Matt BowenESPN Staff Writer7:00 AM ET12 Minute Read
We haven’t closed the door on NFL 2023 free agency yet — Bobby Wagner and Odell Beckham Jr. headline a list of top players still available — but we’re already looking at the potential of the 2024 class loaded from positions.
That means things will change before free agency opens next year. The majority of the top players currently primed for free agency in 2024 will sign contract extensions well before next March. Another handful will end with the franchise tag. So take what follows — a far too early look at the 24 class — with a grain of salt, because the free agent class will look very different next spring. We’ve grouped the best of the best currently slated for the open market into a few different categories, including well-known quarterbacks and impact defenders. Each player’s age, position value, expected future production, and schema versatility are considered here, and restricted and exclusive free agents are not included. Let’s jump in.
Note: Players eligible for a fifth-year option in 2024 – first-round picks from the 2020 draft class – are not included. These include quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, receivers Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb, and defensive end Chase Young, among others.
Jump to:
QB’s | bank breaker | ’23 Franchise Tags
Offensive Playmaker | Impact defender
to see quarterbacks
Team 2023: Philly Eagles | Age at entry into season 2024: 26
Don’t expect Hurts to be available in free agency; he should cash out with a multi-year extension that will keep him in Philadelphia next year and beyond. He’s a great fit on the Eagles’ offense, which is consistent with his throwing characteristics and double threat ability. In addition to his 760 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs in 2022, Hurts had 3,701 passing yards. And his 68.5 QBR on pocket throws ranked third overall in the NFL. He’s a fast-rising player who’s plunged into the conversation of top-tier quarterbacks.
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Team 2023: Minnesota Vikings | Age at entry into season 2024: 36
Cousins should be targeted as a middle-class starter who can get passing numbers on a planned NFL offense and find success outside of play-action elements. He has now passed the 4,000-yard mark in seven of his last eight seasons. And while decision-making can be questioned at times (34 interceptions over the past three seasons), Cousins will have multiple suitors when he hits the market.
Team 2023: Tennessee Titans | Age at entry into season 2024: 36
In 12 games last season, Tannehill threw for 2,536 yards, 13 touchdown passes and six interceptions. His overall QBR of 49.1 was 24th in the NFL — one place behind Cousins’ 49.9 — and his worst since 2018 when he was at Miami. He’s a rhythm pitcher who thrives on clean platforms and within a play-action structure to deliver the ball with timing. Tennessee could be looking to change quarterbacks, so Tannehill could certainly be among the top veteran QB options for another team next March.
Stars who might break the bank
Team 2023: San Francisco 49ers | Age at entry into season 2024: 26
Bosa is a highly skilled technician with the short range power and juice to create consistent pocket disruption. And he will change the protection systems of other teams. With 34 sacks in his last two seasons, he’s one of the top edge players in the league and a contract extension at San Francisco should be on the cards. Bosa finished last season atop the league on his way to Defensive Player of the Year with a 20.9% pass rush win rate off the edge (10th best) and 18.5 sacks.
Team 2023: Chiefs of Kansas City | Age at entry into season 2024: 30
Jones had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2022, recording 15.5 sacks and 22.5 disrupted dropbacks (both top-five numbers). And his 21.0% pass rush win rate ranked him second in the NFL for defensive tackles behind Aaron Donald. Jones is a quality player and centre-backs who can rush the passer are paid big bucks.
Team 2023: Tennessee Titans | Age at entry into season 2024: 27
A dominant inside presence with game-changing attributes, Simmons posted a 40.9% run-stop win rate last season, ranking 12th in the NFL. He also stacked 7.5 sacks and 27 pressures from the inside. I see a complete player here who can change opposing offensive game plans. He is said to be in Tennessee’s future plans, and the likely hefty price tag of a contract extension will reflect his value.
Team 2023: New York Jets | Age at entry into season 2024: 26
Like Bosa and Simmons, overtime should be in play before Williams even has a chance to hit the open market. Defensive tackle is a key element of Robert Saleh’s system in New York, with quickness of the first step and bursting forward to create havoc. In 2022, Williams produced a career-high 12 sacks that finished 11th overall. He has groundbreaking skills.
