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NFL Free Agency is always one of the wildest times of the year. It officially kicks off the new league year, and madness truly unfolds. Last year, players like Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Javon Hargrave, Jessie Bates III, DeAndre Hopkins, and David Montgomery all found new homes.
Many people might not have correctly guessed the right landing spot for any of those players, especially Hopkins -- who many thought would go to a contending team. No one truly knows where free agents might end up, but there are certainly teams that will be linked to specific players.
So, let's dive in and predict where the top free agents will wind up this offseason.
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1. Broncos Find Their QB1 in Ryan Tannehill (For The Time Being)
There have been a lot of moving parts for the Broncos offense this offseason, which included releasing Russell Wilson and trading away Jerry Jeudy. Denver will still be paying Wilson in 2024, so don't expect the team to make a major move at quarterback. However, signing a veteran like Ryan Tannehill could be in the cards.
Tannehill really struggled through the air last year, but the Broncos need a veteran who could start games for them in 2024. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are currently the only signal-callers on the team, though, it would be a surprise to see Sean Payton go with either to start the year. The former Pro Bowler would be the perfect bridge in Denver, while they wait to draft their franchise quarterback.
2. KC Trades Away L'Jarius Sneed
When you're paying Patrick Mahomes $45 million per year, chances are you won't be able to keep every superstar. The Chiefs already franchise-tagged L'Jarius Sneed for $19.8 million for the 2024 season, but there's a strong chance he will be on his way out.
REPORT: The #Lions, #Falcons, and #Jaguars have spoken with the #Chiefs about star cornerback L'Jarius Sneed.
It reportedly will cost a 2nd round pick to trade for Sneed.
(Via USA Today) pic.twitter.com/4ltPXmds7Y
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 8, 2024
Reports have already come out that Kansas City will listen to trade offers on Sneed. With Chris Jones signing a five-year, $158.75 million deal this offseason, it makes sense why the team could trade the lockdown corner. The Chiefs know they can't afford both players long-term, and it appears they would rather pay the All-Pro defensive tackle.
3. Cowboys Settle For J.K. Dobbins In Free Agency
If there was a year to need a running back in free agency, this would be it. Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, D'Andre Swift, and Austin Ekeler were all free agents. Even with Tony Pollard hitting the open market this offseason, the Cowboys had every opportunity to not only replace him but upgrade the position in 2024.
Yet, after just one day of the tampering period being opened, Dallas has swung and missed on every free agent running back. Barkley signed with the Eagles, Jacobs with the Packers, and Pollard with the Titans. With all the top running backs off the board, look for Dallas to sign hometown kid J.K. Dobbins to a cheap deal. Dobbins grew up in Houston, Texas, and would likely sign a cheap deal, especially coming off a season-ending Achilles injury.
You know who would be a great fit at the RB position for Dallas?
JK Dobbins!
I know he hungry and destined for a big season with the right opportunity
A lot of those young guys will see first hand what hard work look like
Just a thought
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) March 12, 2024
4. Panthers Get Bryce Young A WR1 and Sign Calvin Ridley
Editors' Note: The Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson of the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday.
There's no doubt Bryce Young had an abysmal rookie campaign. But he also didn't necessarily have much help in the passing game. Throwing to Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark Jr., and Jonathan Mingo was never going to be a recipe for success for Young in his first year.
I expect the Panthers to make the appropriate moves this offseason to help Young take his game to the next level. That already started with the hiring of Dave Canales -- who had a hand in Mayfield's career year in 2023. With Carolina not having a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they could look to sign a top wideout in free agency.
The 2024 free-agent wide receiver class isn't as strong as it should have been with Evans, Tee Higgins, and Michael Pittman Jr. all staying with their former teams. Nevertheless, Calvin Ridley could be a great option for Carolina. He totaled 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns last year and would immediately step in as the Panthers WR1.
5. Marquise "Hollywood" Brown Takes His Talents To The Big Apple
Wide receiver Marquise Brown will enter free agency for the first time in his career, and he should see plenty of interest from other teams. Brown is coming off a pretty disappointing year, caching just 51 passes for 574 yards and four touchdowns. Nonetheless, he's just three years removed from a 1,000-yard, six-touchdown campaign with the Ravens in 2021. That should make him a solid addition to any team in 2024.
Brown would be a nice fit on a team like the New York Giants -- who lack a true WR1. If there is any hope for Daniel Jones to revive his career after getting paid $160 million before the 2023 season, it would be to upgrade the wide receiver position. Losing Barkley is going to hurt New York, and rolling out a wideout group of Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt will not help Jones whatsoever.
That's why signing Brown could be a solid move. He would immediately become Jones' go-to target in the passing game.
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