NFL free company formally begins March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, and groups can begin negotiating with gamers — and agreeing to phrases on new offers — on March 11.
To get you prepared for all of the motion, our NFL specialists are right here to interrupt down every thing you’d ever wish to know concerning the free agent frenzy. That features a preview of what to anticipate, a recap of the franchise tag window, a take a look at the perfect gamers accessible, a roundup of the signal-callers who might sign up new locations, a breakdown of splendid player-team suits and a peek on the deepest positions.
We additionally pick free brokers who might earn large contracts, be nice worth signings or have damage issues, after which preview groups which can be both able to spend or more likely to keep quiet amid wage cap issues. Lastly, we wrap all of it up with an analysis of how offers might affect April’s NFL draft and subsequent season’s fantasy soccer panorama.
In all, a dozen of our specialists weigh in on one of many wildest weeks of the offseason. It is all right here in a useful one-stop cheat sheet. (Wage cap figures are by way of OverTheCap as of March 7.)
Bounce to:Preview | Prime names | Franchise tagsQuarterbacks to look at | Financial institution-breakersSpender groups | Cap-concern teamsBest suits | Deepest place | SleepersInjury issues | Draft outlook | Fantasy spin
What can we anticipate in free company, and when does it begin?
Women and gents, open your checkbooks. With the NFL wage cap growing by an unprecedented $30.6 million, groups have extra spending energy than ever as this 12 months’s free company interval formally opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET — following a two-day authorized tampering interval that begins Monday at midday ET.
Although a number of big-name offensive gamers comparable to Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley are set to hit free company, this 12 months’s group is headlined by defensive gamers. With the Chiefs utilizing their franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, defensive lineman Chris Jones is scheduled to change into a free agent. A handful of different top-tier defensive gamers are staying put because of the tag, however edge rushers Chase Younger and Danielle Hunter, security Xavier McKinney and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins are all in search of new touchdown spots.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Offensively, this 12 months’s free company will reveal quite a bit about working again valuation with Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and Austin Ekeler, amongst others, set to change into accessible. A 12 months in the past, working backs from throughout the league voiced their frustration with a depressed market, and several other performed on one-year offers after failing to come back to agreements on extra profitable, long-term extensions. Now, working backs could have one other alternative to see how the league values their place.
And, after all, trades will have an effect on free company and the upcoming draft. Search for Chicago quarterback Justin Fields’ touchdown spot to dictate the instructions of a number of groups over the approaching months, together with the Bears and their No. 1 choose. — Brooke Pryor
Learn extra: NFL free company reside tracker … Grading NFL free company signings (ESPN+)
Who’re the highest free brokers accessible?
It is almost time totally free company, and we’re stacking the perfect gamers within the class. These are Matt Bowen’s prime 10 free brokers accessible. The place will they land?
1. Chris Jones, DT2. Kirk Cousins, QB3. Christian Wilkins, DT4. Danielle Hunter, EDGE5. Baker Mayfield, QB6. Robert Hunt, G7. Chase Younger, EDGE8. Leonard Williams, DT9. Bryce Huff, EDGE10. Kendall Fuller, CB
Learn extra: Rating the highest 100 free brokers (ESPN+) … 32 gamers who want a change of surroundings
Who was franchise-tagged?
Over the previous two weeks, eight groups used the franchise tag — and one exercised a transition tag. Bengals extensive receiver Tee Higgins was the primary to obtain the franchise tag. Then the Chiefs tagged Sneed with the target of both signing the cornerback long run or buying and selling him to obtain compensation.
Welcome to the NFL offseason
• Workforce-by-team offseason information (ESPN+)• Monitoring offers, cuts, trades | Key dates• Rating prime 100 free brokers (ESPN+)• Each coach hiring | Franchise tags• NFL draft order | Prime draft prospects
Elsewhere, three coveted sack artists obtained the tag — the Panthers’ Brian Burns, the Ravens’ Justin Madubuike and the Jaguars’ Josh Allen. Bears CB Jaylon Johnson (who has since signed an extension), Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr. and Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. additionally obtained franchise tags.
Patriots security Kyle Dugger was assigned a transition tag. The transition tag’s wage is the common of the highest 10 salaries for the place, in contrast to a franchise tag, which pays the common of the highest 5 salaries at a place. Solely 5 different gamers have obtained the transition tag prior to now 15 years, in line with ESPN Stats & Info, with none of them being safeties.
Learn extra: Franchise tag tracker
Who’re the highest quarterbacks accessible?
