Here's a genuine surprise, the NFL free agency market is going to have a deeper-than-expected pool this year. During the 2-week franchise tag period that ended yesterday at 4 PM EST, only 4 players came off the board via the tag (Tee Higgins, Trey Smith) or signing a long-term deal to remain with their current team (Alaric Jackson, Osa Odighizuwa). This relative lack of action prior to the start of the legal tampering period on Monday at noon EST has birthed one of the deeper free agency classes we've seen in the past decade with the corner, tackle and edge rusher groups looking particularly strong. Here are my picks for the 10 best players hitting the open market.
10.Charvarius Ward, cornerback (2024 team: San Francisco 49ers)
A poor 2024 campaign that was impacted by injuries and the devastating death of his infant daughter in late October should drive down the price for Ward-who turns 29 in May-as he looks to sign the 3rd contract of his NFL career. If he does indeed have to settle for a more modest contract than he deserves given his strong body of work and is able to get back to the borderline elite level he played at from 2021-2023, this veteran outside corner will go down as one of the top bargains in this free agency class.
Possible Destinations: Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams
9.Josh Sweat, edge rusher (2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
There's an inherent risk in signing Sweat given that he primarily plays on passing downs and has been surrounded by top-end front 7 talent throughout his 7 seasons with the Eagles. Still, signing somebody with his pass-rushing pedigree (33 sacks, 74 QB hits, 105 pressures since becoming a starter in 2021) that also happens to be in the middle of their prime (he turns 28 later this month) is the kind of dice roll that many teams will be comfortable taking.
Possible Destinations: Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons
8.Davante Adams, wide receiver (2024 teams: Las Vegas Raiders/New York Jets)
Ironically, Adams being able to clear 1,000 YDS during his largely self-imposed nightmare 2024 season between the putrid Raiders and Jets offenses is a strong sign that the 32-year-old 3x All-Pro has plenty of gas left in the tank. He'd be a great addition to any team that's looking for vertical playmaking and/or someone to make tough contested catches in crucial game situations.
Possible Destinations: Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars
7.D.J. Reed, cornerback (2024 team: New York Jets)
Reed lived up to his 3-year/$33 mil deal and then some as he provided the Jets with a steady, physical presence at the #2 corner spot who majorly contributed to the stout pass defenses they had throughout the length of his tenure. As he appears set to depart East Rutherford next week, he should be in line for a nice raise and will likely provide some lucky team with the type of stabilizing DB presence that's crucial to success in the modern NFL.
Possible Destinations: Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers
6.Jevon Holland, safety (2024 team: Miami Dolphins)
Barring some unforeseen spree of significant contract restructuring among their expensive vets, the cash-strapped Dolphins are going to be forced to move on from Holland. While he's battled some injuries and is coming off an average 2024 season, he's mostly been an electrifying, dynamic playmaker on a secondary that's largely lacked those kinds of impact players in recent years since he was drafted in 2021. If he lands in the right system and builds upon the rangey ballhawk skillset he showcased more consistently prior to last year, he could easily turn into a perineal All-Pro safety.
Possible Destinations: Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts
5.Khalil Mack, edge rusher (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Over the past 2 seasons with the Chargers, Mack has returned to the dominant form he flashed during the highest moments of his stints with the Raiders and Bears. At 34, those days are clearly numbered, but he should continue to be a high-value pass-rushing asset for the next year or two wherever he lands.
Possible Destinations: Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams
4.Sam Darnold, quarterback (2024 team: Minnesota Vikings)
The damage that Darnold did for his free agent stock with his disastrous performances in the regular season finale versus the Lions and Wild Card Round versus the Rams appears to be monumental. Hell, it might even cause him to come crawling back to the Vikings on another team-friendly 1-year deal to serve as a stopgap for J.J. McCarthy-who is currently rehabbing from the meniscus tear that cost him the entirety of his rookie season. That being said, he was so sharp over the balance of the 2024 season that any team looking to solve their QB woes should still consider giving him a look.
Possible Destinations: Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants
3.Zack Baun, inside linebacker (2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
My personal pick for the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year was a major reason why the Eagles defense was so suffocating all season long. He's due for a huge raise after Howie Roseman got him for peanuts in free agency last year after he started just 16 games on defense during his 4 years with the Saints, but his versatile skill set paired with the insane production he put up at the inside linebacker spot (151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 TFL's, 5 QB hits, 4 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery) should make the conceivably sizable investment it'll take to land him worthwhile.
