It may feel far away but the 2024 NFL season is approaching quickly as we are just over a month away from the start of training camp. It will be our first real shot at seeing new players with new teams. This was a busy free agency period so here are our 2024 AFC free agent grades.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (B): Their biggest free agent this offseason was Patrick Queen who will be stellar in the middle of the defense and should hold down the run. They made more happen through trades – Russell Wilson and Justin Fields – but bolstering their wide receiver corps was a huge need they fulfilled.
Baltimore Ravens (B): The Ravens saw a lot of key pieces walk away this free agency, but they had to focus on keeping some guys home while they did make a major upgrade at running back with the signing of Derrick Henry.
Cleveland Browns (B-): Not a ton happening here in the free agency market, at least. They signed Jameis Winston to back up Deshaun Watson. More depth-related moves than anything else.
Cincinnati Bengals (C): The Bengals honestly might have a worse roster to begin this new year after watching key pieces like Joe Mixon walk away and making very little upgrade as they signed Zack Moss to replace him. This felt like a trend across the board for the Bengals.
AFC South
Houston Texans (A): Sometimes a GM must cut a fan favorite to get better and that’s what they did by letting Jonathan Greenard go and signing Danielle Hunter instead who is a better fit for this defense. There were a whirlwind of trades, but that signing alone could put them over the edge.
Tennessee Titans (C): The Titans had a boat load of money to begin this free agency period and while they made a ton of moves, I wasn’t a big fan. They shelled out major money to Calvin Ridley who has been a big name with little production, they replaced Derrick Henry with Tony Pollard who is coming off his worst year in the pros. The move I did like was getting L’Jarius Sneed.
Jacksonville Jaguars (D): Overspend, overspend, overspend. The Jags handed out a combined $111 million to Arik Armstead, Darnell Savage, and Gabe Davis. They got a bunch of C-tier players for A-tier money.
Indianapolis Colts (C): Adding Raekwon Davis and Joe Flacco were considered the two big additions while the real win came in retaining Michael Pittman Jr. Not much done here in Indy to justify a big grade.
AFC East
New England Patriots (D): Take a look at these names, WR K.J. Osborn, LB Sione Takitaki, RB Antonio Gibson, TE Austin Hooper, OT Chukwuma Okorafor, DT Armon Watts, QB Jacoby Brissett…do any of them jump off the page at you? Exactly.
Miami Dolphins (C-): The Dolphins lost big when Christian Wilkins signed a massive deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. They watched a homegrown talent walk away and had minor signings in guys like Kendall Fuller and aging Jordan Poyer.
Buffalo Bills (D): The Bills lost their two best wide receivers and replaced them with Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, and KJ Hamler. There isn’t much else to be said.
New York Jets (A): The Jets went all in this offseason and got some big names in Hasson Reddick, Mike Williams, and signed three guys to the offensive line that can either come in and start or provide excellent depth.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (C-): The big moves were bringing in Marquise Brown and Irv Smith. Yes, those were considered the “big moves.” To be fair, it’s not like KC really needed to do all that much. Their biggest move was retaining Chris Jones.
Los Angeles Chargers (C): The Bolts had a tough cap situation heading in and they had to ditch Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler. They brought in decent reinforcements but there was no winning here this offseason.
Las Vegas Raiders (A-) I love the addition of Christian Wilkins and I have always said that Gardner Minshew needs the right situation to flourish. Is it Vegas? Time will tell but he will have a shot to start.
Denver Broncos (D): They released a star in Justin Simmons and traded Jerry Jeudy in what seemed like cap saving measures but then spent money on guys who are far worse. What is happening in Denver?