Its not easy to find bargains in the first few days of free agency, when NFL teams were busy throwing more than a billion dollars in contracts around. The market is rarely filled with star players, which means most free agents end up getting vastly overpaid. But even in this first wave of new deals, there were a few that had the potential to be steals. It will take a while to know for sure, of course. But here are five of the best contracts given out so far. RELATED: The 5 Riskiest Deals of NFL Free Agency Malik Willis, QB, Miami Dolphins Three years, $67.5 million ($45 million guaranteed) Maybe $22.5 million per year seems like a lot for a player who has made just six starts in four seasons, but not in the world of NFL quarterbacks. Think of it this way: Willis now ranks 17th on the list of highest-paid quarterbacks in terms of average annual value. The only starters behind him are either still on their rookie contracts or outliers like Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, both of whom were just released after signing megadeals at their previous stops. Yes, Willis' deal is more about potential than performance, but he's still young (hell turn 27 in May), and hes shown progress in his limited action. Thats why he had several suitors when the market opened. If he works out, the Dolphins not only have a quarterback for 2026, but they have their long-term answer at the position, too. And if it doesnt, the low cost gives them the flexibility to move on next year, either in free agency or the loaded 2027 draft. Connor McGovern, C, Buffalo Bills Four years, $52 million ($35 million guaranteed) Keeping a young, durable, Pro Bowl center in front of their MVP quarterback seemed like a great move for the Bills from the beginning. Getting him at $13 million per year, though, looks like a steal considering the way Tyler Linderbaum so dramatically reset the center market a few days later with his three-year, $81 million pact with the Raiders. McGovern gets less than half what Linderbaum makes annually, but hes hardly half the player. He is a top-five center in the NFL, who probably couldve gotten more on the open market. Between Linderbaums deal and the rise of the salary cap, the center market is surely going to explode in the next few years. But the Bills wont have to worry about that. Rico Dowdle, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers Two years, $12.5 million There isnt much of a middle class for NFL running backs anymore. They either get big money in free agency or they dont get much at all (relatively speaking). Dowdle slipped into the "not paid much" category with this bargain-basement contract that could be a steal for the Steelers. Hes coming off two straight seasons topping 230 carries and 1,000 yards, and added 39 catches in each of them (averaging 273 yards). Hes also 27 and has low mileage on his body with just 567 rushes over his first five seasons. Even better, he is reuniting with his old Cowboys coach, Mike McCarthy, for whom he had his first 1,000-yard season in 2024. Its a perfect match. And for the Steelers, its at a perfect price. Jermaine Eluemunor, RT, New York Giants Three years, $39 million ($26 million guaranteed) A late-bloomer in his NFL career, Eluemunor has turned into one of the better right tackles in the NFL over the past four seasons. Last year, in fact, he was sixth in pass blocking efficiency among all tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. The Giants consider him to be a better-than-average run blocker, too. With a market not exactly overflowing with quality tackles, Eluemunor could have drawn a lot of interest in free agency, even at age 31. But he choose to stay with the Giants at a bargain rate of $13 million per season, which ranks 13th among NFL right tackles. He rates higher than that as a player, though, and the Giants surely know it. Alex Anzalone, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Two years, $17 million This isnt exactly a splash signing, and it wont have a huge statistical impact, but theres a reason that multiple teams were after the 31-year-old veteran middle linebacker. Hes a solid, smart player who does everything right and makes the defense around him better. He can play, too. He is still one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL (and his nine passes defensed was more than all Bucs linebackers combined last year). Hes a decent pass-rusher, too, and his sack numbers could rise in Todd Bowles blitzing scheme. That the Bucs got him for just $8.5 million per season is impressive, considering the Jets, Giants, Bears and 49ers were all interested and the Lions wanted him back at one point, as well.

Championship pacesetter George Russell took pole position on Friday for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, leading a Mercedes one-two ahead of Kimi Antonelli.

SportsLine's model simulated Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Tennessee Volunteers and revealed its college basketball picks for this 2026 SEC Tournament quarterfinal matchup

