[ad_1]
After two days of fireworks (also known as the legal tampering period), the NFL The first day of free agency began Wednesday. The day wasn’t as crazy as the previous two, but it did include the biggest free agent available finding his new home.
Veteran receivers Mike Williams and Hunter Renfrow were also released that day by the Chargers and Raiders, respectively. Both players will now join the list of available free agents.
There were several other notable signings, including at the quarterback and linebacker positions. We break down each of those signings and more below and offer a grade for each one.
The Cowboys, who had done nothing in the early stages of free agency, were able to land a highly productive linebacker who had 117 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Chargers in 2023. While he just turned 32, Kendricks’ play last season suggests he has plenty of gas left in the tank. The fact that the Cowboys convinced Kendricks to sign with them instead of the 49ers made this signing even sweeter.
Kendricks is a great acquisition for Dallas. In addition to being a solid player, he helps replace Leighton Vander Esch, whose career could end due to injuries.
Longevity is the only question mark here. Will Kendricks be more than a one-year Band-Aid? That question will be answered in 2024.
Qualification: TO-
Elliott agreed to terms on a four-year, $24 million extension that ties him with Justin Tucker as the highest-paid kicker in NFL history, according to ESPN.
It’s hard to argue against Elliott joining Tucker as the highest-paid kickers in league annals. He made an astonishing 93.8% of his field goal attempts last season, which included 7 of his 8 attempts of 50 or more yards. He also made all but one of his 46 scoring attempts.
Kickers are like good tires. You don’t appreciate what you have until you have a problem. Signing Elliott long-term gives the Eagles peace of mind at an important position for the foreseeable future.
Qualification: TO
Jackson agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $14.5 million. according to NFL media. Given the money in this deal, it’s safe to say the Panthers expect Jackson to be a starter after making 28 starts during his four years in Buffalo.
This deal makes sense as the Panthers recently traded former starting cornerback Donte Jackson to Pittsburgh in exchange for former Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson. In Dane Jackson, the Panthers will get a 27-year-old defensive back who intercepted three passes and deflected 28 more during his time with the Bills.
This signing is somewhat risky, given the lack of starts in Jackson’s career to this point (it should be noted that he made 14 starts in 2022). Unfortunately for the Panthers, when you’re a team that hasn’t had much success, you usually have to overpay for free agents to attract them to your team. That was probably the situation here.
Qualification: B-
The former Steelers quarterback agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.62 million. according to NFL media. This is a great opportunity for Rudolph, who will likely have a chance to compete with Will Levis to be the Titans’ starting quarterback.
The quarterback market isn’t very strong, so the Titans decide to spend relatively little money while landing a promising 28-year-old quarterback. Rudolph went 3-0 as the Steelers’ starting quarterback last regular season and completed more than 74% of his passes. The Steelers went 8-4-1 in games Rudolph started.
Qualification: B+
Tennessee struck again moments after signing Rudolph when they agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract with Ridley that included $50 million guaranteed. according to NFL media.
Ridley entered Wednesday as the highest-skilled player still available. He showed that he is still a top-tier talent last year after missing all of 2022 while suspended. Ridley caught 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns during his lone season with the Jaguars.
Ridley certainly has talent, but that’s a lot of money to give to any player, let alone one whose resume doesn’t include a single Pro Bowl. Ridley will also turn 30 in December. The Titans got a talented player here, but they might have been better off signing a less expensive receiver and/or drafting one in April.
Qualification: C+
Flacco provides the Colts with much-needed depth, but it came at a high price. Last year’s Comeback Player of the Year reportedly agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million with $4.5 million guaranteed. by report.
The 39-year-old ex Super Bowl MVP played stellar for Cleveland late in the 2023 season, but some feel he was simply the product of Kevin Stefanski’s system. Can he have the same success in Indy? Time will tell.
Qualification: c
Shortly after releasing DJ Humphries, the Cardinals signed former Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams to a two-year, $30 million contract. according to the NFL Network.
While his career in Cincinnati was considered a disappointment, Williams, a 2019 first-round pick, was a consistent member of the Bengals’ starting lineup. He was also extremely durable while playing left and right tackle during his time in Cincinnati.
Arizona could have gone this far, but it was a good signing at a key position. What makes this signing even better is the fact that Williams (who is only 26 years old) should be entering his prime years.
Qualification: TO-
With DJ Reader exploring free agency, the Bengals went ahead and signed Rankins to a two-year, $26 million contract. according to NFL media.
Rankins, soon to be 30, is capitalizing on his 2023 season in which he recorded six sacks (his highest total since 2018), one forced fumble and one fumble returned for a score. Rankins will now try to help the Bengals contain Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry a combined six times a year.
This is a lot of money for a defensive tackle, so Rankins will have to reach his 2023 form in Cincinnati for this signing to be considered a success.
Qualification: B+