They say if you can’t say something nice, you shouldn’t say anything at all. We’re taking that to heart, reflecting on the first wave of 2024 NFL free agency by identifying the best signing by every team in the league.
Some free agents fit their new team’s scheme or roster construction like a glove. Others represent financial bargains that were too attractive to pass up. Whatever the reason, every team in the NFL has made at least one addition worthy of praise.
Best 2024 NFL Free Agency Signing by Every Team
Arizona Cardinals | OT Jonah Williams
Terms: Two years, $30 million, $19 million guaranteed
Jonah Williams brings 59 games worth of starting experience to the desert, but at 26 years old, the former first-round pick is still young enough to fit Arizona’s long-term contract. His position flexibility makes Williams the Cardinals’ backup left tackle behind Paris Johnson Jr.
Williams’ $15 million average annual value (AAV) ranks just 10th among right tackles.
Atlanta Falcons | QB Kirk Cousins
Terms: Four years, $180 million, $90 million guaranteed
Few NFL transactions figure to have as much 2024 impact as the Falcons signing Kirk Cousins. Atlanta is ready to compete in a weak NFC South and has pieces like RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, free agent addition Darnell Mooney, and TE Kyle Pitts in place.
Signing a 36-year-old coming off a torn Achilles carries inherent risk, and the Falcons could have instead pursued a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. But Cousins is a win-now option for a roster in position to contend.
Baltimore Ravens | RB Derrick Henry
Terms: Two years, $16 million, $9 million guaranteed
Speaking of inherent risk, Derrick Henry comes with plenty after leading the league in rushing attempts in four of the past five seasons. But Baltimore has other backs to help reduce his workload, while the Ravens’ offensive line is far superior to the Tennessee Titans’ OL Henry ran behind for years.
This is effectively a one-year deal, limiting the downside for Baltimore even if Henry falls off a cliff.
Buffalo Bills | WR Curtis Samuel
Terms: Three years, $24 million, $13.11 million guaranteed
Cap space problems meant the Bills have had to subtract more than they’ve added this offseason, but Curtis Samuel was a worthwhile addition at a moderate price point. He posted the best season of his career (77-851-3) under Buffalo OC Joe Brady when both were with the Carolina Panthers in 2020.
Carolina Panthers | WR Diontae Johnson
Terms: Panthers acquired Johnson and a 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 240) from the Pittsburgh Steelers for CB Donte Jackson and a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 178)
Johnson’s counting stats have declined for two straight years, but think about the Steelers’ quarterback play he had to deal with during that time.
Underlying metrics still like Johnson’s ability. ESPN’s WR tracking rated Johnson as a top-four separator every season from 2019 through 2022, and he still finished 12th last year. Acquiring a talented WR for Bryce Young in exchange for a release candidate in Jackson was a win for the Panthers.
Chicago Bears | WR Keenan Allen
Terms: Bears acquired Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 110)
Keenan Allen is on Chicago’s books for over $23 million next season (barring an extension), but he’s still worth the money despite his advanced age. Allen set a new career high last season with 108 receptions for 1,243 yards while ranking 10th league-wide in yards per route run (2.36).
While he comes with injury risk after missing at least three games in three of the last four seasons, it’s beyond exciting to imagine him as Caleb Williams‘ safety blanket in 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals | S Vonn Bell
Terms: One year, $1.21 million
The Bengals made several smart, affordable signings this offseason, papering over holes by adding RB Zack Moss, OT Trent Brown, DT Sheldon Rankins, S Geno Stone, and others.
But Vonn Bell will be one of the NFL’s best bargains in 2024. Already collecting $6 million in guaranteed salary from the Panthers, Bell returns to Cincinnati after a one-year hiatus making only the league minimum. Communication issues torched the Bengals’ secondary last season, and Bell will be tasked with fixing that problem.
Cleveland Browns | QB Jameis Winston
Terms: One year, $4 million, fully guaranteed
Browns QB Deshaun Watson was only healthy for six games in 2023, and his 42.9 QBR would’ve ranked 24th in the NFL if he’d posted enough attempts to qualify. Injuries or ineffectiveness could sideline Watson again, and Jameis Winston is a higher-upside option than Joe Flacco, last year’s Cleveland QB2.