Las Vegas, NV - March 12: Miles Byrd #21 of San Diego State steals the ball against Colorado State during the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 12, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)San Diego State holds Colorado State to six baskets on the game, despite shooting nearly 50% from the free throw line.Rams 33% shooting and Aztecs paint dominance sends SDSU to a rematch against New Mexico in yet another semi-final.Thomas & Mack Center was maybe half full when the Aztecs and Rams took to the court on Thursday evening. The previous two games had finished and home team UNLV was sent packing in the first game, losing 80-60 to tournament favorite Utah State. The game was followed by in-state rival Nevada holding off Grand Canyon 84-60. There were Aztec fans, but the majority of fans were for New Mexico, who would play the nightcap and defeat San Jose State 93-77. The Aztecs were coming off of a bye and had four days to rest and prepare for Colorado State. Much of the focus was on defensively controlling the game. Count that as a success as they managed to keep the Rams away from the basket and away from the ball. On the evening, the Aztecs stymied the Rams on offense, holding them to only six baskets on 33% shooting. The Rams had twice as many three-pointers, going 13-34 from beyond the arc. The Rams were strangers at the free-throw line as well, converting only 11 of 13 attempts. The Aztecs outrebounded Colorado State 43-31 and thoroughly controlled the paint, outscoring the Rams 42-8.The players approached the game with new focus and energy, knowing that they might indeed have to win out to get into the NCAA tournament. Trademark Aztec basketball was at the forefront as the team played to Coach Brian Dutchers guidance as a coach.Defense and rebounding win championships. Unfortunately, so does free-throw shooting, but we escaped tonight with some bad free-throw shooting, said Dutcher.He added, Im going to fire the free-throw coach, but its me, so Im going to give myself one more day to try to get it right.The Aztecs were dismal from the line, going 22-42 from the line. Everyone missed. Miles Heide, Miles Byrd, Tae Simmons, Maghoon Gwath, Taj DeGourville, and Sean Newman Jr. The Rams employed a foul and pray approach to try and slow down the Aztecs. The game should have been a wider margin of victory than it was. The attempts were the most for the Aztecs in a regulation game in 23 years.Its a credit to our defense, said Dutcher. You know, you miss free throws and you giv in. All of a sudden you look up, and its a two point game. But we continued to get stops, no matter what happened at the foul line. We didnt let the frustration consume us where we didnt play good defense at the other end.The Aztecs were led on offense by Miles Byrd who scored 12 points, followed by Reese-Dixon-Waters and Pharoah Compton with 11 each. Coach Dutchers lineup adjustment were to put two low posts to ensure an advantage on the rebounds. This led to 14 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points. Byrd and Heidi both had 8 rebounds, Simmons added six more and every player contributed at least two boards in the victory.The Rams were led by Brandon Rechstiner with 16 points and four boards. Jase Butler added 14 and Kyle Jorgensen added 10 more. The Rams had no answer for the Aztecs defense and in the second half resorted to fouling. The strategy worked, but the Rams were unable to convert, shooting a miserly 33% from the field. They started on fire, jumping out to a 13-8 on 5 of 7 shooting, but that quickly turned to ice as the Aztecs physically wore down the Rams squad. The Aztecs used a 10-0 run and a 9-0 run to race out to a 39-26 lead at halftime. The Rams managed to cut a 16-point Aztec lead to single digits, but failed to convert on their side of the court.The Aztecs will now face New Mexico on just a few hours rest. The Aztecs last played New Mexico back on February 28 in New Mexico, an 81-76 loss. The Aztecs won their home game against the Lobos on January 17, 83-79. What to expect tomorrow evening? More of the focus on defense, rebounding and points in the paint. The Lobos will bring a stronger presence inside with bigger bodies.Miles Byrd added, We got to hit film tonight with great focus, great energy. Got to hit shoot-around tomorrow with great focus, great energy. Have to warm up really hard tomorrow before the gameDont let a win like this slip. Keep the same intent to everything we do.The Aztecs will need to do all the things right to move into the finals, against either Utah State or Nevada. A berth in the NCAA tournament is hanging in the balance,

We're down to eight. Here's what we've learned -- and who has impressed us most -- as we enter the quarterfinals.

Marco Odermatt locked up both the World Cup overall and downhill title Friday after the Swiss star posted the third-fastest time in the penultimate downhill of the season in Courcheval, France.

Welcome to Fox Sports Australias combat sports column Fighting Words, where we give you all the latest news and views in MMA and boxing, from Australia and abroad.

With three months remaining of a season that could define their medium-term future, Aston Villa are fighting battles on multiple fronts.

Nottingham Forest star Omari Hutchinson has been brutally mocked by fans after blaming his side's Europa League last-16 first-leg loss to Midtjylland on the tough conditions. Most notably, the 22-year-old said that when the weather worsened, his face cream was covering his face, sparking a hilarious reaction from supporters.Despite controlling large spells of the match and carving out chance after chance, Forest simply couldn't find the net.Torrential rain and fierce winds made conditions miserable for everyone on the pitch.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayWhen asked about the game, Hutchinson replied: "Very frustrating. We had a lot of chances. We've been put into bed and got punished for it."He added: "I couldn't really see, I had my face cream coming in my face, it was very tough."The conditions weren't the greatest, but there's no excuse. We had a lot of chances in the first half, even the second. If we don't punish them, they're going to punish us with one chance, and that's how it goes."I think coming next week, I have a little confidence and belief, and we can bring it back."Hutchinson continued: "The weather came down, and things changed. They put pressure on us and punished us."You can see that we wanted to score, were making the chances, and the crowd was behind us, and we thought we were going to get a goal.Forest are currently struggling with poor form, having gone winless in their last five matches across all competitions.This slump comes amid a season of significant instability, marked by multiple managerial changes and a slide from last year's European contention into a relegation battle.LATEST SPORT NEWS'No one can exclude us from World Cup' rages Iran after Donald Trump issues new warning to playersNottingham Forest and Crystal Palace suffer shoddy home performances in EuropeAston Villa earn slim Lille win thanks to wonderful Ollie Watkins goalSpeaking on this dip, Hutchinson said: "Every game that we're playing is massive."We do have full belief, training world and manager, but given us full confidence, and also the fans, they're sticking by us every minute of the way."Social media users were quick to point out bizarre comments on face cream, comparing the English youngster to old legends of the game.One fan made their feelings clear by posting a photo of the legendary Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney covered in mud with the caption "Games Gone".Another said: "Face cream, just wash your face. Youre here to play ball."A third added: "Face cream Players are expected to perform in extreme conditions every week. Preparation and recovery are a big part of the job now."A fourth quipped: "A footballer worried about his face cream. The boy is more concerned about being pretty for the camera than actually playing football."Forest will face Midtjylland in the second leg on Thursday, March 19.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

The British star composed the music for the first two seasons of HBO's popular teen TV series.