Kirk Cousins: If the Vikings cannot hold Cousins from reaching free company, the king of the quarterback contract could also be about to hit one other moon shot. Yeah, he is coming off a torn proper Achilles. Yeah, he turns 36 in August. However he was main the league in landing passes and second in passing yards by Week 7 (was injured in Week 8) and is the surest factor among the many free agent quarterbacks this offseason.
Baker Mayfield: Was it only one good season, or was it an indication of top-pick promise lastly fulfilled? The 2023 season wasn’t the primary time we have seen Mayfield play effectively and lead a crew to the postseason. Nevertheless, it was the perfect season of his profession — he handed for over 4,000 yards for the primary time, with 28 landing passes and a 64.3% completion charge. He turns 29 in April and will have his greatest soccer forward of him. The query is: What’s the appropriate deal? The Daniel Jones deal (4 years, $160 million)? The Geno Smith deal (three years, $105 million)? One thing in between?
Better of the remainder: Ryan Tannehill’s historical past of success is pretty latest, however he’ll be 36 when the season begins and Tennessee simply changed him with a rookie. Gardner Minshew could also be greatest suited as a backup, however he is a very good one, and you may say the identical for Jacoby Brissett. Does both get an opportunity as a starter? After that, you take possibilities on gamers seeking to revive their careers comparable to Jameis Winston, Sam Darnold or — yeah, I am going to say it — Russell Wilson. — Dan Graziano
Learn extra: Most closely fits for Wilson (ESPN+) … Predicting all 32 beginning QBs for 2024 (ESPN+)
Free brokers who will break the financial institution
Kirk Cousins, QB: No have to overthink this one, as Cousins goes to money in as soon as once more, regardless of being simply 4½ months faraway from a torn proper Achilles. He was taking part in excellent soccer on the time of his damage and is the perfect free agent quarterback accessible in a skinny market and in a league with a bunch of groups determined for an improve. When you advised me that Cousins winds up signing a two-year, $100 million totally assured contract, I might not be shocked.
0:52
McAfee and Pacman Jones focus on Kirk Cousins’ slot in Atlanta
Pat McAfee and Adam “Pacman” Jones react to the rumors linking free agent QB Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons.
Danielle Hunter, EDGE: Hunter’s renegotiated contract with the Vikings previous to final season prevented the crew from utilizing a tag on him and paved the best way for a gargantuan payday. Hunter has six seasons to his identify with 10-plus sacks, together with a career-best 16.5 in 2023, as he stays the most effective and most lively rushers in all of soccer. A pass-rusher of this caliber sometimes reaches free company, setting Hunter as much as be enticing to a ton of groups.
Christian Wilkins, DT: One of many NFL’s extra versatile inside defensive linemen, Wilkins has a monitor document of manufacturing in mainly each space. He’s coming off a career-high 9 sacks and has been a solo-tackle-making machine (146 over the previous three seasons, rating second, first and sixth amongst DTs in 2021-23, respectively). His age — he turns 29 in December — will not be a deterrent for groups, and the defensive deal with market exploded final offseason. I anticipate him to earn $22 million-plus per 12 months.
Jonathan Greenard, EDGE: Timing is every thing in life, and Greenard crushed it in his contract 12 months, posting his second season with eight or extra sacks with a career-best 12.5. Greenard has had intriguing upside however put all of it collectively throughout a resurgent season for Houston that noticed him wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Not but 27 years previous, Greenard nonetheless has prime bodily years in entrance of him and will command a large contract. — Subject Yates
Learn extra: EDGE/DT tiers (ESPN+) … WR/DB tiers (ESPN+) … RB/LB tiers (ESPN+) … QB/OL/TE tiers (ESPN+)
Which groups might be lively in free company?
New England Patriots: They’re flush with almost $90 million in cap area and rapid wants everywhere in the subject, notably on offense. Count on reinforcements at quarterback (probably as a bridge choice to the No. 3 choose), extensive receiver, tight finish and offensive line. With the appropriate strikes, New England can expedite their rebuild.
Houston Texans: Houston has the luxurious of constructing round QB C.J. Stroud one 12 months into his rookie contract. The pliability to spend large now — figuring out most contracts have escape hatches after two years — will probably be advantageous to basic supervisor Nick Caserio, who might take large swings alongside the defensive entrance seven.
Most quantity of 2024 cap area
TeamCap spaceCommanders$91.5 millionPatriots$88.5 millionTitans$75.8 millionBears$75.5 millionTexans$70 millionNumbers as of March 7
New York Giants: An already sluggish offense is about to lose its greatest participant in Barkley. The offensive line has lengthy been a multitude. The Giants have an opportunity to fortify their working and passing assaults. On protection, changing beginning defensive backs Adoree’ Jackson and Xavier McKinney will probably be essential. New York has round $38 million in cap area.
