With most of the major moves for the NFL offseason in the rearview mirror, 15 NFL executives, coaches and evaluators helped me hand out report cards for every franchise.
Click on the links below to go directly to your team.
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAC | KC | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | OAK | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
New England Patriots
Grade: A-
The Patriots could have embraced the long-term approach taken by Kansas City and Pittsburgh, their primary challengers in the AFC. They still might have won 12-plus games and kept their edge in the conference. Instead, the Patriots grinded the way Tom Brady does -- as though they had no laurels to rest upon.
"The bottom line is that Kansas City and Pittsburgh, neither one made the impact moves to keep stride with a team like New England, who wins it all but still goes out and makes some pretty impressive moves," a personnel director said.
The other bottom line is that Brady's presence on the roster provides an iron-clad insurance policy against a losing season.
The Patriots supplemented a mostly young roster with veteran additions such as Brandin Cooks, Kony Ealy, Stephon Gilmore and Rex Burkhead. They bucked well-established protocols to do it, trading away draft choices for surer bets at a wide range of price points. Committing millions in guarantees to Gilmore while letting homegrown corner Logan Ryan leave wasn't a textbook move. It did make New England more talented on paper; Gilmore was the 10th pick in his draft class, while Ryan was the 83rd in his.
"When you bring in guys from other teams, you have to be able to teach them," an exec from another team said. "That is a challenge and that is why it has not always worked well for teams that have brought in a bunch of veterans from other teams. Those guys can migrate toward one another when the coach tries to put the hammer down. That will be [Bill] Belichick's challenge."
There was some thought New England might lose top linebacker and defensive signal-caller Dont'a Hightower after not using the franchise tag to keep him off the market. The Patriots' ability to re-sign him at $8.9 million a year looks good in retrospect, especially when the franchise tag would have carried a $14.55 million price tag.
"They knocked it out of the park and I think everyone agrees with that," an evaluator said. "Their roster is better now than it ever was last year."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: A-
The Buccaneers cannot take credit for O.J. Howard's availability when they selected him 19th overall. But when they had a chance to select a player multiple league insiders had projected as a potential top-10 pick, they did not overthink the situation. They added Howard to an offense that already had welcomed free-agent receiver DeSean Jackson, who remains a unique talent in the NFL.
"That offense is going to be really hard to play against," an exec said. "DeSean has at least a year left, and then you add Howard."
Jackson's reputation as an occasionally disruptive teammate appears increasingly outdated. How will he respond if quarterback Jameis Winston continues to force the ball to Mike Evans? There are worse problems to have.
"I kind of like their offseason, too," a different exec said. "They got the quarterback some legit weapons."
When the Buccaneers won nine games last season, they seemed to reach their ceiling. The offensive talent upgrades made one evaluator suggest that nine victories might be a more realistic floor for Tampa Bay in 2017.
Green Bay Packers
Grade: B+
The Packers desperately needed to upgrade at tight end, running back and cornerback. They addressed all three positions emphatically without extending themselves too far financially. Their deal with tight end Martellus Bennett was especially team-friendly.
"Packers fans bitched when they lost Jared Cook, but Martellus Bennett is a way better player," an evaluator said. "They basically paid what Jared Cook was asking for, for Martellus Bennett. And then they got Lance Kendricks, too. Now they have three tight ends on their roster who would play for any other team."
Losing guard T.J. Lang hurt, but his long-term health was a concern and there are greater sins than not paying top-of-market money on a guard's third contract. In the secondary, the Packers had to figure they could find a Micah Hyde replacement in a draft heavy on talent at safety; they did so with second-round choice Josh Jones.
"I thought they did some really good things," an exec said. "Letting Lang go, they will be OK with that. Kevin King was a really good pick, a definite upgrade over the other young corners they have, and then Martellus Bennett, they got him on a really good deal and that will work well. One of those running backs will end up being OK."
Some called coach Mike McCarthy's loyalty to defensive coordinator Dom Capers remarkable (and not necessarily bad) given disappointing on-field results. McCarthy must figure that personnel deficiencies have driven the Packers' issues on defense, with many of those related to injuries.
Buffalo Bills
Grade: B+
The Bills finally have a head coach (Sean McDermott) and general manager (Brandon Beane) who appear aligned philosophically. That greatly improves their chances for long-term success, a leading reason Buffalo gets a high grade here. The Bills also recommitted to quarterback Tyrod Taylor for at least another season after the team's previous leadership wavered on him. Why get worse at the most important position?
