The NFL free-agency period doesn't lack for excitement. The league's top available stars tend to get rapidly scooped up, sometimes in a matter of minutes.
However, history has shown that big-money players don't always offer the best value. Just look at the 2018 free agents who failed to live up to their contracts—such as New York Jets cornerback Trumaine Johnson and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins—for recent examples.
Instead, the bargain players—those who sign lower-tier deals in the second wave of free agency—often end up providing the most value. Guys like Baltimore Ravens wide receiver John Brown, Houston Texans defensive back Tyrann Mathieu and Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron didn't break the bank, but they each proved to be critical additions on their respective teams.