We Graded Every NFL Free Agency Move | Ep. 41

TL;DR

The hosts grade the biggest NFL free agency moves, handing out A's and B's with sharp takes on who won and lost the period.

Key Points

• 1.Max Crosby trade reversal (Ravens/Raiders): A for Ravens — Ravens traded two first-rounders for Crosby, then voided the deal after his physical, citing knee concerns; most believe it was cold feet, not a medical issue.
• 2.Trey Hendrickson to Ravens, $28M/year: B — Lucky backup plan for Baltimore; a pass-rush specialist signing that looks great given the context of restructuring Lamar's contract to free cap space.
• 3.John Simpson to Ravens, $10M/year: A — Needed guard depth after losing Linderbaum; fills an immediate hole on a decimated offensive line.
• 4.Tyler Linderbaum to Raiders, $27M/year (record): A+ — 50% raise over the previous highest-paid center (Creed Humphrey at $18M); hosts love it given the Raiders' cap space and need to protect Fernando Mendoza.
• 5.Quay Walker + Nico Collins to Raiders, ~$13M and $12M/year: A — Athletic tandem fixes the linebacker room; Nico Dean's football IQ balances Quay Walker's awareness issues.
• 6.Jamal Dean to Steelers, $12M/year: A/B split — Versatile corner in his prime for reasonable money; one host docked it to B over frustration with Pittsburgh's overall ambition level.
• 7.Rico Dattle to Steelers, 2yr/$12M: A — Upgrades the backfield after the Kayla Johnson experiment failed; pairs well with Jaylen Warren as a one-two punch.
• 8.Michael Pitman trade to Steelers (6th/7th swap): B — Slant specialist complements DK Metcalf's skill set, but paying ~$50M combined for that duo is steep for a mid-tier receiver pairing.
• 9.Boy Mafe to Bengals, 3yr/$60M ($20M/year): A/B split — Replaces Trey Hendrickson's pass-rush juice; hosts split on value since Spot Track projected him at $12M, making it an overpay for a non-every-down player.
• 10.Browns offensive line overhaul (Zion Johnson, Elton Jenkins, Titus Howard, Kevin Jenkins): C–A range — Zion Johnson graded C (Chargers fans hate him for stunt defense failures); Elton Jenkins praised if used at guard; Titus Howard seen as solid starter.
• 11.Quidd'yp Pay to Raiders, 3yr/$48M: C — Hosts called him "very mid"; one gave an A citing the Raiders had to spend to hit the salary floor, the other pushed back on throwing money at average players.
• 12.Brian Cook to Bengals, 3yr/$40M: described as "cool starter" — Fills the high safety need but hosts noted if he's your most impactful defensive signing, you're in trouble.
• 13.Ravens' overall offseason: A — Restructured Lamar's deal, kept their picks, landed Hendrickson, added Simpson; called a "masterful gambit" that worked out better than expected.
• 14.Max Crosby's Raiders future: likely traded — Despite reports he's open to staying, hosts are near-certain he'll be dealt; his seven-minute goodbye video and front-office tensions make a return implausible.
• 15.Chargers signed Tyler Botish, 3yr/$30M: A — Massive upgrade over retired Bradley Bozeman at center; hosts called it the single biggest positional upgrade in the NFL despite the GM's conservative reputation frustrating the Chargers fan co-host.