"The best decision they made was bringing back Tyrod," an exec said. "Losing [Mike] Gillislee does hurt a little bit. LeSean McCoy had a great year, but it would have been nice to give him more of a breather once in a while, and that becomes harder. Their draft was solid. [Tre'Davious] White, [Zay] Jones and [Dion] Dawkins, everyone agrees they will be pretty good players. Getting [Nathan] Peterman in the fifth was pretty good value. That made sense to me."
The Bills spent heavily for Micah Hyde heading into a draft that was packed with talent at the safety position. McDermott, a former defensive backs coach, must have really wanted a sure bet in the secondary after letting Gilmore walk out the door.
Indianapolis Colts
Grade: B
The Colts did nothing spectacular this offseason unless you count landing potential top-10 overall pick Malik Hooker with the 15th choice in the draft. Unspectacular seemed to be the point as Chris Ballard's hiring as GM set the team on a more deliberate course.
"They did a nice job with a lot of sensible picks, sensible signings -- sort of the opposite of what they have done in recent years," an exec said. "John Simon is a good player that they got at a good price. In the draft, [guard/tackle] Zach Banner is just an enormous man who should play for a long time if his hips are OK. [Running back] Marlon Mack should be an interesting contributor for them."
Indy needed to upgrade its pass protection for quarterback Andrew Luck. Ballard resisted paying premium prices for one of the veteran tackles on the market. That was probably smart in the long term. In the short term, no one is going to say the Colts fixed all their problems in one offseason.
"They did a nice job with a lot of sensible picks, sensible signings -- sort of the opposite of what they have done in recent years." An NFL executive
"[Ballard] is trying to get younger and kind of grow together as opposed to making an impact with one or two guys by spending a lot of money," an evaluator said. "It is going to be an ongoing thing with them. [Ballard] is going to improve with nickels and dimes and then the next go-round in the draft, he'll hit it more and then in free agency next year, he will hit it a little bit stronger."
Seattle Seahawks
Grade: B
The Seahawks got Eddie Lacy to approximate Marshawn Lynch. They bought insurance for Earl Thomas' tibia by signing 2016 Buccaneers starter Bradley McDougald to a one-year, $1.8 million deal that was far below McDougald's anticipated market. They sparred to an offseason draw with top corner Richard Sherman. They stockpiled draft choices, ultimately using two in the second round and four in the third. No team in the common-draft era (since 1967) has used more picks in the second and third rounds. Only the 1976 Seahawks, 1994 Rams and 2009 Patriots have used as many.
"That is amazing," an exec said. "That is a lot of bodies. What they tried to do was rebuild the backbone of their team, the rank and file. Did they do that? Maybe they did, but they didn't find the superstars that get you to 13-3. I'm not sure anyone can do what they did in 2010 and 2011. The odds are against it no matter how good you are. There is a plan. When you have a plan, there is a chance."
In the ultimate reflection of offensive line scarcity, Seattle signed Luke Joeckel to a one-year, $8 million deal even though Joeckel was not consistently effective even before suffering a serious knee injury last season. What was up with that?
"We were all in it for Joeckel, too," another exec confessed. "Joeckel had a market."
Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: B
The Jaguars will eventually have to decide whether to stick with Blake Bortles at quarterback. In the meantime, they've made moves to diminish their reliance upon him. Offseason commitments to the ground game do not get much stronger than hiring Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone before using a top-five pick on Leonard Fournette. Meanwhile, the addition of Calais Campbell could put the defense over the top. All signs point to fewer pass attempts per game for Bortles.
"They made progress in getting an identity," an exec said. "Are they better? I'm not saying they are, but one of these years they are going to go like 10-6. I don't think it's this year. I think it's when they get great play out of the quarterback."
Campbell was the consensus best defensive player available in free agency. He also cost $15 million annually.
"Jacksonville spent the most guaranteed money over the last five years and they have the worst record," an analytics director said. "They keep doing the same thing over and over. I do love Calais Campbell."
There was no consensus that Fournette was the best offensive player in the draft, but he was the first offensive player selected who was not a quarterback. Adding him and Campbell would seem to qualify the Jaguars for a Grade A offseason, if only there weren't so much weariness.
"Every offseason, we think they get better," another exec said. "I have no idea anymore. It looks like defensively they have a ton of pieces. Offensively, it is back to what it usually is. What is Bortles going to be like? The pieces around him are very good on offense. [Tackle] Cam Robinson was one of the best picks in the draft."
Los Angeles Chargers
Grade: B
The change from Mike McCoy to Anthony Lynn gives the Chargers a head coach with a stronger personality and, presumably, better credentials as a motivator. While Lynn will also bring ideas for the offense, the decision to stick with Ken Whisenhunt as offensive coordinator makes the head-coaching change less disruptive.
