NFL Analysis
February 24, 2024
14 min read
1 Free Agent Each NFL Team Should Sign This Offseason
NFL free agency begins in March, and it’s projected to have one of the best classes in recent memory. But which free agent must each team target this offseason?
Here is our list:
1 Free Agent Each Team Should Sign
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
WR Darnell Mooney
The Buffalo Bills are expected to attack their need at wide receiver in the draft, but they shouldn't ignore free agency, either. Gabe Davis is expected to leave, and Stefon Diggs' status is up in the air.
Darnell Mooney could be an excellent fit with Josh Allen because Mooney excels at creating separation down the field. He isn't a No. 1 or even a No. 2 receiver, but he would give Buffalo a much-needed influx of speed into its offense.
Miami Dolphins
OC Aaron Brewer
The Miami Dolphins are in a tough situation with the cap and are expected to lose starting center Connor Williams in free agency. Rather than waiting until the draft to fill that need, signing Aaron Brewer is a nice, low-cost option.
Brewer is one of the smallest centers in the league (6-foot-1, 295 pounds), but his quickness and ability to get to the second level make him a great fit in Mike McDaniel's offense.
New England Patriots
OT Jonah Williams
Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu are set to become free agents, and the New England Patriots desperately need to upgrade their offensive line.
Jonah Williams was drafted by the Bengals to be their future left tackle but was moved to the right side in 2023 and had a lot of success.
He is a quick and athletic tackle who can play multiple positions. For a team that desperately needs offensive line help, adding a player such as Williams could solidify the unit going into the draft.
New York Jets
OL Mike Onwenu
It's no secret the New York Jets need offensive line help. They could use two starting tackles, but those will be hard to come by. But one player who would make sense for New York is Mike Onwenu, who has played both guard and tackle in the AFC East.
Onwenu's best fit is likely at right guard, and the Jets could move Alijah Vera-Tucker out to tackle. But wherever Onwenu has played, he's performed well. Adding him to this offensive line would be a much-needed upgrade.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
EDGE Chase Young
The Baltimore Ravens got outstanding production from Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy in 2023, but both will become free agents, and neither is a long-term solution. Baltimore has to find its next star pass rusher, and Chase Young could be that guy.
Young has been inconsistent throughout his career, but his potential for the Ravens would be too good to pass up.
Cincinnati Bengals
TE Dalton Schultz
Tight end has been a problem for the Cincinnati Bengals for the last several seasons, and they don't have a one under contract heading into the new league year.
Dalton Schultz isn't the most dynamic tight end, but he would give Joe Burrow a reliable weapon in the middle of the field.
Cleveland Browns
EDGE Dorance Armstrong
Dorance Armstrong has improved his game over the past few seasons and is about to earn his third contract despite being just 26. Armstrong isn't a dynamic pass rusher, but he can win 1-on-1 matchups and stop the run.
He also has experience playing all over the defensive line, which is a must in Jim Schwartz’s defense. Armstrong won’t cost an arm and a leg in free agency, and he's the perfect type of pass rusher to pair with Myles Garrett.
Pittsburgh Steelers
OC Tyler Biadasz
Mason Cole has been a disaster for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was released in a cap-related move. Pittsburgh could wait until the draft to fill its center need, but signing Tyler Biadasz makes too much sense.
Biadasz has started 49 regular-season games in his three seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2022. He's not an elite center, but he would be a significant upgrade over Cole at a reasonable price.
AFC South
Houston Texans
RB Tony Pollard
The Houston Texans’ offense functioned well last season with Devin Singletary as the primary back. But imagine if the team could add a superior back who would give it even more juice.
Tony Pollard had a "down" 2023 season but started to look like himself after Week 11. Now that he's a full year removed from a brutal ankle injury, Pollard should look even more explosive in 2024. Adding Pollard to this offense would be so much fun to watch.
Indianapolis Colts
WR Marquise Brown
The Indianapolis Colts are hopeful they can sign Michael Pittman Jr. to a long-term deal this offseason. But if they can't, look for them to use the franchise tag. But even if Pittman returns, the Colts need to add another playmaker to their offense.
Josh Downs and Alec Pierce are two of Indianapolis' recent Day 2 picks, but the Colts need a bonafide No. 2 receiver who can stretch the field with speed to pair with Pittman.
