After sharing one free agent each team SHOULD sign, it’s time to make our best guesses before the frenzy truly begins Monday afternoon for the league’s legal tampering period.
Here are predictions for which top free agents each NFL team will sign next week. Some of the big names weren’t listed because there’s still a chance for their respective teams to re-sign them before outside teams are allowed to negotiate with players.
[ 2024 NFL Free Agency: Latest News & Analysis ]
Arizona Cardinals
Prediction: Bryce Huff, Edge
Jonathan Gannon helped Haason Reddick reach his potential during his time as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. He can do the same for Huff, 25, who recorded 10 sacks in 2023 while only playing 42% of the defensive snaps for the Jets. The Arizona Cardinals are in desperate need of defensive help, especially on the defensive line.
Atlanta Falcons
Prediction: Kirk Cousins, QB
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It’s starting to become obvious that the Atlanta Falcons will pursue Cousins based on the rumors swirling and the team’s major need at the position. More importantly, the Falcons have the cap space to outbid the competition for Cousins’s hard-to-attain services. The Raiders could also be in the mix, but the Falcons have more to offer, with the trio of Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts.
Baltimore Ravens
Prediction: Gabe Davis, WR
Yes, Davis tends to have quiet receiving games, but he’s an excellent blocker and would fit well for the offensive scheme Lamar Jackson runs in Baltimore. Davis, 24, would fill a need and likely won’t command an expensive contract, which would be a plus for the Ravens, who have limited cap space.
Buffalo Bills
Prediction: Dorance Armstrong, Edge
Armstrong made the most of his limited opportunities behind a stacked group of pass rushers in Dallas. Many teams might be willing to overlook his lack of starting experience and bet on his upside. But if that’s not the case, the Bills would be wise to swoop in and possibly land him on a bargain deal. Buffalo isn’t in a position to splurge on free agents because of its cap space issues. Armstrong, 26, generated 16 total sacks the past two seasons.
Carolina Panthers
Prediction: Marquise Brown, WR
There aren’t many star wide receivers available in free agency besides Calvin Ridley, who should be high on the Carolina Panthers’ wish list. If Ridley isn’t an option, it wouldn’t be a surprise for the Panthers to turn their attention to Brown, who would stretch the field for Bryce Young.
Chicago Bears
Prediction: Josh Jacobs, RB
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The Chicago Bears missed David Montgomery last season. Jacobs would immediately fill the void and make life easier for Justin Fields or Caleb Williams or Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels. Jacobs didn’t top his breakout 2022 season last year, but the Raiders didn’t have the best surroundings before firing Josh McDaniels.
Cincinnati Bengals
Prediction: Kristian Fulton, CB
The Cincinnati Bengals could be forced to search for bargain players because they used the franchise tag on Tee Higgins and still need to work out a massive contract extension with Ja’Marr Chase. Fulton might have a quiet market after a terrible contract season. But he’s only 25 and has had many impressive performances during four seasons in Tennessee.
Cleveland Browns
Prediction: Tony Pollard, RB
The more I think about this, the more I like Pollard going to the Cleveland Browns. Pollard would excel under Kevin Stefanski’s scheme and would help Deshaun Watson out of the backfield. Pollard could also form a strong one-two punch with Nick Chubb, if the latter is cleared to play after his severe knee injury.
Dallas Cowboys
Prediction: Grover Stewart, DT
The Dallas Cowboys are currently over the salary cap and probably don’t have the luxury of signing a top defensive tackle to help fix the run defense. But Stewart could be an affordable option, as he enters his age-31 season. The Colts, however, might not be willing to let go of their stout run stopper.
Denver Broncos
Prediction: Marcus Davenport, Edge
This one might depend on the relationship Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton and Davenport had in New Orleans. He struggled to reach his potential after the Saints traded up to draft him with the No. 14 pick in 2018. He might not be a polished, all-around edge rusher, but he knows how to create pressure. The Broncos need pass rushers, and Davenport could be a legit option if he has a quiet market.
