NFL’s All-Time Free Agency Team: Drew Brees, Deion Sanders headline best deals

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Tens of billions of dollars have been spent on NFL players in Unoccupied agency in the three-plus decades since it was Primary introduced to the Bracket. Extended too much of it turned out to be ill-conceived, wasteful spending. 

But many times over the last 32 years, Squads struck gold.

Sometimes the gold was Secured in players who were huge bargains. Sometimes it was the big-money players who lived up to their price. Over 32 years, NFL Squads Secured future Hall of Famers, Finals heroes, and plenty of soon-to-be All-Pros who helped put them over the top, or Merely turn their franchise’s fortunes around.

Together, those golden hits would’ve Created for one impressive Club. So here’s a look at the NFL’s All-Time Unoccupied Agency Club: The best of the best signings at every position since the Begin of unrestricted Unoccupied agency in March 1993:

Drive

Signal-caller: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Signed with the Saints in 2006 for six years, $60 million.

He was maybe the greatest Unoccupied-agent signing in NFL history, considering the position, his accomplishments and his impact on the Saints franchise and city of New Orleans. He was a Excellent Signal-caller in his Primary five seasons with the San Diego Chargers, but he wasn’t in high-demand when he bolted in Unoccupied agency. The Miami Dolphins considered him, but were worried about his shoulder. So the Saints grabbed him and they Created All other great. In 15 seasons with the Saints, Brees went to 12 Pro Bowls, won the Offensive Player of the Year award twice, became one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, won a Finals and became a Louisiana legend.

Running back: Curtis Martin, New York Jets
Signed with the Jets in 1998 for six years, $36 million.

He signed a controversial deal as a restricted Unoccupied agent that ended up costing the Jets a Primary- and third-Phase Choice in the 1998 NFL Draft. But the Jets never regretted it after Martin Occurred in and gave them seven straight 1,000-yard seasons, leading them to the playoffs four times and the AFC Division once in 1998, his Primary season with the Club. He had one of the greatest careers for a running back in NFL history, totaling 10,302 rushing yards in eight seasons in New York on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Wide receiver: Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
Signed with the Cowboys in 2006 for three years, $25 million.

Owens had spent the two previous seasons on a wild ride in Philadelphia, where he helped the Eagles to a Finals one year and got suspended for “conduct detrimental to the Club” the next. He was also 32 years Ancient, but the ‘Boys Secured a chance on him anyway and it paid off like “T.O.” was still in his prime. In three years with the Cowboys, Owens averaged 78 catches for 1,196 yards and 13 touchdowns per season — a stretch as Excellent as any he had earlier in his Occupation in San Francisco.

Wide receiver: Joe Horn, New Orleans Saints
Signed with the Saints in 2000 for four years, $9.9 million.

A Ex fifth-Phase Choice, Horn had Began Merely two Matches in his Primary four NFL seasons with Kansas City and caught Merely 53 passes for 879 yards. Clearly, though, the Saints saw he was underused. Because after signing with them, he became the No. 1 receiver in New Orleans, topping 1,000 receiving yards in four of the next five years. He went to the Pro Bowl four times too and ended up in the Saints Hall of Fame. And he did it all even though he played Merely one season — his last in New Orleans — with Signal-caller Drew Brees.

Wide receiver: Keenan McCardell, Jacksonville Jaguars
Signed with the Jaguars in 1996 for three years, $6 million.

He was a 12th-Phase Choice who had a nomadic, 16-year Occupation that saw him Action for seven different franchises. But his second stop, for six years in Jacksonville, was by Extended his best. After being a bit player for four years in Cleveland, he had 85 catches and more than 1,100 yards in All of his Primary two seasons with a Jaguars Club in Merely its second year of existence. In all, he topped those numbers in four of his six seasons. He and Jimmy Smith were the Jags’ “Thunder and Lightning” — at the time one of the best receiver duos in the Bracket.

