Running Back position leads the 2024 Free Agency come March. We will be discussing each offensive position. What name will make a big splash this off-season?
Welcome to our 2024 Offensive Free Agents article. I have broken down the top 5 players at their respective positions. Where these players will end up for the upcoming season will affect their fantasy football value going forward whether we are talking redraft or dynasty. Where would you like to see your favorite free agent land this upcoming season?
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[QB] [RB] [WR] [TE] [DT] [EDGE] [LB] [CB] [S]
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Quarterback
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins is coming off a short season where he unfortunately missed the remainder due to a torn Achilles. Cousins is currently 35 and turning 36 (August 19, 1988) before the season starts so there is concern coming back from his injury and age. With that said Cousins was on pace for 4,953 passing yards and 38TDs. His pace and performance could’ve had him finishing as a top 5 quarterback in fantasy.
His value for the Minnesota Vikings and Justin Jefferson is irreplaceable at this time. As for free agency, Cousins is expecting a good portion of any team’s salary cap and with his age, could limit his suitors this upcoming off-season. The Minnesota Vikings will be the first team he will most likely have conversations with and it’s a perfect match. The familiarity in the offense and rapport he has with Jefferson, Hockenson and 2nd year Jordan Addison easily puts this team as a top 5 Offense for 2024. I expect the list of teams calling his agent to be long but ultimately expect Cousins back in a purple and gold uniform.
Team 2024: Minnesota Vikings
Baker Mayfield
After a frustrating 2022 season, Baker Mayfield found himself a new home for 2023 in Tampa Bay. Going into a one-year prove-it season, he shined and showed why he was a previous Number 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Baker finished with his best statistical season with 4,044 passing yards and 28 passing TDs and making his first Pro Bowl. It was also his best fantasy season as well, finishing as QB 10.
He now hits the free agency market again and will be a sought-after player, especially for teams who are a quarterback away from having playoff success. With all of the rumors and of course expectations, Baker won’t be leaving far this off-season. I fully expect him to resign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and continue the success they had this past season. Of course, there could be big changes for the Bucs with a new offensive coordinator and Mike Evans possibly leaving.
Team 2024: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gardner Minshew
Gardner Minshew came into 2023 as a potential starter for the Indianapolis Colts until they drafted Anthony Richardson. Minshew became the backup and not many expected much from him this season and beyond. Well, Richardson goes down for the season and Minshew Mania begins. Helping the Colts to a 7-6 record with 3,305 passing yards and 15 touchdowns and his first Pro Bowl appearance.
The biggest question for Minshew is where he will end up. Does he stay with the Colts to continue to be one of the better backups in the league behind Richardson or does he look for an opportunity to become a starter to continue to prove he deserves the chance? Minshew’s dynasty value is on hiatus due to the uncertainty of where he will land but if you have him, he is a great hold.
Team 2024: Indianapolis Colts
Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill finished his 11th season and unfortunately one of his worst seasons since 2018. With that, he lost his job to rookie Will Levis and will now be searching for a new team in 2024. There are very few numbers of teams looking for a veteran quarterback this upcoming year. Teams in need of a quarterback typically have a high draft capital and there are some great rookies incoming. I do expect Tannehill to fall to a team that has the right pieces where he should have some success. His value in fantasy will drastically be determined based on where he lands. Tannehill is a smart savvy player and shouldn’t repeat the turnovers he had in only 8 games last season with 7 interceptions.
Team 2024: Pittsburgh Steelers
Jameis Winston
We are talking about New Orleans’ favorite quarterback Jameis Winston. He’s now finishing up his 4th year with the Saints and I do expect him back. The city and fans love him, Winston seems to have the locker room as well. Now his value in fantasy is only there in very deep dynasty leagues. His value is more important as someone who can be a great backup to help any team. Winston did show flashes in 2021 with a 102 QB Rating so he can fill in nicely. The sign of any great team is having a solid backup and providing great insight on the sideline to relay back to the starter.
