The first day of the NFL's 2024 free agency period was a wild one and caused a lot of excitement across the league's 32 fanbases. Many major stars from across the league have found new homes, and more will move in the days to come. It was nearly impossible to keep up with all the action, which is why I made this list of major moves, re-signings, extensions and trades.
FREE AGENCY MOVES:
QB Kirk Cousins to Atlanta Falcons: Four years, $180 million
The biggest signing of day one was Kirk Cousins, who will earn more than $40 million a year as the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins is a professional and intelligent player that can utilize Atlanta's many offensive weapons. Atlanta's QB spot has been the subject of significant offseason press, with many expecting the Falcons to draft a quarterback given this year's deep draft class.
Atlanta could still draft a quarterback, but they'd have to develop him under Cousins. He's exactly the kind of quarterback you'd want to mentor and develop your next franchise leader, but his salary is fully guaranteed through 2025. He's a good pickup for Atlanta, but that's quite a steep price tag for a quarterback that's coming off a torn Achilles and will be 36 when the season begins. By that logic, expect the Falcons to look elsewhere with the eighth pick. Given the addition of Cousins, Atlanta may target a highly touted wideout to pair with receiver Drake London. The Falcons have deep holes at receiver, and it's possible that either Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers will still be available when the Falcons first pick.
RB Saquon Barkley to Philadelphia Eagles: Three years, $38 million
This signing came as somewhat of a surprise. Barkley's Instagram indicated a possible move to the Houston Texans. Instead, the former New York Giant signed a three-year deal with a former division rival. The Eagles lost 2023 lead back D'Andre Swift to free agency and have upgraded at a moderate price. Barkley's injury history is cause for some concern, but he performed well in 2023 despite the Giants' abysmal offense. If he can stay healthy, he's 27 and should be capable of high-level performance for all three years of his new deal.
DT Christian Wilkins to Oakland Raiders: Four years, $110 million
The talented and hilarious Christian Wilkins found a new home today in Oakland. He'll join 2023 Defensive Player of the Year candidate Maxx Crosby on the defensive line of a Raiders team that's rebuilding under new head coach Antonio Pierce. Pierce, who began last season as the team's linebackers coach, clearly wants to establish his team's defense. He's made a move in the right direction by nabbing Wilkins. Though $110 million is a steep price, Wilkins is coming off a career-high nine sacks in 2023.
G Robert Hunt to Carolina Panthers: Five years, $100 million
The extremely talented Hunt went viral in week ten of the 2021 season when he, then a Miami Dolphin, caught a third-and-goal pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. On a running back screen, Tagovailoa overthrew Myles Gaskin, at which point Hunt snagged the ball out of the air and ran for the goal line. He was hit in the legs at the one-yard line but twisted through the air and reached across the goal line with the ball. The touchdown was invalidated, as Hunt was ineligible, but it was a tremendous showcase of athleticism. Now, that athleticism will be put to use blocking for last year's first overall pick. Hunt will join a Panthers team that tied for the second-most sacks allowed in 2023. Thankfully for the Panthers, Hunt recorded the lowest pressure rate in the league last year, an incredible 0.8%.
S Xavier McKinney to Green Bay Packers: Four years, $68 million
The Packers capitalized on this year's loaded safety market to acquire former Giant Xavier McKinney. McKinney was ranked by many as one of this year's best free agency prospects. Part of that is due to his young age: He turns 25 in August. He's also highly ranked because of his elite play. Last year, he recorded career highs in tackles (118 combined) and passes defended (11). He also tallied three interceptions and was one of only two defensive players not to miss a snap in 2023.
G Jonah Jackson to Los Angeles Rams: Three years, $51 million
One week after re-signing Kevin Dotson on a nearly identical deal, the Rams have added Jonah Jackson at the other guard position. Rams running back Kyren Williams broke out last year in his sophomore season, totaling 1,144 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. If Jackson and Dotson can enforce the Rams' growing run game, it'll take defensive attention away from star receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Matthew Stafford leading a two-pronged Rams offense is a concerning prospect for any defense.
C Lloyd Cushenberry III to Tennessee Titans: Four years, $50 million
The center on LSU's legendary 2019 team, Cushenberry started 57 games in four years with the Denver Broncos. 2023 was arguably his best season. He allowed only one sack and capitalized with this Titans contract. The Titans are looking to protect second-year quarterback Will Levis and the 26-year-old Cushenberry will do just that.
G Damien Lewis to Carolina Panthers: Four years, $53 million
Lined up next to Cushenberry on LSU's undefeated 2019 team was Damien Lewis, who spent the last four years in Seattle. As a rookie, his dominant run blocking earned him a spot on the All-Rookie team. He's been consistently serviceable since but hasn't recaptured the success of his rookie season. He's joining a Panthers team maligned by sacks in 2023 and will hope to see a career resurgence as he blocks for last year's first overall pick, Bryce Young.
RB Josh Jacobs to Green Bay Packers: Four years, $48 million
After an NFL-best 2022 rushing campaign (1,653 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, 12 TDs), Jacobs regressed in 2023. He missed four games and had a hundred less carries, only managing 805 rushing yards and six touchdowns. However, he's only 26 and hasn't aged out of his prime, so it's not surprising that the Packers picked him up. Four years and $48 million is a long time and a lot of money, but Jacobs hasn't lost any of the physical tools he displayed in 2022. The Packers dropped longtime back Aaron Jones hours after signing Jacobs, clearing the path for Jacobs to take over as the team's main rusher.
LB Jordyn Brooks to Miami Dolphins: Three years, $30 million
Brooks spent most of his four-year Seattle tenure alongside future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner. Despite sharing the field with Wagner, Brooks led the pair in tackles in 2021 with 184. Brooks has great lateral speed but struggled with 21 missed tackles in 2023. His speed certainly lines up with Miami's football philosophy. If Brooks can tackle more consistently, he'll be a great tool for the Dolphins defense.
