2013 Broncos Opponents: First Look-Free-Agency Edition

Hey everyone, well free agency is well underway and many of the Broncos opponents have been active this year so far. While we know the draft hasn't taken place yet I wanted to give an update on the Broncos opponents in 2013 to see what they are up to. This isn't grading each team as whole, rather just the moves they've made so far. Since the schedule hasn't been released yet we'll be going alphabetically. This also won't be an exhaustive list, rather a list of key losses and new signings.

Now to be clear, here are what my grades mean:

- An "A" grade means the team improved in a number of positions and didn't lose any key players.
- A "B" grade means the team improved in a few positions and only lost a few impactful players.
- A "C" grade means the team broke even, gaining and losing about an equal level of talent.
- A "D" grade means the team lost more talent than it gained, not replacing the talent it lost.
- An "F" grade means the team made little improvement and lost a significant level of talent.

Baltimore Ravens

Additions:
- Marcus Spears, Defensive End
- Chris Canty, Defensive Tackle

Subtractions:

- Dannell Ellerbe, Linebacker
- Paul Kruger, Linebacker
- Bernard Pollard, Safety
- Ed Reed, Safety
- Cary Williams, Cornerback
- Bryant McKinnie, Offensive Tackle
- Anquan Bolden, Wide Receiver

Analysis and Grade: "C"
- While there are a lot of names lost, most were older players who are either retiring or on their last legs. The biggest loss is likely Bolden and Paul Kruger. The addition of Spears and Canty will solve most of the issues that these cuts caused but at this point losing both starting safeties is a huge loss.

Dallas

Additions:
-None

Subtractions:
- Marcus Spears, Defensive End
- Felix Jones, Running Back
- Kevin Ogletree, Wide Receiver

Analysis and Grade: "C"
- Overall the Cowboys managed to keep their key players only losing depth players. Signing no new players at this point really makes this a wash so far.

Houston

Additions:
- Ed Reed, Safety

Subtractions:

- Kevin Walter, Wide Receiver
- Bradie James, Linebacker
- Shaun Cody, Defensive Tackle
- Conner Barwin, Linebacker
- Justin Forsett, Running Back
- Glover Quin, Safety

Analysis and Grade: "C-"
- The addition of Reed is nice since he brings experience but losing the younger Quin may hurt that secondary. Also losses across the board to both the offense and defensive depth hurt.

Indianapolis

Additions:
- Matt Hasselbeck, Quarterback
- LaRon Landry, Safety
- Aubrayo Franklin, Defensive Tackle

Subtractions:

- Jerraud Power, Cornerback
- Dwight Freeney, Defensive End
- Donnie Avery, Wide Receiver

Analysis and Grade: "C+"
- The addition of two starters in Landry and Franklin help deal with the losses on defense and by bringing in Matt Hasselbeck the Colts know they have a backup who not only can start if needed but is a great mentor for Andrew Luck.

Jacksonville

Additions:
- Justin Forsett, Running Back
- Geno Hayes, Linebacker

Subtractions:

-Terrance Knighton, Defensive Tackle
- Derek Cox, Cornerback

Analysis and Grade: "C"
- The loss of Cox may be the toughest bit for the Jags but the addition of a great #2 RB in Forsett and a fantastic special teamer in Hayes helps compensate.

Kansas City

Additions:
- Alex Smith, Quarterback
- Sean Smith, Cornerback
- Dunta Robinson, Cornerback
- Donnie Avery, Wide Receiver
- Anthony Fasano, Tight End

Subtractions:

- Matt Cassel, Quarterback
- Ropati Pitoitua, Defensive End

Analysis and Grade: "A"
- The Chiefs have upgraded at quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback and tight end, oh and the draft hasn't happened yet. While there are no game changers on this list of additions the upgrade across the board are significant. I do think the addition, and upgrade, at head coach should be mentioned as well.

New England

Additions:
- Danny Amendola, Wide Receiver
- Leon Washington, Running Back

Subtractions:

- Brandon Lloyd, Wide Receiver
- Wes Welker, Wide Receiver
- Danny Woodhead, Running Back
- Patrick Chung, Defensive Back
- Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver

Analysis and Grade: "D"
- The fantastic additions of Amendola, a great slot WR, and Washington, one of the best returners in the NFL, are the only thing stopping this from being an "F" because the loss of the Patriots number #1, 2 and 3 WR's is huge, along with the loss of their #2 RB and cornerback. Lloyd and Welker are the biggest losses though, 2265 yards and 10 TD's between them.

