Many NFL teams are preparing to splurge for the start of free agency when the legal tampering period opens Monday. But it’s also buyer-beware season as many of the available players are hitting the open market for a reason.
In some cases, teams are forced to let go of top talent because of cap space issues. Those players tend to find homes quickly or get hit with the franchise tag before being traded, which could be the case for L’Jarius Sneed.
The free agent players who are allowed to walk because of performance or age often just need a change of scenery to play at a high level. Most teams believe its situation is better than most others in the NFL and decide to spend money in free agency. But last year proved again that many signings aren’t worth the risk.
Here are 12 free-agent signings that didn’t work out last season, ranked based on highest total money. Also, we’re only examining the players who were available in free agency last March, including some who were re-signed by their respective teams.
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1. Javon Hargrave, IDL, San Francisco 49ers
Four years, $84 million
The 49ers likely expected more from Hargrave, who signed one of the most lucrative contracts of last offseason. Hargrave had a dominant 2022 season during his last year in Philadelphia, but the 49ers’ decision to add him was a gamble since he was on the wrong side of 30. Hargrave and the 49ers’ stacked defensive line disappointed in ’23. The 31-year-old recorded seven sacks and 14 QB hits last season.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Three years, $72.7 million
The Raiders’ decision to add Garoppolo was probably the worst free-agent signing of the 2023 offseason. Ironically, it wasn’t Garoppolo’s health that cut short his time as Las Vegas’s starting quarterback. (Garoppolo failed his initial physical with the team.) Garoppolo’s poor performances and the firing of Josh McDaniels led to him being benched for the final eight games of the season. The Raiders are expected to soon release Garoppolo, 32, who recently received a two-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
3. Dre’Mont Jones, IDL, Seattle Seahawks
Three years, $51.5 million
This signing for the Seahawks was strange. They needed run stoppers, and that was an area of concern for Jones. The team, however, thought it was worth the risk because of Jones’s strengths as a pass rusher. Jones, 27, only had 4.5 sacks as Seattle’s defense got worse in 2023.
4. Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets
Four years, $44 million
Lazard, 28, failed to make an impact in his first season with the Jets, recording only 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown. His numbers could improve in Year 2 if Aaron Rodgers stays healthy throughout the season. The two had chemistry as members of the Green Bay Packers. But with the money the Jets handed Lazard, they needed him to step up for backup Zach Wilson last year.
5. James Bradberry, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Three years, $38 million
Bradberry’s play on the field drastically declined in 2023 after delivering an All-Pro season during a contract year in Philadelphia. The Eagles are probably looking to trade Bradberry, but that might be tough to do with him being owed $8.8 million in guaranteed money, according to OvertheCap.com. Bradberry, 30, only had one interception and struggled in coverage last season.
6. Cameron Sutton, CB, Detroit Lions
Three years, $33 million
Sutton, 29, had a rocky first season as the Lions’ No. 1 outside cornerback. Sutton earned the pay day after developing into a reliable cornerback, one who could also play in the slot, for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps the Lions cut down Sutton’s snaps from the outside position in 2024, but they already have Brian Branch, who flourished as a rookie slot cornerback. The Lions’ lone weakness on their roster could be at outside cornerback.
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7. Nate Davis, OG, Chicago Bears
Three years, $30 million
It’s hard to knock the Bears for investing money into the offensive line to protect Justin Fields, but Davis had a rough first year in Chicago due to injuries and inconsistent performances. The 28-year-old, who played his first four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, missed six games last season.
8. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, New England Patriots
Three years, $25.5 million
Smith-Schuster, 27, quickly lost his starting job and only played in 11 games during his first season in New England. Smith-Schuster, who played 65% of the offensive snaps, recorded 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown. It’s tough to imagine a team bringing back a costly player like Smith-Schuster after that sort of showing, but the Patriots are in desperate need of offensive playmakers and still owe him $7 million in guaranteed money.
9. Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers
Four years, $25.4 million
Sanders was one of the rare running backs who received a multi-year contract worth at least $6 million per year. Sanders’s play, however, didn’t provide a good example for running backs to follow by posting a dismal average of 3.3 yards per carry. Sanders only started five games for the Panthers and recorded 432 yards on 129 carries during the 2023 season.
10. Andrew Wylie, OT, Washington Commanders
Three years, $24 million
Wylie, 29, struggled to protect quarterback Sam Howell in 15 starts last season, allowing nine sacks. As a whole, Washington allowed 65 sacks last season, second worst in the league, only behind the New York Giants’ 85 sacks allowed.
11. Hayden Hurst, TE, Carolina Panthers
Three years, $21.7 million
Similar to Sanders, Hurst failed to make an impact for the Panthers’ stagnant offense last season. Hurst, 30, only recorded 18 catches for 184 yards and one touchdown during nine games played. Hurst sustained a concussion that forced him to end the year on injured reserve.
12. Byron Murphy Jr., CB, Minnesota Vikings
Two years, $17.5 million
Murphy, 26, struggled to adjust to defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his scheme in Minnesota. Murphy started 14 games, but he was inconsistent in coverage. He might be a cut candidate, as the Vikings could save $5.3 million in cap space if they decide to let him go after one season.
