NFL Analysis
March 26, 2024
20 min read
2024 NFL Free Agency: Grading Every NFC Team's Early Haul
Two weeks through free agency, the major moves have been made. The offseason is not over by any stretch, and rosters will continue to be tinkered with as the draft approaches. But as the activity slows, now is a good time to assess how these teams have approached the offseason and what still needs to be done.
We’ll grade each team and its process of the offseason up to this point, knowing there is still plenty of time for change. Here is a look at the NFC.
>> READ: AFC Free Agency Grades
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
What’s Been Accomplished
Well … not much. Eric Kendricks was signed to replace the retired Leighton Vander Esch at linebacker and is currently the only outside free agent signed.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have lost Tony Pollard, Dorance Armstrong, Tyron Smith, Jonathan Hankins and Tyler Biadasz, while Stephon Gilmore and Jayron Kearse remain free agents.
Dallas is still up against the cap with just $2.5 million in effective cap space as it needs to put aside future money for the eventual extensions of CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Dak Prescott.
What’s Still Needed
The future extensions were part of the reason for the inactivity on the free agent market, but the Cowboys haven’t gotten ahead of the curve on any of them.
Parsons likely will become the league’s highest-paid defensive player, which could be around Nick Bosa’s $34 million per year. Lamb will be one of the highest-paid receivers, and the Cowboys should try to get in before the Vikings sign Justin Jefferson and/or the Bengals sign Ja’Marr Chase.
Then there is Prescott, who will count for $55.5 million on the cap in 2024 in the final year of his contract with a no-tag clause that would allow him to be a free agent next offseason. That would also cost the Cowboys $40.5 million in dead money, so Dallas should be motivated to get an extension done, but it would be one that would place Prescott among the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks.
While those 2025 contracts have held the Cowboys up, there are still holes on the 2024 roster. The offensive line is down two starters. Their edge depth was depleted, and there are questions on the interior of the defensive line after a disappointing rookie season from Mazi Smith.
Grade: D
New York Giants
What’s Been Accomplished
The New York Giants made one of the biggest swings of the offseason by trading for Brian Burns and then giving him a $141 million contract. Burns adds to a defense that was awful at creating pressure (29th in pressure rate) and blitzing at the second-highest rate in the league. New defensive coordinator Shane Bowen relies more on a four-man rush.
The Giants' offensive line has been a constant problem, and they worked to get some help there. Jon Runyan was signed for three years and $17 million guaranteed, and Jermaine Eluemunor was signed for $6.75 million guaranteed to start at right tackle as Evan Neal moves to guard or to be a swing tackle as better insurance than the team has had at the position in years.
An improved offensive line alone could help a run game that will be without Saquon Barkley, who left for the Philadelphia Eagles.
What’s Still Needed
The pass catchers still leave a bit to be desired, though that could change with the sixth overall pick. TE Darren Waller, a trade acquisition last offseason, is still considering retirement.
While the pass rush should improve, the secondary has holes after Xavier McKinney signed with the Green Bay Packers. Deonte Banks had a good rookie season, but Nick McCloud is currently the No. 2 cornerback. Jason Pinnock and Jalen Mills are the starting safeties.
Grade: B-
Philadelphia Eagles
What’s Been Accomplished
Philadelphia has been all over the place in free agency. Signing a player like Bryce Huff is a typical Howie Roseman move, but the Philadelphia Eagles have also spent at running back, linebacker and safety this offseason.
Saquon Barkey signed for $26 million guaranteed, as Philadelphia handed out a rare, relatively expensive running back contract. It could be an effort to create more explosive plays after the Eagles ranked just 15th in the rate of runs that gained 10 or more yards despite having one of the best run-blocking lines in the league.
Defensively, the Eagles brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson after allowing him to leave as a free agent last offseason. At linebacker, Philadelphia is betting on Devin White and Oren Burks filling the gaps in what the other lacks to become a workable linebacker duo.
What’s Still Needed
A Haason Reddick trade is still on the table with the depth at edge and Reddick in the final year of his contract.
The Eagles will have a hole wherever Gardner-Johnson does not play. If he is expected to be a slot corner, Philadelphia will need help at safety. If Gardner-Johnson is playing safety, slot corner is a need.
Cornerback is still a position of concern. The Eagles were surprised when they brought back Darius Slay and James Bradberry last offseason, but neither played well, and both are into their 30s without much depth behind them.
Grade: C+
Washington Commanders
What’s Been Accomplished
What hasn’t? Washington came into the offseason with the most available cap space and used it to bring in nearly an entirely new roster. On offense, the Washington Commanders brought in Austin Ekeler, Zach Ertz, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz and Marcus Mariota.
