It's been four weeks since the new NFL season began, and the second wave of free agency has begun. As the NFL Draft approaches, the focus shifts from signing free agents to filling holes on the roster. All available free agents will be signed at some point, but the free agent relationship has cooled.
What have been the smartest trades in free agency thus far? Which teams are not only getting the most bang for their buck, but also getting the most production out of the contracts they sign with their players? These are the five smartest trades teams made in free agency.
transaction: 1 year, $10 million
The Jets added a four-year gap to the deal, leaving Williams with a cap number of $2.724 million in 2024. Williams has averaged 15.6 yards per catch since his rookie year in 2017, making him the only receiver (with at least 500 targets) to rank second only to AJ Brown.
Williams is recovering from a torn ACL (injured in Week 3 of last season), but will be a deep ball receiver in the offense with Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball and Garrett Wilson as the No. 1 wide receiver. Become.
Once Williams is fully recovered, the Jets will have a deep threat in an offense full of playmakers. Williams could have a 1,000-yard season at a discounted rate.
transaction: 2 years, $8.34 million
There are smart deals for free agent running backs, and paying Ekeler $4.17 million per year is one of them. Ekeler didn't get the contract he wanted with the Los Angeles Chargers, and at 29 years old, his days of making big money at the position appear to be behind him.
Ekeler's highest cap number is $5.11 million in the second year of his contract, which puts him one year removed from leading the NFL in touchdowns in 2021 and 2022. An injury to his ankle in Week 1 limited Ekeler to 3.1 yards per carry after the start. Weeks (third-worst in the NFL), the manager was able to acquire him at a reasonable price.
Once Ekeler fully recovers from his ankle injury, the managers will have a player who totaled 3,195 scrimmage yards and 38 scrimmage touchdowns in 2021 and 2022. If Ekeler performs close to that level in 2024, his contract would be one of the biggest steals of 2021. NFL.
transaction: 2 years, $14 million
In a high-security market, paying Stone $7 million per year appears to be one of the best deals in free agency. Stone began his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and had seven interceptions, benefiting from playing next to Kyle Hamilton.
Stone had a great season, with opposing quarterbacks completing 60.5% of his passes and a passer rating of 40.9 targeting Stone (with only two touchdowns). He defended nine passes while playing both free and strong safety.
Based on the structure of the contract, the Bengals are taking a one-year gamble on Stone (which would only incur $1.5 million in dead cap if they decide to cut him in the second year of his contract). His best football is still at age 24, so a big year for Stone would greatly increase his value.
transaction: 2 years, $20 million
The 49ers moved on from Chase Young this offseason and acquired Floyd, who is 31 years old and one of the most productive pass rushers in football. Floyd is one of only three players with nine or more sacks in each of the last four seasons (the others being Myles Garrett and Haason Reddick), with 10.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, and 11.3% pressures. We are coming off a record season. rate.
Against Nick Bosa, Floyd would have a chance to live up to his average annual salary of $10 million (and his $12 million contract bonus is guaranteed). San Francisco's maximum limit will be him at $10.108 million in 2025.
Paying money for a 31-year-old pass rusher may be risky, but Floyd is a smart investment as the No. 2 pass rusher on the defensive line alongside Bosa and Javon Hargrave.
transaction: 2 years, $49 million
The Texans are paying one of the best pass rushers in football $24.5 million a year. Hunter has recorded double-digit sacks in each of the last four seasons in which he played in 10 or more games and is coming off a season in which he finished fifth in the NFL in sacks (16.5) and led the league in tackles for loss (23). He finished the 2023 season with 83 tackles, 80 pressures and a pressure rate of 13.4%.
His six seasons with at least six sacks is the most in the league since 2015 (Hunter's rookie year), second only to Khalil Mack, and shows that he's becoming a consistent quarterback. The Texans will pair Hunter with Will Anderson Jr. for the next two seasons, giving Hunter a great chance to become a consistent quarterback.
The Texans still have two seasons left in their prime, so Hunter will play his age-29 and age-30 seasons in Houston. Houston didn't pay Hunter a big salary or commit to a contract that would stretch him into his 30s. This is a big win for the front office.
