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2024 NFL free agency grades for all 16 NFC teams: Washington Commanders get an "A," bring in LB Bobby Wagner and RB Austin Ekeler

2T1W338 Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) works under pressure by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

By Brad Spielberger

PFF's free agency grades have been available since the beginning of 2024 free agency, but here is a chance to take a broader look at the first real team-building opportunity of the offseason and grade how each NFC team has done. Click here for AFC team grades.

For even more information about the best free agents on the market, monitor PFF's free agent rankings, which include contract projections, wins above replacement figures, PFF grades and analysis.

JUMP TO A TEAM:

ARZ | ATL | CAR | CHI | DAL | DET | GB | LAR |
MIN | NO | NYG | PHI | SF | SEA | TB | WSH

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Jones brings a high motor and was the Bears’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2023, always quick to talk some trash and energize the defense. Nonetheless, this payday dramatically outpaces his down-to-down production. He does have some occasional splash plays that illustrate what made him a Day 2 draft pick, but this is probably the deal we view as the most player-friendly signing so far this offseason.

With the added and important context that there were virtually zero free-agent options at cornerback not nearing 30 years old, it makes sense that Murphy-Bunting was able to cash in big time. The former No. 39 overall pick has good size at 6-foot and 195 pounds, and he recorded four interceptions to go along with nine more pass breakups over the past two seasons. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon used to coach defensive backs, so he’ll try to tap into Murphy-Bunting's physical gifts in his third stop.

Nichols is a rock-solid player on the interior who can contribute on all three downs, and he has some wiggle to get upfield as a pass rusher, with a low center of gravity that helps him weaponize his undersized frame. Arizona needs all the help it can get along the defensive line, and Nichols is a good start.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: C

ATLANTA FALCONS

Cousins has undoubtedly proven he’s a top 10-15 quarterback in the NFL, and this is the going rate when a player of that caliber reaches unrestricted free agency. Nonetheless, we just feel like some people are hand-waving the fact he’ll be 36 years old coming off a torn Achilles. That said, his dance moves looked good at the NFL Awards, so clearly his recovery is going well.

Mooney avoids the one-year flier after a down 2023 season and gets paid a contract that reflects an understanding that his lack of production in recent years wasn’t entirely his fault, with the Bears ranking 32nd in passing yards over his rookie contract. Mooney still separated consistently on film, and now he immediately steps in as a No. 2 option at wide receiver opposite Drake London, winning in different ways than him and tight end Kyle Pitts. A reunion with former Bears general manager Ryan Pace, the man who drafted Mooney in 2020, was a perfect match for all parties.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: A-

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Hunt becomes the fourth guard in the NFL to reach the $20 million per year mark, with the position market exploding this offseason as a response to the interior defender market doing the same for the second year running. Carolina needs to protect quarterback Bryce Young at all costs, and this is a good first step.

With the information we learned about the guard market throughout the first day of free agency, with players like Jonah Jackson signing for $51 million over three years, we really like the value and fit for Lewis in Carolina, even though he exceeded our projection like every guard has thus far. This is now basically a third-tier guard deal, and Lewis had some encouraging play in his 2023 tape with reason to believe he could continue to improve.

Jewell is a good all-around player who will love working behind the duo of Derrick Brown and A’Shawn Robinson on early downs. He can also cover tight ends and backs over the middle in coverage fairly well, even entering his age-30 season.

Good luck running the ball against the interior defensive line duo of Robinson and rising star Derrick Brown. Robinson is a monster up the middle on early downs and reunites with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who coached him with the Los Angeles Rams.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: C+

CHICAGO BEARS

Chicago had to get this deal done, with Johnson coming off the best season of his NFL career, and the team still managed to keep this contract outside the top five in a handful of key metrics at the cornerback position. Johnson wins by getting it down to four years, allowing him another bite at the apple when he’ll be 27 or 28, but Chicago should be happy with standing firm.

For the second year in a row, the Philadelphia Eagles helped resurrect a highly drafted running back's career behind an elite offensive line with offensive line coach/run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland maximizing the talents of his rushers. Swift faced the Chicago Bears twice a year as a member of the Detroit Lions, but he maxed out at 151 carries over his first three seasons, often dealing with minor injuries. Chicago is paying for the 2023 production, with the Miles Sanders warning sign right in front of them. Chicago’s resources would have been much better spent elsewhere.

