While the draft is a way to build a team, free agency is a way to plug holes or even add talent to a team.
Re-signing Martin. Grade Incomplete. If Martin can stay healthy and churn out 1200 yards in 8 games he is worth every penny. If he fails to reach 1000 yards it means that something seriously went wrong (Will be a Grade D if he fails to perform).
J.R. Sweazy. Grade Incomplete. This is looking like a double FF grade, because like Martin, Sweazy was signed on for five years. The difference is that he is probably not going to play this year and if he does he has to beat out EDS and Pamphille.
Brent Grimes. Grade D. Grimes has value with his veteran savvy but he needs a front seven to hide his diminutive stature and opportunistic reactionary style of play. But he has no value matching up against #1s or #2s.
Robert Ayers Jr. Grade Incomplete. If he stays healthy and contributes five sacks on the year that makes his grade a C+/B- range. Failure to do so and he is in the F/D range with Sweazy and Martin.
Daryl Smith. Grade F. Why? Smith is on pace to record less combined tackles this year than his rookie year (52). The only other time he had less tackles was in 2012 with 6 combined tackles. But the following year with the Ravens in his first year he came back with a monster 123 comb tackle season (2013). He followed that up with strong performances in 2014 (128) and 2015 (121). Is the scheme this bad? Or is Smith simply fallen off the cliff? Smith is clearly a downgrade form Lansanah.
Re-signing Chris Conte. Grade D. Conte overacheived and looked semi competent, but it was a mirage. As depth Conte is fine, but he is not starter material. There were better safties in free agency than Conte that were starting material.
Signing Josh Robinson. Grade C. Special teams player with experience playing outside and nickel/dime formations against NFL level receiver and against high quality QB's of the NFC. Under utilzed player in this defense given the struggle of the other CB's.
Bryan Anger. Grade A. This is easily the best signing so far and reinforces that quality kickers and punters are always on tap in free agency. Free agency offers good value for special teams value signings like this.
