Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were busy from the start of free agency, and even before that trading the number one overall draft pick to the Carolina Panthers, for wide receiver D.J. Moore and draft picks. They followed that up by adding two solid linebackers in T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. Those two should be studs in the Bears front 7 coming up this next season. The Bears also managed to snatch up two defensive linemen in defensive tackle Andrew Billings and defensive end DeMarcus Walker. The Bears defensive line was atrocious last year from a sack standpoint, with their safety being the teams sack leader.

Chicago lost one of their dependable running backs in David Montgomery who signed with the lions, in which the Bears internally said no problem, and went out and signed 2, Travis Homer alongside D’onta Foreman. Not only did they add running backs, but also Robert Tonyan got signed after some seasons in Green Bay. They also signed their backup QB that fits more of Justin Fields style, in P.J. Walker coming over from the Carolina Panthers.

In the coming days, and the draft, you should see Chicago trying to sure up their offensive and defensive lines respectively. Justin Fields was sacked a league high 55 last season, and none of their defensive linemen had more than 3 sacks last year.

I’d give the Bears an A- through the start of free agency.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have made some solid low key moves from the jump of free agency as well, signing Chris Lindstrom to a long-term contract, and Kaleb McGary to keep part of their offensive line intact. They also signed Taylor Heinicke to a 2-year deal to compete with Desmond Ridder for the starting QB spot. They already have the workhorses they need at the running back position. Atlanta trade for tight end Jonnu Smith from the patriots as well, for only a 7th round pick. He should definitely have some impact this coming on the opposite side of Kyle Pitts.

Defensively the Falcons made a big splashing plucking away Jessie Bates from Cincinnati. He will be a definite upgrade at the safety position for Atlanta. They also got a solid defensive tackle in David Onyemata coming over from the Saints to pair up with Grady Jerrett.

Coming into the offseason Atlanta didn’t need a ton of additions to be a contender for the upcoming season. They are building a solid ball club, with a ferocious running attack. I give them an A grade thus far.

Detroit Lions

It is unusual for the Lions to be in this position, but here they are. They’ve made some great low-cost signings during the first week of free agency that were sneaky good, potential to be great signings. The highlighted signings are the pair of cornerbacks they signed in Cam Sutton from Pittsburgh, and Emmanuel Moseley coming over from San Francisco. For a Lions secondary that needs help, they should be instant upgrades. Another 3 notable re-signings on the defensive side of the ball are worth mentioning, they re-signed LB Alex Anzalone, DT Isaiah Buggs, and DL John Cominsky. Cominsky is a glue guy for that dline, when he was out injured their record was nothing to write home about.

Offensively they let Swaggy go at the RB spot and shifted their attention on newly signed David Montgomery to be their new work horse. Montgomery with Detroit’s elite offensive line should be a force come next season. They also managed to re-sign RB Craig Reynolds, and offensive lineman Matt Nelson. Lions also brought back a familiar face in OG Graham Glasgow.

They got something going in Detroit, it is not the same old Lions anymore. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have this team believing. Detroit should be fun to watch this coming season and I’m sure will be diligent in the players they pick in the draft. I give the Lions a B+ so far in Free Agency.