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FA grades for every major deal

Ndamukong Suh is the biggest-name free agent in the 2015 class. AP Images/Stephan Savoia

Pro Football Focus will be providing analysis for every major signing and trade during the 2015 free-agency period, accounting primarily for the quality of player and his fit with his new team, and focusing less on the financial terms of the deal.

This page includes links to each individual grades article, sorted by date.


March 19

Bills sign Charles Clay

Clay is an upgrade for Buffalo in both the passing and running games. Will he and the Bills' other additions lead to a better offense?

March 18

Cowboys sign Greg Hardy

After adding the versatile defensive end, the Cowboys now have one of the NFL's most formidable pass-rushing units.

March 16

Browns sign Tramon Williams

The slow start to Justin Gilbert's career makes signing the veteran Williams a necessary risk, but one that could work out well for Cleveland.

March 15

Bengals sign DE Michael Johnson

Former Bengal wisely returns to the place he has had the most success.

March 14

49ers sign Reggie Bush

San Francisco gets a RB who can help out of the backfield and spell Carlos Hyde.

March 13

Bills sign Percy Harvin

One of the NFL's unique offensive weapons, Harvin has Pro Bowl upside for the Bills -- if he can stay on the field.

Cowboys sign Darren McFadden

McFadden has always tempted NFL teams with his combination of size and speed, but the fact remains: He isn't an effective NFL player. He's a backup for Dallas, nothing more.

Dolphins trade Mike Wallace to the Vikings

Minnesota gets a deep threat for its QB on the cheap, while the Dolphins get rid of a bad contract and pick up a draft pick.

Rams sign Nick Fairley

By adding Fairley, an inconsistent but talented defensive tackle, the Rams might now have the best pass rush in the NFL.

Redskins sign Chris Culliver

Washington makes another logical signing, as Culliver is a young, talented corner joining a secondary that needs a lot of help.

Saints sign C.J. Spiller

Unless the former No. 9 overall pick can return to his 2012 form, he's unlikely to have much of an impact on the Saints' offense.

Saints trade Kenny Stills to the Dolphins for Dannell Ellerbe

New Orleans benefits by picking up a third-round pick in this deal, while Miami has the potential to field one of the NFL's best offenses with the addition of Stills.

Titans sign Brian Orakpo

Injury issues are a big concern for Orakpo, but if he can stay healthy he's an impact defender against the pass and the run.


March 12

Buccaneers sign Henry Melton

Tampa Bay already has the league's best 3-technique defensive tackle in Gerald McCoy, but Melton will provide valuable depth and pass-rushing ability as his backup.

Dolphins sign Jordan Cameron

Cameron's injury history is a concern, but if he stays healthy he's an upgrade for the Miami passing game as a threat to stretch the seam.

Eagles sign DeMarco Murray

Based on his production and fit within Chip Kelly's system, Murray looks like an upgrade for Philadelphia at running back over LeSean McCoy.

Jets sign Antonio Cromartie

Cromartie is an excellent talent at the cornerback position, but his up-and-down performances and age should give the Jets cause for concern.

Redskins sign Terrance Knighton

"Pot Roast" will bolster Washington's porous run defense and also provide some help as an interior pass-rusher, so long as he can adjust to the Redskins' 3-4 scheme.

Saints trade Ben Grubbs to the Chiefs

If Grubbs plays in 2015 like he did in 2012 and 2013, he could really help the Chiefs' poor offensive line.

Saints sign Brandon Browner

New Orleans needs a lot of help on defense, but Browner is past his prime at this point in his career and won't do much to upgrade the Saints' secondary.

Texans sign Rahim Moore

Former Broncos secondary will provide a nice boost for Houston's pass coverage.


March 11

Colts sign Andre Johnson

Johnson may be declining -- and he doesn't make the Colts any younger at wideout -- but he does represent an upgrade over the departed Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks.

Eagles sign Ryan Mathews

Though he is injury-prone, the former Chargers running back is an interesting weapon for coach Chip Kelly and the Eagles' offense.

Patriots sign Jabaal Sheard

Given his ability to play on the end of the line as a DE or in a two-point stance as an OLB (and on both sides of the formation), Sheard is perfect for what the Pats do on defense.

Texans trade Ryan Fitzpatrick to Jets

Fitzpatrick quietly had a solid season for Houston last season -- when he was healthy -- and he provides a nice upgrade to the Jets' depth chart at quarterback.


