PFF’s free company grades have been out there for the reason that starting of 2024 free company, however here’s a likelihood to take a broader take a look at the primary actual team-building alternative of the offseason and grade how every AFC group has performed. Click on right here for NFC group grades.
For much more details about the most effective free brokers available on the market, monitor PFF’s free agent rankings, which embrace contract projections, wins above alternative figures, PFF grades and evaluation.
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BLT | BUFÂ | CIN | CLE | DENÂ | HOU | IND | JAX
KC | LVR | LAC |Â MIA | Â NE |Â NYJ |Â PIT |Â TEN
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Madubuike had probably the greatest contract years in current reminiscence, making splash performs seemingly each week and enhancing his effectivity as a go rusher together with a lift to his conventional stats.
The Ravens lastly get their man, with Henry a goal eventually yr’s commerce deadline as Baltimore equipped for a deep playoff run. The duo of Henry and Lamar Jackson within the backfield goes to be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses, and we are able to’t wait to see it in motion.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B
BUFFALO BILLS
- Re-signed: G David Edwards (two years, $6M)
- Re-signed: P Matt Haack (one yr, TBD)
- Launched:Â SÂ Jordan Poyer
- Launched:Â CBÂ Siran Neal
- Launched:Â CÂ Mitch Morse
- Launched:Â RBÂ Nyheim Hines
- Launched:Â WRÂ Deonte Harty
- Launched: CB Tre’Davious White (post-June 1)
- Signed: QB Mitch Trubisky (two years, $5.25M)
- Re-signed: S Taylor Rapp (three years, $10.625M)
- Prolonged: T Dion Dawkins (three years, $60.5M)
- Re-signed: CB Cam Lewis (two years $4M)
- Re-signed: EDGE A.J. Epenesa (two years, $12M)
- Re-signed: DI DaQuan Jones (two years, $16M)
- Signed: LB Nicholas Morrow (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: WR Mack Hollins (one yr, TBD)
- Re-signed: RB Ty Johnson (TBD)
- Signed: WR Curtis Samuel (three years, $24M)
Epenesa has two straight seasons with robust manufacturing as a go rusher, notching stress charges above 10% and pass-rush grades above 70.0. He’s a giant edge who has gotten sooner off the ball as he’s developed, and he’ll nonetheless be simply 25 in Week 1 of 2024, so there may very well be extra enchancment forward.
Jones got here out of the gates of the 2023 season on fireplace as an inside go rusher, and the continued progress of Ed Oliver has enabled the 2 to work off one another and weaponize twists and stunts on the inside extra successfully. Oliver nonetheless has a fast get-off and a bursty second step in his 30s, and Buffalo wanted so as to add extra defensive linemen, so why not retain a participant you understand is a match as a three- to five-technique?
Buffalo seems prepared to maneuver on from the dynamic duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, who had an unbelievable run because the beginning security tandem for years. Rapp is an effective field defender, and the Payments structured this deal in a approach that they’ll strategy it yr to yr whereas additionally shopping for out two extra years from Rapp.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-
CINCINNATI BENGALS
- Franchise-tagged:Â WRÂ Tee Higgins
- Re-signed: G Cody Ford (one yr, $1.35M)
- Re-signed: RB Trayveon Williams (one yr, TBD)
- Re-signed: TE Drew Pattern (three years, $10.5M)
- Signed: S Geno Stone (two years, $15M)
- Signed: RB Zack Moss (two years, $8M)
- Signed: TE Mike Gesicki (one yr, $2.5M)
- Re-signed: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (one yr, TBD)
- Launched:Â SÂ Nick Scott
- Signed: DI Sheldon Rankins (two years, $24.5M)
- Signed: S Vonn Bell (one yr, $6M)
- Re-signed: TE Tanner Hudson (one yr, TBD)
- Re-signed: WR Trenton Irwin (one yr, $2.5M)
After a couple of robust offers for safeties got here in to begin the day, it is a robust signing for Cincinnati. Stone matches properly alongside Jordan Battle and Dax Hill in potential three-safety seems. The Bengals gave up one of many highest explosive go play charges within the NFL in 2023, and Stone has the vary and ball abilities to show a few of these chunk positive aspects into takeaways.
