The 2024 free-agent running back class was one to remember, featuring several stars who shined with new teams. Looking back at the 2024 free-agent RB class: Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and more 2YNF72C Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) By Mason Cameron Posted Jan 21, 2025 10:30 am EST • Saquon Barkley shattered all expectations: The star running back somehow proved even better than expected, topping 2,000 rushing yards behind the NFL’s best offensive line. • Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs slotted in seamlessly with new teams: Each put together a successful season in a new uniform, propelling the running back position to new heights. • 2025 NFL Draft season is here: Try PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2025’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes Last year’s free-agent running back market featured big names like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and many more looking for new places to call home. But the massive impact it would have on this year’s postseason has been a pleasant surprise to many, especially for fans who saw their team sign the pivotal piece to their successful seasons. We’re taking a look back at that free agent class of running backs from the 2024 offseason and highlighting the impact each had on their new teams. *Players ordered by average annual value of contract signed in the 2024 offseason Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: 85.5 PFF Overall Grade Former Team: New York Giants Contract Value: Three years, $37.75 million The Giants allowing Barkley to hit the open market sent a ripple through free agency, slotting the dynamic back toward the top of available offensive talent. Fast forward to January: Barkley is enjoying a historic season, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards and leading the Eagles on a deep playoff run. A painful sight for the Giants’ faithful. Barkley’s running behind an accomplished Eagles offensive line netted him the highest PFF rushing grade of his career (85.3). His 46 rushes of 15 or more yards led the NFL in the regular season, due in part to his 912 yards before contact — the second most ever recorded in the PFF era (since 2006) — showcasing his excellent vision to find running lanes and burst to reach the second level. In the divisional round, Barkley left his mark with his ability to shed would-be tacklers and work in space, generating 170 rushing yards after first contact — the most recorded in a playoff game in PFF history. Former Team: Las Vegas Raiders Contract Value: Four years, $48 million When the dust settled from the 2024 free agency period it was Jacobs who secured the largest total contract value at $48 million. The hope was that the investment would net an improvement over the solid production the Packers got from veteran Aaron Jones. While Green Bay’s decision was questioned by some at the time, the outcome far exceeded expectations: Jacobs earned the highest single-season grade of his career this season. Jacobs’ 91.6 overall mark in the regular season ties him for eighth in the PFF era, becoming just the second back to ever record a 90.0-plus PFF rushing grade and an 85.0-plus PFF receiving grade (minimum 100 snaps in a season). That’s a credit to his incredible contract balance, which allowed Jacobs to rack up 88 forced missed tackles in the regular season, tied with Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson for the league lead. That ability was on full display during the wild-card round, where Jacobs amassed 14, tying former Seahawk Marshawn Lynch’s PFF playoff record, set in the 2014 NFC Championship game. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans: 77.0 Former Team: Cincinnati Bengals (via trade) Contract Value: Three years, $25.5 million Although Mixon didn’t make it to the open market, being dealt by the Bengals for just a seventh-round pick in March and subsequently signed to an extension by the Texans, he’s undoubtedly worth the inspection after his first season in Houston. In his new home, Mixon charted in the top 15 during the regular season in carries (245), yards after contact (716) and explosive runs of 10 or more yards (28), on his way to a 75.9 PFF rushing grade. This season marked Mixon’s sixth in which he produced a PFF rushing grade above 73.0. That level of consistency is difficult to find in backs, particularly ones acclimating to a new scheme. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens: 94.4 Former Team: Tennessee Titans Contract Value: Two years, $16 million Somehow, some way, the rest of the NFL let the Ravens acquire one the NFL’s most prolific runners for pennies on the dollar this past offseason. Henry finished 2024 as the league’s highest-graded back, and his 94.2 overall mark ranks as the best figure recorded among qualifying running backs in the PFF era, breaking the former record of 92.5 set in 2020 by … Henry. At age 30, Henry generated a 93.1 PFF rushing grade, which stands head and shoulders above the next best back of 30 years of age or older, Raheem Mostert’s 91.3 in 2023. The postseason was no exception for Henry, as the veteran back continued his dominance. In the wild-card round, the Ravens back racked up 186 yards on the ground, his third playoff game with at least 180 and his third entry into the top six in most rushing yardage produced in a playoff game in the PFF era. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears: 61.3 Former Team: Philadelphia Eagles Contract Value: Three years, $24 million After a stop in Philadelphia in 2023 that netted Swift the most productive season of his career, notching his first 1,000-yard rushing season, he made his way to Chicago in hopes of leading the Bears’ backfield. At age 25 this past season, Swift amassed a career-high 253 carries but failed to eclipse the 1,000-yard