Detroit Lions
Prediction: Stephon Gilmore, CB
The Detroit Lions’ 2023 signings of cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley didn’t fix the team’s secondary issues. Sutton struggled to adjust in Detroit and Moseley only played one game due to injury. The team might be willing to run it back with Sutton and Moseley, who agreed to a one-year extension. But they’re now legit Super Bowl contenders and shouldn’t settle. Gilmore, 33, would provide immediate help.
Green Bay Packers
Prediction: Kendall Fuller, CB
The Packers don’t have much depth to assist No. 1 outside cornerback Jaire Alexander, who appears to be safe in Green Bay after a rocky 2023 season. Fuller would add versatility as an experienced corner who can play inside and outside. Fuller, 29, has started 93 games during his eight seasons in the league.
Houston Texans
Prediction: Saquon Barkley, RB
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Barkley playing with C.J. Stroud would be fun to watch. The Houston Texans struggled to find consistency with their running game last season and were forced to lean heavily on their rookie quarterback. Houston can splurge to fill the need, and Barkley might be the best running back on the open market. Barkley, 27, recorded 962 rushing yards and 280 receiving yards in 2023.
Indianapolis Colts
Prediction: Chase Young, Edge
Someone will take a chance on Young, despite his struggles with the 49ers and injury history with the Commanders. Young remains a high-level pass rusher, and NFL teams are always in need of more players who can create pressure for opposing quarterbacks. The Indianapolis Colts have the cap space to add Young to a defensive front that could use another edge rusher.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Prediction: Calvin Ridley, WR
I’m adding Ridley here because I’m predicting that he and the Jacksonville Jaguars won’t agree on a contract extension before the legal tampering period opens Monday afternoon. After testing out the market, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ridley back with the Jaguars. He and Trevor Lawrence gained chemistry down the stretch. Ridley stepped up amid all the injuries during the second-half collapse in Jacksonville.
Kansas City Chiefs
Prediction: Curtis Samuel, WR
The Kansas City Chiefs could be one of the teams that makes a run for Ridley, but they don’t have the cap space to offer a lucrative contract. Kansas City will likely prioritize the second tier of free-agent wideouts. Samuel could take over for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was recently released by the Chiefs. Samuel, 27, knows how to create explosive plays, averaging 10.7 yards per catch in his career. And I’m expecting Chris Jones and the Chiefs to agree on a long-term deal before Monday.
Las Vegas Raiders
Prediction: Christian Wilkins, IDL
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If the Las Vegas Raiders don’t add Cousins, they’ll have plenty of money to spend and could use it to help Maxx Crosby on the defensive line. Wilkins’s tenacity on the field as a run stopper and pass rusher makes him an ideal fit for Antonio Pierce’s Raiders. A duo of Wilkins and Crosby would make life difficult for Patrick Mahomes twice a year. Wilkins, 28, had nine sacks and 23 QB hits last season in Miami.
Los Angeles Chargers
Prediction: Zack Moss, RB
I wanted to add Derrick Henry here for the Los Angeles Chargers, but they have serious cap space issues, and are in the process of unloading many key veterans to address the matter. If the Chargers search for a veteran running back, Moss could be available for a bargain after an impressive season with the Colts. The bruiser recorded 794 rushing yards and averaged 4.3 yards per carry.
Los Angeles Rams
Prediction: Tyron Smith, OT
The Los Angeles Rams might make a serious run for Danielle Hunter, but I don’t see the Vikings letting him go for nothing. If Hunter is back in Minnesota, look for the Rams to turn their attention to the offensive line. Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom haven’t been the answer at left tackle the past two seasons. Smith has his injury concerns, but he’s still one of the best left tackles in the game. The 33-year-old attended USC and grew up in Southern California.
Miami Dolphins
Prediction: Jermaine Eluemunor, OT
With cap space issues, the Miami Dolphins will probably address their offensive line needs with under-the-radar veterans. Eluemunor has been a reliable right tackle for the Raiders the past two seasons. He could be an improvement over Austin Jackson and could provide depth. Terron Armstead has had injury issues and recently hinted at retirement.