Rankins is the most recent former New Orleans Saint to hitch the Bengals prior to now couple of years, and he fills a giant gap alongside the inside defensive position. The Rankins signing probably signifies that DJ Reader received’t be returning to Cincy, as properly. Reader provides essentially the most worth as a run-stopper, one thing that Rankins has struggled with in recent times, posting sub-40.0 PFF run-defense grades in 2021 and 2023. Rankins ought to assist in the go rush, although, and provides Trey Hendrickson some assist with getting after opposing quarterbacks.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B+
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Smith was nonetheless a handful for opposing offensive traces in 2023 and is an ideal match as a movable chess piece for Jim Schwartz’s protection, making it very comprehensible he was a precedence to re-sign. Don’t let the dip in sack manufacturing idiot you: Smith continues to be a menace up entrance.
Hicks reunites with Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and is an ideal veteran pairing alongside Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Cleveland has now misplaced linebackers Sione Takitaki and Anthony Walker to the Patriots and Dolphins, respectively, so that they add a veteran who nonetheless strikes properly and was taking part in at a excessive stage in 2023 earlier than an damage knocked him out for a bit to shut the yr.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B
DENVER BRONCOS
Jones was a pleasing shock on movie when placing collectively our free agent rankings and projections, becoming in properly with Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and now becoming a member of the group the place he was a head coach. Denver moved on from franchise legend Justin Simmons and rapidly changed him with a current excessive draft decide who put his skills on show in 2023. Nonetheless, that is a particularly robust deal for a participant who has successfully by no means been a full-time starter at a place the place guys usually log 1,000 snaps in a season.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B-
HOUSTON TEXANS
- Re-signed: TE Dalton Schultz (three years, $36M)
- Re-signed: Ok Ka’imi Fairbairn (three years, $15.9M)
- Re-signed: CB Kris Boyd (one yr, TBD)
- Re-signed: S Eric Murray (one yr, $1.75M)
- Re-signed:Â CBÂ Desmond King IIÂ (one yr, $2.2M)
- Re-signed: DI Khalil Davis (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: DI Foley Fatukasi (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: S Lonnie Johnson Jr. (TBD)
- Signed: CB Jeff Okudah (one yr, $4.75M)
- Signed: EDGE Denico Autry (two years, $20M)
- Signed: CB Mike Ford (two years, $4.5M)
- Re-signed: WR Noah Brown (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: LB Azeez Al-Shaair (three years, $34M)
- Signed: P Tommy Townsend (two years, $6M)
- Signed: LB Del’Shawn Phillips (one yr, TBD)
- Acquired by way of commerce:Â RBÂ Joe Mixon
- Signed: EDGE Danielle Hunter (two years, $49M)
- Signed: T David Sharpe (two years, TBD)
- Signed: DI Tim Settle (two years, TBD)
- Re-signed: T Charlie Heck (one yr, TBD)
Houston makes its splash as soon as and for all, with a monster two-year pact for a veteran edge rusher to pair with reigning defensive rookie of the yr Will Anderson Jr. The 2-year time period is sort of good, because it traces up with the 2 years earlier than Houston might should reset the quarterback market with an extension for C.J. Stroud. Hunter, Anderson and fellow free-agent addition Denico Autry shall be a drive up entrance for DeMeco Ryans’ protection.
Al-Shaair reunites with Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who coached him because the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers earlier than his departure final offseason. Al-Shaair provides a tenacity in run protection that advantages any group, and he nonetheless performed each down at full pace regardless of bumping his play time approach as much as over 1,100 snaps in 2023.
Autry continues to be a disruptive drive throughout the defensive position that DeMeco Ryans can align in numerous spots to wreak havoc alongside Will Anderson Jr. and Maliek Collins. Extra reinforcements would make sense, however Autry continues to be taking part in on the peak of his powers in his mid-30s.
