• Derrick Henry signs with the Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens finally get their man, with Henry a target at last year’s trade deadline as Baltimore geared up for a deep playoff run. The duo of Henry and Lamar Jackson in the backfield is going to be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses, and we can’t wait to see it in action.
• Patrick Queen signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers: Queen is a great fit alongside Elandon Roberts, though coverage will be a bit of a concern over the middle, with two disruptive forces coming downhill. And it's a great value.
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Day 2 of the 2024 NFL free agency frenzy saw teams across the league continue making bold moves to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season.
Here are the best deals from Day 2, according to PFF's 2024 NFL free agency live grades. Miss the action? Click here to find a comprehensive list of all the key moves of the 2024 free-agency period.
EDGE DANIELLE HUNTER SIGNS WITH HOUSTON TEXANS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 78.0 (28th/112)
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.22 (18th)
- Fit/need grade: A+
- Value grade: B+
- Contract: Two years, $49 million ($24.5 million per year), $48 million total guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: Three years, $67.5 million ($22.5 million per year), $47.5 million total guaranteed
Houston makes its splash once and for all, with a monster two-year pact for a veteran edge rusher to pair with reigning defensive rookie of the year Will Anderson Jr. The two-year term is quite perfect, as it lines up with the two years before Houston may have to reset the quarterback market with an extension for C.J. Stroud. Hunter, Anderson and fellow free-agent addition Denico Autry will be a force up front for DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
LB LAVONTE DAVID SIGNS WITH TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 71.8 (28th/72)
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.18 (16th)
- Fit/need grade: A+
- Value grade: A
- Contract: One year, $9 million
- PFF projected contract: One year, $5 million fully guaranteed
To be clear on the projection here, we were merely reacting to David taking a super team-friendly discount last year. His play warrants this contract and then some in this linebacker market, even in his early 30s. David continues to be one of the more underrated players of this era.
TE GERALD EVERETT SIGNS WITH CHICAGO BEARS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 65.6 26th/72
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.24 (28th)
- Fit/need grade: A+
- Value grade: A
- Contract: Two years, $12 million ($6 million per year), $6.1 million fully guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: One year, $5.5 million, $4 million fully guaranteed
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.
LB PATRICK QUEEN SIGNS WITH PITTSBURGH STEELERS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 73.0 (24th/82)
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.16 (21st)
- Fit/need grade: B+
- Value grade: A+
- Contract: Three years, $41 million ($13.67 million per year),
- PFF projected contract: Four years, $72.5 million ($18.125 million per year)
We called our shot here on Queen becoming the next Tremaine Edmunds type signing, a fourth-year breakout of sorts — carrying over a strong second half of 2022 — who earned Pro Bowl honors as a former first-rounder. However, Pittsburgh was able to anchor this deal to the other upper mid-tier linebacker deals signed this offseason instead of closer to the true top of the market. Queen is a great fit alongside Elandon Roberts, though coverage will be a bit of a concern over the middle, with two disruptive forces coming downhill. And it's a great value.
RB DERRICK HENRY SIGNS WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 90.2 (3rd/59)
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.2 (2nd)
- Fit/need grade: A+++
- Value grade: A
- Contract: Two years, $16 million ($8 million per year), $9 million fully guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: Two years, $18 million ($9 million per year), $10 million total guaranteed
The Ravens finally get their man, with Henry a target at last year’s trade deadline as Baltimore geared up for a deep playoff run. The duo of Henry and Lamar Jackson in the backfield is going to be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses, and we can’t wait to see it in action.
WR DARNELL MOONEY SIGNS WITH THE ATLANTA FALCONS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 55.2 (107th/158)
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.02 (128th)
- Fit/need grade: A+
- Value grade: A-
- Contract: Three years, $39 million ($13 million per year), $26 million fully guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: One year, $9 million fully guaranteed
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.
DI DAQUAN JONES SIGNS WITH BUFFALO BILLS
- 2023 PFF Grade: 82.9 (N/A)
- 2023 PFF WAR: 0.11 (32nd)
- Fit/need grade: A+
- Value grade: A-
- Contract: Two years, $16 million, $10.5 million total guaranteed
- PFF projected contract: One year, $6 million fully guaranteed
Jones came out of the gates of the 2023 season on fire as an interior pass rusher, and the continued growth of Ed Oliver has enabled the two to work off each other and weaponize twists and stunts on the interior more effectively. Oliver still has a quick get-off and a bursty second step in his 30s, and Buffalo needed to add more defensive linemen, so why not retain a player you know is a fit as a three- to five-technique?
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