NFL Free Agency Preview: Top Re-Sign Targets

As the years go on, one thing that continues to get shorter and shorter is the NFL’s off-season. In their never-ending quest to dominate our entire calendar year, we take a quick breath for about a week, maybe a week and a half, and then we’re right back into the NFL’s Free Agency period. And while we still have a little less than a month until your favorite team can start talking to free agents from opposing organizations, they’ll start negotiating/tagging their own free agents tomorrow (Feb. 20th). With the deadline for franchise/transition tags coming up quickly on March 5th… things are about to get interesting!

With all that being said, I wanted to take a quick look at each of the league’s 32 teams and rank their players on expiring contracts in order of how crucial I think it is for the team to keep these guys around, and I’ll also be chiming in with some commentary on why I think a team should or should not hang onto a guy.

Arizona Cardinals

1. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, WR
   • If my mock draft prediction comes true, or the Cards have some insider knowledge that it might, and they do in fact have a shot to draft Marvin Harrison Jr., it deeply impacts Hollywood’s value to them as a team. Regardless of this, Hollywood has been a high caliber contributor to their offense, and if they don’t choose to keep him in town, he will surely garner a lot of attention around the league, and likely command a substantial salary. In any case, sorting out what to do with Hollywood is definitely at the forefront of the team’s mind as we head into free agency and the draft.

Atlanta Falcons

1. Calais Campbell, DL
   • No matter the team, having a space-eating, gap-filling, tackle-machine like Campbell up front helps. It should be a top priority for the Falcons to keep Campbell onboard and happy in 2024. Even as he continues to age, Campbell ranks among the best interior defensive linemen in the league, and was a key component on the Falcons defense that outperformed all expectations in 2023.
2. Bud Dupree, EDGE
   • He’s not the player he once was, but as an edge rusher who can get after the QB and apply some pressure, he still has a role to play for the Falcons, or another team if they let him walk. He won’t command big money, but I would be surprised if he doesn’t land somewhere that he can play significant snaps in 2024.
3. Jeff Okudah, CB
   • A former highly touted prospect who really hasn’t worked out through this point in his career. He is still young, so a change of scenery or a new coaching scheme might do the trick and get him back on track, but for now, he will likely be treated as a depth addition in ATL or elsewhere.

Baltimore Ravens

1. Patrick Queen, LB
   • When you watch the tape of the Ravens defense from this past season, you see Queen popping up all over the place. The number one priority for the Ravens should be bringing Queen back, even if they have to tag him to do so. Queen, alongside Roquan Smith, make for one of the most feared tandems in the league, and if the Ravens hope to make a deep run again in 2024, they’ll need Queen’s services.
2. Justin Madubuike, DL
   • A breakout year in 2023, Madubuike showed just how dominant he could be on the interior of the defensive line. He was stuffing runs, getting after the passer, and generally wreaking havoc on the field. This is how Baltimore has always liked to play football, dating back to the early 2000’s (and likely beyond, I just can’t remember who played inside back then). Madubuike should be retained, but is likely a guy who won’t break the bank, even at the often expensive DT position.
3. Kevin Zeitler, OG
   • Given the way the Ravens like to run the football, it makes sense to keep dominant interior OL around. Zeitler is exactly this, even if he is a bit older. Yet another priority for the Ravens to bring back in ’24.
4. Geno Stone, S
   • While he is more of a coverage specialist, Stone was used in a somewhat unique way by the Ravens, deployed as the third safety in 3-safety looks, something the Ravens ran more than anyone else in the league this year. He managed to haul in a league leading 7 INTs from the Safety position, and also had nearly a 90 grade by PFF, good for 7th place in the league. He isn’t a top priority given the emergence of Kyle Hamilton, but he is surely a guy the Ravens hope to bring back and use in a similar role in 2024.
5. Jadaveon Clowney, EDGE
   • This may just be a case of the rich getting richer, but Clowney had a bit of a career revitalization in Baltimore, and he may look to return there and push for that Super Bowl berth once again. That being said, he’s shown no hesitation to follow the money on one year deals, so it wouldn’t shock me to see him switch teams, but I think he fits what the Ravens want to do too well to jump ship at this point in his career.
6. Odell Beckham Jr, WR
   • While his stats don’t jump off the page at you, and Zay Flowers was surely the WR to own in BAL this year, Odell began to look more like his old self (in a good way) towards the end of the 2023 season. From Weeks 9-14, he trailed only Tyreek Hill in PFF grades at the WR position, with a score of 90.0. No matter how you slice it, that’s something you want to keep around a team, especially one as shallow at WR as the Ravens.
7. JK Dobbins, RB
   • No other way to put it… injuries have robbed us all of what could have been a great start to a career for Dobbins. When he’s been healthy, he’s been one of the most exciting backs to watch in all of the NFL. However, he hasn’t been healthy often enough for us to really judge what he can do long term. And while one school of thought says to cut bait on the oft-injured RB, another says it never hurts to add a warm body on a cheap deal with tons of upside. And I think this is what we’ll see the Ravens do. They’ll offer him a cheap, team-friendly, prove-it type deal, and if he hits, they’re geniuses. If he doesn’t, no harm done.
8. Ronald Darby, CB
   • For a team perennially wrought with injuries in their secondary, I think it just makes sense to bring Darby back. He knows the offense and can execute it at a more than capable level. He’s not a priority for the team by any means, but he would be a cheap veteran option for sure.