Schultz’s resolution to sign up Houston proved to be one of many smartest decisions of final yr’s free company interval. He developed a direct reference to rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and made himself indispensable to offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik as a strong run blocker.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â A
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
- Prolonged: C Jack Anderson (one yr, TBD)
- Prolonged: LB Zaire Franklin (three years, $31.26M)
- Re-signed: WR Michael Pittman Jr. (three years, $70M)
- Re-signed: EDGE Tyquan Lewis (two years, $12M)
- Re-signed: DI Grover Stewart (three years, $39M)
- Re-signed: P Rigoberto Sanchez (three years, $7.5M)
- Re-signed:Â CBÂ Kenny Moore IIÂ (three years, $30M)
- Signed: DI Raekwon Davis (two years, $14M)
- Re-signed: LB Ronnie Harrison (one yr, TBD)
- Re-signed: EDGE Genard Avery (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: QB Joe Flacco (one yr, $4.5M)
- Re-signed: RB Trey Sermon (TBD)
Pittman proved himself to be a useful member of the Colts’ pass-catching corps, and Indianapolis couldn’t let the big-bodied, sure-handed receiver go away because the group tries to develop quarterback Anthony Richardson. The Colts win right here by maintaining this quantity in keeping with the second-round vast receivers who have been prolonged final offseason (Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, D.Ok. Metcalf), and Pittman and firm received by guaranteeing in addition they matched the three-year time period of Samuel and Metcalf.
Stewart is a key ingredient of the Colts’ protection, serving because the anchor on the inside round which each different defensive lineman can transfer extra freely. On/off splits include a ton of noise, so that they’re not at all times the most effective knowledge level to watch, however the Colts’ run protection was night time and day with and with out Stewart in 2023.
Lewis indicators one other take care of the group that drafted him within the second spherical in 2018 — and this time coming off the most effective yr of his profession as a go rusher, together with his 44 quarterback pressures double his prior profession excessive. He’s a strong member of this edge rusher platoon in Indianapolis that has no stars however a bunch of strong gamers with various ability units. The pace to energy is there for Lewis, and extra strikes may assist him elevate his recreation additional.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B-
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jacksonville should be capable to retain vast receiver Calvin Ridley, but when not, it is a little bit of a puzzling pivot. Davis had video games the place he took over, most memorably the playoff recreation the place he went for 200 receiving yards with 4 touchdowns, however the week-to-week consistency in a pass-happy, high-octane Josh Allen offense was by no means there.
After Jacksonville acquired Cleveland on the commerce deadline for only a sixth-round decide, they neatly acquired an extension performed earlier than the market at inside offensive line continues to develop. Trevor Lawrence wants significantly better safety going ahead, and the Jaguars are making a number of strikes to make sure they enhance.
Jacksonville used the primary decide within the third spherical of 2022 on middle Luke Fortner, however they deserve commendation for admitting that was a miss and making the most of Mitch Morse getting launched in Buffalo. Morse performed for Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson when he was the offensive coordinator for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and he affords a particularly excessive flooring as a go protector.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â C+
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Jones actually tethers his contract to the Aaron Donald deal, which had been seemingly handled as an outlier in current extensions for prime younger inside defenders. This can be a huge payday for one of many recreation’s greatest gamers, and Kansas Metropolis additionally needed to do no matter it took to get this performed.
Tranquill is one other beneficiary of a robust season after agreeing to a one-year flier with Kansas Metropolis, representing an ideal slot in Steve Spagnuolo’s protection as a high quality protection linebacker who can also be an awesome pass-rushing asset.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B+
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Realistically, this could have been in regards to the anticipated value as soon as the Chris Jones deal acquired performed and actually tethered an inside defender contract to the Aaron Donald outlier (an outlier no extra). Wilkins wager on himself in 2023 regardless of seemingly his complete draft class round him cashing in, and boy, did that repay. The duo of Maxx Crosby and Wilkins goes to take this ascending Raiders protection to even larger heights in 2024.
