RADIO
Sometimes the missing piece is just one free-agent signing away. Other times the wrong contract can set back a franchise.
Free agency will officially begin on March 13 at 4 p.m. EDT. At that time, free agents can start signing with any NFL team. Teams can already offer the franchise tag to one player. Some franchises will be strapped for cap space while others have money burning a hole in their pockets. Below we'll look at potential targets for every AFC team.
Note: If a team is working to re-sign their star player, I listed a second free agent that the team should target.
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AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals: TE Hunter Henry
From C.J. Uzomah to Hayden Hurst to Tanner Hudson and everything in between, Joe Burrow and the Bengals have been dealing with a revolving door of low-impact tight ends. The latest was the undrafted 29-year-old Hudson, who was thrust into starting duty due to Irv Smith Jr.’s inefficiency.
Smith, a former second-round pick by the Vikings, was signed in the offseason after the departure of Hurst. Hurst and Uzomah were arguably the most successful tight ends for Burrow, but neither reached the 500-yard mark.
Hunter Henry would finally provide a reliable option for Burrow, especially with slot receiver Tyler Boyd heading into free agency. Henry served as a constant option in the New England offense and would thrive with an elite quarterback. Signing a tight end with Henry’s receiving prowess could unlock the Cincinnati offense, given that Burrow has shown a tendency to target tight ends regardless of the pedigree.
Market Value (per Spotrac): one year, $7.5 million
Cleveland Browns: WR Gabe Davis
For a player as polarizing as Gabe Davis, he’ll have plenty of potential suitors this offseason. Dropped passes, wrong routes, and miscommunication with Josh Allen led to him completely disappearing for weeks. We’re all still hanging on to that 201-yard, four-touchdown playoff explosion from 2021. Davis still delivers baby versions of that performance, notching five games with at least 85 yards and a touchdown in 2023.
ONE PLAY. 57 YARDS. Allen to Davis!#BUFvsLAC on Peacock
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/eeNRIfK0VS pic.twitter.com/gP8kyL6vHE— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2023
In essence, Davis is a WR3 who impacts the game more than just receiving, but he’s been shoehorned into the WR2 role in Buffalo. That’s why he’s a better fit for Cleveland than a team like Kansas City, where he’d be asked to do too much. Playing for Kevin Stefanski, Davis can consistently show off his superior run-blocking skills, while awaiting a deep target to keep defenses honest. Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and David Njoku can take some receiving pressure off of Davis.
Market Value: four years, $54.4 million
Pittsburgh Steelers: C Tyler Biadasz
Mason Cole, Pittsburgh’s starting center in 2023, struggled with snaps and pass protection. Pittsburgh’s front office wasted little time cutting Cole, despite the NFL announcing that the salary cap would increase by 30 million dollars. It leaves a big hole on an already suspect offensive line. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. allowed pressure on over 10 percent of passing plays. The Steelers may look to supplant him as well.
Biadasz earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2022 and started 49 games over the last three seasons in Dallas. Being sandwiched between All-Pro guard Zack Martin and Tyler Smith will boost the play of any center, but Biadasz has shown he has a high football IQ. Denver’s Lloyd Cushenberry III and Tennessee’s Aaron Brewer (whom new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has coached before) may also be options for Pittsburgh to rebuild their protection.
Baltimore Ravens: DL Justin Madubuike, LB Patrick Queen, and RB Derrick Henry
Super Bowl-contending teams like Baltimore and Kansas City should primarily focus on keeping the band together while adding secondary pieces to hopefully propel them to the promised land. Defensive lineman Justin Madubuike and linebacker Patrick Queen are the two biggest names on Baltimore’s free-agent list. Both men made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and contributed to the Ravens’ league-leading defense. Madubuike is in line for a big payday, tallying 13 sacks last season. In his three seasons prior, he had a total of 8.5.
Queen is “second fiddle” to Roquan Smith, but both are vital to Baltimore's defense. He could be pursued by new Seattle head coach and former Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Seattle’s linebackers (Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Devin Bush) are all free agents.
