• Bears sign D'Andre Swift: Swift faced the Chicago Bears twice a year as a member of the Detroit Lions, but he maxed out at 151 carries over his first three seasons, often dealing with minor injuries. Chicago is paying for the 2023 production, with the Miles Sanders warning sign right in front of them. Chicago’s resources would have been much better spent elsewhere.
• Cardinals sign Justin Jones: Jones brings a high motor and is always quick to talk some trash and energize the defense. Nonetheless, this payday dramatically outpaces his down-to-down production.
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The first wave of free agency is officially in the books.
Over the last four days, more than 200 players found a new home in the NFL, and PFF provided live analysis on every major transaction, giving out grades from both a team fit/need and value standpoint.
Here are the four moves that earned a “C-” value grade.
DI JUSTIN JONES SIGNS WITH ARIZONA CARDINALS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 49.3 (107th/130)
- 2023 PFF WAR: -0.02 (179th)
- Fit/need grade: A
- Value grade: C-
- Contract: Three years, $30.1 million ($10.33 million per year), $19.75 million total guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: N/A
Jones brings a high motor and is always quick to talk some trash and energize the defense. Nonetheless, this payday dramatically outpaces his down-to-down production. He does have some occasional splash plays that illustrate what made him a Day 2 draft pick, but this is probably the deal we view as the most player-friendly signing so far this offseason.
CB SEAN MURPHY-BUNTING SIGNS WITH ARIZONA CARDINALS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 57.6 (89th/127)
- 2023 PFF WAR: -0.02 (201st)
- Fit/need grade: A
- Value grade: C-
- Contract: Three years, $25.5 million ($8.5 million per year), $17.5 million total guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: One year, $4 million, $3.25 million total guaranteed
With the added and important context that there were virtually zero free-agent options at cornerback not nearing 30 years old, it makes sense that Murphy-Bunting was able to cash in big time. The former No. 39 overall pick has good size at 6-foot and 195 pounds, and he recorded four interceptions to go along with nine more pass breakups over the past two seasons. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon used to coach defensive backs, so he’ll try to tap into Murphy-Bunting's physical gifts in his third stop.
G JONAH JACKSON SIGNS WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 61.0 (34th/79)
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.1 (37th)
- Fit/need grade: C
- Value grade: C-
- Contract: Three years, $51 million ($17 million per year), $34 million total guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: Four years, $50 million ($12.5 million per year), $30 million total guaranteed
This is an interesting deal for a few reasons. First, the Rams got great play at left guard from rookie Steve Avila. Second, the Rams just extended right guard Kevin Dotson to a three-year, $48 million extension last week. Third, they still have question marks at both tackle spots. However, they should have an absolutely bruising run game between the tackles. We were underwhelmed by Jackson’s pass-blocking ability in his 2023 film, but the league clearly viewed him as an ascending young player, because his market was very strong.
RB D’ANDRE SWIFT SIGNS WITH CHICAGO BEARS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 66.5 (45th/59)
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.13 (19th)
- Fit/need grade: C-
- Value grade: C-
- Contract: Three years, $24 million ($8 million per year), $15.3 million total guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: Three years, $22.5 million ($7.5 million per year), $15 million total guaranteed
For the second year in a row, the Philadelphia Eagles helped resurrect a highly drafted running back's career behind an elite offensive line with offensive line coach/run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland maximizing the talents of his rushers. Swift faced the Chicago Bears twice a year as a member of the Detroit Lions, but he maxed out at 151 carries over his first three seasons, often dealing with minor injuries. Chicago is paying for the 2023 production, with the Miles Sanders warning sign right in front of them. Chicago’s resources would have been much better spent elsewhere.
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