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Analysis of all NFL free agent signings from Day 1 of 2024 NFL free agency. Which NFL free agents signed contracts with new teams? What is the fantasy football fallout?
Yesterday was fun, wasn't it? When the free agency period began, it started fast and furious with many big-named players signing with new teams and other solid contributors finding their way to their next rosters as well.
The biggest names get the attention of course. Kirk Cousins landing in Atlanta and Saquon Barkley finding his way to Philadelphia are both headline news. Some things may have fallen through the cracks and I am here to help with the bulk of the signings.
Not every signing can be included here simply because of how quickly new deals get hashed out. Our wonderful team at Rotoballer will keep you posted on everything, but this is a (not so) quick snapshot of the day that was March 11, 2024, in the NFL.
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Free Agent Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers: 1 year, $1.21 million
Wilson had a miserable time in Denver over the past two seasons and now finds his way to Steel City. Wilson ended up taking the veteran minimum while also collecting over $35 million more from Denver in guarantees for a Steelers offense that is looking for a spark from the quarterback position.
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons: 4 years, $180 million
Cousins' contract is massive when you factor in his recovery from a torn Achilles. The former Viking put up good numbers in Minnesota for the past six seasons, putting up a 17-game pace of 33 touchdowns to 11 interceptions during his tenure with the team. The Falcons are banking on a solid recovery for Cousins to help their elite playmakers reach their full potential.
I’m been working and I’m very late but KIRK COUSINS MY QUARTERBACK pic.twitter.com/T4ah3LoXjI
— Kai (@SznPltts) March 11, 2024
Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders: 2 years, $25 million
Minshew spent last year in Indianapolis saving the season for the Colts after rookie starter Anthony Richardson went down with a year-ending injury. Minshew took Indianapolis to within one game of the postseason and now will compete for the starting job in Vegas against the streaky Aidan O'Connell.
Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots: 1 year, $8 million
The Patriots have moved on from the Mac Jones experiment, and are looking to Brissett as a solid bridge quarterback. Brissett does not have the elite tools that some quarterbacks possess, but he is a smart player who can act as a reasonable backup to a rookie quarterback or a gap player if the Patriots elect to go with a non-quarterback in the first round of this year's draft.
Free Agent Running Backs
D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears: 3 years, $24 million
Swift picked a good time to have the best season of his career as he ended the 2023 season with 1,263 yards from scrimmage, six total touchdowns, and a Pro Bowl appearance. The Bears have not had a running back eclipse the 1,200 total yard marker since David Montgomery in 2020 and are clearly looking for a lead man in the backfield. Swift can be that man for Chicago.
d'andre swift hourspic.twitter.com/we2fNxCtBP
— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 12, 2024
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans: 3 years, $24 million
Tennessee has a Derrick Henry-sized hole in their offense and, while Pollard may not be able to fill the hole as effectively, the former Cowboy is an intriguing signing for the Titans. Pollard isn't the runner that Henry is (who is anyway?) but he holds a space as a solid hand in the receiving game, potentially signaling the style of offense new coach Brian Callahan envisions for Tennessee.
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers: 4 years, $48 million
Another interesting signing, the Packers signaled the end of Aaron Jones with the signing of Jacobs, cutting Jones shortly after announcing the agreement with the former Raider running back. The 26-year-old Jacobs had nearly 7,000 yards of offense with the Raiders over the past five seasons, and the Packers are hoping the 2022 league-leading rusher can continue his productivity in Green Bay.
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: 3 years, $37.75 million
The biggest signing for running backs this season, Barkley has been one of the most electric runners since coming into the league in 2018 and seemingly single-handedly dragged the Giants to the playoffs two seasons ago. Barkley signed with the Eagles, whose offensive line helped both D'Andre Swift and Miles Sanders have career years the past two seasons.
