NFL experts debate free agency: What were the best bargain signings?

Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: The Chargers signing cornerback Donte Jackson. Jackson was excellent for the Steelers in 2024. His coverage DVOA improved dramatically after adjusting it for his difficult assignments, and he finished the season at minus-23.9% (14th out of 92 qualified cornerbacks). He probably won’t be that good again, but he comes at a good price (two years, $13 million) even if he’s just an average starting corner. That’s less annual salary than Kristian Fulton or Brandon Stephens, for example.

Ben Solak, NFL analyst: The Lions re-signing defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike. He spent much of last season moonlighting as a defensive end when Detroit was ravaged by injuries. But when rushing from an interior alignment, Onwuzurike had a better pressure rate than Tershawn Wharton and Javon Kinlaw, who are both making triple his salary on their new deals. (Onwuzurike landed a one-year, $5.5 million deal.) Expect a “breakout” season from Onwuzurike if he plays at his natural position.

Mike Tannenbaum, NFL front office insider: The Jets signing quarterback Justin Fields. Every season, a quarterback “breaks through,” and that list has included Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith and Sam Darnold in the past few seasons. Though there are no guarantees with Fields, expect him to play well under new head coach Aaron Glenn. If he plays “B” or better football, the $20 million per year will be a bargain.

Lindsey Thiry, national NFL reporter: The Colts signing quarterback Daniel Jones. The sixth overall pick in 2019, Jones arrives in Indianapolis with the expectation that he will challenge third-year pro Anthony Richardson for the starting role. Coming out of Minnesota, where he spent part of last season on the practice squad after his release from the Giants, coaches and teammates said Jones impressed on and off the field. In Indy on a one-year, $14 million deal, he could either prove himself as a starter or inspire improved play from Richardson.

Seth Walder, NFL analyst: The Titans signing guard Kevin Zeitler. It’s understandable that NFL teams with holes at guard are hoping for a long-term solution. But is there any free agent guard who deserves our confidence more than Zeitler? He ranked sixth in pass block win rate at guard last season and 12th in 2023, and $9 million for one year is a good deal.

Field Yates, NFL analyst: The Ravens re-signing offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. He was the top tackle available in what was an average free agent class before an average draft class at the position. Baltimore retaining him on any reasonable terms was a major coup but doing so at $20 million annually is a substantial win. Stanley was healthy and terrific last season, maintaining the chance to be a career-long Raven with his new deal.

What was the biggest head-scratcher signing of free agency?

Bowen: The Jaguars signing safety Eric Murray. He can play in split-field coverages, and Murray has the demeanor to operate near the line of scrimmage. Plus, he can contribute to all four core special teams units. But with only three interceptions in 124 career games, the Jags overpaid for the 31-year-old on a three-year, $22.5 million deal.

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Schatz: The Jets signing cornerback Brandon Stephens. Stephens — who got a three-year, $36 million deal — was the clear weakness in Baltimore’s secondary last season. Yes, cornerback stats are inconsistent from year to year, but he ranked 81st out of 92 qualifying cornerbacks in my coverage DVOA metric in 2024.

Solak: The Commanders signing Kinlaw. It is a big overpay, though it’s not surprising why it happened. Commanders general manager Adam Peters drafted Kinlaw with the 49ers, and he remains one of the most physically impressive defensive tackles. Dan Quinn’s defense is a good fit for his skill set, too — simple, upfield responsibilities. But $15 million per year is a huge number for a player who hasn’t strung together consistent, starting-caliber play.

Tannenbaum: The events in Pittsburgh. The DK Metcalf trade and extension is understandable, especially in light of George Pickens going into the final year of his contract. But Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are the only quarterbacks on the Steelers’ 2025 roster at the moment. Until that position is settled, everything else is irrelevant.

Thiry: The Jaguars signing Murray. The Jags needed to upgrade their defense, especially at secondary after ranking among the league’s worst against the pass in 2024. However, this three-year, $22.5 million price tag seems steep given Murray’s lack of production. Perhaps first-year general manager James Gladstone and Coen value Murray’s intangibles and versatility more than his ability to make plays on the ball.

Walder: I will give two here because there have been so many: the Bears signing defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to a deal with $28.5 million fully guaranteed, and the Chiefs signing offensive tackle Jaylon Moore for two years, $30 million. Jarrett’s numbers have been declining for years, bottoming out at a 9% pass rush win rate last season (though he was coming off an ACL tear). As for Moore, there are spots in roster-building where taking risks makes sense. Patrick Mahomes’ left tackle is not one of them. Moore is somewhat of an unknown, but what we do know isn’t pretty. His 83% career pass block win rate would have ranked 63rd out of 67 tackle qualifiers last season.