Buffalo Bills

1. Gabe Davis, WR
   • As much as these boom/bust WRs suck to have in fantasy, there is no denying how they impact the game from an NFL perspective. And Davis changes the dynamic potential of the Bills offense when he is on the field. He is a threat to score from anywhere, and the Bills will likely want him back paired up with Josh Allen for the long haul. This one will boil down to how much he wants to make and if the Bills are willing to pay it, but my guess is the two sides will find common ground.
2. AJ Epenesa, EDGE
   • I’ve been impressed by Epenesa’s development and contributions on the field the last year plus. He’s been a great rotational pass rusher for the Bills, and with some uncertainty about Von Miller’s return, and the cost associated with Miller, I think it makes sense for the Bills to try to lock up a very capable pass rusher as early as they can. There will be some other options out there in the draft, so they may not view this as an immediate need, but I think Epenesa ends up in BUF again this year one way or another.
3. Leonard Floyd, EDGE/LB
   • He’s a good depth piece for a team, but his lack of versatility as a pass rusher and lack of coverage ability tend to keep him from cashing in huge during off-season spending sprees. I don’t expect this season to be any different.

Carolina Panthers

1. Brian Burns, EDGE
   • The rumors are swirling that Burns will be tagged and moved, or signed and traded by the Panthers, but to me, he’s a must-keep talent. There aren’t many players who change a game like Burns does singlehandedly, and letting him walk would be a mistake. However, this is the same organization that just traded DJ Moore for Bryce Young… so nothing is off the table.
2. Frankie Luvu, LB
   • Unless you really follow the Panthers or linebacker play in the NFL very closely, you may not even know of Frankie Luvu. But for those of us who fit into one of the aforementioned categories, we know Luvu has been slowly breaking out for the last 2+ years. And while his specialty is surely in run defense and pass rushing, he does enough in coverage to be considered a top tier LB talent in the league. This will come down to the Panthers loosening the purse strings, because there are surely several teams that will pay handsomely for a talent like Luvu’s to put on their uniform in 2024.
3. Jeremy Chinn, S
   • Chinn is not expected back in CAR. He hasn’t gelled with DC Ejiro Evero’s base 3-4 scheme, as safeties in his system play a more traditional role, while Chinn is built like a hybrid safety/linebacker and prefers to spend his time in a nickel type role. He is expected to generate a lot of interest across the league for teams where he will be a better fit.

Chicago Bears

1. Jaylon Johnson, CB
   • Johnson has been a stud since entering the league, but I forgive you if you haven’t noticed, since he’s been buried on some very poor Bears teams. Contract talks broke down so badly during the 2023 season that he requested a trade at the deadline, but it appears as though the Bears organization and his side have re-opened talks and hope to get a long term deal done. This should be a top priority for the Bears, as he sets the tone for the secondary of that team.
2. Darnell Mooney, WR
   • Mooney is considerably less of a priority, but still important nonetheless. Whether it remains Fields at QB or the Bears draft Caleb Williams, they will need someone to throw to. And even if they finagle a way into Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr, you don’t want him to be the only viable WR option there. Extending Mooney, who has shown some flashes, may be a wise move for the long-term success of the franchise.
3. Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE
   • Not much to say here, just always good to have talented veteran edge rushers in the NFL who will play on cheap-ish deals.
4. D’Onta Foreman, RB
   • While he isn’t the flashiest or the sexiest signing, Foreman shows up and brings his lunchbox to work every single day. He waits til his number is called and he performs. We saw him do it in Carolina after the guys ahead of him went down, and then he did it again this season in CHI after the guys ahead of him went down. A low-maintenance player like this who can show up and perform when called upon is exactly what you need, and if he comes on a cheap deal like Foreman does, well that’s even better.

Cincinnati Bengals

1. Tee Higgins, WR
   • Likely the hottest WR commodity on the market this season, Higgins seems like a probable option for the franchise tag. The Bengals will want to keep him around to play opposite Ja’Marr Chase, and keeping Higgins keeps their window to win it all open for another season. Unfortunately, Higgins’ 2023 season was marred by injury, so Tee won’t have a ton of leverage in negotiations, meaning he is likely to either play under the tag or threaten to sit out, which is a losing scenario for everyone. Let’s hope the two sides can come to an agreement before it gets to that point. If the Bengals let him go, expect him to end up as the top paid WR in this FA class.
2. DJ Reader, DT
   • A perennial space eater and top tier DT in the league, retaining Reader is a must for the Bengals, plain and simple.
3. Tyler Boyd, WR
   • Boyd’s contract situation will likely play out in direct correlation to Higgins’ negotiations. If the team loses Tee, Boyd gains value. If they keep Tee, his value is the same as it’s been the last couple years. He has shown an affinity for the team, their fans, and his teammates, so he may take a team friendly deal to stay in town and compete for a Super Bowl berth, but I think we’ll see just how much the Bengals value him by what kind of money they offer.
4. Chidobe Awuzie, CB
   • Awuzie had a solid 2023 campaign after he tore his ACL in 2022. The Bengals, however, have used a bevy of first and second round picks on their secondary in the last 2 drafts, which may be an indicator that Awuzie is heading to free agency. If I were the Bengals, I would like to see the veteran back for at least one more year, but that may boil down to how many years Chidobe is looking for when they sit down at the table to make a deal.
5. Jonah Williams, OT
   • As I said in my mock draft writeup, I think it may be time to move on from Williams. The Bengals will have the draft capital to replace Williams using a draft pick, and in doing so, they’ll save some money at the same time. It seems like a forgone conclusion to me that Williams will be in the open FA market in 2024.

Cleveland Browns

1. Za’Darius Smith, EDGE
   • The Browns should be doing everything they can to keep their defense from a season ago together, so I anticipate them making a valiant effort to keep Smith in town. He fits what they like to do, so it may just boil down to money and years between the two.

