While nearly a dozen NFL teams creatively used the 2024 free agent market to address roster holes and bolster their championship hopes, others inexplicably used it to…make their vulnerable rosters a whole lot worse.
With the bulk of the top 2024 NFL free agents now signed to new teams, let’s dive into five teams who won free agency this year, and five who totally blew it.
Won: New York Jets
Going into this offseason, the Jets had two pressing needs: Reshaping the offensive line AND getting a capable No. 2 wide receiver to help Garrett Wilson. Mission accomplished.
The Jets’ biggest signing was longtime Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl offensive tackle and future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith, who signed a one-year contract worth only $6.5 million guaranteed.
Smith has had problems staying healthy, but he’s still an elite pass-blocker when on the field. If he can avoid the injury bug, the Jets will have the perfect short-term solution as Rodgers’ blindside protector.
The Jets also snagged ex-Baltimore Ravens standout John Simpson on a two-year pact worth $12 million. Throw in the trade acquisition of Morgan Moses, and that’s now three brand-new starters on the o-line.
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Oh, and former Los Angeles Chargers star and two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver Mike Williams signed a one-year deal worth a max value of $15 million.
Lastly, bringing in Tyrod Taylor as Rodgers’ backup was a savvy piece of work by GM Joe Douglas. Obviously, you hope that Rodgers returns at full strength, but Taylor is still miles better as a backup than Zach Wilson.
The Jets now have no more excuses. It’s playoffs or bust in 2024. Pure and simple.
Blew It: Dallas Cowboys
Dallas owner Jerry Jones made headlines when he said that the Cowboys would go “all-in” this offseason. And when he said that, you figured it meant spending money and trying to make his roster better, not worse.
Lo and behold, the never-fails-to-disappoint Cowboys owner has done NOTHING to make his team better.
He watched two starting offensive linemen, Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz, leave for the Jets and Washington, respectively. How do their departures, Smith’s especially, make Dallas better in the short term again?
Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard bolted for Tennessee on a three-year deal, leaving Dallas without a proven RB1 in the backfield. How do you not make a splash for someone like Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry?
Dallas also lost two quality edge-rushers in Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong, who followed Dan Quinn to DC. And this is all before we mention that America’s Team let Pro Bowl corner Stephon Gilmore walk.
The Cowboys’ biggest acquisition through the first three weeks of the new year was past-his-prime linebacker Eric Kendricks.
If that’s Jerry’s idea of “all in”, then the Cowboys are doomed.
Won: Houston Texans
Fresh off an AFC South division-winning campaign and an elite eight appearance, the Texans entered the offseason with a mountain of cap space. And GM Nick Caserio did not sit on that money for long.
The Texans’ big prize was Danielle Hunter, who signed a two-year deal worth $49 million after posting a career-high 16.5 sacks with the Minnesota Vikings.
The four-time Pro Bowler has five seasons of double-digit sacks on his resume. And now Hunter gets the opportunity to join forces with rising superstar Will Anderson Jr., who won 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after posting seven sacks.
Not stopping there, Caserio also signed ex-Tennessee Titans stalwart Denico Autry to a two-year pact worth a modest $20 million. Like a fine wine, Autry just seems to get better with age, having posted a career-high 11.5 sacks at the age of 33 last year.
The front seven also added former Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on a three-year pact worth $34 million. With two seasons of 100-plus tackles under his belt, Al-Shaair should be a quality starter in Demeco Ryans’ defense.
Former first-round picks and corners Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson were also signed to no-risk one-year deals. Hey, it’s worth seeing if Ryans can somehow unlock their potential and remove the “bust” label from both guys!
Houston already had a borderline top-10 defense…and then Caserio just went in and signed two stud pass-rushers in Autry and Hunter to complement Anderson Jr.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you warn the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson in the AFC that you’re coming for them.
The Texans look poised to take that next step forward after a phenomenal showing in free agency.
Blew It: Miami Dolphins
If Miami is truly convinced that they can close the gap with the other powerhouses in the AFC, they certainly have an interesting way of showing it.