Minnesota Vikings
Prediction: Frankie Luvu, LB
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If Hunter is back with the Minnesota Vikings, they might not have much to spend on top free agents. But if they decide to splurge on external free agents, Luvu’s versatility would fit well with Brian Flores’s defensive scheme. He’s coming off a career season in which he had 125 total tackles and 5.5 sacks.
New England Patriots
Prediction: Jonah Williams, OT
The New England Patriots have plenty of needs on the offensive line and it will be critical for them to fill the holes before naming a 2024 starting quarterback. Williams has starting experience at left tackle and did a respectable job playing right tackle last season in Cincinnati. He would be a quality blocker for Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, depending on what the Patriots decide to do with their No. 3 pick in the draft.
New Orleans Saints
Prediction: Julian Blackmon, S
The New Orleans Saints have had cap space issues the past few seasons, but they tend to find ways to make it work with their veteran-filled roster. If they want to get younger on the defensive side, the 25-year-old Blackmon could be a hidden gem among the free agents. Blackmon is coming off a career year in which he recorded 88 total tackles and four interceptions.
New York Giants
Prediction: Josh Uche, Edge
Uche failed to build off his promising 2022 season, which included a career-high 11.5 sacks. But that wasn’t enough to win a starting job with the Patriots last season. Perhaps the New York Giants’ coaching staff could bring out the best in the talented 25-year-old.
New York Jets
Prediction: Kevin Zeitler, G
The New York Jets, obviously, need a revamped offensive line after having one of the worst units in the NFL. They’ll likely look to address the tackle spots during the 2024 draft. There are more guards than tackles available in free agency. The 33-year-old Zeitler has been a quality blocker for the Ravens the past three seasons.
Philadelphia Eagles
Prediction: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S
Gardner-Johnson has had his war of words with the Eagles’ fan base, but he was a good team fit in Philadelphia during the 2022 season. Gardner-Johnson might not be an option for the Lions because of their logjam at the safety position. The Eagles never filled the void left by Gardner-Johnson. This seems like an ideal reunion for both sides.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Prediction: Lloyd Cushenberry, C
The Pittsburgh Steelers got it right by signing Isaac Seumalo last free agency and drafting offensive tackle Broderick Jones in the first round. But the offensive line still needs work, and the biggest weakness might be at center. Cushenberry, who started 57 games for the Broncos, might be the best center on the market.
San Francisco 49ers
Prediction: Chidobe Awuzie, CB
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Awuzie had a rough 2023 season and was benched at one point. Perhaps he wasn’t his usual self because he was recovering from a torn ACL he sustained the year prior. The San Francisco 49ers need depth at cornerback and might be willing to bet on Awuzie having a bounce-back ’24 season.
Seattle Seahawks
Prediction: Kamren Curl, S
The Seattle Seahawks are in need of starting safeties after cutting Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs. To address the vacancies, Curl could be a strong option after flourishing as a strong tackler and coverage player in Washington. He made the most of his opportunities as a 2020 seventh-round pick.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Prediction: Robert Hunt, OG
Baker Mayfield isn’t listed here because it would be surprising if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers let him hit the open market come Monday. He’s likely the team’s priority after re-signing Mike Evans and using the franchise tag on Antoine Winfield Jr. If Mayfield agrees to an extension, next on the Buccaneers' to-do list would be to add offensive line help. Hunt was a quality blocker for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
Tennessee Titans
Prediction: Mike Onwenu, OL
The Tennessee Titans can start off the Brian Callahan era on a strong note by adding the versatile Onwenu to improve the offensive line. They drafted Peter Skoronski in the first round last year, but the offensive line still needs plenty of work. Onwenu would be able to help at guard and tackle to possibly make life easier for second-year quarterback Will Levis.
Washington Commanders
Prediction: Patrick Queen, LB
Queen could be searching for a new home next week after the Ravens used the franchise tag on defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. Queen would be a risky signing because his play improved while playing with Roquan Smith. Obviously, Smith isn’t leaving Baltimore. But the Washington Commanders need to improve the defensive front, and perhaps Queen could be a strong general in the middle of the field.