Carolina Panthers: Carolina wants nearly every thing, and with out a first-round choose, it should replenish the roster with free company. Do not be stunned if the Panthers spend large on an inside offensive lineman (or two) and determine a number of pass-catchers for QB Bryce Younger. Carolina has about $12 million in cap area however will create extra after roster cuts.
Tennessee Titans: Now that second-year basic supervisor Ran Carthon has his coach, former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, the 2 can get to work crafting the offense Callahan has in thoughts. QB Will Levis wants assist in a number of areas, notably the offensive line and the playmaker spots. And a normally stout protection should substitute loads of firepower, too. Tennessee has just below $76 million in cap area. — Jeremy Fowler
Learn extra: Daring strikes for all 32 groups (ESPN+) … One free agent each crew ought to signal (ESPN+)
Which groups might be quiet in free company?
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: The Chiefs have three key free brokers in Jones, OT Donovan Smith and LB Willie Homosexual, they usually have Sneed on the tag. Nearly all of their sources will go towards re-signing these gamers, they usually most likely cannot retain all 4. So I anticipate them to be quiet by way of buying new gamers and making splashes in free company.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys are at a big inflection level, with a very good quantity of cap sources to increase their stars — QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb and LB Micah Parsons — over the subsequent 12 months. However it’s going to depart them with little room to signal exterior free brokers. Nevertheless, they do need to determine whether or not they need to re-sign Tyron Smith — who’s unlikely to return — Tony Pollard and Stephon Gilmore.
Least quantity of 2024 cap area
TeamCap spaceDolphinsminus-$20.4 millionChargersminus-$20.2 millionSaintsminus-$17.3 millionCowboysminus-$10.6 millionRavensminus-$10 millionNumbers as of March 7
Buffalo Payments: Much like final 12 months, the Payments have destructive cap area and quite a few key points to deal with with their present gamers, which is why they reduce quite a few key gamers over the previous week. For starters, WR Gabe Davis, who’s younger, quick and performed 83% of the snaps, is a free agent. However Buffalo should additionally handle re-signing or changing productive free agent veteran security Micah Hyde, linebacker Leonard Floyd, and defensive linemen DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins’ focus this offseason is on how they will deal with extending QB Tua Tagovailoa, who’s going into the final 12 months of his rookie deal. A market extension could be a minimal of $45 million per 12 months, which might hinder Miami from being an lively participant in free company. — Mike Tannenbaum
Learn extra: What the wage cap improve means
What are a few of the greatest potential free agent suits?
Listed here are a couple of partnerships that make sense, in line with Matt Bowen:
QB Kirk Cousins to the Falcons
The Vikings must be within the combine to re-sign Cousins, however I believe he suits rather well with Atlanta below new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson (who labored below Sean McVay in Los Angeles). Cousins could be an improve below middle for an Atlanta offense that has loads of younger offensive ability expertise in WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson.
EDGE Danielle Hunter to the Rams
The Rams have cash to spend in free company, and filling the edge-rushing want must be a precedence. Including Hunter would give the Rams a productive veteran drive reverse Byron Younger — who had eight sacks as a rookie — with Aaron Donald on the inside.
EDGE Bryce Huff to the Giants
Underneath new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, the Giants would profit from including Huff to play reverse Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Giants had the fourth-lowest sack whole (34) in 2023 and including Huff might assist enhance that quantity.
G Jonah Jackson to the Commanders
Becoming into Kliff Kingsbury’s offense in Washington, Jackson would instantly improve the left guard place. He posted a 93.2% move block win charge in Detroit final season. That is wanted in D.C., because the Commanders allowed 65 sacks in 2023, tied for second most within the NFL.
Prime tales of the week from 
Get unique entry to 1000’s of premium articles a 12 months from prime writers.• Rating the highest 100 NFL free brokers »• NHL commerce rankings: Gamers on the transfer »• How ESPN 300 DBs match at their faculties » Extra ESPN+ content material »
WR Marquise Brown to the Titans
Brown would add a special ingredient to the Titans’ extensive receiver room due to his vertical stretch capacity and open-field pace after the catch on in-breakers. In Callahan’s offense, Brown would work with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks to offer quarterback Will Levis a flexible group of pass-catchers.
RB Derrick Henry to the Ravens
There’s a gap right here, and Henry might star because the lead again in Todd Monken’s offense. Even when his general play pace is beginning to decline, he can nonetheless discover the top zone. Henry had 12 dashing scores final season with the Titans, and he’d improve the Ravens’ run sport when paired with quarterback Lamar Jackson. — Bowen
Learn extra: Finest crew suits for 50 free brokers (ESPN+)
What’s the deepest place?
