The initial wave of 2024 NFL free agency is in the books.
Several big-name running backs were on the move, including Derrick Henry joining the Baltimore Ravens, Saquon Barkley moving to NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles and Josh Jacobs going to the Green Bay Packers to replace Aaron Jones, who was released and stayed in the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings.
Among quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins left the Vikings to lead the Atlanta Falcons, and Baker Mayfield decided to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On the other side of the ball, Danielle Hunter signed with the Houston Texans, Chris Jones re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Brian Burns was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the New York Giants.
Here is a look at impact signings for every team and links to every player signed by all 32 teams.
Jump 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 back starting defensive tackle DaQuan Jones was a big win, but the biggest addition is wide receiver Curtis Samuel. As a player who can fit a variety of roles, he provides an evolving wide receiver room with a different skill set. Samuel is also someone offensive coordinator Joe Brady coached while with the Carolina Panthers. Although the move shouldn’t mean the Bills are done replacing Gabe Davis, Samuel has a lot to offer the offense. — Alaina Getzenberg
The Dolphins’ most impactful signing is cornerback Kendall Fuller. Miami saw several defensive starters leave via free agency or be released during the past month, leaving multiple holes. It filled a glaring one at cornerback by signing Fuller to a two-year deal two days after adding safety Jordan Poyer. Miami has quietly put together a series of low-cost signings during the first week of free agency, all while working to get under the salary cap. Fuller, who won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs alongside current Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, is the jewel of this class so far. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
The Patriots finished 32nd in the NFL in pass block win rate (43.4%) last season — reflective of struggles along the offensive line — and faced the prospect of losing their best blocker in free agency. So re-signing OT/G Mike Onwenu to a three-year, $57 million deal helped mitigate a need from becoming even more dire, and the team will continue to try to address the offensive line before the season begins. — Mike Reiss
It wasn’t a free agent move, but the trade for RT Morgan Moses should help the weakest positions on the team. The Jets were the only team to rank 29th or worse in pass block win rate (30th) and run block win rate (29th) last season. His arrival should allow Alijah Vera-Tucker to play right guard, where he is most comfortable, instead of right tackle. Moses, 33, is a savvy vet known for his durability, which should be a plus on their injury-prone line. — Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Landing Derrick Henry gives quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens their most prolific and dependable running back in nearly a decade. Baltimore has had one 1,000-yard running back over the past nine years, which is tied with six other teams for the fewest during that span. Running the ball has been a barometer of success under coach John Harbaugh. Since 2008, no team has won more games when rushing for 120 or more yards than the Ravens (106 wins). — Jamison Hensley
Tackle Sheldon Rankins, who had six sacks last season for the Texans, could give Cincinnati’s defense a big lift. He gives coordinator Lou Anarumo a solid pass-rushing option in the middle of the defense. More pressure on opposing quarterbacks should also make things easier on a secondary that needs to improve after a rough 2023. — Ben Baby
Quarterback Joe Flacco went 4-1 when starting for the Browns last regular season, propelling Cleveland to its first playoff berth since 2020. The Browns, however, passed on re-signing the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year to be Deshaun Watson‘s backup. Instead, they went with Jameis Winston, who comes to Cleveland from New Orleans. Given Watson’s injury history, backup quarterback figures to be a key position again. Flacco, who went to Indianapolis after the Browns declined to re-sign him, proved he can still play quarterback at a high level in a pinch. Time will tell whether Winston can. — Jake Trotter
With Russell Wilson seeking a shot at redemption, and the Steelers looking to upgrade quarterback play, the team signing Wilson to a one-year deal for the vet minimum goes down as the team’s most impactful move of free agency. Although there will likely be a competition between former first-round pick Kenny Pickett and Wilson — at least on paper — Wilson seemingly has a clear path to the starting job and an opportunity to revitalize the offense under 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
Adding defensive end Danielle Hunter means coach DeMeco Ryans wants an imposing pass rush that can take over games. Hunter is coming off a season with a career-high 16 sacks for the Vikings and is a four-time Pro Bowler. Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. can allow Ryans to rush with four and cause havoc on opposing quarterbacks while having seven in coverage to constrict the throwing windows. This addition can elevate the 2023 11th-ranked scoring defense. — DJ Bien-Aime