At this point, none of those names stand out as star players, but they should be able to at least set a higher floor for an offense that is likely to start a rookie quarterback.
Defensively, the starting lineup will look a lot different. Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner will take over at linebacker. Former Cowboys Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler will help the pass rush, along with Clelein Ferrell. In the secondary, Jeremy Chinn and Michael Davis will slide into starting roles.
What’s Still Needed
With maybe 10 new starters on both sides of the ball, Washington just needs to see if the talent it brought in was good enough. None of these signings are really high-impact players.
On defense, Washington is relying heavily on familiarity with Dan Quinn as most of the new signings had some connection to the new head coach.
The offensive line is still a concern, and the Commanders will really hope for the best versions of these players, including current starting left tackle 2023 third-round pick Braeden Daniels, to be able to protect the No. 2 overall pick.
Grade: C
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
What’s Been Accomplished
The Chicago Bears will have a new look on offense. After jumping the gun to bring D’Andre Swift in on a multi-year deal, the rest of Chicago’s moves have set the table for the next era of Bears football.
Justin Fields was traded for just a sixth-round pick that could be a fourth if he plays more than half the offensive snaps in Pittsburgh. It might be a disappointing return based on what was expected at the start of the offseason, but that was the reality of the quarterback market after a number of backups moved early in free agency.
With the Bears now set to draft Caleb Williams, they continued to add to the offense with a trade for Keenan Allen and the signing of Gerald Everett — one of those might be slightly more impactful than the other.
>>READ: Latest Mock Draft
What’s Still Needed
Chicago could use another pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. The defense was a top-10 unit over the second half of the season, and the Bears kept most of it together, including bringing back Jaylon Johnson on a deal under the AAV of the franchise tag.
The addition of Allen not only gives the Bears a high-volume underneath option but also gives them flexibility with the ninth overall pick. It could still be a receiver or a defender. They could trade back and gain some more picks. Chicago could be set up pretty well come the end of April.
Grade: B+
Detroit Lions
What’s Been Accomplished
The Detroit Lions added useful complementary pieces all around the roster.
Marcus Davenport is the type of pass rusher the Lions can take a swing on for just $6.5 million to get another player into that rotation next to Aidan Hutchinson. D.J. Reader will help a run defense that already ranked third in EPA per play and add some more juice on the inside against the pass.
Carlton Davis was a low-cost trade to bring in more talent at corner, and Amik Robertson was also an affordable signing. The Lions let Jonah Jackson walk at guard but were patient and signed Kevin Zeitler for a one-year deal.
These were all value-add additions while the Lions were able to keep a number of other free agents.
What’s Still Needed
Even before Cameron Sutton was released to do a domestic violence arrest warrant, the Lions could have used a little more at cornerback. The trade for Davis will help, but it’s an area where there is no such thing as too much talent.
The receiver room could use an addition, though that is more likely to come in the draft with a second contract upcoming for Amon-Ra St. Brown … and potentially a new contract for Jared Goff.
Grade: B+
Green Bay Packers
What’s Been Accomplished
The Green Bay Packers somehow got younger, which is hard to imagine for the youngest roster in the league during 2023 by snap-weighted age.
Green Bay only made two outside moves. The Packers essentially swapped Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs, signing the latter to $12.5 million guaranteed. Jacobs led the league in rushing in 2022 and has been a high-volume back. He does not, however, come with the same receiving chops as Jones, which is the tradeoff for going younger at the position.
The biggest impact will come from Xavier McKinney, whom the Packers signed to a four-year deal with $23 million guaranteed. McKinney is a young and versatile safety who should be able to play all over in Green Bay’s new defensive system under coordinator Jeff Haffley.
What’s Still Needed
Youth can be a blessing and a curse, as the Packers are relying on it to develop.
That’s especially true along the offensive line, where David Bakhtiari was released and Jon Runyan Jr. left in free agency. 2022 third-round pick Sean Rhyan will slide in for Runyan, while 2022 seventh-round pick Rasheed Walker is penciled in as the starter at left tackle after playing more than 800 snaps there last season when Bakhtiari was out.
2019 season-round pick Elgton Jenkins will be the oldest member of the offensive line.
Grade: B
Minnesota Vikings
What’s Been Accomplished
Defensively, the Minnesota Vikings have added a number of players who should fit well in a Brian Flores defense.
Jonathan Greenard gives the defense a plus rusher on the edge and youth to replace Danielle Hunter. Andrew Van Ginkel can rush the passer and drop into coverage. Blake Cashman is a good blitzing linebacker to put next to Ivan Pace in the box.
