NFL free-agency grades: NFC North
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
Chicago Bears
| Additions | Losses |
|---|---|
| S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix | S Adrian Amos |
| RB Mike Davis | CB Bryce Callahan |
| WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson | LB Sam Acho |
| CB Buster Skrine | K Cody Parkey |
| OT Bobby Massie (re-signing) |
An initial look at Chicago's additions and losses would lead one to believe the team was unsuccessful in free agency, but looks can be deceiving. The Bears spent big in 2018, leaving little cap room to work with in 2019. All things considered, Matt Nagy and Co. didn't hurt their chances of competing in a tough NFC North.
Amos and Callahan are significant losses, but the duo's price range was greater than Chicago could afford. The Bears did well to add veterans on cheap contracts instead, signing Clinton-Dix for one year at $3 million and Skrine for three years and $16.6 million. Patterson is also an interesting addition, as Nagy has gotten the most out of other versatile offensive weapons in the past. At the very least, he's an elite return specialist.
The Bears' biggest offseason departure came from the sideline as former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio bolted for Denver to become the Broncos' new head coach. Chicago's defense still boasts a plethora of talent, but it's realistic to expect a step back in 2019.
Grade: B-
Detroit Lions
| Additions | Losses |
|---|---|
| DE Trey Flowers | CB Nevin Lawson |
| WR Danny Amendola | S Glover Quin |
| CB Justin Coleman | G T.J. Lang |
| TE Jesse James | |
| CB Rashaan Melvin | |
| DE Romeo Okwara (re-signing) |
With head coach Matt Patricia under the microscope heading into his second year at the helm, Detroit was one of the NFL's biggest spenders in free agency. Following its recent purge, the team significantly improved heading into the 2019 season, at least on paper.
Despite accumulating just 14 sacks over the last two seasons, Flowers is perhaps the most underrated defender in the league. He's a consistent force rushing the passer and an elite run defender on the edge. James adds a sturdy presence to the Lions' weakest position group, and Coleman upgrades the team's secondary as a productive slot defender. Amendola, meanwhile, could finally provide some stability as Detroit's third receiver - provided he stays healthy.
The Lions' generosity in free agency keeps them from earning an 'A' grade. Flowers received $90 million over five years with $56 million guaranteed. Coleman will earn $36 million over four years and nearly $18 million guaranteed. Both players' contracts rank inside the top three at their respective positions in terms of average annual value (if we consider Coleman a slot cornerback).
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers
| Additions | Losses |
|---|---|
| S Adrian Amos | LB Clay Matthews |
| LB Preston Smith | WR Randall Cobb |
| LB Za'Darius Smith | LB Nick Perry |
| OL Billy Turner | LB Jake Ryan |
| TE Marcedes Lewis (re-signing) |
Not usually known to make splashes in March, the Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst spent money in bunches following a disappointing campaign. Kudos to them for breaking the mold - Green Bay had a number of roster holes and most are now filled with the draft approaching.
Gutekunst let aging, past-their-prime veterans Matthews and Cobb walk. He also released Perry, who totaled just 1.5 sacks in 2018. That trio was replaced with a pair of Smiths and a talented Amos. Za'Darius is a twitchy pass-rusher who broke out with 8.5 sacks last year, while Preston is a solid all-around edge defender. The Packers may have slightly overpaid for both, but the defense greatly improved in the process. Amos, meanwhile, is a star in coverage and finally solidifies the back end of Green Bay's stop unit.
After back-to-back third-place finishes in the NFC North, the Packers' offseason has them in prime position to return to the NFL's elite.
Grade: A
Minnesota Vikings
| Additions | Losses |
|---|---|
| LB Anthony Barr (re-signing) | DT Sheldon Richardson |
| DT Shamar Stephen | G Mike Remmers |
| G Josh Kline | S Andrew Sendejo |
| K Dan Bailey (re-signing) | RB Latavius Murray |
| RB Ameer Abdullah (re-signing) | C Nick Easton |
| S George Iloka |
Like the Bears, Minnesota had little cap space to work with once the new league year began. Unlike their divisional rivals, however, the Vikings used most of their capital to retain their own impending free agents. Although he's been a Pro Bowler in each of the last four seasons, Barr has yet to truly live up to his predraft hype. Quite simply, $67.5 million over five years with $33 million guaranteed is an overpayment.
Besides Barr's new deal, it was an uninspiring winter in Minnesota. Bailey solidifies the team's special teams, but the losses of Richardson, Sendejo, and Murray hurt its depth. And don't forget Remmers and Eason. The two linemen are far from All-Pro talents, but the Vikings have yet to adequately replace them in the starting lineup - Kline was a liability with the Titans prior to his release. With few options left on the market, the team's offensive line is still a major red flag.
Grade: C-
NFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH
AFC
EAST | SOUTH | WEST | NORTH