The preliminary wave of 2024 NFL free company is within the books.
A number of big-name operating backs had been on the transfer, together with Derrick Henry becoming a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Saquon Barkley shifting to NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles and Josh Jacobs going to the Inexperienced Bay Packers to exchange Aaron Jones, who was launched and stayed within the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings.
Amongst quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins left the Vikings to steer the Atlanta Falcons, and Baker Mayfield determined to stick with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, Danielle Hunter signed with the Houston Texans, Chris Jones re-signed with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and Brian Burns was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the New York Giants.
Here’s a take a look at affect signings for each crew and hyperlinks to each participant signed by all 32 groups.
Leap to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Bringing again beginning defensive sort out DaQuan Jones was a giant win, however the greatest addition is vast receiver Curtis Samuel. As a participant who can match a wide range of roles, he supplies an evolving vast receiver room with a special ability set. Samuel can also be somebody offensive coordinator Joe Brady coached whereas with the Carolina Panthers. Though the transfer should not imply the Payments are performed changing Gabe Davis, Samuel has rather a lot to supply the offense. — Alaina Getzenberg
The Dolphins’ most impactful signing is cornerback Kendall Fuller. Miami noticed a number of defensive starters depart through free company or be launched in the course of the previous month, leaving a number of holes. It crammed a obtrusive one at cornerback by signing Fuller to a two-year deal two days after including security Jordan Poyer. Miami has quietly put collectively a collection of low-cost signings in the course of the first week of free company, all whereas working to get beneath the wage cap. Fuller, who received a Tremendous Bowl with the Chiefs alongside present Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, is the jewel of this class to date. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
The Patriots completed thirty second within the NFL in move block win price (43.4%) final season — reflective of struggles alongside the offensive line — and confronted the prospect of shedding their finest blocker in free company. So re-signing OT/G Mike Onwenu to a three-year, $57 million deal helped mitigate a necessity from changing into much more dire, and the crew will proceed to attempt to handle the offensive line earlier than the season begins. — Mike Reiss
It wasn’t a free agent transfer, however the commerce for RT Morgan Moses ought to assist the weakest positions on the crew. The Jets had been the one crew to rank twenty ninth or worse in move block win price (thirtieth) and run block win price (twenty ninth) final season. His arrival ought to enable Alijah Vera-Tucker to play proper guard, the place he’s most snug, as a substitute of proper sort out. Moses, 33, is a savvy vet recognized for his sturdiness, which ought to be a plus on their injury-prone line. — Wealthy Cimini
AFC NORTH
Touchdown Derrick Henry provides quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens their most prolific and reliable operating again in practically a decade. Baltimore has had one 1,000-yard operating again over the previous 9 years, which is tied with six different groups for the fewest throughout that span. Working the ball has been a barometer of success beneath coach John Harbaugh. Since 2008, no crew has received extra video games when speeding for 120 or extra yards than the Ravens (106 wins). — Jamison Hensley
Deal with Sheldon Rankins, who had six sacks final season for the Texans, may give Cincinnati’s protection a giant carry. He provides coordinator Lou Anarumo a stable pass-rushing possibility in the midst of the protection. Extra stress on opposing quarterbacks also needs to make issues simpler on a secondary that should enhance after a tough 2023. — Ben Child
Quarterback Joe Flacco went 4-1 when beginning for the Browns final common season, propelling Cleveland to its first playoff berth since 2020. The Browns, nonetheless, handed on re-signing the 2023 NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr to be Deshaun Watson’s backup. As a substitute, they went with Jameis Winston, who involves Cleveland from New Orleans. Given Watson’s harm historical past, backup quarterback figures to be a key place once more. Flacco, who went to Indianapolis after the Browns declined to re-sign him, proved he can nonetheless play quarterback at a excessive degree in a pinch. Time will inform whether or not Winston can. — Jake Trotter
With Russell Wilson in search of a shot at redemption, and the Steelers trying to improve quarterback play, the crew signing Wilson to a one-year deal for the vet minimal goes down because the crew’s most impactful transfer of free company. Though there’ll doubtless be a contest between former first-round decide Kenny Pickett and Wilson — at the least on paper — Wilson seemingly has a transparent path to the beginning job and a possibility to revitalize the offense beneath new coordinator Arthur Smith. At 35, Wilson threw 26 touchdowns in 2023. A Steelers quarterback hasn’t thrown that many since Ben Roethlisberger in 2020. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Including defensive finish Danielle Hunter means coach DeMeco Ryans needs an imposing move rush that may take over video games. Hunter is coming off a season with a career-high 16 sacks for the Vikings and is a four-time Professional Bowler. Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. can enable Ryans to hurry with 4 and trigger havoc on opposing quarterbacks whereas having seven in protection to constrict the throwing home windows. This addition can elevate the 2023 Eleventh-ranked scoring protection. — DJ Bien-Aime