From Saquon Barkley’s Instagram: pic.twitter.com/tntMrgaruT
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) March 12, 2024
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots: 3 years, $11.25 million
Gibson is a sure-handed pass-catching specialist, gobbling over 40 receptions each of the last three seasons with the Commanders and posting a catch rate of over 80% in his career. The Patriots have had miserable offensive tools for their quarterbacks the past few seasons, and Gibson may be a viable option out of the backfield for New England.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants: 3 years, $16.5 million
Singletary posted over 950 yards from scrimmage every season he's been in the league and snatched the starting job from Dameon Pierce in Houston last season. Singletary is on a team-friendly deal for the Giants and will be expected to be a reliable rusher and receiver as he is one of only 13 running backs with at least 800 attempts and 200 targets since 2019.
Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers: 2 years, $6.5 million
Edwards played in every game for just the second time in his career last season and helped the Ravens' rush game immensely with over 800 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns on the ground. All indications are that the Chargers, headed by new head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, plan on being a running team and Edwards can be a valuable piece in the offense.
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders: 2 years, up to $11.43 million
Ekeler had a disappointing 2023. His production dipped massively from his peak a couple of seasons ago, but his peak was one of the most remarkable in the league. The Commanders seem to want to build their backfield around the complimentary duo of Ekeler and Brian Robinson, as Ekeler is likely brought on to replace Antonio Gibson's role.
Wide Receivers
Gabe Davis, Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 years, $39 million
Devin Duvernay, Jacksonville Jaguars, 2 years, $8.5 million
I am lumping both receivers together since they were signed by the same team. The Jaguars seem committed to helping Trevor Lawrence out on the offensive side of the ball, trying to add to the receiving locker room. Duvernay and Davis both will fill different roles, as Davis will be more of a deep threat and lining out wide while Duvernay will likely find himself a spot in a rotation among slot receivers for a Jacksonville team that could use a spark.
Free Agent Tight Ends
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams: 3 years, $22.5 million
Parkinson has been a rotational piece for the Seahawks since 2020, putting up 50 receptions for nearly 600 yards receiving the past two seasons combined. A better pass blocker than run blocker historically, look for Parkinson to primarily be on the field during passing plays, either running routes or helping ensure Stafford gets more time to throw in Los Angeles.
Charlie Woerner, Atlanta Falcons: 3 years, $12 million
Woerner spent his first four seasons with the 49ers and, as they have a lot of mouths to feed in San Francisco, he did not see much action in the passing game. He ran approximately only three routes per game in his first four seasons. Woerner was brought into the Falcons fold to run block for Bijan Robinson and likely not much more.
Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers: 3 years, $14 million
Dissly is not a dazzling receiver, though he has had modest productivity amongst a platoon of tight ends in Seattle over the years. Where he shines, though, is in the blocking game, especially run blocking. The Chargers are building a team with an identity of running the ball, and Dissly was signed likely to put his 6-foot-4, 265-pound frame in front of defenders to help the running game.
Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks: 2 years, $21 million
The third of the Seahawks' tight ends on this list, Fant was the more prolific pass catcher in the depth chart. Fant ran a route on over 84% of snaps for Seattle each of the last two seasons. Now with Colby Parkinson and Will Dissly out of the way, he likely will see a slight uptick in usage for the Seahawks as he resigned with the team.
Free Agent Offensive Linemen
Mitch Morse (C), Jacksonville Jaguars: 2 years, $10.5 million
Morse spent the past five seasons in Buffalo where he helped protect Josh Allen. Now Jacksonville is looking to have the former Pro Bowler keep Trevor Lawrence upright.
Lloyd Cushenberry (C), Tennessee Titans: 4 years, $50 million
Cushenberry played his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos and, for all the struggles the Broncos' offense had the past two seasons, he cannot be blamed as he was a consistently solid run and pass blocker. The Titans are hoping to bolster their line to help protect their soon-to-be second-year quarterback Will Levis.
C Lloyd Cushenberry and the Titans agree to a 4-year, $50M deal, per @TomPelissero
Biggest signing bonus ($18M) and full guarantee ($26M) for the C position pic.twitter.com/u8UxgbwbtE
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 11, 2024
Tyler Biadasz (C), Washington Commanders: 3 years, $30 million
Biadasz is following Dan Quinn on his trip from Dallas to Washington. The former Pro Bowl center is going to be snapping the ball to whoever is likely to be the Commanders' first-round pick this year and Washington did not skimp on the protection.