Possible Destinations: Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions
2.Chris Godwin, wide receiver (2024 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Despite buzz that they were headed towards a reunion a couple weeks ago, Godwin and the Buccaneers have yet to agree to terms on a new deal. As scary as it is to heavily invest in a 29-year-old receiver that's coming off a dislocated ankle and is only a few years removed from a massive knee injury, Godwin's status as a consistently productive player with a fundamentally sound game and terrific leadership skills will allow him to attract a robust market if he elects to leave the Bucs.
Possible Destinations: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers
1.Ronnie Stanley, tackle (2024 team: Baltimore Ravens)
A contending team opening the door for their left tackle to depart with no clear succession place is the kind of shit that usually ends in disaster (just ask the 2024 Chiefs!). While I'm not currently convinced that Stanley is going to leave the Ravens, every single team with significant cap space and a need at the position should at least check in with his agent ASAP. Are there durability concerns with Stanley? Absolutely. He's only appeared in 104 games across his 9 NFL seasons and at 30 going on 31, his ability to stay healthy could further deteriorate as he gets older. Still, this is one of the steadiest, most polished left tackles in football we're talking about here. Players of this caliber at such an important position hardly ever shake loose and he has the potential to immediately change the complexion of an offensive line as soon as he steps on the field, which is exactly why Stanley is the clear top player in this free agency class in my eyes.
Possible Destinations: Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs
Other Notable Free Agents:
Aaron Banks, guard (2024 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Aaron Jones, running back (2024 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Amari Cooper, wide receiver (2024 teams: Cleveland Browns/Buffalo Bills)
Andre Cisco, safety (2024 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Asante Samuel Jr., cornerback (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Austin Hooper, tight end (2024 team: New England Patriots)
Austin Seibert, kicker (2024 team: Washington Commanders)
Azeez Ojulari, edge rusher (2024 team: New York Giants)
B.J. Hill, defensive tackle (2024 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Baron Browning, edge rusher (2024 teams: Denver Broncos/Arizona Cardinals)
Bobby Brown III, defensive tackle (2024 team: Los Angeles Rams)
Bobby Wagner, inside linebacker (2024 team: Washington Commanders)
Brandon Scherff, guard (2024 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Brandon Stephens, cornerback (2024 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Bryan Anger, punter (2024 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Byron Murphy Jr., cornerback (2024 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Cam Robinson, tackle (2024 teams: Jacksonville Jaguars/Minnesota Vikings)
Camryn Bynum, safety (2024 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Carlton Davis II, cornerback (2024 team: Detroit Lions)
Charles Omenihu, edge rusher (2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Chase Young, edge rusher (2024 team: New Orleans Saints)
Chauncey Golston, edge rusher (2024 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Coleman Shelton, center (2024 team: Chicago Bears)
D.J. Jones, defensive tackle (2024 team: Denver Broncos)
Dalton Risner, guard (2024 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Damar Hamlin, safety (2024 team: Buffalo Bills)
Dan Moore Jr., tackle (2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Daniel Jones, quarterback (2024 teams: New York Giants/Minnesota Vikings)
Dante Fowler Jr., edge rusher (2024 team :Washington Commanders)
Darius Slay, cornerback (2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Darius Slayton, wide receiver (2024 team: New York Giants)
Darrell Taylor, edge rusher (2024 team: Chicago Bears)
Dayo Odeyingbo, edge rusher (2024 team: Indianapolis Colts)
DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver (2024 teams: Tennessee Titans/Kansas City Chiefs)
DeMarcus Lawrence, edge rusher (2024 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Demarcus Robinson, wide receiver (2024 team: Los Angeles Rams)
Dennis Gardeck, edge rusher (2024 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Derek Barnett, edge rusher (2024 team: Houston Texans)
Derrick Barnes, inside linebacker (2024 team: Detroit Lions)
Diontae Johnson, wide receiver (2024 teams: Carolina Panthers/Baltimore Ravens/Houston Texans)
Donte Jackson, cornerback (2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Dre Greenlaw, linebacker (2024 team: San Francisco 49ers)
Drew Dalman, center (2024 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Drew Lock, quarterback (2024 team: New York Giants)
Dyami Brown, wide receiver (2024 team: Washington Commanders)
Elandon Roberts, inside linebacker (2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Elijah Molden, safety (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Elijah Moore, wide receiver (2024 team: Cleveland Browns)
Eric Kendricks, inside linebacker (2024 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Ernest Jones, inside linebacker (2024 teams: Tennessee Titans/Seattle Seahawks)
Evan Brown, center/guard (2024 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Gerald Everett, tight end (2024 team: Chicago Bears)
Haason Reddick, edge rusher (2024 team: New York Jets)
