It may sound somewhat cliché, but in the NFL, GMs win in the margins, not by throwing out massive contracts left and right. The NFL is all about getting the most “bang for your buck” in free agency and hitting on players late in the draft. GMs often lose their jobs by playing fast and loose with their money rather than seeking high-value pickups in free agency. The best teams in the NFL are known for this, with this year’s Super Bowl being a great example.
The Patriots have leaned on contributions from players like Stefon Diggs, Morgan Moses, K’Lavon Chaisson, Khyiris Tonga, and Garrett Bradbury, all signed in free agency, many of whom were added for less than $10 million per year. On the other side, the Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold came off an incredible year with the Vikings and signed with them this offseason on a big contract. Still, that contract only made Darnold the 18th-highest-paid QB in the NFL, and it has looked like a complete steal. They also have players like Demarcus Lawrence, Cooper Kupp, and Leonard Williams, who are on larger contracts but have made major contributions to the team this year.
Both of these teams have been successful in the draft as well, and that is where I argue teams will get the most value, but being efficient in free agency is also a significant part of roster building. This year’s free agency class features many big names, and several players will command massive contracts as teams place bids to turn around their franchises. But the best GMs in the NFL will be on a hunt, looking for the most VALUABLE free agents. Guys who can make an impact on the team, but also will not eat up a lot of cap space. Today I took a look at who I think are the most valuable free agents on this year’s market.
Quarterback – Malik Willis
I have been pounding the table for Willis since day one, and I caught a lot of heat when I put a first-round grade on him throughout the draft process in 2022. The 2022 class was widely regarded as one of the worst QB classes we had ever seen, and Willis became widely overlooked because he was undersized and relatively unpolished. This year, Willis finally got a chance to prove himself with the Packers, and in the games he started, he looked incredible. Willis played in four games total (two starts) and was 30/35 through the air, with 3 TDs, no interceptions, and only took 3 sacks. He also ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Willis will get a BAG this offseason, but it is much deserved, and at a position where you cannot afford to settle, Malik Willis is (yet again) the best quarterback available.
Projected contract – 2 years, $46 million
Running back – Jerome Ford
Running back is a low-value position that GMs often avoid investing heavily in, mainly because of the depth across the league. Ford is a great example of this, as a former fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati, Ford put up over 1000 total yards in 2023 and came back with almost 800 in 2024. He dealt with injuries for most of this season and was unable to match the production he had in 2023. With the Browns’ loaded RB room, he is unlikely to return to their team and is someone I think will provide a ton of value elsewhere. Ford is unlikely to command a ton of value on the open market, but is someone I think is a consistent and reliable player who will make an impact as a part of any RB rotation.
Projected contract – 1 year, $3 million
Wide Receiver – Devin Duvernay
I have written an article like this for almost five years now, and it feels like a staple that Duvernay will be in it. I have been a huge fan of his game since he was drafted from Texas in 2020, and I think he has long deserved a bigger role. Across the NFL, Duvernay is widely seen as a gadget/return guy and has struggled to find a consistent role beyond that. But when he has consistently received the ball, he has shown a lot of promise as a talented playmaker. Right now, Duvernay is buried on the Bears roster, which is loaded with reciever talent, but he could find a team looking for playmaking depth and make a significant impact.
Projected contract – 1 year, 2 million
Honorable WR mentions: Malik Heath, Treylon Burks, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Tyquon Thornton
Tight End – Chig Okonkwo
One of the most unique TEs in the NFL, Okonkwo is an undersized, H-back-type player who can line up on the line of scrimmage and in the backfield effectively. Coming out of Maryland, Chig proved to be a fast, athletic TE prospect with significant upside as a playmaker in the middle of the offense. That is exactly what he has done in the NFL, and while he is not your traditional TE, his playmaking and athleticism make him a quality weapon on offense. He will need to be put in the right offense, but if he is used properly, Okonkwo could be a game-changer in a pass-heavy offense.
