Cousin Kirk? Chris Jones? How about Saquon Barkley? Wilson Russell? These are the players that each of the 32 clubs ought to aim to add to NFL free agency this spring.
Now that the franchise tag deadline has passed, it is clearer which elite free agents will be accessible on Monday at 12 p.m. ET when the legal tampering period begins.
Based on our ranking of the top 50 free agents, there should be no shortage of talent available for purchase. Kirk Cousins and Chris Jones top our big board. Who will acquire the two elite athletes? We’ll still be making predictions even if it might not be known until next week.
When the legal tampering period begins on Monday, any NFL team can sign one of these specified free agents.
Arizona Cardinals
Free agent: Bryce Huff, edge
The Cardinals need defensive talent, but coach Jonathan Gannon got his young defense to contend in 2023. Huff could be able to capitalize on his breakthrough New York Jets season with Gannon’s assistance. Huff, 25, has 21 QB hits and 10 sacks in the previous campaign.
Atlanta Falcons
Free agent: Kirk Cousins, QB
For Cousins, 35, the Falcons must put forth maximum effort. Before suffering the season-ending Achilles injury, Kirk Cousins had a stellar 2023. The Falcons will have to pay the transfer fee to get the veteran signal-caller if the former quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings is cleared medically. Utilizing its outstanding skill players—wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson, and tight end Kyle Pitts—he would assist the Atlanta Falcons in making the most of them.
Baltimore Ravens
Free agent: Patrick Queen, LB
Queen and Roquan Smith, the linebacker combo for the Ravens, may have been just as outstanding as Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw of the San Francisco 49ers from the previous season. For the foreseeable future, Baltimore would do well to maintain the collaboration of Smith and Queen, who had a standout 2023 season with 133 total tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Buffalo Bills
Free agent: Quandre Diggs, S
Cap space concerns will likely force the Buffalo Bills to part ways with veteran safety Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Diggs, who was released by the Seahawks, maybe a cheap choice to cover the vacuum if that is the case. Though he is older than Hyde and Poyer, 31-year-old Diggs is still young.
Carolina Panthers
Free agent: Calvin Ridley, WR
For the Panthers, a 1,000-yard receiver can still be added to support second-year quarterback Bryce Young, even if Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, and Michael Pittman Jr. were not able to activate their free agency. After a low key to his Jacksonville career, Ridley, 29, turned in outstanding final months. For 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns last season, he had 76 receptions.
Chicago Bears
Free agent: Mike Onwenu, OL
Last season, the Bears made a mistake by signing Nate Davis. They ought to take another stab at adding the adaptable Onwenu, who can play right tackle and guard. The first goal in Chicago should be to improve the offensive line for Justin Fields, or Caleb Williams, the likely No. 1 choice.
Cincinnati Bengals
Free agent: Stephon Gilmore, CB
The Dallas Cowboys, who already have two excellent cornerbacks in Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, will probably allow Gilmore to depart due to contract space concerns. Gilmore showed last season that he still has a lot to contribute on the field by starting every game and hauling in two interceptions in 2023. The Bengals should seize the chance to sign him.
Cleveland Browns
Free agent: Tony Pollard, RB
In his first season in Dallas without sharing carries with Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard had trouble. If Nick Chubb, the standout from Cleveland, recovers from his serious knee injury, Pollard and Chubb may play tandem. In addition to being a great playmaker, Pollard can also be useful out of the backfield. During the previous season, he amassed 1,005 running yards and 311 receiving yards.
Dallas Cowboys
Free agent: Frankie Luvu, LB
Luvu would assist the Dallas Cowboys with their questionable run defense and cover the linebacker positions on the roster. In 2023, he totaled 125 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Denver Broncos
Free agent: Josh Uche, Edge
Since dealing Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins in 2022, the Broncos have been looking for pass-rush assistance. In New England, Uche showed promise, but he was never able to maintain the kind of performance necessary to gain a long-term position as a starter. A shift in environment could enable Uche to realize his full potential.
Detroit Lions
Free agent: Danielle Hunter, Edge
Seeing Hunter leave the Vikings for a foe in the NFC North is difficult. However, the Lions may outbid the Vikings for the veteran’s services since they have the cap room. Hunter finished the previous season with a career-high 16.5 sacks. If he is partnered with Aidan Hutchinson as an edge rusher, Detroit will have an explosive combination.
Green Bay Packers
Free agent: Tyron Smith, LT
David Bakhtiari suffered another injury-plagued season, so the Packers may free up almost $20 million in salary space if they decide to remove him. Although Smith had injury problems as well, he was an excellent player in 13 games during the previous campaign. Smith may provide Jordan Love with more blindside protection at a lower cost.
Houston Texans
Free agent: Jonathan Greenard, Edge
In 2023, Greenard’s first season under coach DeMeco Ryans was remarkable. As a rookie and ’23 No. 3 pick Will Anderson Jr. adapted to the professional game, he led the defense. Houston must keep Anderson and Greenard together on the field. Greenard finished with 12.5 sacks.
Indianapolis Colts
Free agent: Christian Wilkins, IDL
With 51 total sacks during the previous season, the Colts’ defensive line proved to be effective. When Wilkins teams up with DeForest Buckner to make a formidable tandem right away, they shouldn’t give up. When Wilkins joins the Colts, their defensive line will be among the best in the NFL because he can rush the quarterback and stop the run.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Free agent: Leonard Williams, IDL
Williams’ experience with the Seahawks didn’t go as planned, but his ability to press the pocket makes him a valuable player even now. Josh Allen, the standout edge rusher who was given the franchise tag to stay in Jacksonville, would have an easier time of things if Williams remained around.