Marquise Brown would be a fantastic fit in Indianapolis, especially with Anthony Richardson. While Brown might be a tad overqualified to be a No. 2 receiver, putting him in a dome with a quarterback who can throw the ball 80 yards would be a sight to see. It will cost the Colts a lot to sign Brown, but he might be the missing piece to take their offense to the next level.
Jacksonville Jaguars
OG Kevin Dotson
The interior offensive line wasn't good enough for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, and there were too many times when that unit got pushed around. You can bet general manager Trent Baalke wants to get bigger and stronger at guard, which is why Kevin Dotson makes so much sense.
After a few rough years in Pittsburgh, Dotson was traded to the Rams and had a career year. He's a mauling guard with power and athleticism. Adding him to Jacksonville’s interior offensive line is precisely what the team needs on that side of the ball. The Jaguars need some nastiness, and Dotson can provide it.
Tennessee Titans
OC Lloyd Cushenberry
The top center available is Lloyd Cushenberry, who had 57 starts during the past four seasons for the Broncos. The Tennessee Titans will likely be in the market for a starting center, with Brewer set to become a free agent.
Cushenberry has improved every season and is just 26. The Titans are expected to invest heavily in their offensive line this offseason, especially with the addition of OL coach Bill Callahan.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
OC Andre James
The Denver Broncos will likely lose Cushenberry this offseason and don't have an adequate replacement on the roster. Luckily for Denver, there are a lot of quality options in free agency.
Andre James makes the most sense — he's been a multiyear starter and is only 26.
Kansas City Chiefs
EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney has bounced around the NFL during the past few years, but he's still a productive pass rusher in the right defense. He feels like a perfect fit in Kansas City as a part-time player who can stop the run and get pressure on the quarterback.
Clowney is used to taking one-year deals at this stage of his career, which is perfect for the Chiefs as they go for a third straight Super Bowl victory.
Las Vegas Raiders
DT Leonard Williams
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a problem with defensive tackle for the last several years, and there won't be a great option for them in Round 1, either.
Leonard Williams is a veteran defensive tackle who can play up and down the defensive line. He is getting older, but he would still be a massive upgrade for Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Chargers
TE Hunter Henry
Could we see Hunter Henry return to the team that drafted him several years ago? The Los Angeles Chargers need to add a veteran tight end, and Henry is one of the better options available.
He was a reliable weapon in New England despite inconsistent quarterback play. Bringing back Henry would be great for both parties, with the Chargers just needing another solid weapon for Justin Herbert.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
The Dallas Cowboys have been searching for linebacker help for years, and Azeez Al-Shaair could help fill that void in free agency.
He won’t break the bank, and that's great for Dallas considering its cap situation. Still, Al-Shaair can be a run-stopper for a defense that desperately needs help in that area.
New York Giants
OG Robert Hunt
No team in the NFL had worse luck when it came to the offensive line in 2023 than the New York Giants. They were decimated by injuries, and second-year OT Evan Neal didn't improve as they'd hoped.
Guard remains a big issue, and it's why Robert Hunt would be a fantastic fit. He’s only 28 and has been one of the better guards in the league during the past few years. Hunt also has had injury problems, but the Giants have to get more talented on their offensive line this offseason.
Philadelphia Eagles
LB Devin White
Devin White's 2023 season in Tampa Bay didn't go as planned — he was demoted in the second half of the season. Still, there's a lot to like about White moving forward, especially for a team that needs linebacker help as badly as the Philadelphia Eagles.
White is only 26, and a change of scenery might be just what he needs to revitalize his career. The Eagles have to spend more assets at linebacker after the unit’s performance last season.
Washington Commanders
EDGE Josh Uche
If there's one thing we know about Dan Quinn, it's that he loves speed on defense. And there might not be a quicker pass rusher in the NFL than Josh Uche.
Uche isn't an every-down player, but he’s an outstanding pass rusher who can win with his athleticism. The Washington Commanders need more pass-rush help, and Uche could be a key cog in Quinn's defense.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
WR Gabe Davis
Gabe Davis has had an up-and-down career in Buffalo, but a change of scenery might be what he needs to take off. We've seen Davis' potential before, and he can be a very productive vertical threat.
The Chicago Bears need more size in their wide receiver corps, and pairing Davis with DJ Moore would significantly help whoever is under center in 2024. This wouldn't be a sexy signing, but it's one the Bears could greatly benefit from right away.