Of course, the offense took the biggest hit with the loss of Kirk Cousins. The Vikings signed Sam Darnold for $10 million, which is too much for Darnold but that does not appear to be Plan A for Minnesota at quarterback.
The Vikings laid the groundwork for a potential trade up by acquiring a second first-round pick from the Houston Texans, which could be packaged with the 11th overall pick to move up into the top five.
What’s Still Needed
That trade-up needs to happen. The Vikings should have a sense of what it would cost to make that move up. Even in the past when we’ve seen teams make a first trade as a path to a second to move up in the draft, it did not take long for the trigger to be pulled on that second trade so the team could know where it stood. Minnesota is in a bit of limbo now, waiting to find the right deal to move up.
Justin Jefferson is eligible for an extension that could make him the highest-paid non-quarterback, and the Vikings should get that done to make life easier for whoever is starting at quarterback in 2024 and beyond.
The secondary could use some help. Shaq Griffin was signed as depth at cornerback, but Minnesota could use more in case young players like Akayleb Evans or Mekhi Blackmon do not develop.
Grade: C+*
*It’s hard to give anything higher for a team with Darnold penciled in as the starting quarterback
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
What’s Been Accomplished
The Atlanta Falcons have a quarterback! Atlanta was aggressive in pursuing Kirk Cousins and brought him in for four years and $100 million guaranteed, but there is a potential out after two years. It’s a good deal for both sides.
Not only should Cousins give the Falcons better quarterback play, but it will also allow Atlanta to finally see what the skill players on offense are capable of. Drake London and Kyle Pitts have dealt with mostly inaccurate passes for most of their careers to date.
The signing of Darnell Mooney and the trade for Rondale Moore give the Falcons some better ancillary pieces in the receiving corps as well.
What’s Still Needed
There were no additions to a defense that was up and down during the 2023 season. On top of no additions, they are without arguably the best player from that unit, Calais Campbell, who remains a free agent.
This is likely to be addressed in the draft, and the Falcons could take the first defensive player off the board with the eighth overall pick. But they could also shop around the fringes in the late stages of free agency to get some more depth, especially at pass rusher and safety.
Grade: B+
Carolina Panthers
What’s Been Accomplished
The Carolina Panthers were active. The failure to get a Brian Burns extension and then trading him for a second-round pick could have put a dark cloud over the Carolina offseason, as could have the losses of Frankie Luvu, Jeremy Chinn and Vonn Bell.
But Carolina has at least tried to remake the roster into one with useful players. The biggest moves were to bring in Robert Hunt ($20 million AAV) and Damien Lewis ($13.25 million AAV) at guard. It’s an overpay at both spots, but it upgrades the interior.
The Diontae Johnson for Donte Jackson trade was a net win for the Panthers, adding much-needed talent at receiver.
Defensively, the Panthers added a lot, but it remains to be seen how many of those players are upgrades over the ones who departed.
What’s Still Needed
Despite all of the roster turnover, this isn’t a particularly good team on paper. Even with Dionate Johnson, the receiver room is underwhelming, as are the pass rushers without Burns.
That’s just the corner the Panthers have painted themselves into, and this should not be viewed as a one-year fix. Someone make sure owner David Tepper is aware of that.
Grade: D
New Orleans Saints
What’s Been Accomplished
The New Orleans Saints continued to Saint around the salary cap. There was much restructuring with not much roster movement one way or another. This was more of a typical Saints offseason that saw them fully commit to what was the oldest roster in the league last season.
Michael Thomas is gone and the big adds were Willie Gay at linebacker and Chase Young at edge on a deal beefed up by incentives after it was revealed he would need offseason neck surgery.
What’s Still Needed
This version of the Saints is fairly locked in. A Marshon Lattimore trade could occur after June 1, but outside of the draft, there should not be many major moves in New Orleans.
Grade: C-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What’s Been Accomplished
For another offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to keep most of the team together.
Mike Evans re-signed for a below-market extension — two years and $29 million guaranteed — to stay in Tampa Bay. Then the Buccaneers were able to re-sign Baker Mayfield to a three-year deal that could be worth up to $100 million but also could just be a one-year, $40 million contract based on how he plays and how quickly Tampa Bay would want to move on.
Lavonte David also returned, while the Buccaneers got safety Jordan Whitehead back after he spent 2023 with the New York Jets.
What’s Still Needed
Antoine Winfield Jr. was tagged, and a long-term deal should be on the to-do list for the Buccaneers. Winfield is one of the best do-it-all defenders in the league and should look for a contract that at least comes in around what McKinney received from the Packers.
