The first stage of NFL free agency is underway — front offices can discuss contract terms with the agents of players on the market — and teams are already re-signing players and making trades after last week’s franchise tag deadline came and went. Once the the new league year opens on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, deals can be made official.
Among the moves made so far: The Dallas Cowboys came to terms with quarterback Dak Prescott on a four-year extension; the New England Patriots re-signed quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal; running back Aaron Jones took a discounted deal to return to the Green Bay Packers; and the Buffalo Bills brought back three key players in linebacker Matt Milano and offensive linemen Daryl Williams and Jon Feliciano.
National NFL reporters Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano and Kevin Seifert are grading every big free-agent signing and trade for the next week, using our top 100 rankings as a guide. They’ll grade each move from the team’s perspective, using the contract terms, money numbers, player value and age, and history to assess the deal. Because the specific structure of contracts isn’t always known when a deal is announced, they might delay grading a move until they know more about the guaranteed money.
We’ll start with the most recent grades at the top. This piece will continue to be updated.
More coverage:
Tracker: Latest signings, moves
Ranking the top 100 free agents
NFL free agency landing page
Monday, March 15
The deal: Four years, up to $50 million, $31.25 million fully guaranteed
Top 100 ranking: 6