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NFL free agency will officially begin on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET. At that time, free agents can start signing with any NFL team. Before then, though, NFL teams can offer the franchise tag to one player.
The franchise tag should come into play for several key free agents this season. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed have already been franchise tagged this offseason. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is also not expected to test the free-agent market.
These three players will not be featured on this list, but plenty of other free agents will be. All 16 NFC teams have a key need heading into the season. So, in this article, we will look at which free agent each NFC team should sign this offseason. Let's dive in and find out.
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NFC North
Detroit Lions: CB Kendall Fuller
The Lions desperately need a cornerback this offseason after allowing the fourth-most receiving yards in 2023. Free-agent cornerback Jaylon Johnson should be Detroit's No. 1 free-agent priority, but there's a strong chance the 24-year-old will land back with the Bears.
If that's the case, Kendall Fuller is a fine consolation prize. Fuller was solid in Washington last year, where he totaled two interceptions, nine passes deflected, and 79 tackles across 15 games. The Lions need a CB1, and the eight-year vet fits the bill.
Market Value (per Spotrac): three-year, $42.3 million
Green Bay Packers: S Xavier McKinney
The Packers will enter free agency with some key needs. One of those needs is the safety position. Rudy Ford, Darnell Savage, and Jonathan Owens are all free agents, so Green Bay will need to replace them in 2024 and beyond. A player like Xavier McKinney would be a great addition.
McKinney is coming off a career year in 2023 with the New York Giants. He totaled three interceptions, 11 passes deflected, and a career-high 116 tackles. He became an integral part of New York's secondary last year and should fit well in Green Bay.
Market Value: five-year, $52.4 million
Minnesota Vikings: QB Kirk Cousins
This one is a no-brainer, but if the Vikings want to compete in 2024, they need to re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins. We saw what Minnesota looked like without Cousins under center last year, which led to Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs, and Jaren Hall all taking snaps.
It didn't work out, and the team went a combined 3-6 without Cousins. The veteran quarterback's ideal landing spot is back in Minnesota. If that happens, the Vikings should be able to compete in the NFC North once again.
Market Value: three-year, $118.1 million
The best quote from GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah yesterday on Kirk Cousins:
“We have our interests, he has his, we’ll get to the table to see if we can figure out a creative solution and kind of meet in the middle.”
The #Vikings aren't going to spend a penny more on whatever that… pic.twitter.com/hFewWIqlBP
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) February 28, 2024
Chicago Bears: OLB Danielle Hunter
The Bears defense showed plenty of improvements down the stretch, especially when they traded for Montez Sweat. Sweat finished with six sacks in just nine games with Chicago. However, outside of him, the team lacked another pass-rusher to complement the 27-year-old.
Therefore, signing a veteran like Danielle Hunter would be a big boost for the Bears defense. Hunter has totaled double-digit sacks in four of the past five seasons, including a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2023. The pass-rusher might be expensive, but it'll be worth it for a team looking to swing big in free agency.
Market Value: three-year, $60.1 million
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: RB Derrick Henry
There aren't many clear needs the Cowboys have heading into the 2024 season. The running back position, though, is an area that Dallas will need to target in free agency. Tony Pollard is a free agent, and the team is not expected to place the franchise tag on him again.
That makes running back Derrick Henry a true possibility for the Cowboys. Henry has stated he wants to play for a contender in 2024, and owner Jerry Jones said Dallas would be "all in" this upcoming season. For a team that loves to establish the run, the veteran back is a great fit.
Market Value: one-year, $10.3 million
Philadelphia Eagles: LB Devin White
The linebacker position was a clear need for the Eagles last year, which led them to sign Darius Leonard midway through the season. That didn't entirely work out, so look for the team to attack this position in free agency. A player like Devin White could make sense.
While White did have a down year in 2023, a new system could help him find his old groove. The 26-year-old is a former Pro Bowler and 2020 second-team All-Pro linebacker.
Market Value: two-year, $21.5 million
New York Giants: WR Marquise Brown
Marquise Brown is one of the top wide receivers on the free-agent market this year and should draw plenty of interest from teams. A team like the Giants should be one of them. New York doesn't have a true WR1 on its roster, which has been a big downfall for them in recent years.
Marquise Brown Set To Leave In Free Agency https://t.co/Sq14UPGzfT
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) February 20, 2024
Brown would immediately be that go-to weapon for quarterback Daniel Jones in the passing game. The 26-year-old is also just three years removed from a 1,000-yard, six-touchdown campaign in 2021.
Market Value: four-year, $59.5 million
Washington Commanders: OLB Josh Allen
The Washington Commanders had the worst defense from top to bottom last year. Then, they hired a defensive guru in Dan Quinn to be their next head coach. Look for Quinn to quickly upgrade the defense this offseason, which could include star pass-rusher Josh Allen.
