2024 NFL free company: Consultants debate greatest, worst offers

NFL free company has began to decelerate per week after formally opening. Groups have added affect playmakers throughout their depth charts, although free brokers similar to Xavien Howard and Connor Williams are nonetheless obtainable for extra strikes. Notably, Kirk Cousins, Saquon Barkley, Calvin Ridley, Danielle Hunter, Arik Armstead, Robert Hunt and Russell Wilson have discovered new houses. Some groups made a variety of noise with top-dollar additions, whereas others centered on worth signings.

What are the perfect total signings, most improved groups, high worth contracts and most questionable strikes to date? Our NFL consultants are weighing in on what we have seen on this offseason’s free company, and we are going to proceed to replace this file all through the week with new questions.

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Greatest strikes | Head-scratching strikes
Greatest bargains | Most improved groups

Which group is probably the most improved after the previous two weeks?

Stephania Bell, fantasy soccer analyst: Houston Texans. They shocked the league final season — largely due to the play of C.J. Stroud and the teaching and management of DeMeco Ryans — they usually’re solely getting higher. One of many areas the place they struggled, the run sport, improved with the veteran addition of Joe Mixon. Their protection bought a lift from the additions of Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry to enrich Defensive Rookie of the 12 months Will Anderson Jr. It virtually makes you are feeling dangerous for the remainder of the AFC South.

Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Philadelphia Eagles. It is onerous to argue towards the Eagles after they added some difference-makers in free company. Operating again Saquon Barkley has the explosive, dual-threat skill to raise the Philly offense. On protection, outdoors linebacker Bryce Huff is a flamethrower off the sting, whereas security C.J. Gardner-Johnson has the flexibility and demeanor to spice up a secondary that struggled in 2023.

Jeremy Fowler, nationwide NFL author: Tennessee Titans. Tennessee has wants all around the subject, so credit score to GM Ran Carthon for recognizing the deficiencies and addressing them decisively in his first yr with out former coach Mike Vrabel. Calvin Ridley is a game-changer. Heart Lloyd Cushenberry, operating again Tony Pollard, linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. and nook Chidobe Awuzie will make rapid impacts.

Eric Moody, fantasy soccer author: Texans. Everyone knows what this group is able to offensively with Stroud and receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell. And the Texans have a brand new addition at operating again, Mixon, who will make an affect. The defensive aspect of the ball was addressed by normal supervisor Nick Caserio, too. Edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who signed a two-year, $49 million deal, ought to make an instantaneous affect.

Jason Reid, senior Andscape author: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Along with signing Marquise Brown to bolster the receiving corps, they re-signed each All-Professional defensive lineman Chris Jones and versatile linebacker Drue Tranquill earlier than they might hit the open market. Jones wrecks the best-laid plans of opponents whereas shifting between deal with and finish, and he’s to the Chiefs’ protection what Patrick Mahomes is to the Chiefs’ offense. Tranquill was excellent, particularly in protection, after signing a one-year deal following his launch by the Chargers.

Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst: Carolina Panthers. After ending 2-15 final season, the one solution to go is up, however signing each Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis supplies an excellent guard tandem inside for second-year quarterback Bryce Younger. Plus including receiver Diontae Johnson by way of commerce makes that offense higher than it was a season in the past.

Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: Atlanta Falcons. The improve at quarterback to Kirk Cousins is so necessary and makes them probably the most improved group, however I additionally just like the strikes Chicago has made, particularly the commerce for large receiver Keenan Allen and re-signing of cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Mike Tannenbaum, NFL entrance workplace insider: Texans. I like the addition of Hunter, who has elite traits and skill as an edge rusher and is now paired with Anderson — wow, what an unbelievable pass-rush tandem. Mixon instantly improves their operating sport, and he is additionally glorious out of the backfield. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair had 163 tackles final season and is extraordinarily underrated. Re-signing tight finish Dalton Schultz and including Autry are two different strikes that can pay dividends through the season.

What was the perfect discount signing of free company?

Bell: Steelers signing QB Russell Wilson to a one-year, $1.2 million deal. From a monetary perspective, it is onerous to argue with a deal through which the participant’s new group is paying a lot lower than the previous group ($37.8 million). And it is going to be attention-grabbing to see what model of Wilson the Steelers can unlock. He won’t transfer like he used to, however he can nonetheless throw the ball and the Steelers ought to be capable of stretch the sphere in methods we have not lately seen. The addition of Justin Fields as backup, even when not a real risk to begin, solely helps incentivize Wilson to show he nonetheless has one thing left within the tank.