Looking back at the 2024 free-agent RB class: Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and more
Rams not expected to receive 2025 comp picks for free agent losses
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images The Rams did not lose any key free agents in 2024 Nobody has expected the Los Angeles Rams to receive any 2025 comp picks and the final projection at OvertheCap.com is no different. The Rams are not projected to have any comp picks in the 2025 NFL Draft based on free agent losses, however L.A. will have an additional third round pick due to the Falcons hiring Raheem Morris as head coach in 2024. The Rams drafted Kamren Kinchens with the third round comp pick they received for Morris in 2024. Here is OTC’s final 2025 compensatory picks projection:https://t.co/yZ8kNsqdVU pic.twitter.com/IxIr9dusVU — Nick Korte (@nickkorte) January 21, 2025 Per OTC’s projections based on free agent losses, the Rams had three players who might have qualified: Jordan Fuller, who signed for $3.25 million per year with the Panthers. Carson Wentz, who signed for $3.33 million per year with the Chiefs. Tremayne Anchrum, who signed for $1.16 million with the Seahawks but did not make the team. Fuller and Wentz nearly qualified for seventh round comp picks, however the Rams signing Jonah Jackson and Colby Parkinson negated any potential compensation they might have received. Comp picks are received for qualifying vested veterans who have their contract expire and do not apply to players who are cut. Therefore, let’s say that the Rams lose A.J. Jackson and he signs a $10 million per year contract in free agency. The Rams should receive some sort of compensatory pick in 2026 for losing Jackson — say a 6th round pick — unless they sign a player who offsets that loss. If the Rams signed an outside free agent for $10 million who was also a veteran with an expiring contract, then that would offset losing Jackson. But if the Rams cut Cooper Kupp, he would not qualify in the formula. The biggest free agents in L.A. are Jackson, Demarcus Robinson, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jimmy Garoppolo, Michael Hoecht, Troy Reeder, Tutu Atwell, Christian Rozeboom, Bobby Brown, and Neville Gallimore.
Ravens sign an intriguing pass rusher to a reserve/futures deal
Baltimore Ravens sign Adedayo Odeleye to a deal Ravens sign an intriguing pass rusher to a reserve/futures deal glenn erby Ravens sign an intriguing defensive lineman to a reserve/futures deal The Ravens are always interested in solid pass rushers, and as the team starts preparation for an uncertain offseason, they’re adding to the roster. Ryan Fowler reports that Baltimore is signing pass rusher Adedayo Odeleye. The 6’5″, 265-pound Nigerian-born prospect previously spent time with the Texans as part of the 2022 NFL International Player Pathway program before spending this season on the Baltimore practice squad. Nicknamed “Dayo”, he began playing American football at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
Bengals re-sign one of their top special teams players
Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Cam Grandy was primarily a blocking tight end when used on offense, but he actually did very well on special teams. The Cincinnati Bengals have signed tight end Cam Grandy to a one-year contract extension through the 2025 season, the team announced Tuesday. Grandy, who will be a second-year player in 2025, was originally a college free agent signee of the Bengals in 2024 out of Illinois State, where he was an FCS All-American. He played in eight games with six starts in his rookie season and caught five passes for 28 yards. Primarily used as a run-blocking tight end on offense, Grandy finished the 2024 season with a respectable 63.5 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus. He earned a 65.6 run-blocking grade in 39 attempts and a 74.9 pass-blocking grade in five attempts. Grandy was also an impact player on special teams, earning an 82.7 special teams grade, narrowly beaten by Shaka Heyward (83.0) for the best mark of any Bengals special teams player. He had 57 total special teams snaps, 41 coming as a blocker on the kickoff return unit. Grandy also had 10 snaps on the field-goal kicking unit and six more on punt coverage. All of this came from Week 10 on as Grandy played every game down the stretch of the regular season.