Team 2024: New Orleans Saints
Running Back
Saquon Barkley
With a disappointing Giants season, Saquon Barkley was a forgotten player in 2023. Barkley, unfortunately, didn’t have the season he had hoped for after signing a one-year contract on a sort of prove-it deal. He did finish with 10 total touchdowns and just missed 1,000 rushing yards but still had some value for fantasy owners finishing as RB 13 in PPR formats.
With all of that said, he should still see plenty of suitors for the 2024 season. He is 27 years old which may scare some but his talent and versatility out of the backfield make him valuable for many offenses. I do expect a more efficient season compared to his career-low 3.9 yards per attempt and an increase in the receiving game. Barkley should resign with the Giants, but he is expected to test the market.
Team 2024: Los Angeles Chargers
Josh Jacobs
After having an amazing 2022 where Josh Jacobs finished as 1st Team All-Pro and league-leading 1,653 rushing yards, 2023 wasn’t so kind. Going into the season on a one-year deal instead of the franchise tag, Jacobs looked to have similar success but missed the last four games of the season and finished with a career-low 805 rushing yards.
The same explosive plays and vision did not show up which was displayed in his 3.5 yards per attempt. With a new regime in Las Vegas, the team seems responsive and eager to keep Jacobs around. Utilizing the running game to help 2nd-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell and win with defense.
Team 2024: Las Vegas Raiders
Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry had another solid outing for 2023 finishing with 1,167 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Having an effective fantasy season in PPR formats at RB 8 with 69 fewer attempts on the ground. With a new coaching staff coming into Tennessee, I don’t expect Henry to re-sign with the Titans but do expect him to sign with a contending team. Teams that pop up that he could play for are the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, and Houston Texans. With his ability to finish in the red zone and still being effective on the ground with over 4 yards per attempt, his value is still stronger, and a great asset for any redraft/dynasty team.
Team 2024: Dallas Cowboys
Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard came into the 2023 season as the lone back for the Dallas Cowboys. Like many, there were high expectations for Pollard after a Pro Bowl season in 2022 showcasing his big play ability. Unfortunately, he did not have the success he was hoping for, and I believe the Cowboys possibly saw that since they had only signed Pollard to a franchise tag in 2023. Pollard is still a big-play running back and has amazing value in the receiving aspect but is better suited as the specialist compared to the bell cow of an offense. Pollard has had two seasons back-to-back of over 1,000 yards rushing and saw 55 receptions which of course is great value in fantasy.
Team 2024: Houston Texans
Austin Ekeler
I understand Austin Ekeler was dealing with injuries in 2023 but watching games there seemed to have been a lack of burst for him. Ekeler came into the season on a prove-it contract after having two very successful seasons in 2021 and 2022. This year he finished with 628 rushing yards on 3.5 yards per attempt and 51 receptions. The Chargers losing Herbert also played a factor in how this offense performed and Ekeler was a byproduct of that. Ekeler is going into 2024 with health on his side and should land on a team that can use his receiving ability and his red zone work. I don’t see Ekeler as the bell cow anymore so his fantasy value should dip some but is a great buy in contending dynasty teams.
Team 2024: Philadelphia Eagles
Wide Receiver
Tee Higgins
It was a rough year for the Cincinnati Bengals when it came to injuries. Tee Higgins was no exception, missing 5 games this season and of course, finishing the season with his worst career performance. Where he did have some success was scoring 5 touchdowns in 12 games and was on pace for 7 touchdowns. Coming into 2024 he should get back into the same success he has had in previous seasons finishing over 1,000 receiving yards and having a solid WR 2 fantasy season as well. I do expect the Bengals to either sign him or franchise him.
Team 2024: Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Evans
Like taxes, Mike Evans will undoubtedly finish with over 1,000 receiving yards. With the transition from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield, there were a lot of off-season rumblings in the fantasy world that Mike Evans could suffer and that his value was dead. Evans and Mayfield proved this was not the case. Finishing as WR 7 in PPR formats and having over 1,200 receiving yards which was Mike Evan’s highest since 2018. Evans continues to show why he could be a future Hall of Famer and still a top-15 wide receiver in fantasy.