Dallas Cowboys

1. Tyron Smith, LT
   • Smith has consistently reworked his contract to help out the Cowboys over the years, and I think we will see him take another team friendly deal to stay in town again. He is still one of the best LTs in the game, even if he takes less money than most of them. It seems like he wants to play with Dallas until they win a SB together, and while that may never happen, I do think he stays put once again. That being said, the Chiefs are about to lose their LT this season…something to think about Tyron!
2. Stephon Gilmore, CB
   • Despite what AJ Brown said, Steph Gilmore is NOT TOO OLD to guard him, and he proved it by locking him up when they faced off head to head. And if Steph can still shutdown AJB… he’s good enough for me. With Diggs still on the road to recovery and Daron Bland still not being ready for #1 corner duties, I would expect to see Gilmore back in DAL in 2024.
3. Tony Pollard, RB
   • After letting Zeke walk, it was always just a matter of time before Pollard came up for a contract and he was the only RB in town worth a damn. Which is not to say that Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn suck, but they’re not in Pollard’s tier. This one will come down to whether or not Jerry has learned from the rest of the league, or if he’s still doing his own thing and paying RBs huge money, but I think one way or another, they need to find a way to retain Pollard.
4. Jayron Kearse, S
   • He’s a good solid safety who should stick around on short money. Not a needle-mover, but a good depth piece that will likely stay in place.

Denver Broncos

1. Lloyd Cushenberry III, C
   • A guy who looked like he may be on his way out of the league after his rookie deal, Cushenberry has really turned it around and has now ranked near the top for run blockers and in the top quarter for pass blockers in the league by PFF each of the past 2 seasons. I would expect the Broncos to place a heavy emphasis on retaining his services, as they continue to look to improve their offense, which should be predicated on running the ball with Javonte Williams and working play action off of that with (possibly Russell Wilson based on the current rumors) whoever is under center.
2. Josey Jewell, LB
   • Just a very solid all-around linebacker who did a lot for the Broncos in 2023. I don’t think he gets earth-shattering money, but he should get a good deal for a few years from a team that needs to build their defense up a bit.
3. Adam Trautman, TE
   • He’ll stick around because Payton likes him, and that’s all that matters in Denver. He is an elite in-line blocker, so that works well for when the Broncos actually want to use Javonte Williams, but his skills as a pass catcher leave you wanting much more. And it’s this area of weakness that will prevent him from cashing in on a huge payday.

Detroit Lions

1. Jonah Jackson, OG
   • One of the better run blockers in the league, but a liability in pass pro. I would expect him back, but only on a team-friendly deal. The Lions have shown an ability to get a lot more out of their OL than other teams, so they may be comfortable taking an OG off the FA scrap heap and coaching him up, rather than paying Jackson more than they’re comfortable with.
2. CJ Gardner-Johnson, S
   • A one year deal signed for 2023, and then a pectoral injury that kept him sidelined the majority of the season, CJGJ was on the field for the Lions playoff push, where he almost singlehandedly smack-talked them out of a sure win. I’m not sure how much he endeared himself to Lions fans and management doing that, but he may be a guy they let walk, especially seeing how well they were able to survive in his absence. The emergence of Brian Branch certainly makes moving on from Gardner-Johnson much easier.
3. Josh Reynolds, WR
   • After the costly drops in the NFC championship game, I would normally say Reynolds is a sure-fire lock to get his walking papers. BUT, Goff and Reynolds have been linked to one another for years, and we may see it again in 2024. Reynolds won’t command a huge salary, so if it’s a couple million just to hang around and fill in when an injury occurs, I wouldn’t be stunned either.
4. Graham Glasgow, G
   • Glasgow needs works in pass pro, but he’s still one of the most elite run blockers in the game. His future in DET is likely tied to the future of Jackson, mentioned above, as I expect only one of them will stay in town. For my money, I would guess Glasgow who will stay on a cheaper deal, but that’s purely speculation. (Unlike the rest of this article, which is all cold hard facts man)
5. Emmanuel Moseley, CB
   • Moseley reminds me of an Akhello Witherspoon (or maybe a past-his-prime Asante Samuel for the older readers here) signing. He does a lot of things good, not a ton of things great, but he probably won’t put you in a position to get embarrassed. And as such, he might stick around in DET, I just wouldn’t consider him to be a priority signing for the team.

Green Bay Packers

1. AJ Dillon, RB
   • Aaron Jones isn’t getting any younger, so it makes sense to bring back a more than serviceable backup RB. It also warrants mentioning that Dillon did start to find his stride down the stretch in 2023. He may ask for more money than he’s worth, but I don’t see teams in the NFL scrambling to add him for top dollar, so the Packers should be able to get a fair deal done.

Houston Texans

1. Dalton Schultz, TE
   • Schultz neglected to sign a long term deal last year, and props to his agent, because it is a very weak TE class in 2023. He could command top money from a number of TE-needy teams, but I think he will get a fair offer and stay in Houston, who not only used him effectively, but seem to really be cooking up something special down there, and I think Schultz will want to stick around and see what they can do as a team going forward.
2. Jonathan Greenard, EDGE
   • Proficient in both the pass and run games, Greenard had a breakout year in 2023, and I think you have to attribute a lot of that to the coaching of Demeco Ryans, a stud LB in his own day. I would expect to see Greenard back in Houston, and possibly on a team-friendly deal.
3. Steven Nelson, CB
   • Equally talented in run support and coverage, Nelson is another guy I think is the prototypical fit for a Demeco Ryans defense. He has the athleticism to hang with WRs, but the versatility and power to come up and pop a RB for no gain. With what he did this season, I would expect the Texans to pay him good money to come back.
4. Devin Singletary, RB
   • Love him or hate him, you can’t knock what Singy did last year. He was an absolute beast, usurped Dameon Pierce, and really had a stranglehold on the backfield. And although we know RBs don’t get huge money in the NFL anymore, I’d expect him to get a couple million a year and stick around in Houston for a while. It’s always possible they’ll wait to see how the draft goes before pulling the trigger on him, but with what he showed last year, I think you could argue it’s safer to go with the known quantity than essentially guessing in the draft.
5. Noah Brown, WR
   • A good depth WR, but in an offense that already has too many mouths to feed at WR ahead of him. He is likely headed to another team, and Houston likely won’t have much interest in retaining his services, unless he comes back dirt cheap.