Bowen: Saints signing LB Willie Homosexual to a one-year, $3 million deal (with a max worth of $5 million). This can be a worth transfer for the Saints, including a 26-year-old second-level defender with pursuit pace and the flexibility to match defenders in house. In Dennis Allen’s system, Homosexual shall be put ready to supply as an off-ball linebacker with sub-package versatility.

Fowler: Commanders signing RB Austin Ekeler to a two-year, $8.4 million deal. He is an instantaneous improve to the Commanders’ passing sport together with his skill to catch 50-70 passes per season. He is an excellent complement to energy again Brian Robinson Jr., and he is solely 28. Washington learn the tailback market accurately, refusing to pay double for the highest stars.

Moody: Vikings signing RB Aaron Jones to a one-year, $7 million deal. Whereas Jones is 29 years previous, he has spent most of his profession in a committee and averages 14.9 touches per sport. Final season, Jones averaged 15.6 touches and 80.8 whole yards per sport and carried out nice for the Packers. With Ty Chandler, he types a formidable operating again committee for the Vikings.

Jason Reid: Steelers signing Wilson. Wilson, 35, is coming off consecutive disastrous seasons in Denver. The Steelers pays him the league minimal to be their beginning quarterback — that is a discount! It is easy to overlook now, however Willson as soon as was a perennial Professional Bowler who appeared destined for enshrinement within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. And even when he is merely competent beneath heart, that may be way more than the Steelers have gotten from the place lately.

Jordan Reid: Steelers signing Wilson. The seek for a franchise QB continues in Pittsburgh, however for such a low price, it is inconceivable to argue with the group bringing in Wilson. The group additionally lately acquired Fields, however Wilson is predicted to be the starter coming into the season.

Schatz: Bengals signing S Geno Stone to a two-year, $15 million deal (with $6 million in whole ensures). Stone had a breakout season in 2023, and this was an actual place of want for Cincinnati. The Bengals have been in a position to steal from a division rival, and if Stone for some motive does not play nicely in 2024, they’ll get out of the contract with simply $1.5 million in useless cash.

Tannenbaum: Chiefs signing WR Marquise Brown to a one-year deal value as much as $11 million. He’s 26 and has 28 profession touchdowns, bringing an explosive component to the Chiefs’ offense that they have been hoping to get with Marquez Valdes-Scantling. With TE Travis Kelce and WR Rashee Rice doing a variety of the beneath work, Brown ought to thrive because the deep risk on this offense.

What was probably the most head-scratching transfer of free company?

Bell: Operating again Josh Jacobs to the Packers. It is true, final season was an off yr for Aaron Jones. He suffered a hamstring damage in Week 1, and it restricted his availability all through the season. However the oft-repeated mantra was that Jones was the center of the group, a crucial presence within the locker room and the important thing to its run sport. The argument towards Jones is he is an ageing operating again who was going to price an excessive amount of to re-sign. But the Packers introduced in a again on a costlier multiyear deal (4 years, $48 million) who has fewer years of play within the league however has accrued mileage at a sooner fee. This isn’t about Jacobs’ plain expertise, it is concerning the rationale.

Bowen: Operating again Tony Pollard to the Titans. Pollard suits greatest in a rotational position, maximizing his operating and receiving traits. However I did not count on Tennessee, who drafted Tyjae Spears within the third spherical final yr, to be within the combine right here. Let’s have a look at if the Titans goal a operating again within the draft with downhill energy and aim line skill to enrich the talents of each Pollard and Spears.

Fowler: Security Kevin Byard to the Bears. Byard has had an excellent profession, however leaping out pre-free company with $15 million over two years appeared impulsive, particularly with Justin Simmons and Quandre Diggs nonetheless on the market in an oversaturated security market. For distinction, Kamren Curl, who’s 5 years youthful, signed for $8.75 million over two years, with upside to $12.75 million.

Moody: Receiver Gabe Davis signing with the Jaguars. He had some nice moments with the Payments taking part in alongside Stefon Diggs, totaling 746 receiving yards final season. Nonetheless, if the Jaguars’ plan was to pair Davis with Calvin Ridley, then that plan will not come to fruition — Ridley signed a extra profitable take care of the Titans. Davis might wrestle because the Jaguars’ No. 1 receiver in 2024, given the defensive consideration he’ll now command.