Signing outside free agents always creates bigger headlines, but the Colts instead doubled down on their in-house talent, especially wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The Colts and Pittman are hoping he’ll benefit greatly from the return of quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 pick in 2023, who has a big arm that gives the receiver and the offense a greater chance for big plays. Taking the next step as a team will now depend on whether the returnees do their part. — Stephen Holder
The least flashy of the Jaguars’ additions is actually the most important: signing center Mitch Morse. The Jaguars needed an upgrade in the middle after a disappointing season from second-year player Luke Fortner, who ranked 31st among centers in pass block win rate. Morse, 31, provides that upgrade after nine seasons as a starter with the Chiefs and Bills. Since he entered the league in 2015, his pass block win rate of 94.4% ranks 10th among all centers. — Michael DiRocco
The Calvin Ridley signing adds a playmaker the Titans severely needed at wide receiver to transition to a more effective passing offense. But at $23 million per year, Ridley didn’t come cheap. Pairing Ridley with veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins creates a formidable pass-catching duo that will make it difficult for opposing defenses to double-team. Ridley, Hopkins and Treylon Burks are each capable of playing all three wide receiver spots. That will allow first-year head coach Brian Callahan to move them across the formation to create favorable matchups. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Safety Brandon Jones, who had 30 starts in 51 games with the Dolphins, will be expected to pick up some of the work left behind from Justin Simmons‘ release. Jones has done some of his best work along the line of scrimmage, but he’ll get a chance for plenty of snaps all over the field this season in Vance Joseph’s defense. — Jeff Legwold
The value the Chiefs place on having pass-rusher Chris Jones in their lineup became clear when they gave him a contract that makes him the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in NFL history, in terms of total cost (almost $159 million) and average pay ($31.75 million). The Chiefs made a big leap defensively last season, and Jones is one of many who deserve credit for that, but, as the Chiefs made evident with his new deal, Jones is the indispensable one. — Adam Teicher
Christian Wilkins, who had a career-best 9.0 sacks last season, gives the Raiders their first tried-and-true interior pass rush threat since the days of Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly. As such, he’ll be Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby‘s best friend, forcing opposing O-lines to choose whom to double-team. Plus, Wilkins says he wants to help last year’s first-round pick, DL Tyree Wilson, break out of his rookie funk. Because, as Wilkins said, he had to get over his own rookie-season woes. “I’m such a character, such an animated, sick, twisted individual,” Wilkins said. “You just feel that here.” — Paul Gutierrez
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has always led feared rushing offenses. Since LaDainian Tomlinson left the Chargers, this team has had some of the league’s weakest rushing offenses. Insert Will Dissly, the blocking tight end the Chargers have needed for years. Dissly was quick to tell reporters in his opening news conference that he isn’t all blocking — “If they tell me to run a seam [route], I’m going to do it” — but added that he loves being physical. It’s exactly what the Chargers need as they aim to replace running back Austin Ekeler, who signed with the Commanders. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
There’s not a lot to choose from other than agreeing to a deal with veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks; the only other deal they’ve made so far is keeping long-snapper Trent Sieg. Kendricks fills a big need for the Cowboys at linebacker, especially with Leighton Vander Esch expected to retire. Kendricks’ knowledge of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s system will be a major plus as he implements a new scheme. Kendricks can make sure everybody is on the same page while he’s also getting to the ball. — Todd Archer
Edge rusher Brian Burns is easily the Giants’ biggest acquisition of free agency, even if he wasn’t exactly a free agent. Just look at the $141 million contract he received after being acquired via trade from the Panthers. Burns would’ve been the top pass-rusher on the market had he not been franchised by the Panthers. The Giants are now built around two high-end pass-rushers with Burns opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux. — Jordan Raanan
Saquon Barkley is an Eagle. That’s going to take some getting used to. Philadelphia doesn’t typically pay running backs big money but handed Barkley, a former Giants Pro Bowler, a three-year, $37.75 million contract that includes $26 million fully guaranteed at signing. The Eagles see a special three-down back who can make an impact as a rusher, receiver and pass-blocker, while elevating an offense that already boasts playmakers such as quarterback Jalen Hurts and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. — Tim McManus
Linebacker Frankie Luvu is the most impactful signing, with a three-year deal worth up to $36 million. In terms of name power and leadership, it would be linebacker Bobby Wagner, but he is on a one-year deal and is probably not an every-down player anymore, while Luvu is just entering his prime. Luvu became a full-time starter two years ago, but he has been impressive. Washington’s defensive staff will have fun tapping into his versatility; he could be a valuable pass-rusher. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
