NFL free agency 2024: Top players, team predictions, more

NFL free company formally begins March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, and groups can begin negotiating with gamers — and agreeing to phrases on new offers — on March 11.

To get you prepared for all of the motion, our NFL specialists are right here to interrupt down all the things you’d ever need to know in regards to the free agent frenzy. That features a preview of what to anticipate, a recap of the franchise tag window, a take a look at the perfect gamers accessible, a roundup of the signal-callers who may check in new locations, a breakdown of preferrred player-team suits and a peek on the deepest positions.

We additionally select free brokers who may earn large contracts, be nice worth signings or have damage considerations, after which preview groups which are both able to spend or prone to keep quiet amid wage cap considerations. Lastly, we wrap all of it up with an analysis of how offers may influence April’s NFL draft and subsequent season’s fantasy soccer panorama.

In all, a dozen of our specialists weigh in on one of many wildest weeks of the offseason. It is all right here in a useful one-stop cheat sheet. (Wage cap figures are through OverTheCap as of March 7.)

What can we anticipate in free company, and when does it begin?

Girls and gents, open your checkbooks. With the NFL wage cap rising by an unprecedented $30.6 million, groups have extra spending energy than ever as this 12 months’s free company interval formally opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET — following a two-day authorized tampering interval that begins Monday at midday ET.

Although a number of big-name offensive gamers resembling Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley are set to hit free company, this 12 months’s group is headlined by defensive gamers. With the Chiefs utilizing their franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, defensive lineman Chris Jones is scheduled to change into a free agent. A handful of different top-tier defensive gamers are staying put because of the tag, however edge rushers Chase Younger and Danielle Hunter, security Xavier McKinney and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins are all on the lookout for new touchdown spots.

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Offensively, this 12 months’s free company will reveal quite a bit about working again valuation with Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and Austin Ekeler, amongst others, set to change into accessible. A 12 months in the past, working backs from throughout the league voiced their frustration with a depressed market, and a number of other performed on one-year offers after failing to come back to agreements on extra profitable, long-term extensions. Now, working backs may have one other alternative to see how the league values their place.

And, after all, trades will have an effect on free company and the upcoming draft. Search for Chicago quarterback Justin Fields’ touchdown spot to dictate the instructions of a number of groups over the approaching months, together with the Bears and their No. 1 choose. — Brooke Pryor

Learn extra: NFL free company reside tracker … Grading NFL free company signings (ESPN+)

Who’re the highest free brokers accessible?

It is almost time at no cost company, and we’re stacking the perfect gamers within the class. These are Matt Bowen’s prime 10 free brokers accessible. The place will they land?

1. Chris Jones, DT2. Kirk Cousins, QB3. Christian Wilkins, DT4. Danielle Hunter, EDGE5. Baker Mayfield, QB6. Robert Hunt, G7. Chase Younger, EDGE8. Leonard Williams, DT9. Bryce Huff, EDGE10. Kendall Fuller, CB

Learn extra: Rating the highest 100 free brokers (ESPN+) … 32 gamers who want a change of surroundings

Who was franchise-tagged?

Over the previous two weeks, eight groups used the franchise tag — and one exercised a transition tag. Bengals broad receiver Tee Higgins was the primary to obtain the franchise tag. Then the Chiefs tagged Sneed with the target of both signing the cornerback long run or buying and selling him to obtain compensation.

Welcome to the NFL offseason

• Staff-by-team offseason information (ESPN+)• Monitoring offers, cuts, trades | Key dates• Rating prime 100 free brokers (ESPN+)• Each coach hiring | Franchise tags• NFL draft order | High draft prospects

Elsewhere, three coveted sack artists obtained the tag — the Panthers’ Brian Burns, the Ravens’ Justin Madubuike and the Jaguars’ Josh Allen. Bears CB Jaylon Johnson (who has since signed an extension), Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr. and Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. additionally obtained franchise tags.

Patriots security Kyle Dugger was assigned a transition tag. The transition tag’s wage is the common of the highest 10 salaries for the place, not like a franchise tag, which pays the common of the highest 5 salaries at a place. Solely 5 different gamers have obtained the transition tag previously 15 years, in response to ESPN Stats & Info, with none of them being safeties.

Learn extra: Franchise tag tracker

Who’re the highest quarterbacks accessible?

Kirk Cousins: If the Vikings cannot hold Cousins from reaching free company, the king of the quarterback contract could also be about to hit one other moon shot. Yeah, he is coming off a torn proper Achilles. Yeah, he turns 36 in August. However he was main the league in landing passes and second in passing yards by way of Week 7 (was injured in Week 8) and is the surest factor among the many free agent quarterbacks this offseason.