A Couple of Vikings Coaching Updates
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images What’s going on so far? There have been a couple of new developments pertaining to the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff since we updated you yesterday, so let’s get everyone caught up on those. First off, our friends over at Pats Pulpit are reporting that the New England Patriots have interviewed Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Udinski has done a virtual interview with the Seattle Seahawks for the OC job there and has been given an opportunity to do a second interview with them. It appears that this is his initial interview with the Patriots, so we’ll have to see if anything develops from that. On the Brian Flores front, our friends at Big Cat Country have reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars have named a trio of candidates that they will be bringing back for second interviews, and Flores is not among them. Their three candidates are Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, and former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. That makes two of the three teams that Flores did interviews with last week that have ruled out the possibility of hiring him, with the Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson yesterday. The other team he interviewed with is the New York Jets, and they appear to be in hot pursuit of Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who they’ve got in town for an interview today. Flores has not yet interviewed with any of the other three teams who still have head coaching vacancies: the Dallas Cowboys, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the New Orleans Saints. That isn’t to say that he can’t or won’t interview with any of those teams, but he hasn’t yet. It’s appearing more and more likely, at least at this stage, that Flores will be back for a third season as the defensive coordinator of the Vikings under Kevin O’Connell. We will obviously be keeping an eye out for any news to the contrary, and if any comes down we will pass it along to you.
10 highest-graded players from the divisional round
The NFL’s divisional round brought out the best in the league’s top stars, with game-changing performances across the board. 10 highest-graded players from the divisional round 2S82G3E Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson (69) in action during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) By Lauren Gray Posted Jan 21, 2025 10:35 am EST • Eagles’ Landon Dickerson was dominant: Dickerson allowed just one hurry on 30 pass-blocking snaps to earn an 81.4 pass-blocking grade, the second-best mark of the week. He shined even brighter in the run game, earning a 90.1 grade on zone runs and finishing with a 91.7 overall run-blocking grade. • Five Lions make the list: Brian Branch, Christian Mahogany, Penei Sewell, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown all played exceptional football in the divisional round. • 2025 NFL Draft season is here: Try PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2025’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes The NFL’s divisional round brought out the best in the league’s top stars, with game-changing performances across the board. From dominant displays in the trenches to highlight-reel moments in the passing game, here are the 10 highest-graded players from an action-packed weekend of postseason football. To ensure the most accurate reflection of standout play, we focused on players who logged 50 or more snaps, ensuring that grades weren’t overly influenced by one or two big plays across a limited sample. 1. G Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles (94.0) Dickerson allowed just one hurry on 30 pass-blocking snaps to earn an 81.4 pass-blocking grade, the second-best mark of the week. He shined even brighter in the run game, earning a 90.1 grade on zone runs and finishing with a 91.7 overall run-blocking grade. Heading into Championship Sunday, Dickerson stands as the highest-graded guard in the postseason (90.4), and he’s the only guard with a run-blocking grade above 80.0 (89.4). 2. S Brian Branch, Detroit Lions (92.9) Branch delivered an elite all-around performance in the divisional round, leading all safeties with a 93.3 coverage grade and an 85.6 run-defense grade. He allowed just five completions for 34 yards while also recording two run stops and two quarterback hurries. Notably, Branch is the only safety this postseason to earn 90.0-plus coverage grades in both single coverage (90.2) and zone coverage schemes (93.4). 3. G Christian Mahogany, Detroit Lions (92.3) In just his second start of the season filling in for Kevin Zeitler, Mahogany shined as a run blocker, earning a position-leading 91.9 run-blocking grade in the divisional round. While he allowed three pressures on 47 pass-blocking snaps, his 78.6 pass-blocking grade was solid. Across his two starts, Mahogany has earned an impressive overall grade of 88.1, fueled by his dominant 88.0 run-blocking grade. 