Edge rusher
You can also make a case right here for inside defender, however it’s kind of top-heavy. Even after Burns and Allen have been franchise-tagged, there’s a ton of high quality depth accessible at edge rusher. The listing is led by 29-year-old Danielle Hunter (10.5-plus sacks in 5 of his previous six wholesome seasons).
Underrated Jonathan Greenard and Bryce Huff lead the subsequent tier, together with Chase Younger, who, at simply 24 years previous, is the youngest free agent on the place. The likes of Andrew Van Ginkel, Jadeveon Clowney, Za’Darius Smith, Brandon Graham and Leonard Floyd are on the lengthy listing of edge gamers accessible. — Mike Clay
Which free brokers are going below the radar?
Bryce Huff, EDGE
OK, at this level, Huff has been mentioned as a sleeper free agent so usually that he could now not be one. Nonetheless, you are speaking about an edge rusher who hasn’t began a sport in two years however had a 21.4% move rush win charge off the sting final season (ranked eighth) and a 30.7% move rush win charge off the sting two years in the past. He is not nice towards the run, however he’ll get to the quarterback for you.
Andre James, C
James ranked second amongst facilities in move block win charge this season (96.5%), and he has expertise blocking for each hole and zone runs. He additionally dedicated simply two penalties in 2023.
Graham Glasgow, C/G
Glasgow goes to be 32 years previous this upcoming season, however he began at three offensive line positions final season and ranked 14th amongst all offensive linemen in run block win charge (76.8%). His move block win charge was common (90.8%) however nonetheless larger than lots of NFL starters, and he supplies the offensive line with lots of flexibility.
1:47
Orlovsky, Tannenbaum disagree on Justin Fields’ commerce worth
Dan Orlovsky and Mike Tannenbaum debate whether or not or not the Pittsburgh Steelers ought to commerce for Justin Fields.
Kendrick Bourne, WR
In 2021, Bourne ranked No. 1 amongst all qualifying extensive receivers in DVOA and was second in ESPN’s receiver monitoring metrics. His efficiency has fallen off since, however he is nonetheless tied for sixteenth within the RTM in case you mix 2022 and 2023. He is not the perfect at getting open, however he excels on the catch level and at gaining yards after the catch. — Aaron Schatz
Who has damage issues in free company?
Cousins’ surgically repaired proper Achilles would not appear to have anybody involved. The extent of curiosity regardless of his damage represents a surprising evolution of notion, seemingly resulting from advances in sports activities drugs. Whereas working has by no means been his energy, he nonetheless wants mobility to flee stress and, extra importantly, the ability by his drive leg to precisely ship the ball. Movies displaying Cousins dropping again and throwing counsel he is on monitor to return for coaching camp, however potential groups are nonetheless assuming some threat.
Different noteworthy names with damage issues embody:
RB Barkley, who proved he was totally previous an ACL/MCL damage in 2022 when he posted over 1,600 yards from scrimmage, but nonetheless carries the notion of damage threat with simply two seasons with no video games missed resulting from damage since being drafted in 2018.
OT Tyron Smith, who’s broadly thought of the most effective associates a quarterback might have on his blind facet … when he’s accessible (has missed 33 video games over the previous 4 seasons).
DL DJ Reader, who tore his proper quad in December however has already proved his capacity to come back again from this identical damage when he tore his left quad 4 years in the past.
C Connor Williams, who tore an ACL in December however performed 16 video games the season following his final torn ACL in 2019. — Stephania Bell
0:54
Sam Acho: ‘Houston is the perfect touchdown spot for Saquon Barkley’
Sam Acho breaks down why teaming up with C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell makes Houston the right match for Saquon Barkley.
What’s the largest draft implication totally free company?
The place Cousins indicators might have main draft implications. If he is re-signed in Minnesota, the Vikings might nonetheless be in search of an inheritor obvious at QB, however it will get actually fascinating if he opts to signal elsewhere. The Falcons, Raiders and Broncos — all groups inside the highest 13 picks — are seen as potential suitors. Whoever misses out on Cousins might pivot to the draft and look to pick out a signal-caller early, and even on Day 2. — Jordan Reid
Learn extra: Reid’s two-round NFL mock draft (ESPN+)
What might free company imply for fantasy soccer?
There are some wonderful extensive receivers and working backs accessible whose fantasy values might skyrocket relying on their touchdown spots. I will be conserving a detailed eye on 4 working backs: Barkley, Henry, Ekeler and Pollard. Moreover, on the extensive receiver place, Calvin Ridley and Marquise Brown are undoubtedly on my radar. These are all gamers who might command vital touches or targets, relying on the place they land. — Eric Moody
Learn extra: Fantasy soccer free company preview