Baker Mayfield: Was it only one good season, or was it an indication of top-pick promise lastly fulfilled? The 2023 season wasn’t the primary time we have seen Mayfield play effectively and lead a crew to the postseason. Nevertheless, it was the perfect season of his profession — he handed for over 4,000 yards for the primary time, with 28 landing passes and a 64.3% completion price. He turns 29 in April and will have his finest soccer forward of him. The query is: What’s the best deal? The Daniel Jones deal (4 years, $160 million)? The Geno Smith deal (three years, $105 million)? One thing in between?

Better of the remaining: Ryan Tannehill’s historical past of success is pretty latest, however he’ll be 36 when the season begins and Tennessee simply changed him with a rookie. Gardner Minshew could also be finest suited as a backup, however he is a extremely good one, and you may say the identical for Jacoby Brissett. Does both get an opportunity as a starter? After that, you are taking probabilities on gamers trying to revive their careers resembling Jameis Winston, Sam Darnold or — yeah, I am going to say it — Russell Wilson. — Dan Graziano

Learn extra: Most closely fits for Wilson (ESPN+) … Predicting all 32 beginning QBs for 2024 (ESPN+)

Free brokers who will break the financial institution

Kirk Cousins, QB: No must overthink this one, as Cousins goes to money in as soon as once more, regardless of being simply 4½ months faraway from a torn proper Achilles. He was taking part in excellent soccer on the time of his damage and is the perfect free agent quarterback accessible in a skinny market and in a league with a bunch of groups determined for an improve. Should you instructed me that Cousins winds up signing a two-year, $100 million absolutely assured contract, I’d not be surprised.

McAfee and Pacman Jones talk about Kirk Cousins’ slot in Atlanta

Pat McAfee and Adam “Pacman” Jones react to the rumors linking free agent QB Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons.

Danielle Hunter, EDGE: Hunter’s renegotiated contract with the Vikings previous to final season prevented the crew from utilizing a tag on him and paved the best way for a gargantuan payday. Hunter has six seasons to his title with 10-plus sacks, together with a career-best 16.5 in 2023, as he stays top-of-the-line and most lively rushers in all of soccer. A pass-rusher of this caliber occasionally reaches free company, setting Hunter as much as be engaging to a ton of groups.

Christian Wilkins, DT: One of many NFL’s extra versatile inside defensive linemen, Wilkins has a monitor document of manufacturing in principally each space. He’s coming off a career-high 9 sacks and has been a solo-tackle-making machine (146 over the previous three seasons, rating second, first and sixth amongst DTs in 2021-23, respectively). His age — he turns 29 in December — shouldn’t be a deterrent for groups, and the defensive sort out market exploded final offseason. I anticipate him to earn $22 million-plus per 12 months.

Jonathan Greenard, EDGE: Timing is all the things in life, and Greenard crushed it in his contract 12 months, posting his second season with eight or extra sacks with a career-best 12.5. Greenard has had intriguing upside however put all of it collectively throughout a resurgent season for Houston that noticed him wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Not but 27 years outdated, Greenard nonetheless has prime bodily years in entrance of him and may command a large contract. — Area Yates

Learn extra: EDGE/DT tiers (ESPN+) … WR/DB tiers (ESPN+) … RB/LB tiers (ESPN+) … QB/OL/TE tiers (ESPN+)

Which groups could possibly be lively in free company?

New England Patriots: They’re flush with almost $90 million in cap area and speedy wants everywhere in the discipline, notably on offense. Count on reinforcements at quarterback (presumably as a bridge choice to the No. 3 choose), broad receiver, tight finish and offensive line. With the best strikes, New England can expedite their rebuild.

Houston Texans: Houston has the posh of constructing round QB C.J. Stroud one 12 months into his rookie contract. The flexibleness to spend large now — understanding most contracts have escape hatches after two years — will probably be advantageous to basic supervisor Nick Caserio, who may take large swings alongside the defensive entrance seven.

Most quantity of 2024 cap area

TeamCap spaceCommanders$91.5 millionPatriots$88.5 millionTitans$75.8 millionBears$75.5 millionTexans$70 millionNumbers as of March 7

New York Giants: An already sluggish offense is ready to lose its finest participant in Barkley. The offensive line has lengthy been a large number. The Giants have an opportunity to fortify their working and passing assaults. On protection, changing beginning defensive backs Adoree’ Jackson and Xavier McKinney will probably be essential. New York has round $38 million in cap area.

