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With most of the 2008 free agent class signed and delivered, NFL.com is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the current system of Plan A free agency by highlighting the best free agent signings on a year-by-year basis since the system went into effect in 1993. Undrafted rookie free agents or players that were re-signed by their teams are not eligible for this list.
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1993: Reggie White, Packers
Former team: Eagles
Position: Defensive end
Reported terms: Four years, $17 million
The first free agent period was ushered in with perhaps the biggest impact signing of all time. The Packers lavished the richest contract for a defensive lineman ever on Reggie White and he proved worth every penny. White amassed 68 ½ sacks in six seasons with Green Bay and led the Packers to their only Super Bowl championship since the Vince Lombardi era. White was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. Honorable mention: RB Marcus Allen (Raiders to Chiefs)
Top 10 pass rushers: Reggie White | Fields of Glory | Hall of Fame highlights
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1994: Deion Sanders, 49ers
Former team: Falcons
Position: Cornerback
Reported terms: One year, $1 million
Though he played only one season in San Francisco, Deion Sanders was largely responsible for helping the Steve Young-led 49ers finally overcome the Dallas Cowboys and win a Super Bowl. He had a career-high three interception returns for touchdowns in his one year with the 49ers and finished with six picks and 303 return yards. Showing his penchant for clutch play, Sanders also had two key postseason interceptions. Honorable mention: DE Sean Jones (Oilers to Packers).
Career highlights | Prime Time Love | Super Bowl XXIX highlights
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1995: Deion Sanders, Cowboys
Former team: 49ers
Position: Cornerback
Reported terms: Seven years, $25 million
Sanders makes the list twice in a row. After accepting less money and winning a Super Bowl with the 49ers, Sanders decided to end talk that he would retire from football and play baseball exclusively by signing a mega deal with the Cowboys. In his first year he helped lead Dallas to its third championship in four years and went on to have five standout seasons with the Cowboys despite playing part-time in 1995. Honorable mention: G Mark Schlereth (Redskins to Broncos)
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1996: Troy Vincent, Eagles
Former team: Dolphins
Position: Cornerback
Reported terms: Five years, $16.5 million
The physical cornerback made five straight Pro Bowls with the Eagles from 1999-2003 and was a constant figure on one of the NFC's better defenses at the turn of century, missing only 10 games in his seven seasons with the team. He recorded 28 of his 47 career interceptions with the Eagles and in 2001 had an astounding 24 passes defensed. He was also one of the better tacklers at his position in the league. Honorable mention: WR Keenan McCardell (Browns to Jaguars)
Troy Vincent interview
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1997: Tony Siragusa, Michael McCrary, Ravens
Former team: Colts, Seahawks
Position: Defensive tackle, defensive end
Reported terms: Four years, $16 million/three years, $6 million
The two Ravens acquisitions share the 1997 honor. They were both vital contributors for the Ravens' record-setting defense that led the team to a Super Bowl XXV victory over the Giants. Siragusa played five seasons in Baltimore and helped Ray Lewis become one of the best middle linebackers in the game by keeping blockers off the fleet playmaker. McCrary was an elite pass rusher who had 51 sacks in six years at Baltimore. Honorable mention: LB Chad Brown (Steelers to Seahawks)
America's Game: 20000 Ravens | Super Bowl XXV highlights
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1998: Curtis Martin, Jets
Former team: Patriots
Position: Running back
Reported terms: Six years, $36 million
When Bill Parcells moved on from the Patriots to the Jets, he targeted his former running back Curtis Martin as a necessary conerstone signing for his new team. He handed the rusher such an exorbitant contract that the Patriots declined to match the offer for the restricted free agent. In his first seven seasons with the Jets he never rushed for fewer than 1,094 yards and had 67 total touchdowns with New York. Honorable mention: RB Ricky Watters (Eagles to Seahawks)
A tribute to Martin's career
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1999: Rich Gannon, Raiders
Former team: Chiefs
Position: Quarterback
Reported terms: Four years, $16 million
At the time, Gannon's signing by Oakland was not considered major news. The 33-year-old veteran had never started 16 games in a season and was an afterthought in Kansas City after the Chiefs had named Elvis Grbac the starter. As it turned out, Gannon's signing may have been the best free-agent quarterback acquisition ever as he won two NFL MVP awards and led the Raiders to a Super Bowl appearance in 2003. Honorable mention: G Adam Timmerman (Packers to Rams)
Super Bowl XXXVII highlights
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2000: Jon Runyan, Eagles
Former team: Titans
