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NFL Free Agency: Grading All the Moves from Day One

By Eric Gamboa

Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL free agency
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Calais Campbell

Grading the pickup of former Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell was tough.

On one hand, Campbell is an elite defender who is a welcome addition to any team. On the other hand, he is 31 years old, expensive and not a desperate need on the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line.

At the end of the day, does a player of Campbell’s pedigree help a team win football games — unequivocally yes! Nevertheless, that is a lot of money to tie up on one single player. As much as Campbell is an excellent talent, the size of the contract brings the value of the grade down just a bit.

Campbell received a 90.4 from PFF for his dominant 2016 season.

B. . DE. Jacksonville Jaguars. CALAIS CAMPBELL

PFF grades provided courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

NFL free agency
Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Marshall

This is one of the best signings of from day one of the NFL free agency period. Former New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall virtually left one New York team and signed with another.

The other New York team, the New York Giants, was a playoff contender in 2016 and possesses a two-time Super Bowl winning QB and superstar wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr.

Pairing a physically-dominant Marshall with a dynamic speedster like Beckham will provide the Giants with a versatile WR duo capable of working any part of the field. Not to mention, that the Giants also have a very polished route runner in second-year WR Sterling Shepard.

For Marshall, he gets to stay in NYC. It means he does not have to move and relocate his family while also getting to play on a team that could make a deep playoff run. In 2016, PFF graded Marshall with a 71.7.

WR. New York Giants. BRANDON MARSHALL. A. Both the NY Giants and WR Brandon Marshall benefit greatly from his signing. Marshall, while still a productive WR, is entering the latter part of his pro-career. Nonetheless, he has a ton of experience and toughness to offer as a WR. The Giants benefit by acquiring a physical, big-bodied WR who can box out defenders and be a big target in the red zone. Marshall and the Giants can help each other make it to the big game.

PFF grades provided courtesy of Pro Football Focus.