Carolina Panthers: Carolina wants nearly all the things, and with out a first-round choose, it should replenish the roster with free company. Do not be stunned if the Panthers spend large on an inside offensive lineman (or two) and establish a number of pass-catchers for QB Bryce Younger. Carolina has about $12 million in cap area however will create extra after roster cuts.

Tennessee Titans: Now that second-year basic supervisor Ran Carthon has his coach, former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, the 2 can get to work crafting the offense Callahan has in thoughts. QB Will Levis wants assist in a number of areas, notably the offensive line and the playmaker spots. And a often stout protection should substitute loads of firepower, too. Tennessee has just below $76 million in cap area. — Jeremy Fowler

Learn extra: Daring strikes for all 32 groups (ESPN+) … One free agent each crew ought to signal (ESPN+)

Which groups could possibly be quiet in free company?

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: The Chiefs have three key free brokers in Jones, OT Donovan Smith and LB Willie Homosexual, and so they have Sneed on the tag. Nearly all of their assets will go towards re-signing these gamers, and so they in all probability cannot retain all 4. So I anticipate them to be quiet by way of buying new gamers and making splashes in free company.

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys are at a big inflection level, with a great quantity of cap assets to increase their stars — QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb and LB Micah Parsons — over the following 12 months. However it is going to depart them with little room to signal exterior free brokers. Nevertheless, they do need to determine whether or not they need to re-sign Tyron Smith — who’s unlikely to return — Tony Pollard and Stephon Gilmore.

Least quantity of 2024 cap area

TeamCap spaceDolphinsminus-$20.4 millionChargersminus-$20.2 millionSaintsminus-$17.3 millionCowboysminus-$10.6 millionRavensminus-$10 millionNumbers as of March 7

Buffalo Payments: Just like final 12 months, the Payments have detrimental cap area and quite a lot of key points to handle with their present gamers, which is why they reduce quite a lot of key gamers over the previous week. For starters, WR Gabe Davis, who’s younger, quick and performed 83% of the snaps, is a free agent. However Buffalo should additionally handle re-signing or changing productive free agent veteran security Micah Hyde, linebacker Leonard Floyd, and defensive linemen DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins’ focus this offseason is on how they’ll deal with extending QB Tua Tagovailoa, who’s going into the final 12 months of his rookie deal. A market extension can be a minimal of $45 million per 12 months, which might hinder Miami from being an lively participant in free company. — Mike Tannenbaum

Learn extra: What the wage cap enhance means

What are among the finest potential free agent suits?

Listed here are a couple of partnerships that make sense, in response to Matt Bowen:

QB Kirk Cousins to the Falcons

The Vikings must be within the combine to re-sign Cousins, however I believe he suits very well with Atlanta underneath new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson (who labored underneath Sean McVay in Los Angeles). Cousins can be an improve underneath heart for an Atlanta offense that has loads of younger offensive ability expertise in WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson.

EDGE Danielle Hunter to the Rams

The Rams have cash to spend in free company, and filling the edge-rushing want must be a precedence. Including Hunter would give the Rams a productive veteran pressure reverse Byron Younger — who had eight sacks as a rookie — with Aaron Donald on the inside.

EDGE Bryce Huff to the Giants

Underneath new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, the Giants would profit from including Huff to play reverse Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Giants had the fourth-lowest sack complete (34) in 2023 and including Huff may assist enhance that quantity.

G Jonah Jackson to the Commanders

Becoming into Kliff Kingsbury’s offense in Washington, Jackson would instantly improve the left guard place. He posted a 93.2% cross block win price in Detroit final season. That is wanted in D.C., because the Commanders allowed 65 sacks in 2023, tied for second most within the NFL.

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WR Marquise Brown to the Titans

Brown would add a unique factor to the Titans’ broad receiver room due to his vertical stretch skill and open-field pace after the catch on in-breakers. In Callahan’s offense, Brown would work with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks to provide quarterback Will Levis a flexible group of pass-catchers.

RB Derrick Henry to the Ravens

There’s a gap right here, and Henry may star because the lead again in Todd Monken’s offense. Even when his total play pace is beginning to decline, he can nonetheless discover the top zone. Henry had 12 speeding scores final season with the Titans, and he’d improve the Ravens’ run sport when paired with quarterback Lamar Jackson. — Bowen

Learn extra: Greatest crew suits for 50 free brokers (ESPN+)

What’s the deepest place?