One of many shrewd strikes of the Gruden/Mayock regime was buying and selling veteran stalwart Rodney Hudson for a third-round decide from the Arizona Cardinals and signing James to a short-term extension to take over because the starter. James has improved every season and is a high quality go protector beneath middle who needs to be a giant assist to the following franchise quarterback in Las Vegas.
The Raiders get a decent bridge starter within the fold however want to truly add the opposite finish of the bridge, with the No. 13 decide presently burning a gap of their pocket. They’ll be battling the No. 11 general decide Minnesota Vikings and No. 12 general decide Denver Broncos to maneuver up for a quarterback, it seems. Nonetheless, Minshew salvaged the Colts’ season and earned this contract regardless of his capped ceiling.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Gilman had a profession exhibiting in a contract yr 2023 marketing campaign, with a ton of ball manufacturing as an excellent match alongside Derwin James, and his deal nonetheless stayed pretty cheap regardless of lots of mid-tier safeties doing properly up to now in free company.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B-
MIAMI DOLPHINS
- Launched:Â EDGEÂ Emmanuel Ogbah
- Launched:Â CBÂ Keion Crossen
- Launched:Â LBÂ Jerome Baker
- Signed: DI Isaiah Mack (one yr, $1.125M)
- Signed: DI Daviyon Nixon (one yr, $985K)
- Signed: TE Jonnu Smith (two years, $10M)
- Re-signed: S Elijah Campbell (one yr, TBD)
- Re-signed: P Jake Bailey (two years, $4.2M)
- Re-signed: CB Nik Needham (TBD)
- Signed: LB Anthony Walker Jr. (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: LB Jordyn Brooks (three years, $26.25M)
- Signed: C Aaron Brewer (three years, $21M)
- Signed: EDGE Shaquil Barrett (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: S Jordan Poyer (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: CB Siran Neal (TBD)
- Launched:Â CBÂ Xavien Howard
- Signed: DI Neville Gallimore (TBD)
- Signed: CB Kendall Fuller (two years, $16.5M)
- Re-signed: RB Salvon Ahmed (TBD)
- Signed: DI Jonathan Harris (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: TE Jody Fortson (TBD)
Miami moved on from Jerome Baker final week, one of many extra shocking cuts of the offseason, even with the context of the place Miami’s funds stood, however rapidly substitute him with one other succesful linebacker over the center. Brooks recovered extraordinarily rapidly from a torn ACL to make it again in time for Week 1 of 2023, and he may very well be much more assured slicing and altering path in 2024 and past.
Brewer is an ideal slot in Miami’s run scheme and carries added worth since he may substitute free-agent middle Connor Williams, who should re-sign in Miami, or guard Robert Hunt, who signed a colossal take care of the Carolina Panthers. Mike McDaniel can shield him as a go protector, and he’s nice at getting out to the second stage in a rush.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B+
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
- Launched:Â DIÂ Lawrence Man
- Launched:Â CBÂ J.C. Jackson
- Launched:Â SÂ Adrian Phillips
- Franchise-tagged:Â SÂ Kyle Dugger
- Signed: T Chukwuma Okorafor (one yr, $4M)
- Re-signed: TE Hunter Henry (three years, $27M)
- Re-signed: WR Kendrick Bourne (three years, $19.5M)
- Signed: RB Antonio Gibson (three years, $11.25M)
- Launched:Â WRÂ DeVante Parker
- Re-signed: T Mike Onwenu (three years, $57M)
- Signed: QB Jacoby Brissett (one yr, $8M)
- Signed: LB Sione Takitaki (two years, $6.5M)
- Re-signed: WR Jalen Reagor (one yr, $1.29M)
- Re-signed: EDGE Josh Uche (one yr, $3M)
- Signed: TE Austin Hooper (one yr, TBD)
- Re-signed: EDGE Anfernee Jennings (three years, $12M)
- Signed: G Nick Leverett (TBD)
- Signed: DI Armon Watts (TBD)
The Patriots have continually moved Onwenu across the offensive line, appeared to have drafted a couple of potential replacements in recent times and waited till the guard market exploded over the previous week earlier than seemingly giving in on all of Onwenu’s needs. Onwenu will get practically $20 million yearly but additionally provides up solely three years of his providers. The Michigan graduate negotiated his personal deal after firing his brokers every week earlier than free company, and he did remarkably properly for himself ultimately.
