NFL free-agency grades: AFC West
With the most important transactions now complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared during free agency.
NFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH
AFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH
Denver Broncos
| Additions | Losses |
|---|---|
| QB Joe Flacco (trade) | QB Case Keenum (trade) |
| CB Kareem Jackson | CB Bradley Roby |
| CB Bryce Callahan | C Matt Paradis |
| OT Ja'Wuan James | LB Shaq Barrett |
| TE Jeff Heuerman (re-signing) | S Darian Stewart |
Jackson and Callahan were underrated and affordable pickups, and along with Chris Harris Jr., they give the Broncos a chance to recreate the "No Fly Zone". James was a nice signing, too, as he'll stabilize the right tackle spot that's given Denver problems in recent years.
Unfortunately, those additions may not move the needle because Denver's new quarterback is Flacco. It's hard to justify giving up a fourth-round pick for a 34-year-old pivot who's, at best, a marginal upgrade over Case Keenum, yet that's precisely what John Elway did. The general manager's insistence that Flacco is only now entering his prime should be a concern to Broncos supporters.
Grade: B-
Kansas City Chiefs
| Additions | Losses |
|---|---|
| S Tyrann Mathieu | S Eric Berry |
| RB Carlos Hyde | LB Dee Ford (trade) |
| CB Bashaud Breeland | LB Justin Houston |
| DE Alex Okafor | CB Steven Nelson |
| C Mitch Morse | |
| WR Chris Conley |
Kansas City entered the offseason with one mission: improve the NFL's 31st-ranked defense. Somehow, it may actually be worse. The Chiefs dumped both their star pass-rushers, Houston and Ford, after switching to a 4-3 scheme, then made little effort to replace them. Mathieu is an upgrade over the oft-injured Eric Berry, but he won't fix all the problems in their secondary.
The good news is that the offense is still loaded, and the loss of Morse at center shouldn't hurt too much given the emergence of Austin Reiter. Andy Reid's bunch will enter the 2019 campaign as a favorite to come out of the AFC, but if defense wins championships, then the Chiefs still look to be short.
Grade: C
Los Angeles Chargers
| Additions | Losses |
|---|---|
| LB Thomas Davis | WR Tyrell Williams |
| QB Tyrod Taylor | S Jahleel Addae |
| LB Denzel Perryman (re-signing) | DT Darius Philon |
| DT Brandon Mebane (re-signing) | CB Jason Verrett |
| S Adrian Phillips (re-signing) | DT Corey Luiget |
Another quiet offseason should come as a disappointment to Chargers fans after their team returned to the playoffs in 2018 and appeared to be on the cusp of Super Bowl contention. Los Angeles suffered no major losses, but the team's biggest acquisition, Davis, is a part-timer nearing the end of his career.
The Bolts are still thin at defensive tackle and lack speed at inside linebacker. All five offensive linemen return from last year, but that unit could've used some upgrades. The loss of Williams to a division rival stings, as well. Los Angeles didn't operate with the sense of urgency one would expect from a team with a 37-year-old quarterback.
Grade: C-
Oakland Raiders
| Additions | Losses |
|---|---|
| WR Antonio Brown (trade) | OT Donald Penn |
| WR Tyrell Williams | WR Jordy Nelson |
| OT Trent Brown | LG Kelechi Osemele (trade) |
| S Lamarcus Joyner | TE Jared Cook |
| LB Vontaze Burfict | |
| CB Nevin Lawson | |
| QB Mike Glennon | |
| DT Johnathan Hankins (re-signing) |
The Raiders had plenty of cap space and they put it to good use, making four splashes to bolster a roster that stumbled to the second-worst record in the NFL last year. The additions of Trent Brown, Antonio Brown, and Williams give Oakland a chance to properly evaluate quarterback Derek Carr going into a make-or-break year. Joyner shores up a secondary that made strides last year, allowing the Silver and Black to focus on the front seven heading into the draft, where they hold three first-round picks.
Equally noteworthy is that only one player Oakland signed - AB, aka "Mr. Big Chest" - has guaranteed money on his contract after 2020. In other words, the Raiders didn't box themselves into a financial corner long term while improving their chances to compete for a playoff spot in 2019.
Grade: B+
NFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH
AFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH