Who are the Free Agent Winners and Losers?
We are through two full days of free agency and it has been a hot and heavy start. Big-name players are trading teams and it has been one of the more interesting beginnings of free agency in recent memory. I will be giving you the teams who I think are the winners, losers, and who I thought came out as neutral.
Winners
Houston Texans
- DL Foley Fatukasi
- CB Jeff Okudah
- Edge Denico Autry
- Edge Danielle Hunter
- (Trade) RB Joe Mixon
The Texans I think were by far the biggest winner in free agency so far. The defensive line is going to be one of the best in the league with the additions in free agency along with second-year Will Anderson who had eight sacks in his first season. Many were hoping Saquon Barkley ended up with the Texans but Mixon provides another big name to add to the young offense. Mixon should provide an upgrade in receiving from Singletary and give the Texans the tough running between the tackles.
Atlanta Falcons
- QB Kirk Cousins
- WR Darnell Mooney
- TE Charlie Woerner
The Falcons have been looking for a quarterback ever since Matt Ryan moved on and now they have it. Some may say the price tag was too high but I think Cousins can help bring stability to an offense that has not reached its potential. His injury is concerning but they have enough weapons and a good enough offensive line to give Cousins time to come back. I like the Mooney signing because it now gives them more options in the draft. After all, they do not have to rush to get another receiver. Mooney is the deep threat that should work great with Cousins’s timing and accuracy. Cousins arrival should give an upgrade to all the offensive weapons for fantasy value and this could be a top 5 offense this year.
Carolina Panthers
- G Robert Hunt
- G Damien Lewis
- LB Josey Jewell
- DL A’Shawn Robinson
- (Trade) WR Diontae Johnson
The Panthers needed to help Bryce Young and so far they have. The offensive line needed an overhaul and they landed a top-10 guard in Hunt and another quality starter in Lewis. The big reason they are winners though is getting Young a go-to wide receiver. Diontae Johnson is a great route runner and provides what the Panthers need. A receiver that can create separation to help the development of Young.
Losers
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have not made any free-agent signings as of the time I am writing this and they do have a glaring need at running back. Tony Pollard moved onto the Tennessee Titans and many of the marquee running backs on the market have already signed. I doubt they are happy with their depth chart of Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, and Snoop Conner. I also am surprised they have not made moves on the defensive side to improve the linebacker or the interior of their line. After their crushing loss in the playoffs not the way many Cowboy fans envisioned the free agency period going.
Cincinnati Bengals
- S Geno Stone
- RB Zack Moss
The Cincinnati Bengals are losers in my eyes first because of the disgruntled Tee Higgins. His request for a trade leaves a big hole at receiver until the situation is resolved. I think many saw that Mixon would not be in the picture but to fill that hole with Zach Moss is disappointing. I know Moss filled in well for Jonathon Taylor last year but I still do not see him as a feature back. They do have Chase Brown but I would still think the Bengals would be looking at the draft to add to the running back room. Moss is a definite downgrade in receiving ability from Mixon. According to PFF, this is a downgrade from RB18 to RB58 for running backs with at least 20 targets in 2023.
New England Patriots
- RB Antonio Gibson
- QB Jacoby Brissett
- LB Sione Takitaki
- TE Austin Hooper
I am not sure what the New England Patriots are doing this offseason. The team needed to move on from Mac Jones but I am not nearly as high on Jacoby Brissett as many others. I think He is inconsistent but is a fine bridge quarterback if they draft one in the first round. I do not understand the signing of Austin Hooper and think they overpaid Kendrick Bourne, who should not be the best receiver on a team. Antonio Gibson is interesting to me if they use him in a role similar to former Patriot James White. I know this franchise is in transition but I am not understanding what direction they are taking.
Neutral
Pittsburgh Steelers
- DL Breiden Fehoko
- LB Patrick Queen
- (Trade) Donte Jackson
- QB Russell Wilson
I like the additions that the Steelers have made to the team. I am not as down on Russell Wilson as it was a disaster with the Denver Broncos and I think the fit could end up being very good in Pittsburgh. Queen is a great addition to bolster the pass rush and rushing defense. Jackson after a down 2021 and 2022, had his best coverage grade per PFF since 2020 and his grade in 2023 would tie the highest grade in the Steelers secondary. The main reason this is made neutral is the trade of Dionte Johnson to the Panthers. This leaves a gaping hole in the wide receiver room. I like Calvin Austin but he is not a WR2, so just another need going into the draft that the Steelers have to address.
New York Giants
- G Jon Runyan
- RB Devin Singletary
- (Trade) Edge Brian Burns
- QB Drew Lock
- S Jalen Mills
- WR Isaiah Mckenzie
To be honest, if it was not for the Brian Burns trade then the Giants would probably be in the loser section. To downgrade from Barkley to Devin Singletary is a huge loss. I think Singletary is underrated but the Giants depended on Barkley so much to provide any offense. The defensive line should be a strength now with Burns and Mills providing some stability in the backend. They took one step in improving their horrid offensive line with Jon Runyan who is top 10 according to PFF in pass blocking efficiency. They have not upgraded their receivers yet and I do not think Drew Lock is the answer to elevate their mediocre receiving corps.
Minnesota Vikings
- Edge Jonathan Greenard
- Edge Andrew Van Ginkel
- LB Blake Cashman
- QB Sam Darnold
- RB Aaron Jones
The Vikings had a huge loss at quarterback with Cousins leaving but they did improve the rest of the team. Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Cashman should all give Brian Flores more talent and versatility on defense. Flores has already improved the total defense for the Vikings in one year from 31st to 16th. Aaron Jones is a definite upgrade at running back and Ty Chandler provides a great one-two punch. I am not a Sam Darnold believer, so this is why they are in this area because even with the weapons I am not sure how Darnold will perform.
Let us know do you agree with these? Or what are your Free Agent Winners and Losers of the offseason.
Brandon Haye
Brandon grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and works as a health insurance data analyst. He has no children, but two fur babies - Squirt and Brownie. He and his wife, Katie, spend their time playing poker and enjoying time with their pups. Brandon is a huge Michigan Wolverine and Jacksonville Jaguars fan. He at one time was in 77 fantasy leagues and loves the game of football. Brandon started writing for The Leauge Winners in 2021.