Introduction Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
Grading the Top NFL Free Agency Signings of 2024 Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings NFL free agency is one of the most exciting times of the league year, Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings with teams scrambling to secure established veterans who can make an immediate impact.Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings The 2024 free agency period was no exception, featuring headline-grabbing moves like the Falcons bringing in Kirk Cousins, the Titans signing Calvin Ridley, Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings and the Texans reuniting with Danielle Hunter. Today, we’ll assess several significant signings from this year’s class, diving into how these players have performed through the first part of the season.Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
Jonathan Greenard – Vikings Pass Rusher Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
Contract: 4 years, $76 million ($38 million guaranteed)
Jonathan Greenard was one of the most notable defensive signings of the 2024 offseason. The Vikings made a big investment to secure the pass rusher, and through 10 games, Greenard is proving his worth. Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
Performance So Far
Greenard currently ranks fourth in the NFL in pressures, trailing only elite names like Trey Hendrickson (Bengals), Zach Allen (Broncos), and Nick Bosa (49ers). His 50+ pressures and 7 sacks in just 10 games have validated the Vikings’ decision to bring him in as a replacement for Danielle Hunter.
Future Outlook Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
Greenard is on pace for a stellar season, projected to achieve around 75–80 pressures and approximately 12 sacks. This is consistent with his performance last year with the Texans, further cementing his reputation as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. While only $38 million of his contract is guaranteed, Greenard’s production makes it unlikely the Vikings will need to worry about the guaranteed money clause anytime soon
Danielle Hunter capped off his final season with the Vikings in 2023 with a dominant performance: 80 pressures, 16.5 sacks, and a league-leading 23 tackles for loss. These numbers solidified Hunter as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers and ensured he would command a lucrative contract in free agency. Ultimately, Hunter signed with the Texans on a 2-year, $49 million deal, averaging $24.5 million per year.
Comparing Contracts: Hunter vs. Greenard
While Jonathan Greenard, who replaced Hunter in Minnesota, signed a 4-year deal averaging $19 million annually, the Vikings were able to allocate the savings effectively. The perceived difference between Hunter and Greenard’s abilities led to Greenard’s slightly smaller contract. However, this strategic budgeting allowed the Vikings to bring in other key contributors.
Smart Spending: The Vikings’ Free Agency Success
With the financial flexibility created by signing Greenard instead of re-signing Hunter, the Vikings bolstered their roster with other impactful players:
- Andrew Van Ginkel: A versatile linebacker who has been a pivotal piece in Brian Flores’ defensive schemes.
- Blake Cashman: Another key addition to the defense, providing solid playmaking ability.
- Sam Darnold and Aaron Jones: Offseason pickups who have contributed meaningfully to the team’s overall performance.
- Stephon Gilmore: The veteran cornerback has added leadership and reliability to the secondary.
These acquisitions have collectively played a significant role in the Vikings’ success during the 2024 season.
The Challenge of Dead Cap Space Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
One of the biggest hurdles for the Vikings entering 2024 was their enormous dead cap total of $65 million, per OverTheCap.com. This included:
- Kirk Cousins: $28.5 million
- Danielle Hunter: $14.9 million
- Marcus Davenport: $6.8 million
Dead cap money represents payments to players no longer on the roster, limiting a team’s financial flexibility. For the Vikings, managing this burden required precision in free agency, making it crucial that every signing contributed immediately—and so far, they have.
Concerns About Greenard and the Decision to Move On from Hunter
It’s natural to have reservations when a team replaces a proven star like Hunter with a player like Greenard, who was coming off a strong but contract-year performance with the Texans. There was a risk that Greenard’s production might not carry over, and some fans (myself included) were concerned about the decision to part ways with Hunter.
Jonathan Greenard: A Free-Agent Home Run for the Vikings Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
Initially, there was skepticism about the Vikings signing Jonathan Greenard. The fear was that he might regress after a strong contract year with the Texans, reverting to the player he was in the earlier years of his career. However, Greenard has defied those concerns, becoming a tremendous asset for Minnesota.
Consistent Production
Through the first eight games of the season, Greenard recorded five or more pressures in each game, showcasing consistent and impactful play. In Weeks 10 and 11, his pressure totals dipped, but this was due to limited opportunities:
- Week 10 vs. Jaguars: Only 19 pass-rushing snaps.
- Week 11 vs. Titans: Just 29 pass-rushing snaps, as the Vikings’ offense dominated time of possession.
Despite these limited opportunities, Greenard has provided top-seven or top-eight edge production, with a strong case for top-five or top-six production, all at a bargain price of $19 million per year.
Grade: A+
Greenard’s performance has exceeded expectations, and his value relative to his contract makes this one of the best signings of the 2024 free agency class.
Xavier McKinney: A Game-Changing Signing for the Packers
. While some initially viewed the deal as expensive, McKinney has proven to be worth every penny.
Why This Deal Works Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
- Low Guarantees: The Packers safeguarded their cap by guaranteeing only $23 million, allowing them to move on after a year if McKinney didn’t perform—a scenario that hasn’t materialized.
- Turnover Machine: In his first 10 games, McKinney has recorded six interceptions, ranking second in the NFL behind Lions safety Kirby Joseph.
- Impact on Team Defense: McKinney’s play has been pivotal.
A Youthful Signing Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings
At just 25 years old, McKinney’s age makes him an exceptional long-term investment. His youth stands out even more when compared to trends in college football, where extra eligibility years due to COVID-19 have increased the average age of prospects entering the draft. For context, McKinney is only six months older than rookie Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
Grade: A
McKinney has elevated the Packers’ defense under new defensive coordinator Jeff Halley, who replaced Joe Barry. His ability to create turnovers and stabilize the secondary has been critical to Green Bay’s resurgence.
ve and especially with the playoff game that he had against the Cowboys and the Flash that he showed down the stretch of the 2023 season was having Jeff Halley as the defensive coordinator instead of Joe Barry and we’ve seen that through the first 10 games but one of the other big reasons that I really really liked this signing for the Packers was Xavier mckin was a very young free agent he is only 25 years old and due in large part to co with players having red shirt years and
Co years in college the average age of college prospects coming out in the draft has increased from back in in 2020 when Xavier was a prospect to now where guys still have the co years and and the red shirt years not that red shirts are a brand new thing but when you combine both red shirt and Co years the average age significantly rised and for reference Xavier mckin is in his fifth NFL season and is only about six months older than Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Knicks I like Bo Knicks
I think he’s a great player I think his future is very
