NFL Free Agency 2024: Breaking Down the Best Value Moves of Week 2
The NFL is wrapping its second week of 2024 free agency, and it's safe to say that Week 2 hasn't been as wild as the initial wave.
With dozens of Pro Bowlers and high-end starters agreeing to deals with new teams before free agency even officially began, the second wave was destined to feel a bit anticlimactic. However, this doesn't mean that teams haven't added quality players or found tremendous value in recent days.
In fact, some of the best bargains often aren't found in the early days of free agency. Last year, for example, linebacker Bobby Wagner entered his second stint with the Seattle Seahawks on March 25 on a modest one-year, $5.5 million deal. He went on to have a league-high 183 total tackles and his ninth career Pro Bowl nod.
Since the second week began on Monday, we've seen some terrific deals that could provide huge value in 2024. Here, we'll dive into some of the top moves of Week 2 and explain how teams can benefit from factors like player upside, positional value, team need and contract terms, where available.
Eagles Sign LB Devin White
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The Philadelphia Eagles defense had some significant issues with tackling and coverage at the second level last season. The Eagles addressed the situation early in free agency, adding linebackers Zack Baun, Julian Okwara and Oren Burks.
On Monday, Philadelphia added a potentially even bigger piece in linebacker Devin White. Full terms of White's one-year contract are not available, but one can assume that it's for far less than the three-year, $31 million deal that Frankie Luvu signed with the rival Washington Commanders at the onset of free agency.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the contract is worth "up to" $7.5 million.
White is coming off a down season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one that saw him playing a reduced role late in the year. However, a "down" year for him included 83 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six passes defended and two interceptions.
A Pro Bowler in 2021, White is a top-tier sideline-to-sideline defender who will bring a lot of versatility to Philadelphia's defense. At only 26, he's in his playing prime and eager to reestablish himself as a top linebacker.
"It's an opportunity to go show why I was drafted top five, why I helped a team win a Super Bowl. And, obviously, just to prove what I do," White said, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
White is a top-10 player at his position when he's at his best, and the Eagles were fortunate to snag him in Week 2.
Jets Sign OT Tyron Smith
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Also on Monday, the New York Jets and offensive tackle Tyron Smith agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. That's a bargain price for a future Hall of Famer, and it begs questions as to why the Dallas Cowboys weren't willing to retain their long-term starter.
Dallas' thinking may have originated from the fact that Smith is 33 years old and has endured numerous injuries over the past four years—a span that has seen him play only 30 games.
However, the risk with Smith is reflected in the price point, and it's worth noting that he was on the field for 13 games in 2023.
And when Smith is healthy, he's still a high-end starting left tackle. The Jets, who allowed 64 sacks last season, were in desperate need of one. It's a low-risk, high-reward signing for New York, and it falls in line with the franchise's likely timetable with 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets will likely—or, at least, should—target a developmental tackle in next month's draft. However, the prospect of starting an aging Rodgers behind an inexperienced rookie isn't ideal.
Smith will provide a proven option without breaking the bank, and he can either be dumped or re-signed in a year depending on how things play out with his health, the Jets' season and Rodgers' outlook in 2024.
Dolphins Sign CB Kendall Fuller
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The Miami Dolphins parted with starting cornerback Xavien Howard just before the start of free agency in a cap-saving maneuver. On Monday, Miami signed Kendall Fuller to a two-year, $15 million deal to help replace Howard on the perimeter.
Fuller was the top cornerback on the Bleacher Report free agency big board after L'Jarius Sneed and Jaylon Johnson both received the franchise tag. The 29-year-old had a down year in a bad Washington Commanders defense last season but was a very reliable starting corner prior to 2023.
In 2022, Fuller started all 17 games and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 87.1 in coverage.
Fuller won't turn 30 until next February and should still be a dependable corner over the next two seasons. He also brings valuable postseason experience, having won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Dolphins needed a new starter opposite Jalen Ramsey, and they're getting a good one in Fuller. By being patient at the position, Miami also got a great deal.
$7.5 million annually is low for a starting-caliber cornerback in today's NFL. Fuller is now just the league's 29th-highest-paid corner in terms of yearly compensation.
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Chiefs Sign WR Marquise Brown
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The Chiefs kicked off their week by agreeing to a one-year, $7 million deal with wide receiver Marquise Brown.
The move will provide a great opportunity for Brown, who never quite blossomed into a No. 1 option with the Baltimore Ravens or Arizona Cardinals.
"The offense I felt like I could come in and I could help," Brown said, per NFL.com's Grant Gordon. "I could fit in. All those things played a part. They were strong on me so there was mutual interest. That is very appealing."
For Kansas City, signing Brown means adding elite speed to the receiver position. He can help open up the deep-passing game for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but his speed will also be a big asset on crossing routes, slants and digs. Alongside Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and Travis Kelce, Brown will provide Andy Reid with a myriad of offensive options this season.