4. DI Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles (90.3) Los Angeles had no answer for Carter, who consistently disrupted the backfield with seven total pressures, including two sacks, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble early in the fourth quarter. Carter’s postseason dominance is reflected in his 81.1 PFF grade, the second-highest among interior defenders. 5. T Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions (90.2) Sewell dominated in the run game, leading all tackles with a 91.9 run-blocking grade. He was equally impressive in pass protection, allowing just one pressure on 26 true pass sets. Through the postseason, Sewell is the highest-graded tackle and the only one to earn 80.0-plus grades in both pass and run blocking. 6. WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans (85.5) Collins hauled in five of eight targets for 81 yards against Kansas City, with every reception resulting in a first down. Two of his catches went for 15-plus yards in the fourth quarter, and he thrived in the intermediate range, securing four catches for 57 yards. Over his playoff run, Collins earned an impressive 89.9 receiving grade, finishing with 12 receptions for 203 yards, one touchdown and 11 first downs. 7. QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (85.3) Stroud suffered a knee injury on the game’s opening drive but battled until the end, finishing 19-of-28 for 245 yards. He moved the chains 15 times but was under duress all day, as Kansas City was able to sack him eight times. When kept clean from pressure, the Texans signal-caller completed 13-of-17 passes for 166 yards and two big-time throws, earning a 94.6 passing grade. Despite his injury, he was still able to rush six times for 42 yards and three first downs, gaining 20 yards after contact. Stroud wraps up the playoffs ranked fourth at the position in PFF grade (74.0). He completed 41 passes for 527 yards, threw one touchdown against one interception and finished top two in both big-time throws (4) and turnover-worthy plays (5). 8. QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (83.9) Jackson completed 18-of-25 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the divisional round. He earned a 92.1 passing grade from a clean pocket, completing 14 of 16 such attempts. On the ground, Jackson rushed six times for 39 yards, forced two missed tackles and picked up three first downs, including 38 yards after contact and two runs of 10-plus yards in the second quarter. Through the divisional round, Jackson is the highest-graded quarterback (92.3). He completed 34 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns, producing five big-time throws against two turnover-worthy plays. Additionally, he led all quarterbacks with 120 rushing yards and eight first downs. 9. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (81.4) Gibbs was electric against Washington, rushing 14 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He forced five missed tackles, gained six first downs, and led all running backs with five carries of 10-plus yards, including a 33-yard burst. In the passing game, Gibbs caught six of 10 targets for a position-leading 70 yards. Gibbs’ 88.2 rushing grade is tied for the highest among running backs through the divisional round. 10. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (80.4) St. Brown caught
Ravens projected to receive four compensatory picks in 2025 NFL Draft
Ravens projected to receive four compensatory picks in 2025 NFL Draft glenn erby The Baltimore Ravens are all about building their roster through the NFL draft, and one key to their success has been the accumulation of compensatory draft picks. The formula used to award compensatory draft picks, developed by the NFL Management Council, is as follows. [A] Compensatory Free Agent (“CFA”) shall be defined as an Unrestricted Free Agent (“UFA”) who: (i) signed with a new Club during the prior free agency signing period […] prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Monday following the NFL Draft for that League Year1 […]; and (ii) ranked within the top 35%2 of all League players […]. Clubs that lose to other Clubs a greater number of CFAs than they sign or acquire from other Clubs shall be eligible to receive a Compensatory Draft Selection in the College Draft to be held in the following League Year subject to the provisions set forth below. Nick Korte of Over The Cap makes a yearly projection for compensatory picks. This April, he has the Ravens getting four compensatory picks: a fourth, two fifths, and a sixth. The Ravens will receive picks for Patrick Queen (Steelers), Jadeveon Clowney (Panthers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Kevin Zeitler (Lions). Baltimore will pick 27th overall in the first round, and they could have as many as 11 draft picks.
