How does a team win or lose in NFL free agency 2024 when no games are being played? Simple: That comes down to maintaining and improving its roster the best way po sible in relation to available resources. Did a franchise in a great salary-cap situation spend all its money wisely? Did a team struggling with the cap do all it could? In some cases, not spending was fine and overspending was bad. There were also a few trades and the returns on both sides to consider. Looking at the big picture acro s all 32 teams, a few stood out as acing the early part of free agency while a handful came out with a whimper. Some players at certain positions also Bruce Armstrong Jersey made out better than others. Heres breaking down the best and worst from the initial open market deals. NFL FREE AGENCY 2024: | NFL free agency winners & losers 2024 Getty Images Winners: Pittsburgh Steelers Getting Ru sell Wilson as a revived starting QB at a bargain-basement price would have been pretty good by itself, but then the team also finally solved its big problem for a dominant playmaking inside linebacker by splurging on former Ravens rival Patrick Queen. The Steelers also set up to further improve their offense by releasing shaky center Mason Cole and trading unhappy wide receiver Diontae Johnson. They also ended up with more upside at corner by cutting Patrick Peterson and acquiring Donte Jackson. RELATED: Winners: Kirk Cousins and the Falcons Cousins is the NFLs Scrooge McDuck, sitting on a pile of money that would allow him to buy as many Kohls stores as he would ever want. Even a torn Achilles couldnt keep him from breaking the bank with a third team in NFL free agency following his lucrative coups with the Commanders and Vikings. Before that injury, Cousins was having his best season in Minnesota at 35. He has plenty left with his big arm and new comfort level in the Rams-like offense in which he will remain. With some right moves around him, he has the potential to produce a Matthew Stafford-like result. Dont sleep on Atlanta adding former Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney as a key fourth weapon with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. Cousins suddenly gives Atlanta the QB edge in the NFC South, and this 7-10 team the past three seasons should be the division favorites now under OC Zac Robinson and coach Raheem Morris. MORE KIRK COUSINS: | | | | Winners: Green Bay Packers The Packers know they have a bit of an NFC title window with Jordan Love after making a surprise playoff run last season. They cleaned up two important positions by getting former Raiders running back Josh Jacobs to be their new workhorse to take pre sure off Love and spending well on the defensive backfield with former Giants safety Xavier McKinney. They also made a needed cap move in cutting aging left tackle David Bakhtiari. Winners: Washington Commanders The Commanders went to work to help both defensive-minded coach Dan Quinn and new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Quinn got two key pa s rushers in former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu and former Cowboys end Dorance Armstrong. They also added depth to the rotation in getting to the QB. Their other key former Panthers acquisition was safety Jeremy Chinn for the back end and they also got Quinns former leader in Seattle, linebacker Bobby Wagner. Kingsbury got two veteran pa sing cogs for the future franchise QB (who will be backed up by signee Marcus Mariota) in Zach Ertz and Austin Ekeler on top of two needed interior blocking upgrades. The kicker was adding Brandon McManus for field-goal duties. Losers: Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys didnt get in on the running back run to replace Tony Pollard yet. They also are taking multiple hits on the offensive and defensive lines. They also were a bit cap-strapped because of Dak Prescott and other contracts, leaving Jerry Jones to watch the other teams in the NFC East be a lot more active. MORE: (Getty Images) Winners: Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles kind of spent too much on Saquon Barkley, but theres no doubt he will be productive as the clear lead running back in their loaded offense. He was the headliner, but they made some even better moves with defense in mind, adding former Jets pa s rusher Bryce Huff and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. They also wisely locked up Landon Dickerson at guard long term with Jason Kelce retiring at center. Losers: New York Giants The Cowboys can envy a bit what the Commanders and Eagles did to improve, but they should see the Giants werent as shrewd with their spending. Backup QB Drew Lock and Barkley replacement Devin Singletary were joined offensively by meh line additions Jermaine Eluemenor and Jon Runyan. Defensively, they couldnt keep McKinney and also gave up too much in both trade compensation and salary to get former Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns. Winners: Minnesota Vikings The Vikings have had a three-year plan of slashing their big salaries and rebuilding. Cousins was part of that, as they will reset with a first-round QB