2024 NFL free agency: Experts debate best signings, deals،
NFL free agency has started to slow down nearly a week after it officially opened. Teams have added impact playmakers to their depth charts, although free agents such as Xavien Howard and Mike Williams are still available for more moves. Notably, Kirk Cousins, Saquon Barkley, Calvin Ridley, Danielle Hunter, Arik Armstead, Robert Hunt and Russell Wilson found new homes. Some teams made a lot of noise with big additions, while others focused on value signings.
Who are the best signings so far? Our NFL experts take a look at what we saw in this offseason's free agency, starting with the best moves. (We'll continue to update this file throughout the week, with a look at the head-scratching deals, the valuable contracts, the teams that made it through free agency, and the teams that didn't. )
Who was the best overall free agent signing?
Stephania Bell, fantasy football analyst: “Ravens sign RB Derrick Henry to two-year, $16 million contract. Yes, he's 30 years old, but Henry is built to overwhelm opponents with his size and power. And he has shown durability with only one season in his eight-year career in which he played fewer than 15 games. Henry will continue to pose problems for defenses who now must rely on other offensive talents alongside him, including a quarterback (Lamar Jackson) who is even more agile as a runner than Henry.
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: “Packers sign S Xavier McKinney to four-year, $68 million contract”. As a safety with multi-dimensional traits, McKinney tracks the ball well and has the coverage skills to match up in the slot. This suits a Green Bay defense that will be much more aggressive with its coverage and pressure tendencies under new coordinator Jeff Hafley. McKinney, 25, has nine steals and 14 assists in his four professional seasons.
Jeremy Fowler, National NFL Writer: “Steelers sign LB Patrick Queen to three-year, $41 million contract”. Pittsburgh gets a defensive cornerstone at a long-depleted position. Adding a fourth defensive star alongside TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cameron Heyward will pay dividends in the AFC North. And bonus points for stealing the Queen from the rival Ravens. His contract is reasonable, since the Steelers can opt out of him after one year and $13.84 million — even if they won't want to.
Eric Moody, fantasy football writer: “Panthers sign G Robert Hunt to five-year, $100 million contract”. The Panthers made sure to sign one of the best offensive linemen in free agency to help protect quarterback Bryce Young. Hunt will improve an offensive line that ranked near the bottom of the league in pass block success rate last season (23rd at 54.3%).
Jason Reid, senior editor at Andscape: “Chiefs sign WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $11 million. Kansas City GM Brett Veach addressed the team's biggest concern during this offseason. The Chiefs led the league in dropped passes (38) last season. Veach needed to acquire a potential difference maker at receiver, and Brown has elite speed and is an elusive runner after the catch. In his five seasons in the NFL, Brown has 3,644 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns. He gives the Chiefs their best threat since they traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.
Jordan Reid, NFL Draft Analyst: “Chiefs sign Brown”. It's no secret that outside of Rashee Rice, the Chiefs' receivers last season were disappointing. A huge missing piece from the program last season was the lack of consistency on the field. Brown brings this extra dimension and immediately becomes the No. 1 target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: “Falcons sign QB Kirk Cousins to four-year, $180 million contract”. Quarterback is the most important position in the game, so additions to that position are going to move the needle a lot more than additions to other positions. Cousins is a major upgrade over Desmond Ridder. He's not one of the Falcons' Super Bowl contenders, but makes them division favorites. So Falcons fans will have reason to be optimistic over the next two seasons.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL front office insider: The Eagles sign RB Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.7 million contract. Barkley will give Jalen Hurts a much better chance of getting through the season healthy. Over the past three seasons, Hurts has run the ball 491 times, which is the most of any quarterback over that span. Those numbers take a toll, and he wasn't the same at the end of last season. With a true elite runner in the backfield, Hurts won't have as much pressure to run, potentially keeping him healthy down the stretch.
