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The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, meaning the NFL Draft is less than two months away.
Yet, the teams are taking a short break from focusing on the draft to prepare for free agency. While the NFL Draft is the most talked about offseason event, free agency has a significant role in shaping rosters.
However, when does free agency start? Who are some of the top free-agent players? Let’s break it down.
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When Does NFL Free Agency Start?
Technically, free agency begins on March 13 when the new league year starts. When the 2024 NFL league year starts, every team must be under the salary-cap limit. That is also when players can sign new contracts with teams. However, it’s not the de facto start of free agency.
Free agents can only talk with their current team until March 11. After that, they are free to negotiate with any team in the NFL. Fans will start seeing breaking news reports from Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport about players agreeing to new contracts on Monday. Yet, they can’t officially sign the contract until Wednesday.
Tomorrow at 4 is the deadline for franchise/transition tags to be exercised. Free agency starts next week -- players can talk to new teams next Monday, can start signing with new teams next Wednesday. https://t.co/YvsUm8OvRx
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 4, 2024
Who Are Some of the Top Free Agents?
Before the start of free agency, we had the franchise-tag window. This two-week window allowed each NFL team the ability to place a franchise-tag contract on one of their upcoming free agents. While most teams didn’t use the franchise tag this year, a few needed it to keep their star free agents from hitting the open market.
However, which free agents avoided the franchise tag and can sign with any team next week?
At the top of the list is Chris Jones. Reportedly, the superstar defensive lineman will re-sign with the Kansas City Chiefs at some point over the next several days. Yet, he could become the top sought-after free agent on the open market. Jones likely resets the market for defensive linemen.
The top quarterback available is Kirk Cousins. The veteran has a no-tag clause in his current contract, preventing the Minnesota Vikings from using the franchise tag on him. While many believe he would like to stay in Minnesota, reports suggest Cousins has plans to sign with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason.
Is Kirk Cousins A Good Fit For The Atlanta Falcons? 2024 Free Agent Outlook https://t.co/caScxDpdM1 pic.twitter.com/9tjk5SZBsm
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) March 5, 2024
Despite many believing that the Miami Dolphins would use the franchise tag on Christian Wilkins, the star defensive lineman will hit the open market next week. The veteran likely has played his final game with the Dolphins, as the team has limited salary-cap space.
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