NFL Free Agency's Top, Value, & Best Available

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJune 12, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NFL offseason is now three months old, prompting Spotrac to reflect on the top free agent signings at each position, a newly signed player who may hold significant value for the upcoming season, and a few notable players still available on the open market through the middle of June.

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Top Free Agent Contracts

QB: Kirk Cousins (Falcons)

Signed a 4 year, $180,000,000 total value contract that included $90M guaranteed at signing, & $100M practically guaranteed through 2025. He’ll earn $62.5M cash in 2024, while carrying a $25M cap figure for the upcoming season.

RB: Josh Jacobs (Packers)

Signed a 4 year, $48,000,000 total value contract with Green Bay that included $12.5M fully guaranteed (his signing bonus). The Packers don’t offer full guarantees on base salaries to non-QB contracts, so Jacobs will be operating on a year-to-year basis from here out. He’ll earn $14.8M in 2024 a year after securing $11.8M from the Raiders.

WR: Calvin Ridley (Titans)

Signed a 4 year, $92,000,000 total value contract with Tennessee that included $46.9M fully guaranteed at signing, $51M practically guaranteed through 2025. He’ll earn $25M cash in 2024, more than double the $11.1M he secured in Jacksonville last season.

TE: Colby Parkinson (Rams)

Signed a 3 year, $22,500,000 contract with Los Angeles that includes $10.25M guaranteed at signing, $15.5M guaranteed through 2025. He’ll earn $7.75M in 2024, & $2.5M of his 2025 salary is guaranteed right now.

OT: Jonah Williams (Cardinals)

Signed a 2 year, $30,000,000 contract with Arizona that includes $19M fully guaranteed at signing, and $21.5M practically guaranteed through 2025. Williams secured a $17.1M paycheck this season after cashing in $12.6M from Cincinnati in 2023.

G: Robert Hunt (Panthers)

Signed a 5 year, $100,000,000 contract with Carolina that includes $44M guaranteed at signing, $63M practically guaranteed through 2026. Hunt secures $27.65M cash for the upcoming season, 3.5 times more than he earned across his first four seasons in Miami.It’s a 3 year, $63M deal for practical purposes.

C: Lloyd Cushenberry (Titans)

Signed a 4 year, $50,000,000 contract with Tennessee that includes $26M guaranteed at signing, $30M practically guaranteed through 2025. Cushenberry will see $20M cash in 2024, & 60% of his 2025 compensation is already fully locked in.

DT: Christian Wilkins (Raiders)

Signed a 4 year, $110,000,000 contract with Las Vegas that includes $57.7M guaranteed at signing, $82.75M practically guaranteed through 2026. The 28-year-old will triple his 2023 compensation up to $30M for the upcoming season, with another $29M already locked in for 2025. 

EDGE: Jonathan Greenard (Vikings)

Signed a 4 year, $76,000,000 contract with Minnesota that includes $38M fully guaranteed through 2025. It’s a flat $19M per year cash flow for the 27-year-old, who should have no trouble seeing 3 years, $57M on this deal before reconsideration.

LB: Patrick Queen (Steelers)

Signed a 3 year, $41,000,000 contract with Pittsburgh that includes $13.84M fully guaranteed (his signing bonus). Outside of a few rare exceptions, the Steelers don’t guarantee base salaries, making Queen’s contract year-to-year from the onset. Early March roster bonuses in  2025 & 2026 will help to define his future each offseason.

CB: Chidobe Awuzie (Titans)

Signed a 3 year, $36,000,000 contract with Tennessee that includes $19M fully guaranteed at signing, $22.98M practically guaranteed through 2025. He figures to slot into the starting left cornerback role immediately for at least the next 2 years, $24M.

S: Xavier McKinney (Packers)

Signed a 4 year, $67,000,000 contract with Green Bay that includes $23M fully guaranteed, all by way of a signing bonus. He’ll earn $25M in 2024, while the remaining 3 years, $42M will be dealt with on a year-to-year basis - the Packer’s way.

EARLY VALUE BETS

QB: Russell Wilson (Steelers)

Obviously. Wilson joins Pittsburgh on a veteran minimum $1.21M for the upcoming season, and barring a camp battle loss to Justin Fields, should take the Week 1 snaps. At $67,222 cash per league week, Pittsburgh is operating with house money here.

