We're still a few days away from NFL free agency, but teams are already thinking about which new players they want to add to their rosters. The franchise tag deadline is March 5, and free agency opens March 13 -- though the negotiation window opens two days earlier. Not every team is extremely active in free agency, but usually every team picks up at least one key veteran.
Below, I suggest one important free agent signing for each team. I established a couple of rules for this exercise: I picked only one free agent for each team, and only one team for each free agent. I also didn't assign any player to return to his current team, even on the franchise tag.
As always, I use my DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) and DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) stats, which are explained further here.
Who represents the best match for all 32 teams? Let's get started.
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
CB Kenny Moore II (IND)
The Cowboys once again had a strong defense in 2023, ranking fifth in DVOA, and they're getting cornerback Trevon Diggs back from his torn ACL. However, both Stephon Gilmore and Jourdan Lewis are free agents, and they could use an upgrade at slot cornerback with Diggs and DaRon Bland holding down the outside.
Enter Moore, possibly the league's top slot corner. He ranked 11th last season in coverage DVOA among all corners with at least 300 coverage snaps. The Colts ranked 25th covering outside wide receivers but third covering wide receivers in the slot. Moore also helps in run defense, ranking second among all corners with 43 combined run tackles and assists. His average run tackle last season came after a gain of just 2.9 yards, second in the NFL among cornerbacks with at least 15 combined run tackles.
New York Giants
Edge Bryce Huff (NYJ)
The Giants ranked 11th in pass rush win rate last season (44.5%), so a new edge rusher is not a glaring need. Still, they could fit in an upgrade for the spot across from Kayvon Thibodeaux. Why not steal from the rival Jets? Huff has started only seven games in his career but is a bit of a secret superstar with a 21.4% pass rush win rate off the edge last season (ranked eighth) and a 30.7% pass rush win rate off the edge in 2022. With players such as Azeez Ojulari and Boogie Basham also under contract, the Giants can up Huff's snap count a bit without the risk of him fading from playing too much.
Philadelphia Eagles
LB Lavonte David (TB)
Despite their late-season collapse, the Eagles have to be considered contenders for 2024. There's not much difference between last season's offense and the offense that won the NFC two years ago, other than the potential retirement of center Jason Kelce. The differences are on defense. But that's all the more reason for a still-strong veteran to sign up for a run with the Eagles.
David would be a huge upgrade at weakside linebacker. He was tied for fifth last season with 33 defeats, a stat that adds tackles for loss, turnovers and plays to prevent a conversion on third or fourth down. David is near the top of the league in this stat every year, and he still has great instincts at age 34.
Washington Commanders
Edge Brian Burns (CAR)
The Commanders are fourth in the NFL in available cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, so they should be active in free agency. The need here is pretty obvious. The Commanders dealt away their two starting defensive ends in the middle of last season. The next three defensive ends on the depth chart are all free agents (James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill and Efe Obada). Even if the Commanders re-sign one or two of them, there's room to bring in a leader to jump-start the pass rush.
The Commanders will want to look at linebackers Danielle Hunter, Josh Allen and perhaps even Bryce Huff, but the biggest name among the free agent edge rushers might be Burns. He has a proven track record with at least 7.5 sacks in each of his five NFL seasons and was 11th in pass rush win rate (21.8%) among edge rushers last season.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
WR Michael Pittman Jr. (IND)
Whether the Bears keep Justin Fields or draft USC's Caleb Williams (or both), their young quarterback is going to need more help at wide receiver. DJ Moore was an outstanding addition a year ago, but a reliable possession target on the other side would benefit from the attention Moore attracts.
There's a chance the Colts franchise-tag Pittman. But if he makes it to free agency, especially with Darnell Mooney hitting the market, Pittman would be a huge addition for the Bears. Pittman caught 109 passes last season for 1,152 yards with a 70% catch rate. His lower average depth of target (7.5 yards) makes him a strong complement to Moore (10 yards). And Pittman does a great job of getting open and attracting targets; Pittman was targeted on 28.9% of routes last year, ranking in the top 10, compared to 25.2% for Moore.
Detroit Lions
DT Chris Jones (KC)
The Lions are Super Bowl contenders with a healthy amount of cap space, so they're going to get linked to every top defender who's available. I might as well give them the best one out there, and a player who happens to fill their need for a pass-rushing 3-technique defensive tackle. Jones ranked second among all defensive tackles in pass rush win rate last season (19.6%), and he had the highest double-team rate at 72%. If he makes it to free agency, he would be a huge addition to the Lions' defense and could be the difference-maker who finally brings them to the Super Bowl.