RB Tony Pollard to Tennessee Titans: Three years, $24 million
Despite finally freeing himself from Ezekiel Elliott's shadow in 2023, Pollard failed to improve his stats. Despite Pollard enjoying 59 more carries in 2023, his tally of 1,005 yards and six touchdowns was two yards and three touchdowns short of his 2022 tally. He'll now be the lead back for the Titans and will line up alongside second-year quarterback Will Levis. Pollard will be 27 next month but should be serviceable for the duration of his three-year deal. If he can establish an impact early, Pollard could be a potent weapon in the Titans' offense.
RB D'Andre Swift to Chicago Bears: Three years, $24 million
After three years with the Lions, Swift was traded to the Eagles last year and functioned as their feature back for 2023. He tallied 1,049 rushing yards (fifth in the league) and five rushing touchdowns. He's 25 years old and has enough talent and upside to take some load off Caleb Williams' shoulders when the future no. 1 overall pick arrives in Chicago this offseason.
QB Sam Darnold to Minnesota Vikings: One year, $10 million
Minnesota may have found their quarterback for 2024. Sam Darnold, who was most recently the backup quarterback in San Francisco, performed well enough to beat out former third overall pick Trey Lance for said backup job. Now, he's going to the Vikings, who just moved on from veteran starter Kirk Cousins. There's potential for Darnold to start for the Vikings, even if the Vikings draft a quarterback in April. Darnold will have the extraordinary Justin Jefferson, standout rookie Jordan Addison and elite receiving tight end T.J. Hockenson as receiving options in Minnesota.
RB Austin Ekeler to Washington Commanders: Two years, $11 million
An underwhelming 2023 saw Ekeler produce only 628 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. His 436 receiving yards were enough for a thousand-yard all-purpose season, but he was an expected casualty of the Jim Harbaugh rebuild period. He'll certainly be serviceable in Washington, but he'll need to elevate his play before he can be considered a franchise running back again. At 28, it's now or never for Ekeler. Thankfully for the Commanders, two years for $11 million dollars is a low risk given Ekeler's versatility.
TRADES, EXTENSIONS AND RE-SIGNINGS:
DE Brian Burns traded from Carolina Panthers to New York Giants
Burns signs five-year, $150 million contract, Panthers get 2024 2nd and 2025 5th round picks
The Giants, who lost one star in Barkley, get another in Burns. Burns is an elite pass russ threat, he's almost unblockable on Madden, and he'll now be lining up alongside Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II on a formidable Giants defensive line. Burns is getting a major payday to boot, with $87.5 million guaranteed.
The Panthers used a $24 million non-exclusive tag on Burns last week and had until July to negotiate on a new deal. Instead, they've traded him to the Giants for pick no. 39 and a fifth round pick next year. Carolina's first pick is no. 33, and the addition of pick no. 39 means the Panthers have much more flexibility in this year's draft. They have plenty of roster holes but will be looking to get quarterback Bryce Young some pass-catchers. Given this year's historically deep wide receiver class, the Panthers should have no trouble getting a receiver given their two second round picks.
G Landon Dickerson extends with Philadelphia Eagles: Four years, $87 million
Dickerson was drafted by the Eagles in 2021, and he's been a consistent starter ever since. The Eagles have had a great offensive line ever since Dickerson's arrival, but that line was weakened when future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce retired last week. The contract extension makes Dickerson the highest paid guard in NFL history and will keep a key piece of Philadelphia's offense around for the next four years.
T Dion Dawkins extends with Buffalo Bills: Three years, $60 million
Dawkins had some fun with his Instagram followers on Monday, when he stated that he was excited for the next chapter of his football career. But later that day, he tweeted that he was "Buffalo for life". He verified that claim by signing a three-year, $60 million extension that will keep him guarding Josh Allen's blind side for the next three years.
WR Michael Pittman Jr. extends with Indianapolis Colts: Three years, $71.5 million
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson looked promising before being sidelined for the year following a Week 5 shoulder injury. Given his impending return, it was wise for the Colts to keep his best pass-catcher around. Pittman Jr. was franchise-tagged in March following the completion of his four-year rookie contract. This new contract makes him the eighth-highest paid receiver in the league. Does he deserve it? He's had 1,000+ receiving yards in two of his last three seasons, but has never scored more than six touchdowns. He'll need to increase his scoring numbers before I consider $23 million a year to be worth it, but I think he's got that potential, especially playing alongside an arm like Richardson's.
DT Leonard Williams re-signs with Seattle Seahawks: Three years, $64.5 million
The Seahawks desperately needed to make this move, and now they have. Williams, who joined the team in late October via a trade with the Giants, was Seattle's best defensive lineman in a unit that needed bolstering. Williams provides an effective combination of pass rushing and run stuffing prowess, both of which were in short order on last year's Seahawks. Seattle is still thin on the defensive line and may add more pieces in free agency or the draft.
DE Za'Darius Smith re-signs with with Cleveland Browns: Two years, $23.5 million
Three-time Pro Bowler Smith was a quality starter across from Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. He started all 16 games, during which he recorded 5.5 sacks and 27 combined tackles. He's 31 and a valuable veteran presence in the Browns' locker room.
K Will Lutz resigns with Denver Broncos: Two years, amount unclear
Well, this was a weird turn of events. 90 minutes after news broke linking Lutz to Jacksonville on a three-year deal, Lutz's agent reported that Lutz changed his mind and was remaining in Denver. There's been no word on the motive for his decision, but Denver's altitude is theoretically a kicker's dream. Lutz can now relax knowing his kicks will travel further than they would in the humid Jacksonville air.
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