Lynn has never been a head coach and he has less than one full season as a playcaller, but both of his coordinators have head-coaching experience, so there is some protection. New linebackers coach Richard Smith is a three-time NFL defensive coordinator entering his 30th season in the league. It appears, then, that the Chargers have a chance to harness Lynn's strengths without suffering too much from his lack of experience in the role.
"I think maybe there is a little change of culture from a standpoint of accountability with the players," a veteran coach said. "Anthony Lynn also could be a little stronger personality as far as dealing with the front office. Addressing the offensive line and doing some of those things was a good thing for them."
There is not much to love about committing $13 million in 2018 guaranteed money to left tackle Russell Okung, except that there's a decent chance Okung will upgrade the position. Getting Okung before the draft made sense given the lack of appealing alternatives in the draft, combined with the Chargers' clear need for offensive weapons.
"I think maybe there is a little change of culture from a standpoint of accountability with the players." A veteran coach on the hiring of Anthony Lynn
"Between [Hunter] Henry, [Melvin] Gordon, [Travis] Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and now Mike Williams, and with Keenan Allen returning, San Diego has a lot of pieces there," an exec said. "They have become really hard to defend. I think the question for them is: Is [Philip] Rivers still great? Because the last half of these last two seasons, he has not been great."
Tennessee Titans
Grade: B
The 2016 draft-day trade with the Rams put the Titans in prime position to address needs this offseason. The draft could have gone better if Tennessee had been able to trade down from the fifth overall slot, but it made sense for the Titans to emerge from the first round with a receiver (Corey Davis) and a cornerback (Adoree' Jackson).
"I really liked Tennessee's draft and then Logan Ryan should help them right away" an exec said. "I think they will be better this year with the additions on offense and in the secondary. I felt Corey Davis was the best receiver in the draft, Taywan Taylor is a really good player and Adoree' Jackson looks like he should start for a long time even if he is sort of an average corner who has some size questions."
Marcus Mariota's ankle is one problem. The Titans are a team with high expectations, an injury-prone starting quarterback who is still injured and a backup in Matt Cassel who's on the shelf until camp and hasn't been an effective player since Charlie Weis was coaching him in 2010. There's a line of thinking among some evaluators that good teams with injury-prone starting quarterbacks are the ones that should actually invest in better backups. Tennessee made no move to get one. As one head coach put it, a well-placed veteran backup can serve as a conduit between coaching staff and the starter. But as another head coach countered, that is also a great way to never develop another quarterback.
"I have Tennessee as the best projected team in the AFC South," an evaluator said. "I just think everything is trending up for them."
Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: B-
The Bengals have been playing catch-up on offense after losing key wide receivers in free agency last offseason and key linemen more recently.
"They got decimated a little bit in free agency, but they regathered and restocked in the draft, which you have to do," a former GM said. "That is part of the NFL."
Blazing wideout John Ross was a bit of a surprise selection with the ninth overall pick. Running back Joe Mixon was a controversial pick in the second round. Would execs from other teams slam Cincy for selecting a player best known for punching a woman in the face in a 2014 assault caught on surveillance video? Not all of them would.
"I think their season really comes down to, can Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi play tackle?" An NFL executive
"It is interesting because they are truly a hands-on family franchise," a longtime exec said. "They do a pretty good job of tolerating players with issues, guys like Adam Jones. I just think that is how they are. It kind of makes more sense for them than it might for other teams. That is [owner] Mike Brown believing in somebody."
The division-rival Steelers might have the best skill-position players in the league. Cincy has the potential to be in that conversation as well.
"Their skill players are great right now," an exec said. "What isn't great is losing [guard] Kevin Zeitler. That is a big loss. I think their season really comes down to, can Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi play tackle? If those guys can play tackle, then that offense is going to be a nightmare. And if those guys cannot play tackle, they do not have answers on the roster and I don't know what they are going to do."
New Orleans Saints
Grade: B-
The offseason plan for the Saints was clear: Improve the defense. Trading top deep threat Brandin Cooks to New England for the 32nd overall choice seemed like a big part of that plan. In the end, however, the Saints used that pick for right tackle Ryan Ramczyk. That move was easier to justify after cornerback Marshon Lattimore fell to New Orleans at No. 11 (four of five league insiders polled before the draft had Lattimore going in the top 10).
"I kind of like what they did," an exec said. "They got a guard and a tackle, they got a corner and then losing Cooks to New England is not that big of a deal because they have Michael Thomas and they kind of play with anybody at receiver."
Reviews were mixed. There was more excitement for second-round running back Alvin Kamara than for veteran addition Adrian Peterson. But if Peterson does recapture some of his previous form, the Saints' minimal investment in him could signal a shift away from New Orleans' disproportionate dependence on Drew Brees' aging arm.
