Top 15 Best 2024 Off-Season Moves In The NFL

It’s become an annual tradition to rank the best off-season moves in the NFL, and free agency seems to get more ridiculous each year. The NFL is becoming more like the NBA, where it’s common to see big-name players get traded or see massive deals get done in free agency. Typically, I’d only rank the top ten, but since this year’s free agency period consisted of much more significant moves, I’ll be doing 15. That said, this year didn’t have many moves that truly blew me away. I grade each move, and as you’ll see, there are a lot of A or A- moves but not many A+ moves. It was tricky to compile this list, but I feel it accurately represents who got the best value in the off-season.

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15. Atlanta Falcons – Rondale Moore: Traded In Exchange For Desmond Ridder

Grade: B+

I had to include this one as I think Rondale Moore is one of the most slept-on Receivers in the league. As a Cards fan, it’s upsetting we got rid of him for only Desmond Ridder. It’s not like Ridder has this high upside and isn’t even the best backup. Rondale Moore is an up-and-coming gadget player who could take on a full-time role here. He can poise as a deep threat from the Slot which is something this offense needed. After a long free-agency period, Atlanta looks like a playoff team heading into 2024.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers – Justin Fields: Traded In Exchange For a 2025 Conditional Day-Three Pick

Grade: B+

The fact Pittsburgh got Justin Fields and Russell Wilson for essentially nothing is astonishing. Neither played great in 2023, but both of them showed a lot of promising moments. Chances are, one of these guys works out, and if it’s Fields, you just may have a franchise QB. Fields has shown steady improvement year to year and just hasn’t taken that significant leap of development. He has the arm talent and incredible rushing ability, and it’s only about him developing in the mental side of QB. If Pittsburgh can land someone like Brandon Aiyuk, this will be the ideal scenario for Fields, and he might just surprise some people.

13. New York Jets – Mike Williams: One Year, 15 Million

Grade: B+

LA made the controversial decision to let Mike Williams walk in free agency. A team like New York was wise to understand they have a small window to win and pay a high-end Receiver. Besides Garrett Williams, this group was lacking, and Mike is a perfect counterpart to Garrett. Mike isn’t this great separator, nor is he fast, but has some of the best hands in football. He’s coming off an injury, but as long as he can get back healthy, this offense looks in fantastic shape.

12. New England Patriots – Josh Uche: One Year, Three Million

Grade: B+

Josh Uche quietly broke out a year ago but didn’t have the same production this past year. I assume that made teams afraid to pay him, and New England was able to get him back for super cheap. He’s an ideal scheme fit as he’s one of these hybrid outside Linebackers. His bend and explosiveness off the edge are some of the best around right now. Uche is still young and developing and could be much better in a year or two. For only three million over only a year is as safe as it gets.

11. New York Jets – Morgan Moses: Traded Along Pick 135 In Exchange For Picks 113 And 218

Grade: A-

Morgan Moses has been an underrated stud at Right Tackle for a few years now. Aaron Rodgers will need excellent protection, and Moses alongside the Tyron Smith acquisition will allow that. He’s only allowed 50 pressures over the last two years which was over 1,100 pass-pro snaps. Moses will only be a 5.5 million dollar cap hit, and while he’s old, you know he will improve the O-Line in both dimensions. It’s exciting to know Aaron will have an above-average O-Line play, as he and these weapons could pose a serious threat in the AFC.

10. Los Angeles Rams – Kamren Curl: Two Years, 8.75 Million

Grade: A-

In a league that doesn’t have many high-end Safeties, LA signs Kamren Curl for an absolute bargain. LA runs an off-man system where their Safeties are crucial to their success. It’s important they got someone decent back there and a stud like Curl happened to be available for cheap. Curl is accustomed to this defensive system and is a heady and instinctive player. Even though he isn’t coming off the best year, you can’t go wrong paying him a cheap two-year deal.

9. Carolina Panthers – Robert Hunt: Five Years, 100 Million, 44 Guaranteed

Grade: A-

The Guards were massive liabilities for Carolina and were one of the main reasons this offense struggled so severely in 2023. While it’s a hefty price tag, getting a Guard like Robert Hunt will dramatically improve the offense. He’s a balanced player with powerful and accurate hands. Dave Canales likes to mix up the run scheme, and Hunt is a versatile run blocker, making him the ideal fit. They didn’t give him much-guaranteed money, and he has a three-year opt-out. Alongside the Damion Lewis signing, Carolina will be a much different team next year.

8. Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Wilkins: Four Years, 110 Million, 57.5 Guaranteed

Grade: A-

Christian Wilkins is one of the signings I liked but didn’t quite love. It suddenly makes this one of the most daunting defensive fronts to go up against. However, 27.5 million dollars a year is a lot to pay a D-Tackle who’s primarily a run defender. It’s not like he can’t rush the passer, but he’s not elite like Dexter Lawrence or Chris Jones. Still, he’s in the prime of his career and is probably the best run-defending player in the league excluding Nose Tackles. Teams will struggle to run against Las Vegas which is why I like the move. In 2023, Wilkins came away with 61 pressures and over 30 run stops. It’s easy to see why they paid him that much, but it still isn’t a bargain of any kind.

