2012 AFC free-agency grades

The landscape of the NFL has shifted since the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on February 5th. Peyton Manning has a new team, Mario Williams has a new home and the Washington Redskins made a blockbuster trade for the rights to the No. 2 pick.

Matt Williamson grades all 32 NFL teams on their free-agent acquisitions and trades, beginning with the AFC. The NFC will come Friday.

Kansas City Chiefs

Key additions: WR Dwayne Bowe (franchised), T Eric Winston, RB Peyton Hillis, CB Stanford Routt, TE Kevin Boss, LB Jovan Belcher (re-signed)
Key losses: CB Brandon Carr, QB Kyle Orton

Analysis: The Chiefs have had a great offseason, and it started before free agency opened when they signed Routt and franchised Bowe. Kansas City's right tackle position was one of the worst starting spots in the entire league last year. With Winston, the Chiefs have one of the five best right tackles in the game today. Signing Hillis for running back depth is also an excellent calculated risk. He can carry the load, or better yet, complement Jamaal Charles, as Kansas City's mercurial running back is returns from an ACL injury. The Chiefs' roster isn't perfect, and I still have huge concerns at the quarterback position, but they are in the enviable position of allowing the draft to come to them, selecting the best player on the board without reaching. And, they add some superb young talent that was already on their roster that was lost to injury in 2010 in Charles, Tony Moeaki and Eric Berry.

Grade: A

To see the grades for the rest of the AFC -- including which team got a D-minus -- you must be an ESPN Insider. Sign up now!

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Matt Williamson

ESPN.com

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• Hosts "Football Today" podcast
• Joined ESPN in 2005
• Was an NFL and college scout for the Cleveland Browns