Vikings Edge Rusher Danielle Hunter (99) - Andy Clayton-King/AP
While it is almost time for the start of NFL Free Agency, and NFL fans of all 32 teams couldn’t be more excited. This years pool of free agents are based on the current trends of how teams try to blueprint how to build winning franchises in a league full of parody like never seen before.
From a former number one overall pick at QB in the 2018 NFL draft, to a superstar free agent runningback sending cryptic messages and taking huge shots at his current team.
It will be up to you the fans, and the GMs of your favorite franchise to decide if they should restructure some of their star’s contracts, sign them to a long-term deal or trade them for players and draft capital.
Here are six available NFL free agents that could possibly be on the move and on new teams for the 2024 NFL regular season.
1. Saquon Barkley (RB- New York Giants)
Best available landing sport- San Francisco 49ers
What do the 49ers do better than most of the other teams in the NFL do on offense? They continue to “pound the rock” with Christian McCaffery. Head coach Kyle Shanahan took this style from his father Mike and has morphed it into his own modern-day version.
Barkley isn’t a power back; he is a scat back similar to McCaffery. With that being said, if Barkley wants the best of both worlds where he can dominate the league again in rushing yards and compete for a Super Bowl, than Santa Clara California, would be a great place for him to go to show his talents.
2. Chase Young (Edge- San Francisco 49ers)
Best available landing spot- Buffalo Bills
Yes, I’m being biased here, but it’s also based on human perception and scheme fit for Chase Young. The Bills could use another talented free agent and proven pass rusher to add to their stout defense.
Young is only 24-years-old, and while he’s had bad luck with injuries, he showed he can still get after the quarterback in 2020 and 2023.
He fits coach McDermott’s defensive style of blitzing the quarterback off the edge and having a lean but fast edge rusher to put opposing quarterbacks on their backs.
3. Tyron Smith (OT- Dallas Cowboys)
Best available landing spot- New York Giants
It’s one small step for Dallas, but one Giant leap for New York. It is no secret that the New York Giants failed to land on top of the NFL last year as everybody except Andrew Thomas (when not injured) was painfully atrocious.
It’s also par for the course to blame Daniel Jones for this, as he is their highly-paid quarterback.
What was he supposed to do with basically “Rocket Mortgage” employees on the line, trying to protect him from being on the ground every other play? Pretty easy answer. He was toast.
He’s old, but the Giants are hurting for name and talent on the offensive line and this free agent, if paid correctly, could on paper already be their best choice heading into 2024.
4. Mike Evans (WR- Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Best available landing spot- Dallas Cowboys
Boy, would this be a huge signing for Jerry Jones and the Boys if they can reel in Mike Evans. At 6’5″, 231lbs., the former Texas A&M product is a big receiver and is very physical off the line of scrimmage and after the catch.
He can also jump and win the 50/50 battles and come down with those toe drag swag catches for touchdowns.
The Cowboys need a big, strong receiver like Evans to pair up with CeeDee Lamb, who is already a premier receiver in the game. The prominent free agent is arguably also a premier receiver, so if the Boys can get Lamb locked up to a long term deal, then why not give him an equal tandem partner in Evans.
But that could possibly mean losing out on resigning Micah Parsons who wants to be paid higher than Nick Bosa.
5. Baker Mayfield (QB- Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Best available landing spot- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In a quarterback driven league, we’re in a new era of the NFL, where the quarterbacks are getting paid a majority of the big money, and then the rest of the cash is allocated to the important positions: (CB, TE, EDGE Rushers, WR’s.)
Mayfield played well enough to earn a long term contract, and prove he can be the Bucs short and long term answer at quarterback.
One of the advantages of the talented free agent is he is hyper competitive and loves to play the game. He is a strong quarterback with a big arm and can move in and out of the pocket.
Plus, I remember a certain NFL dynasty who were the guinea pigs of paying the quarterback all the coin and keeping players at important roles to maintain cap money. Oh that’s right, it was the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady for two decades.
They called it the “Patriot Way”, and if the Bucs use the same approach and methods to build their dynasty, we may have to call it, “The Buccaneer Way.”
6. Danielle Hunter (EDGE- Minnesota Vikings)
Best available landing spot- Minnesota Vikings
Hunter was one of the bright spots on a Vikings defense led by Brian Flores who could mix it up by calling aggressive blitzes and even rushing the passer with four smaller, but faster d-lineman.
As a super jacked pass rusher, Hunter is a menace to opposing quarterbacks, as he put up a year that should be worth signing a long term contract.
Just like how the quarterbacks, cornerbacks, and tight ends are getting the cash, edge rushers are too; hence why Nick Bosa is the highest paid defensive player in the NFL right now. The Vikings should take advantage of that growing market by signing the well-rounded free agent to a long term deal, knowing he’s here to stay in Minnesota for a long time.
Let’s see how these 6 Free Agents pan out, and see if I even get one pick right?