Team 2024: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Pittman
What a great year for Michael Pittman. Finishing with career high in receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,152). Pittman is the epitome of WR2 consistency in fantasy and I look forward to an even better outing in 2024. I expect him to stay with the Indianapolis Colts and create a rapport with Anthony Richardson. In the last 3 seasons, Pittman has seen an average of 142 targets and the emergence of Josh Downs can only help Pittman see less double coverage.
Team 2024: Indianapolis Colts
Marquise Brown
Not having Kyler Murray at quarterback directly affected Marquise “Hollywood” Brown this past season. Finishing with a career-low 574 receiving yards and catch% with 50.5. Coming off a great season in 2021 where he finished with 91 receptions from Lamar Jackson, he quite hasn’t been the same. A lot has contributed to not being able to stay on the field missing 8 games in the last two seasons. Hollywood going to a new team and not needing to be the WR1 will be great for him and in the fantasy space. He complements others very well and is still a big play receiver when given the chance.
Team 2024: Tennessee Titans
Calvin Ridley
I “bet” many didn’t expect the performance they saw out of Calvin Ridley in 2023. A very talented player who unfortunately missed time due to a suspension finally got to play, and he showed up very well. He also disappeared in too many games to feel great about, especially anyone who played him week in and week out in fantasy. Ridley did have his second career season with over one thousand yards, and he had 5 games where he finished as top 10 or better in fantasy at the wide receiver position. I do believe Jacksonville will try to resign him this off-season.
Team 2024: Jacksonville Jaguars
Tight End
Dalton Schultz
After spending his first five years with the Dallas Cowboys, Dalton Schultz signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans in 2023. He had similar success as he did in 2022 finishing with 59 receptions and 635 receiving yards. He would like to resign and continue his success with Houston and help that young team into the future. Schultz finished with 7 games as a top 10 tight end in fantasy and finished as TE 10 even with time missed. He is a smart savvy player that can out-muscle some defensive backs and is very aware of coverage.
Team 2024: Cincinnati Bengals
Noah Fant
Noah Fant has become a forgotten and talented tight end since joining the Seattle Seahawks after being traded from the Denver Broncos. He finished in career lows with only 32 receptions, 414 receiving yards, and zero touchdowns. While he was in Denver, he showed promise and had seasons finishing TE 8 and TE 12 in fantasy. If in the right system, Fant could become a top-10 tight end going forward. He shows can handle the workload and the ability to get down the field as a mismatch. Team and scheme will be key and why he could be a strong tight-end value in 2024.
Team 2024: Washington Commanders
Hunter Henry
Hunter Henry comes into 2024 finishing last season as TE 19 but had four finishes as a top-five tight end in fantasy. Henry was very inconsistent last season but a lot was due to the quarterback play and scheme the New England Patriots had in 2023. Henry will be looking to move to a better situation where he can be used properly and give value, especially in the red zone. Look for him to go to a team that is a contender that can use his ability to help open up the receiving end for others.
Team 2024: New York Jets
Gerald Everett
Now one of the better receiving tight ends in the game, Gerald Everett finished with a receiving grade of PFF with a 73.0. He is a shifty and explosive tight end that can be a nightmare matchup for most linebackers and defensive backs. Everett will need to join a team that utilizes two tight end sets and relies on red zone or third downs compared to being an in-line blocking tight end. A great place could be Chicago and joining his old tight end coach Shane Waldron when Everett was a rookie for the Rams.
Team 2024: Chicago Bears
Austin Hooper
After a very quiet year in Las Vegas, Hooper looks to join a team that will use his ability to help open up the outside receivers. Hooper finished 2023 with 25 receptions, 234 receiving yards, and zero touchdowns. Lowest since his rookie season. A lot had to do with the quarterback play, the addition of rookie Michael Mayer, and having talents on the outside in Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. I believe Hooper signing with a team like Miami, can add value in the middle of the field and give Tua an option to help convert touchdowns or third downs.
Team 2024: Miami Dolphins
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