Outside of retaining their homegrown talent (safety Geno Stone is another one), the Ravens have a noticeable hole in their backfield. J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Dalvin Cook, and Melvin Gordon III are hitting the open market. Keaton Mitchell suffered a major knee injury late in the season and likely won’t be ready to play in Week 1. That essentially just leaves Justice Hill.
Investing in an aging running back isn’t usually the smartest financial decision, but adding Derrick Henry or another veteran running back is a must for the Ravens, a team that depends on a powerful rushing attack to move the offense down the field.
Market Value (Madubuike): four years, $81.2 million
Market Value (Queen): five years, $92.6 million
Market Value (Henry): one year, $10.3 million
AFC East
New York Jets: G Robert Hunt
The Jets offensive line was offensive in 2023 (ba dum tss). It’s no secret that revamping their protection is the biggest priority of the offseason. Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu or Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga are no-brainer selections with the 10th overall pick.
There’s far more than just one starting spot to fill up front. The often-injured Alijah Vera-Tucker and second-year center Joe Tippmann are the projected starters. The team just released veteran Laken Tomlinson. Tackles Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown, plus center Connor McGovern, are free agents.
The Jets will likely target more than one lineman in the draft, but bolstering the unit through free agency is crucial. They could look within the division and target Miami guard Robert Hunt. The former second-round pick surrendered one sack and three hurries in 608 snaps last season. He also excelled as a run blocker.
Market Value: four years, $47.3 million
New England Patriots: Edge-Rusher Andrew Van Ginkel
Andrew Van Ginkel enjoyed his best season as a professional (six sacks, 69 tackles, and a pick-six) in 2023. Still, he was a part-time starter throughout the regular season, filling in due to injuries to Jaelen Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Both of those edge- rushers may not be ready for the start of 2024, which could motivate Miami to bring back the reliable Van Ginkel.
Andrew Van Ginkel Pick-6!
📺: #MIAvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/fWh8XUbMEX— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
He could, however, command more money in the open market than what Miami is willing to fork over (more on that in a minute). New England’s Josh Uche did not build on his breakout 2022 campaign and is also searching for a new contract. Van Ginkel could be a reasonable replacement who provides more consistency for new head coach Jerod Mayo.
The Patriots should enter May with a new franchise quarterback and there’s a shocking lack of high-end talent in the wide receiver room. Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., and Mike Evans seem unattainable. Marquise Brown could fit but may not be worth the money as the top receiver in an offense. Signing someone like Darnell Mooney, re-upping the contract of Kendrick Bourne, plus spending another selection on a rookie wide receiver could be a better course of action.
Buffalo Bills: WR Calvin Ridley
Speaking of free-agent wide receivers, the position should be the biggest priority for Buffalo GM Brandon Beane. Gabe Davis is a free agent and his time in upstate New York has come to a close, if you believe his social media posts. Reports of Stefon Diggs’ mood oscillates between ‘happy as a clam’ to ‘get me out of here now’.
Now 29, Calvin Ridley is searching for the second contract of his career. Ridley is in a truly unique situation as he entered the league as a 24-year-old and missed out on accruing a season due to his year-long gambling suspension.
His time away only marginally impacted his abilities as an elite wide receiver. Drops were an issue (six in 2023) and he was wildly inconsistent at times. He was still more consistent than Davis, who he would replace as the outside wide receiver in Buffalo. The Bills are in win-now mode and Ridley could be the missing piece.
The Jaguars have a little extra motivation to allow Ridley to walk in free agency. The pick that Jacksonville sends to Atlanta as part of the trade escalates to a second-round pick if Ridley and the Jags agree to an extension.
Market Value: four years, $68.2 million
Miami Dolphins: DT Christian Wilkins, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
The Dolphins are in a tight spot. Currently saddled with negative cap space, making a splash signing like linebacker Frankie Luvu or edge-rusher Brian Burns would take a creative amount of cap manipulation. Their top target is defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, a foundational and impactful piece of their defense. He broke out as an inside pass-rusher in 2023 (nine sacks), adding to his run-stuffing prowess. They’ll need to shed more contracts, like they did with cornerback Xavien Howard, to afford his new deal.