from the strong 2024 draft cla s. Aaron Jones was a good get once the Packers let him go to help that new QB. They also now have plenty of money to give Justin Jefferson his mega deal at wide receiver. They did lose Danielle Hunter and Jordan Hicks defensively, but they more than compensated with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman for the front seven of Brian Flores scheme. Losers: Denver Broncos The Broncos backed themselves into a financial corner with the whole Wilson me s. They followed that up by not getting a potential bridge QB like many other teams did ahead of targeting a first-rounder, sitting on Jarrett Stidham. They also cut star safety Justin Simmons instead of trading him, then lost two underrated a sets in center Lloyd Cushenberry and linebacker Josey Jewell. Whatever the plan seems to be with Sean Payton doesnt inspire much hope going forward. Winners: Houston Texans The Texans lost Greenard early but made up for it Drew Desjarlais Jersey later by taking Hunter from the Vikings to replace his productive pa s-rush presence. The rest of the fine signing haul included defensive tackles Denico Autry and Foley Fatukasi. Houston also didnt panic about not getting in on the running back deals by making an easy trade with Cincinnati for Joe Mixon. Before free agency, the Texans made sure tight end Dalton Schultz and kicker Kaimi Fairbairn would stay. With field goal pop intact, they upgraded punter with former Chief Tommy Townsend. The team is quietly going all-in with C.J. Stroud while hes on his rookie contract. Losers: Carolina Panthers The Panthers lost Burns, Luvu, Chinn, and Jackson from their defense. Then, they spent big on two guards, former Dolphin Robert Hunt and former Seahawk Damien Lewis. Jewell was a good pickup but a clear downgrade from Luvu. They also spent too much defensively on AShawn Robinson. Upgrading the blocking and the receiving corps for Bryce Young were a priority. They did so-so investing in the former. As for the latter, Diontae Johnson becomes their best wide receiver but not nece sarily the reliable No. 1 they really need. (Getty Images) Winner: Baker Mayfield Mayfield has a semi long-term home as the Buccaneers new $100 million man, getting paid annually a little more than expected. He should also be thrilled the team made sure go-to wide receiver Mike Evans isnt going anywhere first. Loser: Ryan Tannehill Bridge and backup quarterbacks were getting signed left and right early in free agency, but Tannehill has been left looking for any kind of such home outside of Tenne see. This might be the end for him with diminishing play ahead of turning 36 in July. Winner: Derrick Henry Henry didnt have any i sue finding his post-Titans team. He received pretty good money (two years, $20 million) for a 30-year-old running back, and with the Ravens, he also found the perfect team fit in terms of scheme and contending status. Most of the free-agent backs ended up in good spots, but theres no question Henry got it best in relation to his value as an older option. RELATED: (Getty Images) Loser: Tony Pollard Pollard saw his value decrease from his disappointing season with the Cowboys in relation to Jacobs, Henry, and Barkley. He also went to the Titans, who have a similar, younger and potentially better all-around back in Tyjae Spears. Instead of working with another power complement in Ezekiel Elliot to complement his speed and quickne s, Pollard is now sharing a backfield with a quicker back with better pa s-catching skills and doesnt feel right as a Henry replacement, even in a new, more pa s-oriented offense. Winners: Interior linemen This goes for the guards, centers, and defensive tackles. Money was being throw out them majorly and aggre sively. The theme was the same for breaking the bank pa s protect or pa s rush from the inside as a unique athletic talent, and you will get paid. Cushenberry to the Titans and Christian Wilkins to the Raiders stand out here, the latter being helped out by Chris Jones and Justin Madubuikes extensions. Losers: Offensive tackles Tyron Smith and Trent Brown joined Bakhtiari and Mekhi Becton in not getting much interest in the first wave of free agency. Per usual, the most coveted outside pa s protectors and run blockers simply do not get to the market. Winners: Pa s rushers Greenard and Hunter traded places for big money, but before that, Josh Allen got the franchise tag from the Jaguars and Huff, Burns, and Van Ginkel maximized their values. Chase Young and Jadeveon Clowney also should end up getting better deals than expected considering many le ser situational guys got paid well, too. Losers: Pa s catchers After Evans and Michael Pittman Jr. were taken off the market, it was tough watching Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, and others wait. Early it was the middle-tier guys, including Mooney and Gabe Davis, receiving more interest. Veteran running backs were helped by the weak draft cla s at that position, but many teams can find better wide receiver upgrades in the first and second rounds in April. The Titans may regret overpaying for Ridley in the second wave of free agency.