Jonah Jackson (G), Los Angeles Rams: 3 years, $51 million
Jackson has played in 57 games for the Detroit Lions, helping the Lions' rushing attack be among the best in the league the past couple of seasons. Now in Los Angeles, the Rams are building from the middle to help their running game move from good to great.
Jon Runyan (G), New York Giants: 3 years, $30 million
Runyan was a sixth-round pick who has played in every game for the Packers and has started at guard for the team in 50 consecutive games. The Giants offensive line was horrible at times last season, and adding Runyan's frame to the mix can only help a team that is going to be searching for a new identity with Saquon Barkley gone.
Robert Hunt (G), Carolina Panthers: 5 years, $100 million
The Panthers made a statement about protecting Bryce Young, signing Hunt to a nine-figure contract. Hunt was consistently good-to-great in the run blocking and the pass blocking game for Miami and will now bring his talents to Carolina.
Jermaine Eluemunor (RT), New York Giants: 2 years, $14 million
Eluemunor has stepped up for the Raiders the past two seasons, allowing only 24 hurries in the past two years in 1,135 opportunities. As mentioned above under Runyan, the Giants want to build from the trenches a bit here, helping a poor unit from 2023.
Free Agent Defensive Ends
Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings: 4 years, $76 million
Greenard had a heck of a contract year, putting up 12.5 sacks in 15 games for the Houston Texans. The pass disrupter helped improve the Texans' defense to be playoff calibre and takes his talents up north to Minnesota, a team that has struggled on the defensive side of the ball for the past few years.
New Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard 🥵
— Matt Anderson (@MattAnderson_8) March 11, 2024
Dorance Armstrong, Washington Commanders: 3 years, $33 million
Armstrong joins Tyler Biadasz as Cowboys defectors following Dan Quinn to his new team. The talented Armstrong accounted for 21 sacks in the past three seasons for a solid defensive unit in Dallas. He now hopes to improve one of the worst defenses in 2023 as he moves to Washington DC.
Tyquan Lewis, Indianapolis Colts: 3 years, $39 million
Lewis spent his first six seasons in Indianapolis and agreed to spend the next three with the ball club. Lewis has not been the consistent starter the Colts had hoped for when they drafted him in the second round in 2018, but he has been a talented rotation piece on the end, accounting for 13 quarterback hits last season.
Denico Autry, Houston Texans: 2 years, $20 million
Autry has been playing in the league since 2014 and moves to Houston to help a young pass rushing unit. Autry played the past three seasons with division-rival Tennessee, and last season proved to be one of his best as Autry had a career-best 11.5 sacks in 2023.
A.J. Espenesa, Buffalo Bills: 2 years, up to $20 million
Espenesa re-signed with Buffalo at some point through the first free agency day. The Bills' defender has been a solid rotational pass rusher for the team as he ended each of the past two seasons with 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Marcus Davenport, Detroit Lions: 1 year, $6.5 million
Davenport is coming off of a disappointing season with the Vikings, as he played in only four games in 2023. The Lions are giving Davenport a prove-it deal, giving the talented but oft-injured defensive end a one year deal to help an upcoming rotation work on getting consistent quarterback pressure.
Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks: 3 years, $64.5 million
Williams joined Seattle midway through the season in 2023 and impressed the team enough to give him a contract worth over $21 million per year. The soon-to-be 30-year-old has already started 133 games in his career and has averaged more than one quarterback hit per game.
Leonard Williams is worth every Penny pic.twitter.com/34CcY7B4Fw https://t.co/j2mxBc6EpX
— Gallo (@Gallosavedme) March 12, 2024
Yetur Gross-Matos, Carolina Panthers: 2 years, $18 million
The Panthers extended Gross-Matos for another two years. Despite playing in only 12 games last season for the disappointing Carolina squad that ended the season with the worst record in the league, Gross-Matos ended the season with a career high in both sacks and tackles for loss last season.
Free Agent Defensive Tackles
Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas Raiders: 4 years, $110 million
The Raiders were able to walk away with the defensive gem of the free agent group in Wilkins. Wilkins is one of the premier defensive tackles in football, getting 17 sacks and 36 quarterback hits from the interior of the defensive line in the past three seasons. Wilkins and Maxx Crosby will be a dangerous defensive duo for the Raiders.
