The deadline for teams to apply the franchise and transition tag passed on March 5, and the players who weren’t tagged make a strong crop of free agents even deeper.
Ahead of NFL free agency getting underway on March 13, here’s one best fit for eight of the top players who weren’t tagged and are set to become available.
Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs
The premier free agent in this year’s market, Chris Jones has become nearly as indispensable to the Chiefs‘ success defensively as Patrick Mahomes has to the franchise’s trajectory into a modern dynasty. Kansas City general manager Brett Veach applying the franchise tag to L’Jarius Sneed as a likely placeholder for a trade this offseason, telegraphs the Chiefs’ desire to get a long-term deal done. Spotrac projects Jones could fetch a three-year deal that averages $28.4 million, annually. It will take some salary cap gymnastics by Veach, given Kansas City only has $9.6 million in cap space this offseason, but the feeling is the Chiefs find a way to get something done here.
Atlanta Falcons Kirk Cousins
Oct 18, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) in action during the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins – Atlanta Falcons
Momentum has been building toward Kirk Cousins signing with the Falcons since earlier this offseason. The top quarterback in this year’s free agent class, Cousins could land a $118 million contract that would put him on the doorstep of the top-10-highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. Atlanta desperately needs veteran stability at quarterback, to lead a dynamic offense featuring explosive running back Bijan Robinson, field-stretching receiver Drake London, and mismatch machine Kyle Pitts at tight end. Cousins’ career 263.1 passing yards per game may be exactly what the Falcons need to maximize their young weapons.
Christian Wilkins – Houston Texans
With the exception of possibly the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans might be Kansas City’s biggest threat in the AFC to a first-ever Super Bowl three-peat. Much of the optimism surrounding the Texans, and nearly all of the financial flexibility from a roster-building standpoint comes from upstart quarterback C.J. Stroud being on a rookie contract and already emerging as a top-10 quarterback in the NFL. However, a talented defense built around disruptive edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and a gifted secondary is a worthy complement to Houston’s offense. If the Texans can’t land Chris Jones, dropping a space-eating and solid interior pass-rush presence in the middle of the Texans’ defensive line, such as Wilkins, will likely be a top priority for the Texans who have over $70 million in cap space.
NFL Free Agency New York Giants Saquon Barkley, Travis Kelce
Saquon Barkley Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Saquon Barkley – Houston Texans
There aren’t many players available this offseason who could make a more significant impact on Stroud’s development, and Houston’s Super Bowl chances, than Barkley. As elusive in the open field as a receiver out of the backfield, as he is an explosive runner, Barkley has all the tools to thrive in Houston’s offense. Through his first six seasons, Barkley has averaged 868.5 rushing yards, 350 receiving yards, and 7.8 total touchdowns per season. Money is of little concern to the Texans, and present Barkley with an ideal scheme fit, a chance to cash in, and chase Super Bowl rings in his career’s second chapter.
Josh Jacobs – Dallas Cowboys
Dallas is all-in on a consequential 2024 season that could be Mike McCarthy’s last as head coach. The Cowboys have lacked a dominant force at running back since Ezekiel Elliott’s departure, and Jacobs would give Dak Prescott and the offense an explosive and versatile weapon. Two years removed from winning the rushing crown, Jacobs has rushed for 5,545 yards through the first five seasons of his career and reached the end zone 46 times on the ground. Jacobs may be the Cowboys’ missing piece on offense.
Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield had the most productive season of his career guiding the Buccaneers’ offense to a playoff victory while passing for a career-high 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. After the Buccaneers re-signed Mike Evans, retaining Mayfield becomes the organization’s top priority. The Falcons loom as a threat to sign Mayfield away, but expect Tampa Bay to make Mayfield an offer before free agency begins to keep him in place for at least one more year as the Buccaneers continue to try to win while rebuilding.
Calvin Ridley – Las Vegas Raiders
In addition to building towards a Super Bowl, the Raiders need to keep All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams happy after a tumultuous first two seasons in Vegas. Pairing Adams with Ridley would form a dynamic receiving duo capable of taxing opposing secondaries. Ridley returned to form in 2023 after returning from his suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, posting his second career 1,000-plus-receiving-yard season and catching eight touchdowns. Ridley’s presence would add a second deep-threat to the Raiders’ offense and infuse optimism into the organization in Antonio Pierce’s first full season as head coach.
Xavier McKinney – Green Bay Packers
McKinney is one of the rising young safeties in the NFL, and after the Buccaneers used the franchise tag on Antoine Winfield Jr., is the premier player available in free agency. New Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system is predicated on strong secondary play, and McKinney is the type of ascending talent who can anchor a position group. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks produced a paltry 52.1 passer rating and receivers averaged just 8.7 yards per reception when targeting McKinney last season. That sort of dominance is the ideal counterpunch to the likes of Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and D.J. Moore in the NFC North.
