2015 NFL off-season report cards

As the 2015 NFL season nears, we grade how all 32 NFL teams did this off-season, from free agency to the draft and the trade market.

Author:
Chris Burke & Doug Farrar
Publish date:
May 29, 2015

As the summer rolls on and all 32 NFL teams prepare for training camp, Chris Burke and Doug Farrar are handing out grades for each team's off-season. Each week, we'll examine one division, offering our picks for the biggest losses, best moves, underrated draft picks and lingering questions. Who spent wisely in free agency? Which draft classes will have an immediate impact? Are any new head coaches stepping into prime position for a surprise playoff run? Keep track of every team covered so far below.

AFC East

. New England Patriots: C

The Patriots lost four cornerbacks off their Super Bowl-winning squad and will have work to do to make up for Tom Brady's season-opening suspension.

. Buffalo Bills: B–

Rex Ryan has pledged to infuse his one-of-a-kind style on the playoff-starved Bills, but how far can a team go without a quarterback?

. Miami Dolphins: B

Miami landed free agency's biggest fish, but Ndamukong Suh won't be a cure-all for the Dolphins as they try to pass the Patriots.

. New York Jets: A–

The Jets sent their rebuild into hyperdrive with a staff overhaul and the return of Revis Island.

AFC North

. Baltimore Ravens: B+

Several key names (Smith, Ngata, McPhee) are gone, but the Ravens have reloaded seamlessly too many times to fly under the radar anymore.

. Cincinnati Bengals: B–

The Bengals appear content with their roster ahead of a pivotal year for the coaching staff and franchise quarterback Andy Dalton. Is that a good thing?

. Cleveland Browns: B–

The Browns had a lot to fix heading into the off-season, and they made an overhaul of their porous defensive line the top priority.

. Pittsburgh Steelers: C

The Steelers are putting a lot of pressure on their draft picks to fill the holes on a defense that got lit up in 2014.

AFC South

. Houston Texans: B+

From the league's worst record to playoff contention in 12 months, the Texans made moves with designs on threatening for a division title and beyond.

. Indianapolis Colts: B+

Stocked with veteran offensive weapons and new faces on defense, the Colts expect their Super Bowl chase to be taken seriously.

. Jacksonville Jaguars: A–

With another strong off-season under their belt, it's time for the Jaguars to start climbing up the standings.

. Tennessee Titans: C

After drafting Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 pick, Titans remain unsure of how smoothly he'll develop in NFL.

AFC West

. Denver Broncos: C+

Denver's new coaching staff is tasked with avoiding last year's late-season fade and keeping Peyton Manning's Super Bowl window open.

. Kansas City Chiefs: B–

To turn around a stagnant offense, the Chiefs can't have their receivers be shut out of the end zone for a second straight year.

. Oakland Raiders: A–

First-round pick Amari Cooper is just the latest addition to a young core that brings the Raiders to the precipice of a return to relevancy.

. San Diego Chargers: B–

With Melvin Gordon in the fold, it's all smiles in San Diego. But what will the O-line blocking for him look like?

NFC East

. Dallas Cowboys: B+

Will Dez Bryant sign? Will La'el Collins start? Amid a hectic off-season, plenty of questions remain in Dallas.

. New York Giants: B–

If the Giants' draft picks stumble early and the defense can't turn itself around, Tom Coughlin and his staff could be out the door.

. Philadelphia Eagles: B

New QB, new running backs, new top receiver ... Chip Kelly's aggressive shuffling of the offense will make or break the Eagles' hopes.

. Washington Redskins: B+

New GM Scot McCloughan brought some logic and restraint to Washington's off-season signings, but they won't mean much without an RGIII revival.

NFC North

. Chicago Bears: B+

This off-season brought a complete overhaul to the Bears' front offices, but can they solve the Jay Cutler puzzle?

. Detroit Lions: B+

Thanks to a stable secondary and offense, the Lions should remain contenders in tough NFC North.

. Green Bay Packers: B

The Packers approached the off-season with their typical passive manner, but consider it a win that they re-signed Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga.

. Minnesota Vikings: B

After proving himself as a head coach in 2014, Mike Zimmer is ready to push the Vikings even further in 2015.

NFC South

. Atlanta Falcons: B

On paper, the Falcons made constructive changes this spring, especially in the draft. Will the product on the field make real progress?

. Carolina Panthers: C+

The Panthers made Cam Newton the NFL's latest $100 million quarterback but left his supporting cast with some unsettling holes.

. New Orleans Saints: B

General manager Mickey Loomis has made dramatic changes to his roster in consecutive off-seasons. Will fresh blood send the Saints back to the playoffs?