Team 2023: Carolina Panther | Age at entry into season 2024: 26
Burns has the properties and production to make big bucks. He’s got a long frame at 6-foot-5 and the lower-body flexibility and closing speed to heat up opposing quarterbacks. Burns had 12.5 sacks last year, which gave him 38 in his four-year career. He also recorded 51 charges in 2022, the fourth most in the NFL. This type of production makes a lot of money.
Team 2023: Dallas Cowboys | Age at entry into season 2024: 25
They pay for production on the ball in the NFL, and that’s what Diggs got on tape in three pro seasons. Since being called up in 2020, the Cowboys’ 6-foot-2 corner has recorded 17 interceptions (first point) and 49 pass separations (second). He’s aggressive in cover and making plays, although that playstyle can hurt him at times. As the closest defender last season, his 64.9% allowable completion percentage was more than two points higher than expected, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Team 2023: New York Giants | Age at entry into season 2024: 26
Lawrence is a 6-4, 342-pound internal force who can stone opponents’ runs and create pocket production due to his power and foot-speed. In 2022, Lawrence had career highs in tackles (68), sacks (7.5), and presses (43). His 16.7% pass rush win rate was also fourth best inside. Simply put, Lawrence has the size and traits to change the dynamics of any NFL defensive front.
2023 franchise-tagged players
If those players don’t sign renewals before July 17, they would be eligible for free agency again in 2024.
Team 2023: Baltimore Ravens | Age at entry into season 2024: 27
Jackson will likely have a contract extension before the start of the 2023 season, either with the Ravens or another team. Obviously, if he played on the tag at Baltimore this season and hit free agency next spring, Jackson would be the No. 1 player on the market. Before a left knee injury sidelined him for the last six games of the 2022 season, Jackson had 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdown passes, 764 rushing yards and three rushing scores. The most electrifying player in the league, Jackson possesses top-flight dynamic skills that ensure constant clashes in opposing defenses.
Team 2023: New York Giants | Age at entry into season 2024: 27
Barkley had 32 rushes for 10 or more yards last season — the sixth most in the league — finishing with 1,650 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. He’s regained his explosiveness and suddenness after injuries limited him to 15 games overall in the 2020-21 seasons and I consider him one of the top three defenders – especially since he also brings passing catching skills.
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Team 2023: Dallas Cowboys | Age at entry into season 2024: 27
Pollard rushed for 1,474 yards in a rotating role for Dallas last season. He broke his left fibula in the playoff loss to the 49ers, but if he’s healthy in 2023, Pollard will take over the Cowboys backfield after the club fired Ezekiel Elliott. And he has the qualities of a No. 1 defender, with big-play juice and formational flexibility in passing.
Team 2023: Las Vegas Robbers | Age at entry into season 2024: 26
Jacobs had career highlights in rushing attempts (340), rushing yards (1,653), and receiving yards (400) in 2022, with trainer Josh McDaniels officiating the show in Las Vegas. He’s a downhill runner with explosive play-chops and the lateral maneuverability to slip out on tacklers; He had 41 rushes of 10 yards or more last season. And the reception characteristics are also there. Jacobs caught 53 of 64 targets last year. Given his age and the band, Jacobs will see a multi-year deal next off-season when he produces another season of high-profile production.
Team 2023: Jacksonville Jaguars | Age at entry into season 2024: 30
On coach Doug Pederson’s offense last season, Engram was used as a moving target in the route tree, catching 77 passes for 766 yards and four touchdowns. And 60 of those receptions were logged when Engram was bent out of formation. The experienced tight end can be placed on catch-and-run targets, and he has the opportunity to extend defense on the third level of the field.
Offensive playmaker
Team 2023: Indianapolis Colts | Age at entry into season 2024: 25
Taylor played in 11 games for the Colts last season, but he rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and has averaged more than five yards per carry throughout his career. He also has 33 touchdowns as a pro. A physical runner with a solid top speed, Taylor has the power to turn the peloton and has already logged 106 rushes of 10 yards or more. When healthy, Taylor is easily in the top 10 in the NFL.