Christian Wilkins since 2022:
13.5 sacks
94 QB pressures
80.2 PFF gradeThe perfect interior partner for Maxx Crosby 😎 pic.twitter.com/F7kORjHFuI
— PFF Las Vegas Raiders (@PFF_Raiders) March 11, 2024
Grover Stewart, Indianapolis Colts: 3 years, $39 million
The Colts re-signed another solid contributor for their roster in Stewart, who was Indianapolis' fourth round selection in 2017. Stewart started 74 games on the interior of the Colts' defensive line over the past five seasons and looks to continue being a centerpiece of their defense for the next few seasons.
Bilal Nichols, Arizona Cardinals: 3 years, $21 million
The Cardinals are looking to help improve a struggling defensive unit through improving their defensive line rotation. Nichols was a consistent fixture in Chicago and Las Vegas in his career, starting 83 games for those teams, and will likely play a portion of his snaps at defensive end in Arizona given they also signed Justin Jones.
Justin Jones, Arizona Cardinals: 3 years, $30.1 million
Jones accounted for an impressive 10.5 sacks in the past three seasons from the interior of the Chargers' and Bears' defenses. Coming off of an astounding 17 quarterback hits in 17 games last season, Jones is looking to help the Cardinals with their lackluster defensive side of the ball.
Greg Gaines, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1 year, unknown
Coming off of a 24-tackle performance last season with Tampa, Gaines will be a rotational piece to help spell the starters in the interior of the defensive line for the Buccaneers.
Maurice Hurst, Cleveland Browns: 1 year, up to $3.2 million
Cleveland offered Hurst a one year contract with some incentives as he is coming back from a season-ending injury. Hurst is looking to bounce back into a rotation that featured one of the best defensive units in several years.
Free Agent Linebackers
Bryce Huff, Philadelphia Eagles: 3 years, $51.1 million
Huff is a pass-rushing specialist as he rarely played on rushing downs. However, when he was on the field he spent 2023 wrecking opposing offensive lines for the Jets as he ended up with more sacks last season than he had his first three combined. The Eagles are hopeful that 2023 was a sign of things to come and not a fluke as they signed him to one of the richest contracts for a defender this offseason.
Bryce Huff is gonna be such an absolute UNIT for the eagles
I can’t wait to see him fully realize enter stardom under Vic Fangio pic.twitter.com/iQPPZpb2pK
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) March 11, 2024
Leonard Floyd, San Francisco 49ers: 2 years, $20 million
Floyd played last season with Buffalo and the three seasons prior with the Rams and was solidly productive each of those seasons. Floyd is coming off of four straight years with at least nine sacks as the 49ers are hoping to prevent a Super Bowl hangover.
Za'Darius Smith, Cleveland Browns: 2 years, $23.5 million
Smith re-signed with the Cleveland Browns after spending his first season with the team last year. Smith has started at least 16 games in four of the past five seasons and has multiple Pro Bowl trips under his belt. The Browns had a scary defense last season and want to run it back with a lot of the major pieces intact.
Anthony Walker Jr., Miami Dolphins: 1 year, unknown
Walker has only played 28 games in his past three seasons and looks to come back into form on a brief contract with a Dolphins defense that struggled with injuries last season.
Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles: 1 year, unknown
The Eagles are placing a small wager on Baun to be a part of their already-prolific pass rushing front seven. Baun has been a mildly productive member of the Saints the past four seasons and is hoping to meet his potential as an Eagle.
Jordan Hicks, Cleveland Browns: 2 years, $8 million
Hicks has been a consistent starter since 2015, starting a total of 119 games for three teams in that span. Hicks is joining a potent defensive unit in Cleveland as the Browns are wanting to incorporate the long-time coverage linebacker into their scheme.