"I don't know how much better they got," another exec said. "It seems like every couple years, New Orleans realizes their defense needs to get better and they sign Jairus Byrd or they sign Paul Kruger or they sign Junior Galette. It feels like we have been through this before and that will be interesting to see how that goes."
Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: B-
An analytics director who remains unconvinced on Carson Wentz ultimately said he projected significant gains in production for the second-year Eagles quarterback based on Philly's offseason moves. New receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith probably will not grow together with Wentz for years to come, but their combined 2017 cap charge is less than what Jeffery earned on the franchise tag last season.
"I did like some of the pieces they added, including the little running back [Donnel Pumphrey] who broke Marshall Faulk's records at San Diego State," a personnel director said. "I think everything there will move toward being more productive, especially on offense. We will see what happens on defense, if they can just hold up on defense."
A word of warning from another evaluator: "Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith are injury-prone guys. They will be injured."
Jeffery has missed games across multiple seasons. Smith, 28, has not. The four games he missed last season are the only regular-season games he has missed in his career. He did undergo hernia surgery early in his career.
Miami Dolphins
Grade: B-
The most pointed criticism for the Dolphins this offseason is that they spent too much money to keep their own players. That is progress for a team that previously spent too much money for players from other teams, which is usually riskier.
Cameron Wake, Kenny Stills, Andre Branch, Reshad Jones and Kiko Alonso were the big re-signings for the Dolphins. Getting Stills back after letting him test the market was a surprise. Paying $7 million a year for Alonso now was a hedge against having to pay him $10 million annually as a free agent next offseason. The $8 million a year Branch (5.5 sacks in 2016) got seemed like a lot and was widely criticized, but it was less than what Jabaal Sheard (5.0 sacks) got from Indy, and Branch is already known to Miami.
Three notable players Miami brought in from elsewhere -- tight end Julius Thomas, defensive end William Hayes and safety T.J. McDonald -- carry zero salary-cap ramifications beyond this season.
"What's really notable right now is you have an offensive-minded head coach [Adam Gase] who is a playcaller and is empowered after a 10-6 first season, and they are drafting defense heavily, which is what they needed to do," an exec said. "It can take some discipline to do that."
New York Giants
Grade: B-
After reveling in free agency over the past couple of offseasons, the Giants took a more conservative approach in 2017, content to re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul against outside expectations. That looked like an excellent move for a team hoping to maintain what became a top-five defense last season.
Using a third-round pick for developmental quarterback Davis Webb was another indication the Giants weren't focused on quick fixes.
"I don't think they really helped themselves," a personnel director said. "They are counting on what they did the last two years as coming together for this year."
Insiders disagreed over whether tight end/receiver Evan Engram would be worth the first-round pick invested by the Giants. One evaluator thought Engram would make the offense much more dynamic. A coordinator thought the Giants would have been wiser adding someone to help with their running game.
"I don't think they really helped themselves. They are counting on what they did the last two years as coming together for this year." A personnel director
Adding Engram and veteran receiver Brandon Marshall should help Eli Manning, at least. Manning developing a rapport with Marshall has the potential to revive the quarterback's career, one head coach suggested. That was not a universally embraced thought.
"They must feel as though they had what they needed to compete," the personnel director said. "They spent a lot of money in free agency the past couple years. They must feel it is more a chemistry issue than adding personnel. I do not know that Brandon Marshall is the answer."
Oakland Raiders
Grade: B-
Another step forward by quarterback Derek Carr would take the Raiders closer to where they want to go ultimately. To that end, Oakland acquired Marshawn Lynch from Seattle. The Raiders also made a move that appeared curious at the time, firing offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave following a 12-4 season.
"I think they were going to lose the younger guy [2016 QB coach Todd Downing] and they really liked him," a coordinator from another team said. "He was the one doing a lot of the work and he had the relationship with the quarterback. That seems to be the trend now in the league if you've got a young coach that you think is an up-and-comer and you don't want to lose him. That is what I saw them doing."
It'll be tough to quantify the quarterback-coordinator change in Oakland this season, but the Raiders thought the move could pay off. What about Lynch? He sat out last season, missed time to injury in 2015 and recently turned 31. Will he have a good year? An exec paused before answering that question.
"I say yes," the exec said. "He has a good offensive line, a good quarterback who can throw the ball. It's not going to be all on [Lynch]."
Detroit Lions
Grade: B-
The Lions spent big on their offensive line and should realize a significant upgrade. They will need T.J. Lang to stay healthy, but between Lang and tackle Rick Wagner, the right side of the line can become a strength.
"Everyone in the division has made some strides and Detroit has probably made the biggest jump," an evaluator from another NFC North team said. "They got guys who will fit their scheme defensively. Wagner is not an elite player, but he is a good player and will be a solid starter for them. They improved the overall tone of their front. I think their running game is always going to be a question, but they have some skill guys and should be able to protect the quarterback."
