Grading the good, bad and ugly of every major NFL free agency 2024 deal

The 2024 NFL year officially started on Wednesday, and thanks to the “legal tampering window” for free agency that opened Monday, it has been a frenzied week.

Marquee free agents at every position and side of the ball have changed addresses to the tune of handsome contracts. Up-and-coming players have agreed to deals with the expectation they can become franchise cornerstones. And aging stars have secured opportunities that perhaps represent their final shots at glory.

Much like the teams acquiring talent, we entered free agency with a ranking of the top 150 players, thanks to the expertise of former NFL executive of the year Randy Mueller. As the agreements and signings have piled up, we’ve ranked the acquisitions of those top 150 players.

Some teams have pulled off bold moves that seem destined to propel them towards their goals. The Atlanta Falcons set the quarterback market in motion by luring Kirk Cousins away from the Minnesota Vikings on a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed. The Philadelphia Eagles awarded former NFC East rival Saquon Barkley a $46.75 million deal — one of the richest running back contracts in the last four years. The Houston Texans bolstered their defense by landing the leading pass-rushing free agent Danielle Hunter on a $49 million contract. The list goes on.

There were smart bargain deals like the New England Patriots signing Jacoby Brissett to be their bridge quarterback, headscratchers, like the Washington Commanders choosing Marcus Mariota, potentially for the same role, and gambles, like the Pittsburgh Steelers turning to Russell Wilson and Minnesota entrusting Sam Darnold with the task of replacing Cousins.

An era ended as the Tennessee Titans let Derrick Henry depart for Baltimore, where he’ll aim to help Lamar Jackson and the Ravens get over the hump. And in Henry’s place, former Dallas Cowboys star Tony Pollard now takes over as the Titans’ feature back. And then Tennessee pulled off an upset, luring top wideout Calvin Ridley away from Jacksonville for $92 million ($50 million guaranteed).

We’re breaking it all down: the good, the bad and the ugly that has unfolded during this first week of free agency. Here we go. (Players are listed below in order of their free-agent ranking.)

Live updates: Free-agent news from across the NFL
FA tracker: New teams and contract details for the top 150 free agents
Best available players: Who’s still on the market?

Texans land edge rusher Danielle Hunter

Grade: A

Randy Mueller’s Top 150 ranking: No. 1

Already boasting a talented young pass rusher in Will Anderson Jr., the Texans pull off a move to make their defense that much more formidable, adding Hunter — the top edge rusher on the free agent market.

Hunter, who agreed to a two-year, $49-million deal, is coming off a career year, recording 16 1/2 sacks to go with 83 tackles (a league-best 23 for a loss). It was his fifth double-digit sack season for the eight-year veteran.

GO DEEPER

Texans, Danielle Hunter agree to 2-year deal

Eagles add RB Saquon Barkley

Grade: B-plus

Randy Mueller’s Top 150 ranking: No. 2

Another running back comes off the market as the former Giants star heads to NFC East neighbor Philadelphia. Barkley, who played on the franchise tag last season, lands a three-year deal that could pay him up to $46.75 million and includes $26 million guaranteed. Barkley will not reset the running market with this deal, but if he meets incentives, he could draw an average salary of $15.83 million, which would be the second-most for running backs in NFL history.

The Eagles wanted to upgrade their rushing attack despite receiving a 1,000-yard season from newcomer D’Andre Swift last season. Philadelphia let Swift depart via free agency to the Bears, however, and zeroed in on Barkley, who has recorded three 1,000-yard seasons in the last six years, and came close last season (962 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries). Barkley just turned 27, but the Eagles expect him to continue to produce like one of the top backs in the league, which would add a welcome element to an offense that features dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts and the dynamic wide receiver tandem of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

GO DEEPER

Howe: A peek behind the scenes of the Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield deals

Falcons add QB Kirk Cousins

Grade: A

Randy Mueller’s Top 150 ranking: No. 3

Kicking off a new era under recently hired head coach Raheem Morris, the Falcons also are starting over at quarterback after landing the four-time Pro Bowl passer on a four-year, $180 million contract that comes with a $50 million signing bonus and $100 million guaranteed.

Cousins had spent the last six seasons in Minnesota. He now heads South, where he reunites with Morris, who was an assistant during Cousins’ early years in Washington.

GO DEEPER

How to sum up Kirk Cousins’ six prolific seasons in Minnesota? It’s complicated

Cousins is coming off a season shortened by a torn…