NEWSLETTER
While NFL free agency isn’t “over,” most teams around the league have completed the brunt of the heavy lifting. So, let’s discuss some NFL free agency winners and losers.
NFL Free Agency Winners and Losers
NFL Free Agency Winners
Vikings Defense
In response to Danielle Hunter’s departure, the Vikings opted to fill the void by signing Jonathan Greenard to a lucrative four-year, $76 million contract. Greenard, who emerged as a formidable edge rusher with 12.5 sacks and 22 knockdowns in the previous season, presents a significant investment for Minnesota.
Despite a challenging 2022 season marred by injuries that limited him to just 1.5 sacks in eight games, Greenard’s performance metrics and game tape from the previous year indicate his potential to be a disruptive force in the pass rush.
Additionally, the Vikings bolstered their defensive lineup by acquiring Blake Cashman, who showcased his best football under defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Cashman joins the team on a three-year, $25.5 million contract, adding depth and experience to Minnesota’s defensive unit.
In addition, they secured the services of Van Ginkel, whose versatile skill set as both a pass-rusher and off-ball linebacker proved invaluable for Miami. With his ability to disrupt opposing offenses, Van Ginkel is poised to thrive under defensive coordinator Brian Flores in a hybrid role for the upcoming season.
Texans
I’m impressed with the Houston Texans’ moves in free agency this week. Their acquisition of Danielle Hunter from Minnesota particularly stands out. With 16 1/2 sacks last season, Hunter brings significant firepower to Houston’s defense, especially when paired with edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. This dynamic duo has the potential to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.
Part of Hunter’s allure for joining the Texans may be the appeal of DeMeco Ryans, the former defensive player who turned into a young head coach. Ryans’ presence likely played a role in attracting Hunter, as evidenced by the signings of other defensive talents like Azeez Al-Shaair and Denico Autry.
On the offensive front, Houston bolstered its roster with the addition of running back Joe Mixon and the retention of tight end Dalton Schultz. Additionally, the prospect of playing alongside quarterback C.J. Stroud likely contributed to Houston’s appeal for incoming players.
Overall, these moves signal a continued positive turnaround for the Texans and indicate their commitment to building a competitive team for the future.
Falcons
The Falcons addressed their quarterback situation this offseason by acquiring Kirk Cousins, providing the team with a much-needed solution under center. Previously with the Vikings, Cousins was ranked seventh among quarterbacks in PFF passing grade (85.1) before his 2023 season was cut short by injury. Atlanta’s decision to pay him as a top-eight quarterback aligns with his performance metrics and solidifies their offensive lineup.
In 2023, Atlanta showcased the offensive talent necessary for success but struggled due to inconsistent production from the quarterback position. The addition of Cousins, coupled with the arrival of speedy wide receiver Darnell Mooney, bolsters an already formidable offense featuring first-round picks Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson. With these additions, the Falcons emerge as frontrunners in the NFC South and position themselves to make significant strides in a competitive NFC landscape.
Calvin Ridley
It looked like Calvin Ridley was going to stay in Jacksonville, but the Tennesee Titans entered the chat at the last minute and made Ridley an offer he couldn’t refuse to steal him away from their division rival.
The Titans will pay Ridley $92 million over the next four seasons with $50 million in guaranteed money. The biggest winner in this dynamic is Ridley, who went from being suspended by the NFL for the entirety of the 2022 season to being a very, very rich man and the top wide receiver in Tennessee next season after one bounce-back season in Jacksonville.
NFL Free Agency Losers
Vikings Offense
Losing quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons was a massive blow to the Vikings offense. Replacing him with Sam Darnold was underwhelming.
Darnold’s performance largely hinges on speculation and the investment made in him during the draft. However, there’s scant evidence in his track record to support the notion that he’s a viable starting quarterback in the NFL. Even during his most promising stint with the Panthers in late 2022, where he played six games, Darnold’s completion rate stood at 58.6%.
Under favorable circumstances, Darnold has shown adequacy. During his tenure with the 49ers last season, he completed 46 pass attempts in garbage time and a Week 18 matchup devoid of playoff implications, boasting a completion rate of 60.9% and averaging 6.5 yards per attempt.
There were better quarterbacks on the market for Minnesota, which makes me believe that they will try to select a quarterback in the first round of the draft next month and use Darnold as a bridge to their quarterback of the future.
Cowboys
Did the Cowboys miss the memo?
Aside from wooing linebacker Eric Kendricks away from his reported agreement with the 49ers on Wednesday, Dallas has done nothing in free agency.
They’ve also watched Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, and Dante Fowler reunite with former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in Washington and running back Tony Pollard (whom they chose over Ezekiel Elliott last year) depart for a new deal with the Tennessee Titans.
Ravens
While adding Derrick Henry to Baltimore’s roster is undoubtedly promising, the team has faced significant losses in free agency this week. Linebacker Patrick Queen, safety Geno Stone, cornerback Ronald Darby, and left guard John Simpson have all found new homes, collectively amassing 4,042 snaps on the field last season. This figure is expected to increase, mainly if right guard Kevin Zeitler and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. do not return.
Substituting Gus Edwards — and potentially J.K. Dobbins — with Derrick Henry represents an enhancement in the running back department. Additionally, there remains hope that key contributors from the 2023 season, such as Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, could be retained.
Nevertheless, the Ravens’ significant player departures suggest that while they remain competitive, their path to contention in the upcoming season may prove more challenging than in the previous year.
Dolphins
Miami has endured a challenging week as they navigated cap constraints and significant losses in free agency. Before the start of free agency, the Dolphins had already parted ways with linebacker Jerome Baker and cornerback Xavien Howard. On the opening day of free agency, they bid farewell to three more valuable contributors: offensive lineman Robert Hunt, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who secured a lucrative deal with the Raiders.
The Dolphins’ subsequent moves left many scratching their heads. In place of free agent center Connor Williams, Miami signed Aaron Brewer from the Titans. Brewer, who anchored the league’s weakest offensive line over the past two seasons, agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal.
Meanwhile, former Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks was brought in to fill Baker’s shoes, signing a three-year, $26.3 million contract. Brooks struggled in coverage during his tenure with the Seahawks, and although he showcased improvement in 2023, some question whether Miami could have pursued a more cost-effective option at the position.
The Dolphins great rebuild garnered zero playoff wins, and now they’re hitting the reset button on the salary cap, making their margin for error in the NFL Draft slim to none if they want to replicate the success we saw last season.