The Commanders currently have the fourth-most cap space in the NFL at $77.9 million, per Over the Cap. As a result, they have the money to spend on the former Jaguars pass-rusher. Last season, Allen totaled a career-high 17.5 sacks. Quinn will likely target a player of his caliber in free agency.
Market Value: five-year, $119.9 million
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans/ QB Baker Mayfield
The Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans connection worked wonders in 2023. Mayfield threw for a career-high 4,044 years and 28 touchdowns, while Evans reeled 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns. Re-signing both should be the Buccaneers' top priority this offseason.
Mayfield's Market Value: four-year, $108.5 million
Evans' Market Value: four-year, $95.3 million
Licht called last season with Baker Mayfield “the perfect marriage.”
Says he can’t go 2 blocks in Tampa without being asked about Baker. “We want Baker back.”#nfln #bucs— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) February 27, 2024
New Orleans Saints: G Robert Hunt
The Saints could use some help on the offensive line, especially on the left side. Despite playing on the right side his whole career, guard Robert Hunt would be a great pickup for New Orleans. He can also play tackle, giving the team some flexibility on the offensive line.
Hunt is one of the best free-agent guards available this offseason. Therefore, the Saints would be getting a nice addition to the offensive line.
Market Value: four-year, $47.4 million
Atlanta Falcons: DE Leonard Williams
The Falcons struggled to get to the quarterback last year. So, they could use a big-time pass-rusher in 2024. After finishing with 42 total sacks -- which was tied for the 12th-fewest in 2023 -- Atlanta will be looking for playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Leonard Williams could be a nice fit.
Williams has totaled at least five sacks in three of the past four seasons, including 11.5 sacks in 2020 with the Giants. Joining forces with Grady Jarrett on the defensive line would give the Falcons defense a massive boost.
Market Value: three-year, $50.2 million
Carolina Panthers: WR Calvin Ridley
Just two years ago, we saw Trevor Lawrence struggle in his rookie season. Then, the Jaguars went out to sign Christian Kirk and hired an offensive-minded head coach in Doug Pederson. Carolina has already hired Dave Canales (an offensive-minded coach) to be its next head coach. If the Panthers want Bryce Young to take a leap in Year 2, signing a solid wide receiver is almost a must.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley would make perfect sense. Ridley enters free agency following a 1,106-yard, eight-touchdown campaign in 2023. He would immediately step in as the clear WR1 and provide Young with a top wideout in Carolina.
Market Value: four-year, $68.2 million
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers: OT Jonah Williams
There aren't many weaknesses the 49ers have entering the 2024 season, but they could use another offensive tackle. San Francisco's current right tackle, Colton McKivitz, struggled last year and gave up nine sacks. Left tackle Trent Williams will also be turning 36 years old in July, so the team might need a tackle for the future.
Targeting Jonah Williams might be the 49ers' best-case scenario this offseason. He can play on both sides of the offensive line, which will be key if Trent Williams decides to retire in the coming years.
Market Value: four-year, $43.5 million
Los Angeles Rams: OLB Brian Burns
In 2022, the Rams offered the Panthers two first-round picks and a second-round pick for pass-rusher Brian Burns. Carolina declined. Now, Burns will enter the 2024 offseason as a free agent. If he doesn't get franchise tagged, look for Los Angeles to be interested.
The Rams have tried to acquire Burns for almost two years now. Don't expect that to change in free agency. The 25-year-old is also a fantastic fit for a defense that needs some sack help. Last season, Los Angeles finished the year with just 41 sacks (tied for the 10th fewest).
Market Value: five-year, $108.8 million
Seattle Seahawks: G Mike Onwenu
The Seahawks will be losing three of their starting offensive linemen this offseason, including both of their guards (Phil Haynes and Damien Lewis). That could lead to the team replacing them in free agency. Signing a guard like Mike Onwenu would be a nice replacement.
Onwenu spent his first four years with the Patriots, where he played both tackle and guard in New England. That would give the Seahawks some flexibility along the offensive line. Either way, though, protecting Geno Smith remains a need, and the 26-year-old guard is a great fit.
Market Value: four-year, $54.6 million
Arizona Cardinals: DT Chris Jones or DT Christian Wilkins
The Cardinals not only need a defensive tackle who can stop the run but also someone who could total high sack numbers. Last season, Arizona allowed the most rush yards per game (143.2) and the third-fewest sacks (33). Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who had 13 sacks in 2023, would be a great signing. However, the Ravens are expected to either sign him or franchise tag him. As a result, that leaves him off this list.
Instead, Chris Jones or Christian Wilkins are targets that Arizona should go after. If Jones does not re-sign with the Chiefs, the Cardinals should offer him a ton of money. If he does re-sign in Kansas City, Wilkins should be the team's top free-agent priority. He is coming off a career-high nine sacks in 2023.
Jones' Market Value: three-year, $85.5 million
Wilkins' Market Value: four-year, $80.9 million
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