Indianapolis Colts

1. Michael Pittman Jr, WR
   • Whether it ends up being Anthony Richardson or Gardner Minshew at QB, they’d both tell you the same thing… they want Pittman out there to throw to. Pittman is the highest priority signing for the Colts and it’s not even close. They hit on a WR in the draft for the first time in a long time when they drafted him, and they may have found another gem in Josh Downs this season, they can’t let Pittman leave and have us all wondering what could have been.
2. Gardner Minshew, QB
   • A sneaky important guy to retain for the Colts. Richardson is the QB of the future, but one season in and we’ve already see him pick up a season ending injury early on. Could be a fluke, but for a team who isn’t many piece away from being ready to make a deep playoff run, having a competent backup QB who can still win games for your team in the event they are called upon is a big bonus. Plus… he was an All-Pro this year! (somehow)
3. Kenny Moore II, CB
   • His standout game this season where he had two pick sixes certainly endeared him to Colts fans, and his fit for Gus Bradley’s Cover 3 defensive scheme may have the coaches on his side, but he was publicly trying to get a contract extension during the season in 2023, and that never came to fruition, meaning he may not have the front office sold quite yet. He’s definitely a DB worth keeping around in my mind, mostly because I can’t name the cornerbacks ahead of him off the top of my head, so he should still have a role to play for this team, unless they plan to draft heavy at the DB position in the draft… maybe targeting Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo like I suggested in my mock!
4. Zack Moss, RB
   • Less of a priority but one of the easiest decisions for the Colts to make. Keep Zack Moss in town. After what he did in JT’s extended absence, there is zero reason to let him walk, other than him getting greedy and asking for too much money. Which I don’t foresee happening.
5. Taven Bryan, DT
   • He was an interesting prospect coming out of college that a lot of people expected to see take over and play a dominant interior lineman role, and it just hasn’t really played out that way. Instead, he’s been a rotational plug at best, and will likely continue along that career trajectory and bounce around from team to team. He’s still decent enough to log snaps in the NFL, but he’s not attracting top tier offers.

Jacksonville Jaguars

1. Josh Allen, EDGE
   • Coming off arguably his best season in 2022, Allen turned in another great showing in 2023, posting career highs in sacks and QB pressures. He brings a lot to the JAX defense, and without him and his high pressure rate, I think the entire Jags defense suffers. However, there is a lot of talent at the edge position in this draft, as well as on the existing Jaguar roster, so while this may still be the Jags top priority as a re-signing, he may not have the leverage to demand massive money.
2. Calvin Ridley, WR
   • After the time off serving his suspension, Ridley returned to action this year and definitely looked like he could still ball. He benefits from being on one of the more skilled offenses in the league, with playmakers at every position around him, but he showed up huge in a few games and reminded us who he is. Now, I think he may want to stick around in JAX and finish what he started, plus there’s always the loyalty side to consider, and sticking with a team who stuck their necks out for you, but as always, it likely boils down to the dollars and cents. One interesting wrinkle though, will be the recovery and health stats us Christian Kirk who suffered that late season “core muscle” injury. He could be totally fine, I just haven’t seen any reports on it, and they may be keeping it under wraps for a reason.

Kansas City Chiefs

1. Chris Jones, DL
   • It can’t be overlooked how much Jones offers the Chiefs as the centerpiece of their DL, but with a tag number over 33M this season, and with their inability to lock up a long term deal last offseason or during the year in 2023, it may be possible, or maybe even likely, that we see Jones in another uniform in 2024. I think Jones should be a top priority for the Chiefs to bring back, but it may not make financial sense if the two sides can’t work out something more team-friendly.
2. L’Jarius Sneed, CB
   • Another huge name for the Chiefs who has likely played himself into some big money. He was as close to a lockdown CB as any the Chiefs have had in quite some time, and he probably expects to be paid like one. The Chiefs have some money to throw around, and we all know the cap is fake to them, but at some point there is a limit, and if the team intends to keep Jones and Sneed, they will likely do so at the expense of players at other positions.
3. Willie Gay, LB
   • Gay has thrived under coach Spags and has been a standout linebacker for KC since joining the team. He has great speed and tackling ability, which are key to success in today’s NFL. Whether it’s all Gay or if he benefits from the defensive scheme Spags uses, well that’s impossible to tell, but I think Gay is a huge priority for the Chiefs to bring back, perhaps as much or even more than Sneed and Jones. High end LB play in the NFL cannot be overlooked, and Gay is trending up.
4. Donovan Smith, LT
   • As I wrote in my mock draft article, I expect the Chiefs to replace Smith through the draft. There is a lot of talent in this class at the Tackle position, and given the struggles with poor play and penalties endured by Smith this season, I think the Chiefs would rather bring in some fresh faces than bring back Smith and have to pay through the nose for him.

