Winners and losers from Day 1 of free agency

What a day.

After a flurry of moves to open the new league year Thursday, a number of teams around the NFL are already taking on a much different look.

Here's a look at the winners and losers from Day 1 action.

Winner - Carson Wentz

Wentz has a long way to go before he can be considered a franchise-caliber quarterback. It was imperative for the Eagles to surround him with better weapons heading into his second season, and the team managed to do just that mere minutes into free agency. Adding Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith at wide receiver, which bumps Jordan Matthews into the primary slot role, gives the young signal-caller every opportunity to take a major step forward in his second year.

Loser - Bengals

The Bengals probably knew retaining both Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler was unlikely, and it appears they didn't even make an offer to keep the latter. But coming out of the first day of free agency having lost both standout linemen deals a critical hit to what was once one of the league's top offensive fronts. Cincinnati now has some work to do, as that group always played a key role in Andy Dalton's success.

Winner - Offensive linemen

Speaking of Whitworth and Zeitler, it's a pretty good time to be an offensive lineman. Despite the fact he's now 35 years old, Whitworth landed a three-year, $36-million deal to join the Rams. Zeitler became the latest player to reset the guard market with a five-year, $60-million contract in Cleveland, and several others also cashed in big - like Russell Okung, who got a four-year, $53-million deal from the Chargers. In an era when offensive-line talent is particularly difficult to find, these types of paydays should continue.

Loser - Running backs

When the Dallas Cowboys hit a home run with their pick of Ezekiel Elliott, it was advertised as evidence that running backs still have plenty of value. That may be the case for younger players at the position, and particularly those making the jump from college, but veteran ball-carriers weren't first-day signings for a reason. Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Eddie Lacy, and Latavius Murray may all be forced to settle for less than they'd hoped, and they might even have to wait a few days first.

Winner - Jaguars

Jacksonville will get roasted for dishing out big money and trying to "win" the offseason. Unlike years past, though, it's pretty difficult to criticize where the money went. The Jaguars' new regime managed to beat out the Broncos for perennial Pro Bowl talent Calais Campbell and stole A.J. Bouye away from the many other teams that expressed interest. Campbell rounds out a talented defensive front, and Bouye pairs with Jalen Ramsey to give Jacksonville one of the NFL's best young cornerback tandems.

Loser - Colts

Indianapolis entered free agency with more than enough salary-cap space to address needs on both the offensive line and throughout the defense. After the first wave of signings, the club's come away with next to nothing. Making big moves when building a roster isn't imperative - it's not always even advisable - but adding a name like Nick Perry, Bouye, or Zeitler would have represented a major upgrade. The Colts need to be active in bolstering a thin roster over the next few days.

Winner - Buccaneers

It was imperative for the Buccaneers to find another receiver to take pressure off Mike Evans, whether they did it through free agency or the draft. Landing DeSean Jackson at the outset of the new league year promptly checks that box. Jameis Winston's newest target remains one of the league's most dangerous deep threats heading into his 10th season. He'll make his share of plays downfield, and the mere threat that he'll take the top off the defense will open things up for Evans and others.

Loser - Cam Newton

As the Panthers try to get Newton back on track, many expected the franchise to finally take care of the offensive line as a logical step in that process. The Panthers seem to agree, but making Matt Kalil one of the league's highest-paid left tackles is a particularly curious way to express it. The former first-round pick had the talent at one point, and maybe the Panthers see something we don't. It's tough to get excited about this being their big-money move, though.

Winner - Texans

Forget the fact that Houston had to give up a 2018 second-round pick: The Texans orchestrated an incredibly unique and creative trade to rid themselves of Brock Osweiler's contract. Such a move wasn't even on anyone's radar. All signs now suggest the Texans will set out in pursuit of Tony Romo, and that's the exact kind of move they need to make. Complementing a dominant defense with a quarterback of his caliber, if he's healthy, would make Houston a Super Bowl favorite in the AFC heading into the season.

Loser - Redskins

Some things never change. While losing several key players to the open market is an unfortunate start to the Redskins' offseason, it's not even close to the most concerning development on the first day of free agency. Firing general manager Scot McCloughan, then promptly following it up with a leak to the media implying the move was a direct result of his personal issues, is downright disgraceful on the organization's part. Add it to the ever-growing list of reasons why players and executives alike may think twice about signing on in Washington.