8 NFL Players Who Already Look Like 2024 NFL Free-Agent Steals in Training Camp

Every year, NFL teams find great value in free agency. Several clubs have already seen low-cost acquisitions flash at training camps.

While some teams made headlines with splashy free-agent signings, other general managers may look like roster-building geniuses with their bargain-bin steals.

Now that every team has gone through several training camp practices, we can highlight free-agent additions who could outperform their contracts.

Eight veterans stand out among early highlight performers as potentially the most cost-effective pickups of the 2024 offseason.

Contract: One year, $3 million

In the offseason, guards rarely garner much praise for their head-banging efforts in the trenches, though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to see encouraging signs from the interior of their offensive line.

At left guard, a position of need for Tampa Bay this offseason, Ben Bredeson has shown he can immediately help a rushing attack that accumulated the fewest yards last season.

At the beginning of training camp, guard Sua Opeta—signed in free agency—tore his ACL, which will sideline him for the upcoming term.

According to Scott Smith of the team's official website, the 27-year-old may have lost a grip on the starting job before his injury at training camp.

"Opeta was a candidate for the open left guard spot, though it seemed even before his injury that Ben Bredeson had taken the clear lead in that battle," he wrote.

Tampa Bay signed Bredeson to a one-year, $3 million deal. If he starts, the fifth-year veteran would be one of the lowest-paid starting guards leaguewide. Nonetheless, he could be the key that turns on the engine for the Buccaneers' ground game.

Contract: One year, $7 million

After dinking and dunking down the field and watching well-placed passes bounce off his receivers' hands last season, Patrick Mahomes may have a reliable speedy playmaker in Marquise Brown.

While at Kansas City Chiefs training camp, Fox Sports' Henry McKenna noted the quarterback "firing downfield" to rookie first-rounder Xavier Worthy and Brown.

On Tuesday, the Chiefs' X account shared a highlight of Brown hauling in a tough pass at practice. Jon Ediger of Chiefs Wire noted that the 27-year-old has been "among the most impressive standouts" at camp.

As the first wide receiver off the draft board in 2019, Brown hasn't quite played up to expectations, which explains why the Chiefs were able to sign him on a relatively modest one-year, $7 million contract.

However, the Oklahoma product could have his most productive year with the league's best quarterback.

Though Brown has averaged 11.6 yards per catch in his five seasons, he could see more downfield opportunities as a dynamic receiver with Mahomes under center.

Contract: One year, $10 million

The Minnesota Vikings moved up one spot in the 2024 draft to select J.J. McCarthy, but the rookie quarterback may have to wait his turn.

Sam Darnold has a strong hold on the starting job in the lead-up to the Vikings' first preseason matchup. He looked sharp early at camp and has established a rapport with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

While we should take preseason depth charts with a grain of salt, the Vikings have listed Darnold as the starting quarterback, with McCarthy and Nick Mullens sharing the primary backup spot.

Minnesota could slow-play McCarthy's development, especially if Darnold looks the part as a starter. His contract ranks 22nd among quarterbacks in average annual value.

If the USC product is a moderate upgrade over Mullens, Jaren Hall and Joshua Dobbs, who filled in for an injured Kirk Cousins last season, Minnesota could push for a playoff spot.

Darnold will play behind a cohesive offensive line that could retain its starting group from last year.

Aside from Jefferson, the 27-year-old will throw to second-year wideout Jordan Addison, who caught 70 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, and tight end T.J. Hockenson once he fully recovers from a torn ACL and MCL.

In the meantime, Robert Tonyan Jr. is a solid fill-in pass-catching tight end with 59 receptions in two of his last four seasons.

Because of Darnold's supporting cast, he could have a year similar to Baker Mayfield's 2023 campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, extending his career as a starting signal-caller.

Contract: One year, $1.6 million

In three seasons, J.K. Dobbins has averaged 5.8 yards per rush attempt. For perspective, Lamar Jackson led all ball-carriers averaging 5.5 yards per carry and Christian McCaffrey led the running backs averaging 5.4 yards per rush attempt last season.

Unfortunately for Dobbins, he's been unable to stay healthy, suiting up for 24 games in three campaigns. In last year's season opener with the Baltimore Ravens, he tore his Achilles, which sidelined him for the remainder of the term.

Based on the 25-year-old's production and injury history, he's the typical low-risk, high-reward signing for a team that will likely emphasize the ground game under offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Roman, who coached Dobbins in Baltimore, provided an encouraging update on his recovery and added an extra nugget to keep an eye on this year.

"I think he's doing good, he's right on schedule. Feeling really good about J.K...He's been really diligent with his rehab throughout the course of the year," Roman told reporters.

"He can catch some balls out of the backfield too, so don't sleep on him there."

In 23 games in Roman's offense, Dobbins hauled in 25 out of 32 targets for 162 yards and a touchdown. So, fantasy football managers shouldn't get too excited about the running back's potential involvement in the short passing game.

However, despite sharing the backfield with fellow former Raven Gus Edwards, Dobbins could have one of his most productive campaigns if he stays healthy.