Harrison Smith, safety (2024 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Hollywood Brown, wide receiver (2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Isaiah Rodgers, cornerback (2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
J.K. Dobbins, running back (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Jacoby Brissett, quarterback (2024 team: New England Patriots)
Jameis Winston, quarterback (2024 team: Cleveland Browns)
James Bradberry, cornerback (2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
James Daniels, guard (2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Jamien Sherwood, inside linebacker (2024 team: New York Jets)
Jarran Reed, defensive tackle (2024 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle (2024 team: San Francisco 49ers)
Javonte Williams, running back (2024 team: Denver Broncos)
Jedrick Wills Jr., tackle (2024 team: Cleveland Browns)
Jeremy Chinn, safety (2024 team: Washington Commanders)
Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback (2024 team: Los Angeles Rams)
JK Scott, punter (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Jonathan Jones, cornerback (2024 team: New England Patriots)
Josh Myers, center (2024 team: Green Bay Packers)
Josh Uche, edge rusher (2024 team: New England Patriots/Kansas City Chiefs)
Joshua Palmer, wide receiver (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Jourdan Lewis, cornerback (2024 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Julian Blackmon, safety (2024 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Justin Fields, quarterback (2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Justin Reid, safety (2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Justin Simmons, safety (2024 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Juwan Johnson, tight end (2024 team: New Orleans Saints)
Kareem Hunt, running back (2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Keenan Allen, wide receiver (2024 team: Chicago Bears)
Kendall Fuller, cornerback (2024 team: Miami Dolphins)
Kenneth Gainwell, running back (2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Kevin Zeitler, guard (2024 team: Detroit Lions)
Kristian Fulton, cornerback (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Kyzir White, linebacker (2024 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Lavonte David, inside linebacker (2024 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Levi Onwuzurike, defensive tackle (2024 team: Detroit Lions)
Mac Jones, quarterback (2024 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Malcolm Koonce, edge rusher (2024 team: Las Vegas Raiders)
Marcus Davenport, edge rusher (2024 team: Detroit Lions)
Matt Pryor, guard (2024 team: Chicago Bears)
Matthew Judon, edge rusher (2024 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Mekhi Becton, guard (2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Mike Gesicki, tight end (2024 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Mike Hilton, cornerback (2024 team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Mike Williams, wide receiver (2024 teams: New York Jets/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Milton Williams, defensive tackle (2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Mo-Allie Cox, tight end (2024 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Morgan Moses, tackle (2024 team: New York Jets)
Najee Harris, running back (2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Nate Hobbs, cornerback (2024 team: Las Vegas Raiders)
Nick Bolton, inside linebacker (2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Nick Chubb, running back (2024 team: Cleveland Browns)
Nick Folk, kicker (2024 team: Tennessee Titans)
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, wide receiver (2024 team: Tennessee Titans)
Patrick Mekari, guard/tackle (2024 team: Baltimore Ravens)
Paulson Adebo, cornerback (2024 team: New Orleans Saints)
Poona Ford, defensive tackle (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Raheem Mostert, running back (2024 team: Miami Dolphins)
Rasul Douglas, cornerback (2024 team: Buffalo Bills)
Rico Dowdle, running back (2024 team: Dallas Cowboys)
Robert Spillane, inside linebacker (2024 team: Las Vegas Raiders)
Russell Wilson, quarterback (2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Ryan Kelly, center (2024 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Stefon Diggs, wide receiver (2024 team: Houston Texans)
Stephon Gilmore, cornerback (2024 team: Minnesota Vikings)
Talanoa Hufanga, safety (2024 team: San Francisco 49ers)
Teair Tart, defensive tackle (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Tershawn Wharton, defensive tackle (2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Teven Jenkins, guard (2024 team: Chicago Bears)
Tim Patrick, wide receiver (2024 team: Detroit Lions)
Tre'davious White, cornerback (2024 team: Los Angeles Rams/Baltimore Ravens)
Tre'von Moehrig, safety (2024 team: Las Vegas Raiders)
Tress Way, punter (2024 team: Washington Commanders)
Ty Johnson, running back (2024 team: Buffalo Bills)
Tyler Boyd, wide receiver (2024 team: Tennessee Titans)
Tyler Conklin, tight end (2024 team: New York Jets)
Tyler Lockett, wide receiver (2024 team: Seattle Seahawks)
Tyrel Dodson, inside linebacker (2024 teams: Seattle Seahawks/Miami Dolphins)
Tyron Smith, tackle (2024 team: New York Jets)
Will Fries, guard (2024 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Will Hernandez, guard (2024 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Zach Ertz, tight end (2024 team: Washington Commanders)
Zane Gonzalez, kicker (2024 team: Washington Commanders)
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