It’s already looking like there will be a wild free agency period in 2024. Russell Wilson could be released and Kirk Cousins could find a new home — and that’s before racking up the cuts the Bills had to make to stay under the cap, and before they lose some of the league’s best running backs. Both will be put up for sale at the same time.
This year isn’t a year with stars at every position, but the free agent class is deep And there are a lot of players who can help the team get over the hump or get back to the playoffs. Here are the players we’re keeping an eye on in terms of the big names in free agency in 2024, and where we think they’ll go once the dust settles.
Kirk Cousins to Atlanta Falcons
As I wrote a few days ago, quarterback Kirk Cousins’ list of suitors could be long given the number of teams in need of a quarterback this NFL offseason. But the wind certainly seems to be blowing in this direction.
Not only do atlanta falcons Atlanta has the necessary cap space to facilitate a Cousins deal — information suggests Atlanta has about $37 million available. over the cap You might be able to create more space with some reconfiguration if needed, but there are other reasons why this combination works. Cousins is a good fit for the offense that new offensive coordinator Zach Robinson is expected to install, and the QB has family ties as his wife, Julie, grew up in Alpharetta and his in-laws still live there. I have ties to this area.
Russell Wilson to Las Vegas Raiders
of las vegas raiders As for the quarterback position, he’s in an attractive position this offseason. With the No. 13 pick in the first round, they likely won’t be able to acquire one of their top prospects unless there’s a big trade or one of them moves down the rankings. They have enough cap space to sign a QB like Cousins, but with the Raiders coming off an 8-9 season and potentially playing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs twice this season, Las Vegas It may not be your preferred destination.
But the Raiders need to address this position, and that’s where Russell Wilson comes in. Thanks to the offset language in his contract, Wilson could sign with another team at the veteran minimum; denver broncos The difference between that contract and the $39 million guaranteed by the Broncos will be at stake.
So Wilson could sign with the Raiders for $915,000 this season and leave the rest to Denver, allowing the Raiders to use the remaining cap space to address their needs around the QB position.
It seems like a win-win for Wilson and the Raiders, but the QB reportedly advised Sign a contract with Las Vegas.
but Apparently the Steelers You might have something to say about this.
Saquon Barkley to Houston Texans
last year, houston texans They made a surprising run to win the AFC South title and also won in the wild card round. Now, Houston has a chance to make a big move in free agency, and the temptation to play alongside CJ Stroud at DeMeco Ryan’s will likely be strong.
Additionally, the Texans reportedly have about $70 million available. over the capThis allows for bigger swings.
Is there such a swing? Saquon Barkley. With Devin Singletary set to become a free agent, adding Barkley to the offensive line would not only give Stroud another weapon in the passing game, given Barkley’s ability out of the backfield, but also give them It will give vitality to the rush attack.
Christian Wilkins to New England Patriots
Now that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are gone, playing in New England probably isn’t as appealing as it once was.
However, the Patriots have a lot of cap space at their disposal. As Elliott Wolf mentioned during the NFL Scouting Combine, that may mean paying a little more in free agency than last year, but there are some players who are worth that amount.
and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.
The free agent had nine sacks, 35 pressures and 68 tackles for Miami last year. DolphinAnd adding him to the interior of the defensive line would give New England quite the one-two punch up front considering the presence of Christian Barmore. New head coach Jerod Mayo, a former linebacker, will likely want to build his defense around that.
Justin Simmons to Green Bay Packers
of green bay packers I am now in a safe condition and very thin.
Thankfully, great options are now available for them.
The fallout from the Russell Wilson deal in Denver is upon us, and one of the tough moves the team made was releasing veteran safety Justin Simmons. Although Simmons has been removed from consideration as the game’s top safety for a few seasons, he is still a very good player and new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, whose Boston College team hired a ton of singles last year May fit ideally under High coverage.according to Sports information solution, the Eagles had 185 pass attempts when they were in single-high (Cover 1 or Cover 3) versus when the defense was in split safety coverage (Cover 2, Cover 2 man, quarter, and quarter). had 48 pass attempts. Quarter).
Daniel Hunter to Minnesota Vikings
If you’re imagining a world in which Kirk Cousins goes to Atlanta (and we are), then the Vikings will move to re-sign Daniel Hunter. Hunter, the Vikings’ most important pass rusher, exploded in 2023 with a career-high 16.5 sacks. Playing in Brian Flores’ creative defense, Hunter was able to move around the field, connect in various positions, and use his blend of speed and power off the edge to win.
Some could make a convincing argument that bringing Hunter back long-term is more important to the Vikings’ chances than retaining Cousins. That’s why we expect Hunter to return in purple if the team can make the salary cap situation work.
Mitch Morse to Philadelphia Eagles
There’s no one to replace Jason Kelce, but the Eagles need to try. Morse, Buffalo’s starting center, was waived Wednesday as part of the team’s significant salary cap reduction.
As it stands, the Eagles use Cam Jurgens at center, and he was always part of the plan. However, rotating him by surprise is easier said than done. Continuity on the offensive line is so important to the Eagles that it makes too much sense to keep a veteran like Morse at the center spot and push Jurgens to guard.
Now all you have to do is teach your newbie how to Tush Push.
Stephon Gilmore to Detroit Lions
of detroit lions They made it to the NFC Championship Game a season ago and are right in the middle of the Super Bowl. They added Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley during free agency a year ago, but Sutton struggled last year and Moseley missed a significant amount of time due to injury.
Given Dallas’ financial situation, it’s unlikely Gilmore will return to the Cowboys unless he takes a significant pay cut. As a result, finding a new home in Detroit seems like a likely option.
Geno Stone to Seattle Seahawks
of seahawks It has already made a number of moves to improve its financial situation. What about that movement? Safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs are next.
That pushes safety up the list of needs in Seattle. Considering the questions surrounding the safety spot in the incoming rookie class (our own JP Acosta doesn’t have a safety in the top 50), addressing the position in free agency makes a lot of sense.
So how about a reunion between Geno Stone and his former defensive coordinator, who happens to be Seattle’s new head coach?