How does a team win or lose in NFL free agency 2024 when no games are being played? Simple: That comes down to maintaining and improving its roster the best way po sible in relation to available resources. Did a franchise in a great salary-cap situation spend all its money wisely? Did a team struggling with the cap do all it could? In some cases, not spending was fine and overspending was bad. There were also a few trades and the returns on both sides to consider. Looking at the big picture acro s all 32 teams, a few stood out as acing the early part of free agency while a handful came out with a whimper. Some players at certain positions also Bruce Armstrong Jersey made out better than others. Heres breaking down the best and worst from the initial open market deals. NFL FREE AGENCY 2024: | NFL free agency winners & losers 2024 Getty Images Winners: Pittsburgh Steelers Getting Ru sell Wilson as a revived starting QB at a bargain-basement price would have been pretty good by itself, but then the team also finally solved its big problem for a dominant playmaking inside linebacker by splurging on former Ravens rival Patrick Queen. The Steelers also set up to further improve their offense by releasing shaky center Mason Cole and trading unhappy wide receiver Diontae Johnson. They also ended up with more upside at corner by cutting Patrick Peterson and acquiring Donte Jackson. RELATED: Winners: Kirk Cousins and the Falcons Cousins is the NFLs Scrooge McDuck, sitting on a pile of money that would allow him to buy as many Kohls stores as he would ever want. Even a torn Achilles couldnt keep him from breaking the bank with a third team in NFL free agency following his lucrative coups with the Commanders and Vikings. Before that injury, Cousins was having his best season in Minnesota at 35. He has plenty left with his big arm and new comfort level in the Rams-like offense in which he will remain. With some right moves around him, he has the potential to produce a Matthew Stafford-like result. Dont sleep on Atlanta adding former Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney as a key fourth weapon with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. Cousins suddenly gives Atlanta the QB edge in the NFC South, and this 7-10 team the past three seasons should be the division favorites now under OC Zac Robinson and coach Raheem Morris. MORE KIRK COUSINS: | | | | Winners: Green Bay Packers The Packers know they have a bit of an NFC title window with Jordan Love after making a surprise playoff run last season. They cleaned up two important positions by getting former Raiders running back Josh Jacobs to be their new workhorse to take pre sure off Love and spending well on the defensive backfield with former Giants safety Xavier McKinney. They also made a needed cap move in cutting aging left tackle David Bakhtiari. Winners: Washington Commanders The Commanders went to work to help both defensive-minded coach Dan Quinn and new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Quinn got two key pa s rushers in former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu and former Cowboys end Dorance Armstrong. They also added depth to the rotation in getting to the QB. Their other key former Panthers acquisition was safety Jeremy Chinn for the back end and they also got Quinns former leader in Seattle, linebacker Bobby Wagner. Kingsbury got two veteran pa sing cogs for the future franchise QB (who will be backed up by signee Marcus Mariota) in Zach Ertz and Austin Ekeler on top of two needed interior blocking upgrades. The kicker was adding Brandon McManus for field-goal duties. Losers: Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys didnt get in on the running back run to replace Tony Pollard yet. They also are taking multiple hits on the offensive and defensive lines. They also were a bit cap-strapped because of Dak Prescott and other contracts, leaving Jerry Jones to watch the other teams in the NFC East be a lot more active. MORE: (Getty Images) Winners: Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles kind of spent too much on Saquon Barkley, but theres no doubt he will be productive as the clear lead running back in their loaded offense. He was the headliner, but they made some even better moves with defense in mind, adding former Jets pa s rusher Bryce Huff and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. They also wisely locked up Landon Dickerson at guard long term with Jason Kelce retiring at center. Losers: New York Giants The Cowboys can envy a bit what the Commanders and Eagles did to improve, but they should see the Giants werent as shrewd with their spending. Backup QB Drew Lock and Barkley replacement Devin Singletary were joined offensively by meh line additions Jermaine Eluemenor and Jon Runyan. Defensively, they couldnt keep McKinney and also gave up too much in both trade compensation and salary to get former Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns. Winners: Minnesota Vikings The Vikings have had a three-year plan of slashing their big salaries and rebuilding. Cousins was part of that, as they will reset with a first-round