What the 1st Day of Free Agency Means

#1: Malik Willis to the Dolphins

This was the right move no matter what anybody says. The Dolphins were a QB needy team, and with all the QBs on the market there was no point in going for Murray or anybody else because the Dolphins are a rebuilding team. The Dolphins need the QB with the highest ceiling and the most potential and Malik Willis was the only one with that. I get that the Dolphins payed a lot for Willis, but if he works out it could be a great deal. The Willis market was probably huge as we see how much he’s getting paid, and for the Dolphins they didn’t need this cap yet, as they are nowhere near contending status.

Dolphins Grade: B+

#2: Kenneth Walker to Chiefs, Travis Eittene to Saints

What this means most to me is more about the draft than the actual signings. This can mean 1 of 2 things about Jerimyah Love. It could mean 1 which is Jerimyah Love wasn’t good enough or they think Jerimyah Love is so good, he won’t make it to them. I would take the second option. That might mean that Jerimyah Love could go to the Cardinals or maybe somebody else. The Chiefs deal to Kenneth Walker means that they still believe they can contend, but how can that make sense after the McDuffie trade. The Chiefs don’t make sense right now and they need to be more consistent on these moves. The Saints deal to Eittene was a lot of money, and unexpected especially that they already have Kamara and Devin Neal. But the Saints are a very well built offense, with a stable offensive line, Tyler Shough as the franchise QB, and Olave has played great and adding Eittene who was top 5 in running back consistency, the Saints could be scary.

Chiefs Grade: B- Saints Grade: B

#3: Mike Evans to the 49ers

This was big for Brock Purdy and the 49ers when it comes to being contenders, but a 60 million dollar deal was just too much. Last year when Davante Adams was still a good receiver he earned a 40 million dollar deal, and now Evans who is clearly out of his prime earns 60 million. The 49ers definitely overpayed here. The might have overpayed because Mike Evans had many offers, but when the number gets that high there is no point. But this deal does mean the 49ers are all-in on being contenders. Having even one flaw in the NFC West can pull you from contenders to a wild card team so fixing this big hole in the 49ers offense is big.

49ers Grade: B

#4: Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders

This move and all the other many moves they made today mean that the Raiders know they have something special in their team. With Jeanty, Bowers, Mendoza, and Kubiak at head coach their offense was looking great, and all the defensive acquisitions are a big help too. Adding Tyler Linderbaum means the Raiders have learned from the past two years #1 draft picks about how crucial the offensive line is to their game. Linderbaum is the best center in the league, and just how he was a big help to Lamar and Henry he can be a big help to Mendoza and Jeanty. The Raiders had so much cap space going into free agency, so I am just fine with this move.

Raiders Grade: A

#5: Jaelen Phillips to the Panthers

Oh my gosh I didn’t know Phillips was that expensive. If that was the asking price I would have just left him in free agency. 4 years 120 million dollars is a big contract, and especially for the Panthers who were only 20 million going into free agency. The Panthers by making this move have fixed their biggest need, and fixing that with a star like Phillips make the Panthers playoff contenders again. The Panthers may have liked the deal, but now the Panthers are out of free agency, so they aren’t able to get any new quality backups, or anybody else to fix their team. For a guy who only had 5 Sacks last year this was too high of a price and I can’t even grade this in the B range.

Panthers Grade: C

#6: Titans go all-in

The Titans have went big in free agency giving John Franklin Meyers a huge deal, and also giving Wandale Robinson a huge deal. These deals were for good reason, as the Titans had the most cap space in the Leauge going into free agency. What these deals mean is that the Titans have learned from the past two years. When I say that I mean Bryce Young looked like a bust after the first year but look at him now, same with Caleb Williams who led his team from 5 wins to the #2 seed. The Titans think the same can happen for Cam Ward, and with these two deals that can be reality. Adding Wandale gives Ward more targets, and Wandale is the WR1 for now. Adding Franklin Meyers gives the Titans one of the best defensive lines in football, especially with Jeffrey Simmons. These deals definitely make the Titans worthy of a way better season. Even after these deals the Titans still have cap space, so I think even though these were big prices, the Titans are just fine

Titans Grade: A-