Signing exterior free brokers at all times creates larger headlines, however the Colts as a substitute doubled down on their in-house expertise, particularly vast receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The Colts and Pittman are hoping he’ll profit enormously from the return of quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 decide in 2023, who has a giant arm that offers the receiver and the offense a higher probability for giant performs. Taking the subsequent step as a crew will now depend upon whether or not the returnees do their half. — Stephen Holder
The least flashy of the Jaguars’ additions is definitely a very powerful: signing middle Mitch Morse. The Jaguars wanted an improve within the center after a disappointing season from second-year participant Luke Fortner, who ranked thirty first amongst facilities in move block win price. Morse, 31, supplies that improve after 9 seasons as a starter with the Chiefs and Payments. Since he entered the league in 2015, his move block win price of 94.4% ranks tenth amongst all facilities. — Michael DiRocco
The Calvin Ridley signing provides a playmaker the Titans severely wanted at vast receiver to transition to a more practical passing offense. However at $23 million per 12 months, Ridley did not come low-cost. Pairing Ridley with veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins creates a formidable pass-catching duo that may make it troublesome for opposing defenses to double-team. Ridley, Hopkins and Treylon Burks are every able to enjoying all three vast receiver spots. That can enable first-year head coach Brian Callahan to maneuver them throughout the formation to create favorable matchups. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Security Brandon Jones, who had 30 begins in 51 video games with the Dolphins, shall be anticipated to select up among the work left behind from Justin Simmons’ launch. Jones has performed a few of his finest work alongside the road of scrimmage, however he’ll get an opportunity for loads of snaps all around the area this season in Vance Joseph’s protection. — Jeff Legwold
The worth the Chiefs place on having pass-rusher Chris Jones of their lineup grew to become clear after they gave him a contract that makes him the highest-paid inside defensive lineman in NFL historical past, when it comes to complete value (nearly $159 million) and common pay ($31.75 million). The Chiefs made a giant leap defensively final season, and Jones is one in every of many who deserve credit score for that, however, because the Chiefs made evident together with his new deal, Jones is the indispensable one. — Adam Teicher
Christian Wilkins, who had a career-best 9.0 sacks final season, provides the Raiders their first tried-and-true inside move rush risk because the days of Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly. As such, he’ll be Professional Bowl defensive finish Maxx Crosby’s finest good friend, forcing opposing O-lines to decide on whom to double-team. Plus, Wilkins says he needs to assist final 12 months’s first-round decide, DL Tyree Wilson, get away of his rookie funk. As a result of, as Wilkins stated, he needed to recover from his personal rookie-season woes. “I am such a personality, such an animated, sick, twisted particular person,” Wilkins stated. “You simply really feel that right here.” — Paul Gutierrez
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has at all times led feared speeding offenses. Since LaDainian Tomlinson left the Chargers, this crew has had among the league’s weakest speeding offenses. Insert Will Dissly, the blocking tight finish the Chargers have wanted for years. Dissly was fast to inform reporters in his opening information convention that he is not all blocking — “In the event that they inform me to run a seam [route], I will do it” — however added that he loves being bodily. It is precisely what the Chargers want as they goal to exchange operating again Austin Ekeler, who signed with the Commanders. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
There’s not rather a lot to select from aside from agreeing to a cope with veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks; the one different deal they’ve made to date is preserving long-snapper Trent Sieg. Kendricks fills a giant want for the Cowboys at linebacker, particularly with Leighton Vander Esch anticipated to retire. Kendricks’ information of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s system shall be a significant plus as he implements a brand new scheme. Kendricks can make certain all people is on the identical web page whereas he is additionally attending to the ball. — Todd Archer
Edge rusher Brian Burns is well the Giants’ greatest acquisition of free company, even when he wasn’t precisely a free agent. Simply take a look at the $141 million contract he obtained after being acquired through commerce from the Panthers. Burns would’ve been the highest pass-rusher in the marketplace had he not been franchised by the Panthers. The Giants are actually constructed round two high-end pass-rushers with Burns reverse Kayvon Thibodeaux. — Jordan Raanan
Saquon Barkley is an Eagle. That is going to take some getting used to. Philadelphia does not sometimes pay operating backs massive cash however handed Barkley, a former Giants Professional Bowler, a three-year, $37.75 million contract that features $26 million absolutely assured at signing. The Eagles see a particular three-down again who could make an affect as a rusher, receiver and pass-blocker, whereas elevating an offense that already boasts playmakers comparable to quarterback Jalen Hurts and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. — Tim McManus
Linebacker Frankie Luvu is essentially the most impactful signing, with a three-year deal price as much as $36 million. By way of title energy and management, it will be linebacker Bobby Wagner, however he’s on a one-year deal and might be not an every-down participant anymore, whereas Luvu is simply coming into his prime. Luvu grew to become a full-time starter two years in the past, however he has been spectacular. Washington’s defensive employees can have enjoyable tapping into his versatility; he may very well be a useful pass-rusher. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