Jason Reid: Byard to the Bears. The Bears bucked the development of groups shifting on from veteran safeties, signing Byard, who turns 31 in August, after he was reduce by the Eagles. Hoping he can be an enormous a part of one other Tremendous Bowl run, the Eagles acquired Byard finally season’s commerce deadline, however the secondary was a large number down the stretch. Clearly, Byard should not be blamed for all the Eagles’ protection points, however there isn’t any sugarcoating it: He did not play nicely and, then, bought a large deal from the Bears.

Jordan Reid: Byard to the Bears. The protection market was excellent coming into free company, and there have been significantly better and youthful suits for the Bears to signal. Contemplating the quantity of cap house they’d previous to that signing, there gave the impression to be higher suits than the ageing Byard.

Schatz: Guard Robert Hunt to the Panthers. Hunt was under common amongst guards in each move block win fee (89.6%) and run block win fee (68.6%) final season. The season earlier than, he was twentieth in move block win fee however once more under common in run block win fee. It does not scream, “Hey, make me the second-highest paid proper guard within the NFL.”

Tannenbaum: Receiver Calvin Ridley to the Titans. Sure, he has two 1,000-yard seasons and 36 profession TDs, and he is 29 years previous — however he has by no means been a bona fide No. 1 receiver. I believe the Titans overpaid at $23 million per yr.

What was the perfect total free agent signing?

Bell: Ravens signing RB Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16 million deal. Sure, he’s 30 years previous, however Henry is constructed to steamroller opponents with measurement and energy. And he has proven sturdiness with just one season in his eight-year profession through which he has performed fewer than 15 video games. Henry will proceed to pose issues for defenses that now need to account for different offensive expertise alongside him, together with a quarterback (Lamar Jackson) who’s much more nimble as a runner than Henry.

Bowen: Packers signing S Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $68 million deal. As a security with multidimensional traits, McKinney tracks the ball nicely and has the protection expertise to match within the slot. That is a match for a Inexperienced Bay protection that shall be way more aggressive with its protection and stress tendencies beneath new coordinator Jeff Hafley. McKinney, 25, has 9 interceptions and 14 move breakups in his 4 professional seasons.

Fowler: Steelers signing LB Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract. Pittsburgh will get a defensive cornerstone at a place that has lengthy been depleted. Including a fourth defensive star alongside T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cameron Heyward will repay within the AFC North. And bonus factors for stealing Queen from the rival Ravens. His contract is affordable, because the Steelers can get out of it after one yr and $13.84 million — although they will not need to try this.

Moody: Panthers signing G Robert Hunt to a five-year, $100 million contract. The Panthers made positive they secured one of many high offensive linemen in free company to assist defend quarterback Bryce Younger. Hunt will enhance an offensive line that ranked close to the underside of the league in move block win fee final season (twenty third at 54.3%).

Jason Reid: Chiefs signing WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to a one-year deal value as much as $11 million. Kansas Metropolis GM Brett Veach addressed the group’s greatest offseason concern. The Chiefs led the league in dropped passes (38) final season. Veach wanted to accumulate a possible difference-maker on the receiver place, and Brown has elite pace and is an elusive runner after the catch. In his 5 NFL seasons, Brown has 3,644 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns. He offers the Chiefs their greatest deep risk since they traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.

Jordan Reid: Chiefs signing Brown. It isn’t a secret that, outdoors of Rashee Rice, the Chiefs’ receivers final season have been underwhelming. An enormous lacking component of the scheme final season was the shortage of downfield consistency. Brown brings that added dimension and instantly turns into the No. 1 goal for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Schatz: Falcons signing QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. Quarterback is an important place within the sport, so additions at that place are going to maneuver the needle much more than at different positions. Cousins is a serious improve over Desmond Ridder. He does not make the Falcons Tremendous Bowl contenders however does make them division favorites, so Atlanta followers could have a motive for optimism over the subsequent couple of seasons.

Tannenbaum: Eagles signing RB Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.7 million contract. Barkley will give Jalen Hurts a significantly better likelihood of getting by the season wholesome. Over the previous three seasons, Hurts has run the ball 491 occasions, which is probably the most by any quarterback in that span. These numbers take a toll, and he did not look the identical on the finish of final season. With a real elite runner within the backfield, there will not be as a lot stress on Hurts to run, which can doubtlessly preserve him wholesome down the stretch.