“The five best value signings of the NFL free agency: The Steelers’ steal in the running back position.”

The start of the NFL free agency season brought a breath of fresh air for teams, with some spending fortunes while others focused on signings that promise excellent value for money. In this context, we highlight five of the best signings that have proven to be true finds so far, with special attention to the moves made by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who secured a great deal by signing running back Dowdle.

Kenneth Walker III and Travis Etienne, both coming off impressive 2025 seasons, received hefty contracts, with values around $43 million and $52 million, respectively. However, the Steelers, acting shrewdly, brought in Dowdle, an undrafted player, for a bargain price, lower than what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers paid for Kenneth Gainwell, who signed a two-year contract worth $14 million. Although Dowdle is older than Walker and Etienne, his workload is incomparably lighter, with only 567 career carries, in contrast to Walker’s 821 and Etienne’s 897.

The statistics speak for themselves: over the last two years, Dowdle was one of nine running backs to rush for over 1,000 yards. Excluding two players on rookie contracts, the other six backs with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons have an average annual salary of $13.225 million. This means that Dowdle’s contract represents unmatched value for the Steelers, who should benefit from this signing for a long time.

The departure of Demario Davis to the New York Jets was a heavy blow for the Saints, but the signing of Elliss helped to mitigate the loss. With seven years of experience, Elliss has had a remarkable career, particularly in his last three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he accumulated 380 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and two interceptions. The Saints managed to secure Elliss for an annual value similar to what the Jets paid Davis, thus offering a comparable veteran presence without additional costs.

After matching Jerry Rice’s record for the most consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards in NFL history in 2024, Mike Evans, who spent 12 years with the Buccaneers, made the move to the San Francisco 49ers. Although Evans is approaching 33 years old, his potential to repeat the 1,000-yard feat is palpable. His signing was completed for a slightly lower amount than what Cooper Kupp received, representing an excellent opportunity for the Niners, given that the wide receiver market tends to be exorbitant.

Mafe, who had his best season in 2023 with a record nine sacks, is seeing his career gain new momentum. With the departure of key players like Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai, the Bengals may very well give Mafe a three-down role, and his contract of 20 million dollars per year is considerably more reasonable compared to the exorbitant amounts that other defenders received this offseason.

Finally, the Lions’ signing of Mays for an annual value of $8.3 million is a smart move, especially following the explosion of the center market with Tyler Linderbaum’s contract. Mays, a sixth-round pick in 2022, shows growing talent, particularly in passing situations, and his future potential promises to solidify Detroit’s offensive line.

Through these strategic moves, NFL teams are shaping not only the present but also the future of their franchises. The smartest signings not only anticipate immediate impact but also the ability to maximize long-term value, a vital strategy in an increasingly competitive league.