Sando's free agency grades for the NFC west

Mike Sando | ESPN Insider

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12558392/grading-every-team-free-agency-signings-point-nfl

SEA

Grade: A-minus

Key re-signings/additions: DT Ahtyba Rubin, TE Jimmy Graham, CB Will Blackmon, CB Cary Williams

Key subtractions: WR Bryan Walters, CB Byron Maxwell, DT D’Anthony Smith, DE Demarcus Dobbs, DT Greg Scruggs, OLB Heath Farwell, G James Carpenter, WR Jermaine Kearse, S Jeron Johnson, DT Kevin Williams, DT Landon Cohen, C Lemuel Jeanpierre, OLB Malcolm Smith, OLB Mike Morgan, OLB O’Brien Schofield, G Stephen Schilling, QB Tarvaris Jackson, TE Tony Moeaki, RB Will Tukuafu, C Max Unger

The Seahawks have an opportunistic GM in John Schneider. Their coach, Pete Carroll, covets players with unique physical traits. Carroll also welcomes working with young players and embraces a range of personalities. That explains why the Seahawks jumped at the chance to acquire players such as Harvin two years ago and Graham this offseason.

“They give up Unger and what amounts to a second-round player for Graham, who is a difference-maker in their offense,” Polian said. “I have no problem with that.”

First-round picks carry great value because they allow teams to control young players at relatively low cost for as long as six years. That is why trading away first-round picks can be inadvisable.

“That is true,” Williamson said, “but no team in the league has as many players who are near the best at their positions, and now they added another one in Graham. Of their 22 starters, there could be 7-8 guys who are top five at their position and that might not even include Russell Wilson, who can be a nightmare to play against.”

Seattle managed to extend contracts for Marshawn Lynch, Cliff Avril and others before free agency. The team enters the draft with question marks along the offensive line. Williamson said those question marks “scare” him even though Wilson and Lynch can compensate for a weak line.

“They have so many young, core players on long-term deals already,” Yates said. “I am not sure there is another team that has a better roster, top to bottom. They do not have a first-round pick, but who has drafted better than Seattle with later picks? No one.”

ARI

Grade: B-plus

Key re-signings/additions: DT Corey Peters, OLB Sean Weatherspoon, DE Cory Redding, G Mike Iupati, C A.Q. Shipley, LB LaMarr Woodley

Key subtractions: CB Antonio Cromartie, DT Dan Williams, DT Darnell Dockett, OLB John Abraham, RB Jonathan Dwyer, ILB Larry Foote, C Lyle Sendlein, OLB Marcus Benard, G Paul Fanaika, TE Rob Housler, QB Ryan Lindley, OLB Sam Acho, WR Ted Ginn Jr., DT Tommy Kelly

The Cardinals set out this offseason to add speed on defense. They set out to upgrade their running personnel on offense. They seem to have succeeded on both fronts.

“They are high on my list of teams in free agency,” Williamson said. “My worry is that Iupati is more of a run-blocker while Bruce Arians’ offense has a lot of deep drops. I do really like the Weatherspoon pickup. If Daryl Washington comes back, they are suddenly very athletic and versatile there with linebackers who do not come off the field — something the 49ers enjoyed for years. Woodley was worth a shot. Peters is a decent player. Redding is decent. Shipley is OK. They got noticeably better and they were able to keep Larry Fitzgerald, which was good.”

STL

Grade: B

Key re-signings/additions: DT Nick Fairley, G Garrett Reynolds, OLB Akeem Ayers, QB Case Keenum, QB Nick Foles

Key subtractions: DE Alex Carrington, QB Austin Davis, TE Cory Harkey, G Davin Joseph, DE Eugene Sims, LT Jake Long, OT Joe Barksdale, OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, DT Kendall Langford, G Mike Person, S Rodney McLeod, C Scott Wells, QB Shaun Hill, C Tim Barnes, OLB Will Herring, QB Sam Bradford

Fairley’s addition was the one that stood out the most to our analysts based on what he could add to an already formidable defensive front.

“On balance, they did quite well,” Polian said. “Bradford did not figure for them anyway and none of the other guys they lost were factors. This is a net gain and it is a home run if Fairley plays consistently.”

What becomes of Foles is obviously a key variable, but our analysts were more curious to see what might become of Bradford in Philadelphia. They did not see Foles as a catalyst.

“It would not shock me if they had the best defense in the league this year,” Williamson said. “Their secondary is improving. Their front seven is ridiculous now with Fairley and Ayers. I like that Fairley came in at a light weight. I could see him lined up outside every now and again.”

SF

Grade: C-plus

Key re-signings/additions: OG Erik Pears, WR Torrey Smith, CB Shareece Wright, WR Jerome Simpson, DT Darnell Dockett, RB Reggie Bush

Key subtractions: RB Alfonso Smith, WR Brandon Lloyd, CB Chris Culliver, OLB Dan Skuta, ILB Desmond Bishop, RB Frank Gore, QB Josh Johnson, WR Kassim Osgood, WR Michael Crabtree, OG Mike Iupati, CB Perrish Cox, RB Phillip Tanner, S Raymond Ventrone, WR Steve Johnson, ILB Patrick Willis, ILB Chris Borland, DE Ray McDonald

The 49ers have quickly gone from being one of the most reliable “known” quantities in the NFL to a team that is increasingly difficult to figure out.

“There is a lot of loss here,” Polian said. “I think I understand why they are doing it, but still, Iupati was a really serviceable player. Cox was serviceable. Culliver was serviceable. Gore was still serviceable. Borland they did not anticipate, and had they known he was going to retire, perhaps Skuta would have been someone they would have kept. I think they want to change the culture there and get back to a more run-heavy offense.”

Bush and Dockett could be quality veteran additions. Iupati arguably was too expensive for a player who frequently seemed to be playing through injuries.

“I think they are worse, but I do not think they are 4-12,” Williamson said. “Dockett can be a good scheme fit. Torrey Smith gives them some really needed speed on offense. That helps them. They did not get hit as hard as everyone thinks, but factor in the retirements of Borland and Willis with the changes to the coaching staff — ouch.”