Adding edge-rushers is a must for Miami to compete in 2024. Jaelen Phillips is rehabbing a torn Achilles. Bradley Chubb tore his ACL in Week 17. Andrew Van Ginkel is a free agent and may be too costly to afford.
The Jets’ Bryce Huff is an intriguing candidate, but he’s seeking a longer deal and doesn’t work on running downs. Cheaper options like Jacksonville’s K’Lavon Chaisson or Buffalo’s A.J. Epenesa can be inked to a deal, but they’re not moving the needle for a team pushing for the postseason. Veteran Jadeveon Clowney can be signed to a one-year deal and fill the void as the starting pass-rushers recover.
Market Value (Wilkins): four years, $80.9 million
Market Value (Clowney): one year, $7.2 million
AFC South
Houston Texans: RB Saquon Barkley
The Texans have found their franchise quarterback and now they must surround C.J. Stroud with talent. They're off to a good start. Nico Collins emerged in his third season with nearly 1,300 yards in 15 games. Rookie Tank Dell wasn't far behind, pacing for a 1,200-yard season over 17 games.
Houston has a boatload of cap space, so improving the skill positions won't be difficult. Other than adding another wide receiver, GM Nick Caserio will need to fill the void in the backfield. Devin Singletary performed admirably on a one-year contract, but the Texans are searching for a more dynamic playmaker.
It's not always wise to spend up for a veteran running back, but the Texans can do so with Stroud playing on his rookie contract. Saquon Barkley sits atop the deep free-agent pool. There have already been rumors swirling about mutual interest between the two parties. Getting the deal done will bolster one of the league's best offenses.
Market Value: three years, $29.9 million
Tennessee Titans: Edge-Rusher Danielle Hunter
When there's a roster with several holes, the best place to start rebuilding is in the trenches. Both the offensive and defensive line in Nashville needs some fresh blood and the Titans have the money to go sign one of the top pass-rushers on the market.
Hunter has been named to the Pro Bowl in four out of the last five seasons. His only miss was in 2021 due to an injury that limited him to seven games. 2023 saw Hunter’s career-best mark in sacks (16.5) and tackles (83), and he led the league in tackles for loss (23).
New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, brought over from Baltimore, said he plans to build his scheme around the roster, not the other way around. He added that he plans to play an aggressive, attacking style. A defensive line of Hunter and Jeffery Simmons, while replacing the aging Denico Autry, is a good start.
Market Value: three years, $60.1 million
Jacksonville Jaguars: C Connor Williams
The Jaguars couldn’t run the ball efficiently or protect Trevor Lawrence, leading to the late-season spiral that pushed them out of the playoff picture. They spent a sixth-round pick to rent guard Ezra Cleveland for half of the season. He has since agreed to an extension.
Right guard Brandon Scherff improved as the season progressed, but he’s battled through injuries for the majority of his career and age is beginning to catch up to him. He could become a cap casualty if the Jaguars full-court press a new lineman. Center Luke Fortner did not take a step forward in his second season. Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the worst centers in football.
Connor Williams shifted to center after initially starting his career in Dallas as a guard. He thrived at the position before tearing his ACL in Week 14. It puts a slight damper on his prospects. The Jaguars could use a versatile lineman up front, but would need to clear up some cap space to compete with other teams for Williams' services.
Market Value: five years, $67.6 million
Indianapolis Colts: WR Michael Pittman Jr., WR Marquise Brown
Michael Pittman Jr. will remain in Indianapolis. The Colts placed the franchise tag on Pittman as they continue to work on an extension that will keep him in blue and white.
The #Colts are placing the franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr., per sources.
The tag is worth $21.816M. The sides have been working on a long-term deal and those talks figure to continue. pic.twitter.com/T4XLr7hElj
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2024
While that is the Colts’ top priority, Pittman could use some help. He’s elite as a possession receiver, but doesn’t possess the game-breaking speed as some of his counterparts. Josh Downs had an up-and-down rookie season and Alec Pierce is nothing more than a depth piece. In the game that Pittman missed last season, Gardner Minshew depended on Downs and tight ends Kylen Granson and Will Mallory to just inch over the 200-yard mark.
