1 year later - Free agency graded

[sggatecl]

https://grantland.com/the-triangle/free-agent-report-card-which-teams-made-the-nfls-honor-roll/

Only the Patriots and Broncos get higher marks.

Detroit Lions

Re-signed: Dominic Raiola, Brandon Pettigrew, Rashean Mathis

Arrived: Golden Tate, James Ihedigbo

Departed: Willie Young, Jason Fox, Louis Delmas

I was skeptical of the move to give Tate a five-year, $31 million contract with $13.3 million guaranteed, but it looks like a masterstroke one year later. Tate kept the Detroit passing attack afloat while Calvin Johnson was down with his ankle injury, a bargain for a guy whose cap hit was just $3.1 million. Even at $5.4 million in 2015, he?ll be one of the better bargains in football. Ihedigbo and Mathis were starters in a shockingly effective secondary. The only downside was the departure of Young, an underrated pass-rusher who had an impressive season for the Bears.

Grade: A-minus