QB from the strong 2024 draft cla s. Aaron Jones was a good get once the Packers let him go to help that new QB. They also now have plenty of money to give Justin Jefferson his mega deal at wide receiver. They did lose Danielle Hunter and Jordan Hicks defensively, but they more than compensated with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman for the front seven of Brian Flores scheme. Losers: Denver Broncos The Broncos backed themselves into a financial corner with the whole Wilson me s. They followed that up by not getting a potential bridge QB like many other teams did ahead of targeting a first-rounder, sitting on Jarrett Stidham. They also cut star safety Justin Simmons instead of trading him, then lost two underrated a sets in center Lloyd Cushenberry and linebacker Josey Jewell. Whatever the plan seems to be with Sean Payton doesnt inspire much hope going forward. Winners: Houston Texans The Texans lost Greenard early but made up for it Drew Desjarlais Jersey later by taking Hunter from the Vikings to replace his productive pa s-rush presence. The rest of the fine signing haul included defensive tackles Denico Autry and Foley Fatukasi. Houston also didnt panic about not getting in on the running back deals by making an easy trade with Cincinnati for Joe Mixon. Before free agency, the Texans made sure tight end Dalton Schultz and kicker Kaimi Fairbairn would stay. With field goal pop intact, they upgraded punter with former Chief Tommy Townsend. The team is quietly going all-in with C.J. Stroud while hes on his rookie contract. Losers: Carolina Panthers The Panthers lost Burns, Luvu, Chinn, and Jackson from their defense. Then, they spent big on two guards, former Dolphin Robert Hunt and former Seahawk Damien Lewis. Jewell was a good pickup but a clear downgrade from Luvu. They also spent too much defensively on AShawn Robinson. Upgrading the blocking and the receiving corps for Bryce Young were a priority. They did so-so investing in the former. As for the latter, Diontae Johnson becomes their best wide receiver but not nece sarily the reliable No. 1 they really need. (Getty Images) Winner: Baker Mayfield Mayfield has a semi long-term home as the Buccaneers new $100 million man, getting paid annually a little more than expected. He should also be thrilled the team made sure go-to wide receiver Mike Evans isnt going anywhere first. Loser: Ryan Tannehill Bridge and backup quarterbacks were getting signed left and right early in free agency, but Tannehill has been left looking for any kind of such home outside of Tenne see. This might be the end for him with diminishing play ahead of turning 36 in July. Winner: Derrick Henry Henry didnt have any i sue finding his post-Titans team. He received pretty good money (two years, $20 million) for a 30-year-old running back, and with the Ravens, he also found the perfect team fit in terms of scheme and contending status. Most of the free-agent backs ended up in good spots, but theres no question Henry got it best in relation to his value as an older option. RELATED: (Getty Images) Loser: Tony Pollard Pollard saw his value decrease from his disappointing season with the Cowboys in relation to Jacobs, Henry, and Barkley. He also went to the Titans, who have a similar, younger and potentially better all-around back in Tyjae Spears. Instead of working with another power complement in Ezekiel Elliot to complement his speed and quickne s, Pollard is now sharing a backfield with a quicker back with better pa s-catching skills and doesnt feel right as a Henry replacement, even in a new, more pa s-oriented offense. Winners: Interior linemen This goes for the guards, centers, and defensive tackles. Money was being throw out them majorly and aggre sively. The theme was the same for breaking the bank pa s protect or pa s rush from the inside as a unique athletic talent, and you will get paid. Cushenberry to the Titans and Christian Wilkins to the Raiders stand out here, the latter being helped out by Chris Jones and Justin Madubuikes extensions. Losers: Offensive tackles Tyron Smith and Trent Brown joined Bakhtiari and Mekhi Becton in not getting much interest in the first wave of free agency. Per usual, the most coveted outside pa s protectors and run blockers simply do not get to the market. Winners: Pa s rushers Greenard and Hunter traded places for big money, but before that, Josh Allen got the franchise tag from the Jaguars and Huff, Burns, and Van Ginkel maximized their values. Chase Young and Jadeveon Clowney also should end up getting better deals than expected considering many le ser situational guys got paid well, too. Losers: Pa s catchers After Evans and Michael Pittman Jr. were taken off the market, it was tough watching Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, and others wait. Early it was the middle-tier guys, including Mooney and Gabe Davis, receiving more interest. Veteran running backs were helped by the weak draft cla s at that position, but many teams can find better wide receiver upgrades in the first and second rounds in April. The Titans may regret overpaying for Ridley in the second wave of free agency.