2024 NFL Free Agency: Overlooked Veterans That Every Team Must Prioritize
As we await the official start of NFL free agency in March, it's a good time to remember that value is the most important thing.
The big contracts and stars on the move will draw the most attention. Some teams will shell out big money in hopes of dethroning the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. But not all teams are in a position to chase big-money players.
However, just about every team will have enough cap space to sign at least one external free agent who could add some value to their roster.
Each of the following free agents carries an annual average projected market value of less than $7 million from Spotrac and aren't considered household names. However, they could wind up being impactful signings for teams that are looking to fill a need and get the most bang for their salary-cap buck.
EDGE Derek Barnett
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Derek Barnett will likely never live up to the hype that came with him being a first-round pick in 2017. He racked up 21.5 career sacks in six-and-a-half seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before they waived him in late November.
The Houston Texans immediately claimed Barnett on waivers, and the defensive end created a clear market for himself over the second half of the season.
Barnett went on a heater to close out the season as the Texans earned a trip to the playoffs and won a wild-card game. From Week 15 on, he had 3.5 sacks, eight quarterback knockdowns and 13 total pressures.
The late-season push helped him finish with a pressure rate of 16.0. Texans edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr., the Defensive Rookie of the Year, had a pressure rate was 16.1, and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones had a pressure rate of 15.7 percent, for context.
Barnett's struggles in Philadelphia have impacted his reputation, but the team that winds up with him could get an underrated asset in their pass rush. He suffered a torn ACL in 2022 and was buried in a deep pass-rushing rotation when he came back in Philadelphia. Barnett maximized his opportunity to prove himself in his Houston stint, though.
Despite the lack of pass-rush production, Barnett has always been a solid run defender. He should be a front-of-mind target for anyone looking to add a cheap rotational player on the edge.
The Cleveland Browns are facing a tight cap situation and might lose Za'Darius Smith in free agency, so they could make sense as a landing spot for Barnett. The Buffalo Bills could also be facing some cap constraints while trying to replace some pass-rush production.
Potential Fits: Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills
CB Ronald Darby
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No team can have too much secondary help in the NFL. As teams continue to load up on game-changing receivers, the price of players who can cover them should also go up.
This year's free-agent cornerback crop is fairly top-heavy. Jaylon Johnson and L'Jarius Sneed headline the group. Kendall Fuller and Chidobe Awuzie are also starters who are under 30 and will likely command some attention.
But Ronald Darby seems to be flying under the radar despite a stellar 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens. Darby was sixth in the league in passer rating allowed and had the lowest average target separation (0.9 yards) in the league.
The reality is that Darby has been a solid starter for years. He's had a few seasons hampered by injuries, but he's only given up a passer rating of 100.0 or more once in the last six years.
There are some concerns that will likely depress Darby's market. He's 30 years old, and he's had two ACL tears in his career. But none of that seemed to hurt him this season.
The veteran has elite speed and didn't show signs of slowing down last season. If he stays healthy, he should outperform whatever contract he's likely to receive based on his age and injury history.
The Minnesota Vikings gave up a passer rating of 95.2 as a team last season and have a young secondary. An experienced vet like Darby would make a lot of sense for them. Their NFC North counterpart Detroit Lions should be interested, too. They should be looking to improve their secondary after competing for a Super Bowl berth last season.
Potential Fits: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions
OT Jermaine Eluemunor
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When it comes to offensive line play, many teams wish they had even competent tackles. Having an All-Pro on the edge is great, but most teams would get a boost in offensive production if they didn't have a complete liability out there.
That's where the value in signing a player like Jermaine Eluemunor lies. The 29-year-old has steadily improved throughout his career, going from backup swing tackle with the New England Patriots to the Las Vegas Raiders' starter at right tackle over the last two seasons.
Eluemunor ended the season as Pro Football Focus' 36th-highest-graded tackle. He surrendered six sacks and got called for five penalties on over 900 snaps.
Whichever team signs Eluemunor will be paying for a baseline of adequacy. He might not ever make a Pro Bowl, but he had only two games in 2023 with more than two blown blocks, per Sports Info Solutions.
As an added bonus, Eluemunor has some positional flexibility. He has lined up at guard in his career, and he could kick inside for a team that already has answers at tackle or has a developmental prospect.
His experience, versatility and age should help him find a multi-year contract, but he likely won't break the bank.
That could be good news for a team like the Cincinnati Bengals if Jonah Williams bolts in free agency. The New York Jets, who desperately needed better offensive line play last season, should be interested as well.
Potential Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets
DT DaQuan Jones
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Run-stuffing nose tackles aren't often heralded as the top player in a typical free-agent class. When the class features Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins, they are a complete afterthought.