Green Bay Packers
S Xavier McKinney (NYG)
The top three safeties on Green Bay's depth chart are all free agents: Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens. So this is a position where the Packers need to do some work. McKinney will be 26 years old next season and is a flexible player who can serve either as a free safety deep or a strong safety in the box. He had the best coverage DVOA among the Giants' defensive backs last season and had a career-high 116 combined tackles with 11 passes defensed and three interceptions.
Minnesota Vikings
DT Justin Madubuike (BAL)
Defensive end Jonathan Bullard is a free agent, while 30-year-old Dean Lowry missed half of last season with a pectoral injury and has only 0.5 sacks over the past two years. The Vikings' defense improved significantly last season but could use improvement at 5-technique defensive end. Enter Madubuike, who can play as either a 3-tech tackle or a 5-tech end. In a breakout season, he had 13 sacks with a career-high 56 combined tackles and was named second-team All-Pro. He's a powerful pass-rusher who also is a strong run defender.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
QB Kirk Cousins (MIN)
The Falcons can't go on with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke as their quarterbacks. They're wasting a great group of skill players that includes WR Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson and TE Kyle Pitts. So how about bringing in a veteran and pairing him with a young heir apparent from the middle rounds of the draft? Cousins had 63.2 QBR in half a season in 2023, his highest QBR since 2016. He had success playing for Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, a former protégé of coach Sean McVay. Here he could play for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who was also a McVay protégé.
Carolina Panthers
DT Grover Stewart (IND)
The Panthers need a lot of things this offseason, but let's start with how they ranked last in run defense DVOA last season. They could address that problem with a big interior defensive lineman like Stewart. Last season, he served a six-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. Without Stewart, the Colts had a run defense DVOA of 10%, which would have been the worst in the league for the entire season. In the other 11 games, the Colts had a run defense DVOA of minus-12%, which would have been 13th. He also takes on a lot of double-teams, which would help Carolina's pass-rushers to get to the quarterback.
New Orleans Saints
Edge Chase Young (SF)
Well, here we are with the Saints again needing to restructure a bunch of contracts. Yet they always seem to find space for a couple of free agent signings. The biggest need here is pretty obvious, as New Orleans ranked 31st in pass rush win rate and 31st in adjusted sack rate. There are several strong free agent edge rushers, and the Saints need to find one who fits their budget.
The best option might be a one-year, prove-it contract for Young. He couldn't stay healthy in 2021 and 2022, and while he had 7.5 sacks in 2023, his game fell off after he was dealt to San Francisco in the middle of the season. Young ranked 15th among edge rushers with a 19.3% pass rush win rate off the edge, but that went from 24.8% while he was with Washington to just 12.9% with San Francisco (through the playoffs). On a one-year deal with New Orleans, Young could play opposite Cameron Jordan and prove he still has all the talent that made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2020.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TE Dalton Schultz (HOU)
The Buccaneers got 455 yards and four touchdowns out of second-year tight end Cade Otton, but Schultz would expand what they can do at the position. He had 635 yards and five touchdowns for Houston, with a similar receiving DVOA to Otton but more production. Tampa Bay's other tight end, Ko Kieft, is strictly a blocker, so bringing in Schultz would open things up for more two-tight end sets where both tight ends are receiving threats. But Schultz is also a good run-blocker, with Pro Football Focus giving him a run-blocking grade above 60.0 in five consecutive seasons.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Edge Josh Allen (JAX)
The Cardinals could use help at pretty much every position on defense except maybe safety, but pass rush is a glaring issue. They ranked 29th in pass rush win rate last season and 30th in adjusted sack rate. "The other" Josh Allen is coming off his best season, tied for second in the league with 17.5 sacks and 10th in pressures with 51. Allen can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt and would turbocharge the Arizona pass rush.
Los Angeles Rams
C Andre James (LV)
Last season's center, Coleman Shelton, is a free agent. James would be a nice upgrade, as he ranked second among all centers in pass block win rate last season (96.5%). As a smaller center (6-foot-4, 300 pounds), you would expect him to be more of a zone-blocker, but the Raiders used a lot of gap runs last season, and James held up well. He would be able to do either for a Rams offense that transitions from the zone runs they called in the past to more gap runs in 2023.
San Francisco 49ers
G Graham Glasgow (DET)
The 49ers need to overhaul the offensive line this offseason with free agent signings and draft picks. Adding Glasgow would be a small part of the solution. Surely Glasgow would come on a short-term contract, as he turns 32 in July. However, he has significant experience with the zone blocking that is a staple of the 49ers' offense.