In an all-time mind-numbing move, the Dolphins didn’t bother to extend nor at least place the franchise tag on Christian Wilkins. Instead, the superstar defensive lineman was lost for nothing when he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
They had to cut Pro Bowl corner Xavien Howard, yes. And no way they could match the $100 million the Carolina Panthers gave to standout guard Robert Hunt. But Miami is unquestionably worse without those two. Both can be true.
Miami also lost Deshon Elliot, Andrew Van Ginkel and Brandon Jones on defense — not to mention Jerome Baker also had to be cut in a cap-saving move as well.
No offense to center Aaron Brewer and tight end Jonnu Smith, but those two don’t really move the needle on offense. And though they got veteran corner Kendall Fuller on a two-year deal worth $15 million, he’s still a downgrade from Xavien Howard.
Heading into the offseason, Miami had a leaky offensive line and a defense filled with holes. For a team that’s supposed to be in win-now mode, it’s not ideal that they’ve gotten worse in both those areas…thanks to absolutely baffling inactivity in free agency.
Won: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars knew they couldn’t overpay to keep Calvin Ridley, so we’re not holding it against them in letting him walk to Tennessee for $92 million.
Keep in mind that Christian Kirk is the Jaguars’ No. 1 receiver, so his return to the field will help offset Ridley’s departure. And even if Gabe Davis was an overpay at $39 million, his game-breaking speed and ability to stretch the field will also semi-make up for Ridley’s loss.
The vulnerable offensive line was also given a boost with the two-year deal for Pro Bowl center Mitch Morse, whom the Buffalo Bills cut in a cap-saving move. What can we say? Josh Allen’s loss is Trevor Lawrence’s gain.
But that was only on the offensive side of the ball. GM Trent Baalke knew that the main priority was addressing a defense that finished 17th in scoring and 26th against the pass – and he delivered.
Following his stunning release from the San Francisco 49ers, standout pass-rusher Arik Armstead joined the Jaguars on a three-year deal worth $43.5 million. A pass-rushing trio of Armstead, Travon Walker and Josh Allen? That’s how you build a defensive line, folks.
The secondary will also benefit from the signings of safety Darnell Savage and Ronald Darby — who allowed just a 44.2 completion percentage and a 63.3 passer rating when targeted in Baltimore last year.
So T-Law still has weaponry and a rebuilt o-line. The defense is deeper now with a rebuilt secondary and the arrival of Armstead. No excuses. The Jaguars have to return to the postseason after all these savvy moves.
Blew It: Minnesota Vikings
It’s not hard to argue that letting Kirk Cousins walk for greener pastures was a necessary evil for the Vikings. Paying almost $200 million to a 36-year-old coming off a torn Achilles — with one playoff win on his resume — is too risky. We get it.
But that doesn’t excuse the Vikings from blowing it the rest of the way in free agency. They didn’t do anything to improve for 2024, but GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t exactly signal a plan to fully rebuild, either. So as it stands, Minny is content to remain in “the mushy middle.”
Instead of re-upping superstar edge rusher Danielle Hunter, the Vikings overpaid Jonathan Greenard and gave him $76 million over four years.
Though newcomers Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel are both coming off career years, the Vikings are taking a risk by giving them both $20-plus million deals. Absolutely zero guarantee that they’ll build off their respective breakout seasons.
Even giving Sam Darnold — likely a bridge QB — a one-year deal worth $10 million felt a little rich. Why not sign Russell Wilson, who was available for the veteran’s minimum, or even Jameis Winston?
Minnesota lost its starting QB and replaced him with a mega draft bust. They lost their defensive in Hunter and are banking on Greenard to build off an improbable career year.
Remind us how free agency allowed these guys to get closer to a Super Bowl again while they watched each of their three NFC North rivals crush it in free agency and in the trade markets?
Won: Washington Commanders
It’s awfully difficult for Commanders fans to complain about the offseason in year two under Josh Harris’ ownership.