March 10

Cardinals sign Corey Peters

Peters can't defend the run as well as former Arizona nose tackle Dan Williams, but he represents an upgrade, given his three-down capabilities.

Colts sign Frank Gore

The veteran running back is a better fit in Indianapolis than he would have been in Philadelphia, and his presence will take pressure off of Andrew Luck.

Colts sign Trent Cole

Cole provides Indianapolis' defense with a much-needed pass-rushing upgrade, but he is clearly on the downside of his career.

Eagles trade Nick Foles to Rams for Sam Bradford

Eagles get an oft-injured upgrade at QB while the Rams land an unproven one, plus a potential second-round pick.

Falcons sign Brooks Reed

Reed is a versatile defender who fills a need for Atlanta, but he won't be much help solving the Falcons' pass-rush woes.

Giants sign Shane Vereen

Vereen is joining a crowded backfield in New York, but his versatility and pass-catching ability should provide him with a significant role in the Giants' offense.

Jaguars sign Davon House

House has ideal size for a cornerback in Gus Bradley's system, but just because he has Richard Sherman's length doesn't mean he has his game.

Jets sign Buster Skrine

Skrine struggled mightily as the Browns' second cornerback in 2014. Will he be any better for the Jets in 2015?

Jets sign Darrelle Revis

Gang Green steals the free-agent spotlight by getting an enormous upgrade at a key position of need -- and taking an All-Pro away from a division rival.

Jets sign James Carpenter

Carpenter fills a need and should help in pass protection, but has struggled as a run-blocker during his career.

Niners sign Torrey Smith

Smith's hands are a concern, but he does represent the best deep threat QB Colin Kaepernick has had during his NFL career.

Ravens trade Haloti Ngata to the Lions

Ngata fills a big need for Detroit, but he doesn't provide much more than a short-term fix. The Ravens, meanwhile, have some in-house solutions to replace Ngata.

Redskins sign Stephen Paea

Washington needs a lot of help on the defensive line, and while he isn't a star, Paea represents a moderate upgrade.

Saints trade Jimmy Graham to Seahawks for Max Unger

Seattle gets a lot better by adding Graham, but at what cost? New Orleans upgrades its offensive line and earns a first-round pick in the process.

Seahawks sign Cary Williams

Coming off a down year, Williams could have a bounce-back season in the Seahawks' talented secondary and defensive back-friendly system.

Texans sign Brian Hoyer

Hoyer gives Houston some competition at the QB position, but he is clearly not the long-term answer.

Titans sign Da'Norris Searcy

Tennessee's defense needs a lot of help, and Searcy is an underrated player who can provide an immediate upgrade at safety.


March 9

Jaguars sign Julius Thomas

Jacksonville gives Blake Bortles a much-needed weapon by signing tight end Julius Thomas, who is two seasons removed from a career year in Denver.

Cardinals sign Mike Iupati

Arizona helps its ground attack by picking up Iupati, who stays in the division after helping anchor San Francisco's front line.

Bears sign Pernell McPhee

Chicago struck out on its defensive free-agent signings a season ago, but McPhee has the potential to become the face of the Bears' new-look defense.

Chargers sign Orlando Franklin

Franklin's versatility could be a huge asset for San Diego -- particularly in the development of D.J. Fluker.

Jaguars sign Jared Odrick

Odrick struggles against the run, but is a good fit in Gus Bradley's scheme and should upgrade Jacksonville's pass rush.

Raiders sign Rodney Hudson

One of the NFL's top young centers, Hudson is a pricey but smart addition for the Raiders.


March 8

Chiefs sign Jeremy Maclin

Kansas City was desperate for help at receiver, but can QB Alex Smith take advantage of Maclin's deep speed?

Dolphins sign Ndamukong Suh

Suh provides Miami with a rare every-down presence as an interior defensive lineman. He's a playmaker in all aspects of the game.

Eagles sign Byron Maxwell

Maxwell is a solid cornerback who got paid big money due to the lack of available players at the position on the open market, but he should be an upgrade for Philadelphia.


March 4

Bills trade for Matt Cassel

Cassel is better than EJ Manuel, but it might not make much of a difference for Buffalo.


March 3

Bills trade Kiko Alonso to Eagles for LeSean McCoy

The Bills land a big-time talent at RB, but will Buffalo's offensive line and passing game allow him to be successful?