Bengals to interview Al Golden Wednesday, per report
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images It looks like things may start to move fast now. Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is expected to interview Notre Dame’s Al Golden for the team’s open defensive coordinator job on Wednesday, according to The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. The Bengals fired Lou Anarumo after they finished with a disappointing 9-8 record and missed the playoffs despite Joe Burrow’s MVP-caliber season and Ja’Marr Chase winning the Triple Crown. Golden, Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator, and former Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham emerged as the two front runners. It appears, though, as if the team has set its sights set on Golden. The Fighting Irish fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday night in the National Championship Game by a score of 34-23. An interview with the Bengals on Wednesday allows Golden to put a bow on things in South Bend before he moves on to another job. In all likelihood, the Bengals will be announcing Golden as their new DC in the next 48 hours. Stay tuned for updates.
Raiders season in review: Rookie watch
Brock Bowers | Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images There was a lot to like Let’s look at how the Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie class fared in the 2024 season and what to expect moving forward: Brock Bowers: Yeah, the first-round pick did pretty good. The No. 13 overall pick had the greatest season by a rookie tight end in NFL history and it wasn’t close. He was an incredible record breaker. He finished the season with 112 catches for 1,194 yards and no rookie wide receiver ever even had as many catches as Bowers did. He’s an incredible talent who will be the centerpiece of this offense for years to come. Jackson Powers-Johnson: The second-round pick looks like a keeper. He started at both guard and center. He graded out very nicely and he has a strong future, which will likely be at center. D.J. Glaze: The third-round pick quickly developed and became the right tackle. Assuming he fits what new offensive scheme, the third-round pick should be considered the starter for 2025. Decamarion Richardson: The fourth-round pick was forced into the lineup because of injuries. opponents often picked on him as it was clear he wasn’t to play as much as he did. The Raiders will likely make Richardson a backup again in 2025 and hope he develops without the pressure of having to play as much as he did as a rookie. Tommy Eichenberg: The fifth-round pick from Ohio State played just 80 defensive snaps all season and none in the final eight games of the season. He was a draft favorite of the former regime. If he doesn’t fit the new defensive scheme, Eichenebrg could have a hard time making the 2025 roster. Dylan Laube: The sixth-round pick was a training-camp star, but he did little in the preseason or in the regular season. He was mostly a special teamer when he did hit the field. He may have a difficult time making the 2025 roster with the new regime like Eichenberg. Trey Taylor: The seventh-round pick played in nine games. While other young safeties earned the chance to play on defense, the Air Force product was just a special teamer. Perhaps he can so growth in Year 2. Not on roster Seventh-round pick, cornerback M.J. Devonshire was cut and is on the practice squad. He did sign a 2025 future contract, so he will get a chance impress the new staff. Undrafted free agents: Linebacker Amari Gainer, defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, safety Thomas Harper and wide receiver Ramel Keyton. Gainer was a preseason star and was a core special teamer during the season. Laulu became a big part of the rotation at defensive tackle. Laulu, claimed off waivers from Indianapolis, has a chance to be a key player if he fits the new system and continues to improve. Harper showed some juice on defense down the stretch and the waiver claim from the Chargers could carve out a role in 2025. Keyton will likely have to fight for a roster spot in training camp.
What we learned from the Bills’ AFC divisional win vs. Ravens
What we learned from the Bills’ AFC divisional win vs. Ravens The Bills brought their 2024 brand of football into the divisional round. After leading the NFL in turnover differential in the regular season, it was more of the same against the Ravens. Baltimore turned it over three times while the Bills didn’t commit a turnover. Coach Sean McDermott values the fundamentals of taking care of the ball, which has proved effective. The Bills haven’t turned it over yet in the postseason. And, the other three teams that will be playing on championship Sunday haven’t turned it over in the postseason either. According to NFL on CBS, Josh Allen has played the cleanest football of any QB in NFL history. This season he has the lowest percentage of plays with a sack, fumble, or interception since the merger (4.2%). Because they’re taking care of the ball, the Bills find themselves in the AFC title game. It will be strength vs. strength, as the Chiefs haven’t committed a turnover in eight straight games.