There was some feeling the Lions' focus on scheme fits led to them sacrificing talent, causing one evaluator to call their draft class the NFL's worst if considered in a vacuum. Of course, the players Detroit drafted will not play in a vacuum. They will play for the Lions.
"It was kind of a Patriots-esque draft that way," this evaluator said.
Kansas City Chiefs
Grade: B-
Trading up 17 spots in the first round to select quarterback Patrick Mahomes II with the 10th overall pick will ultimately define this Chiefs offseason. It will not help Kansas City keep pace with the best teams in the AFC this season. The trade also will cost the Chiefs their 2018 first-rounder, an insurance policy of sorts. It's as though Kansas City realized it had to pounce on a quarterback Andy Reid thought could be a game-changer for the long term.
"Most of the people they acquired were for future reference," an evaluator said. "Kansas City almost has to survive this year to actually reap the benefits of the draft. If they have some injuries early that expose their lack of depth and things fall apart, then it really becomes critical because you did not address your biggest needs this offseason."
No one said moving up for a quarterback would be cheap for a team coming off another playoff season.
"It was a bold move by bold men who have been pretty successful," an evaluator said of Reid and GM John Dorsey. "I'm not sure I like the quarterback, but at least they are doing something when they don't even need that guy yet."
Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: C+
Similar Steelers offseasons probably would have earned higher marks in the past, but with New England setting a more aggressive pace, Pittsburgh's lower-key approach gave the impression that the Steelers lost ground they could not afford to lose. Of course, what works for Belichick and Brady in New England doesn't work everywhere else. The Steelers have been successful for a long time doing what they did this offseason.
"Pittsburgh never seems to make the big impact move," a personnel director said. "They seem to just keep trying to get guys who fit into their locker room or fit into their scheme. It is almost like they are a little bit of plug-and-play and not really willing to stretch out and put themselves out there."
"They rely heavily on their coaching. No team is more constant in coaching except for maybe New England." A personnel director
The Steelers knew they could get better on offense simply by sitting back and waiting for the league to reinstate receiver Martavis Bryant. That happened. Beyond that, the Steelers used a first-round choice on a linebacker for the fourth time in five years. They used a fourth-round pick for developmental quarterback Joshua Dobbs. They used the franchise tag to buy time with running back Le'Veon Bell.
"Pittsburgh is one of those teams that likes to plug people in and keep moving and they rely heavily on their coaching," the personnel director said. "No team is more constant in coaching except for maybe New England."
Dallas Cowboys
Grade: C+
The Cowboys appeared to get a little bit worse at multiple positions as they showed restraint in free agency and funneled their first-round pick (DE Taco Charlton) toward a position group that has plagued them for years.
"The Cowboys' biggest problem is going to be overcoming their poor selections the past couple years, especially on the defensive line," a personnel director said. "They have some real issues there with Randy Gregory and his suspension and now David Irving has a suspension coming as well. They just can't seem to get out of their own way, and even with adding Taco, they probably need to add another defensive lineman."
This evaluator thought the Cowboys would overcome losses on the offensive line in part because Dak Prescott has some seasoning.
"I think their offense has a chance to be a little bit more mature," he said. "They have a big three with the quarterback and the wide receiver and the running back. The problem will be, can they stop people on defense, partly because of their bad decisions on the defensive line and then the youth in their secondary."
Atlanta Falcons
Grade: C+
A veteran GM who thought the Falcons deserved a C grade said it's "not a bad C" because Atlanta was "at the head of the class already and maintained" its position from a personnel standpoint. Several other insiders thought Kyle Shanahan's departure and overall coaching turnover made this a rough offseason for Atlanta.
"I can't remember [in recent years] a Super Bowl team having that type of coaching turnover on both sides of the ball," an exec said. "To think that going from Shanahan to Steve Sarkisian is going to be some sort of upgrade, there are a lot of different objections to that premise, whether you want to do off the field, on the field, whatever."
Keeping Shanahan wasn't an option. Firing defensive coordinator Richard Smith was. Dan Quinn's presence as a defense-minded head coach could provide some cover as first-year coordinator Marquand Manuel grows into the role.
"Quinn fired Richard Smith because he was afraid he was going to lose Marquand and he needed somebody that knew the back end, the secondary," a coordinator from another team theorized. "I think Richard was a good, solid defensive coach and I don't know who he has got there that can take that place. That is a little bit worrisome."
Washington Redskins
Grade: C
The Redskins seemed to be reeling early in the offseason with GM Scot McCloughan leaving and quarterback Kirk Cousins increasingly embittered without a new contract. Washington survived those crises and managed to salvage the offseason.