Dallas Cowboys | LB Eric Kendricks
Terms: One year, $3 million, $1.5 million guaranteed
Eric Kendricks is the only external free agent the Cowboys have signed. He’ll reunite with new Dallas DC Mike Zimmer, Kendricks’ head coach for seven seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
MORE: Could Ezekiel Elliott and Stephon Gilmore Return to Dallas?
Kendricks can help the Cowboys’ defense adjust to Zimmer’s schematic changes, but a 32-year-old off-ball linebacker probably shouldn’t represent an NFL team’s “best” free agent signing.
Denver Broncos | S P.J. Locke
Terms: Two years, $7 million, $3.245 million guaranteed
Like the Cowboys, the Broncos haven’t given us much to choose from this offseason. Safety Brandon Jones’ three-year, $20 million deal was an overpay for a defender with 13 starts over the past two seasons. But P.J. Locke’s affordable two-year pact makes sense and will keep the former UDFA in Denver after he started eight games as an injury replacement in 2023.
Detroit Lions | DT DJ Reader
Terms: Two years, up to $27.25 million, $9+ million guaranteed
Detroit has made a bevy of sharp moves this offseason. Signing veteran Kevin Zeitler to replace Jonah Jackson made too much sense, while CB Carlton Davis offers the high-end CB play the Lions have been searching for.
But adding DT DJ Reader to the middle of an already talented defensive line was Detroit’s masterpiece. He’s coming off a torn quad tendon, but Reader is a true difference-maker at nose tackle who will allow Lions DC Aaron Glenn to deploy more defenders in coverage.
Green Bay Packers | S Xavier McKinney
Terms: Four years, $67 million, $23 million guaranteed
No team needed safety help more than the Packers, so Green Bay made the logical move: Sign the best safety on the open market.
Xavier McKinney should be able to do just about everything in new Packers DC Jeff Hafley’s scheme. He played over 1,000 snaps for the New York Giants in 2023, lining up deep, in the box, and in the slot. Perhaps most crucially, McKinney is still just 24 years old, making him a perfect fit for Green Bay’s young roster.
Houston Texans | EDGE Danielle Hunter
Terms: Two years, $49 million, $48 million guaranteed
The Texans paid the sticker price for Danielle Hunter, but the veteran edge defender should be worth it. His speed and pass-rushing moves will complement reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.’s brute strength, making him a potential finishing piece on a rebuilt Houston defense.
Indianapolis Colts | WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Terms: Three years, $70 million, $41 million guaranteed
A second-round pick in 2020, Michael Pittman Jr. has been reliable since joining the Colts, topping 900 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. He was the centerpiece of Indianapolis’ offense in 2023, as his 28.5% target share ranked sixth-best in the NFL.
And yet, the Colts will pay Pittman less through two years of his extension than he would’ve received on back-to-back franchise tags. He’ll earn just $333,333 more annually than Calvin Ridley over the next three seasons despite being three years younger than the new Tennessee Titans wideout.
Jacksonville Jaguars | C Mitch Morse
Terms: Two years, $10.5 million, $7 million guaranteed
The Jaguars needed a replacement for center Luke Fortner after two seasons of struggles, and they found one in Mitch Morse, whom the Bills released in a cost-cutting move. While Morse may no longer be the player he was at the beginning of his NFL career, he represents a clear improvement over Fortner. His $5.25 million AAV ranks just 13th among centers.
Kansas City Chiefs | WR Hollywood Brown
Terms: One year, $7 million, $6.5 million guaranteed
Rashee Rice made his bones as a run-after-catch threat during his 2023 rookie campaign, but the Chiefs needed a downfield threat to pair with him in 2024.
Enter Hollywood Brown, who remains one of the league’s most prolific speed merchants as he enters his sixth NFL season. Kansas City landed the 26-year-old for less money than the Texans are paying Robert Woods.
Las Vegas Raiders | C Andre James
Terms: Three years, $24 million, $13 million guaranteed
We didn’t give the Raiders’ Gardner Minshew or Christian Wilkins signings rave reviews, but bringing Andre James back — and nearly doubling his salary — made sense for a Las Vegas offensive line in flux.