He is four years younger than Edwards, and he's looked impressive at practice.

"Dobbins bounced to the outside left and beat defenders up the sideline for a 15-yard gain," The Athletic's Daniel Popper wrote. "The explosion from Dobbins was eye-opening. He is moving really well."

For less than $2 million, the Chargers may have a ball-carrier capable of rushing for 1,000 yards if he's on the field for most of the season.

Contract: One year, $3 million

At a relatively low cost for lead linebackers, the New Orleans Saints signed Willie Gay, who started in 15 out of 16 outings for the Kansas City Chiefs' No. 2 scoring and total defense from last year.

The Saints have already seen what the 26-year-old brought to the Chiefs defense over the past four terms. He's one of the league's most athletic off-ball linebackers.

Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune witnessed Gay disrupt the offense in a recent practice:

"Gay made several plays on the ball in Monday's session, including a dominant period where he made back-to-back run stuffs against the first team, then followed it up with another run stuff against the second-team offense.

"His athleticism—especially at his size (6-foot-1, 243 pounds)—is impressive at first glance. But that athleticism is now starting to show in bigger ways as Gay continues to improve his grasp of the defensive playbook."

The 2020 second-round pick didn't take long to assert himself with his new team, and he could further strengthen a defensive unit that finished ninth in points allowed last season.

With Gay alongside All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler Demario Davis, the Saints may have one of the league's best linebacker duos.

Contract: One year, $2.5 million

This offseason, Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have been in the headlines because of contractual disputes. Assuming both take the field for the team in the upcoming season, they're still the top two options in the passing game.

Nonetheless, Joe Burrow may have a viable third option in Mike Gesicki.

According to SI.com's James Rapien, the quarterback has built a noteworthy connection with the 28-year-old that could carry over into the regular season.

"Mike Gesicki already has great chemistry with Burrow," Rapien wrote. "They connected on multiple plays on Wednesday during team drills. They're still working through some things, which is what training camp is for, but it's easy to see how Gesicki could be a major factor on offense."

Gesicki's pass-catching prowess shouldn't surprise anyone. He registered 51-plus receptions in three consecutive terms (2019-2021) and racked up 703-plus receiving yards in back-to-back campaigns (2020 and 2021).

Over the last two years with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, the Penn State product saw a significant drop-off in snap count compared to his productive three-year stretch between 2019 and 2021. Neither club featured him in the passing game, but that could change in Cincinnati.

In a Burrow-led offense, Gesicki may see plenty of targets in one-on-one opportunities as defenders focus on Chase and Higgins on the perimeter. If he's the No. 3 option in the aerial attack, his one-year, $2.5 million contract will be one of the best bargains of the offseason.

Contract: Two years, $15.5 million

Kenneth Murray went through ups and downs in four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. He battled injuries and even lost his starting job for a stretch during the 2021 campaign.

Perhaps the 25-year-old needed a fresh start to play up to his full potential. Thus far, the Tennessee Titans have reasons to believe that's the case for the 2020 first-rounder.

Murray has made a strong first impression at training camp.

"He's very active, hard to block," head coach Brian Callahan told reporters. "He's really physical. He sees it, and he hits it. We've had some trouble, especially early on."

ESPN's Turron Davenport described Murray as a "man on a mission."

With the departure of inside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, the Oklahoma product should slide into a starting role as a key defender in the Titans defense. Tennessee signed him to a two-year, $15.5 million deal, which isn't the biggest bargain, but his contract still ranks outside the top 15 in average annual value among linebackers.

If Murray's reenergized demeanor and performances result in another 100-plus tackle campaign with a little more consistency and awareness in pass coverage, he would be worth every dollar and more as the centerpiece of a revamped defense.

Contract: One year, $4 million

Based on his five-season performance and recent contract dispute with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Devin White's one-year, $4 million deal looks like an absolute steal.

Last offseason, the LSU product requested a trade and wanted a contract in the $18-20 million annual range, per ESPN's Jenna Laine.

In contrast to a reported demand for a market-setting contract, White's one-year, $4 million deal shows that he had to adjust his salary expectations significantly. The Eagles closed on a deal with him at the right time to get more bang for their buck.

Despite a rough end to his tenure in Tampa Bay, White has a solid resume, logging 566 tackles, 40 for loss, 91 pressures and 23 sacks in 76 games (75 starts). He also played a key defensive role in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl-winning 2020 campaign and followed up with a Pro Bowl year in 2021.

Still only 26, he appears to have a lot left in the tank, and he made his presence felt during a recent practice, according to Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports:

"Linebacker Devin White had two 'sacks' in the practice. White inches closer to having that first-team linebacker spot locked up, as he's been with the first team throughout camp. White does get rotated off the field sometimes, but that's how Fangio likes to run practice. White has had a good camp, with Tuesday being his best practice."

White has had some lapses in pass coverage, but when he's focused and going downhill, the veteran linebacker is a disruptive force on run downs and in the pass rush.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.

Player contracts are provided by Over the Cap.