"They made a bunch of signings where I go, 'Damn, that is a good deal and I wish they hadn't signed him,'" an exec said. "Whether it was [D.J.] Swearinger or Terrelle Pryor or even Jonathan Allen, who is not a guy you want to play against. Fabian Moreau is a good player, [Samaje] Perine is a good player, [Montae] Nicholson is a good player. They did well."
Losing offensive coordinator Sean McVay to the Rams is one offseason change to watch. A coordinator from another team thought McVay brought a level of scheming that the Redskins would be unable to replicate, even with a competent replacement in Matt Cavanaugh and an offense-minded head coach. This coordinator said he saw the Redskins do things offensively with McVay at the controls that went beyond the norm.
"The way they attacked teams from the standpoint of attacking their coverages -- a quarters beater with a post over the top, plays like that -- those were things where I said, 'Wow, that was pretty good,'" this coordinator said. "McVay had a good feel for what Cousins could do and Cousins had a good feel for what the expectations on these plays were. For instance, when you attack a certain defense and you know you are going to get a certain coverage and you have a certain scheme route, it is great to draw that up, but not every quarterback can visualize that and see it on the field and make the throw or attack it. I think Cousins can do those things, but I don't know that [they] can give him those things to do [without McVay]."
Los Angeles Rams
Grade: C
This will become an "A" offseason if the Rams' coaching change and left tackle acquisition salvage quarterback Jared Goff following a rough rookie season. Sean McVay potentially gives the Rams the dynamic offensive coach they've needed for years. The concern is that McVay is 31 years old and therefore not yet ready to handle the many other responsibilities that come across a head coach's desk in the NFL.
"There are so many things [McVay] cannot know about that job and what it takes," a former head coach said. "They have some veteran guys, especially on defense. If they are struggling, it is great to say you have a lot of energy and all that, but some of these guys are older than him."
Not quite. While McVay is four years younger than left tackle Andrew Whitworth, the Rams' No. 1 signing in free agency, none of the team's defensive players is older than the head coach. Connor Barwin is close to the same age, but younger. Several others are in the same demographic. That was surely a consideration when the Rams hired veteran assistant coaches, notably Wade Phillips.
"It was tough for the Rams this offseason because they were short on draft picks [following the Goff trade last year]," an exec said. "You don't get a big infusion there. I do like the coaching better, and I like Wade. Hopefully, you roll the dice and have a young, dynamic offensive coach. Maybe that helps the quarterback."
Denver Broncos
Grade: C
The Broncos needed to address their offensive line. They used their first-round pick on tackle Garrett Bolles. They picked up guard Ronald Leary from the Cowboys and tackle Menelik Watson from the Raiders. They also brought in Jeff Davidson from the Chargers to coach the unit. Will it be enough?
"I just have a feeling [Leary] is going to be totally exposed in Denver," an evaluator said. "In the unit with Dallas, you got probably the best center and the best tackle in the league, and that covers him up. You are not going to get that in Denver. Leary also has some knee issues that teams were nervous about."
"I think you are going to get what you pay for: B-level players, and hope your staff can scheme around them." An NFL evaluator
The general feeling among insiders was that Denver would remain good enough on defense to compete, but that the offensive line and quarterback situations remained questionable. GM John Elway seems almost as willing to acquire and cut coaches as he's willing to acquire and cut players. He is betting that the Broncos will get more from their existing personnel after their latest coaching shakeup.
"They made interior defensive line moves," an evaluator said. "They are all budget-type moves, not overspending. But I think you are going to get what you pay for: B-level players, and hope your staff can scheme around them."
Bill Kollar's history coaching defensive linemen -- think Malik Jackson, who was a fifth-round pick -- suggests the Broncos have a chance to make that happen.
San Francisco 49ers
Grade: C
The 49ers might have been the volume leader in offseason moves. They hired a new GM out of left field -- John Lynch called them -- and hired a head coach who was a hot candidate. They ditched every quarterback from the 2016 roster, adding four newcomers to replace them. They stockpiled free agents with abandon. It was another wild offseason ride for a team that plays its home games in a stadium near an amusement park.
"They signed the fullback [Kyle Juszczyk] for the most money ever for a fullback, and then they hoodwinked the Bears in the draft," a former GM said. "They finagled and got the kid from Alabama with their second first-round pick [Reuben Foster] and all of a sudden people say the worst case is, he won't play this year. I hate to say it, but the worst case is that he never plays. But he might be great if he does. You want to solidify things and to me they are kind of all over the board."
An exec said he found the 49ers' myriad signings in free agency to be confusing. All agreed that the price paid for linebacker Malcolm Smith was absurd.
