The first wave of free agency is over, which means that it’s time to hand out some grades for the winners and losers of the past week. Every team enters the start of the league year hoping to improve upon the 2023 record, and some teams are more successful than others. Not every team is one free agent spending spree away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. However, each organization tried to improve its rosters, and these winners and losers are determined by their ability (or lack thereof) to accomplish that goal.
The 3 Best And Worst Free Agency Grades of 2024
Passing With Flying Colors
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons went 7-10 in each of the past three seasons. This underwhelming performance was largely due to their atrocious quarterback situation, so the team made sure to add the best passer available in Kirk Cousins. While he is a bit of a risk coming off a torn Achilles, the former Viking was playing some of his best football before his season-ending injury. As if that wasn’t enough, they also signed a solid deep threat in Darnell Mooney and traded Demond Ridder for a fun gadget player in Rondale Moore. This is probably the most improved team in the league and they certainly earned one of the top grades in free agency.
Grade: A+
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are in the midst of a multi-year rebuild, and the roster is so flawed that they can’t just throw money at all of their problems. With that in mind, Carolina is taking home one of the top free agency grades because they have done a phenomenal job of supporting former first-overall pick Bryce Young. Carolina had one of the worst interior lines in football last year, but that shouldn’t be an issue in 2024 with Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in town. And while they didn’t land a star wide receiver, they still improved the unit by acquiring Diontae Johnson for pennies on the dollar.
You could criticize them for only getting a second-round pick for Brian Burns when they could’ve gotten two first-round picks just under two years ago, but that’s more of a Scott Fitterer failure than anything else. Considering what he was worthing with, first-year general manager Dan Morgan did a great job.
Grade: A-
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs won the past two Super Bowls, and there’s a strong case to be made that the 2024 roster is better than either of the previous two. The team found a way to extend superstar Chris Jones, which means their defense should remain one of the best in the game. With that side of the ball addressed, Kansas City turned its attention to the offense and made one of the best signings of the offseason. Marquise Brown was made to play in Andy Reid’s high-speed offense, and getting him on a cheap one-year deal when an older Calvin Ridley signed a four-year, $92 million deal is highway robbery. While they still need a left tackle, this team should remain the favorite to win it all in 2024.
Grade: A-
Repeating the Grade
New England Patriots
The Patriots entered the legal tampering period with the second-most cap space in the entire league. The last time they were in this situation, New England set the record for handing out the most guaranteed money in NFL history. This year didn’t quite go that way. While they re-signed a few crucial free agents in Mike Onwenu and Hunter Henry, the team has not added any notable outside help.
Jacoby Brissett is a fine bridge quarterback, but both he and New England’s eventual rookie draft pick will fail in this environment. With no left tackle and no receivers, how is anybody supposed to succeed with this supporting cast? The Patriots are acting like Mac Jones and Bill Belichick were entirely responsible for last year’s meltdown, and that unwillingness to fix a broken roster is how you end up with one of the lowest free agency grades.
Grade: D
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers entered the legal tampering period well over the salary cap, so nobody expected them to be too aggressive on the open market. Their spot on the bottom of the free agency grades isn’t because of their lack of signings, but rather what they did to get under the cap. Releasing Mike Williams made sense – nobody was going to trade for his contract, and the oft-injured receiver is not worth the $20 million they saved by parting ways. Trading Keenan Allen for next to nothing, however, is an objectively terrible decision.
With Williams gone, Keenan Allen was the only player on the roster capable of actually catching a pass. Yes, he carried a high cap hit, but the Chargers were already under the salary cap when the trade went down. Quentin Johnston had a N’Keal Harry type of rookie year, so Los Angeles should not count on him figuring it out in 2024. Justin Herbert is amazing, so he might drag this team to eight wins, but they won’t be able to compete with the Chiefs with this pathetic collection of offensive talent.
Grade: D-
Dallas Cowboys
So much for going all-in. Despite a strong regular season, the Dallas Cowboys suffered yet another early playoff loss in 2023. Jerry Jones refused to let this happen again, bringing back Mike McCarthy while promising an improved product. As of this posting, the team looks like it will be much, much worse in 2024. The team lost star left tackle Tyron Smith to the New York Jets and has only added one outside free agent: linebacker Erik Kendricks. This lack of action combined with Dak Prescott’s legal woes makes this an offseason to forget for America’s Team.
Grade: F
Main Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA Today Sports
