Notable 2024 NFL Free Agents

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertSeptember 07, 2023
© USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 regular season is here, so naturally, it's the perfect time to start thinking about next offseason. Our quick look at notable, pending free agents from each position grouping. VIEW ALL 2024 FREE AGENTS

Quarterbacks

3 (technically 4 if we’re throwing Joshua Dobbs into the mix) 2023 starting QBs are slated to hit the open market next March. Vikings fans thinking they can slow-play another deal for Cousins with a franchise tag next March may want to think otherwise, as it’ll cost $52.2M to do so (3rd career tag). Tennessee could hand the keys to Malik Willis or Will Levis next season, but a short-term reunion with Tannehill isn’t out of the question.

Kirk Cousins (MIN, 35)
Baker Mayfield (TB, 28)
Ryan Tannehill (TEN, 35)

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Running Backs

Another loaded list of players (click view all to see the 2 dozen or so legitimate options) are set to hit the open market. Will someone take a chance on near-30 Derrick Henry? Are Pollard/Jacobs/Barkley destined for another tag? Will Jonathan Taylor snag a top-of-the-market offer?

JK Dobbins (BAL, 25)
Tony Pollard (DAL, 26)
Jonathan Taylor (IND, 25)
Austin Ekeler (LAC, 28)
Cam Akers (LAR, 24)
Josh Jacobs (LV, 25)
Saquon Barkley (NYG, 26)
Dalvin Cook (NYJ, 28)
D'Andre Swift (PHI, 24)
Derrick Henry (TEN, 29)

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Wide Receivers

The 2022 burst of WR contracts leaves this list a little thin heading toward March, but Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, & Calvin Ridley should all be in the mix for $20M+ per year deals, while a few other names here can play themselves into that conversation through 2023.

Michael Pittman Jr. (IND, 26)
Marquise Brown (ARI, 26)
Gabriel Davis (BUF, 24)
Darnell Mooney (CHI, 26)
Tee Higgins (CIN, 24)
Calvin Ridley (JAX, 29)
Mike Evans (TB, 30)

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Tight Ends

With the exception of T.J. Hockenson’s deal in Minnesota, the Tight End market has plateaued for lack of a better term. Many, if not all, of the names shown here will be relegated to 1-year offers next March.

Dalton Schultz (HOU, 27)
Mike Gesicki (NE, 28)
Hunter Henry (NE, 29)
Noah Fant (SEA, 26)
Tyler Higbee (LAR, 30)

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Tackles

3 above average starting left tackles could become available next March, which should mean major pay days. The top right tackles in the league are now securing north of $60M guaranteed.

Jonah Williams (CIN, 26)
Tyron Smith (DAL, 33)
Josh Jones (HOU, 26)
Donovan Smith (KC, 30)
Trenton Brown (NE, 30)

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Guards

Guard might be the deepest available position next March, as there were a dozen legitimate options to make note of here. Will any of these names splash a blockbuster deal? Probably not. But there will be plenty of offers for stable, starting-caliber interior linemen on an annual basis.

Kevin Zeitler (BAL, 33)
Robert Hunt (MIA, 27)
Ezra Cleveland (MIN, 25)
Mike Onwenu (NE, 26)
Damien Lewis (SEA, 26)

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Centers

Kelce probably steps away after 2023, but a return to Philly seems the only other option. Connor Williams and the Dolphins have tried to figure out an extension this summer, but it doesn’t appear that will happen before the start of the regular season. There’s a world where someone makes him the highest paid center in the league next March.

Connor Williams (MIA, 26)
Connor McGovern (NYJ, 30)
Jason Kelce (PHI, 36)

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Defensive Linemen

Wilkins and the Dolphins had preliminary discussions, but the offers remained too far apart to nail anything down. A half dozen top of the line extensions this offseason has taken the DT market into the mid-20s, and easily approaching the $30M mark for the upcoming year.

Michael Pierce (BAL, 31)
Andrew Billings (CHI, 28)
D.J. Reader (CIN, 29)
Christian Wilkins (MIA, 28)
Teair Tart (TEN, 26)

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Edge Defenders

Just when we thought teams were starting to suppress the EDGE market, San Francisco locks in Nick Bosa to the biggest, baddest non-QB contract in the history of football. That certainly won’t be the case for everyone here, but players like Burns & Gary will certainly see a bump in light of this recent deal.

Brian Burns (CAR, 25)
Za'Darius Smith (CLE, 31)
Rashan Gary (GB, 26)
Josh Allen (JAX, 26)
Danielle Hunter (MIN, 29)
Josh Uche (NE, 25)
Leonard Williams (NYG, 29)
Chase Young (WAS, 24)
Montez Sweat (WAS, 27)

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Off-Ball Linebackers

A fully healthy Jordyn Brooks probably sees a big-time extension offer from Seattle before March 13th, but Devin White & Patrick Queen are likely to hit the open market. They’ll be seeking a Tremaine Edmunds type deal ($50M guaranteed) from this past offseason.

Patrick Queen (BAL, 24)
Anthony Walker Jr. (CLE, 28)
Jordyn Brooks (SEA, 26)
Bobby Wagner (SEA, 33)
Lavonte David (TB, 33)
Devin White (TB, 25)

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Cornerbacks

Not the most star-studded list we’ve seen in recent free agent history, but Jackson & Sneed could secure nice numbers if allowed to walk.

Stephon Gilmore (DAL, 33)
L'Jarius Sneed (KC, 26)
Adoree' Jackson (NYG, 28)
Sean Bunting (TEN, 26)
Kendall Fuller (WAS, 28)

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Safeties

There’s some real talent here, and if the Buccaneers/Patriots decide to go backwards instead of forwards with their respective rosters, it could mean big free agent pay days coming elsewhere.

Micah Hyde (BUF, 32)
Kyle Dugger (NE, 27)
Ryan Neal (TB, 28)
Antoine Winfield Jr. (TB, 25)
Kamren Curl (WAS, 24)

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Kickers

The Giants have been feeding a lot of mouths this offseason, but Gano could be next on the list if he stays as productive as he’s been for them of late.

Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU, 29)
Graham Gano (NYG, 36)
Chase McLaughlin (TB, 27)

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Punters

Townsed secure a $2.6M tender to remain in KC this season, but could push Michael Dickson's $3.6M per year number with a multi-year extension or free agent contract.

Corey Bojorquez (CLE, 27)
Tommy Townsend (KC, 27)
Thomas Morstead (NYJ, 37)

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