Edge rusher

You can also make a case right here for inside defender, however it is a bit top-heavy. Even after Burns and Allen had been franchise-tagged, there’s a ton of high quality depth accessible at edge rusher. The checklist is led by 29-year-old Danielle Hunter (10.5-plus sacks in 5 of his previous six wholesome seasons).

Underrated Jonathan Greenard and Bryce Huff lead the following tier, together with Chase Younger, who, at simply 24 years outdated, is the youngest free agent on the place. The likes of Andrew Van Ginkel, Jadeveon Clowney, Za’Darius Smith, Brandon Graham and Leonard Floyd are on the lengthy checklist of edge gamers accessible. — Mike Clay

Which free brokers are going underneath the radar?

Bryce Huff, EDGE

OK, at this level, Huff has been mentioned as a sleeper free agent so typically that he could now not be one. Nonetheless, you are speaking about an edge rusher who hasn’t began a sport in two years however had a 21.4% cross rush win price off the sting final season (ranked eighth) and a 30.7% cross rush win price off the sting two years in the past. He is not nice in opposition to the run, however he will get to the quarterback for you.

Andre James, C

James ranked second amongst facilities in cross block win price this season (96.5%), and he has expertise blocking for each hole and zone runs. He additionally dedicated simply two penalties in 2023.

Graham Glasgow, C/G

Glasgow goes to be 32 years outdated this upcoming season, however he began at three offensive line positions final season and ranked 14th amongst all offensive linemen in run block win price (76.8%). His cross block win price was common (90.8%) however nonetheless greater than loads of NFL starters, and he gives the offensive line with loads of flexibility.

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Dan Orlovsky and Mike Tannenbaum debate whether or not or not the Pittsburgh Steelers ought to commerce for Justin Fields.

Kendrick Bourne, WR

In 2021, Bourne ranked No. 1 amongst all qualifying broad receivers in DVOA and was second in ESPN’s receiver monitoring metrics. His efficiency has fallen off since, however he is nonetheless tied for sixteenth within the RTM in case you mix 2022 and 2023. He is not the perfect at getting open, however he excels on the catch level and at gaining yards after the catch. — Aaron Schatz

Who has damage considerations in free company?

Cousins’ surgically repaired proper Achilles does not appear to have anybody involved. The extent of curiosity regardless of his damage represents a surprising evolution of notion, doubtless on account of advances in sports activities medication. Whereas working has by no means been his power, he nonetheless wants mobility to flee strain and, extra importantly, the ability by way of his drive leg to precisely ship the ball. Movies exhibiting Cousins dropping again and throwing recommend he is on monitor to return for coaching camp, however potential groups are nonetheless assuming some threat.

Different noteworthy names with damage considerations embody:

RB Barkley, who proved he was absolutely previous an ACL/MCL damage in 2022 when he posted over 1,600 yards from scrimmage, but nonetheless carries the notion of damage threat with simply two seasons with no video games missed on account of damage since being drafted in 2018.

OT Tyron Smith, who’s extensively thought of top-of-the-line buddies a quarterback may have on his blind aspect … when he’s accessible (has missed 33 video games over the previous 4 seasons).

DL DJ Reader, who tore his proper quad in December however has already proved his skill to come back again from this similar damage when he tore his left quad 4 years in the past.

C Connor Williams, who tore an ACL in December however performed 16 video games the season following his final torn ACL in 2019. — Stephania Bell

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What’s the greatest draft implication at no cost company?

The place Cousins indicators may have main draft implications. If he is re-signed in Minnesota, the Vikings may nonetheless be on the lookout for an inheritor obvious at QB, however it will get actually fascinating if he opts to signal elsewhere. The Falcons, Raiders and Broncos — all groups inside the highest 13 picks — are seen as potential suitors. Whoever misses out on Cousins may pivot to the draft and look to pick a signal-caller early, and even on Day 2. — Jordan Reid

Learn extra: Reid’s two-round NFL mock draft (ESPN+)

What may free company imply for fantasy soccer?

There are some wonderful broad receivers and working backs accessible whose fantasy values may skyrocket relying on their touchdown spots. I will be preserving an in depth eye on 4 working backs: Barkley, Henry, Ekeler and Pollard. Moreover, on the broad receiver place, Calvin Ridley and Marquise Brown are positively on my radar. These are all gamers who may command vital touches or targets, relying on the place they land. — Eric Moody

Learn extra: Fantasy soccer free company preview

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