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Ranking The Top 25 Free Agents This Offseason. Mike Fanelli breaks down the top 25 NFL free agents set to hit the market in March.
Super Bowl LVIII is in the rearview mirror, meaning we’ve officially reached the NFL offseason. While the NFL Draft is the most talked about event in the offseason, free agency plays a significant role in roster construction.
The free agency window starts March 11. That is when teams can begin negotiating contracts with free agents from other teams. However, no deal can become official until the league’s new year starts on March 13.
Let’s look at the top 25 free agents this offseason. Some players on this list will receive the franchise tag or agree to a long-term contract before the start of free agency. Furthermore, this list will not include any potential cut candidates, only players whose contracts expire this offseason.
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Free Agents No. 25–21
25) Jonah Williams, OT, Cincinnati Bengals
There won’t be many starting-caliber offensive linemen to hit the open market. However, Williams might be the safest option. He isn’t an elite player but has made 49 starts over the past three years and has experience at left and right tackle.
24) Leonard Floyd, EDGE, Buffalo Bills
While Floyd is an older edge rusher, he has shown no signs of slowing down. The veteran led the Bills in sacks (10.5) and quarterback hits (19) last season. He has totaled at least nine sacks in four consecutive years.
23) Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
The 2023 season was a down one for Henry. He averaged fewer than 96 rushing yards for the first time since 2018. Yet the veteran running back had double-digit touchdowns for the sixth consecutive year, finishing seventh in the NFL. Furthermore, Henry was the second-high-graded running back by PFF last season.
Derrick Henry: 90.2 PFF Grade this season
2nd among RBs 👑 pic.twitter.com/wgvfDZ2uZZ
— PFF TEN Titans (@PFF_Titans) February 16, 2024
22) Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the best of Brown during his two years in Arizona. The star receiver has missed eight games because of injuries. More importantly, he has had limited experience with Kyler Murray. Despite the injury history, Brown should receive an impressive offer this offseason as one of the fastest receivers in the NFL.
21) Kyle Dugger, S, New England Patriots
Dugger doesn’t get much national attention. However, he is coming off the best year of his career, totaling 109 tackles, including six for a loss. The do-it-all defender has had at least two interceptions each of the past three years. Dugger also led the NFL in pick-sixes in 2022.
Free Agents No. 20–16
20) Tyron Smith, OT, Dallas Cowboys
There might not be a better left tackle in the NFL than Smith when healthy. However, the veteran has struggled to stay healthy over the past few years. Smith will have multiple suitors on the open market if he doesn’t return to Dallas.
19) Bryce Huff, EDGE, New York Jets
While he has spent most of his career as a rotational role player, Huff had a career year in 2023. The pass rusher had 10 sacks, outperforming his career total by 2.5 entering the season. However, some teams will have concerns about his usage (playing only 42% of the snaps this year) and how he was set up to win in pass rush situations.
18) Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
The star running back had a career year in 2022, leading the NFL in rushing yards. Jacobs received the franchise tag after his breakout season. Unfortunately, he struggled in 2023, missing the final four games with an injury. Yet, Jacobs should get a significant contract this offseason from the Raiders or another team.
17) Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Unfortunately, Ridley didn’t meet expectations in his first year with the Jaguars. He did have over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2020. However, the wide receiver had some struggles coming off a year-long suspension. Jacksonville will have to send the Atlanta Falcons a second-round pick if they sign Ridley to a long-term deal, putting his future with the team in doubt.
16) Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Barkley is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL. However, he has missed at least three games in four of the past five seasons. Last year, he fell short of 1,000 rushing yards after totaling 1,312 the season before. Barkley spent last year playing on the franchise tag. Reportedly, the Giants might let him test the market in March.
Giants Considering Letting Saquon Barkley Test Free Agency? https://t.co/uSBrmwRPx0
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) February 16, 2024
Free Agents No. 15–11
15) Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore had the top defense in the NFL this season. Queen played a massive role in the team’s success, totaling 133 tackles and 3.5 sacks, making his first Pro Bowl squad. The Ravens decline the former LSU star’s fifth-year option last offseason, making him a free agent next month. Some might have concerns about giving Queen a massive long-term deal after only one year of top-end production.
14) Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While Evans said the 2023 season would be his last with the team after contract extension talks broke down in August, the star receiver could return after having over 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th consecutive year. He also totaled 13 or more touchdowns for the third time in the past four seasons. If Evans doesn’t return to Tampa Bay in 2024, the veteran will have plenty of suitors.
13) Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The former No. 1 overall pick had a bounce-back year in his first season with the Buccaneers. Mayfield made his first Pro Bowl team after totaling over 4,000 passing yards and leading Tampa Bay to the NFC South division title. Reportedly, the quarterback’s new contract will be worth at least $75 million over three years.
A "reasonable starting point" on a contract extension for QB Baker Mayfield would be around the 3-year $75M range, per @jjones9 pic.twitter.com/RPSZlcd00I
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) February 16, 2024
12) Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Unfortunately, the Colts only got four games from Anthony Richardson before the rookie suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. However, the team has seen Pittman produce despite a merry-go-round at the quarterback position the past few years. The former USC star likely will receive the franchise tag if he and the team can’t agree on a long-term deal.
11) Brian Burns, EDGE, Carolina Panthers
Burns would have liked to hit the open market after totaling a career-high 12.5 sacks in 2022. Instead, he had to play out the fifth-year option in his rookie contract, totaling eight sacks. While the star pass rusher didn’t have his best statistical season, Burns will cash in during the offseason.
Free Agents No. 10–6
10) Christian Wilkins, DL, Miami Dolphins
Interior defensive linemen don’t always get the credit they deserve. However, that will change this offseason, with three interior defensive linemen making the top 10 of this list. Wilkins has been a consistent force in the middle of Miami’s defense. Yet, he took his game to another level in 2023, totaling a career-high nine sacks and 23 quarterback hits.
9) Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati missed the playoffs in 2023 for the first time since Joe Burrow’s rookie season. Higgins had a down year, totaling fewer than 900 receiving yards and six touchdowns for the first time in his career. Despite coming off the disappointing season, the Bengals will reportedly use the franchise tag on Higgins this offseason, keeping him around for at least one more year.
RUMOR: It is expected that the Cincinnati Bengals will use the Franchise Tag on WR Tee Higgins, per @TheAthleticNFL pic.twitter.com/igA7eDxbaR
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) February 13, 2024
8) Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The former Minnesota star was arguably the best safety in the NFL last season. Winfield had six sacks, six forced fumbles, four recoveries, and three interceptions, going it all for Tampa Bay. Despite not making the Pro Bowl, the star safety will earn a massive new deal this offseason if he doesn’t get franchise-tagged.
7) L’Jarius Sneed, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Sneed had a career year in 2023, playing a significant role in the Chiefs’ elite defense. He ended the season allowing only 406 receiving yards and zero touchdowns while totaling two interceptions and 10 passes defended. Whether in Kansas City or elsewhere, the star cornerback will get a massive new deal this offseason.
6) Danielle Hunter, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings
Despite reports that the Vikings tried to trade Hunter last year, the star pass rusher could return in 2024. The veteran had a career-high 16.5 sacks last season, making it the fourth time in the past five years that he had double-digit sacks. Hunter also led the NFL in tackles for a loss with 23.
Free Agents No. 5–1
5) Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
Chicago’s defense was outstanding in the second half of the season after acquiring Montez Sweat at the trade deadline. However, Johnson played a critical role, totaling four interceptions after having only one over his first three seasons. The Bears have plenty of cap space this offseason, meaning the former Utah star likely returns on the franchise tag or a long-term contract.
4) Justin Madubuike, DL, Baltimore Ravens
Last year, several big-name defensive linemen got paid. We will see that happen again this offseason. Madubuike is coming off a breakout season, totaling 13 sacks and 33 quarterback hits, leading the Ravens in both categories. The former Texas A&M star had a career year at the perfect time.
3) Josh Allen, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars won’t let Allen out of the building this offseason, using the franchise tag if they must. The star pass rusher had 17.5 sacks in 2023, recording 3.5 more than his total the previous two years combined. After finishing second in the NFL in sacks and quarterback pressures, Allen could reset the edge rusher market.
2) Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Despite coming off a torn Achilles at his age, Cousins will have multiple suitors this offseason. Many believe the veteran quarterback will return to Minnesota. However, the Atlanta Falcons are a likely second option if things don’t work out with the Vikings. Cousins’ wife is from Atlanta, and the Falcons are a quarterback away from winning the NFC South division.
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
1) Chris Jones, DL, Kansas City Chiefs
Jones held out of training camp and Week 1 last season, attempting to get a long-term deal done with the Chiefs. While that never happened, the superstar returned and helped the team win Super Bowl LVIII. Jones will likely reset the NFL record for the richest contract by a defensive player in history despite turning 30 in July.
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