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Although there are still plenty of notable unsigned players, the majority of big names and key NFL contributors have signed with new teams during the 2024 NFL free agency. Free agency is always fun for the fans, as exciting signings such as Kirk Cousins to the Falcons, Derrick Henry to the Ravens, and Calvin Ridley to the Titans can change a team's future outlook mightily.
However, there are always acquisitions that fly under the radar but ultimately end up being fantastic additions to news squads. We'll dive into seven of those players in this article.
Just over a week after the new league year began, here are seven underrated free-agent signings ahead of the 2024 campaign.
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Tyrod Taylor, QB - New York Jets
Contract Terms: Two years, $6 million
2023 Stats: 64.4% completion, 1,341 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, three interceptions, and 197 rushing yards (11 games)
A backup quarterback signing isn't likely to ignite a fan base, but after the Jets dealt with another year of Zach Wilson at quarterback following Aaron Rodgers' Week 1 Achilles tear, this would be the time to do so. Taylor has looked like an NFL starting QB at times during his 13-year career, and he's undoubtedly one of the best backup gunslingers.
The 40-year-old Rodgers isn't getting any younger, and he's likely to have increased injury risk coming off the major injury. Hopefully, the future Hall of Famer plays a full season in 2024, but if he has to miss a few games, Taylor can keep the franchise afloat while throwing to Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, and Breece Hall. This is an A+ signing at a solid value.
TYROD TAYLOR 80-YARD TD TO Darius Slayton
📺: #LARvsNYG on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/uoroL3OR0b— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
Zack Moss, RB - Cincinnati Bengals
Contract Terms: Two years, $8 million
2023 Stats: 183 rushing attempts, 794 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 27 receptions, 192 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns (14 games)
While Saquon Barkley, D'Andre Swift, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry were the stars of free agency at the running back spot, Zack Moss joining forces with Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase was a great move for him and the team. After missing Week 1 with a broken arm, Moss carried the load for the Colts while Jonathan Taylor was on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list. He topped at least 70 yards in his first four games and went over 120 rushing yards in two of those contests.
When Taylor returned in Week 5 to face the Tennessee Titans, Moss stole the show and rushed 23 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 30 receiving yards. The 26-year-old played second fiddle to Taylor thereafter, but he showcased his upside in his temporary RB1 role.
ZACK MOSS HOUSE CALL 🏠
📺: #CARvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxi72 pic.twitter.com/XVMepoclQD— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023
Chase Brown is an exciting young player in the Bengals backfield, but Moss brings an element of power and toughness to the rotation. The two are likely to share touches after Cincinnati traded longtime workhorse Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans.
Curtis Samuel, WR - Buffalo Bills
Contract Terms: Three years, $24 million
2023 Stats: 62 receptions, 613 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns, seven rushing attempts, 39 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdowns (16 games)
Every postseason, it feels like the Bills have failed to surround Josh Allen with a multitude of talented weapons. Stefon Diggs is a stud but looks to be potentially regressing, and Gabe Davis is headed to Jacksonville. Dalton Kincaid looks like a promising tight end, but the team needed more pass-catcher juice. Curtis Samuel doesn't have a history of earth-shattering production, but he's experienced, versatile, and flat-out fast.
The former college running back has 317 receptions and 121 rushing attempts for over 4,000 total yards in his seven-year career, and he'll add a new dynamic to the Buffalo offense that has previously had a "Josh Allen please bail us out" philosophy.
Allen turned a 30-year-old Cole Beasley into an All-Pro slot receiver, so it'll be fun to see how he can help rejuvenate the career of a much more explosive Samuel in 2024.
Heinicke throws into triple coverage... CAUGHT by Curtis Samuel!
📺: #MINvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/rhDoPc9SFW pic.twitter.com/ap2MolFicw— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2022
Jonnu Smith, TE - Miami Dolphins
Contract Terms: Two years, $8.4 million
2023 Stats: 50 receptions, 582 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns (17 games)
The Miami Dolphins have no shortage of explosiveness and speed, especially on offense. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De'Von Achane, and Raheem Mostert would be a dangerous track team, and the rich got richer with the signing of Jonnu Smith. Smith, who set career highs in receptions and receiving yards last season while sharing a field with Kyle Pitts, posted a 4.62 40-yard dash at 248 pounds at the 2017 NFL Combine. Per PlayerProfiler data, that equates to an 83rd-percentile speed score (weight*200) / (40-time^4).
Last year's starter, Durham Smythe, has a 45th-percentile speed score. Smith now adds an element of speed and explosiveness from the tight end spot, making Miami's offense even more dangerous. Assuming he overtakes Smythe in training camp, Smith will be a threat to deliver long catch-and-run touchdowns and is a worrisome matchup in the red zone for defenses.
Jonnu Smith goes 60 yards!
📺: #MINvsATL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/Jnm39mX0GI— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
Jonah Jackson, OG - Los Angeles Rams
Contract Terms: Three years, $51 million
2023 PPF Grade: 59.7 (12 games)
Jonah Jackson's final season in Detroit was a down year for the former third-round pick, but he's been an excellent guard since entering the league in 2020. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and helped establish the dominant Lions offensive line that is well-documented in 2024.
After a tough 2022 campaign, the Los Angeles Rams showed a lot of life in 2023, and Matthew Stafford went from looking retirement-ready to a top-10 quarterback. The Rams re-signed guard Kevin Dotson and brought in Jackson to solidify the interior O-line. Interior pressure is one way to slow Stafford down in the later stages of his career, so this signing is going to help prevent that.
5️⃣ things to know about G Jonah Jackson. 👇
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 17, 2024
With L.A. loading up on offense once again, they should be considered an NFC sleeper in 2024. A healthy Jackson will be a key piece in any potential run. Offensive line signings don't get much buzz unless it's a Hall of Fame talent switching teams, but Jackson is an under-the-radar acquisition.
D.J. Reader, DT - Detroit Lions
Contract Terms: Two years, $22 million
2023 Stats: 34 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, one pass defended, and four run stuffs (14 games)
Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill are dominant forces on the left side of the Lions defensive line, and the addition of D.J. Reeder should make Detroit's front four one of the best in the NFL. While Reader isn't much of a pass-rusher, he's recognized as one of the best run-stuffing defensive tackles in the league.
The Lions were No. 2 in rushing yards allowed per game last season (91.1), and replacing Benito Jones with Reader makes Aaron Glenn's front seven even more stingy in that area.
LFG 😤 pic.twitter.com/UwMPUqg1ca
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 19, 2024
Detroit should be going all-in for a Super Bowl run after falling just short of the big game last year, and it appears that's precisely what they're doing with this move.
Denico Autry, DE/DT - Houston Texans
Contract Terms: Two years, $20 million
2023 Stats: 50 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, four passes defended, 7.5 run stuffs, and two kicks blocked (17 games)
If you're not familiar with Denico Autry, you're likely not alone. He's one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the NFL who joins the Texans fresh off a career season with 11.5 sacks and 24 pressures as a Tennessee Titan. The 33-year-old has registered at least 17 QB hits in each of the last three campaigns and posted at least 7.5 sacks in five of the last six seasons.
Set to team up with Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., and Derek Barnett, Autry will find himself in plenty of one-on-one matchups, just like he had in Tennessee while playing next to All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. The Houston pass rush is set to be dominant, priming the franchise to compete for a Super Bowl with C.J. Stroud at quarterback.
Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr. and Denico Autry combined last season:
192 QB Pressures
34.5 sacksDominant 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BqP341bbH0
— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) March 13, 2024
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