So it's understandable if you haven't seen much on the potential free agency of 32-year-old DaQuan Jones heading into March. However, anyone who followed the Buffalo Bills defense can tell you just how important Jones was to them.
The Bills have a loaded class of internal free agents, but Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic recently made the case that Jones is the one they should prioritize the most.
"The impact Jones made on the field this season was immense. When healthy, not only was he one of their best run defenders who made plays and also helped teammates, but he added a pass-rushing component to his game that wasn't as prevalent in 2022."
It's hard to quantify the work of a good nose tackle, but Jones' 2.5 sacks in seven games showed that he can also help push the pocket in the passing game.
Jones turned 32 in December, and he missed Weeks 6 through 16 with a torn pectoral muscle, so his age and injuries will likely factor into his price point. But whichever team signs him is going to upgrade its run defense while getting a player who can still impact its pass rush. That's a sneaky need for several teams around the league.
The Denver Broncos gave up a league-high five yards per carry this past season, and Mike Purcell struggled to hold up at the point of attack. The Dallas Cowboys could also use a veteran who would be able to mentor Mazi Smith while splitting reps.
Potential Fits: Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys
WR Josh Reynolds
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There aren't many teams in the NFL that couldn't use an extra playmaker in their receiving corps. While a few teams will be on the hunt for a No. 1 option in free agency, most teams could at least use a player who is capable of making plays downfield.
If teams are looking to acquire that kind of player on a budget, Josh Reynolds should be a consideration.
At 6'3" and 194 pounds, Reynolds has the length to grab deep balls over defenders, and he used that advantage to average 15.2 yards per reception with the Detroit Lions this season. With Jameson Williams suspended for the first few games of the season, Reynolds emerged as the primary deep threat for an explosive Lions offense.
Reynolds has never been a leading man, but he's been a successful contributor on multiple strong offenses, including the last two seasons with the Lions and the Los Angeles Rams from 2018-2020.
He's the kind of signing that will probably be a minor blip in news cycle in the spring but will play a crucial role for a team contending for the playoffs.
Reynolds could serve as a cost-effective replacement for Odell Beckham Jr. in Baltimore. Alternatively, the Buffalo Bills might be looking for a value version of Gabe Davis if he leaves in free agency.
Potential Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills
EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel
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Andrew Van Ginkel has been a solid rotational pass-rusher for the Miami Dolphins for a few years, but he got the opportunity this season to show that he could be a little more. He took advantage and likely made himself some money along the way.
The 28-year-old is far from a household name, but he became a key piece for the Dolphins defense when Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips both went down with injuries this season. Pressed into a larger role, Van Ginkel racked up six sacks and 19 quarterback hits while making 11 starts and appearing in all 17 regular-season games.
Van Ginkel's versatility is what makes him an underrated free-agent target. He isn't just a pass-rusher. He's done well enough in coverage to warrant a spot as a true outside linebacker who can drop back into zones in a 3-4 base set or put his hand in the dirt and get after the quarterback.
He was targeted 25 times in coverage this season and gave up only 4.7 yards per target.
Van Ginkel should appeal more to teams that like to blitz and play a 3-4 base alignment, but his ability to rush the passer could make him appealing even for teams that don't fit that mold.
The Arizona Cardinals have plenty of cap space and need to add some punch to their pass rush. The New England Patriots are in the same boat, and he would fit their blitz-heavy style well.
Potential Fits: Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots
S Jordan Whitehead
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Jordan Whitehead is not the first player who comes to mind when you think of the New York Jets defense. The unit was one of the best at defending the pass this season, but the credit usually goes to the pass rush that featured Bryce Huff and Jermaine Johnson II or Sauce Gardner as the star of the secondary.
But Whitehead, who led the team with four interceptions and was often the deep safety in their zone-heavy scheme, deserves some praise as well.
Whitehead joined the Jets in free agency two years ago, and it has been a mutually beneficial partnership. He is a good fit within their scheme, but he was also a strong contributor on some good Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenses before he got to New York.
He hasn't allowed a passer rating of more than 100.0 since his rookie year in 2018. This season, he held opposing passers to a 78.8 rating.
When you get past the elite tier of free agents, there are always some dings that will bring their value down. In Whitehead's case, it's the fact that he isn't the best tackler. He missed 14.2 percent of his tackle attempts last season and only has one season with a missed tackle rate below 10 percent.
However, any team that needs a deep defender who can make plays on the ball and has a wealth of experience on good defenses should be giving Whitehead's agent a call.
The Green Bay Packers are an obvious match. They couldn't quite get the safety position right last season despite a few free-agent acquisitions. The Los Angeles Rams should be in the safety market as well since both Jordan Fuller and John Johnson III are set to become free agents.
Potential Fits: Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams
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