NFL free agency grades: Instant analysis
Matt Kalil: Agrees with Carolina Panthers
#Panthers will sign left tackle Matt Kalil to a five-year, $55.5 million deal with $25 million guaranteed, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2017
Last year, the Carolina Panthers had all kinds of issues blocking for Cam Newton. That is not going to change in 2017, despite signing Matt Kalil to a ludacris five-year, $55 million contract. Kalil was atrocious with the Minnesota Vikings, making many believe he would get a small, prove-it deal.
Instead, general manager David Gettleman pushed all his chips into the middle and closed his eyes. This is the head-scratcher of the day to this point. Kalil was one of the reasons that Minnesota couldn’t keep Sam Bradford upright, and now he’ll contribute to the same problem with Newton.
Grade: F
Larry Warford: Agrees with New Orleans Saints
Source: The #Saints are signing G Larry Warford to beef up their OL. Was a big area of focus for them.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
The New Orleans Saints might lose Jahri Evans in free agency, but made sure to take care of Drew Brees, with a younger, better player. According to reports, the Saints have come to terms with Warford, a former Detroit Lions stalwart. Warford feels a need at guard next to center Max Unger, and at 25 years old could be an anchor for the next decade.
New Orleans is always aggressive in free agency, and this continues that trend. The team does need significant help on defense, although that may come with a trade of Brandin Cooks. At this point, general manager Mickey Loomis has to feel good about the wall in front of Brees.