Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. In today's installment, he explores 2024 free-agent signings that paid immediate dividends ...
With three-quarters of NFL franchises now officially in the offseason, free agency beckons for the majority of front offices. But before we spin forward to the coming veteran market, it's a great time to recap which signings from last offseason provided the best returns -- especially considering how many boosted teams preparing for this weekend's Divisional Round.
So, below you'll find my ranking of the top 10 free-agent signings of 2024. While debates always rage on positional value, it's hard to dispute the immense impact each of the following individuals had on their respective teams.
NOTE: All contract details were pulled from OverTheCap.com.
THE CONTRACT: Three years, $37.75 million
Saquon earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and a pair of Pro Bowl nods during his six seasons in New York, but the Giants let him walk -- and the rival Eagles pounced. Becoming just the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, the 6-foot, 233-pounder helped Philadelphia re-establish its offensive identity with his spectacular efforts as a rugged runner with big-play ability. As the centerpiece of a top-10 offense that overpowers opponents on the ground, Barkley has been well worth the investment for the Eagles, who remain squarely in title contention.
THE CONTRACT: Two years, $16 million
How did the rest of the league allow Baltimore to form this match made in heaven? The combination of the two-time NFL rushing champ and the league's all-time rushing leader for quarterbacks has produced fireworks for a title contender, with both potent playmakers threatening opposing defenses by utilizing various option schemes. Henry ran for 1,921 rushing yards and 16 scores on 325 attempts during the regular season, while Lamar Jackson put himself in position to win a second consecutive MVP award (and third total) by posting his most efficient statistical campaign yet. With defensive coordinators struggling to devise effective solutions for the dynamic duo, Baltimore might've added the final piece to its championship puzzle in No. 22.
THE CONTRACT: One year, $10 million
Despite a disappointing finish for the team and the quarterback, Minnesota's Sam Darnold experiment proved far more successful than anyone predicted, with the Vikings posting their most regular-season wins (14) of this millennium. The journeyman enjoyed a career year in purple, recording personal bests in passing yards (4,319), passing touchdowns (35), completion percentage (66.2) and passer rating (102.5). Darnold's connections with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson made Minnesota's offense a nightmare to defend, with Kevin O'Connell cooking up big-play chances like a mad scientist in the lab. Though Darnold clearly fizzled in his final two outings of the season, he helped the Vikings win more games than anyone anticipated while rebuilding on the fly. That's a damn good return on a one-year, $10 million investment.
THE CONTRACT: Four years, $67 million
The dynamic ballhawk helped Green Bay's defense evolve into a takeaway machine under first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley, earning first-team All-Pro honors in the process. McKinney ranked second in the league with eight interceptions, exhibiting the range and ball skills the Packers coveted when inking the former second-round pick of the Giants to a blockbuster deal. A versatile playmaker with outstanding instincts, awareness and anticipation, McKinney is squarely in his prime at age 26.
THE CONTRACT: Two years, $20 million
Brian Flores' reunion with this former Dolphin helped the Vikings' defense emerge as one of the league's most formidable units in 2024. With his versatility, Van Ginkel enabled a clever defensive wizard to expand his call sheet, leading to more pre-snap disguises and exotic pressures from a veteran-laden group. With the sixth-year pro playing a key role as a pass-rush specialist (11.5 sacks) with coverage skills (two pick-sixes), Minnesota's defense befuddled quarterbacks and offensive coordinators with unorthodox looks and creative pressures.
THE CONTRACT: One year, $3.5 million
The Eagles have mastered bargain shopping at the linebacker position, with Baun being the latest discount player to pop in Philadelphia. A third-round pick of the Saints back in 2020, the Wisconsin product went back and forth between edge rushing and off-ball linebacking in New Orleans, but he never truly settled into a role. Baun blossomed under Vic Fangio in Philly, though, earning first-team All-Pro honors after absolutely stuffing the stat sheet with 151 tackles (including 11 for loss), five QB hits, five forced fumbles, four passes defensed, 3.5 sacks and an interception. As a high-motor defender with a wide-ranging set of skills, Baun added a new dimension to the Eagles' defense, which emerged as the league's best unit this season. Playing on a one-year, $3.5 million deal, this guy was clearly one of the biggest steals from last offseason's open market.
THE CONTRACT: Four years, $48 million
The Packers added a workhorse runner with a rugged game to step in as the offense's centerpiece. Jacobs responded by rumbling for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding balance and diversity to an offense quarterbacked by second-year starter Jordan Love. A former first-round pick of the Raiders, this 26-year-old back proved to be the kind of worker bee Green Bay needed to craft an identity as a young, blue-collar squad with immense upside going forward.
THE CONTRACT: Two years, $49 million
The Texans added an alpha-dog competitor on the edge with a pass-rushing prowess that perfectly complements Will Anderson Jr. The veteran QB hunter led the team with 12 sacks during the regular season, helping the Texans terrorize quarterbacks within the pocket. With the aggressive approach resulting in a second straight division title -- and second straight trip to the Divisional Round -- for Houston, Hunter has been a fantastic addition to the Texans.
THE CONTRACT: One year, $3 million
Do not underestimate the immense impact this veteran pass catcher's had on Jayden Daniels' dazzling rookie campaign. Ertz quickly became JD5's security blanket as a reliable playmaker in crucial situations. Whether making clutch catches in the red zone or moving the chains on third down, the 12th-year pro is the trusted target the young quarterback depends on in big spots. As opponents continue to pay extra attention to Terry McLaurin as the Commanders' WR1, Ertz is the X-factor that sparks the passing game.
THE CONTRACT: Five years, $100 million
The Panthers upgraded the offensive line with a veteran mauler to protect Bryce Young in the pocket, while enabling Chuba Hubbard to effectively pound the rock between the tackles. Hunt's strength, power and persistence at the point of attack helped Carolina create a blue-collar identity that paved the way for the team to play much better in the second half of the season. With the Panthers intent on building the roster into a playoff contender by investing in trench warriors, the addition of Hunt is an essential piece of the offensive puzzle.
