2024 NFL free company grades, Day 1: Eagles get ‘A’ for touchdown Saquon Barkley; Kirk Cousins enormous for Falcons

The authorized tampering interval is, for all intents and functions, the unofficial begin to free company within the NFL. Whereas the offers aren’t official till the beginning of the brand new league 12 months on Wednesday, groups and gamers can now negotiate and are available to phrases on the parameters of contracts. Because the tampering window opened on Monday, a plethora of offers spilled by means of, together with a number of the prime names of the market, together with Kirk Cousins leaping ship from the Vikings and becoming a member of the Falcons. 

The working again market additionally was white scorching out of the gate following a previous offseason the place backs struggled to seek out profitable offers. That was headlined by the likes of Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs and D’Andre Swift all discovering new properties. 

And that was simply the beginning of the NFL’s model of March Insanity. Whereas there might be loads of different offers coming down the road, let’s roll by means of all of the agreements which have already come collectively and provides out our grades.

Be aware: Grades are for gamers that signed with different groups or re-signed

Falcons signing Kirk Cousins

Cousins was the No. 1 free agent on senior columnist Pete Prisco’s High 100 listing, so it isn’t hyperbole to say that this was the most important shoe to drop on Monday. He agreed to a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, who lastly have their reply at quarterback. Whereas Cousins is about to enter his age-36 season in 2024 and is coming off a torn Achilles that ended his season, this can be a nice transfer for the Falcons. If Cousins can return to type, he is their greatest quarterback since Matt Ryan and will lastly unleash the potential of their assortment of first-round talent place gamers like Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. This transfer doubtless makes Atlanta the group to beat within the NFC South. 

Grade: A

Eagles signing Saquon Barkley

Who does not love a bit of NFC East on NFC East crime?! Whereas the Eagles snatching a beloved participant like Saquon Barkley away from the New York Giants is spicy in its personal proper, it is also a incredible transfer for the franchise from a soccer standpoint as properly. He agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million deal with Philadelphia and immediately proved to be an improve over D’Andre Swift, who had signed with Chicago. Barkley remains to be solely 27 years outdated and is an amazing home-run hitter out of this Eagles backfield, posting back-to-back seasons of a minimum of 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. On prime of what he’ll deliver as a participant, Barkley may even be an amazing locker-room addition.  

Grade: A

The Raiders gave Christian Wilkins a bag, agreeing to phrases on a four-year, $110 million contract. It was a bit shocking to see Wilkins really attain the open market and Las Vegas made fast work that he did not keep on the market too lengthy. Now, the membership has fashioned one of the deadly defensive fronts within the NFL by pairing Wilkins alongside prime go rusher Maxx Crosby. The defensive deal with is coming off a profession 12 months the place he totaled 9 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. 

Grade: A

Inexperienced Bay reshaped its backfield on Monday by not solely signing Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million deal, but in addition releasing veteran working again Aaron Jones. With Jones and probably A.J. Dillon (additionally a free agent) now gone, Jacobs is wanting on the potential of adopting as much as 320 carries out of this backfield. Inexperienced Bay acquired youthful and extra gifted on the place. 

Grade: B+

The Vikings discovered their substitute for Danielle Hunter by agreeing to phrases with Greenard on a four-year, $76 million contract. Greenard is coming off his breakout season in 2023 the place he piled up a career-high 12.5 sacks and proved to be a key purpose why the Texans had been capable of win the AFC South and attain the postseason. Nevertheless, the truth that Greenard did escape in a contract 12 months does inherently warrant some warning. Additionally a bit shocking {that a} defensive-minded head coach in DeMeco Ryans was prepared to let him stroll.  

Grade: B-

Davis agreed to phrases on a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, ending his tenure with the Buffalo Payments. He’ll now be the downfield menace for Trevor Lawrence throughout the Jags offense, which is a job that he stuffed properly in Buffalo. Davis needs to be a strong complement to Christian Kirk and the opposite go catchers throughout the offense opening up the center of the sphere if he’s profitable in successful on the perimeter. He is additionally proven to return up clutch in high-pressure moments, which is one thing the Jaguars might actually use. 

