.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
NFL free agency can often offers fools gold, but the best organizations know how to read the market to acquire great values.
Just because a contract is large doesn't necessarily mean that deal can't be a value contract. Last year, the most notable free agent signing was Sam Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks, who proved to be a bargain despite making over $33 million a year.
It'll be a while until it's clear which free agent contracts were smart, and which ones were silly. Still, there are some contracts that could have head starts based on their comparable markets.
Here's a breakdown of the six best deals in NFL free agency thus far.
MORE NFL FREE AGENCY: Live tracker | Team-by-team grades | Best players available
Mike Evans, 49ers
Evans' age and desire to win likely helped him give the San Francisco 49ers a reasonable three-year, $60 million deal. Evans' contract is less than that of Alec Pierce, in both total and AAV, and not that different than contracts for Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs and Wan'Dale Robinson.
Of course, Evans' issue will be health, since he played just eight games in 2025 and will be 33 in 2026. But as long as Evans can stay healthy, he is an impact player with proven experience in the biggest games.
Tyler Biadasz, Chargers
With Tyler Linderbaum re-setting the center market for the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers did well in adding Tyler Biadasz to the offensive line. Biadasz isn't the player that Linderbaum has been, but the Chargers got the former Washington Commanders center for $51 million less overall.
The Chargers need stability along their offensive line, something that Biadasz should be able to bring in 2026. Los Angeles should be able to get that without wading into the waters of the top center on the market.
Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals
There were a handful of quality running backs available, and the Arizona Cardinals got perhaps the best deal with Tyler Allgeier. Arizona signed the former Atlanta Falcon on a two-year deal worth just over $6 million per season.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Walker and Travis Etienne both signed contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints, respectively, for $14 million and $13 million per season. Even including Breece Hal, who was given the franchise tag by the New York Jets for over $14 million in 2026, and Allgeier's price could prove to be the best value.
Tua Tagovailoa, Falcons
Tagovailoa is not the player he once was with the Miami Dolphins, but he is certainly worth the salary minimum that the Falcons are paying him in 2026. Tagovailoa is a solid veteran to pair with Michael Penix, and Atlanta doesn't have to dive deep into the cap to do so.
Tagovailoa's $1.3 million contract should provide more value than other deals of similar ilk, including Kenny Pickett's $7.5 million deal and Gardner Minshew's $8 million deal. Even if Tagovailoa ends up as a backup, the Falcons are unlikely to regret this deal.
Devin Bush, Bears
The Chicago Bears released Tremaine Edmunds and replaced him with Devin Bush on a three-year, $30 million deal. Meanwhile, Edmunds went to the New York Giants for three-year, $36 million, despite Bush having the better season in 2025.
In fact, Bush's deal is less than those of Devin Lloyd an Nakobe Dean, and less AAV than that of DeMario Davis. If Bush can build off a career-best season from 2025, the Bears will prove to have gotten a steal.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, Patriots
Alijah Vera-Tucker is a proven quality starter on the offensive line, but injuries limited his play for the New York Jets. Vera-Tucker had three separate season-ending injuries, which prevented him from being a stalwart along the Jets offensive line.
The New England Patriots took advantage of a player seeking a fresh start, giving Vera-Tucker a three-year, $42 million deal. If Vera-Tucker's injury history can subside, he will become one of the best values in the league.
English (US)