Glasgow ranked second among all guards in run block win rate last season (77.2%). His pass block win rate was average at 91% but still higher than 49ers guards Aaron Banks (88.6%) and Spencer Burford (87.9%). Glasgow could slide in to replace either Banks on the left side or Burford and Jon Feliciano on the right side. Glasgow also has experience playing center if the 49ers need flexibility.
Seattle Seahawks
CB Chidobe Awuzie (CIN)
I weighed suggesting another pass-rusher for the Seahawks here, or perhaps an interior offensive lineman. But let's go with a starting cornerback who can play opposite Riq Woolen while Devon Witherspoon locks down the slot (or blitzes the quarterback). Awuzie had a good coverage DVOA last season and was one of the best corners in the league for the first half of 2022 before tearing an ACL. He's strong in both man and zone coverage.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
WR Calvin Ridley (JAX)
My original suggestion was going to be Tee Higgins before the Bengals decided to give him the franchise tag. But the basic idea remains: The best way for the Bills to upgrade is to get the best receiver they can to play next to Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir next season. Somebody more consistent than Gabe Davis would be a huge help. Ridley led the Jaguars in total receiving value (DYAR) upon his return to the NFL last season after missing 2022 with a suspension. He put up 1,016 yards and snagged eight touchdown passes.
Miami Dolphins
DT DJ Reader (CIN)
Defensive tackles Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis and Da'Shawn Hand are free agents this offseason, so the Dolphins are going to need help up front. Why not steal from another top AFC contender while shoring up the middle of their defense? Reader doesn't get big stats, but he does soak up double-teams and is an even stronger pass-rusher than he is a run-stopper. Note that Reader suffered a torn quadriceps injury in Week 15, so the Dolphins would want to make sure he's ready to go for the start of the 2024 season before making this signing.
New England Patriots
OT Jonah Williams (CIN)
Last season's starting tackles, Mike Onwenu and Trent Brown, are free agents, so this is a good place for the Patriots to pick up a veteran. Williams, a 2019 first-round pick, can play either tackle spot. His pass block win rate of 84% in 2023 was below average but still higher than any of the players who played tackle for the Patriots.
New York Jets
S Kamren Curl (WSH)
The Jets' top three safeties are all free agents this offseason: Jordan Whitehead, Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis. Unless they can re-sign a couple of those players, they'll need to do some work. Curl is not a well-known player -- he was a 2020 seventh-round pick for the Commanders -- but has played strong in pass coverage over the last four seasons and doesn't miss a lot of tackles. Curl can play either up high or in the box, which would give the Jets defensive flexibility.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
RB Derrick Henry (TEN)
A lot of people are putting two and two together on this one, including other ESPN analysts. Although the Ravens have not spent big at running back in the past, this marriage would make sense. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are both free agents, and the Ravens could use a hard-running, physical back -- particularly because they liked to go for it on fourth-and-short (but not in 2023) and needed someone to get those tough yards. Quarterback Lamar Jackson ability to attract defensive attention would likely recharge Henry's numbers, and none of the Ravens' opponents would want to encounter Henry in the open field.
Cincinnati Bengals
TE Noah Fant (SEA)
Fant has never quite lived up to expectations as a first-rounder, but that's more an issue of usage than efficiency. Fant has put up positive DYAR in all five of his NFL seasons, and he ranked ninth among qualifying tight ends in receiving DVOA this past season. Every tight end on the Bengals' roster is a free agent, so they'll need to address the position in free agency and the draft. Imagine what quarterback Joe Burrow could get out of Fant's first-round talent.
Cleveland Browns
DT Christian Wilkins (MIA)
Cleveland's defense was a primary reason the Browns were able to overcome injuries and make the playoffs, but they need help on the defensive line. Defensive tackles Shelby Harris, Jordan Elliott and Maurice Hurst II are all free agents, leaving a space open next to Dalvin Tomlinson. Wilkins had nine sacks, 35 pressure and 63 combined tackles for the Dolphins last season. He ranked 13th in pass rush win rate among interior linemen while taking on a lot of double-teams, and he's a very strong run defender.
Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Kendall Fuller (WSH)
The Steelers have some need at cornerback, especially if they decide to move Patrick Peterson to safety full-time. Fuller was the only Commanders cornerback last season with strong coverage numbers. His coverage DVOA was similar to those of L'Jarius Sneed and Marshon Lattimore, although he did allow a lot of touchdowns. In Pittsburgh, he could play opposite Joey Porter Jr. and take the easier assignment while Porter works on the opposition's No. 1 receiver. Fuller should be good enough to allow Pittsburgh's safeties to shade toward Porter's man.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
RB Tony Pollard (DAL)
My original suggestion here was cornerback L'Jarius Sneed before he was franchise-tagged by Kansas City, so let's look at another position where the Texans are in need. Devin Singletary is a free agent and Dameon Pierce had a disappointing second season, so Houston could be a good landing place for one of the numerous big-name free agent running backs.