Kansas City Chiefs
Free agent: Chris Jones, IDL
After Jones led his club to two Super Bowl victories with consecutive strong playoff performances, it is now time for the Chiefs to step up. Jones is probably Kansas City’s top priority, but after paying Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, the team is short on salary room. With the Chiefs or another club, Jones should end up earning the largest salary of any defensive player in the NFL.
Las Vegas Raiders
Free agent: Kevin Zeitler, OG
Zeitler, who was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2023, is a potential addition to the Raiders to help with the offensive line deficiencies. Zeitler, 33, is a standout pass-protector who has contributed significantly to the Ravens’ successful rushing offense in recent years.
Los Angeles Chargers
Free agent: Derrick Henry, RB
The Chargers are reportedly adding a talented running back due to Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy schemes at Michigan. Henry may be available for a reasonable price as he approaches his 30-year-old season since the Chargers have minimal contract room. (That outpaces the majority of elite free-agent running backs.) However, Henry—who ran for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023—may have been the best free agent of the class.
Los Angeles Rams
Free agent: Chase Young, Edge
If Young’s market remains quiet following his turbulent time with the 49ers and the asking price is fair, the Rams could want to try their luck with the 2020 No. 2 selection. The Rams need defensive talent since they were overachievers the previous season. Young has trouble stopping the run, but Aaron Donald and Kobie Turner for Los Angeles can assist.
Miami Dolphins
Free agent: Jonah Williams, OT
While right tackle Austin Jackson struggled last season, left tackle Terron Armstead made passing references to his retirement. Williams, who spent last season playing on the right side, might be useful at both tackle spots. However, he excels while playing left tackle.
Minnesota Vikings
Free agent: Saquon Barkley, RB
If the Vikings decide not to re-sign Cousins, they may have a rookie starting quarterback in 2024. Should that be the case, acquiring Barkley—one of the league’s top pass-catchers—could make things simpler for the new signal-caller. If the Vikings choose to choose a quarterback in April, Barkley, Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison would make for a fantastic group of skill players for Michael Penix Jr. or J.J. McCarthy.
New England Patriots
Free agent: Kevin Dotson, OG
The Patriots, who own the third choice in the draft, may also start a rookie quarterback in the upcoming campaign. If so, New England has to give the offensive line high attention. Dotson, who was traded by the Steelers to the Rams, thrived under Sean McVay’s offensive scheme.
New Orleans Saints
Free agent: Za’Darius Smith, Edge
With a roster full of seasoned players and no cap room, the Saints appear determined to play another season. Cameron Jordan needs assistance on the defensive line if that is the case. Myles Garrett’s 2023 Defensive Player of the Year triumph was aided by Smith’s move to Cleveland.
New York Giants
Free agent: Xavier McKinney, S
The Giants are unable to pay for McKinney to walk during his free agency. He can make plays as a pass rusher and run stopper and has exceptional coverage abilities. McKinney may come with a hefty price tag, but the Giants have room on their salary cap.
New York Jets
Free agent: Robert Hunt, OG
The starting offensive line for the Jets only has three vacancies, which is not ideal for a club that is counting on 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers to have a successful season. The dependable Hunt, who spent the previous few seasons in Miami serving as a formidable bodyguard for Tua Tagovailoa, can take up one position. Hunt, 28, has made 55 career starts, giving him plenty of experience.
Philadelphia Eagles
Free agent: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S
The Eagles missed in allowing Gardner-Johnson to depart during his previous free agency. There are still gaps in safety despite the defense’s sharp decline. Maybe both parties might benefit from a reunion. Gardner-Johnson had a strong postseason campaign, but a torn pec injury kept him out of the Lions’ lineup for 14 games.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Free agent: Russell Wilson, QB
According to reports, the Steelers are not interested in Wilson and are still rather keen on Kenny Pickett, who has had difficulty in his first two seasons. The Steelers’ desire to allow their first-round choice to prove himself makes sense, but some competition wouldn’t go amiss. During training camp, let Wilson or another seasoned quarterback press Pickett.
San Francisco 49ers
Free agent: Kenny Moore II, CB
Last season, the 49ers’ all-star defense was let down by the defensive line’s inability to consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That demonstrated the deficiency of skill on the squad behind Charvarius Ward at cornerback. Moore may be useful in San Francisco as a slot cornerback.
Seattle Seahawks
Free agent: Jeremy Chinn, S
Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, two safeties, were recently released by the Seahawks. The adaptable Chinn may step in and strengthen the defense. Despite his injury worries, 26-year-old Chinn had two excellent seasons in the league. Between 2020 and 2021, he totaled over 100 tackles.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Free agent: Baker Mayfield, QB
Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. were both kept on by the Buccaneers and were not let go as free agents. Baker Mayfield, who had a stellar season in 2023, is now the center of attention. Nobody would be surprised if Mayfield signed a multi-year contract deal with Tampa Bay.
Tennessee Titans
Free agent: Marquise Brown, WR
The offensive line is where the Titans need improvement, but they can solve that in the draft. Given that DeAndre Hopkins is about to become thirty-two and that Henry is expected to depart, Will Levis needs additional weapons. Despite his struggles in Arizona, Brown remains a formidable downfield threat.
Washington Commanders
Free agent: Josh Jacobs, RB
If the Commanders use their No. 2 pick in April to choose a quarterback, they will need a bellcow. Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson Jr. together haven’t produced anything for Washington. The 2022 rushing champion Jacobs would enhance their offensive line.