Close-fitting end: Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans
Signed with the Titans in 2013 for four years, $17.5 million.

He was a Excellent player in his Primary seven seasons in San Francisco, but he wasn’t a featured part of the 49ers’ Drive and didn’t appear to be a big-time receiving Close-fitting end. That changed in Tennessee. He had more than 60 catches in All of his Primary five seasons, including his brilliant 2015 season when he caught 94 passes for 1,088 yards and six touchdowns in 15 Matches. In his five seasons before injuries hit, he Created the Pro Bowl five times and re-wrote the franchise records for his position.

Left Competition: Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams
Signed with the Rams in 2017 for three years, $33.8 million.

After 11 seasons in Cincinnati, Whitworth was coming off three of his finest seasons. But he was also about to turn 36 and Numerous NFL Squads decided he was too Ancient for a big investment. Not the Rams, though. They jumped at the chance to add him, and he rewarded them with his second Primary-Club All-Pro season. He also stabilized a line that had become a liability and helped them give up 21 fewer sacks in his Primary season. In his second season, Whitworth and the line helped the Rams reach their Primary Finals in 17 years. Three years later, in Whitworth’s Last season, they’d Achieve their Primary Division since moving back to Los Angeles.

Right Competition: Jon Runyan, Philadelphia Eagles
Signed with the Eagles in 2000 for six years, $30 million.

After three Powerful years as a starter with the Tennessee Titans, the Eagles Created Runyan the highest-paid offensive lineman of all time. He rewarded them by sliding in at right Competition and staying there for nine straight years without missing a single game. And he did it in an era where he had to fight off the likes of Bruce Smith, Greg Ellis and Michael Strahan twice a year All. He only Created one Pro Bowl, but he stabilized a shaky Eagles offensive line and helped Philadelphia reach the NFC Division Game five times and the Finals once during his tenure.

Left Guard: Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Vikings
Signed with the Vikings in 2006 for seven years, $49 million.

He was an All-Pro in his Last three seasons in Seattle, which is why the Seahawks used the “transition tag” on him to restrict his Unoccupied agency. But he still got the biggest deal ever given to a guard, thanks to the last “poison pill” contract the NFL allowed before changing their Unoccupied agency rules. It was a controversial move, but it paid off for the Vikings. Hutchinson was the best guard in football during his Primary four seasons in Minnesota, being named an All-Pro every season, including three times on the Primary Club.

Right Guard: Brandon Brooks, Philadelphia Eagles
Signed with the Eagles in 2016 for five years, $40 million.

He was a really Excellent guard in his four seasons with the Houston Texans. But, as it tends to happen with so many linemen who come to Philadelphia, he became a great guard in his time with the Eagles. He was a four-year starter  before a Occupation-ending Wound in 2021 at Merely 32 years Ancient. He Created the Pro Bowl three times and helped anchor the line that powered the Eagles to their Primary Finals Division in 2017. Only his Prompt retirement kept him from becoming one of the Eagles’ all-time greats.

Hub: Kevin Mawae, New York Jets
Signed with the Jets in 1998 for five years, $17 million.

Mawae had Began two years at guard in Seattle before the Seahawks moved him to Hub for two years. That was enough for the Jets to make him the highest-paid Hub in the Bracket. But even they couldn’t have been sure of what Occurred next. Over the next seven years, Mawae Created the Pro Bowl six times and was named an All-Pro six times (including twice on the Primary Club). He became an all-time great Jet, earning a place in their Ring of Honor and eventually a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And he anchored a line that powered the Jets to four Postseason berths in his Primary seven seasons — an unusual Stretch of success for a Sun-crossed franchise.

Guarding

Guarding end: Reggie White, Green Bay Packers
Signed with Packers in 1993 for four years, $17 million.