Las Vegas Radiers

1. Josh Jacobs, RB
   • While Jacobs is still young, only 26 years old, he has a lot of miles on him. And people started to think he had finally hit a cliff, until McDaniels was fired and Pierce took over, and then Jacobs looked to be back on the right track, closing in on 100 scrimmage yards more often than not. He then suffered a quad injury that ended his season, but I think that was more or less the Raiders saying, we quit, we’re shutting down our star RB, and we plan to have him back next year so let’s keep him safe. So with that said, I expect them to do what it takes to keep Jacobs in town in 2024, and likely beyond.
2. Andre James, C
   • A guy who doesn’t get nearly enough praise, but he is a guy who can pass block AND run block from the Center position with equal effectiveness. Given that the Raiders just let Rodney Hudson walk with the plan for James to take his spot, I would assume it’s a top priority for the team to have him return to the same role in 2024. Whether it’s Jacobs or someone else running behind him, it’s good to have continuity and talent up front.

Los Angeles Chargers

1. Austin Ekeler, RB
   • This one is going to get interesting. The Chargers have a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh, a guy who is very adamant that they will run the ball, play hard nosed defense, and grind out wins with toughness. At the same time, there are rumors out there saying Harbaugh wants his RB Blake Corum from Michigan to join him in the NFL, but what’s not clear is if he means for Corum to operate in tandem with Ekeler, or to take over entirely. Then, we also have the interview he gave gushing over Saquon Barkley, and calling him the best RB in the NFL and saying how much he’d love to have him on his team. All the while, Ekeler is watching his one year deal expire and there don’t appear to be any negotiations ongoing, after we just had a long holdout last year while the RBs waited to try to get paid. Ekeler still has enough in the tank to do some great things for a football team, but are his days of being the lead back behind him? Only time will tell.
2. Gerald Everett, TE
   • This is likely not a priority in any other year, but with the lack of TE talent out there on the open market, Everett might be someone who will get paid more than they’re worth to stick around. He didn’t have a bad season by any means, it just wasn’t anything to write home about. But if he got a Hayden Hurst style 3/21M…. I wouldn’t even bat an eye.

Los Angeles Rams

1. Kevin Dotson, OG
   • Ok full disclosure, I just didn’t want to leave a team blank on here. And to be fair, Dotson is legit. Dotson was acquired in a trade from Pittsburgh, and gelled well in McVay’s system much better than he had under Tomlin. While Dotson has always been a gifted pass blocker, he seemed not to mesh well with the zone rushing scheme utilized by McVay, until we saw the plan come together, where McVay went to a much more heavy gap rushing approach, and Dotson fit the mold perfectly. As such, I’m assuming he will be re-signed quickly, and LA will look to build on a season that, I think it’s safe to say, was a surprising success to most of us.

Miami Dolphins

1. Christian Wilkins, DT
   • I’ll keep this one simple, Wilkins is the heart of the Miami defense and he had a career year in almost every single measurable category. Miami needs to keep him around and they will pay whatever it costs to do so.
2. Robert Hunt, OG
   • While they weren’t able to get an extension done in season, I expect that he will have one soon. Hunt fits the zone run McDaniel runs perfectly, and the former tackle is a monstrous Guard at 6’6″ 335lbs, but he moves like a gazelle. It’s the perfect style of guard for a guy like McDaniel to use, as he loves a pulling guard more than anyone you’ve ever met (other than Andy Reid).
3. Connor Williams, C
   • A Week 14 torn ACL makes this one a little tough to call, but has me leaning towards believing he’ll take a cheaper deal and stay put in Miami on a one year prove it deal, because if he returns to form, he could easily command big money in 2025.
4. Andrew Van Ginkel, EDGE
   • Vic Fangio requires his EDGE rushers to drop into coverage as a part of his defensive scheme, and this is an area where Van Ginkel fits the mold perfectly. He also stepped up big when Jaelan Phillips went down, so I think he’s shown he can be a valuable asset to keep around. He won’t get huge money, but if he asks a reasonable salary, I think he will play out his career in Miami.

Minnesota Vikings

1. Kirk Cousins, QB
   • While Cousins is coming off an Achilles tear, he was putting together a solid season prior to the injury. You have also seen Justin Jefferson as a very vocal supporter of Cousins, and if there is one thing the Vikes should be doing, it’s keeping that many happy. That being said, this is going to boil down to money, and there are several teams out there with a lot of cap space who are in need of QBs, so Cousins, who is no stranger to the franchise tag during his days in Washington, may well end up playing on it again. Keeping Cousins should be a priority for Minnesota if they intend to compete in 2024.
2. Danielle Hunter, EDGE
   • If the Vikes ever hope to return to the Purple People Eaters level of NFL defense, they need to keep Hunter. He’s a monster. Plain and simple. Brian Flores loves having a guy with his athleticism out there. It’s likely him and Burns at the top of teams sheets for EDGE rushers.
3. Dalton Risner, OG
   • He took a one year deal with the Vikings last year, hoping to parlay that into a larger and longer future contract, and boy did that plan work out. He took over for Ezra Cleveland early on, and now he is in position to cash in on his payday. The Vikes need to keep their OL together and try to figure out how to establish a run game, and having a guy like Risner out there helps immensely.
4. Jordan Hicks, LB
   • While he missed some time this year, Hicks was playing great football before he went down with an injury in Week 10. He was able ot come back, and he looked just as good as ever in his return in Week 16. I would expect him back with the Vikes in 2024, a team desperate to assemble a defense that can actually get stops.
5. Marcus Davenport, EDGE
   • The former Saint pass rusher has had an up and down career in the NFL, and while he isn’t the solution to a team’s pass rush problems all on his own, he’s a capable rotational guy. He lost almost the whole season in 2023 due to injury, so he will likely be taking any deal he can get just to stay around the league and prove he can still play.
6. KJ Osborn, WR
   • Osborn may want to move on from Minnesota with the emergence of Jordan Addison, but he could also stick around as a capable third WR option, especially with Hockenson set to be a question mark at the beginning of the year. A case of the dropsies at then end of the season hurts his value a bit…recency bias and all that… but he has long been a serviceable option at WR and will likely fill a similar role for another WR needy team.
7. Josh Dobbs, QB
   • What happens with Cousins will dictate what happens with Dobbs, but from what we saw last year, he’s not the guy to bring anyone to the promised land. Maybe with a full camp under his belt he could do a little better, but I think career backup is more his speed.