The Patriots have a ton of money to burn and wish a greater scenario round their subsequent franchise quarterback, and Henry has been characterised as a pacesetter on this offense. That stated, it is a robust deal for a decent finish who will flip 30 years outdated in 2024.
Bourne is recovering from a torn ACL and is reportedly on observe to go well with up in Week 1. He was within the midst of his greatest season when he went down. New England at the very least has a couple of dependable go catchers within the fold, however they nonetheless have to go big-game searching.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B+
NEW YORK JETS
Simpson would be the puller within the run recreation very often, a giant mauler in tight areas who will clear some gaping holes for Breece Corridor from time to time. He is available in as a less expensive alternative for the lately launched Laken Tomlinson, who was not taking part in as much as the extent of his contract signed in 2022.
Kinlaw does have some flashes on tape, however this contract is an effective instance of the good thing about being an early draft decide when on the lookout for one other contract. Nonetheless, it’s not a loopy quantity on a one-year flier that addresses an space of clear want, with Kinlaw reuniting with Jets head coach Robert Saleh and maybe offering a spark on 400-500 snaps.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
We referred to as our shot right here on Queen turning into the following Tremaine Edmunds sort signing, a fourth-year breakout of types — carrying over a robust second half of 2022 — who earned Professional Bowl honors as a former first-rounder. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh was in a position to anchor this deal to the opposite higher mid-tier linebacker offers signed this offseason as an alternative of nearer to the true prime of the market. Queen is a good match alongside Elandon Roberts, although protection shall be a little bit of a priority over the center, with two disruptive forces coming downhill. And it is an awesome worth.
PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE:Â B+
TENNESSEE TITANS
- Re-signed: LS Morgan Cox (one yr, $1.377M)
- Signed: RB Tony Pollard (three years, $24M)
- Signed:Â CÂ Lloyd Cushenberry IIIÂ (4 years, $50M)
- Signed: CB Chidobe Awuzie (three years, TBD)
- Signed: LB Kenneth Murray Jr. (two years, $15.5M)
- Signed: G Saahdiq Charles (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: QB Mason Rudolph (one yr, TBD)
- Signed: WR Calvin Ridley (4 years, $92M)
- Re-signed: Ok Nick People (one yr, $3.755M)
- Re-signed: WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (one yr, TBD)
- Launched:Â TÂ Andre Dillard
Ridley was the large fish available on the market as soon as all the prime wideouts both re-signed or acquired franchise-tagged. For many of free company, it appeared that Ridley’s choices have been the Jaguars or Patriots, however the Titans got here in towards the tip with a robust provide to shut the deal. The Titans did have a necessity at vast receiver, however there may be some danger to paying Ridley greater than $90 million when he’s going to show 30 in December. Tennessee can also be paying Ridley as a top-10 vast receiver regardless that he ranked forty fifth in PFF receiving grade, fiftieth in yards per route run and within the prime 25 in drop fee this previous season.
Tennessee desperately wanted assist throughout the offensive line, and middle was a wise place to begin with Aaron Brewer on the way in which out in free company. Will Levis will get a veteran who can go block in addition to any middle throughout the league, one with the potential for continued progress as he works beneath offensive line coach Invoice Callahan.
Tennessee is ready to lose Derrick Henry, and no working again can fill that void, so the group is pairing Pollard with 2023 rookie Tyjae Spears. Each gamers can do all of it, specifically catching the ball cleanly with out having to decelerate to collect, and their presence on the sector won’t ever be a inform. Maybe a short-yardage/bell-cow sort may very well be a welcome addition, as properly. Nonetheless, till the Titans massively improve their offensive line, it received’t matter who’s within the backfield.