The Chiefs have lacked elite speed since trading Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins. They've won two Super Bowls without Hill, but regaining that speed element will be valuable.
While Brown isn't as complete of a receiver as Calvin Ridley, the top-rated wideout on the initial B/R board, he's coming to Kansas City at a fraction of the cost.
Last Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans signed Ridley to a massive four-year, $92 million contract.
Bengals Sign OT Trent Brown
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On Tuesday, the Cincinnati Bengals added former New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown on a one-year contract. Terms of the year are still unavailable, but it should be fairly team-friendly.
Brown will turn 31 next month and is coming off a moderate two-year, $13 million contract.
Like Tyron Smith, Brown is older and has a noteworthy recent injury history—he's played 42 games over the past four seasons. He's a dependable starter when healthy, though, and was responsible for only three sacks allowed in 11 games last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Brown has experience playing multiple positions along the line, but he should immediately slot in at right tackle to replace Jonah Williams.
Williams was responsible for eight sacks allowed in 2023, according to PFF.
Like the Jets, the Bengals should be seeking additional depth at right tackle, possibly early in the draft. But Brown gives Cincinnati good depth and flexibility, meaning the Bengals won't have to reach in the draft or force a rookie onto the field too soon.
Presumably, Brown is coming to Cincinnati for much less than it would have cost to re-sign Williams. He inked a two-year, $30 million deal with the Cardinals last week.
Lions Sign G Kevin Zeitler
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On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions signed guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal. Terms of the contract have yet to be disclosed, but barring an unexpectedly high amount, he'll provide a nice value for Detroit.
The Lions lost starting guard Jonah Jackson when he signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
Zeitler is 34, but he's still a high-end starter who hasn't played fewer than 15 games in a season since 2014. He was a Pro Bowler in 2023 and will help ensure that Detroit's offensive line remains a team strength while providing draft flexibility.
The Lions may be able to find a long-term starter in the draft, but they've already addressed a vital piece of the roster.
"Our offensive line, us being able to protect the quarterback and run the football like we do, that's extremely important," general manager Brad Holmes said, per The Athletic's Colton Pouncy.
After re-signing Graham Glasgow, the Lions will return four of their five 2023 starters along the line. With Zeitler in the fold, they'll again feature an elite group and easily one of the best lines in the conference.
Detroit can now target a long-term starting guard in the draft without having to force a selection to field a functional offense. For a franchise that just opened its Super Bowl window, that's huge.
Jets Sign WR Mike Williams
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The Jets made a second low-risk, high-reward move this week when they signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year deal that has a maximum value of $15 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Williams is coming off a torn ACL and was released by the Los Angeles Chargers before the start of free agency. The injury is concerning, as the 29-year-old has missed 18 games over the past two years, but Williams should be ready to play at or around the start of the regular season.
Williams suffered the ACL tear in late September.
When healthy, Williams is a very good No. 2 receiver, and he'll form a potent tandem with Garrett Wilson in New York. According to Jets team reporter Ethan Greenberg, Williams has noted that the "dynamic between him and Garrett Wilson on the field reminds him of the dynamic with Keenan Allen."
It's a wonderful get for the Jets, who desperately needed to provide Rodgers with a reliable No. 2 target. Allen Lazard was the second-most productive wideout on New York's roster last year, and he finished with just 311 receiving yards.
While it remains unclear what it will take for Williams to reach the max value on his contract, it's a great deal for the Jets. $15 million is a fair price for a high-end second target, and if Williams hits the incentives to get there, he and the Jets will have likely had a great season.
49ers Sign QB Joshua Dobbs
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The San Francisco 49ers' acquisition of Joshua Dobbs might not have generated headlines, but it's still a great value for the franchise.
Dobbs, who started 12 games for the Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings in 2023, signed a bargain one-year, $2.3 million contract. That's less than the value that (likely) backup quarterbacks like Jameis Winston ($4 million), Marcus Mariota ($6 million) and Joe Flacco (up to $8.7 million, per Schefter).
Is Dobbs a high-end quarterback? No, but he proved last season that he can start for a few games if needed. He played well enough with the Cardinals that Minnesota moved to acquire him following Kirk Cousins' torn Achilles and before the trade deadline.
That's extremely important for the 49ers, who dealt with a number of quarterback injuries in 2022.
After losing both Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson in the 2022 NFC title game, the 49ers know as well as any team the importance of quarterback depth. That's why they signed 2018 first-round pick Sam Darnold last offseason. With Darnold joining the Vikings this year, San Francisco needed a replacement.
No. 3 quarterback Brandon Allen re-signed with the 49ers before the start of free agency.
The 49ers now have solid depth behind Purdy, and they found value by bypassing the initial run on quarterbacks we saw in Week 1.
^Contract information via Spotrac unless otherwise noted.
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