MORE: NFL Free Agency Best, Worst Contracts
The Raiders still need answers on the right side, but LT Kolton Miller, LG Dylan Parham, and James have the left side covered.
Los Angeles Chargers | RB Gus Edwards
Terms: Two years, $6.5 million, $3.375 million guaranteed
Gus Edwards ranked second in the NFL in rushing success rate (57.7%) from 2019 to 2022 — the last time he played in a Greg Roman-coordinated offense.
While he’ll no longer benefit from Lamar Jackson’s gravity as a rushing threat, Edwards remains one of the most powerful backs in the league. He’s following new Chargers OL coach Mike Devlin to Los Angeles, which could have an underrated run-blocking line if everyone stays healthy.
The Bolts will likely draft a pass-catching RB, but Edwards could set a career-high in carries this year.
Los Angeles Rams | S Kamren Curl
Terms: Two years, $8.75 million
The Rams have habitually collected players like CB Cobie Durant and S Quentin Lake who can line up virtually anywhere in the second and third levels, and Kamren Curl fits that mold.
While the 25-year-old lacks ball production (no interceptions since his three-pick rookie campaign), Curl can play safety in two-deep coverages, erase tight ends, or line up in the box as Big Nickel or Dime linebacker.
He was the only free agent in PFN’s Top 100 to sign for less than a $7 million AAV.
Miami Dolphins | CB Kendall Fuller
Terms: Two years, $15 million, $7.975 million guaranteed
Kendall Fuller is arguably the No. 1 steal of NFL free agency thus far. He’s 29 years old, but he’s played 1,000 snaps for three consecutive seasons, is solid against the run, and forced a tight window on 40.8% of his targets in man coverage in 2023, the fourth-highest rate in the league, per Next Gen Stats.
While he’s played primarily on the perimeter since 2020, Fuller began his career in the slot. He’ll give the Dolphins optionality if incumbent slot CB Kader Kohou struggles or 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith develops into a starting option on the outside.
Minnesota Vikings | RB Aaron Jones
Terms: One year, $7 million, $6 million guaranteed
Injuries will be a never-ending concern for Aaron Jones, who turns 30 in December and missed six games in 2023 with hamstring and knee issues. But Jones — who ranked sixth in yards after contact per attempt (3.35)– is a perfect fit for the Vikings’ zone-running scheme.
Ty Chandler flashed after taking over Minnesota’s backfield at the end of last season, but he’ll cede touches to Jones, who should add a dose of explosiveness and efficiency to the Vikings’ rushing attack.
New England Patriots | EDGE Josh Uche
Terms: One year, $3 million, $2.3 million guaranteed
Yes, Josh Uche is a designated pass rusher who’s never played more than a third of New England’s defensive snaps in a season. But the delta between Uche and new Philadelphia Eagle Bryce Huff — another edge defender who sees limited snaps but received a $17 million AAV this offseason — isn’t as wide as the gap between their salaries.
Uche finished first in PFF’s pass-rushing productivity in 2022 while posting 11.5 sacks. He won’t turn 26 years old until September. The limitations are obvious, but the price point doesn’t make sense.
New Orleans Saints | LB Willie Gay Jr.
Terms: One year, $3 million.
Willie Gay Jr. wanted more playing time than he was receiving with the Chiefs, but he’s unlikely to see many snaps in New Orleans unless starting LBs Demario Davis or Pete Werner go down. Zack Baun played just 27% of the Saints’ snaps as their LB3 in 2023.
Still, Gay is a worthwhile insurance policy that made more sense for New Orleans at cost than pass rusher Chase Young, whom the Saints gave $13 million fully guaranteed while knowing he could be sidelined into training camp by neck surgery.
New York Giants | EDGE Brian Burns
Terms: Giants acquired Brian Burns and a 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 166) from the Panthers for a 2024 second-round pick (No. 39), a 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 141), and a 2025 fifth-round pick. Extended: five years, $141 million, $76 million guaranteed.
New York needed another force along the front seven that it could rely on to generate consistent pressure. DT Dexter Lawrence is the NFL’s best pass-rushing nose tackle, while Kayvon Thibodeaux came into his own as his 2023 campaign progressed.
