The 2024 NFL free agents have been very active this off season. We have seen multiple acquisitions made from a number of teams. Many high-end players went off the board even before the signing period began.
There’s been a slew of running backs change teams. Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders), Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers), Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens), Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans), D’Andre Swift (Chicago Bears), Devin Singletary (New York Giants), Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings), Antonio Gibson (New England Patriots), Gus Edwards (Los Angeles Chargers) and Zach Moss (Cincinnati Bengals), will all have new homes next season by means of free agency. Not to mention Joe Mixon, who was acquired by the Houston Texans in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals.
There will also be several quarterbacks who will be wearing different jerseys this year. Kirk Cousins signed a 4-year, $180 million dollar contract which included a $50 million dollar signing bonus and $100 million of that being guaranteed. Russell Wilson signed a 1-year, $1.21 million dollar contract (veteran minimum) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also just traded for the now best backup QB in the NFL, Justin Fields. Denver is still paying Wilson nearly $38 million from the 5-year, $242 million dollar contract he signed back in 2022.
A handful of more veterans found new stopping places as Gardner Minshew (Las Vegas Raiders), Joe Flacco (Indianapolis Colts), Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings), Jameis Winston (Cleveland Browns), Jacoby Brissett (New England Patriots), Mitchell Trubisky (Buffalo Bills), Tyrod Taylor (New York Jets), Marcus Mariota (Washington Commanders) and Jimmy Garoppolo (Los Angeles Rams) decided they needed yet another change of scenery. Some of the younger guys moved as well as Mason Rudolph (Tennessee Titans) and Drew Lock (New York Giants) both signed with new teams, and other like Sam Howell (Seattle Seahawks), Desmond Ridder (Arizona Cardinals), Kenny Pickett (Philadelphia Eagles) and Mac Jones (Jacksonville Jaguars) were all moved via trades.
There were some wide receivers that moved as well either by trade or courtesy of free agency. Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans), Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns), Marquise Brown (Kansas City Chiefs), Gabe Davis (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Dionte Johnson (Carolina Panthers) to name a few.
There was some movement on the defensive side of the ball as well. Christian Wilkins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Danielle Hunter joined the Texans. Bryce Huff will move forward with the Eagles. While Jonathon Greenard will be heading to Minnesota.
So who’s left that can offer their services to a team in need?
Some of top available quarterbacks may be able to land backup jobs somewhere. Players such as Ryan Tannehill, Joshua Dobbs and Carson Wentz, have all started in the NFL but have not made their permanent mark with a team for a long period of time.
Tannehill recently lost control of his starting job last year with Tennessee after he joined them in 2019. Dobbs was given the starting nod in Arizona last year and then after a surprisingly decent start to the season, he was traded to Minnesota where his reign was short lived after just 5 games. Wentz started his career with Philadephia having incredible hype after being drafted #2 overall back in 2016. He showed great promise after winning being a catalyst to the Eagles winning the Super Bowl in 2017. After 5 years in Philly, he has yet to live up to what was expected when he entered the league.
A few running backs that could make a difference this upcoming year are J.K. Dobbins, Alexander Mattison and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. All 3 all less than 26 years old. There are still some older backs out there as well such as Ezekiel Elliott and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Mike Williams could be a borderline WR1 on many rosters in the NFL. Michael Thomas and Odell Beckham Jr., both 31 years of age, still have some left in the tank to help out a contender in the latter half of the season. Others such as Tyler Boyd, Hunter Renfrow, K.J. Osborn and Michael Gallup, can all be solid WR3’s in any system.
Some notable defensive players to note still need a job: Chase Young, Jadeveon Clowney, Tyrel Dodson, Justin Simmons, Jamal Adams, Stephen Gilmore and Julian Blackmon.
There are still some household name guys in that mix. Here are some predictions I am going to throw out there. Lets see how they pan out!
Ryan Tannehill – New Orleans Saints, J.K.Dobbins – Las Vegas Raiders, Alexander Mattinson – Dallas Cowboys, Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Williams – Carolina Panthers, Michael Thomas – Denver Broncos, Tyler Boyd – Pittsburgh Steelers, Michael Gallup – Baltimore Ravens, Chase Young – Tennessee Titans, Justin Simmons – Philadelphia Eagles, Stephen Gilmore – Minnesota Vikings
Thanks for reading and God bless!
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