The 2024 NFL free agency period is nine months away, but even though it’s an early look, let’s look at some of the top projected players to hit the market. Right now, the 2024 NFL free agency class looks stacked.
There are projected to be elite-level players on both sides of the ball. Sure, some may be re-signed and may not hit the market, but a lot of these players will indeed hit free agency next year for many reasons.
The 2024 offseason may end up being a huge time for some teams who need to put the finishing touches on their roster. With the salary cap set to increase as usual and many teams wanting to move quickly to build a competitive team, next year’s free agency class may end up being massive.
Let’s look at some of the top players on both sides of the ball.
2024 NFL Free Agency: Way too early look at next year – Offense
Kirk Cousins, QB
Kirk Cousins may yet again beat the system and sign another one-year deal that is virtually fully guaranteed, or, the Minnesota Vikings could simply let him hit the market in 2024, where he’d be entering his age-36 season. As a pure pocket passer, Cousins could feasibly remain efficient as he approaches 40 and may be a top-level bridge QB for certain teams.
Ryan Tannehill, QB
Also set to enter his age-36 season next year, Tannehill is about a tier below Cousins but is still similar in that he could serve as a bridge QB for a team. The Tennessee Titans may not even carry Tannehill on their roster through the 2023 season.
Mike Evans, WR
Mike Evans, a future Hall of Fame wide receiver, has had at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first nine seasons and is a free agent at the end of the 2023 season. I truly do not think he re-signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At this point, he’s got the Super Bowl, so maybe he’d rather be a stat-chaser at this point in his career.
Derrick Henry, RB
Henry is going to be 30 late in the 2023 season, and that’s usually the age when running backs begin to fall off. Henry likely won’t be retained by the Titans, and I think he’d latch on with a true Super Bowl contender, but may not be a bell-cow RB at this stage of his career.
Tyron Smith, LT
Tyron Smith has been a Hall of Fame tackle in the NFL for years and is set to hit the market next year. With the ability to play both tackle spots, Smith could easily find a home in 2024, but given his age and injury history, he may simply decide to just hang it up and retire.
The 2024 NFL free agency period may be quite stacked on the offensive side of the ball.
2024 NFL Free Agency: Way too early look at next year – Defense
The 2024 NFL free agency period could also feature a ton of elite defensive talent as well.
Leonard Williams, DE
Leonard Williams has one of the highest cap hits in the NFL for the 2023 season and is a free agent at the end of the year unless the New York Giants are able to give him a second contract to remain in blue.
Chris Jones, DT
Another elite defensive lineman, Chris Jones, is set to hit the market in 2024 unless the Kansas City Chiefs offer him an extension. He’s perhaps the best interior pass rusher in the NFL not named Aaron Donald and has a shot at making the Hall of Fame one day.
Cameron Jordan, DE
Wow, look at this, another player along the defensive line. Cameron Jordan is a first-ballot Hall of Fame player who has missed just a handful of games over his career. He’s got over 100 career sacks and is still very productive into his 30s.
Danielle Hunter, EDGE
Right now, there is apparently some strong interest in outside teams in Danielle Hunter, who is set to make just a few million dollars this year. He and the Vikings have not come to an agreement on a contract extension, and I do think that he’ll hit the market in 2024.
The Vikings have parted with some veteran players this offseason and I don’t think that will change next offseason.
Jeff Okudah, CB
Let’s include someone from the secondary. Jeff Okudah was picked third overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and has not lived up to his draft status. He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons this offseason and will be a free agent at the end of the year.
This is someone who is still young and perhaps has a ton of untapped potential. If he stays healthy, Okudah could end up signing quite the contract next year.