer Abdullah is another impact selection, and I also loved Alex Carter for them in the third round. But in going with those players, they failed to add an impact defensive lineman.
Overall Grade: C-
While I didn’t love their moves, they remain a good team based on the trio of Stafford, Megatron, and Tate. They will put up points if they stay healthy. But the defense will take a step back this season, so they better score a lot.
Green Bay Packers
Free Agency Grade: B+
The Packers made some tough cuts to save money, but it paid off as they kept their top free agents. Cobb and Bulaga in particular were big re-signed players. It hurt losing Tramon Williams, but with his age he wasn’t worth the money he wanted.
NFL Draft Grade: B
It was a typical Packers draft as it clearly had positives. The Randall/Rollins picks early will be key, as they need immediate production in the secondary. All the other picks were for depth, and it will be interesting to see how they groom Brett Hundley.
Overall Grade: B
They made sound moves, but didn’t have anything groundbreaking happen. That’s probably a good thing though as they were a late collapse away from the Super Bowl last season. I personally have them as my top NFC team entering the season.
Minnesota Vikings
Free Agency Grade: B-
The Vikings had a very quiet offseason from a signing perspective. They didn’t go out and sign a bunch of impact guys (or even one), but they didn’t lose anyone of significance either. Sure role players came and went, but nobody noteworthy. What moved them into the B range though was their trade for Mike Wallace, a player that is overpaid but will give them a needed deep threat for their young QB Bridgewater.
NFL Draft Grade: A
They got some major impact players in the draft. Trae Waynes will be an instant starter as many believe he was the top corner in the draft. CB is a key spot in the NFC North too. I thought Kendricks was the best inside LB in the draft, and I think he could be a starter immediately as well. I also loved their selection of T.J. Clemmings, a guy they snagged in the fourth but his talent equals a first round selection. Could be the steal of the draft if he’s healthy. Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs are wildcards here and could actually make a difference down the road too.
Overall Grade: B+
I think they did well overall by making the roster deeper, and filled with young talent. They know they have a future star in Teddy Bridgewater, so bringing in young guys to grow with him was important. They did that.
By: The Sports Guys
No comments:
Post a Comment