Grade: B

Titans signing Tony Pollard

Pollard is Tennessee’s reply of who’ll fill the sneakers of Derrick Henry, because the Titans agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with the previous Cowboys working again. Pollard did not take the leap that many hoped he would in 2023 as he noticed a rise in touches within the Dallas backfield, however nonetheless rushed for over 1,000 yards and completed with 1,316 yards from scrimmage. He’ll present a burst to a Titans backfield alongside rising second-year again Tyjae Spears for brand new head coach Brian Callahan and needs to be a strong security valve for QB Will Levis.  

Grade: B

Las Vegas added some competitors at quarterback by signing Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million deal. He’ll now are available in and compete with Aidan O’Connell for the beginning job together with whoever else they might usher in on the place by way of the NFL Draft. Minshew has confirmed to be a succesful beginning quarterback within the NFL and the most effective backups you would ask for. He is ultimate for a group just like the Raiders which may be on the surface wanting in at discovering a prime quarterback prospect within the draft (at present personal No. 13 general) and in want of a bridge quarterback till they discover one. 

Grade: B  

The Dolphins did one thing in free company apart from letting offensive linemen signal witj different groups. Brooks ended up in Miami on a three-year, $30 million deal after a profession 12 months in Seattle with 4.5 sacks and his third consecutive 100-tackle season (111 whole). One of many higher run-stuffing linebackers, Brooks has improved in go protection as properly over the previous season — growing his worth (77.1 score in protection). The Dolphins acquired a right away playmaker at center linebacker.

Grade: B+

New York moved on from Saquon Barkley solely to signal Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million deal. Whereas Barkley has missed 25 video games over the previous 5 seasons, Singletary has missed only one recreation over the previous three seasons. Singletary is a more healthy and cheaper choice than Barkley, but in addition has familiarity with head coach Brian Daboll and common supervisor Joe Schoen from his days with the Payments. Singletary is not a featured again, however he is confirmed to remain on the sphere. 

Grade: B-

Ekeler agreed to a two-year cope with the Commanders value as much as $11.43 million, ending a saga with the Chargers that led to him requesting a commerce in a poor working again market that primarily resulted in him agreeing to a revised deal. An ankle harm in Week 1 restricted Ekeler to a profession low in yards per carry (3.5) and yards per contact (4.6). Even at 29, a wholesome Ekeler provides great worth to a passing recreation, which he’ll see in Washington with Kliff Kingsbury because the play-caller. Being reunited with Anthony Lynn as working backs coach additionally helps. 

Grade: A-

The Patriots signed Brissett to a one-year deal value as much as $8 million, giving the previous third-round choose by the group a possibility to start out once more. Brissett will compete for the job after buying and selling away Mac Jones, however he needs to be the favourite to be QB1 and groom a rookie quarterback (Patriots have the No. 3 choose). Even when Brissett loses the job to a rookie, the Patriots have the most effective backups within the NFL.

Grade: B

The Patriots struck gold by retaining Onwenu, one of the wanted guards in free company. New England brings Onwenu again on a three-year, $57 million deal and a $22.5 million signing bonus. Onwenu allowed simply three sacks and a 4.3% strain fee at proper deal with final season, giving the Patriots much-needed stability up entrance. 

Grade: B+

The Bengals agreed to phrases with Stone on a two-year, $15 million deal that features a $6 million signing bonus, a sthe free agent security bolted Baltimore for Cincinnati. Stone had a 40.5 passer score in protection final season with seven interceptions. He does not have Kyle Hamilton taking part in subsequent to him, however Stone is nice worth for a group that wanted to deal with security. He is fairly good in opposition to the run, too. 

Grade: A-

Houston agreed to phrases with Al-Shaair on a three-year, $34 million deal, giving the Texans insurance coverage 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 nonetheless ought to have comparable manufacturing beneath DeMeco Ryans. 