This was a perfect marriage here, with Chicago in need of a move tight end to pair with emerging inline stud Cole Kmet, and Everett having played for new Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron with both the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. Everett is tough to bring down in space and was always trusted by Justin Herbert on key downs. The Bears needed more pass catchers, and while they can still stand to add at wideout, Everett is a good get.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B

DALLAS COWBOYS

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: C+

DETROIT LIONS

Detroit appears to have made its decision between two pending free agent guards, electing to retain the veteran Glasgow over the younger Jonah Jackson, though there is still time. Glasgow can play all three interior positions, and his return to Detroit in 2023 was a win for all parties.

Robertson is a scrappy cornerback who plays above his size and adds another piece to a Lions secondary that also struck a deal to acquire former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis in a trade. The interesting next step here will be whether Cam Sutton kicks inside to more of a nickel role or Detroit asks Robertson to do so after he seemed to hold up a bit better out wide with Las Vegas.

Davenport has all the talent in the world and can win with speed to power as an interior rusher and with torque off the edge. He reunites with a coaching staff he spent extensive time with in New Orleans. He barely stepped on the field in 2023, so this is a solid one-year flier. Teams will clearly keep giving that talent and upside a chance, and we can’t knock the idea, especially with a Lions team that needs more juice up front.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B+

GREEN BAY PACKERS

McKinney was the best player available at safety this offseason and is a major beneficiary of the poor draft class at the position, as well. The Packers neglected the safety position almost entirely last season, and now they reverse course and make a big addition on the backend. We’ve said this too often in recent years, but on paper, this Packers defense should be very good.

The corresponding transaction of the Packers moving on from franchise legend Aaron Jones explains why they would make a splash here at the top of the market for a three-down player. Odds are A.J. Dillon may go elsewhere or return on a cheap deal to serve as the short-yardage pairing with Jacobs in the workhorse role. Jacobs wasn’t uber-efficient in 2023, but the team was a disaster in the first half of the year and he was coming off a rushing title that led to a franchise tag. Jacobs can also catch the ball well out of the backfield.

Nixon addresses two spots for Green Bay: nickel cornerback and a weapon in the return game. After the Packers made the biggest splash of the offseason thus far in the secondary with the signing of safety Xavier McKinney, they retain one of their own who has carved out a key role.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B

LOS ANGELES RAMS

A trade to the Los Angeles Rams and a move back to his natural spot at right guard proved to be a slam-dunk success for all parties involved. Dotson took a minor pay cut off his proven performance escalator salary for 2023 and now signs a top-of-market deal at guard just 12 months later.

This is an interesting deal for a few reasons. First, the Rams got great play at left guard from rookie Steve Avila. Second, the Rams just extended right guard Kevin Dotson to a three-year, $48 million extension last week. Third, they still have question marks at both tackle spots. However, they should have an absolutely bruising run game between the tackles. We were underwhelmed by Jackson’s pass-blocking ability in his 2023 film, but the league clearly viewed him as an ascending young player, because his market was very strong.

This is a big-time deal for Parkinson, but he’s coming off a great year as a stout in-line blocker who has improved as a pass catcher over time. Tight end Tyler Higbee could miss a lot of time in 2024 with a torn ACL suffered late in 2023, so the Rams needed to make a bigger move in smaller free agent and draft classes at the tight end position.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B+

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Minnesota could be set to lose both Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum on the edge, so getting younger with the talented Jonathan Greenard makes a lot of sense. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores will surely love Greenard’s ability against the run, in addition to a still-developing arsenal of pass-rush moves, with his super long arms keeping him clean against tackles as he turns the corner.

Cashman had a breakout 2023 season with the Houston Texans, flashing ability as a pass rusher and also looking smooth dropping and moving laterally in coverage. Minnesota brings the former Golden Gopher back to Minnesota, where he creates a fun tandem with 2023 undrafted rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.

Van Ginkel reunites with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who was his head coach for several years in Miami. We were not confident in how to approach Van Ginkel’s projection, given his injury history that trickled into this past season, but he was remarkably efficient as a pass rusher in 2023 and the advanced metrics alone certainly would’ve pointed to a stronger deal like the one he signed here.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: A-

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

With a lot of mid-tier and/or specific role linebackers doing well so far through the first day and a half of free agency, this is a good value for Gay. New Orleans gets a solid third linebacker to pair with Demario Davis and Pete Werner.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B

NEW YORK GIANTS

The most favorable way to look at this deal is that the Giants effectively used the draft capital they acquired for interior defender Leonard Williams to land a younger player looking for a second contract instead of a third contract. Burns addresses arguably the biggest need on this Giants roster and should have a lot less attention on him all the time now playing alongside Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Runyan is a solid, durable player, and the Giants desperately needed to improve on the interior of their offensive line. However, while Runyan started every game in 2023, the Packers began rotating in second-year guard Sean Rhyan, and eventually, the snap counts were about 50-50 between the two.

