Top 10 NFL Free Agents 2024 Rankings

Ranking the Top 10 NFL Free Agents for the 2024 off-season as Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs leads the way

By admin | March 13, 2024

The 2023 NFL Season has yet to wrap up however for a majority of NFL teams and NFL fans, all eyes are set on the upcoming NFL offseason including both the NFL Draft as well as NFL Free agency. As NFL Free agency starts on March 13^th, 2024, the opportunity to analyze and look at the top NFL players set to hit free agency has arrived. When you start to look at the list of the players among the Top 10 NFL Free Agents 2024 Rankings, the list is loaded with stars who have the potential to be game changers for NFL teams looking to make a run at the NFL Playoffs during the 2024 NFL season. While many of the top free agents will hit the open market, some may land with a franchise tag limiting their ability to test the open market.

One of those players that stands out as a top tier NFL free agent entering the off-season is the Kansas City Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones. Jones, who is currently in another Super Bowl run with the Kansas City Chiefs, is set to land a huge payday this off-season after signing a one year deal leading into the 2023 NFL season.

As Jones sits atop the list of the top free agents in the NFL, he is just one of many set to hit the open market. Joining the Chiefs defensive star among the best free agents include quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Tee Higgins, defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, and wide receiver Mike Evans. Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Free Agents 2024 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Christian Wilkins

Position: Defensive Tackle

Previous Team: Miami Dolphins

Free Agency Tracker: Christian Wilkins agrees to 4-year, $110 million deal to join Raiders

Just missing the Top 10 NFL Free Agents 2024 Rankings list is Christian Wilkins who has bene a starter for the Dolphins since arriving with the team back in 2019.

After being drafted by the Dolphin from the Clemson Tigers, Wilkins has racked up 355 career tackles to go along with 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 19 passes defended and 41 stuffs behind the line of scrimmage.

Add his most recent performance on the field including setting a career high with nine sacks and the money will be coming in heavy this off-season for the former Tigers standout.

Baker Mayfield

Position: Quarterback

Previous Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Free Agency Tracker: Resigns, agree to three-year contract worth up to $115 million

The quarterback position continues to be the most prominent position on the field each season as the trends continue to show a strong quarterback is needed to make the playoffs.

This was the case this past season after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned to Baker Mayfield who put together a strong season while leading the team to the NFC Playoffs.

The former 1^st overall pick of the Cleveland Browns put together his best passing season of his career while topping the 4,000 yard mark (4044) for the first time of his career. In addition, Mayfield set career highs for completion percentage (64.3) and passing touchdowns (28).

Top 10 NFL Free Agents

10. Jaylon Johnson

Position: Cornerback

Previous Team: Chicago Bears

Free Agency Tracker: Resigns, Bears agreed to a four-year, $76 million deal

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Free Agents 2024 Rankings list is the former Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Shutdown cornerbacks are hard to come by at the NFL level making Johnson even more valuable when free agency opens within the NFL.

The former Utah Utes cornerback who was drafted back during the 2^nd round of the 2020 NFL draft was all around the football this season posting 10 passes defensed, four interceptions, one forced fumble while recording 36 tackles.

9. Michael Pittman Jr.

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Team: Indianapolis Colts

Free Agency Tracker: Resigns, 3-year, $70 million contract extension

Entering the 2024 NFL off-season the wide receiver position will be a hot commodity as teams look to solidify their passing attacks with reliable weapons.

One of those reliable weapons is Michael Pittman Jr who has spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. Over that stretch Pittman Jr has played in at least 16 games in each of the past three seasons while topping the 1,000 yard mark during both the 2021 and 2023 NFL seasons.

Pittman is coming off setting career highs in receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,152) while also posting his third straight season with at least 50 first downs (53).

8. Danielle Hunter

Position: Edge Defender

Previous Team: Minnesota Vikings

Free Agency Tracker: Houston Texans agree WITH terms on two-year, $49M contract

Coming off his best NFL season Danielle Hunter is entering free agency with an opportunity to land a nice size payday after compiling his best NFL season.

Hunter, who will not be 30 until after the start of the 2024 NFL season is coming off an impressive 16.5 sack performance during the 2023 NFL season while setting a career high.

The double digit sack performance marked the fifth overall time the Vikings edge defender has posted at least 10 while racking up a total of 87.5 since arriving back during the 2015 NFL season. In addition, Hunter added a career high 83 tackles to go along with a career high four fumbles during this past season.

7. Brian Burns

Position: Edge Defender

Previous Team: Carolina Panthers

Free Agency Tracker: New York Giants to trade for Brian Burns, agree to five-year, $150M deal

Another aggressive defensive star that will be a hot commodity this off-season is the former Carolina Panthers edge defender Brian Burns. Burns, who is often looked upon among the best based on the struggles of the Panthers team as a whole, has been the one bright spot on the team’s defense since being drafted by the Panthers back during the 2019 NFL Draft.

