It has been a while since anyone responded to this post, but as the 2022 regular season is approaching Baalke keeps looking better and better. If I had to grade his 2 classes of free agents and draft picks, it would look like this:

2021 Draft: Lawrence, Etienne and Campbell give this class a grade of A-. I expect all 3 to improve considerably this season making the grade an A. Cisco is very promising, while the jury is out on Little.

2021 free agency: Poor group. The only ones remotely worth their new salary are Smoot, Robertson-Harris, Marvin Jones and Agnew. Grade: C-

2022 draft: I hate to grade these rookies before they've played a regular season game, however this class looks like a winner. Walker and Lloyd can become perennial pro-bowlers if they continue to develop. Fortner will be a solid starter for a long time unless he suffers an injury like Michael Cheever. Muma and Connor look like solid reserves at linebacker and running back. Grade: TBD, but I predict it will end up as an A-.

2022 free agency: Destined to become best free agent group in history. Kirk and Zay Jones look like receivers 1 and 2 and should combine for a total of 140 receptions and 12 touchdowns, at the least. A healthy Evan Engram can catch 60-70 passes and provide a great safety valve for Lawrence. Scherff looks like the real deal and should solidify the O. Line. Fatukasi, Oluakan and Williams should be very solid starters to begin the season providing significant upgrades at DT, MLB and nickel. Arden Key was a later signing in free agency who looks like he could become the surprise of this group. He was a beast at LSU until substance abuse issues effected his play and caused him to drop to round 3. He could end up with 10 sacks and become a vital cog on the defensive line. Grade: A+

I was among those who criticized Khan for not firing Baalke and am happy to admit my mistake. He may not be the most popular guy with agents, but that didn't stop him from getting the amazing haul in 2022 free agency.

Overall grade: B+

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