Grading the Patriots’ signings, trades and re-signings in free agency

The Patriots have made a tremendous volume of moves, even if most have been unpopular.

The New England Patriots have been busier in free agency than the fanbase has been willing to admit. The Patriots have retained seven of their free agents and restricted free agents. They’ve traded for one new player and signed another. But that’s it for acquisitions.

In the meantime, they’d shipped off one starting offensive lineman, Shaq Mason, and watched another, Ted Karras, depart in free agency. And of course, there’s the biggest departure: star cornerback J.C. Jackson.

Let’s talk about who they retained or added — and about all the trades (including Mason’s departure). Here are the grades for the team’s moves so far.