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The first wave of NFL free agency is winding down, and there are now plenty of deals to assess. In the team free agency rankings we released ahead of the negotiation window earlier this month, we dove into the data from the previous four years, 2021 through 2024. We logged cash spent on each free agent during that span. We also logged the value produced — using Football Reference’s Approximate Value metric — by each player while he was on his free agent contract. By comparing these two figures, we determined how much value each free agent produced per $1 million in cash spent, or AV per million. And, in turn, we ranked teams at large by how much value they were producing per $1 million cash spent on the free agent market.
What we are looking for are low-cost signings that have the chance to outperform their bargain deals.
Here are our eight best potential value deals of the first wave of free agency.
Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Detroit Lions
2025 cash: $4 million
Interior defensive linemen got paid in this free agent cycle. Onwuzurike had more pressures (47) and a higher pass rush win percentage (11.9) than both Wharton and Kinlaw in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.
Joshua Uche, edge, Philadelphia Eagles
2025 cash: $1.92 million
The Eagles were the clear winners of free agency in 2024. It is no coincidence they went on to win the Super Bowl. Philadelphia received above-average AV per million returns on several free agents, including linebacker Zack Baun (4.0), running back Saquon Barkley (1.2) and guard Mekhi Becton (1.5).
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Miami Dolphins
2025 cash: $3.2 million
One big theme in our AV-per-million player rankings: low-cost receivers with a pathway to playing time tend to produce substantial returns on investment. Westbrook-Ikhine has good size at 6-foot-2, 211 pounds and is a legitimate weapon in the red zone. His skill set is a logical complement to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Richie Grant, S, San Francisco 49ers
2025 cash: $1.5 million
Grant, a former second-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, started 32 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. But he lost his starting job when coach Raheem Morris and his staff took over in 2024. He should have a chance to compete for a starting job with the 49ers, who lost Talanoa Hufanga in free agency.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, S, Miami Dolphins
2025 cash: $3 million
The Dolphins had to retool their safety room during this year’s free agency period. They signed Ashtyn Davis to a one-year, $2.5 million deal and they signed Melifonwu to a slightly more expensive contract. Both of these deals have the potential for AV-per-million upside.
Najee Harris, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
2025 cash: $5.25 million
Harris is positioned to be a workhorse back for the Chargers, who cut Gus Edwards and have not yet re-signed J.K. Dobbins. Harris has not missed a game in his four NFL seasons. He has carried the ball at least 255 times and rushed for at least 1,000 yards in all of those seasons.
Van Jefferson, WR, Tennessee Titans
2025 cash: $1.67 million
The Titans have some decisions to make before the start of the 2025 season, including who their starting quarterback will be. They have the No. 1 pick, which they could use on a quarterback. They could very well add another receiver in the draft. But as it stands, Jefferson has a chance to be the No. 2 option for whoever is throwing the football, behind Calvin Ridley.
Cornelius Lucas, OT, Cleveland Browns
2025 cash: $3.25 million
Lucas has made a career out of being a trustworthy swing tackle. The 33-year-old has double-digit career starts on both the right and left side, but he has only started more than eight games in one season.
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