New York Giants

Additions:
- Cullen Jenkins, Defensive Tackle
- Luis Murphy, Wide Receiver
- Brandon Myers, Tight End

Subtractions:

- Chris Canty, Defensive Tackle
- Martellus Bennett, Tight End
- Chase Blackburn, Linebacker
- Osi Umenyiora, Defensive End
- Domenik Hixon, Wide Receiver

Analysis and Grade: "C+"
- Overall the Giants have been just cutting and replacing players, losing production only from the defensive end and linebacker position, replacing most of the other players they lost.

Oakland

Additions:
- Nick Roach, Linebacker
- Jason Hunter, Defensive End
- Kevin Burnett, Linebacker
- Vance Walker, Linebacker

Subtractions:

- Michael Huff, Safety
- Darrius Heyward-Bey, Wide Receiver
- Philip Wheeler, Linebacker
- Richard Seymour, Defensive Tackle
- Brandon Myers, Tight End
- Shane Lechler, Punter
- Desmond Bryant

Analysis and Grade: "D-"
- Poor Coach Allen, with the terrible cap situation he came into he lost a massive number of starters and even a few Pro Bowlers. The addition of Roach, Burnett and Walker help shore up a decent defense but they lost some serious talent.

Philadelphia

Additions:
- Patrick Chung, Defensive Back
- Bradley Fletcher, Cornerback
- Conner Barwin, Linebacker
- Cary Williams, Conerback
- Kenny Phillips, Safety
- Arrelious Benn, Wide Receiver

Subtractions:

- Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Cornerback
- Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback

Analysis and Grade: "B"
- The Eagles did a good job cutting overpaid players (Asomugha) and replace talented ones (DRC) with plenty of other talent to their secondary with two cornerbacks and two safeties along with a solid linebacker and a good kick returner in Been.

San Diego

Additions:
- Danny Woodhead, Running Back
- Derek Cox, Cornerback

Subtractions:

- Louis Vasquez, Offensive Guard
- Shaun Phillips, Linebacker
- Quentin Jammer, Cornerback
- Danario Alexander, Wide Receiver

Analysis and Grade: "C"
- The Chargers lost some serious talent in Phillips, Jammer and Alexander but do help make up for those losses with the addition of a good, multi-threat RB in Woodhead and a solid corner in Cox.

Tennessee

Additions:
- Bernard Pollard, Safety
- Moise Fokou, Linebacker
- Delanie Walker, Tight End
- Shonn Greene, Running Back
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Quarterback

Subtractions:

- Matt Hasselbeck, Quarterback
- Jared Cook, Tight End
- Jordan Babineaux, Safety
- Steve Hutchinson, Offensive Guard
- Will Witherspoon, Linebacker

Analysis and Grade: "B"
- The Titans were able to replace or upgrade at most positions they lost players at. The biggest losses may be Cook and Hutchinson but the addition of Greene and Pollard present nice moves to strengthen or improve weak positions.

Washington

Additions:
- Jeremy Trueblood, Offensive Tackle
- E. J. Biggers, Cornerback

Subtractions:

- Lorenzo Alexander, Linebacker
- DeAngelo Hall, Cornerback
- Fred Davis, Tight End
- Chris Cooley, Tight End
- Brandon Banks, Wide Receiver
- Rex Grossman, Quarterback

Analysis and Grade: "D"
- The Redskins suffered some key losses on offense and while the addition of Jeremy Trueblood will hopefully protect Robert Griffin from himself, the losses at tight end (Davis, Cooley), returner (Banks), and a few defensive starters (Alexnader, Hall) can't be overlooked. Oh don't forget they gave up most of this draft so that may have impacted my grade knowing they may not add much there either.

Wrapping Up:

Here's a quick breakdown:

"A" Grades:
- Kansas City Chiefs

"B" Grades:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Tennessee Titans

"C" Grades:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Dallas Cowboys
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Giants
- San Diego Chargers

"D" Grades:
- New England Patriots
- Oakland Raiders
- Washington Redskins

"F" Grades:
- None

Really the Chiefs were the team to see the biggest improvement but the Eagles and Titans also made strides. Now as I said earlier, this isn't a measurement of each team overall, rather judging their moves so far.