"I don't know if John Lynch realizes there is an actual thing called a draft to get players," an evaluator said a couple of weeks into free agency. "They are signing all these players, like 11 guys, and they are all B-level and C-level players. Dude, did you know you are signing a bunch of league replacement players at $1-2 million a year, maybe even more with the $4 million fullback? You can draft a replacement player at league minimum in the fourth round. Why are you spending?"
The counter to that is, why not? It's not like the 49ers mortgaged their future by signing a bunch of descending veterans at elevated prices. They cleaned house. An agent said it feels like the 49ers are playing for a top-five pick in 2018, which could be the best thing for San Francisco, given the quarterbacks expected to be available. For now, they will go into the season with Brian Hoyer as their projected starter.
Carolina Panthers
Grade: C
First-round pick Christian McCaffrey is almost universally liked by coaches and evaluators alike. However, coaches do think the Panthers would be much better positioned to utilize him if their passing game were predicated on timing.
"I just don't see that offense," an offensive coordinator said. "Mike Shula is going to have to get incredibly creative. Cam [Newton] is not a real accurate passer. Some of the precision stuff that Christian McCaffrey can do, whether it's slant routes from the slot or option read routes on the back side, you've got to be able to take that ball and pin it to them. Cam hasn't done that, and it worries me that he is missing all spring [following surgery] and he is only going to have a training camp to get up to speed."
An exec used the term "mind-blowing" to describe the five-year, $55.5 million deal Carolina paid to former Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil.
"I do think a liability for them is going to be their offensive line, still, which has been their Achilles' heel, the tackle spot," an evaluator said. "They addressed it with Kalil, but we will see if they really addressed it with Kalil. That is an example of a signing that could backfire on them."
Minnesota Vikings
Grade: C-
It was a bad year to be desperate for offensive line help, but the Vikings understandably felt as though they needed to act aggressively. The question is whether having Riley Reiff at left tackle and Mike Remmers at right tackle will make enough of a difference.
"For a lot of these teams, the question is, 'Will their tackles hold up?'" an exec said. "A lot of these teams have one decent offensive tackle, one who they are hoping is a low- to mid-level starter and then they have no idea who the third guy is going to be. Tackle depth is going to determine the fates of a lot of these teams."
"Minnesota, I think they are starting to go backwards just a little bit." A personnel director
That could be especially true for the Vikings given their starting quarterback's limited mobility. Sam Bradford doesn't create much on his own.
"Minnesota, I think they are starting to go backwards just a little bit," a personnel director said. "I like the pick with the running back [Dalvin Cook], but I don't think he is going to have the impact he had at Florida State. They are going to play good defense and try not to turn the ball over."
Arizona Cardinals
Grade: C-
There was no way the Cardinals could replace what they lost when Calais Campbell hit the market and signed with Jacksonville. They could have shown greater interest in keeping him, but coach Bruce Arians was on the record saying he thought Campbell should have been a more consistent performer. Re-signing Chandler Jones was instead the focus.
Arizona did replace safety Tony Jefferson with second-round pick Budda Baker, but for a team looking to win before Carson Palmer runs out of time, this offseason looked like a net loss for talent.
"They could kill it in the comp picks in 2018, but that is a lifetime away," an exec said. "I'm not a fan of where they are headed. Should they have lost Calais Campbell?"
The Cardinals' four-year, $28 million deal for Jermaine Gresham puzzled some in the league, especially while better players were leaving the roster. Arizona could still improve in the standings -- not by improving from a talent standpoint, but simply by avoiding some of the ridiculous special-teams breakdowns that proliferated in 2016.
"They had a lot of personnel losses and they didn't really get the offensive line right," an exec said.
Cleveland Browns
Grade: C-
The Browns are paying a combined $20.5 million per season for guards Kevin Zeitler and Joel Bitonio after signing both to long-term deals. That is the highest figure in the league. Meanwhile, they have Cody Kessler, $16 million man Brock Osweiler and DeShone Kizer at quarterback. Other teams do not sound envious.
"Zeitler won't have to do s--- for the Browns on a third of their plays because he's a guard and he'll be on air, and they paid him $12 million a year," a coach from another team said. "It is like paying a defensive tackle. You don't do it. How many points did Zeitler have [in 2016]?"
That is a harsh assessment and not necessarily fair. At best, Cleveland has used free agency to help build a solid foundation for its offense, much as Oakland has done. It's still an interesting criticism to consider when the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots are paying a league-low $1.48 million in combined annual average salary for their starting guards, Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason.
"Our fans are going apes--- that we haven't signed a bunch of offensive linemen," an evaluator from another team said. "Our head coach believes we can just scheme around it."