Team 2023: Minnesota Vikings | Age at entry into season 2024: 27
In 10 games with the Vikings last season — after being traded from Detroit midseason — Hockenson caught 60 of 86 goals for 519 yards and three points. And we’ve seen how he can be used as a versatile receiving target on offense by coach Kevin O’Connell. Hockenson works on the bottom concepts and midfield, but can also bend outward to win matchups. Outstanding features are the excellent route and post-catch production.
Team 2023: Chargers from Los Angeles | Age at entry into season 2024: 29
Ekeler is currently looking for a new deal with the Chargers after posting a total of 1,637 yards in Los Angeles last season. He’s a premier pass catcher from outside the backfield with 177 receptions over the past two seasons. You’ll see screens, swings, angles and more from him, and he’s showing off some open-field juice too. If Ekeler plays out the last year of his deal and makes it free next spring, he has options given his double threat ability from the backfield.
Team 2023: Tennessee Titans | Age at entry into season 2024: 30
Henry has had more than 300 carries in three of his last four seasons, and he was on track to do the same in 2021 before a right foot injury knocked him out after eight games. Henry is an explosive volume runner at 6ft 3, 247 pounds — he leads the NFL with 6,042 rushing yards over those four seasons — and he’s got the high speed to tear down chunk plays. He can simply take over games. But as Henry enters the final year of his contract, his pace of play and 2023 tape will determine his market value given his age and the large number of hasty attempts he’s recorded over the course of his pro career.
Team 2023: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age at entry into season 2024: 31
Evans will be in his 30s when his current contract expires and he will be completing a transition year at Tampa Bay following Tom Brady’s retirement. However, if production continues I can see Evans finding solid interest in the market given his ability to play as a Boundary-X receiver and bring up a red zone. Evans has surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his nine pro seasons, and he has at least eight touchdown catches in four of his last five campaigns.
Impact defender
Team 2023: Chiefs of Kansas City | Age at entry into season 2024: 27
Sneed has the versatility to play inside/outside corner in multiple pro schemes. In three seasons at Kansas City, Sneed has produced eight interceptions, 26 pass breakups and 6.5 sacks. He has outstanding man coverage abilities, but I also see good backfield vision in zone coverage. Sneed’s lightning numbers suggest an ability to apply pressure and come home from slot alignments. His 14 pressings last season led all defenders.
Team 2023: New England Patriots | Age at entry into season 2024: 25
Uche posted a career-high 11.5 sacks in New England last year and tied for 12th in the NFL. We can see his juice off the ball and the natural flex to turn the corner on tape. Uche fits best in planned fronts where he can produce stunts or defined one-on-one stunts. His 18.5% pressure rate surpassed NFL defensemen last season, and his 19.2% pass rush win rate ranked him 14th.
Team 2023: Green Bay Packers | Age at entry into season 2024: 26
A cruciate ligament tear in his right knee limits Gary to nine games in 2022, but the up arrow points to the 2019 first-round pick. In his last 25 games played, Gary has recorded 15.5 sacks and 75 pressings. He is a powerful and explosive edge rusher who has developed a mix of countermoves.
Team 2023: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age at entry into season 2024: 27
Highsmith’s 14.5 sacks in 2022 was a career high and ranked sixth in the NFL, and he also added five forced fumbles and 42 pressures. He’s a clever edge rusher with the footwork to set up blockers and an extensive toolbox of countermoves. Highsmith fits easily into a 3-4 formation and could pay off after another year of production in Pittsburgh.
Team 2023: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age at entry into season 2024: 26
Winfield has the post and split-field range to find the ball on the field, as well as the versatility to be used as a partial-pack disruptor. In three pro seasons with the Bucs, Winfield has intercepted four passes, broken 15 more and recorded nine sacks. It fits the profile of today’s multi-dimensional security that can cover, grab and create a production on the ball.
Other potential free agents you should know about
Trey Hendrickson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
D’Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions
Sam Darnold, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Leonard Williams, DL, New York Giants
Kendall Fuller, CB, Washington Commanders
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Xavier McKinney, S, New York Giants
Michael Davis, CB, Los Angeles Chargers
Gardner Minshew, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Kyle Dugger, S, New England Patriots
Jonah Williams, OT, Cincinnati Bengals
Yosh Nijman, OT, Green Bay Packers