The biggest impact the Bears made during free agency was re-signing one of their own. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson‘s importance to Chicago’s secondary and entire defense cannot be overstated. Getting the 25-year-old under contract through the 2027 season sets up the Bears to continue building upon the success they saw defensively during the second half of last season. Offensively, adding wide receiver Keenan Allen via trade will help whoever starts at quarterback. — Courtney Cronin
Improving the defense was the biggest issue, and the Lions have added four new players so far, but defensive tackle DJ Reader is their most impactful addition. Reader not only comes from a solid Bengals organization, where he was a key part of the run defense, but also fulfills a need on the Lions’ defensive interior line. Detroit finished with 41 sacks in 2023, which was tied for ninth fewest in the NFL. — Eric Woodyard
The running back swap — signing Josh Jacobs for $12 million a year and releasing Aaron Jones after he declined another pay cut — got all the headlines. But the addition of safety Xavier McKinney was a potential game-changer. The Packers wanted to start over at the position, one that new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley believes is critical to his system. They paid a high price for it — a $23 million signing bonus and $16.75 million a year — but they got perhaps the top available safety on the market. — Rob Demovsky
The Vikings signed a big class of free agents, but in terms of their chances for success in 2024, it’s hard to look past quarterback Sam Darnold. He almost certainly will be their Week 1 starter, and the duration of his tenure will depend on whether the team can draft a high-end quarterback next month. Even if it does, Darnold would provide the organization a great service by playing well enough to prevent coaches from needing to put the rookie on the field before he is ready. That will be a challenge, as Darnold has never experienced sustained success in the league. His career QBR of 42.1 since 2018 ranks 39th out of 43 qualified quarterbacks over that period. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
The Falcons went into the offseason knowing they would need a quarterback — and Atlanta landed the best available option when Kirk Cousins agreed to a four-year deal. Cousins fits the type of offense new coordinator Zac Robinson is likely to run, particularly with his play-action ability and accuracy as a career 66.9% passer. Considering Atlanta’s issues at quarterback last season, despite skill position talent with tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson, the Falcons are hoping Cousins can take Atlanta to the playoffs. — Michael Rothstein
Replacing edge rusher Brian Burns remains a priority, but adding guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to protect Bryce Young was huge. Carolina guards allowed 23 sacks in 2023, second most in the NFL. They had the worst pass block win rate (86.2%) in the league. For Young to get better, he needed inside protection, and this should give him that. — David Newton
Linebacker Willie Gay gets the nod by default in a slow free agency period for the Saints. New Orleans needs linebacker depth, and Gay was a starter for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning team last season. He’ll likely quickly be put into the rotation with Demario Davis and Pete Werner. — Katherine Terrell
Wide receiver Mike Evans was the catalyst for the Bucs being able to re-sign all their top free agents, including quarterback Baker Mayfield, after Evans called him and said, “Are we doing this, or what?” With 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and tying for an NFL-leading 13 touchdown catches last season, Evans doesn’t appear to be slowing down at age 30. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Signing offensive tackle Jonah Williams, regardless of which side he plays, was the most important free agent signing for the Cardinals this year because they solidified quarterback Kyler Murray‘s protection. It doesn’t matter what happened in free agency on the defensive side of the ball — which was also crucial — but keeping Murray upright and healthy will be the difference between Arizona being a playoff team or sitting at home again in mid-January. — Josh Weinfuss
As expected, the Rams didn’t have a splashy start to their free agency. But by signing guard Jonah Jackson — as well as re-signing guard Kevin Dotson — the Rams have shown a commitment to protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford. The moves makes it likely Los Angeles will move second-year offensive lineman Steve Avila to center, giving the Rams a very strong interior of their offensive line. — Sarah Barshop
The 49ers have been looking for a strong complement opposite end Nick Bosa since he came into the league in 2019, so it’s no surprise that their biggest move in free agency was adding end Leonard Floyd on a two-year deal. The 49ers would love to have a star who can draw some attention away from Bosa, but short of that, just getting someone with Floyd’s consistency — he has between 9.0 and 10.5 sacks in each of the past four seasons — should provide a jolt to a defensive line that underperformed relative to expectations in 2023. — Nick Wagoner
Re-signing defensive end Leonard Williams was a top priority for the Seahawks, who gave up a second-round pick to acquire him last October in a trade with the Giants. They got that done via a three-year, $64.5 million deal ($43.85 million guaranteed) that makes Williams the highest-paid defensive player in franchise history. It’s a huge commitment, but Williams, 29, is the kind of game-changing defensive tackle they’ve been trying to find for years and wouldn’t have been able to land in the draft without a top-10 pick. — Brady Henderson
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