5 Most Underrated NFL Free Agent Moves

DEAL: 4y/$57M ($27.5M GTD)

DEAL: 3y/$19M ($12.5M GTD)

A two-for-one here as the Cleveland Browns’ brilliant offseason moves have largely gone under the radar. After putting out a porous run defense in 2022, GM Andrew Berry made sure to change that this offseason by adding two of the best D-Linemen available in Dalvin Tomlinson and Obo Okoronkwo.

Myles Garrett is a generational talent but had absolutely no help last year, leading to constant double-teams and even occasional triple-teams. Don’t expect that to occur any longer as teams will have to gameplan for this duo now as well as Tomlinson and Obo are both known for their disruptive ways, getting into the backfield, and making plays. The Browns’ biggest weakness turned into a strength which could be enough to get them back into playoff contention.

DEAL: 3y/$12M ($8.2M GTD)

Jamaal Williams had more RUSH TD (17) during 2022 than his entire career before that combined (13), breaking Barry Sanders‘ Lions franchise record. Williams is a red-zone punisher who’s great at getting north to south, providing a great compliment to Alvin Kamara who can also take over if Kamara misses time with an impending suspension.

That duo in the backfield along with Taysom Hill will surely form a dynamic attack for defenses to worry about. After taking his game to another level, many expected Williams’ production to lead to a larger deal but New Orleans got him for only $4M AAV which could prove to be one of the most underrated signings of this free agency period.

DEAL: 1y/$13M ($10M GTD)

Marcus Davenport has been a high-performing player ever since coming out of the draft in the first round for New Orleans and really broke out two years ago when he almost approached 10 sacks. However, that dropped to only 0.5 sacks in 2023. The good news is that Davenport has been injury-prone (14+ games in only 1 season) but got in 15 games during 2022.

The 6’8, lengthy defender gets great pressure from the edge despite the lackluster numbers and can bring a much-needed presence on the defensive line to help one of the worst defenses from 2022 as they get younger on that side of the ball.

DEAL: 2y/$14M ($5.9M GTD)

After Minnesota started running the most zone coverage in 2022, Patrick Peterson dialed the clock back and thrived in the Vikings system. However, the Steelers run as much man coverage as any team in the league which might make this a questionable fit.

However, when a team employs THREE high-quality pass-rushers in TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Alex Highsmith, having a couple of playmakers in the defensive backfield like Patrick Peterson and Minkah Fitzpatrick could yield great results. When employed with a mediocre offense, it’s highly important to have those kinds of plays that can change games, change seasons, and make Patty P a highly valuable pickup for Pittsburgh.

DEAL: 2y/$13.3M ($6.8M GTD)

After being battered by injuries in recent years, the Chargers needed more stability on defense. That’s where Eric Kendricks comes in who can be the anchor of the defense, leader of the locker room, and bring a whole new perspective/mentality to a team that certainly needs it after blowing that big playoff lead to Jacksonville.

The offense wasn’t the issue in LA, it was the defense, specifically the run defense especially after losing Drue Tranquil to the division-rival Chiefs. Kendricks is getting older and has seen a decline in his pass coverage abilities but that leadership and playmaking ability could be a jolt for the Chargers’ Super Bowl odds in 2023.

DEAL: 4y/$57M ($27.5M GTD)

DEAL: 3y/$19M ($12.5M GTD)

A two-for-one here as the Cleveland Browns’ brilliant offseason moves have largely gone under the radar. After putting out a porous run defense in 2022, GM Andrew Berry made sure to change that this offseason by adding two of the best D-Linemen available in Dalvin Tomlinson and Obo Okoronkwo.

Myles Garrett is a generational talent but had absolutely no help last year, leading to constant double-teams and even occasional triple-teams. Don’t expect that to occur any longer as teams will have to gameplan for this duo now as well as Tomlinson and Obo are both known for their disruptive ways, getting into the backfield, and making plays. The Browns’ biggest weakness turned into a strength which could be enough to get them back into playoff contention.

DEAL: 3y/$12M ($8.2M GTD)

Jamaal Williams had more RUSH TD (17) during 2022 than his entire career before that combined (13), breaking Barry Sanders‘ Lions franchise record. Williams is a red-zone punisher who’s great at getting north to south, providing a great compliment to Alvin Kamara who can also take over if Kamara misses time with an impending suspension.

That duo in the backfield along with Taysom Hill will surely form a dynamic attack for defenses to worry about. After taking his game to another level, many expected Williams’ production to lead to a larger deal but New Orleans got him for only $4M AAV which could prove to be one of the most underrated signings of this free agency period.

DEAL: 1y/$13M ($10M GTD)

Marcus Davenport has been a high-performing player ever since coming out of the draft in the first round for New Orleans and really broke out two years ago when he almost approached 10 sacks. However, that dropped to only 0.5 sacks in 2023. The good news is that Davenport has been injury-prone (14+ games in only 1 season) but got in 15 games during 2022.

The 6’8, lengthy defender gets great pressure from the edge despite the lackluster numbers and can bring a much-needed presence on the defensive line to help one of the worst defenses from 2022 as they get younger on that side of the ball.

DEAL: 2y/$14M ($5.9M GTD)

After Minnesota started running the most zone coverage in 2022, Patrick Peterson dialed the clock back and thrived in the Vikings system. However, the Steelers run as much man coverage as any team in the league which might make this a questionable fit.

However, when a team employs THREE high-quality pass-rushers in TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Alex Highsmith, having a couple of playmakers in the defensive backfield like Patrick Peterson and Minkah Fitzpatrick could yield great results. When employed with a mediocre offense, it’s highly important to have those kinds of plays that can change games, change seasons, and make Patty P a highly valuable pickup for Pittsburgh.

DEAL: 2y/$13.3M ($6.8M GTD)

After being battered by injuries in recent years, the Chargers needed more stability on defense. That’s where Eric Kendricks comes in who can be the anchor of the defense, leader of the locker room, and bring a whole new perspective/mentality to a team that certainly needs it after blowing that big playoff lead to Jacksonville.

The offense wasn’t the issue in LA, it was the defense, specifically the run defense especially after losing Drue Tranquil to the division-rival Chiefs. Kendricks is getting older and has seen a decline in his pass coverage abilities but that leadership and playmaking ability could be a jolt for the Chargers’ Super Bowl odds in 2023.