Yates: The Jaguars signing Murray. He was very solid for the Texans last season and will help remake the Jaguars’ secondary, but it’s surprising Jacksonville filled two secondary gaps with players who will be 30 or older when the season begins (former Cowboys nickel corner Jourdan Lewis being the other). A lower-tier value like this isn’t crippling, but I thought Jacksonville might lean younger under new leadership.

What was the best overall move from free agency week?

Bowen: The Rams signing wide receiver Davante Adams. He’s an upgrade over Cooper Kupp on his new two-year deal, as Adams can get loose against press coverage and create separation to the ball. Opposite Puka Nacua, Adams can win one-on-one as the “X” receiver, plus he will be schemed to attack zone voids off motion and in play-action. This is a really good fit for Sean McVay’s offense.

Fowler: The Bucs signing defensive end Haason Reddick. Tampa Bay got out of its draft-and-develop comfort zone and invested $14 million in a one-year deal with Reddick, who had four consecutive double-digit-sack seasons before last year’s holdout sabotaged his 2024 campaign with the Jets. With a full offseason, he should get back on track. And the Bucs know they are at their best with an elite pass rush, as they proved during their 2020 Super Bowl run.

Maldonado: The Vikings signing defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Minnesota’s defense desperately needed disruption and toughness, especially against the run. Landing Allen at three years, $60 million instantly fixes that. He can stop plays cold and send quarterbacks scrambling. It’s a move that reshapes the Vikings’ defensive identity and significantly elevates their competitiveness in the NFC North.

Moody: The Chargers signing running back Najee Harris. The union of Harris and offensive coordinator Greg Roman bodes well for his 2025 season outlook, regardless of whether Los Angeles adds a running back in the draft. Harris — who signed for one year and up to $9.25 million — has had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and more touches than any player in the league since his rookie year in 2021. He’s a great fit behind an offensive line the Chargers have heavily invested in.

What to know for NFL free agency

Schatz: The Bills signing edge rusher Joey Bosa. Buffalo signed Bosa to a one-year, $12.6 million contract, which is a swing for the fences on a player who constantly battles injuries. But big swings are necessary for a team that is on the edge of winning a Super Bowl. The Bills wanted to load up on the pass rush so they can take down Patrick Mahomes, and if this move works out, it will be a big step toward doing that. If it doesn’t work out, they’re out of it in a year.

Solak: The Ravens re-signing offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. Right before free agency, Baltimore kept one of the best possible free agents in the building when it re-signed Stanley to a three-year, $60 million extension — far less than he would have made on the open market. The Ravens remain in a competing window given the MVP-caliber play of quarterback Lamar Jackson and could not let a franchise left tackle leave without a succession plan in place.

Tannenbaum: The Patriots signing defensive tackle Milton Williams. While $26 million per year for Williams is extremely high, it’s rare to get someone so young (26 next month) with outstanding interior pass rush ability. His production has been modest (11.5 sacks in 67 games), but look for his game to reach the next level in Mike Vrabel’s system with the Patriots. He will become a frontline staple for years to come.

Thiry: The Rams signing Adams. After retaining Matthew Stafford with a reworked contract, the addition of Adams provides Stafford a 1-2 punch along with Nacua. For a team that missed the NFC Championship Game by a mere play last season, the addition of Adams should be enough to help bring another deep playoff run.

Walder: The Lions signing cornerback D.J. Reed. He has been consistently good at a volatile position, allowing less than 1.1 yards per coverage snap (the average for an outside corner) in four consecutive seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats. I also think he was the best corner in this free agency class, making him an upgrade over Carlton Davis III. The Patriots are now paying Davis $20 million per year, while the Lions are paying Reed only $16 million. So not only did the Lions get a great player to fill a crucial need, but they did it for a good value.

Yates: The Raiders trading for quarterback Geno Smith. This happened a few days before free agency kicked off, but I really like this move. For a team searching for quarterback certainty, there may not have been a better available option than Smith. The Raiders still have plenty of work to do to compete in the AFC West, but securing a starter at the most important position for just a third-round pick was too good to pass up. Familiarity with coach Pete Carroll only emboldens my confidence in this acquisition.