The Best NFL Free-Agency Signing in Each AFC Team’s History

Offseason adds don't always pan out as hoped, but with players such as Peyton Manning and Tyrann Mathieu in the mix, they can be a game changer, too.

Author:
Matt Verderame
Publish date:
Mar 5, 2024

Free agency is typically a trap of bad contracts with hoards of dead money waiting for teams in the near future. But every now and then, a general manager finds gold.

We’ve seen the occasional free-agent deal lead directly to a Super Bowl. Look no further than the Denver Broncos, who stocked their 2015 team with outside talent including Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Talib. The Kansas City Chiefs have also used free agency as a boon to their dynasty, with signings including Tyrann Mathieu, Mitchell Schwartz and Justin Reid.

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But who are the best all-time signings for each team? A few ground rules. For starters, they can’t be undrafted free agents. That’s skirting the spirit of the piece. Also, nobody before 1993, when free agency became what we now know it to be. None of this stuff from ’55. Again, different spirit.

Alright, let’s get to business, starting with the AFC.

Baltimore Ravens

Rod Woodson

After 10 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Woodson spent one campaign with the San Francisco 49ers before signing in Baltimore. The Ravens got a stud for four years, with the future Hall of Famer notching 20 interceptions over that time. Woodson also led Baltimore to a championship in 2000, becoming an integral part of arguably the best defense in NFL history.

Buffalo Bills

Jordan Poyer

Poyer or fellow safety Micah Hyde were the top choices, but we’re going with the heavy hitter on the back end. After spending four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Poyer signed in Buffalo and became the backbone of a terrific defense, helping the Bills win four consecutive AFC East titles. His peak came in 2021, when he earned first-team All-Pro honors.

Cincinnati Bengals

Trey Hendrickson

For years, the Bengals refused to partake in high-end signings. Then, in 2021, Cincinnati made a move for Hendrickson, luring him away from the New Orleans Saints on a four-year deal. Since then, Hendrickson has maintained his status as an elite pass rusher, totaling 39.5 sacks over the past three seasons. Without much argument, he’s been the best player over that span on Lou Anarumo’s defense.

Cleveland Browns

Jamir Miller

Miller was one of the Browns’ first signings after the team came back into existence in 1999. He also proved to be one of their best moves of the past 25 years, as he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2001 with 101 tackles, 13 sacks, 22 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. Unfortunately, Miller tore his Achilles in the ’02 preseason and never played again.

Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning

Manning is one of just two quarterbacks to start and win a Super Bowl for two difference franchises.
Nam Y. Huh/AP

Manning is the clear winner here. Although he was largely carried to the Super Bowl in 2015 by an elite defense, he produced some of the greatest quarterback play of all time across the three seasons leading up to that in Denver. Manning’s best campaign was ’13, when he threw for an NFL-record 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns.

Houston Texans

Johnathan Joseph

Initially with the Bengals for five years, Joseph hit the market and signed with the Texans in 2011. He spent the next 10 seasons in Houston, earning second-team All-Pro status in his first season with the team. Joseph was part of some excellent defenses with the Texans, too, totaling 17 interceptions over his decade with the franchise.

Indianapolis Colts

Adam Vinatieri

Yes, a kicker. Vinatieri is always going to be remembered as a Patriot after winning three Super Bowls in New England, including two on game-winning field goals. Yet Vinatieri actually played far longer in Indianapolis, with 14 seasons wearing the horseshoe compared to 10 with the Pats. His finest moment for the Colts came in 2006, when he kicked five field goals to beat the Ravens in the divisional round en route to a Super Bowl.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jimmy Smith

After spending his rookie season in 1992 with the Dallas Cowboys, Smith was out of football before signing with the expansion Jaguars in ’95. He proved to be an incredible find, totaling 862 receptions for 12,287 yards and 67 touchdowns. While Smith is unlikely to reach Canton, he was inarguably one of the greatest receivers of his era.

Kansas City Chiefs

Tyrann Mathieu

Mathieu bounced from the Arizona Cardinals to the Texans before landing in Kansas City on a three-year deal. It proved a stroke of genius by general manager Brett Veach, with Mathieu captaining a defensive turnaround. With Mathieu, the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years and reached another, as “the Honey Badger” was twice named a first-team All-Pro.

Las Vegas Raiders

Rich Gannon

For the first 12 years of his career, Gannon was a journeyman quarterback, spending time with the Minnesota Vikings, Washington and Kansas City. But entering the 1999 season, Gannon signed with the Raiders and suddenly became one of the league’s best players. He won MVP honors in 2002, leading Oakland to Super Bowl XXXVII.

Los Angeles Chargers

Donnie Edwards

After six productive years with the Chiefs, Edwards left in free agency to be reunited with former coach Marty Schottenheimer. The pairing worked wonderfully, as Edwards was twice named a second-team All-Pro while starring in San Diego. Edwards played five years for the Bolts, notching a league-high 152 tackles in 2004.

Miami Dolphins

Brent Grimes

Grimes has been forgotten to history in most corners, but he was a top-tier cornerback during his three years with the Dolphins. After signing with Miami before the 2013 season, Grimes was a lockdown on the boundary and was named a second-team All-Pro in 2014. Miami doesn’t have many great signings, but Grimes certainly qualifies.

New England Patriots

Stephon Gilmore

This choice was between Gilmore and Mike Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a star linebacker for New England. However, Gilmore came to the Patriots and won a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019. He also was a two-time first-team All-Pro and helped lead New England to a title in ’18. Tough to top that résumé.

New York Jets

Curtis Martin

Martin began his career with the Patriots and coach Bill Parcells, before following the Big Tuna to the Big Apple in 1998. The running back was incredibly steady, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in his first seven years with the Jets, including a league-best 1,697 yards in 2004 as a 31-year-old. Martin eventually earned enshrinement into Canton.

Pittsburgh Steelers

James Harrison

After spending time with the Steelers and Ravens, Pittsburgh brought the edge rusher back in 2004 and watched him turn into a dominant force. Harrison was a Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time first-team All-Pro. He also amassed 80.5 sacks in Pittsburgh, including three consecutive years of double-digits.

Tennessee Titans

Delanie Walker

Walker was the classic H-Back for the 49ers before signing with the Titans prior to the 2013 season. Once in Tennessee, Walker blossomed into one of the best tight ends in football, totaling at least 800 receiving yards in four straight seasons. His best year was ’15, when he caught 94 passes for 1,088 yards and six touchdowns.