The Saquon Barkley era has ended in New York, and the Giants' brass turns to a familiar face in Singletary, whom general manager Joe Schoen helped scout with the Buffalo Bills and Brian Daboll coached as the offensive coordinator. Singletary was solid in Houston in a fairly sizable role, beating out Dameon Pierce for the starting job.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: A-

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

This is textbook Howie Roseman on display. Eagles edge defenders Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat are the subjects of trade talks as they enter the final year of their respective contracts, and Philadelphia could trade one or both with an in-house replacement at the ready. Huff is as good a pure pass rusher off the edge as any player in the league, and the Eagles have always deployed the platoon-style approach that should fit his playstyle the best.

This is a shocker. The Philadelphia Eagles not only spend at the top of the market for a running back here, but they also poach a former No. 2 overall pick of the New York Giants. There is probably an element to the running back market today that suggests teams may finally feel we’ve hit the inflection point of the market contraction for the position, but there also may not be a running back selected in the top 50 draft picks based on these contracts. Jalen Hurts and Barkley will be a dynamic duo in the zone-read game, and Barkley can be a pass-catching weapon, which Philadelphia could stand to add, as well as an improved pass blocker.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B+

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Gross-Matos wasn’t a great fit in Ejiro Evero’s base 3-4 defense as a big defensive end (6-foot-5 and 265 pounds), and he was never all that productive in Carolina throughout his contract. San Francisco must have really liked him as a prospect when he was the No. 38 overall pick in 2020 because this move is a bit of a head-scratcher.

Floyd’s career arc is a funny one, with his rookie contract in Chicago a story of a player who was uber-athletic and disruptive but could never get the sack numbers to match. Now as a veteran with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills, Floyd’s sack numbers exceed his down-to-down impact, and San Francisco paid for that a bit here.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: C+

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Williams uses the added leverage of a trade to sign a very strong extension for the second time in his career, earning a slight raise over the three-year, $63 million deal he signed with the New York Giants before they traded him to Seattle at last year’s deadline. Williams was also arguably the best Seahawks defender over the second half of the season, so this wasn’t just about that; it was earned.

Fant should take on an even larger role in Seattle’s offense with the team moving on from both Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson this offseason, and his abilities after the catch were on display in 2023 when he was called upon. Improved pass protection for Geno Smith should hopefully enable him to work through his progressions and find Fant more frequently going forward.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

This contract is a win for Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers and the NFL at large. A true mid-tier market is developing at quarterback, which had long been a challenge. Tampa Bay gives itself an out after each year, and Baker gets the major payday he deserves.

Evans just keeps on rolling along and emphatically proved his worth in something of a prove-it year after the two sides were unable to agree on an early extension. The “win” from his perspective is that this could amount to a one-year, $29 million contract. The win from Tampa Bay’s side is keeping the total value in check.

This is a very nice reunion for the Bucs. Whitehead, whom they drafted in 2018, has played more than 900 snaps in each of the past five seasons and has a ton of versatility. In his final two seasons in Tampa before going to the Jets, he played free safety and strong safety at about the same rate, whereas in New York he was primarily used as a free safety. Having him and Antoine Winfield Jr. on the backend should give Todd Bowles two versatile safeties who can play all over the field and cause confusion for opposing offenses.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: A-

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Armstrong is a proven perfect fit with new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, who immediately helped him take his game to new heights upon arriving in Dallas three years ago. Washington could still stand to make another move at edge rusher, with Armstrong more a rotational piece than a top guy, but linebacker Frankie Luvu also adds another pass rush element.

Ekeler brings the pass-catching element to Washington, which lost Antonio Gibson in free agency to the New England Patriots. Ekeler’s pairing with Brian Robinson is a perfect complement of skills in the backfield.

The Washington Commanders join the New England Patriots as a team picking in the top three of the draft that probably doesn’t want a young player backing up a top draft pick, with Jacoby Brissett and Mariota now serving as bridges to the future. Mariota was the No. 2 overall pick back in 2015 and can now mentor the No. 2 pick in 2024. In addition, his athleticism and mobility, paired with a big arm, is the profile of quarterback Kliff Kingsbury likes to work with.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: A

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