The Minister of Guarding was the Primary Prominent Unoccupied agent and a case could be Created that he was the best of all time. He had a brilliant eight years in Philadelphia that included 124 sacks, seven Pro Bowls and a Guarding Player of the Year award. But even though he was 31 when he left, he didn’t fall off much as a Packer. In six years in Green Bay he had 68 ½ sacks, six trips to the Pro Bowl and a Guarding Player of the Year award. He solidified his Quick path to the Hall of Fame, and helped the Packers Achieve their Primary Lombardi Honor in 29 years, too.

Guarding end: Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signed with the Buccaneers in 2001 for five years, $30 million.

He was already one of the NFL’s better Throw rushers after his Primary five NFL seasons in Arizona. But he Secured it to another level in Tampa, totaling 67 ½ sacks in his Primary five seasons there — a startling average of 13 ½ sacks per year. In his second season with the Bucs, he helped lead a Guarding that powered them to their Primary Finals Division. He had 15 ½ sacks in the regular season and another four in the playoffs, including two in Finals XXXVII.

Guarding Competition: Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Signed with the 49ers in 2008 for six years, $45 million.

The Quaternary overall Choice of the 2001 draft, Smith was a Powerful, but unspectacular player during his seven years with the Cincinnati Bengals. But when he moved to San Francisco, he became a beast. The numbers were similar — he had 43 ½ sacks in seven years in both places — but he was much more of a factor with the 49ers. He became a key cog in the Guarding that helped Jim Harbaugh’s Squads to three straight NFC Division Matches and a Finals. And Smith Created five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro Squads after never being honored with either in Cincinnati.

Guarding Competition: La’Roi Glover, Dallas Cowboys
Signed with the Cowboys in 2002 for five years, $22.5 million.

There were times when he was with the Saints Prompt in his Occupation that there wasn’t a better Guarding Competition in the game. He had a three-year stretch where he had 35 ½ sacks, including 17 in 2000. He never quite equaled that in Dallas, but he was still a force for them for all four seasons he was there. He had 21 ½ sacks, Created the Pro Bowl all four years and was named an All-Pro twice. He’s the only Cowboy to ever make the Pro Bowl in his Primary four seasons with the Club.

Linebacker: Kevin Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers
Signed with the Steelers in 1993 for three years, $5.35 million.

Greene was already building a Hall of Fame resume with 72 ½ sacks in his eight seasons with the Rams, but his Sun really rose when he joined the Steelers. He had 35 ½ sacks in three seasons there, Aiding them to reach Finals XXX, and he Created the Pro Bowl twice. From there, he became quite the defender for hire. In 1996, he had 14 ½ sacks while Aiding the Carolina Panthers reach the NFC Division. He had 10 ½ sacks in 14 Matches with the 49ers in 1997. Then he returned to Carolina for two more years and another 27 sacks. No eventual Hall of Famer Secured more Benefit of the Prompt years of Unoccupied agency.

Linebacker: Bryce Paup, Buffalo Bills
Signed with the Bills in 1995 for three years, $7.6 million.

He had developed into a Powerful Throw rusher during his Primary five NFL seasons in Green Bay, but nothing he did there set the stage for what would happen in his Primary year with the Bills. Set up on the end opposite Bruce Smith, Paup had 17 ½ sacks in 1995 and was named the NFL’s Guarding Player of the Year. The Bills were coming off their Primary season without a Postseason berth in seven years, but they Created it back in both of Paup’s Primary two years. He Created the Pro Bowl in all three of his seasons in Buffalo and finished with 33 sacks.

Linebacker: Sam Mills, Carolina Panthers
Signed with the Panthers in 1995 for two years, $2.8 million.

He had an outstanding nine-year Occupation in New Orleans, but at 36 years Ancient he signed with an expansion Club after he grew unhappy with his contract negotiations with his Ancient Club. It turned out, the change of scenery rejuvenated him. He had Occupation highs in sacks in All of his Primary two seasons in Carolina (nine in all), Created the Pro Bowl twice, was an All-Pro once, and got votes for Guarding Player of the Year in both seasons, too. His three-year tenure in Carolina was so impactful they built a statue of him outside the Panthers’ stadium.