Corner could also use a veteran after the trade of Davis to the Lions.
With the financial commitments and age of some key players, the Buccaneers are kind of like the Saints in that they’re in with this version of the roster. Unlike the Saints, there is a bit more upside in those players.
Grade: B-
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
What’s Been Accomplished
The Arizona Cardinals were another active team that brought in many players because they needed bodies. Few of those signings would impress an outside observer. Still, Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols and Sean Murphy-Bunting are all technically upgrades over what was on the roster last season — even if it took nearly $44 million guaranteed to bring those three players in.
Jonah Williams will be the most impactful free agent signing at tackle. He played right tackle last season in Cincinnati, and that could be the plan in Arizona with 2023 first-round pick Paris Johnson sliding over to the left side in Year 2.
What’s Still Needed
Receiver is a big hole on the roster, especially with Marquise Brown gone. That could be remedied with Marvin Harrison Jr. as the fourth-overall pick, but the Cardinals will also find themselves in the trade zone with teams like the Vikings looking to trade up for a quarterback.
Pass rushers are also needed for this team, with Zaven Collins, B.J. Ojulari and Dennis Gardeck atop the depth chart.
There are few spots, whether through the draft or the late stages of free agency, that wouldn’t have the potential for an upgrade.
Grade: C+
Los Angeles Rams
What’s Been Accomplished
The Los Angeles Rams went big at guard. Kevin Dotson was re-signed, while Jonah Jackson was brought in to provide a monstrous interior offensive line that could be used with the Rams’ new power run scheme. In addition, Steve Avila will move to center. That’s a whole lot of mass inside.
Kam Curl was signed at safety on a cheap deal that looks like a steal now and could look even better once the games start. He can play all over the defense. He said that’s what the Rams expected of him this season.
Los Angeles also brought back Darious Williams, who remains an underrated outside corner.
What’s Still Needed
The pass rush is a concern, especially now that Aaron Donald retired. Donald made the job of everyone else on that defense easier with the attention he garnered, and now the Rams will have to figure out how to create pressure without that.
Both the interior defensive line and edge could use help. Some free agents could at least provide depth, but that could be an issue going into the season.
Cornerback is also an area that could use more bodies, though young players like Cobie Durant and Tre Tomlinson have flashed potential at times.
Grade: C+
San Francisco 49ers
What’s Been Accomplished
It’s been an interesting offseason for the San Francisco 49ers. There hasn’t been much change on offense — offensive linemen Colton McKivitz and Jon Feliciano re-signed — but there has been a lot of tinkering on defense.
Arik Armstead was released after talks of a pay cut did not go well. He was replaced by Maliek Collins via trade. Collins has long been one of the league's more underrated interior pass rushers. San Francisco also added Jordan Elliott as depth inside.
On the edge, the 49ers added Leonard Floyd, who has done well in ideal circumstances (including 10.5 sacks last season), and Yetur Gross-Matos, who could be another raw player molded by defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.
De’Vondre Campbell was also signed as the replacement for Dre Greenlaw at linebacker, while Greenlaw receivers from his torn Achilles.
What’s Still Needed
There is still unknown surrounding the status of Brandon Aiyuk. He’s been rumored in trades, and we even got details of an offer of the 17th overall pick and Zay Jones that the Jaguars rejected (if that was the price, the Jaguars should have jumped on that 10 out of 10 times).
Aiyuk is one of the league’s best separators, but he will require a new contract that could be difficult to fit in with so many other offensive players, as well as Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, paid near the top of their positions on this team.
It’s also possible Deebo Samuel could be moved as a way to make room for a new Aiyuk deal. Either way, the 49ers’ plan at wide receiver will be something to watch.
Grade: C
Seattle Seahawks
What’s Been Accomplished
The Seattle Seahawks slowly started to piece together a defense that will have a new look under head coach Mike Macdonald.
A linebacker duo of Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson could be fun and versatile, especially for a combined $7 million guaranteed. Dodson is expected to play in the middle, while Baker could be moved around more, potentially getting him back to rushing the passer on blitzes as he did earlier in his career.
Leonard Williams continues to get paid a lot, but he could be a fun fit in this defense after he played well in the second half of the season with Seattle last year.
The offense has mostly stayed together, and Tyler Lockett reworked his deal to stick around.
What’s Still Needed
The Seahawks could still use some help on the edge and the interior of the offensive line. Both of those spots could be picked up in the draft, but it would not be a surprise to see a veteran pass rusher sign with Seattle later in the offseason, taking a page from the Ravens’ playbook.
Grade: B-
