Best NFL free agent signings in 2024: Sam Darnold and Saquon Barkley lead the way

NFL teams have awarded contracts worth nearly $5 billion in free agency since March. Of course, not all of that money was guaranteed. And much of it was not well spent.

But some of those contracts turned out to be worth every penny, at least through the 2024 season. Some of the free agents transformed their new teams into contenders. And some of them played so well that their contracts now look like steals.

So here’s a look at the top 10 NFL free agent signings of 2024. Some were big financial investments and some were small. But it’s not surprising that they all ended up playing on a playoff team:

1. quarterback Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

(1 year, $10 million, $8.75 million guaranteed)

This was supposed to be a small investment in a veteran backup to mentor and fill in for rookie QB JJ McCarthy. But when a knee injury ended McCarthy’s season in August, Darnold stepped in and became the NFL’s biggest surprise. He played like an MVP, completing 68.1 percent of his passes for 4,153 yards and 35 touchdowns (all career highs) with just 12 interceptions in 16 games. Most importantly, under his direction, the Vikings are 14-2.

Darnold reminded everyone why he was the third overall pick in 2018 and showed how important the right situation and good coaching can be for a young quarterback. He’s still only 27 years old, which means that if the Vikings don’t use the franchise tag on him in the offseason, someone will give him a contract worth more than $100 million.

2. R.B. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

(3 years, $37.75 million, $26 million guaranteed)

It was always clear that once he got out from behind the New York Giants’ terrible offensive line, his production would increase. But no one thought he’d be chasing the NFL rushing record with 2,005 yards in 16 games. He has been the focal point of an Eagles offense that seemed lost in its late collapse last season. It has helped them rediscover their identity. And every time they need a big play, he seems to come through.

It has also revived the debate onnorth the importance and value of corridors, which had been financially devalued in recent years. The Eagles defied conventional wisdom with a relatively large investment in Barkley. But they proved to have the perfect situation with a powerful offensive line and a strong passing game to help them. And Barkley has helped turn them into Super Bowl contenders again.

3. Field Marshal Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

(1 year, $1.21 million, fully guaranteed)

It could be the biggest bargain in the NFL thanks to the Denver Broncos, who cut him two years into a five-year, $242.5 million contract and owed him $39 million for the 2024 season. That allowed the Steelers to sign him for just a veteran’s minimum salary (after he briefly flirted with the New York Giants).

That decision began to pay off after he replaced Justin Fields as the starter in Week 7. The Steelers were 4-2 at the time, but were struggling offensively. As Wilson got into a rhythm, they won four games in a row and six of the next seven. Wilson and the Steelers have struggled the last three weeks (losing to the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs), but overall the quarterback’s play has been good: 2,334 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 starts.

Ultimately, Wilson might be judged on how this ends, but the former Super Bowl winner gives them confidence that they can snap out of their late slump and be a dangerous team in the playoffs.

4. R.B. Henry Derrick, Baltimore Ravens

(2 years, $16 million, $9 million guaranteed)

They already had one of the best rushing attacks in football in 2023, but it was primarily done with Lamar Jackson and a group of running backs. It was clear that a full-back like Henry would take them to another level, although they knew it was a risk because he was already 30 years old.

Henry, however, has not missed a game or a second. He has rushed for 1,783 and 14 touchdowns and would probably hear his name in the MVP conversation if not for Barkley’s record-breaking season in Philadelphia. His presence has opened up a lot for Jackson, who is having an even better season than when he was MVP last year. And he has given Baltimore a devastating running attack that should help them intimidate teams in the playoffs.

5.S Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers

(4 years, $67 million, $23 million guaranteed)

Not everyone in the NFL thinks paying big money to safeties is a good idea, but the Packers surely don’t regret luring this former Giant to Green Bay. McKinney was a playmaker in New York, with eight interceptions in his last two full seasons with the Giants. But he outdid himself with seven picks (and 111 return yards) this year.

He’s slowed down a bit in that department after intercepting five passes in his first five games. But teams also throw much less in his direction. And McKinney also has 10 pass deflections, a sack and 84 tackles, and has helped strengthen a Packers defense that has vaulted into the Top 10.

6. pound Jonathan GreenardMinnesota Vikings

(4 years, $76 million, $38 million guaranteed)

After his breakout season in Houston last year, the Vikings hired him to fill the huge shoes of the late Danielle Hunter. And not only did he deliver, he improved on his 2023 performance. Greenard has been the backbone of the Vikings’ tough defense, with 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and 16 tackles for loss.

He is also in the top five in the league with 40 quarterback pressures. And while he hasn’t matched everything Hunter did for the Vikings last season, he’s certainly been among the NFL’s best edge rushers for most of the year.

7. R.B. jose jacobsGreen Bay Packers

(4 years, $48 million, $12.5 million guaranteed)

The Packers knew they had to improve their lackluster running game to support young quarterback Jordan Love. They also needed someone who could stay in the lineup longer than Aaron Jones. They took a chance on Jacobs after a poor season in Las Vegas, but he quickly showed that he is still the same running back who led the NFL in rushing in 2022.

Jacobs played in all 16 games and rushed for 1,285 yards and 14 touchdowns. In fact, he scored touchdowns in each of the last seven games and turned the Packers into a top-five rushing team. That kind of power has made a big difference for them this season and could have a big impact on their postseason run as well.

8. pound Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans

(2 years, $49 million, $48 million guaranteed)

Hunter had to fight the Vikings to get the money he wanted, but the Texans had no problem meeting his demands. And although they have not achieved the great season he had in Minnesota in 2023 in return, what they have achieved has been pretty close.

Hunter has had 12 sacks for a Houston defense that has had to run a slow offense at times. He has also had 17 quarterback hits and 23 tackles for loss. He ranks in the top 10 in pressures with 34 and has formed a dynamic pass-rushing duo with Will Anderson. The Texans are third in the NFL with 47 sacks thanks to them (23 combined). That’s already more than Houston had all of last year.

9. pound Andrew Van GinkelMinnesota Vikings

(2 years, $20 million, $10 million guaranteed)

Brian Flores was the coach in Miami when the Dolphins drafted Van Ginkel in the fifth round in 2019 and clearly saw something he liked in the linebacker. So when Flores re-emerged as defensive coordinator in Minnesota, the Vikings brought in Van Ginkel, and ended up getting much more than expected.

Not only did Van Ginkel nearly double his career-high in sacks with 11 ½, but he also has two Pick-6s, 72 tackles, 72 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 19 quarterback hits. He’s been a dominant presence at times, forming a huge 1-2 with Greenard. He has fit perfectly into Flores’ defense and has become one of the best defensive playmakers in the league.

10.S CJ Gardner JohnsonPhiladelphia Eagles

(3 years, $27 million, $10 million guaranteed)

When the Eagles defense fell apart last season, it wasn’t just the result of poor coaching. Some of the players felt they had lost their edge and attitude and noted the departure of the energetic Gardner-Johnson.

Then the Eagles brought him back and he got the attitude back. It took a few games, but the Eagles defense finally started playing tough and confident again and Gardner-Johnson was a big part of why. He is tied for third in the NFL with six interceptions, the same number he had two years ago when he was leading the league for Philadelphia. He has a Pick-6 and has also deflected 12 passes.

The numbers are great, but their contribution goes further. The Eagles were the NFL’s second defense with him two years ago. They fell to 26th place last year. And with the return of CJGJ this year, they are number one.

Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.