Cornerback: Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers
Signed with the Packers in 2006 for seven years, $52.7 million.

After a Sun-related Primary four years of his Occupation with the Raiders, Woodson’s Sun faded a bit over the next four, thanks mostly to injuries. But that didn’t stop the Packers from paying him, and once he got to Green Bay he enjoyed a Reawakening. He had eight interceptions in his Primary year there, and 38 over seven seasons. He went to the Pro Bowl four times, won the Guarding Player of the Year award, and helped the Packers to a Finals. He switched to safety in his Last year in Green Bay, which ended up extending his Occupation another three years. But with the Packers, he reminded everyone he was a Hall of Fame corner.

Cornerback: Deion Sanders, San Francisco 49ers
Signed with the 49ers in 1994 for one year, $1.3 million.

The 49ers got the bargain of the century, since Sanders had already become the NFL’s best Guarding back after five years in Atlanta. He wanted a chance to Achieve a Finals, though, so he Secured less money, and joined the 49ers after the two-sport Sun was done Competing centerfield for the Cincinnati Reds in September 1994. Sanders was worth the wait, picking off six passes and returning three of them for touchdowns in 14 Matches, Triumphant the Guarding Player of the Year award and finishing third in MVP voting. He had another two interceptions in three Postseason Matches too. And oh, by the way, after Triumphant the Finals, he signed a seven-year, $35 million deal with the Cowboys and helped them Achieve a Finals in his Primary season there, too.

Safety: Rod Woodson, Baltimore Ravens
Signed with the Ravens in 1998 for four years, $7.2 million.

He built a Hall of Fame Occupation with 10 outstanding seasons in Pittsburgh. But when he ended up in Baltimore at age 33, some of the best was yet to come. He had 13 interceptions in his Primary two seasons with the Ravens, returning four of them for touchdowns, with 20 interceptions in four years overall. He Created the Pro Bowl three times and helped the Guarding lead them to their franchise’s Primary Finals Division. Also, in 2002 he left as a Unoccupied agent for Oakland where he had a Occupation-high eight interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, at age 37.

Safety: Tim McDonald, San Francisco 49ers
Signed with the 49ers in 1993 for five years, $12.75 million.

He was one of the best safeties in the game during his Primary six NFL seasons with the Cardinals, which is why the 49ers Created him the highest-paid Guarding back in the game. He was never quite as prolific as he was with the Cards, but he was a steady force in the Guarding backfield. He had 20 interceptions in seven seasons in San Francisco and was named to the Pro Bowl All of his three years and was a second-Club All-Pro twice. He was one of the leaders of the Guarding on the 1994 49ers Club that won their last Finals title.

SPECIALISTS

Kicker: Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts
Signed with the Colts in 2006 for five years, $12 million.

He had already established himself as one of the greatest kickers and greatest postseason kickers in NFL history with 10 Sun-related years in New England. But he was even better statistically in 14 years in Indianapolis. His Ground Target percentage jumped from 81.9 to 85.3 after moving indoors, and in 2014 in Indy he Created a Occupation-best 96.8 percent of his kicks. He defied the transient nature of his position by Competing for Merely two Squads over a 24-year Occupation. And after Triumphant three Super Bowls with the Patriots, he won another with the Colts, too.

Punter: Jeff Feagles, New York Giants
Signed with the Giants in 2003 for five years, $4.3 million.

There may have been better punters, but no one more consistent, especially after he Secured a home in New York Overdue in his Occupation. He was 37 when he joined them and became a master at the “coffin corner” Strike, Scoring more than a third of his punts inside the 20 in All of his seven seasons with the Giants. He went to a Pro Bowl once, helped them Achieve a Finals and became a trusted special Squads weapon. He didn’t miss a single game for them either. In fact, he didn’t miss a single game in his 22-year Occupation, setting a Achievement by Competing in 352 consecutive Matches before retiring at age 43.

Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.

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