2024 NFL free company: 5 targets to signal, potential offers

The 2024 NFL free agent class appears to be like strong and staff executives across the league can have choices within the coming days as they scramble to plug holes of their rosters and improve their personnel. We’ll see some huge cash flying round.

After I was an NFL exec with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, I at all times went into March with a number of gamers I completely needed to signal. And that was very true once I felt a free agent would outperform his contract. It is necessary to combine splash strikes with savvy worth offers.

So for a 3rd yr in a row, I am placing on my GM hat and breaking down 5 present free brokers I might be focusing on to signal this coming week if I had been working a staff. These are gamers who I imagine may also help any roster, although every staff in fact has its personal set of wants. Listed here are 5 names I might pursue, the offers I might supply them and why I believe every could be definitely worth the cash.

Observe NFL free company’s greatest offers

The deal I might supply: Three years, $120 million ($80 million assured)

Sure, he might be 36 in August, and sure, he’s coming off a proper Achilles tendon tear. These are apparent components. However let’s not overlook that Cousins has been extremely productive. Regardless of being restricted to eight video games with Minnesota final season, Cousins threw 18 landing passes. He completed seventh in Whole QBR at 63.2. He has had greater than 4,200 passing yards in every of his previous three full seasons and his touchdown-to-interception ratio of 44-to-15 since 2020 is fifth-best within the NFL.

Merely put, Cousins is dramatically higher than another quarterback obtainable in free company and when he’s wholesome — he not too long ago posted video of himself throwing — he is likely one of the prime 12 passers within the league. Not each staff wants a quarterback, however he is the highest possibility. I might be making an attempt to signal him to a three-year cope with comparable ensures to the contract that Daniel Jones received in New York final March however with a decrease total per-year common to account for his age and up to date damage historical past.

The deal I might supply: One yr, $8 million (totally assured)

Henry may not be what he as soon as was, however that is a troublesome threshold to take care of for anybody. He rushed for over 2,000 yards and scored 17 TDs simply 4 seasons in the past. However now he is 30 years outdated and there is a good likelihood {that a} staff may signal him to a worth deal given the working again market.

Henry was nonetheless very productive for the Titans final season, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, gaining 1,167 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns (together with 214 receiving yards). He had 23 carries for 10 or extra yards. I imagine he can nonetheless be a productive front-line starter.

Should you’re on the lookout for a working again this offseason, the free agent class is fairly strong. I like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and Austin Ekeler, amongst others. But when I can get Henry on a totally assured one-year deal below $10 million, I am leaping at that likelihood. And keep in mind, the draft class lacks top-end, early-pick choices on the place. So if I am on the lookout for assist there, I am taking good care of it in March.

The deal I might supply: One yr, $15 million ($5 million assured)

That is among the many most fascinating free agent conditions that we have seen lately. Smith has been top-of-the-line left tackles within the NFL over the previous decade — however he’s 33 years outdated and has not performed a full season since 2015.

So many groups want offensive line assist and when Smith is on the sector, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound blocker is hard to get round. His go block win fee nonetheless exhibits that he’s a strong possibility, rating twenty sixth out of 69 tackles final season with Dallas (89.1%). And you probably have a run-heavy offense, you will love Smith. He was fifth amongst tackles in run block win fee final season (79%).

I might be in on Smith if I may get him on a short-term cope with low ensures. Think about that his 13 video games in 2023 had been his most since 2019. The sturdiness issues are actual. But when it is a one-year cope with round $5 million assured, it could possibly be a steal.

The deal I might supply: Three years, $36 million ($25 million assured)

For my part, he is likely one of the most underrated gamers within the NFL. Though Van Ginkel might be 29 years outdated in July, he has performed in each recreation over the previous 4 seasons and his manufacturing is actually below the radar.

In 2023, he had a profession yr, posting 69 tackles, 6 sacks, 32 pressures and 6 go breakups — and his position expanded whereas filling in for the injured Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips in Miami. His 17.8% go rush win fee and 10.7% stress fee had been each within the prime 30 leaguewide, too.

Big cash might be spent on Danielle Hunter and Jonathan Greenard, however I just like the upside, reliability and flexibility of Van Ginkel at $12 million yearly.

The deal I might supply: One yr, $10 million ($7 million assured)

Wagner might be undervalued in free company as a result of he might be 34 years outdated when the 2024 season kicks off, however he seems to be ageless. He hasn’t missed a recreation in two years and has performed in not less than 15 in each season since 2014. And Wagner was truly extra productive final season than he was in 2022, main the NFL in tackles with 183. (He additionally had 3.5 sacks for the Seahawks.)

Not solely is Wagner an important participant but in addition an incredible chief. If I am working a staff, I’d be excited to carry him in due to his nice intangibles and on-field play — even when I am committing to just one season.