An ESPN panel assigned grades for each NFL team on the two-week free-agency period. The group likes the work done by the Oakland Raiders, who have been the most active team in free agency.

The panel gave the Raiders a B-plus grade. It was tied for the fifth-highest grade in the league. ESPN scout Matt Williamson lauded Oakland for using its salary-cap wealth (the Raiders had the second-most cap room to start free agency) on volume. He liked the way the Raiders shored up the core of their team.

"The Raiders got way stronger at the two pivots, right up the middle with their big guys, which was a huge problem," Williamson said. "Both (center Rodney) Hudson and (defensive tackle Dan) Williams are really good players in their primes. (Middle linebacker Curtis) Lofton and (outside linebacker Malcolm) Smith are upgrades, but not great. (Safety Nate) Allen is worth the risk as a free safety. But you see Oakland in that Jaguars/Browns category with a ton of money to spend, no one to spend it on and difficulties finding guys to go there. Ideally, they would have landed a Randall Cobb or Ndamukong Suh."

I was bit surprised Oakland received this high of a grade. We’ve discussed the Raiders’ free-agency efforts extensively. I liked what they did because the roster got better, but the truth is, their two biggest need areas – receiver and pass-rusher -- went unaddressed. But there is no doubt the Raiders’ roster is stronger now than it was at the end of last season because of some smart additions.