The best fit would be a "lightning" to go with Pierce's "thunder." That's why I suggest Pollard, who is more of a light and agile receiving back than players such as Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. Pollard struggled in 2023 but was excellent as a committee back in 2022, ranking fourth in receiving value among running backs that season.
Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe discuss how NFL running backs are "run into the ground" by NFL teams during their rookie contracts.
Indianapolis Colts
S Kyle Dugger (NE)
Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley loves a hard-hitting strong safety, from Kam Chancellor in Seattle to Derwin James Jr. with the Chargers. That's a position where the Colts can upgrade, especially with Julian Blackmon a free agent. Dugger is a skilled, forceful player who fits the run well; his average run tackle came after a gain of just 4.5 yards, one of the lowest figures of any NFL safety last season. He can also cover tight ends if needed. He would help a Colts defense that ranked 20th in DVOA last season, including 24th against the run.
Jacksonville Jaguars
DT Leonard Williams (SEA)
Williams is a versatile defender who can play multiple positions along the defensive front. He ranked 19th among interior linemen in pass rush win rate last season and was top 10 in run stop win rate the year before. He also had 33 pressures and 5.5 sacks in 2023, splitting time between the Giants and Seahawks. Williams would slide right in as a 5-technique end, perhaps replacing veteran Adam Gotsis, who will be 32 next season. Gotsis had 26 tackles last season compared to Williams' 62.
Tennessee Titans
CB Jaylon Johnson (CHI)
The Titans ranked 31st in DVOA covering No. 1 receivers last season; only the Commanders were worse. Both corners -- Kristian Fulton and Sean Murphy-Bunting -- are free agents, while Caleb Farley is going into the last season of his rookie contract and can't get healthy. (He didn't even get on the field in 2023 due to a lingering back issue.)
Cornerback is a huge need for the Titans, so they should go after the best on the market, starting with Johnson. He allowed only 4.2 yards after the catch last season and led the NFL in my cornerback coverage DVOA. He also had 10 passes defensed and four interceptions, and Chicago ranked third in DVOA covering No. 1 receivers.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
LB Frankie Luvu (CAR)
Inside linebacker has been a weakness for the Broncos, and starter Josey Jewell is hitting free agency. Why not upgrade with a versatile linebacker who can be used in a variety of ways? Teams can blitz Luvu, drop him into coverage or play him against the run. Luvu set career highs last season in combined tackles (125) and quarterback hits (11) while also getting six sacks. He had 27 defeats (a measure of big plays), which ranked tied for 13th among off-ball linebackers.
Kansas City Chiefs
WR Mike Evans (TB)
We all know that the Chiefs' wide receivers were a disappointment last season. This is the clear area where Kansas City can improve as it attempts to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls. And the best veteran receiver on the market has a Super Bowl ring already.
Yes, Evans will be 31 this coming season, but he's still playing at a very high level. He ranked 23rd in DVOA among qualifying wide receivers last season -- he's ranked in the top 26 for six straight seasons -- and has 10 straight years with at least 1,000 receiving yards. He's also money in the red zone, with 13 touchdown catches last season.
Tim Hasselbeck explains why the Chiefs could struggle to bring back both the franchise-tagged L'Jarius Sneed and Chris Jones.
Las Vegas Raiders
OT/G Mike Onwenu (NE)
The Raiders have three free agents on their starting offensive line -- center Andre James, right guard Greg Van Roten and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor -- so let's fill one of those holes with one of the top free agent linemen on the market. Onwenu is a well-regarded road-grader who has moved back and forth between tackle and guard during his four-year career. He had an above-average run block win rate of 75.5% in 2023; his pass block win rate slipped to 82.5% last season but was over 94% as a guard in his first three seasons and over 90% as a tackle from 2020-21.
Los Angeles Chargers
TE Hunter Henry (NE)
The prodigal son returns! After three years in New England, I propose that Henry returns to his original team. Gerald Everett is a free agent and new coach Jim Harbaugh always had a strong tight end (Vernon Davis) for his offense in San Francisco. In Henry's seven NFL seasons (omitting the 2018 season when he was injured), he has ranked in the top 10 in my DYAR measure of receiving value five times. He has only one season with a below-average DVOA and was sixth among all qualifying tight ends last season. That would make him a valuable red zone target for quarterback Justin Herbert as Harbaugh attempts to recharge the Chargers.