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NFL free agency 2025: Most underrated free agent signings of first wave
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- NFL free agency 2025: Most underrated free agent signings of first wave
NFL free agency isn't just about which team lands the most talented players. It's also about which teams find the best bargains.
The Philadelphia Eagles provided NFL fans with a great example of that last offseason. While Philly's acquisition of Saquon Barkley generated the most buzz, the Eagles also inked a one-year, $1.6 million deal with linebacker Zack Baun .
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Baun went on to have an All-Pro season, logging 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks and five forced fumbles for Philadelphia. He went on to play a major role in the Eagles' dominant 40-22 Super Bowl 59 win over the Kansas City Chiefs .
Finding another Baun on the NFL free agent market won't be easy, but plenty of underrated player signings deserve more attention than they are getting. Here's a look at six moves that could be more considerable upgrades than most expect.
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Underrated NFL free-agent signings
Poona Ford , DT, Los Angeles Rams
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Three years, $29.6 million
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The Rams did an admirable job replacing Aaron Donald during the 2024 NFL season, but they had their share of issues against the run. They ranked 20th in EPA against the run and allowed Saquon Barkley to top 200 rushing yards against them twice during the season.
Ford graded as Pro Football Focus ' third-best run defender with the Los Angeles Chargers last season. The 5-11, 315-pound tackle should have a big-time impact on the Rams' run defense while providing a decent pass-rushing push (23 pressures, three sacks in 2024).
Getting that type of production for less than $10 million in average annual value (AAV) is a bargain.
Kristian Fulton , CB, Kansas City Chiefs
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Two years, $20 million
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The Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl for a third consecutive season despite boasting a defense that ranked 20th in EPA against the pass last season. Fulton provides the team with quality competition for Jaylen Watson at the No. 2 cornerback position and security, as Watson will be a free agent following the 2025 season.
Fulton enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career with the Chargers in 2024, totaling 51 tackles, one interception and seven pass defenses. The Chiefs did well to poach him from a divisional rival on a contract that ranks tied for 25th in AAV among NFL cornerbacks, per Spotrac.com .
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Kevin Zeitler , G, Tennessee Titans
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One year, $9 million
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The Titans revamped their offensive line by agreeing to deals with left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and Zeitler but the latter deal is the better bargain. Zeitler just turned 35 but he is still playing at a high level. He finished the 2024 season as Pro Football Focus ' third-ranked guard after committing just two penalties and allowing five sacks.
Zeitler has 197 career starts at right guard and will be a significant upgrade over Dillon Radunz . The North Dakota State product allowed six sacks and committed five penalties as the Titans starter last season.
Dre Greenlaw , LB, Denver Broncos
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Three years, $35 million
Greenlaw was limited to just two games in 2024 after tearing his Achilles in Super Bowl 58. That allowed the Broncos to land him at a relative discount, as Zack Baun ($17 million AAV) and Jamien Sherwood ($15 million AAV) are set to make more than him.
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When healthy, Greenlaw is one of the best run-stopping linebackers in the NFL. He averaged 140 tackles, five TFL, one sack and one interception per 17 games played during the 2022 and 2023 seasons while helping lead San Francisco on deep playoff runs.
Greenlaw hasn't played an entire season since his rookie year in 2019, so injuries remain a concern for him. Still, he won't turn 28 until May and will add another high-end player to a Denver defense that ranked No. 1 overall in defensive EPA last season .
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Morgan Moses , OT, New England Patriots
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Three years, $24 million
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The Patriots had the worst right tackle situation in the NFL last season. Demontrey Jacobs started at the position for most of the season, allowing nine sacks, committing 11 penalties and grading dead last among Pro Football Focus ' 81 qualified tackles.
Moses has 158 career starts under his belt, almost exclusively at right tackle. He may be in the twilight of his career as he enters his age-34 season. However, he should still provide a significant upgrade over Jacobs, especially if the veteran can remain healthy after battling a nagging MCL injury last season.
Jeremy Chinn , S, Las Vegas Raiders
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Two years, $16.26 million
Chinn performed well in his first season with the Washington Commanders . He tied a career-high with 117 tackles and added two sacks, one interception and five pass defenses to his ledger in Dan Quinn's defense.
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Despite his success, Chinn received a deal worth just $8.13 million in AAV. That ranked seventh among free-agent safeties in the early stages of the 2025 offseason and was worth less than half of what former Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig got on the open market from the Carolina Panthers ($17 million AAV).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL free agency: 6 most underrated signings of first wave