Meanwhile, Cleveland's move to bring in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams drew more favorable reviews from insiders. The Browns' inability to flip Osweiler immediately after acquiring him and a second-round choice from Houston did not go over well, although something could still happen before the season.
"I think they still will flip him," an exec said. "I think they are going to pay even more of his salary where he is only, say, a $2 million player, and then they will trade him for something. This is Plan B. Plan A was to take his salary down to $8 million and trade him right away. Plan C is that he is on their team or they just outright cut him. That could very much happen."
Chicago Bears
Grade: D+
The Bears joined the 49ers in making a flurry of moves involving mid- and lower-level veteran free agents. Unlike San Francisco, the Bears bet big on a couple of quarterbacks, especially second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. Of course, this Bears offseason will look much different if Mike Glennon and/or Trubisky become front-line players. The grade suffers for now because the strategy seemed to be an odd mix of planning for the long-term future and scrambling to plug holes by questionable means.
"They are trying to find lightning in a bottle with all these signings," an exec said. "Sometimes you get lucky and go 7-9 or 8-8 to save your job. That is all you're trying to do. Then you go back to 4-12 the next year."
In the Bears' defense, they ultimately recouped much of the draft capital they sent to San Francisco in the trade-up for Trubisky. That move was unexpected after the Bears paid starting money to Glennon in free agency. An evaluator said he thought the Bears would exceed outside expectations because Glennon will avoid turnovers.
"I am totally cool with the Glennon signing and will never object to someone spending on quarterbacks or investing in quarterbacks," a different exec said. "But the rest of their signings look like they are just scrambling to get to 6-10, 8-8. I don't see many good players that they added. It looks like a lot of mediocre players on mediocre deals."
Houston Texans
Grade: D
Getting out from under the Brock Osweiler contract required creativity and the Texans' willingness to part with a second-round pick. That was a victory, but it didn't necessarily make the Texans better, especially with their defense suffering personnel losses that could put additional pressure on the offense.
"I view Houston as the worst team in the AFC South, going from the best to the worst," an evaluator said. "It is not like the jump was that big because they were only a nine-win team to begin with. Their defense is still kind of there, but it isn't, because they did lose A.J. Bouye. Their front seven is obviously really good, but their back end is a huge question mark. I have them as the worst safety group in the entire NFL right now, so corner and safety is a giant liability for them."
Maneuvering to select quarterback Deshaun Watson in the first round could ultimately make 2017 a pivot point for Houston. It's just hard to bank on most rookie quarterbacks emerging in the short term.
"I view Houston as the worst team in the AFC South. ... Their defense is still kind of there, but it isn't, because they did lose A.J. Bouye." An NFL evaluator
"I think the other AFC South teams had good offseasons," an evaluator said. "The idea of Houston doing absolutely nothing is going to be interesting to see how that works out."
Baltimore Ravens
Grade: D
It's tough finding insiders excited about the Ravens' direction over the past few seasons, including this offseason.
"It's like they expect [Joe] Flacco to regain his magic when he won the Super Bowl, like they expect him to carry them," a former GM said.
That wouldn't be likely to happen even if Baltimore surrounded Flacco with dynamic weaponry. It's less likely to happen with Breshad Perriman taking over for the retired Steve Smith, despite recent optimistic reports from offseason practices.
"That is a major question and their running backs are not great and they are counting on another year from Mike Wallace, who is getting up there," an exec said. "They have all these tight ends who are constantly injured. Their draft, I didn't love. Marlon Humphrey can't really find the ball. Tim Williams is another nightmare-on-the-field, nightmare-off-the-field type of guy. And then Danny Woodhead is another one of these old guys that they are signing."
New York Jets
Grade: D
The Jets will go into the season with Josh McCown and Christian Hackenberg as their top two quarterbacks and a roster generally in disrepair. That should put the Jets in position to select a quarterback early in the 2018 draft. Will their current leadership survive another disappointing season?
"I do not understand it," a personnel director said of the Jets' plan at quarterback. "Maybe they think [Hackenberg] is going to really be a guy."
May and June is the time of year when the Hackenbergs and Breshad Perrimans of the NFL world are said to be progressing, but tackle football is still more than two months away. It's hard to see the Jets having anything other than the fourth-best quarterback and fourth-best roster in the AFC East this season.
"Jamal Adams is a really good player," an exec said of the Jets' first-round pick. "Everyone would love to have him, but Marcus Maye in the second was one of the most shocking picks to me, that he went 39th. At the end of this year, they are probably going to look at that roster and go, 'Where is the talent?' And they will probably have to start over. I don't know why they didn't take another quarterback. It's not like these guys they were taking were guys you couldn't pass on."