FA signings analysis/grades

Here are my thoughts on the FA signings in the last three days --

1. Edgerrin James -- I can see why the Cardinals did this, but it leaves JJ Arrington without a job. I thought they might invest money in a QB, but they decided to pay for a top RB to go with their excellent WR corps. A 4-year contract for a 28-year-old RB with a lot of mileage is risky... GRADE = B+

2. Jamal Lewis -- I'm not too sure about this deal... the Ravens made Lewis the highest paid RB in the NFL based on yearly average. Yes, this means higher than Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson. He's coming off his worst season, but he'll only be 27 on opening day. Too much dough for a whack job though... GRADE = B-

3. Antwaan Randle El -- Another head-scratcher... the Bears offered Randle El a 6-year, $18 million dollar contract, so Daniel Snyder decided to give an extra year for $13 million more. Randle El's career best in receptions is 47 in his rookie year. He is a threat in many facets of the game, but he's never scored more than 3 touchdowns in any season. GRADE = D

4. DeShaun Foster -- After seeing the deals that Jamal Lewis and Edgerrin James got, this seems like a steal for the Panthers. Foster is just 26, and has only 377 NFL carries on his legs. He should be a stud fantasy RB for several years. He wanted to stay in Carolina, and the Panthers took advantage of that. GRADE = A

5. Mike Anderson -- He will be 33 in September, but would you bet against Anderson rushing for 1000yds and 10TD if Jamal Lewis goes down? He's only carried the ball 865 times in the NFL, and he puts up numbers, including 41 career TD. That being said, would you sign a 33-year-old RB to a 4-year contract? GRADE = C

6. Chester Taylor -- He will be the frontrunner for the starting job, but the Vikings needed help in other areas. They have several RB under contract, including the versatile Mewelde Moore. It's hard to see why Taylor wouldn't want to go to a team where he would be the unchallenged #1... GRADE = C

7. Ryan Longwell -- Green Bay will miss Longwell, who had only two seasons below 80% accuracy in nine years on the frozen tundra. The Vikings think he has several good years left, and it solves a kicking problem that has plagued them since Gary Anderson left. GRADE = B

8. Ron Dayne -- Why not? If Mike Shanahan ran himself, he'd probably rack up 1200 yards. He says that Dayne might be the starter going into camp, but don't believe it. Tatum Bell is the real deal. Dayne will contribute, but he needs to keep his weight down to be effective. GRADE = B-

9. Antonio Bryant -- He obviously chased the money, because I don't see the 49ers offense turning around for a few years. Bryant is a tremendous young talent who averages 15 yards per catch for his career. He went over 1000 yards last year for a terrible Browns offense. If Alex Smith matures, he has a good #1 receiver to build rapport with. GRADE = A-

10. Joe Jurevicius -- He turned a career year into a nice free agent deal. Jurevicius only had 13 career TD before exploding for 10 last year. He will start for the Browns next year, but unless Charlie Frye decides to make a 31-year-old journeyman his #1 receiver, fantasy owners should proceed with caution. GRADE = C