New England Patriots

1. Kyle Dugger, S
   • You could argue the main priority is either Dugger or Onwenu, and either way I would agree with you. I think these guys are 1A and 1B for top needs to bring back, and the order to me is insignificant. But what is important to remember here, is that franchise tag amount on a safety is much more palatable than on an OL. That being said, I think the Pats would prefer to bring Dugger back on a long term deal, and just get it done sooner rather than later. He is the heir to Devin McCourty’s throne at Safety, he has played great ball over the last few seasons, and he led the team in solo tackles from the safety position… that isn’t something a lot of guys can say. He also has the ability to play in coverage against WRs, RBs, and TEs. Gun to my head, this is the top priority for the Pats.
2. Michael Onwenu, OL
   • Right next to Dugger for priority level is Onwenu. He was a steal in the 2020 draft coming to the Patriots in the 6th round, and since then has played just about every position on the offensive line for New England, and he has done so at a high level. At RT, LG, and RG he has some of the highest PFF grades since 2020, and he has played all of them, as opposed to the people he is competing against, who specialize in one spot and stay there. His flexibility on the line allows the Patriots to operate with so much more fluidity as a franchise in both the draft and in Free Agency, I can’t see how you can let a guy like that walk.
3. Kendrick Bourne, WR
   • The Patriots weakest area of their team has been WR for years now. Bourne is the best WR on the team, and it’s not even close. He suffered a season ending ACL injury, but his recovery is on track for a full camp, and he has been open and adamant about wanting to stay in New England. He’s a great fit for this team, and they should do whatever it takes to keep him in town. A world where the Patriots draft Marvin Harrison and retain Kendrick Bourne is very plausible, and that would instantly be a place QBs might actually want to play.
4. Anfernee Jennings, EDGE
   • Here’s what I saw about Jennings on Pro Football Focus, and I just want to put the entire writeup here, because I think it’s that important:
     • “Lost in the shuffle of a forgettable Patriots season is the fact that Anfernee Jennings had one of the most impressive seasons defending the run from an edge that we’ve seen in years. Jennings’ 38 stops against the run tied for the most among edge defenders with Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby, despite [Jennings] logging 80 fewer snaps against the run. His 11% run-stop rate is one of the top marks in PFF history”
   • So, uh, yeah….they should be bringing him back. If you have a Maxx Crosby level run stopper… you keep him.
5. Hunter Henry, TE
   • Something you may not know… Henry tied Sam LaPorta for the league lead in TDs from the TE position this year. Yeah… sort of under reported eh? He’s definitely not the athlete he once was, but he knows how to get open, can still block with the best of em, and he seems to mesh well with the team. As long as he’s not asking for the moon, I don’t think there’s any reason not to bring him back.
6. Mike Gesicki, TE
   • Another under the radar guy, Gesicki was super slow to start the season, but came on down the stretch and strung together a few good games for the Patriots. He’s another guy that they should be looking to bring back, so long as his contract expectations are realistic.
7. Jalen Mills, S/CB
   • The emergence of other players may have exhausted his usefulness to this team, although I think Mayo may want to use Mills in a safety role opposite Dugger, especially with today’s release of Adrian Phillips. He does still have some versatility that could be put to use, but it would have to be at a steep discount from what he is making now.
8. Josh Uche, EDGE
   • Uche seems to always be in the backfield getting pressure on the QB when he is actually allowed to see the field. However, his run defense grade is woefully inadequate and his coverage numbers are nearly non-existent because he does it so infrequently. I’d love to have seen him in an expanded role so we could really see what he’s got, so unless Mayo knows he has a diamond in the rough, I think we may see Uche in another uniform next season.
9. Trent Brown, OT
   • He may have the funniest contract in sports, given that he has incentives for actually keeping his weight down, but I think the comedy of that is outweighed by the huge dropoff in talent we saw this year. As I’ve mentioned for other teams already, there is so much talent on the OL in this draft, I would expect to see the smart teams look to replace their aging players with young studs, rather than cling to the players of the past.
10. Ezekiel Elliott, RB
    • The guy still has juice left in the tank, and you can’t convince me otherwise. It’s definitely not a priority to have him back, but just a nice luxury to have him as a complement to Rhamondre Stevenson, since he can still contribute, and did so in a variety of ways in 2023.
11. Myles Bryant, DB
    • HAHAHAHAHAHAHAA fuck this guy. I hope with Belichick gone Mayo laughs him out of the building. Guy is ass.

New Orleans Saints

1. Michael Thomas, WR
   • He can still run slick routes with the best of em, but his health is a major concern for New Orleans. He is a great option to play opposite Olave, if he an stay on the field. When he was healthy, each of the past two seasons, he looked ready to take over any game. But all that excitement is short lived when he limps off the field only a couple games into the season. This will be the balancing act for the Saints to play. Well that, and the fact that they currently have -83M in cap space, so signing anyone might not even be possibility.
2. Jameis Winston, QB
   • New year, same story. Will Jameis get a shot anywhere to be a starter? Probably not. The Saints should definitely keep him around, he’s a fine backup, but his days as a starter are likely behind him.

