Best Free Agent Signings in Recent NFL History

The 2024 NFL free agency period has been absolutely crazy with so many different moves set to alter the fantasy football landscape. But it raises the question: What have been some of the most impactful free agency moves in recent history from a fantasy football perspective? 

Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

Quarterback

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (2012)

Of course, Peyton Manning was already a Hall of Fame quarterback during his time in Indianapolis, but the move to Denver really resulted in some huge stat lines. During his first season with the Broncos, Manning completed a career-high 68.6% of his passes, throwing 37 touchdowns and finishing as the QB6 in fantasy. But the 2013 season was one for the ages. In his second year in Denver, Manning passed for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns, easily finishing as the QB1 in fantasy. He averaged 0.64 fantasy points per dropback that season. And from 2012-2014, Manning averaged 4,954 yards and 43.6 touchdowns, ranking as the QB3 in fantasy. 

Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020)

It took some time to get used to Tom Brady not playing in Foxboro, but he put up some huge numbers in Tampa Bay, on top of winning yet another Super Bowl. From a fantasy perspective, Brady finished as the QB8, QB3 and QB12 during his three seasons with the Bucs, as he and head coach Bruce Arians were on the same page. Brady saw elite volume in Tampa Bay, leading the NFL in pass attempts in both 2021 (719) and 2022 (733), both of which were career-highs. And during Brady’s three seasons there, the Bucs led the league in neutral-script pass rate at 64.3%. 

Honorable Mentions

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (2006)
Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders (1999)
Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles (2010)

Running Back

Priest Holmes, Kansas City Chiefs (2001)

After enjoying a Super Bowl victory as a member of the Ravens, Priest Holmes signed with the Chiefs in 2001, immediately becoming the focal point of their offense and a superstar fantasy option. During his first year in Kansas City, Holmes led the NFL in rushing yards (1,555), scoring eight touchdowns. In 2001-2003, Holmes averaged 320 carries, 1,530 rushing yards and 18.6 rushing touchdowns. He posted two 20-plus touchdown seasons and finished as a top-two fantasy running back all three years. It was a nice change of pace from his days backing up Jamal Lewis in Baltimore. Holmes slowed down quite a bit after the 2003 season and missed all of 2006 with a spine injury. But he was the elite of the elite when he first joined Kansas City.

Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons (2008)

Speaking of backups, Michael Turner began his career behind one of the greatest of all time in LaDainian Tomlinson. But in 2008, Turner hit free agency and signed with the Atlanta Falcons, immediately altering his role. In his first season in Atlanta, Turner led the NFL in carries with 376, turning them into 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also led the league in carries in 2010 with 334. From 2008-2011, Turner was a model of consistency, rushing for at least 1,300 yards three times, scoring double-digit touchdowns every year with the Falcons. During that span, he also ranked third, 22nd (11 games), first and first in carries from inside the five-yard line. On average during his tenure with Atlanta, Turner finished as fantasy’s RB11.

Honorable Mentions

Curtis Martin, New York Jets (1998)
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (2021)
Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints (2011)

Wide Receiver

Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys (2006)

Terrell Owens signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Cowboys in 2006. During those three seasons, he scored 38 touchdowns, leading the league in that department back in 2006 with 15. Owens only missed one regular season game with the Cowboys, finishing as the WR2, WR9 and WR2 in fantasy football during that stretch. 

Plaxico Burress, New York Giants (2005)

Plaxico Burress had some good seasons with the Steelers, but three of his four seasons with the Giants were very good. From 2005 to 2007, Burress averaged nearly 1,100 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking as a WR1 in fantasy all three seasons. He also helped the Giants to a massive Super Bowl upset over the New England Patriots.

Honorable Mentions

Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos (2015)
Golden Tate, Detroit Lions (2013)
Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams (2017)

Tight End

Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans (2013)

Delanie Walker was always a talented player, dating back to his time in San Francisco as a rotational player. So it was really fun to watch him truly breakout after signing with the Tennessee Titans back in 2013. During his first year with the Titans, Walker set career-highs in targets (86), receptions (60), receiving yards (571) and touchdowns (6). Following that first season, Walker would go on to eclipse 800 yards in four consecutive seasons, posting 1,088 yards in a monster 2015 campaign. From 2013 to 2017, Walker finished no worse than TE12 in fantasy, while also posting three top-seven finishes. 

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (2022)

After a solid rookie season with the Giants, Evan Engram really started to slow down and was on his way to becoming a bust. However, he signed with the Jaguars in 2022 and Doug Pederson’s TE-friendly offense led to a renaissance for the former first round selection. He was solid during his first year in Jacksonville, catching 73 passes for 766 yards and four touchdowns en route to a TE6 finish. But things really turned up this past season, as Engram caught a whopping 114 passes for 963 yards and four touchdowns. The only players in the NFL with more receptions last year were CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Engram has hardly left the field with the Jaguars and last year, he ran a route on about 86% of the team’s pass attempts, the highest rate among all tight ends.

Honorable Mentions

Jared Cook, Oakland Raiders/New Orleans Saints (2017 and 2019)
Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears (2013)