BEST FREE-AGENT ACQUISITIONS
Derrick Henry to Baltimore Ravens
Henry and the Ravens are a natural fit. The Ravens deploy a run-oriented offense and Henry’s arguably been the best running back in the NFL the past five seasons. Henry’s age (30) is a factor, but the downhill ball carrier won’t be asked to shoulder all the rushing load because Baltimore also boasts promising running back Keaton Mitchell and dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is coming off his second MVP.
Jackson running the read option with Henry is bound to be a nightmare for defenses.
The Ravens led the NFL in rushing last season. Don’t be surprised if Baltimore tops the league in rushing again.
Saquon Barkley to Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles went on an uncharacteristic spending spree in the first wave of free agency. The biggest splash was giving Barkley a three-year, $37.75 million contract that could be worth up to $46.75 million.
Barkley is a versatile running back who can run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield. He could have the same effect on the Eagles’ offense as Christian McCaffrey had on San Francisco. Defensive coordinators are going to have a difficult time game planning for Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. Barkley should make life easier for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Barkley’s rushed for over 1,300 yards twice in his career. The Eagles’ last 1,300-yard rusher was LeSean McCoy in 2014.
Durability is a concern for Barkley, as he’s only played 14 games in a season three times.
Marquise Brown to Kansas City Chiefs
The defending Super Bowl champions replaced Marquez Valdes-Scantling with Brown. With all due respect to Valdes-Scantling, Brown is an upgrade.
Brown’s a fast receiver who’s topped 50 catches four straight years. He’ll likely add a vertical element to Kansas City’s offense that’s been missing since it traded Tyreek Hill to Miami.
Brown was asked to be a No. 1 wide receiver at previous stops, but he’ll probably be the second wide receiver option in Kansas City behind Rashee Rice. Then there’s a guy by the name of Travis Kelce who’s bound to get over 100 targets at tight end.
Patrick Queen to Pittsburgh Steelers
Queen is a Steelers-type signing at linebacker. He is coming off a Pro Bowl season that saw him record a careerhigh 133 tackles. The Steelers haven’t had a linebacker record at least 130 tackles in a season since Lawrence Timmons in 2014.
Queen’s addition stabilizes a position of need in Pittsburgh and simultaneously weakens the rival Ravens. Queen was USA TODAY Sports’ top-ranked inside linebacker at the start of free agency.
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Queen should form a formidable trio at linebacker.
Christian Wilkins to Las Vegas Raiders
The Dolphins surprisingly let Wilkins walk and the Raiders reaped the benefits, giving the interior defensive lineman a four-year deal worth $110 million.
Wilkins was the highest-ranked defensive tackle on USA TODAY Sports’
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen runs after intercepting a pass against the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 25. original top 50 free agents list (after the Chiefs re-signed Chris Jones).
Wilkins tallied a career-high nine sacks and had 61 pressures in 2023. He started every regular-season game for the Dolphins the past three seasons.
The defensive tackle will help shore up a Raiders run defense that ranked in the bottom half of the NFL last season and relieve some pressure off defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Mike Williams to New York Jets
The Jets picked up Williams after he was a Chargers salary cap casualty. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver has good ball skills and a big catch radius.
Gang Green needed more out wide
behind Garrett Wilson. (Allen Lazard was the Jets’ second leading wide receiver in 2023, and he finished with 23 catches for 311 yards.)
Williams is coming off a serious knee injury, but he’s expected to be ready by Week 1.
WORST FREE-AGENT MOVES
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