New head coach, a new GM, a new QB coming with the No. 2 pick and plenty of splashy free agent signings. If the majority of these guys come as advertised, it won’t be long until the Commanders re-emerge as a playoff contender.
The atrocious o-line that allowed 65 sacks a year ago signed Tyler Biadasz and Nick Allegretti to bolster the group.
Ex-Los Angeles Chargers star running back and fantasy football darling Austin Ekeler was also brought in on a two-year deal worth up to $11.4 million – so there’s a new weapon for your incoming rookie QB.
The worst defense from a year ago also signed future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner, do-it-all safety Jeremy Chinn and pass-rushing standouts Dorance Armstrong, Franke Luvu and Dante Fowler.
Not saying all of these signings will pan out, but there’s just no way the o-line and defense can be that helpless again with all of these newbies. The Commanders aced it in free agency by bringing in a bunch of impact players — none of which were handed more than $33 million.
For the first time in forever, the Commanders actually did well in free agency.
Blew It: New York Giants
It’s very hard to comprehend the Giants’ game plan following a disastrous 2023 season.
Saquon Barkley wasn’t dealt ahead of the trade deadline, so they lost him for nothing in free agency to the archrival Philadelphia Eagles. Stalwart safety Xavier McKinney also bolted after signing a four-year deal with the Green Bay Packers.
Tyrod Taylor was a serviceable backup to Daniel Jones, but he too left to sign with the Jets. The G-Men downgraded there by signing Drew Lock as DJ’s backup.
So far, GM Joe Schoen’s biggest free agent signings were running back Devin Singletary – several tiers below Barkley — and offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan.
Eluemunor gave up six sacks last season, per Pro Football Focus. PFF graded Runyan at 54.7. Not sure how giving those two multi-year deals makes the Giants’ o-line and cap situations any better?
Good on Schoen for winning the Brian Burns trade with Carolina. But this already sluggish offense looks way worse. He needed to add quality linemen, playmaking wideouts and reliable cover corners. Schoen hasn’t done any of that.
Somehow, a 6-win team from 2023 already looks a lot worse heading into the draft.
Won: Philadelphia Eagles
Howie Roseman did not play around following the Eagles’ humiliating late-season collapse.
Roseman’s biggest move was signing former New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal worth $37.75 million. That may be an overpay for an injury-prone guy at a devaluing position, but a healthy Barkley is a top-5 running back in the game.
If he stays healthy, Barkley brings another element to the high-flying Eagles offense. That should be a terrifying thought for the rest of the league.
Old friend CJ Garnder-Johnson was brought back on a three-year, $27 million deal after a one-year stop with the Detroit Lions. Gardner-Johnson had a career year with Phily in 2022 and should find himself right back at home — bringing a much-needed boost to a secondary that took a massive step back in 2023.
Though losing Haason Reddick hurts, the Jets offset some of the damage well in advance by signing ex-Jets star edge rusher Bryce Huff to a three-year deal worth $51.1 million. With Huff in the fold, the Eagles’ stout front seven shouldn’t miss a beat.
The Eagles haven’t even hit the draft yet, and that’s where Roseman did his best work. But based on his work in free agency, the Eagles are clearly well-positioned to bounce back and again compete for the NFC throne in 2024.
Blew It: Buffalo Bills
We know that the Bills had a tough salary cap situation heading into the offseason, but that doesn’t mean they had to be this quiet during the early weeks of free agency.
Star center Mitch More and standout defensive backs Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer were cut in cap-saving moves. The team also bid farewell to safety Micah Hyde, wide receiver Gabe Davis and sacks specialist Leonard Floyd.
And so far…Brandon Beane’s big move was overpaying Curtis Samuel. The ex-Washington and Carolina wideout signed a three-year deal worth $24 million, an awfully generous sum for a guy who has exceeded 800 receiving yards in one season.
The Bills didn’t sign any other impact players in the first three weeks of free agency, nor did Beane make a blockbuster trade. This team has lost so much talent on both sides of the ball, and Beane has done next-to-nothing to help this roster remain a Super Bowl contender in 2024.