New York Giants

1. Saquon Barkley, RB
   • It’s deja vu all over again! Barkley and Ekeler back out on the market together! I think Saquon made his point to the Giants though, they are a different team with him out there, and without him, they are in trouble. Does that mean they open the coffers and pay him though? I don’t know. I think there is surely a world where there is a market for him, but will it be in the 10’s of millions like he wants it to be?
2. Xavier McKinney, S
   • He’s always been a great tackler who can help out in run support from the safety spot, but the last couple years, McKinney has actually ranked among the top cover safeties as well. This is a simple case of a must-sign guy, so the Giants will likely screw it up and let him walk.
3. A’Shawn Robinson, DT
   • Plain and simple, Robinson is an elite run stuffer and space eater, and the Giants need this, as teams are usually up by about 50 on them by halftime and running the ball to kill the clock. He is an early-down specialist, and doesn’t really get after the passer all that much, but he is a valuable commodity for a team built the way the G-Men are.
4. Tyrod Taylor, QB
   • Daniel Jones turned back into a pumpkin this year after a great 2022 where he played himself into a big ol’ contract. As such, Tyrod Taylor maintains some value and will likely hang around in NYG waiting for his opportunity to come knocking again. As much as things change, they really stay the same!

New York Jets

1. Mekhi Becton, OT
   • Injuries man, injuries. It’s sad to see, but the Goliath Becton just can’t stay healthy. I think the Jets would be wise to look to the draft and to other players hitting FA to fill this role, and cut bait on Becton. You just can’t keep going into season after season with a plan to have Becton as your star LT and then he’s hurt by Week 3 again. He is on top of this list not because he’s a priority to re-sign, but because he is the main person to figure out what you’re doing with.
2. Bryce Huff, DL
   • Huff is about as pure of a pass rusher as it gets. He doesn’t do all that much against the run, but when it comes to pinning your ears back and getting after a QB, there are very few like him. Josh Uche of the Pats comes to mind immediately. A specialist like this definitely has value, but it’s often much less than a guy who does it all, so the Jets will probably drag their feet for a bit and see what else is out there before the break the bank on a guy with a limited skillset.

Philadelphia Eagles

1. Fletcher Cox, DT
   • He’s been kicking around retirement for the least few seasons, but after the Eagles were bounced from the playoffs, he seemed as fired up as ever. And if Fletcher Cox tells you he wants to play football again, you sign that man. He’ll take a team friendly 1 year deal like he has done in the past already, I’m sure of it.
2. Brandon Graham, EDGE
   • Graham has turned into more of a pass rush specialist than the every down EDGE he used to be, but he is still one of the best in the league. He is getting up there in age, but until we see a dropoff in talent, I have to assume the Eagles will keep him around.
3. D’Andre Swift, RB
   • By far the best RB on this team, and acquired for next to nothing, here is where it’s about to get interesting. Does Swift want his huge payday and will walk away from a team that uses him as an every down back and still has a shot to win a Super Bowl? Or will he go to the place paying him the most money? Or will the Eagles tag him and we’ll see him sit out? Anything could happen, and nothing on this one would surprise me.
4. Shaquille “Darius” Leonard, LB
   • A very odd situation unplayed last season where Leonard was held out of games for fear of rushing him back from an injury, he publicly criticized the coaches and the Colts organization, he was let go, and the Eagles picked him up for nothing. Then, oddly enough, we hardly saw him on the field. Now, Leonard will hit the open market, unless the Eagles can convince him that they will use him more in 2024. It’s all very strange because just a couple years ago, Leonard was the cream of the crop for LBs in the NFL, and now it seems he can’t get a snap. Very curious situation, indeed.
5. Nicholas Morrow, LB
   • Morrow is part of the Eagles elite front 7 that they rotate in and out with about 14 guys. They’ll look to bring him back on the cheap, but as a run stopping specialist, he’s a low priority, as these guys are a dime a dozen.
6. Zach Cunningham, LB
   • Please see Nicholas Morrow…above.

Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Mason Rudolph, QB
   • This is another case of not wanting to leave a team blank. But seriously, they should keep Rudolph around as a backup for Pickett, that’s about it. I know someone had mentioned a camp battle between these two……..pathetic.

San Francisco 49ers

1. Javon Kinlaw, DT
   • An interior lineman who gets after the QB with his athleticism is awesome, the problem is he lacks the size to avoid getting blown up off the ball in the run game, which hurts the entire line. However, in 2023, he seemed to address some of these concerns and turned in a career season. Will it be a case of a guy showing up in a contract year and then regressing to the mean? Maybe. But with the lack of other gap fillers on the SF front, Kinlaw becomes a nearly must sign player in 2024.
2. Chase Young, EDGE
   • Acquired via trade, the Niners will likely want to extend Chase Young so it’s not like they just lit their own pick on fire, but the math will have to make sense. The Niners have a lot of players and a lot of talent on this roster that are going to come up for big contracts soon, and if they hope to retain any or all of them, they’ll need to start monitoring their spending now. And while Young played well for them, he’s not playing at his rookie of the year level, and hasn’t been for a while now. It’s tough to tie up a ton of money on a guy who isn’t a guarantee to perform.

