RADIO
The 2023 NFL season is over. Unfortunately, that means we have to go several months before watching an NFL game that matters. Thankfully, the offseason is here.
NFL teams can use the franchise tag on one free-agent player between now and the March 5 deadline. However, most upcoming free agents will hit the open market next month.
Let’s look at some of the top available free-agent quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends and determine their ideal landing spot for next season.
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Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Despite coming off a torn Achilles at soon-to-be 35 years old, Cousins will have multiple suitors this offseason. The former Michigan State star can’t be franchised tag, meaning he will hit the open market if he doesn’t sign a long-term contract with Minnesota. The Atlanta Falcons are a likely second option if things don’t work out for Cousins with the Vikings. His wife is from Atlanta, and the Falcons are a quarterback away from winning the NFC South division. Hopefully, Cousins stays in Minnesota.
Ideal Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings
The #Falcons are very interesting. Kirk Cousins' wife is from Atlanta, and he's mentioned in the past that he likes playing in domed stadiums. They would make some sense if Minnesota can't bring him back. https://t.co/8PmIOjMUvj
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 16, 2024
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The former Cleveland Browns quarterback had a bounce-back season in his first year in Tampa Bay. Mayfield threw for over 4,000 passing yards and had 28 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. While the Buccaneers will reportedly use the franchise tag on Antoine Winfield Jr., expect Mayfield back with the team next year as both sides want to keep their relationship going.
Ideal Landing Spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Barkley is one of the more talented running backs in the league. After playing last season on the franchise tag, the Giants will likely let the superstar test the open market. He should have no shortage of appealing offers. While a return to New York isn’t off the table, fantasy players should want him away from that mess. Hopefully, Barkley lands with an up-and-coming Houston Texans offense.
Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans
Giants Considering Letting Saquon Barkley Test Free Agency? https://t.co/uSBrmwRPx0
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) February 16, 2024
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Unfortunately, Jacobs had to play the 2023 season on the franchise tag. The Raiders are unlikely to use the tag for the second year in a row, meaning the star running back can hit the open market if he wants. While his numbers last season weren’t as impressive as in 2022, Jacobs is still one of the better running backs in the NFL. Returning to Las Vegas with Antonio Pierce running the show would be outstanding for Jacobs’ fantasy value.
Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders
D'Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
After years of being a part-time player with the Detroit Lions, Swift turned into a featured running back. He had 229 rushing attempts for 1,049 yards and five rushing touchdowns in his first season with Philadelphia. By comparison, the veteran had 250 rushing attempts and 1,159 yards in his final two years with the Lions. Unfortunately, the Eagles have limited cap space this offseason, meaning Swift could find a better offer elsewhere. Yet, the best thing for his fantasy value is to stay home.
Ideal Landing Spot: Philadelphia Eagles
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Pollard had a breakout season in 2022, totaling 193 rushing attempts for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken leg during the playoffs and got slapped with the franchise tag. The former Memphis star didn’t have the 2023 season he wanted but claims he wasn’t healthy until the second half. While Pollard could find a more appealing offer on the open market, his teammate Micah Parsons wants him back in Dallas, as should the fantasy football community.
Ideal Landing Spot: Dallas Cowboys
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Micah Parsons thinks that Tony Pollard should get another shot with the #Cowboys and says the team needs to get a “nasty” interior lineman, via @stephenasmith’s show.
“I would say toward the end of the season Tony Pollard was catching his rhythm again. I do… pic.twitter.com/0iT8fECLW3
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 20, 2024
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have a potential superstar at quarterback in Anthony Richardson. Unfortunately, his rookie season was limited by injuries. However, the team got confirmation that Pittman is a star wide receiver. The former USC receiver had at least 925 receiving yards for the third consecutive year despite playing most of the season with Gardner Minshew under center. After setting a career-high in receiving yards last year (1,152), expect Pittman to be back in Indianapolis next season. Thankfully, that’s the perfect spot for the wide receiver.
Ideal Landing Spot: Indianapolis Colts
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite saying the 2023 season would be his final one with the Buccaneers, fantasy players should be surprised to see the star wide receiver playing anywhere else next year. He is coming off his 10th consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards. Evans also saw his touchdown production bounce back after a down year, leading the NFL in receiving scores in 2023. Buccaneer fans and fantasy players should want the star receiver to remain in Tampa Bay.
Ideal Landing Spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Many had high hopes for Jacksonville’s offense and Ridley after the team acquired the star wide receiver. While neither lived up to the hype, the veteran did have a solid season. He had over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2020 and led the league in end zone targets (per Fantasy Points Data). The best landing spot for Ridley’s fantasy value next year is hard to say. However, I would like to see him have another year in Jacksonville with Trevor Lawrence.
Ideal Landing Spot: Jacksonville Jaguars
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Reportedly, the Bengals will use the franchise tag on Higgins this offseason. However, that doesn't necessarily mean he would play in Cincinnati next year. The team could tag and trade the former Clemson star for a first-round NFL Draft pick. They might also use the franchise tag as leverage with Ja'Marr Chase's contract extension talks. Ideally, Higgins would be allowed to go somewhere to become the No. 1 wide receiver on a good offense, like possibly the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs
𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: The #Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag on Star WR Tee Higgins to prevent him from hitting free agency, per @TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/4clTMrWSnR
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 13, 2024
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans
Tight ends rarely get the credit they deserve, especially from fantasy players. Schultz isn’t a superstar but has been one of the more consistent tight ends despite playing on multiple teams over the past few years. Last season, he had over 630 receiving yards and five touchdowns, playing a critical role in C.J. Stroud’s development. While returning to Houston would be a solid fantasy fit, don’t discount Schultz if he lands with the Washington Commanders and his former coach, Dan Quinn.
Ideal Landing Spot: Washington Commanders
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
Henry has become somewhat of an afterthought because of the Patriots’ awful offense. However, the veteran remains one of the more reliable tight ends in the NFL. He had six receiving touchdowns in 2023, ranking second among all tight ends despite playing with a disastrous merry-go-round of quarterbacks. If the Cincinnati Bengals lose Tyler Boyd in free agency, Henry could see enough target volume to become a low-end TE1 with Joe Burrow as his quarterback.
Ideal Landing Spot: Cincinnati Bengals
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