Oh, what could have been in NFL free agency.
Because so many teams are flush with salary-cap space after an unexpected record 13.6 percent cap increase since last season, the NFL is ripe for a spending spree when free agency’s legal-tampering period begins Monday.
But it actually might have been so much bigger if not for the franchise tag, which took eight of the 20 or so top free agents off the market.
A couple of late contract extensions also thinned the board; Chris Jones agreeing to a megadeal with the Chiefs late Saturday night removed one of the top options.
That said, there are still plenty of impact players at most positions — especially running back, safety and edge rusher.
And there are 13 teams with at least $40 million in cap space — led by the Commanders ($91.5 million), Patriots ($88.5 million), Titans ($75.8 million) and Bears ($75.2 million), according to overthecap.com.
Since the Bears, Commanders and Patriots have the top three picks in the draft, every free-agent move could have a trickle-down effect, too.
Here is The Post’s annual ranking of the top 30 free agents, from one rising 35-year-old quarterback to another headed in the opposite direction.
(Suitors and predictions are based on background conversations with informed NFL personnel as well as an attempt to think along with clubs and players.)
1. Kirk Cousins, QB, age 35
Like a fine wine, getting better with age and was lights-out for the Vikings before a torn Achilles last season. How will he heal? Cousins’ three-year, $84 million free-agent contract in 2018 was fully guaranteed. Is that a must this time around?
Suitors: Vikings, Falcons, Raiders
Prediction: Falcons
2. Christian Wilkins, DT, 28
Why was he not tagged by the Dolphins? A 310-pound run-stuffer coming off a career-high nine sacks is due big bucks after four peers signed for at least $87.5 million last offseason. Could be some contender’s finishing piece.
Suitors: Colts, Bears, Lions, Seahawks, Cardinals
Prediction: Lions
3. Danielle Hunter, DE, 29
If the Vikings lose Cousins, can they afford to lose Hunter, too? Averaging 14 sacks over his past four healthy seasons. Jaguars nearly traded for him last offseason. No shortage of teams will be calling.
Suitors: Rams, Raiders, Seahawks, Jaguars, Vikings
Prediction: Rams
4. Saquon Barkley, RB, 27
Suppressed running-back market is oversaturated this season. But Barkley is a high-character, dual-threat game-breaker whose career numbers have been lowered by terrible blocking. Injuries and age are a concern. Door still open to return to Giants.
Suitors: Giants, Texans, Cowboys, Eagles, Bears
Prediction: Texans
5. Tyron Smith, OT, 33
Career Cowboy was second-team All-Pro in 2023, after totaling 17 games from 2020-22. Tackles are playing at a high level later into their careers than ever. Last played a full injury-free season in 2015 but still an elite pass-protector.
Suitors: Chiefs, Jets, Patriots, Commanders
Prediction: Jets
6. Calvin Ridley, WR, 29
Beneficiary of a receiver market watered down by franchise tags and extensions. Coming off a 1,000-yard, eight-touchdown season in Jacksonville after missing all of 2022 on a gambling suspension. Had a healthy trade market before his suspension. Plays with suddenness and sure hands.
Suitors: Jaguars, Jets, Falcons, Chiefs, Bears
Prediction: Jets
7. Leonard Williams, DT, 29
Dirty-work player who Seahawks traded a second-round pick to Giants to rent last offseason. Good against the run and at collapsing the pocket (not necessarily finishing sacks). West Coast roots could serve as tiebreaker but has a career track record of collecting every penny.
Suitors: Cowboys, Broncos, Colts, Seahawks, Browns
Prediction: Seahawks
8. Jonathan Greenard, edge, 26
Two big sack seasons (eight and 12.5) and two quiet sack seasons (one and 1.5) with the Texans. Which player is he? Quick first step and ability to bend an edge. Every-down outside linebacker who pursues the run.
Suitors: Bears, Texans, Vikings, Browns, Rams
Prediction: Bears
9. Xavier McKinney, S, 24
Tired of losing with the Giants, expect McKinney to pick a contender if the money is close. Durable (played every defensive snap), versatile and savvy enough to move around from one play to the next. Teammates rally around his on-field fire.
Suitors: Bills, Eagles, Packers, Seahawks, Giants
Prediction: Eagles
10. Bryce Huff, edge, 25
No “hometown discount” for the Jets was Huff suggesting he is headed to the highest bidder. Former undrafted free agent is scheme versatile and developed into a 10-sack pass-rusher. Any more than a one-trick pony?
Suitors: Giants, Commanders, Jaguars, Patriots, Cardinals, Eagles
Prediction: Giants
11. Josh Jacobs, RB, 26
Former NFL rushing leader (2022) missed four games last season but is the youngest of the feature backs in free agency. Averaged a paltry 3.5 yards per carry but saw a December uptick after a coaching change. Makes defenders miss.
Suitors: Texans, Raiders, Bengals, Chargers
Prediction: Bengals
12. Michael Onwenu, OL, 26
Better at guard or right tackle? Answer: Very good at both positions. Versatility will allow his team to better handle injuries. Sturdy pass protector with reliable footwork. Reunion ahead with former Patriots offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo of the Giants?
Suitors: Giants, Panthers, Patriots, Titans, Bengals
Prediction: Giants
13. Patrick Queen, LB, 24
Became expendable when Ravens added Roquan Smith, but declining fifth-year option still feels like a mistake. Sideline-to-sideline playmaker who can blitz, stop the run (three 100-tackle seasons) or drop into coverage. Don’t ask a running back to chip-block him.
Suitors: Falcons, Cowboys, Texans, Colts, Raiders
Prediction: Texans
14. Robert Hunt, G, 27
Picked a bad season to miss first six games of career due to injury. Played tackle as a rookie but found a home at right guard in Miami. The 330-pounder moves anchors and backs big defensive tackles at point of attack.