7. New York Giants – Brian Burns: Traded Along Pick 166 In Exchange For Pick 39, Pick 141, And a Conditional 2025 Fifth

Grade: A-

When I heard Brian Burns might get traded, I assumed he would’ve fetched a late first-rounder. However, New York got a good deal done despite being in the same conference as Carolina. This move would’ve been ranked higher if it weren’t for the massive contract they had to pay him. They paid him 141 million dollars over five years with 76 million guaranteed. The contract itself isn’t a steal or anything, but to only do a late-round pick swap and give up your second is excellent value for a trade. The best thing about trading for Burns is he still hasn’t reached his upside yet. While he’s been a terrific EDGE, he hasn’t been elite, but he can certainly get there in the future. It looks like a lot right now, but there’s a chance he becomes a dominant player in a year or two.

6. Kansas City Chiefs – Marquise Brown: One Year, 11 Million

Grade: A-

Marquise Brown was the best realistic option that was available at Receiver. They didn’t have the cap to go after one of these true number Receivers, but Marquise Brown is still a massive upgrade. Kansas City needed a Receiver badly and this buys them another year to draft someone. Brown is a premiere deep threat as he’s one of the fastest Receivers with good ball-tracking ability. He probably wanted to go somewhere he could win because his projected market value was much higher than this contract. If Kansas City can land a quality Tackle prospect, they’ll be in business for another Super Bowl run.

5. Baltimore Ravens – Derrick Henry: Two Years, 16 Million, Nine Guaranteed

Grade: A

As just a general football fan, I cannot wait to see the backfield duo of Lamar and Derrick Henry. Lamar isn’t this hyper-athletic freak anymore as he put on some weight, but still, trying to defend the read option will be a nightmare. While not the same, Henry is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and is still durable. I don’t see him being elite for too much longer, but that’s why it’s a two-year deal. He’s still one of the toughest guys to tackle and fits this culture well. It’s the perfect landing spot for Henry, and Baltimore needed a back, so this signing makes too much sense.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Saquon Barkley: Three Years, 37.75 Million, 26 Guaranteed

Grade: A

It didn’t seem like Howie Roseman would make this kind of move, but it’s easy to see why he ultimately did it. A surplus of Running Backs was available, and the intelligent teams took advantage of it. Saquon Barkley is the most talented of everyone available, and Philly didn’t pay much for him. Even though Kelce retired, this will still be one of the most dangerous rushing attacks in the league. Barkley fits this offensive scheme well and is the exact kind of workhorse they were looking for. The guarantees are a lot for someone who’s injury-prone, but they still have a two-year opt-out. This signing will go on the long list of incredible moves Roseman has made, and it’s looking like Philly will be back in the playoffs next year.

3. Houston Texans – Danielle Hunter: Two Years, 49 Million, 48 Guaranteed

Grade: A

The move to sign Danielle Hunter may make this team a Super Bowl contender. Hunter is one of the best EDGEs in the league. It’s just he’s aging and is an injury-prone player, which is why he was available. Houston has enough depth at EDGE to account for his injury risk and ultimately, it’s only two years you’re risking. The worst-case scenario is he barely plays and his contract expires after two years. In the best-case scenario, he plays full-time and makes for perhaps the best EDGE duo in the league. If the worst-case scenario happens, it’s no big deal as they had plenty of cap to throw away this year. It’s an intelligent risk to take and they fill one of the most important needs with a superstar, which is hard to do in free agency.

2. Green Bay Packers – Josh Jacobs: Four Years, 48 Million, 12.5 Guaranteed

Grade: A

Of all the Running Back signings, I liked the Josh Jacobs one the most. The reason is that Josh Jacobs was the best back with all things considered. He may not be as talented as Saquon or Henry, but he is less injury-prone than Saquon and younger than Henry. Additionally, you get him on a team-friendly deal. They have a one-year opt-out in his contract, so they can easily move on if he gets hurt or regresses. I’m typically not a fan of paying backs, but it makes sense when you can get them on a cost-controlled contract. Letting Aaron Jones go and bringing in Jacobs will upgrade the position while still saving money.

1. Tennessee Titans – L’Jarius Sneed: Traded In Exchange For a 2025 Third And a Seventh Round Pick Swap

Grade: A+

It looked like I wouldn’t give out any A+ grades this year, but then L’Jarius Sneed got traded for hardly anything. I realize they also had to pay him, but it’s a no-brainer if it only costs a future third-rounder. Not many star Corners in their prime become available, and I would’ve given up a 2024 second-rounder for him. He’s got some of the best combination of speed and size in the league. In addition to being a good run defender, he’s sticky in man coverage. In 2023, Sneed only allowed 16 receptions on 258 man coverage snaps. His contract is only 76 million over four years which isn’t that much with the league’s inflation. It’s surprising seeing the league doesn’t view him higher, and I think he’ll only get better in this new defensive system.