The legal tampering period is, for all intents and purposes, the unofficial start to free agency in the NFL. While the deals are not official until the start of the new league year on Wednesday, teams and players can now negotiate and come to terms on the parameters of contracts. As the tampering window opened on Monday, a plethora of deals spilled through, including some of the top names of the market, including Kirk Cousins jumping ship from the Vikings and joining the Falcons.
The running back market also was white hot out of the gate following a prior offseason where backs struggled to find lucrative deals. That was headlined by the likes of Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs and D’Andre Swift all finding new homes.
And that was just the start of the NFL’s version of March Madness. While there will be plenty of other deals coming down the line, let’s roll through all the agreements that have already come together and give out our grades.
Note: Grades are for players that signed with other teams or re-signed
Falcons signing Kirk Cousins
Cousins was the No. 1 free agent on senior columnist Pete Prisco’s Top 100 list, so it’s not hyperbole to say that this was the biggest shoe to drop on Monday. He agreed to a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, who finally have their answer at quarterback. While Cousins is set to enter his age-36 season in 2024 and is coming off a torn Achilles that ended his season, this is a great move for the Falcons. If Cousins can return to form, he’s their best quarterback since Matt Ryan and could finally unleash the potential of their collection of first-round skill position players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. This move likely makes Atlanta the team to beat in the NFC South.
Grade: A
Eagles signing Saquon Barkley
Who doesn’t love a little NFC East on NFC East crime?! While the Eagles snatching a beloved player like Saquon Barkley away from the New York Giants is spicy in its own right, it’s also a fantastic move for the franchise from a football standpoint as well. He agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million deal with Philadelphia and instantly proved to be an upgrade over D’Andre Swift, who had signed with Chicago. Barkley is still only 27 years old and is a tremendous home-run hitter out of this Eagles backfield, posting back-to-back seasons of at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. On top of what he’ll bring as a player, Barkley will also be a tremendous locker-room addition.
Grade: A
The Raiders gave Christian Wilkins a bag, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $110 million contract. It was a bit surprising to see Wilkins actually reach the open market and Las Vegas made quick work that he didn’t stay out there too long. Now, the club has formed one of the most lethal defensive fronts in the NFL by pairing Wilkins alongside top pass rusher Maxx Crosby. The defensive tackle is coming off a career year where he totaled nine sacks and 23 quarterback hits.
Grade: A
Green Bay reshaped its backfield on Monday by not only signing Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million deal, but also releasing veteran running back Aaron Jones. With Jones and possibly A.J. Dillon (also a free agent) now gone, Jacobs is looking at the potential of adopting up to 320 carries out of this backfield. Green Bay got younger and more talented at the position.
Grade: B+
The Vikings found their replacement for Danielle Hunter by agreeing to terms with Greenard on a four-year, $76 million contract. Greenard is coming off his breakout season in 2023 where he piled up a career-high 12.5 sacks and proved to be a key reason why the Texans were able to win the AFC South and reach the postseason. However, the fact that Greenard did break out in a contract year does inherently warrant some caution. Also a bit surprising that a defensive-minded head coach in DeMeco Ryans was willing to let him walk.
Grade: B-
Davis agreed to terms on a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, ending his tenure with the Buffalo Bills. He’ll now be the downfield threat for Trevor Lawrence within the Jags offense, which is a role that he filled nicely in Buffalo. Davis should be a solid complement to Christian Kirk and the other pass catchers within the offense opening up the middle of the field if he is successful in winning on the perimeter. He’s also shown to come up clutch in high-pressure moments, which is something the Jaguars could certainly use.
Grade: B
Titans signing Tony Pollard
Pollard is Tennessee’s answer of who’ll fill the shoes of Derrick Henry, as the Titans agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with the former Cowboys running back. Pollard didn’t take the leap that many hoped he would in 2023 as he saw an increase in touches in the Dallas backfield, but still rushed for over 1,000 yards and finished with 1,316 yards from scrimmage. He’ll provide a burst to a Titans backfield alongside rising second-year back Tyjae Spears for new head coach Brian Callahan and should be a solid safety valve for QB Will Levis.
Grade: B
Las Vegas added some competition at quarterback by signing Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million deal. He’ll now come in and compete with Aidan O’Connell for the starting job along with whoever else they may bring in at the position via the NFL Draft. Minshew has proven to be a capable starting quarterback in the NFL and one of the best backups you could ask for. He’s ideal for a team like the Raiders that may be on the outside looking in at finding a top quarterback prospect in the draft (currently own No. 13 overall) and in need of a bridge quarterback until they find one.
Grade: B
The Dolphins did something in free agency besides letting offensive linemen sign witj other teams. Brooks ended up in Miami on a three-year, $30 million deal after a career year in Seattle with 4.5 sacks and his third consecutive 100-tackle season (111 total). One of the better run-stuffing linebackers, Brooks has improved in pass coverage as well over the past season — increasing his value (77.1 rating in coverage). The Dolphins got an immediate playmaker at middle linebacker.
Grade: B+
New York moved on from Saquon Barkley only to sign Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million deal. While Barkley has missed 25 games over the past five seasons, Singletary has missed just one game over the past three seasons. Singletary is a healthier and cheaper option than Barkley, but also has familiarity with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen from his days with the Bills. Singletary isn’t a featured back, but he’s proven to stay on the field.
Grade: B-
Ekeler agreed to a two-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $11.43 million, ending a saga with the Chargers that led to him requesting a trade in a poor running back market that essentially resulted in him agreeing to a revised deal. An ankle injury in Week 1 limited Ekeler to a career low in yards per carry (3.5) and yards per touch (4.6). Even at 29, a healthy Ekeler adds tremendous value to a passing game, which he’ll see in Washington with Kliff Kingsbury as the play-caller. Being reunited with Anthony Lynn as running backs coach also helps.
