2026 NFL free agency grades: David Edwards, Rashid Shaheed

ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder grades the biggest signings and trades of the 2026 NFL offseason using multiple factors — on-field impact, salary cap implications, compensation, player value/age, and team context — and assigns each deal a letter grade.

“NFL free agency began Monday with the legal negotiating window, but the action started before that”

ESPN

Walder gives the Saints’ signing of guard David Edwards the terms four years, $61 million and a grade of A-.

ESPN

He cites Edwards’ 2025 Buffalo performance (83rd percentile pass block win rate, 86th percentile run block win rate) and similar 2024 numbers (76th percentile in both metrics).

Walder notes Edwards will turn 29 this month and calls the roughly $15 million per year deal a bargain compared with players like Aaron Banks (41st and 29th percentiles, equivalent to $20.8 million per year in 2026 dollars) and Will Fries (56th and 83rd over five games in 2023, $18.9 million per year equivalent).

Walder says Edwards should take over the Saints’ left guard spot, which had been occupied by Trevor Penning (traded midseason) and Dillon Radunz (a free agent), and help a unit that ranked 29th and 23rd in pass block and run block win rate, respectively.

Walder grades the Seahawks’ re-signing of WR Rashid Shaheed; Terms: Three years, $51 million; Grade: B- with mixed feelings.

He points to limited offensive production after the trade — 1.1 yards per route run, 0.9 against man coverage, on 18 receptions over 12 games including the playoffs.

ESPN

He also notes on-off splits showing Seattle worse passing with him on the field, citing 0.17 EPA per dropback without him compared to 0.0 with him, a split Walder attributes largely to quarterback Sam Darnold’s second-half regression.

Walder highlights Shaheed’s prior 2025 New Orleans rate of 1.8 yards per route run and a well-above-average 67 ESPN receiver score.

He emphasizes Shaheed’s elite returner value — 4.6 punt return yards over expected (fifth best among qualifying players) and 10.3 kick return yards over expected (third best) — including one punt return TD and two kick return TDs.

One of those kick return TDs was a 95-yard touchdown on the Seahawks’ first play of the postseason against the 49ers.

Walder calls the contract slightly below his expectation and says Shaheed could produce more with offseason integration.

He likewise evaluates other moves, starting with the Browns signing G Zion Johnson; Terms: Three years, $49.5 million; Grade: C+.

Walder notes Johnson had a 98th percentile run block win rate last season but only a fifth percentile pass block win rate, and that he is age 26.

He gives the Titans signing DT John Franklin-Myers Terms: Three years, $63 million; Grade: B+.

Walder cites Franklin-Myers’ 87th percentile pass rush win rate at defensive tackle, 94th percentile pressure rate, and 14.5 sacks over two seasons.

He rates the Bengals signing edge Boye Mafe Terms: Three years for $60 million; Grade: A-.

Walder highlights Mafe’s 86th percentile pass rush win rate at edge and 80th percentile run stop win rate, noting the deal is $20 million per year.

He evaluates the Commanders signing edge Odafe Oweh; Terms: Four years, $100 million; Grade: B.

Walder notes Oweh’s 80th percentile pass rush win rate and 82nd percentile pressure rate, and that he had no sacks with Baltimore then 7.5 after a trade to the Chargers, and 10 sacks the year before.

Walder is more critical on some signings.

“NFL free agency began Monday with the legal negotiating window, but the action started before that”

ESPN

Walder gives the Titans’ Alontae Taylor terms of three years, $60 million and a Grade: C-, noting that last season he allowed 1.0 yards per coverage snap and minus-1 EPA while playing primarily as a nickel, but that in the two prior seasons he allowed 1.6 yards per coverage snap and had double-digit positive EPA when targeted.

Walder calls $20 million per year expensive for a player without a long track record of reliability.

He grades the Saints’ signing of RB Travis Etienne Jr. at four years, $52 million with a Grade: C-, noting Etienne’s improved 2025 (4.3 yards per carry and 44 rush yards over expected) followed two seasons of negative rush yards over expected (−77 in 2023 and −43 in 2024), limited receiving volume (36 receptions) and low usage on long third downs (active for only 6% of third-and-7-plus plays).

Walder emphasizes the Saints’ offensive-line issues, noting the team ranked 23rd in run block win rate and 30th in yards before contact per carry, and questions whether this is the best use of cap space.

He also notes a possible roster-side benefit from removing the team from the Jeremiyah Love draft conversation.

The article begins to note the Titans’ Wan’Dale Robinson terms of four years, $78 million with a Grade: B+, but the text cuts off mid-sentence ("the Titans signed the former Giants") and does not complete that entry.

The source article ends abruptly and leaves that signing unfinished.