Position: Offensive tackle
Reported terms: Six years, $30 million
The offensive tackle spot is one of the toughest positions on the field to fill and the Eagles hit the equivalent of a free-agent home run with the signing of Runyan. Runyan's arrival coincided with one of the greatest eras in Eagles team history as they went on to win 11-plus games in his first five years with the franchise. He has started every game since signing with the Eagles eight years ago and is still going strong at the age of 34. Honorable mention: WR Joe Horn (Chiefs to Saints)
Playbook exclusive: Jon Runyan | Jon Runyan interview
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2001: Priest Holmes, Chiefs
Former team: Ravens
Position: Running back
Reported terms: Five years, $8 million
Holmes performed well as Jamal Lewis' backup during the Ravens' Super Bowl season in 2000, but despite his success, there were not a lot of suitors for Holmes in free agency. The Chiefs signed him for a bargain price and got perhaps the NFL's best running back over a three-year period. From 2001-2003, Holmes averaged 1,530 rushing yards, 659 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns per season. Honorable mention: LB Mike Vrabel (Steelers to Patriots)
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2002: James Farrior, Steelers
Former team: Jets
Position: Linebacker
Reported terms: Three years, $5.4 million
In the Steelers' 3-4 defense the role of the linebackers is heightened and Farrior has provided elite production in his six years with the team. Farrior has recorded over 100 tackles in three seasons with Pittsburgh and had a career-high 6½ sacks in 2007. Showing his versatility, he has also been a force in coverage, coming up with 30 passes defensed and seven interceptions during his tenure with the Steelers. Honorable mention: LB Donnie Edwards (Chiefs to Chargers)
Steelers report
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2003: Jake Delhomme, Panthers
Former team: Saints
Position: Quarterback
Reported terms: Two years, $4 million
Similar to Gannon in that he was a career backup before breaking out later in his career, Delhomme is yet another quarterback who flourished when given a full-time chance in the right situation. He has led the Panthers to one Super Bowl and another NFC Championship Game appearance in his five seasons with the club. He was off to a great start in 2007 before elbow surgery sidelined him after three games. He should be fine in 2008. Honorable mention: FB Lorenzo Neal (Bengals to Chargers)
Delhomme feeling good | Super Bowl XXXVIII highlights
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2004: John Lynch, Broncos
Former team: Buccaneers
Position: Safety
Reported terms: Three years, $9 million
Many thought the veteran safety may have been washed up when he signed with the Broncos at the age of 32, but he has had four productive seasons since in Denver. In those four years, he has accumulated seven sacks, three interceptions and 21 passes defensed. He was an integral part of the defense that helped defeat the two-time defending champion Patriots in a 2005 AFC divisional playoff game. Honorable mention: DE Grant Wistrom (Rams to Seahawks)
Lynch highlights | Lynch interview
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2005: Plaxico Burress, Giants
Former team: Steelers
Position: Wide receiver
Reported terms: Six years, $25 million
The talented wideout had seen his production drop two straight years amid injury woes and perceived attitude issues in Pittsburgh. Such a background does not usually make a player highly sought after, but Burress was young and skilled enough that the Giants decided to gamble on the playmaker and it has paid off handsomely. He caught the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII and is one of the best receivers in the game. Honorable mention: LB Antonio Pierce (Redskins to Giants)
Burress highlights | Who Is: Plaxico Burress
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2006: Drew Brees, Saints
Former team: Chargers
Position: Quarterback
Reported terms: Six years, $60 million
Concerned about his shoulder injury, the Chargers decided to let Brees go and hand the starting job to first-round draft pick Phillip Rivers. While the Chargers have not lost a lot with the emerging Rivers, the Saints have gained a ton by the acquisition of Brees. He helped New Orleans advance to its first ever NFC Championship Game appearance in his first season and leads one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Honorable mention: WR Terrell Owens (Eagles to Cowboys), CB Charles Woodson (Raiders to Packers)
Brees highlights | Brees interview
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2007: Leonard Davis, Cowboys
Former team: Cardinals
Position: Guard
Reported terms: Seven years, $50 million
The second overall pick of the 2001 draft was once considered a disappointment as he started out at the tackle position. Upon moving to guard his career began to take a turn for the better and he enjoyed a career year for the Cowboys last season. He earned his first Pro Bowl invitation and was a key cog for the NFC's best offense last year, manhandling defensive tackles with his impressive strength. Honorable mention: RB Jamal Lewis (Ravens to Browns)
Davis interview