Detroit Lions
CB Adoree' Jackson
Cornerback was a weakness for the Detroit Lions all season, and it's a big reason they couldn't beat the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Detroit could be in the market for L’Jarius Sneed or Jaylon Johnson, but expect them to settle on a more modest option. Adoree' Jackson hasn't been the most durable cornerback but has experience playing in the slot and outside.
Green Bay Packers
S Xavier McKinney
The Green Bay Packers could use more safety help, especially with Darnell Savage set to hit the open market. It's unlikely the Packers will chase the best players at the top of the market, but Xavier McKinney could be a steal.
McKinney has improved in coverage through the last few seasons and is one of the more consistent tacklers at the position. At just 25, McKinney would be a fantastic fit in Green Bay's new-look defense.
Minnesota Vikings
EDGE Bryce Huff
Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport are set to become free agents in March. While the Minnesota Vikings would love to bring both back, that seems unlikely.
Expect the Vikings to do their work in the veteran pass-rush market, and Bryce Huff could be a bargain for the right team. Huff recorded double-digit sacks as a part-time player in New York and could benefit from playing in a dome in a blitz-heavy defense.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
QB Kirk Cousins
Are the Atlanta Falcons a quarterback away from being the favorites in the NFC? No. But adding Kirk Cousins could make them extremely relevant.
That's what Atlanta needs right now, especially with all its weapons on offense. It's unlikely it can grab one of the top three passers in the draft, so paying for the best quarterback in free agency makes sense.
Carolina Panthers
WR Mike Evans
No team needs wide receiver help more than the Carolina Panthers. If Tee Higgins or Michael Pittman Jr. becomes available, the Panthers should (and likely will) jump at the opportunity to pay either an obscene amount of money.
But neither is expected to reach the open market, and that's why Mike Evans makes sense. The Panthers could pay him like a top-10 wide receiver, and it would be a smart decision. Carolina needs to give Bryce Young more weapons in Year 2.
>> READ MORE: Top Landing Spots for Evans
New Orleans Saints
EDGE Za’Darius Smith
As usual, the New Orleans Saints are well over the cap going into the new league year. That will limit the free agents they can attract, but Za'Darius Smith could be an excellent one-year rental.
The Saints' pass-rush unit was one of the league’s worst, so the team will need more proven players on the defensive line. Smith isn't a long-term solution, but he would be a massive upgrade from what they had last year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OG Jonah Jackson
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did a good job protecting Baker Mayfield last season, but the interior offensive line could be upgraded. The best interior offensive lineman set to hit the market is Jonah Jackson, who started 57 games in the past four years.
He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and just turned 27 in February. If the Buccaneers are serious about upgrading their offensive line, Jackson should be their No. 1 target.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
CB L’Jarius Sneed
No team in the NFL had worse cornerback play than the Arizona Cardinals last season. Not only were they decimated with injuries, but the overall talent wasn't great, even when everyone was healthy.
Coming off an excellent 2023 season, L’Jarius Sneed could be the highest-paid cornerback in the league this offseason. The Cardinals have the space to pay him, so why not grab an elite defensive back to start rebuilding their defense?
Los Angeles Rams
EDGE Danielle Hunter
The Los Angeles Rams have been hunting for pass-rush help for the last several years, but this feels like the offseason they finally get their guy.
Danielle Hunter is coming off the best season of his career and wants another payday. He'll be one of the NFL's highest-paid pass rushers, but the Rams need an edge rusher, and he'll likely be the best player on the market.
San Francisco 49ers
OL Chris Hubbard
The San Francisco 49ers will be limited in the number of free agents they can bring in this offseason, but there are a few veterans who make sense.
One would be Chris Hubbard, who started nine games at right tackle for the Titans last season before a bicep injury. Hubbard has experience playing tackle and guard, but his best trait is his athleticism.
In Kyle Shanahan's system, athleticism and quickness are required to run a wide-zone offense, and Hubbard would be a perfect low-cost fit.
Seattle Seahawks
LB Patrick Queen
The top three linebackers for the Seattle Seahawks (Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Devin Bush) are scheduled to hit free agency, and there's a chance none of them return in 2024. But that might be OK for the Seahawks.
They need to revamp that position, and one player who makes a ton of sense is Patrick Queen. The former first-round pick excelled in Mike Macdonald's defense in 2023 and could rejoin him in Seattle.