Projected contract – 3 years, $25 million
Offensive Tackle – Jermaine Eluemunor
It is very rare to see quality tackles hit the open market in free agency, and it is very possible the Giants will try to retain Eluemunor this offseason. But if they cannot keep him in house, Eluemunor becomes one of the highest value free agents on the market. A veteran tackle who has nine years of experience in the NFL, Eluemunor has proven he can be a solid right tackle who may not be the cornerstone of your offensive line, but is more than capable of getting the job done. Teams that are looking to shore up their right tackle spot before the draft should be looking closely at Eluemunor this offseason.
Projected contract – 2 years, $20 million
IOL – Jamaree Salyer
Once a “my guy” in the 2022 NFL draft, Salyer has had a fascinating journey in the NFL so far. With the Chargers, he has played a variety of roles, both in college and with the Team, getting snaps at both tackle and guard. Versatility like that is valuable, but I also think Salyer has the skills to be an NFL starter and should be picked up with that expectation this offseason. I think Salyer is best at guard, but his ability to kick out to tackle if needed could be huge down the stretch, where injuries become a factor. His market value will be low, but I think he could be a big-time player next year.
Projected contract – 1 year, 5 million
EDGE – Kingsley Enagbare
Once again, a player who was “my guy” in the 2022 NFL draft, Enagbare, has been somewhat buried on the Packers depth chart, especially this year behind Parsons and Gary. But when he is on the field, he is able to make the most of it, and he has been able to log 11.5 sacks over his first four years in the NFL despite limited play time. He is a stout run defender as well, and I think would be a good fit with Jeff Haffley again over in Miami, but he really has the flexibility to play in any style of NFL defense. He may not be your best player on the defense, but he will be reliable on the edge and has the potential to be a game wrecker at times.
Projected contract – 3 years, 18 million
IDL – Khyiris Tonga
Tonga is someone I mentioned above as a valuable pick up for the Patriots this offseason, and while he may very well return to them next year, if he hits the open market, he may go overlooked again. Tonga has been one of the better nose tackles in the NFL since his days with the Bears, when he first entered the NFL. He is a great run defender and has some wiggle to him to rush the passer and get to the quarterback. He fits best in an odd front defense, but the reality is, if you need a real run stuffer, Tonga would be a good pickup for your defense.
Projected contract – 1 year, 5 million
Linebacker – Leo Chenal
Yet again, we have someone who was on the “my guys” list in the 2022 NFL draft. Chenal was the most athletic linebacker prospect I have ever seen, and since arriving in Kansas City, he has shown plenty of flashes that make him a great NFL player. Chenal has great size, elite speed, and, as he says, is “addicted to hitting people,” and that is exactly what I want from my linebacker. As a Chiefs fan, I will be very disappointed if they let Chenal out of the facility, but if he goes elsewhere, I can confidently say that, in the right defense, he could become one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
Projected contract – 3 years, 18 million
Cornerback – Artie Burns
Burns is a veteran corner who has fallen off the map for some people, but is someone I think can provide immediate depth to an NFL CB room. I am always a fan of adding corners through the draft, but a guy like Burns, who has so much NFL experience and has been a contributor everywhere he has played, is valuable to have. He may not be a superstar or even an everyday starter, but Burns can play all three corner spots and is someone I can confidently put on the field, knowing he will hold his own.
Projected contract – 1 year, 5 million
Safety – Ifeatu Melifonwu
One of the most athletic players in the NFL, Melifonwo is a 6’3″, 210-pound safety who is well-rounded and versatile in the secondary. He is exactly what modern NFL defenses are looking for, and if your team likes to run out defenses with three safeties, Melifonwo should be on your radar. He can play in the box and is a strong tackler, but is athletic enough to stick with TEs and running backs in coverage. He has not played a high volume of snaps, so teams may hesitate to give him a large contract, but he has the skills to be a significant contributor on an NFL defense.
Projected contract – 1 year, 4 million
Special Teams – Harrison Mevis
I will keep this short, but the Rams went through several kickers this season and finally landed on a guy later this year with former Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis. Also known as “The Thicker Kicker,” Mevis is a big guy with a ton of leg power and was one of the most consistent kickers in the nation at Missouri. He was my top kicker in the draft, and I was shocked it has taken this long for him to catch on. If the Rams do not retain Mevis, there are about 15 other teams who could use him next season.
Projected contract – 1 year, 5 million