Grade: B

Cushenberry was the most effective facilities in soccer final season, permitting a strain fee allowed per dropback of two.1%. His four-year, $50 million deal is earned from a Titans group making an attempt to rebuild its offensive line for Will Levis. Cushenberry allowed only one sack final season and he is solely 26. 

Grade: B+

Edwards lands a two-year, $6.5 million cope with the Chargers after speeding for 13 touchdowns final season, however had a career-low 4.1 yards per carry. Maybe the Chargers produce other plans at working again to pair with Edwards, however laborious to depend out how environment friendly he might be in a Jim Harbaugh offense. Baltimore was favorable to him as a RB2. 

Grade: B-

This can be a transfer that needed to be made for New York to enhance its offensive line. New York signed Runyan to a three-year, $30 million  12 months to shore up the suitable aspect of the offensive line that was one of many worst within the league final season. Runyan allowed simply two sacks and a 3.5% strain fee in 17 video games final season. The Giants are higher. 

Grade: A-

The Eagles agreed to phrases with Huff on a three-year, $51.1 million contract as they give the impression of being to bolster a go rush that went dormant on the finish of final seaosn. Huff’s 21.3% strain fee was second solely to Mich Parsons, however he is not good in opposition to the run. Enjoying extra snaps might be warranted for Huff, as he was a rotational piece with the Jets. A signing like this labored two years in the past with Haason Reddick. 

Grade: B

Washington landed a strong linebacker, a place of want for the league’s worst protection final offseason. $12 million a 12 months seems to be a discount for Dan Quinn, as Luvu is coming off consecutive 100-plus deal with and 20-plus strain seasons. The Commanders protection is considerably higher.

Grade: A- 

Bears signing D’Andre Swift

Chicago set the working again market by signing Swift to a three-year, $24 million deal. Swift acquired $8 million per 12 months after ending fifth within the league in speeding yards working behind the Eagles’ offensive line. Chicago’s unit is not nearly as good as Philadelphia’s, however the pairing with Khalil Herbert is intriguing. 

Grade: B

Inexperienced Bay will get the highest security in free company with McKinney, touchdown him on a four-year, $68 million deal. This can be a important enchancment over Darnell Savage and Rudy Ford, giving the Packers a participant within the secondary that’s glorious in protection (no go touchdowns allowed, 41.4 score) and a pacesetter on the again finish. 

Grade: A

Vikings signing Blake Cashman

The Vikings signal Cashman to a three-year, $25.5 million deal after a profession 12 months with the Texans. Cashman had a career-high 106 tackles, turning into a playmaking linebacker beneath DeMeco Ryans. The Vikings are banking for a similar beneath Brian Flores.

Grade: B+

The Panthers gave $20 million a 12 months for Hunt, an fascinating choice since they traded Brian Burns simply hours later. Hunt is likely one of the highest-paid guards in soccer after a season which he allowed only one sack and a presser fee allowed per dropback of 1.0%. The Panthers want to guard Bryce Younger, however did they reward Hunt for a profession 12 months?

Grade: C

The Rams are paying Jackson $51 million over three years with $34 million assured after re-signing Kevin Dotson on a 3 12 months, $48 million deal. They clearly are in search of to enhance their inside strain to ensure that Matthew Stafford to remain wholesome, however can Jackson keep wholesome? He is missed 9 video games during the last two years and had a strain fee per dropback allowed of 5.3%. Los Angeles might have overpaid. 

Grade: C

The 49ers landed Floyd on a two-year, $20 million deal that is value as much as $24 million, making him the first edge rusher reverse of Nick Bosa. San Francisco acquired older with the 31-year-old Floyd, however he did have 41 pressures and 10.5 sacks for the Payments final season. Can the 49ers financial institution on Floyd to have such a season in 2024? Familiarity with the NFC West will assist. 

Grade: B

Williams seems to be a slot in Mike Macdonald’s protection in any case, because the Seahawks gave him a slight pay elevate to remain in Seattle (three years and $21.5 million a 12 months). Williams had 4 sacks, 32 pressures and 11 quarterback hits with a 12.1% strain fee in 10 video games in Seattle. The Seahawks had been primed to maintain him.

Grade: A-