RB: Derrick Henry (Ravens)

Henry joins Baltimore on a 2 year, $16,000,000 contract that sizes down to 1 year, $9M from a guarantee standpoint. The #3 rated RB according to PFF in 2023 has earned $15.5M, $10.5M, $14.5M, & $10.5M respectively over the past 4 seasons.

WR: Marquise Brown (Chiefs)

Brown becomes the latest veteran WR to join Patrick Mahomes’ offense on a 1 year “prove-it” contract, and could/should flourish with ample opportunities. Brown secured $6.5M guaranteed on his 1 year, $7M contract that comes with $4M of additional incentives based on playing time, touchdowns and yards.

TE: Jonnu Smith (Dolphins)

Smith caught 50 passes at an 11.6 yards per reception rate last season in Atlanta, and now slots in as the TE1 on a loaded Dolphins offense. His 2 year, $8.4M free agent contract comes with a 1 year, $4.3M practical structure - half of what he earned with the Falcons last season.

OT: Trenton Brown (Bengals)

Brown, the #11 overall rated tackle in 2023 according to PFF, leaves New England to join the right side of Joe Burrow’s O-Line this season. He signed a 1 year, $4.75M contract that includes $1M of per game active roster bonuses.

G: Kevin Zeitler (Lions)

After 3 seasons in Baltimore, including a $6.5M payout last year, Zeitler joins the Lions on a 1 year, $6M nearly fully guaranteed contract. The 34-year-old was a Top 15 rated guard according to PFF in 2023.

C: Bradley Bozeman (Chargers)

The advanced stats have never been kind to Bozeman, who was paid a $4M buyout by Carolina to re-enter free agency this March, but the Chargers are picking up a starting-caliber center at a league minimum $1.125M. The sudden retirement of injured Corey Linsley escalated LAC’s need at the position this spring.

DT: D.J. Reader (Lions)

The nearly 30-year-old played out his previous 4 year, $53M contract with Cincinnati in full before latching onto a stout Lions’ D-Line for 2024. It’s a 2 year, $22M total value contract, but only $7.425M of it is fully guaranteed at signing, and Detroit built in $1.05M of per game active roster bonuses for the upcoming season as added protection.

EDGE: A.J. Epenesa (Bills)

A slow start to the 2nd rounder’s career escalated to 14 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions over the past two seasons in Buffalo, who brought back the 25-year-old on a 2 year, $12M total value contract. The deal includes $6.5M guaranteed at signing, all in 2024, putting him on a 1 year, $7M contract until further notice.

LB: Tyrel Dodson (Seahawks)

The highest rated off-ball linebacker in 2023 according to PFF leaves Buffalo for Seattle on a 1 year $4.26M contract that includes just $1M guaranteed. It’s a prove-it deal for a role player through much of his rookie contract, but there’s plenty of room for starter-value here in 2024.

CB: Jeff Okudah (Texans)

The former #3 overall pick won’t ever reach his expected ceiling, but with 31 starts under his belt, and a viable chance to win a starting job in Houston, a long, serviceable career is very much in play. Okudah joins Houston on a 1 year, $4.75M contract that can get to $6M based on playing time.

S: Alohi Gilman (Chargers)

Gilman broke into the Chargers’ regular starting lineup in 2023 and hasn’t looked back since. LAC brought him back on a 2 year $10.125M contract that carries a 1 year, $5.6M value from a practical standpoint.

NOTABLE STILL AVAILABLE

While the 2024 NFL Free Agent Season is now three months old, more than a few notable names still remain available. VIEW THE FULL LIST

QB: Ryan Tannehill (35, TEN), Trevor Siemian (32, NYJ)

RB: Cam Akers (25, MIN), Damien Harris (27, BUF)

WR: Michael Thomas (31, NO), Hunter Renfrow (28, LV)

TE: Geoff Swaim (30, ARI)

OT: David Bakhtiari (32, GB), Donovan Smith (30, KC)

G: Phil Haynes (28, SEA), Halapoulivaati Vaitai (30, DET)

C: Connor Williams (27, MIA), Mason Cole (28, PIT)

DT: Bryan Mone (28, SEA), Hassan Ridgeway (29, HOU)

EDGE: Emmanuel Ogbah (30, MIA), Yannick Ngakoue (29, CHI)

LB: Shaquille Leonard (28, PHI), Zach Cunningham (29, PHI)

CB: Xavien Howard (30, MIA), Adoree' Jackson (28, NYG)

S: Justin Simmons (30, DEN), Eddie Jackson (30, CHI)


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