Steelers agreed a personal teams with QB gambles with an agreement of paying him $104.6 over falcon
Numerous changes have already been made in the 2024 NFL offseason, ranging from high-profile signings and unexpected swaps to lucrative contract extensions. However, which of the trades involving free agency strikes you as the greatest to date?
The answer is more nuanced than you may think; occasionally the best offers also happen to be the most alluring, and other times the value is found in the more affordable wagers. Here, we’ve included a little bit of both when ranking 10 of this year’s best plays, ranging from cheap quarterback wagers to high-dollar pass rusher wagers:
10. Leaders affix LB Luvu Frankie
In Washington, Bobby Wagner is the more well-known player joining Dan Quinn’s defense, but Luvu has the makings of a true building block. Nearing 28, the former star player for the Carolina Panthers looks to be just getting started in his prime, showing promise as a quick, strong, downhill pocket disruptor. He may set the tone for a franchise that is going through change.
9. Rams acquire OG Jackson Jonah
The Rams are spending a lot of money on Jackson, paying the former Detroit Lions star almost top-five salary for an interior blocker; nevertheless, when combined with Kevin Dotson’s re-signing, the move suggests that Los Angeles is now giving the trenches more priority.
Jackson can play up front for an offense that found its rhythm again in 2023 almost anyplace.
8. 49ers acquire Leonard Floyd, a DE
Floyd is perhaps the most underappreciated plug-and-play pass rusher available; his 39.5 sacks over the last four seasons rank ninth among all players, surpassing the production of high-profile players like Josh Allen, Brian Burns, and Montez Sweat. He might be a steal paired with Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, and fellow rookie Maliek Collins for just $10 million annually.
7. Bears sign wide receiver Allen Keenan
Is Chicago prepared to fight before Allen, who will shortly turn thirty-two, becomes slower? Maybe not. However, even at his age, he’s a great value for a fourth-round choice. Although some bumps and bruises are to be expected, the veteran Los Angeles Chargers weapon is still a Grade-A possession target that could benefit the new quarterback for the Bears in place of D.J. Moore.
6. Texans sign DE Danielle Hunter
Will Anderson Jr. just won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year headlining DeMeco Ryans’ front four, but Hunter is the kind of imposing quarterback-chaser who can take a defense over the top. A physical freak with the Minnesota Vikings, he’ll cost a pretty penny but only for two years, helping maximize the rookie-contract window of the C.J. Stroud era.
5. Ravens sign RB Derrick Henry
Turns out paying decent money to a 30-year-old workhorse running back can be good in the year 2024. Henry may be older, but his supersized frame has enabled him to outlast peers as a pile-pushing, chain-moving featured back, and his job should only get easier in Baltimore next to the electric Lamar Jackson. The fit feels absolutely seamless.
4. Chiefs sign WR Marquise Brown
On just about any other team, Brown would register as more of a No. 2-type pass catcher. But that’s basically what the Chiefs are paying him to be on a one-year, $7 million prove-it deal. And with elite speed, he should have plenty of opportunities to boost his stock catching bombs from Patrick Mahomes, while elevating/deepening Kansas City’s rotation of wideouts.
3. Chiefs tag CB L’Jarius Sneed
Playing the short game with Sneed enabled K.C. to keep All-Pro Chris Jones in place as the anchor of Steve Spagnuolo’s title-winning defense. And no matter what happens next, it’s a win for the Chiefs: either they get a physical, ascending cover man for another year; or they get what figures to be a solid return for him via trade, leaving Trent McDuffie to lead the position.
2. Falcons sign QB Kirk Cousins
Cousins’ exit from the Vikings feels like the rare case of everything going well for all parties involved. Minnesota finally gets a chance to focus on the long term (and a higher-upside passer) under center. Atlanta, meanwhile, gets much-needed stability at the most important position on a growing roster that could compete for an NFC South title immediately.
1. Steelers acquire QB Justin Fields
This is the definition of a low-risk, high-reward bet, and the potential reward is so high at such a vital position that it’s hard not to give the Steelers credit, even if their pivot from Kenny Pickett to Russell Wilson (and subsequent exile of Pickett) felt uncharacteristically hurried. Is it possible both Wilson and Fields are not viable long-term starters? Sure. But Fields has already proven to have NFL-caliber electricity, is still just 25, and at least stylistically fits into the run-first model they’ve so long prioritized. To get him in exchange for a conditional late-round pick is absurd value, even if he fizzles out or stays seated behind Wilson. In other words, the Steelers may well need another quarterback reset after 2024, but for now they’ve at least made a real play for developmental dynamism, and they barely had to pay anything to do it.