Grade: A-
The Patriots signed Brissett to a one-year deal worth up to $8 million, giving the former third-round pick by the team an opportunity to start again. Brissett will compete for the job after trading away Mac Jones, but he should be the favorite to be QB1 and groom a rookie quarterback (Patriots have the No. 3 pick). Even if Brissett loses the job to a rookie, the Patriots have one of the best backups in the NFL.
Grade: B
The Patriots struck gold by retaining Onwenu, one of the most sought after guards in free agency. New England brings Onwenu back on a three-year, $57 million deal and a $22.5 million signing bonus. Onwenu allowed just three sacks and a 4.3% pressure rate at right tackle last season, giving the Patriots much-needed stability up front.
Grade: B+
The Bengals agreed to terms with Stone on a two-year, $15 million deal that includes a $6 million signing bonus, a sthe free agent safety bolted Baltimore for Cincinnati. Stone had a 40.5 passer rating in coverage last season with seven interceptions. He doesn’t have Kyle Hamilton playing next to him, but Stone is great value for a team that needed to address safety. He’s pretty good against the run, too.
Grade: A-
Houston agreed to terms with Al-Shaair on a three-year, $34 million deal, giving the Texans insurance with Blake Cashman off to Minnesota. Al-Shaair had 163 tackles in his first full season as a starter, cashing in on his one-year gamble in Tennessee. He still should have similar production under DeMeco Ryans.
Grade: B
Cushenberry was one of the best centers in football last season, allowing a pressure rate allowed per dropback of 2.1%. His four-year, $50 million deal is earned from a Titans team trying to rebuild its offensive line for Will Levis. Cushenberry allowed just one sack last season and he’s only 26.
Grade: B+
Edwards lands a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the Chargers after rushing for 13 touchdowns last season, but had a career-low 4.1 yards per carry. Perhaps the Chargers have other plans at running back to pair with Edwards, but hard to count out how efficient he can be in a Jim Harbaugh offense. Baltimore was favorable to him as a RB2.
Grade: B-
This is a move that had to be made for New York to improve its offensive line. New York signed Runyan to a three-year, $30 million year to shore up the right side of the offensive line that was one of the worst in the league last season. Runyan allowed just two sacks and a 3.5% pressure rate in 17 games last season. The Giants are better.
Grade: A-
The Eagles agreed to terms with Huff on a three-year, $51.1 million contract as they look to bolster a pass rush that went dormant at the end of last seaosn. Huff’s 21.3% pressure rate was second only to Mich Parsons, but he’s not good against the run. Playing more snaps will be warranted for Huff, as he was a rotational piece with the Jets. A signing like this worked two years ago with Haason Reddick.
Grade: B
Washington landed a solid linebacker, a position of need for the league’s worst defense last offseason. $12 million a year appears to be a bargain for Dan Quinn, as Luvu is coming off consecutive 100-plus tackle and 20-plus pressure seasons. The Commanders defense is significantly better.
Grade: A-
Bears signing D’Andre Swift
Chicago set the running back market by signing Swift to a three-year, $24 million deal. Swift got $8 million per year after finishing fifth in the league in rushing yards running behind the Eagles’ offensive line. Chicago’s unit isn’t as good as Philadelphia’s, but the pairing with Khalil Herbert is intriguing.
Grade: B
Green Bay gets the top safety in free agency with McKinney, landing him on a four-year, $68 million deal. This is a significant improvement over Darnell Savage and Rudy Ford, giving the Packers a player in the secondary that is excellent in coverage (no pass touchdowns allowed, 41.4 rating) and a leader on the back end.
Grade: A
Vikings signing Blake Cashman
The Vikings sign Cashman to a three-year, $25.5 million deal after a career year with the Texans. Cashman had a career-high 106 tackles, becoming a playmaking linebacker under DeMeco Ryans. The Vikings are banking for the same under Brian Flores.
Grade: B+
The Panthers gave $20 million a year for Hunt, an interesting decision since they traded Brian Burns just hours later. Hunt is one of the highest-paid guards in football after a season which he allowed just one sack and a presser rate allowed per dropback of 1.0%. The Panthers need to protect Bryce Young, but did they reward Hunt for a career year?
Grade: C
The Rams are paying Jackson $51 million over three years with $34 million guaranteed after re-signing Kevin Dotson on a three year, $48 million deal. They clearly are seeking to improve their interior pressure in order for Matthew Stafford to stay healthy, but can Jackson stay healthy? He’s missed nine games over the last two years and had a pressure rate per dropback allowed of 5.3%. Los Angeles may have overpaid.
Grade: C
The 49ers landed Floyd on a two-year, $20 million deal that’s worth up to $24 million, making him the primary edge rusher opposite of Nick Bosa. San Francisco got older with the 31-year-old Floyd, but he did have 41 pressures and 10.5 sacks for the Bills last season. Can the 49ers bank on Floyd to have this type of season in 2024? Familiarity with the NFC West will help.
Grade: B
Williams appears to be a fit in Mike Macdonald’s defense after all, as the Seahawks gave him a slight pay raise to stay in Seattle (three years and $21.5 million a year). Williams had four sacks, 32 pressures and 11 quarterback hits with a 12.1% pressure rate in 10 games in Seattle. The Seahawks were primed to keep him.
Grade: A-
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Author: Jeff Kerr
March 11, 2024 | 10:50 pm