Seattle Seahawks

1. Leonard Williams, DL
   • A run stuffing interior D-Lineman who also gets after the QB is exactly what the Seahawks have needed for years. They had to give up a 2nd and 5th rd pick to get him, but I think they would tell you that was worth it. Now they have the problem of retaining him, and he’s going to command some big coin, but I think it’s a move that makes sense for both sides.
2. Jordyn Brooks, LB
   • Simple, they have to re-sign Brooks, he is their most important LB in coverage.
3. Noah Fant, TE
   • A freak athlete who just hasn’t put it all together consistently in the NFL yet, even though I’m not sure it’s all his fault. He’s been on teams that aren’t well known for their TE usage, and he has struggled to break out. I think he will sign a favorable deal and stay in Seattle, but I am certain if he wants big money they will let him walk.
4. Bobby Wagner, LB
   • They let him walk once and he went off to LAR and had a career year, then came back home to Seattle and he looked great again. He isn’t the elite coverage LB he once was, but they have Brooks for that, so he can get away being a sideline to sideline tackler and elite run stuffer. The tandem works so well together, even as Wagner ages, I think they can be a force on that defense. I would expect to see Wagner play out his days in Seattle until he retires.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1. Antoine Winfield Jr, S
   • For a team with a weak secondary, this is an absolute must-sign. No ifs ands or buts, get it done.
2. Mike Evans, WR
   • The top WR on the team for each of the past several years (okay you could argue Godwin for like 1 of them), Evans has openly stated he would take less money to keep the Bucs competitive. So this will be an interesting negotiation, will he in fact take less money to allow other guys to be brought in, or will he look to cash out on what will likely be his last big contract opportunity in the NFL?
3. Baker Mayfield, QB
   • After this 2023 season, Baker has earned a contract from the Bucs. And they agree. Reports have already leaked that both sides are interested in remaining together for the future. So I think we see this one get done soon, that way the Bucs can plan the rest of their moves.
4. Devin White, LB
   • The next two go hand in hand. Both are linebackers who play huge snaps for the Bucs. Both are instrumental to your success, don’t play it too cheeky and end up losing them. Sign both White and David and keep your defense as one of the best in the league, at least at the LB position. Signing these guys allows you to shift your focus in the draft towards the secondary, which needs the most help.
5. LaVonte David, LB
   • Same as Devin White.

Tennessee Titans

1. Derrick Henry, RB
   • He claims he can still run for another 2k yard season, and I for one want to see it. If he is to do so, he’ll need to stay on a team who is set up to run the ball down people’s throats, and Tennessee is still in good shape to do this. I would expect as long as Henry wants to be in TEN, they will find a way to keep him there.
2. Azeez Al-Shaair, LB
   • I would expect there to be a strong market for a guy like Al-Shaair. He came from the Niners, where he probably would have gotten more action if it weren’t for Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw ahead of him on the depth chart. In TEN, he’s done everything asked of him, laid the wood on some people in the run game, and covered at an above average grade in the pass game. If the Titans let him walk, I think it’s a mistake, and he will latch on somewhere quickly.
3. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR
   • The Titans are still hurting for WRs in a bad way, so I would think NWI would stick around for a bit. He’s shown great flashes, and then disappeared for long stretches, so a little more consistency would go a long way, but he’s on the right team to have a good shot at some big snaps. And hey, maybe Will Levis under center will look his way a little more often.
4. Kristian Fulton, CB
   • Fulton hasn’t had the career the Titans were expecting out of him when they took him in the 2nd round of the 2020 draft. Which isn’t to say he’s been bad, he just hasn’t been the lockdown corner they hoped they were getting. They may well say it’s time to cut him loose, but I think with the pieces they need to add to compete, they might keep him onboard for the short term just to fill a spot.
5. Ryan Tannehill, QB
   • With his days as a starter likely behind him, as Will Levis came in and outplayed the veteran Tannehill, it remains to be seen what he will do. He was very openly against mentoring Malik Willis when then Titans took him, and I can’t see him feeling any different about Levis. So will he just hang up the cleats? Will he take the backup role and just lay in wait for his chance? I truly don’t know, but I think the Titans would be just as happy to cut bait and roll into the year will Levis and Willis at QB and that’s it.

Washington Commanders

1. Kendall Fuller, CB
   • Despite having played well all over the field for the Commanders, Fuller is getting a bit older, and they are desperately trying to get younger, so these two may be parting ways. If they do, they opens up a big hole in their secondary, and would shift the way I have them drafting quite drastically. If they keep him, it would be on a deal that is team friendly, which is likely diametrically opposed to what Fuller wants, as he is most likely hunting for one last big contract before he can call it quits. I would expect to see this handled early in free agency, and I expect to see Fuller walk.
2. Curtis Samuel, WR
   • Samuel is a bit of a “jack of all trades, master of none” type of player. We’ve seen him run the ball, catch passes out of the backfield, run routes as a slot receiver, play outside, and then take both punts and kickoffs back. This versatility is usually a recipe for success and hanging around a long while, and Samuel has definitely had some success doing this in Washington, but I think they will look at their roster composition and realize it’s time to move on from Samuel, let a team like the Chiefs grab him while he hunts for a ring, and everyone can walk away happy.
3. Jacoby Brissett, QB
   • Whether you think the QB on opening weekend will be Sam Howell, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels, the one thing we all know is that a good backup QB is invaluable in the NFL nowadays. If the starter goes down, and you don’t want the whole season to be a wash, you need someone ready and willing to step in and lead your team. In steps Jacoby Brissett, who has been doing exactly that for his entire career. No reason to stray away from that now.
4. Antonio Gibson, RB
   • Brian Robinson has shown that while he is pretty good, he needs another RB there to spell him from time to time. And with what Gibson can do as a pass catcher, returner, and the likely very cheap price tag he will do it at, I expect to see these two parties still together at the start of 2024. I also can’t think of a team who would want to break the bank on a guy like Gibson (so that means the Patriots are going to offer him 10M a year now that I said that).

That’ll do it folks, let me know if you think I missed anyone, or if you agree/disagree on my assessments! As we creep through free agency I’ll be coming back and seeing how I did, I’ll make some edits in red font so we know what I nailed and what I missed on! Stay Fluid, Stay Loose.