Burns will add a new dimension to the Giants’ pass-rushing plan. An athletic marvel, he was incredibly consistent for the Panthers, posting at least eight sacks and 18 QB hits in four straight years. This tier of pass rusher is rarely accessible, so good on the Giants for acting.
New York Jets | OT Tyron Smith
Terms: One year, $6.5 million, fully guaranteed
Tyron Smith’s age and injury history are troubling, but he’s still one of the league’s best pass protectors when healthy. While incentives can bring Smith’s total payout to $20 million, they’re all tied to his availability.
The Jets revamped their offensive line by signing left guard John Simpson and acquiring right tackle Morgan Moses, but Smith was the club’s coup de grâce. New York still needs to add more depth up front, as Smith, Moses, and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker all represent injury risks.
Philadelphia Eagles | EDGE Bryce Huff
Terms: Three years, $51.1 million, $34 million guaranteed
Bryce Huff is a designated pass rusher, but $17 million isn’t a bad price for that specific skill. While he’s never played 500 snaps in a season, the Eagles have the edge depth to put Huff in a specialized role. He’s finished first or second in pressure rate in each of the last two seasons.
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Huff comes with so much upside that it’s almost tempting to overvalue his addition, but he won’t turn 26 until April.
Pittsburgh Steelers | QB Russell Wilson
Terms: One year, $1.21 million
Russell Wilson should be a better caretaker for the Steelers’ offense than last year’s Kenny Pickett/Mason Rudolph/Mitchell Trubisky trifecta, but he probably doesn’t move the needle in Pittsburgh. He may not even make it through the season as the Steelers’ starting QB after the club acquired Justin Fields from the Bears.
However, at the league minimum, Wilson represents one of the better value signings in the NFL.
San Francisco 49ers | EDGE Leonard Floyd
Terms: Two years, $20 million, $12 million guaranteed
Leonard Floyd ranks 10th in sacks (39.5) since 2019 and has been one of the league’s most consistent pass rushers during that span, posting at least nine sacks and 18 QB hits in every season. The 49ers will welcome Floyd’s steady play opposite Nick Bosa after watching the mercurial Chase Young for a half-season.
Seattle Seahawks | LB Tyrel Dodson
Terms: One year, $4.2 million
While Tyrel Dodson didn’t win a starting job coming out of Bills training camp, he met the call when fellow LB Matt Milano went down with a season-ending injury in Week 5.
Dodson’s explosive skill set stood out on tape and should make him a contributor in Mike Macdonald’s new Seahawks offense. There’s no reason he can’t play as well under Macdonald in 2024 as Ravens LB Patrick Queen did in 2023.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | WR Mike Evans
Terms: Two years, $41 million, $29 million guaranteed
While everything pointed to Mike Evans leaving Tampa Bay this offseason, he eventually took a hometown discount. His $20.5 million AAV came in well below projections, even if the 30-year-old can earn up to $11 million via incentives. If Evans reaches the production thresholds to unlock his incentive package, the Buccaneers will happily pay the money.
Tennessee Titans | CB Chidobe Awuzie
Terms: Three years, $36 million, $19 million guaranteed
Chidobie Awuzie played like lockdown CB1 for the Bengals in 2021 before suffering a torn ACL in 2022. He never entirely returned to that elite level, but the 28-year-old can hold up on the perimeter in man or zone coverage.
Tennessee ranked 29th in dropback success rate and 30th in dropback EPA allowed last season and lost CB Sean Murphy-Bunting to free agency. New Titans head coach Brian Callahan knows Awuzie from their shared time in Cincinnati.
Washington Commanders | S Jeremy Chinn
Terms: One year, $4.105 million, $3.495 million guaranteed
We called Jeremy Chinn one of the NFL’s forgotten free agents earlier this offseason, noting the former second-round pick’s absence from the Panthers’ defensive plans. He might’ve landed in a perfect spot last week when he signed with the Dan Quinn-led Commanders.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Free Agency Grades
Quinn always got the most out of unheralded tweeners like Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson, and Markquese Bell during his run as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
Chinn is cut from the same cloth. He can do a little bit of everything while lining up as a safety, nickel corner, or linebacker.
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