The most important affect the Bears made throughout free company was re-signing one in every of their very own. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s significance to Chicago’s secondary and full protection can’t be overstated. Getting the 25-year-old beneath contract via the 2027 season units up the Bears to proceed constructing upon the success they noticed defensively in the course of the second half of final season. Offensively, including vast receiver Keenan Allen through commerce will assist whoever begins at quarterback. — Courtney Cronin
Bettering the protection was the most important difficulty, and the Lions have added 4 new gamers to date, however defensive sort out DJ Reader is their most impactful addition. Reader not solely comes from a stable Bengals group, the place he was a key a part of the run protection, but additionally fulfills a necessity on the Lions’ defensive inside line. Detroit completed with 41 sacks in 2023, which was tied for ninth fewest within the NFL. — Eric Woodyard
The operating again swap — signing Josh Jacobs for $12 million a 12 months and releasing Aaron Jones after he declined one other pay minimize — bought all of the headlines. However the addition of security Xavier McKinney was a possible game-changer. The Packers wished to start out over on the place, one which new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley believes is vital to his system. They paid a excessive value for it — a $23 million signing bonus and $16.75 million a 12 months — however they bought maybe the highest out there security in the marketplace. — Rob Demovsky
The Vikings signed a giant class of free brokers, however when it comes to their possibilities for fulfillment in 2024, it is laborious to look previous quarterback Sam Darnold. He nearly definitely shall be their Week 1 starter, and the period of his tenure will depend upon whether or not the crew can draft a high-end quarterback subsequent month. Even when it does, Darnold would offer the group an incredible service by enjoying effectively sufficient to forestall coaches from needing to place the rookie on the sector earlier than he’s prepared. That shall be a problem, as Darnold has by no means skilled sustained success within the league. His profession QBR of 42.1 since 2018 ranks thirty ninth out of 43 certified quarterbacks over that interval. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
The Falcons went into the offseason understanding they would want a quarterback — and Atlanta landed the perfect out there possibility when Kirk Cousins agreed to a four-year deal. Cousins suits the kind of offense new coordinator Zac Robinson is more likely to run, notably together with his play-action capability and accuracy as a profession 66.9% passer. Contemplating Atlanta’s points at quarterback final season, regardless of ability place expertise with tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and operating again Bijan Robinson, the Falcons are hoping Cousins can take Atlanta to the playoffs. — Michael Rothstein
Changing edge rusher Brian Burns stays a precedence, however including guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to guard Bryce Younger was enormous. Carolina guards allowed 23 sacks in 2023, second most within the NFL. That they had the worst move block win price (86.2%) within the league. For Younger to get higher, he wanted inside safety, and this could give him that. — David Newton
Linebacker Willie Homosexual will get the nod by default in a sluggish free company interval for the Saints. New Orleans wants linebacker depth, and Homosexual was a starter for the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl-winning crew final season. He’ll doubtless shortly be put into the rotation with Demario Davis and Pete Werner. — Katherine Terrell
Large receiver Mike Evans was the catalyst for the Bucs with the ability to re-sign all their prime free brokers, together with quarterback Baker Mayfield, after Evans referred to as him and stated, “Are we doing this, or what?” With 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and tying for an NFL-leading 13 landing catches final season, Evans does not seem like slowing down at age 30. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Signing offensive sort out Jonah Williams, no matter which aspect he performs, was a very powerful free agent signing for the Cardinals this 12 months as a result of they solidified quarterback Kyler Murray’s safety. It does not matter what occurred in free company on the defensive aspect of the ball — which was additionally essential — however preserving Murray upright and wholesome would be the distinction between Arizona being a playoff crew or sitting at residence once more in mid-January. — Josh Weinfuss
As anticipated, the Rams did not have a splashy begin to their free company. However by signing guard Jonah Jackson — in addition to re-signing guard Kevin Dotson — the Rams have proven a dedication to defending quarterback Matthew Stafford. The strikes makes it doubtless Los Angeles will transfer second-year offensive lineman Steve Avila to middle, giving the Rams a really sturdy inside of their offensive line. — Sarah Barshop
The 49ers have been searching for a robust complement reverse finish Nick Bosa since he got here into the league in 2019, so it is no shock that their greatest transfer in free company was including finish Leonard Floyd on a two-year deal. The 49ers would like to have a star who can draw some consideration away from Bosa, however wanting that, simply getting somebody with Floyd’s consistency — he has between 9.0 and 10.5 sacks in every of the previous 4 seasons — ought to present a jolt to a line of defense that underperformed relative to expectations in 2023. — Nick Wagoner
Re-signing defensive finish Leonard Williams was a prime precedence for the Seahawks, who gave up a second-round decide to accumulate him final October in a commerce with the Giants. They bought that performed through a three-year, $64.5 million deal ($43.85 million assured) that makes Williams the highest-paid defensive participant in franchise historical past. It is an enormous dedication, however Williams, 29, is the type of game-changing defensive sort out they have been looking for for years and would not have been in a position to land within the draft and not using a top-10 decide. — Brady Henderson