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NFL free agency has come out with a bang! There has been a flurry of signings and deals as teams scramble to improve their rosters. As the dust settles from the first two days, who are the big winners of NFL free agency?
NFL Free Agency Big Winner: Atlanta Falcons Fans
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I’m not going with a player or team that is the big winner of NFL free agency so far. It’s the fans of the Atlanta Falcons. The past two seasons, they have had some of the most exciting offensive pieces on their roster. Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Bijan Robinson are electric players who can put up highlight plays. Unfortunately, the quarterbacks have been a combination of Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke.
They now get Kirk Cousins. Whatever you think of his past play or his massive deal, there is no denying he is a massive upgrade from the previous two years. He put up huge numbers in Minnesota with Justin Jefferson and now has plenty of weapons to throw to in Atlanta. Will Atlanta win the Super Bowl? Probably not, but this team will be much more enjoyable to watch.
NFL Free Agency Team Winner: Houston Texans
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I am in love with what the Houston Texans are doing in NFL free agency. The rookie quarterback contract is the biggest advantage in sports, and the Texans know this. They have upgraded every aspect of their team in some way. The defense has seen the biggest facelift. Danielle Hunter was the big signing, but don’t count out the impact of Denico Autry, Jeff Okudah, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Foley Fatukasi.
On offense, they traded for Joe Mixon, which gives them a high-quality running back behind CJ Stroud. What many people may gloss over is the move on special teams. They signed former Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend, who has been one of the best in the league over the past two years. This team has upgraded in every facet of the game, and AFC teams will have to pay attention.
Player Winner: Saquon Barkley
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Barkley is the big player winner for me in NFL free agency. He has spent years on a subpar New York Giants team. Even in the years they made the playoffs, the Giants were heavy underdogs. While his stats are eye-popping, he hasn’t had the supporting cast until now. The Philadelphia Eagles have Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert. Even though they had a poor end to the season, these are players other teams have to gameplan for.
Barkley will also be the best running back to run behind this line in recent memory. Miles Sanders rushed for 1,269 yards in 2022, and D’Andre Swift had 1,049. If those two can put up those types of stats, Saquon Barkley could be primed for a great year. If nothing else, teams won’t be able to zero in on him, and he could have his best season ever.
It has been an eventful NFL free agency so far, and there is plenty more to come before the NFL Draft in late April.