The #Browns signing 9yr veteran LB Jordan Hicks to a 2yr 8M deal is a steal
A flat out play maker vs both run & pass
2023 stats
-22 run stops
-5 pass break ups
-1 Int
-1 FF
-1 defensive TDCleveland signed a gamer #DawgPound
pic.twitter.com/zxVvT4j5xT— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) March 12, 2024
Free Agent Secondary
Brandon Jones (S), Denver Broncos: 3 years, $20 million
As a former third-round pick by Miami, Jones has been a solid contributor for the Dolphins netting two interceptions last season. Joining a Denver team that seems to be in the middle of a rebuild might be a great opportunity for Jones to put in consistent starts.
Cam Lewis (CB), Buffalo Bills: 2 years, $4 million
Lewis is rejoining a stacked but changing Buffalo team on an immensely team-friendly deal. Lewis has yet to break out but the Bills have seen enough of him to want him around for another two years at least.
Lonnie Johnson (CB), Houston Texans: 1 year, $2.5 million
Johnson made a trip to Tennessee and New Orleans since the last time he was a Texan. The last time Johnson was in Houston, he snatched three interceptions for the team and he is joining a surprise playoff team this time around.
Darnell Savage (S), Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 years, $21.75 million
Savage has started 69 of 72 games he's played for the Packers since 2019 and nabbed nine interceptions in that span. The Jaguars had a tremendous late-season collapse, partly due to the inconsistently-performing defensive unit. Savage joining the team may help the consistency on that side of the ball.
The newest Jacksonville Jaguar, Darnell Savage pic.twitter.com/MHcRXFU5KR
— 🤡 (@OwnHim16) March 11, 2024
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB), Arizona Cardinals: 3 years, $25.5 million
Murphy-Bunting had 29 pass defenses in his first five seasons as a Titan and Buccaneer. The Cardinals had one of the worst defenses last season. They are now trying to bolster the secondary with a solidly-performing corner who has forced at least one fumble each season he's been in the league.
Xavier McKinney (S), Green Bay Packers: 4 years, $68 million
McKinney is coming off of a season with 116 total tackles and three interceptions for the underperforming Giants and is transitioning to a young upcoming team in Green Bay. The Packers are entering 2024 with a playoff upset victory in a rebuilding season and are going to push for contention and McKinney is expected to help Green Bay make another leap.
Jeff Okudah (CB), Houston Texans: 1 year, $4.75 million
The Texans are looking to restructure their defense to be in the image of coach DeMeco Ryans and Okudah looks to be a piece in a rotation of corners. The former first-round pick has had a disappointing career so far but may be able to salvage something with the upcoming Houston roster.
Geno Stone (S), Cincinnati Bengals: 2 years, $14 million
The Bengals are quite happy to snatch Stone from the division-rival Ravens. Stone had his best season in 2023, snagging seven interceptions and accounting for 68 tackles for the first-place Ravens defense, and Cincinnati is hoping for another step forward from Stone.
Mike Ford (CB), Houston Texans: 2 years, $4.5 million
Ford is joining his fifth team in as many years, though did get his first career interception in 2023 with the Cleveland Browns. As mentioned under Jeff Okudah, the Texans are making moves to increase the depth of their secondary and Ford could be a valuable body for Houston.
Chidobe Awuzie (CB), Tennessee Titans: 3 years, $36 million
Awuzie has 74 starts under his belt in his career. Sitting at six career interceptions and 62 career passes defended, Awuzie will be a helpful veteran presence for a Titans team that is looking to rebuild its defensive roster.
My fave @ChidobeAwuzie play. This was wild to experience in person. Paycor was going insane! I’m going through a breakup I think. 😢 pic.twitter.com/k2dO5NRjVk
— alyssa. (@cincylys) March 11, 2024
Alohi Gilman (S), Los Angeles Chargers: 2 years, $11 million
The Chargers re-signed Gilman after four interceptions in the past three seasons with the team. New head coach Jim Harbaugh must have liked what he saw from Gilman, who also accounted for four forced fumbles since 2022.
Ronald Darby (CB), Jacksonville Jaguars: 2 years, $10 million
Darby is not as fast or elusive as he was in his prime, as he has been in the league since 2015. Still, the veteran has been a great hand in every team of which he has been a member. Darby has started in 95 of his 105 career games and looks to help improve the Jaguars inconsistent defense for the next two seasons.
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