Marquise Brown, although he’s struggled with injuries himself, would bring a new element to the offense and give Anthony Richardson another receiving option as he continually develops as a passer.
Market Value (Pittman): four years, $90.8 million
Market Value (Brown): four years, $59.5 million
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: DT Chris Jones, CB Stephon Gilmore
Similar to Baltimore, Kansas City's primary task is to retain its talent. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is a multiple-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection and the stalwart of the Chiefs defense that led the way to another Super Bowl. Jones sat out of the team's season-opening loss to Detroit in September because he and the Chiefs were unable to strike a deal. History seems unlikely to repeat itself.
Chris Jones has 21 quarterback hits this season, the most among all defensive tackles 😤 pic.twitter.com/tfoHMlx6Fc
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) February 11, 2024
The franchise tag is reportedly being used on cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, another offseason priority for Kansas City. The possibility of a tag-and-trade was left open as the Chiefs don't have the money to extend both Jones and Sneed to the contracts they deserve. Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. may become a cap casualty as well.
If Sneed is dealt, the Chiefs will need another reliable cornerback to pair with All-Pro Trent McDuffie. Stephon Gilmore would slide right in. Devin Bush or Bobby Wagner are short-term linebacker replacements if Gay signs elsewhere.
Market Value (Jones): three years, $85.4 million
Market Value (Gilmore): one year, $11.1 million
Los Angeles Chargers: CB Kendall Fuller
Originally, I had the Chargers going big-game hunting and listed Chicago Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson here. That is now off the table with him signing a contract extension with the Bears. With him and L’Jarius Sneed seemingly off of the table, the Chargers move down the list of available cornerbacks.
Chidobe Awuzie, Adoree’ Jackson, and Kendall Fuller all fit the bill. The latter has succeeded at multiple positions in the secondary, including slot and safety. The Chargers were the third-worst passing defense in the NFL last season. Derwin James and Asante Samuel Jr. are dependable assets on the back end of the defense, but the rest of the unit is expendable. Jim Harbaugh could use an experienced, trustworthy veteran to lead his secondary.
Market Value: three years, $42.3 million
Las Vegas Raiders: Edge-Rusher Bryce Huff
There is no such thing as too many good pass-rushers on one roster. Outside of Maxx Crosby, there's little pressure placed on opposing quarterbacks. Bryce Huff registered 10 sacks last season. He and Crosby would form one of the scariest duos in the league.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, Huff wasn't trusted by the Jets' coaching staff to play on rushing downs. That could be different with a change of scenery and scheme. He is one of the biggest undrafted success stories in recent years. Brian Burns and Josh Allen were tagged by the Panthers and Jaguars, respectively, taking the top pass-rushing options off of the table.
Danielle Hunter or Chase Young could also fill in across from Crosby if Huff becomes unavailable. New coach Antonio Pierce is going to want to deploy an elite defense in his first season without the interim tag.
Market Value: four years, $36.8 million
Denver Broncos: QB Gardner Minshew
The Russell Wilson experiment in Denver is over and the Broncos were slightly too good to acquire a top selection in the NFL Draft (although J.J. McCarthy is an option at the 12th pick). So where do they go from here? Sounds like quarterback purgatory, which means a stopgap is in the cards.
Kirk Cousins is the top option out of all the free-agent quarterbacks. Minnesota has been vocal about wanting Captain Kirk to return. The same situation applies to another potential starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield. He’s sure to be donning a Buccaneer uniform again in the fall. Ryan Tannehill looks washed up as a starter in this league.
That leaves two starting options: Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett. The former nearly led the Colts to the postseason in replacement duty for Anthony Richardson. The latter didn’t start a game in 2023. Minshew is also three years younger than Brissett. He’d be a starter or mentor if the Broncos get their hands on a rookie signal-caller.
Market Value: two years, $10.7 million
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