Over the last five seasons, Burns has posted at least 7.5 sacks per season including eight during the 2023 season despite missing one game. Over the start of his career, Burns has racked up a total of 46 total sacks while still being just 25 years old.

As teams look for players who can make big time plays on the defensive side of the football, Burns could return to the Panthers or land a new contract for a team looking to add a centerpiece to their defense.

6. Josh Allen

Position: Defensive End

Previous Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Free Agency Tracker: RESIGNS, Josh Allen signed a 4 year, $21,443,037 contract

This off-season the move to end pass rushers will continue to be at an all-time high as teams look to solidify their ability to slow down opposing passing attacks.

One of those star defenders who will see a ton of attention this off-season is the 26 year old former Kentucky Wildcats star Josh Alen. Allen finished the season tied for 2^nd in the NFL with 17.5 sacks while also adding 66 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception.

A staple within the Jacksonville Jaguars defense, expectations are high Allen will receive the franchise tag to remain with the team, however if that does not take place look for Allen to land one of the largest contracts among all defensive players this off-season.

5. Mike Evans

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Free Agency Tracker: Resigns, agree to 2-year, $52M contract

Rounding out the Top 5 NFL Free Agents on the Top 10 NFL Free Agents 2024 Rankings list is the longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans.

Evans, who has put together a Hall of Fame resume to start his season, is coming off his 10^th straight 1,000 yard receiving season while posting his fifth NFL season with double digit touchdowns.

The Buccaneers wide receiver finished the season ranked 24^th in the NFL in receptions (79), 9^th in receiving yards (1,255), and tied for 1^st in touchdown receptions (13). The versatility and durability of Evans should land him a lucrative contract on a team looking to improve their passing attack this off-season.

4. Justin Madubuike

Position: Defensive Lineman

Previous Team: Baltimore Ravens

Free Agency Tracker: Resigns, four-year deal, reported to be worth $98 million

As you have seen all season the need for a high powered defense is required to make a run at the NFL Playoffs including the performance the Baltimore Ravens put together this season.

Leading that charge up front is Justin Madubuike who is coming off a career year while posting a career high 13 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles and 56 total tackles.

After witnessing eight of the top 10 NFL teams with the fewest number of points allowed per game make it into the playoffs, teams will be looking to add a playmaker up front on the defensive line helping the former Ravens star to be a hot commodity this off-season.

3. Tee Higgins

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Free Agency Tracker:

The evolution of the NFL offense continues as teams continue to focus on high powered offenses built around big time passing attacks. With the importance of having a star wide receiver corps, the value of the wide receiver is at an all time high leading to Tee Higgins ranking among the best NFL free agents entering the NFL offseason.

The former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is coming off an injury plagued 2023 NFL season that limited him to just 12 games played. However, the former Clemson Tigers wide receiver posted 656 yards on 42 catches over that 12 game stretch while posting a career high 15.6 yards per catch.

As the off-season approaches the Bengals will have a difficult decision on whether not to bring Higgins back or allow him to hit the open market.

2. Kirk Cousins

Position: Quarterback

Previous Team: Minnesota Vikings

Free Agency Tracker: Atlanta Falcons, Agreed to three-year contract worth $84 million

When it comes to success around the NFL the quarterback position is one of the most important positions on the field if not the most important one. This was easily seen during the 2023 NFL season as the Minnesota Vikings had the talent to compete for a playoff spot till Kirk Cousins went down with a torn Achilles.

As you look at the free agent market, Cousins is the top tier free agent quarterback on the market and one that has the arm as well as talent to pass for 5,000 yards.

Prior to going down last season Cousins had thrown for 2,331 yards while throwing for 18 touchdowns and five interceptions over the first eight games of the season. Over his 12 year career, Cousins has passed for at least 4,000 yards in seven seasons while throwing at least 30 touchdown passes three times.

1. Chris Jones

Position: Defensive Lineman

Previous Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Free Agency Tracker: Resigns, five-year, $158.75 million deal

In at number one on the Top 10 NFL Free Agents 2024 Rankings list is the Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones. Jones, who elected to resign with the Chiefs on a one year deal after being handed the franchise tag last season enters the upcoming season with the same potential result.

However, entering this off-season expectations are high a long term deal may be reached with the Chiefs to keep the eight year Chiefs veteran with the team for the near future.

Jones was a key star on a defensive unit that ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed (289.8), sacks (57), and points allowed per game (17.3). In each of the past two seasons Jones has posted at least 10.5 sacks while pushing his career total to 75.5 sacks.

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