Pro Football Focus will be providing analysis for every major NFL signing and trade during the 2015 free-agency period, accounting primarily for the quality of the player and his fit with his new team, and focusing less on the financial terms of the deal.
Here is a grade for the deal between Brian Orakpo and the Tennessee Titans.
Grade articles on every major deal
Tennessee Titans: B-plus
Derrick Morgan (re-signed by the Titans on Thursday) and Jurrell Casey didn't have much help in the pass-rush department last season for Tennessee, but that'll change in 2015 thanks to the arrival of Orakpo. In 2013, Orakpo's last full season, he was tied for the fifth-best pass-rushing productivity number at 11.3 thanks to his 11 sacks, 11 hits and 29 hurries. His last full season before that was 2011, when he also ranked in the top five.
Orakpo is a complete player. He may be known for his pass-rushing ability, but he is also a strong run-defender, and doesn't generate pressure by selling out against the run. In 2013 he had 22 run stops, which ranked in the top 10 for his position.
The obvious downside is his health. He played in just nine games over 2012 and 2014 combined. When he did play in 2014 he graded out positively in both run defense and pass rush, but not as high as he typically did. If we see a fully healthy Orakpo in his 2013 form, this will wind up being an A move.