Suitors: 49ers, Ravens, Panthers, Giants, Jets
Prediction: 49ers
15. Baker Mayfield, QB, 28
Why should he sign for less than the $40 million per year that the Giants gave to Daniel Jones? Former No. 1 pick resurrected his career with a career-high 28 touchdown passes and a Pro Bowl selection in Tampa Bay in 2023.
Suitors: Buccaneers, Falcons, Patriots, Broncos
Prediction: Buccaneers
16. Kyle Dugger, S, 27
Transition-tagged by Patriots, who can match any contract he signs. Size of a linebacker, athleticism of a safety and can play in the slot or the deep middle. Perfect fit for defense Dan Quinn is bringing to Washington.
Suitors: Commanders, Broncos, Patriots, Eagles, Saints
Prediction: Commanders
17. Justin Simmons, S, 30
Older than most on a saturated safety market. Also better than most, with 19 interceptions in past four seasons because of his instincts and tight coverage. Surprise Broncos’ cap casualty has three straight second-team All-Pro selections.
Suitors: Patriots, Eagles, Packers, Dolphins, Rams
Prediction: Packers
18. Kendall Fuller, CB, 29
Prime overpay candidate because of dearth of top cornerbacks available. Three straight seasons of 1,000-plus snaps with Washington. Instinctual player with inside-outside versatility and 16 career interceptions. Sticks his nose in the run game, too.
Suitors: Titans, Lions, Colts, Raiders, Cardinals
Prediction: Titans
19. Chase Young, DE, 24
Traded from Washington to the 49ers at midseason last year. Best course of action might be a one-year prove-it deal to reset his value. Injury-plagued former No. 2-overall draft pick has 16.5 sacks in 43 games but left strong lasting impression in Super Bowl LVIII. Wins 1-on-1s with power.
Suitors: Ravens, Saints, Lions, Cardinals, Vikings
Prediction: Ravens
20. Derrick Henry, RB, 29
Bulldozer who still is the most productive runner of all the free agents (1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns last season) even after 1,529 over carries over past five years for the Titans. Good fit for win-now situation. Not the pass-catcher most teams want.
Suitors: Ravens, Bengals, Cowboys, Patriots
Prediction: Ravens
21. Marquise Brown, WR, 26
Elite speed would play well as a No. 2 who hits big plays instead of drawing top corner matchups, as he has in the past with the Cardinals. Effective at creating separation. Built like a slot receiver but mostly plays outside.
Suitors: Panthers, Jaguars, Titans, Jets, Chiefs
Prediction: Panthers
22. Za’Darius Smith, OLB, 31
What back injury? Moved past supposedly debilitating 2021 issue with 15.5 sacks while playing 32 games over past two seasons, including 2023 in Cleveland. Versatility to create up-the-middle pressure on passing downs.
Suitors: Ravens, Browns, Falcons, Bears
Prediction: Browns
23. Kamren Curl, S, 25
Underrated as former seventh-round pick but tape shows a strong tackler (385 in four seasons) who can be deployed as a chess piece. Has 11 career quarterback hits in four seasons with the Commanders but just three interceptions (all as a rookie).
Suitors: Giants, Jets, Patriots, Seahawks
Prediction: Patriots
24. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S, 26
Seeking his fourth team in four years. Missed most of last season in Detroit with a torn pec but returned in a rotation for the playoffs. Plays sticky coverage against slot receivers, less so against physical tight ends. Six interceptions in 2022.
Suitors: Eagles, Dolphins, Commanders, Bills, Jets
Prediction: Dolphins
25. Lloyd Cushenberry, C, 26
Steadily improving four-year starter in Denver. Considered one of the league’s best pass-protecting centers and still developing ways to use his strength and balance to open up running lanes. Experienced calling out protections for quarterbacks.
Suitors: Broncos, Rams, Steelers, Dolphins, Titans, 49ers
Prediction: Steelers
26. Stephon Gilmore, CB, 33
Former Defensive Player of the Year has reached year-by-year ring-hunting career stage, most recently with the Cowboys — unless former familiar Commanders head coach Dan Quinn seeks his leadership. Still-ranked as a top-35 cornerback by Pro Football Focus.
Suitors: Chiefs, Steelers, Cowboys, Commanders, Lions
Prediction: Commanders
27. Frankie Luvu, LB, 27
Pigeonholed as three-year backup by Jets and finally given a chance to start by Panthers, former undrafted free agent showed speed and range. Good blitzing pass-rusher (12.5 sacks past two seasons) whose hits pop.
Suitors: Chargers, Commanders, Buccaneers, 49ers, Cardinals
Prediction: Buccaneers
28. Jonah Jackson, OG, 34
Former Pro Bowler, Rutgers product and four-year Lions starter on the left side who is athletic in space and plays with an edge. Protects the quarterback at all costs. Lions have other offensive line investments to prioritize.
Suitors: Giants, Panthers, Commanders, Buccaneers, Patriots, Packers
Prediction: Patriots
29. Russell Wilson, QB, 35
Pay the league minimum to Wilson and stick the Broncos with the rest of the bill, up to $39 million. Nine-time Pro Bowler’s demise is exaggerated (26 touchdowns, eight interceptions last season), but his ego is an issue worth investigating.
Suitors: Steelers, Vikings, Raiders, Giants
Prediction: Raiders
30. D.J. Reader, DT, 29
Underrated game-changer at a star-packed position. Run-stuffer who added 15 quarterback pressures last season. Second quad tear in four years is tough to overcome for an older player. Consolation prize for teams hoping Chiefs’ Chris Jones would reach free agency.
Suitors: Bengals, Raiders, Bears, Lions
Prediction: Bengals
