NFL free-agency grades: All 32 teams under the microscope

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

Dallas Cowboys

With extensions for a number of core players looming, the Cowboys took a pragmatic approach to the offseason, beginning with placing the franchise tag on stud pass-rusher Demarcus Lawrence for the second straight year. The defensive end will account for a healthy chunk of their spending whether or not a long-term extension is worked out, tightening their cap situation further. Still, Cowboys fans will hope the team locks him up for the foreseeable future.

In one of the more bizarre and shocking events this winter, future Hall of Fame tight end Witten decided to come out of retirement after one year and rejoin Dallas. It's a fun story that should improve both team chemistry and Jason Garrett hand claps, but Witten doesn't add much to Jerry Jones' squad when it comes to on-field play.

While the Cowboys return nearly every key starter from a year ago, they didn't make many waves in a rapidly changing NFC East. Cobb and Covington are solid but don't offer more than the departed players at their positions. The team's biggest losses resulted from off-field incidents, as Gregory and Irving don't figure to play another NFL down. Overall, it's an uninspiring two months.

Grade: C-

New York Giants

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman stole headlines this offseason, but not for good reasons. He started the year with an intriguing roster ripe with young talent and plunged the team into confusion.

Gettleman let his best defensive player walk and dealt his top pass-rusher. He then received pennies on the dollar in return for Beckham, one of the league's most dynamic offensive weapons. Instead of keeping these core pieces, the Giants retained over-the-hill quarterback Eli Manning and brought in more aging veterans. Handing Tate $37.5 million over four years following the blockbuster trade was yet another head-scratcher.

At least New York added Zeitler, an elite interior pass-blocking guard, and Peppers, a young defensive weapon, but the team lacks direction and any offensive firepower beyond Saquon Barkley. Thanks to a tumultuous offseason, Giants fans are set to suffer again in 2019. Gettleman says he has a plan - we're just not sure what it is.

Grade: D

Philadelphia Eagles

Howie Roseman continued his wizardry, balancing a roster ready to contend with concerns about the future. The Eagles were strapped against the cap, but the de facto general manager created breathing room by restructuring a number of contracts, as he's made a habit of doing in recent years.

Philadelphia took a few hits but addressed nearly every position of need heading into the draft. The Eagles bolstered their pass-rush and coverage units by re-signing Graham and Darby, respectively. The team also added a quality starter at defensive tackle in Malik Jackson, and finally gave quarterback Carson Wentz a legitimate deep threat in DeSean Jackson.

Don't disregard the Sendejo and Curry signings, either, as both provide depth at key positions; the Eagles show a lot of three-safety looks on defense and rely on a heavy front-four rotation. The Super Bowl LII champions are trying to stay competitive, and their offseason helped accomplish that goal.

Grade: A

Washington Redskins

The Redskins were behind the 8-ball as the 2019 offseason began, largely due to uncertainty at quarterback. Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury in November, and his NFL career appears to be in jeopardy. Even if Smith fully recovers, it'll be difficult for Washington to count on him in the upcoming campaign. The team could draft a quarterback in the first two rounds this April but has only traded for pedestrian starter Keenum so far.

In one of the year's bigger splashes, the Redskins signed Collins from the rival Giants. New York deemed the three-time Pro Bowl safety too expensive for its roster, but he'll fit nicely in Greg Manusky's unit. Collins excels near the line of scrimmage and isn't nearly as flawed in coverage as some make him out to be.

While Collins is a solid addition, Washington lost more than it gained. Crowder and Harris' departures deplete the team's receiving depth, and Clinton-Dix and Smith were solid starters on defense. Not to be overlooked, however, is linebacker Reuben Foster's potential return from the commissioner exempt list after the recent domestic violence charges against him were dropped. Still, we don't love this team's chances in 2019.

Grade: C

NFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH
AFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH