Top 5 NFL free agents to target in the offseason featuring Chris Jones and Danielle Hunter

Now that the NFL Combine is over, the March madness of free agency is about to begin. This is the occasion when franchises look to strike some strategic deals with players out of contract and make their teams ready for the next season. Unlike the recent few years, the 2024 offseason has several high-profile names, including Kirk Cousins, Danielle Hunter, and Chris Jones.

General managers and coaches become extra active during this time of the football calendar. All the scouting and financial tweaking will be put to the test by poaching their desired player. The demand is not always the same; it changes depending on the team. 

Franchises like the Minnesota Vikings or the Atlanta Falcons’ primary requirement is a quarterback. But none of them hold a significant high draft pick, so landing a generational rookie is out of the question. Their best bet is the free agency, which does host QBs of Cousins and Mayfield’s caliber.

5 top free agents that NFL teams must target

The free agency time slot coincides with the start of the new league year. It officially activates on Wednesday, March 13, after 4 p.m. ET. in 2024. At that time, any player whose contract was due to expire would have witnessed the end of their tenure with their current team or franchise as the next league year kicked in. It’s also the time to initiate contact talks with other parties, called the ‘legal tampering period.’ Usually, that starts 48 hours before the free agency on March 11. 

With that in mind, here are the top 5 free agents to watch out for in 2024.

Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings LB (age 29)

The 29-year-old Danielle Hunter was one of the standout performers in an otherwise underwhelming Minnesota Vikings defense. While the Vikings are busy negotiating with Justin Jefferson and searching for a new quarterback, Hunter’s time in Minnesota is ending. 

The four-time Pro Bowler is coming off a career-high 16.5 sacks season and is undeniably one of the most sought-after players in the free agency market. The team’s always on the lookout for an aggressive linebacker. Injuries forced a dip in his value in the 2020–2021 season, but his stocks are once again on the up.

Hunter is no spring chicken, but recently the pass rushers have managed to increase their durability. So a team that needs someone to eat up the opposing quarterback consistently should target the LSU graduate if the Vikings fail to tie him down.

Possible destination: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a statement of intent by tying down two of their best performers last season. First, Mike Evans signed a 2-year extension, and then running back Antoine Winfield Jr. received a franchise tag, ensuring his stay in Florida for one more year.

While they were a fun side to watch on the offensive, it’s the defense, especially the pass rush, that lacked the most. Hunter has all the experience the Buccaneers need. They could entice him to switch cities because his original Vikings defensive coordinator, George Edwards, is now with the Buccaneers. 

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings QB (age 35)

The Minnesota Vikings are in a bind. Several key players’ contracts are coming to an end, including quarterback Kirk Cousins. The veteran quarterback’s six-year stay with the Vikings is on the verge of ending. With the 13th-best salary cap of just over $40 million, general manager Andrew Berry needs to be very shrewd in his approach, picking and choosing depending on the priority of the position.

QBs may be the most important players on a football team, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t expandable. Although head coach Kevin O’Connell loves the four-time Pro Bowler, under whom Cousins has recorded 67.1% of his throws for 6,878 yards, with 47 touchdowns against 19 interceptions, in two years there’s a massive risk if they don’t wrap up his extension before March 13.

If they were to sign Cousins after free agency starts, then it would trigger a dead money overlay on the salary cap of $28.5 million. If they want to save up some cash to acquire a couple more players, then before March 13 is the way to go. Unless he enters free agency.

Possible destination: Atlanta Falcons

The reason football analysts believe that Cousins should sign with the Atlanta Falcons is not because his wife is from Georgia. No! Rather, if any team in the NFL has untapped potential, it is the Falcons. They have offensive weapons all around the ballpark.

With players such as Bijan Robinson (eighth overall pick in 2023), receiver Drake London (eighth overall pick in 2022), and tight end Kyle Pitts (fourth overall pick in 2021), they only need a quarterback to do some serious damage in the NFC South. They also appointed a new head coach, Raheem Morris, along with the 8th pick in the 2024 draft.

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs DT (age 29)

The Kansas City Chiefs decided to franchise tag L’Jarius Sneed, indicating that they are pushing for a long-term deal with Chris Jones. The two-time Super Bowl winner has the desire to stay in Missouri and fight for the ever-elusive three-peat.

Jones’ recent activity on social media suggests that a new deal is close to being finalized. FOX Sports speculates that the 29-year-old defensive tackle may bag an extension in the region of $95 million for three years. And if they somehow fail to reach an agreement, then there shouldn’t be a shortage of suitors for an all-pro tackle.

Possible destination: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have one of the youngest squads in the NFL, including a head coach entering his second year of coaching. Yet they reached the AFC Divisional Game with rookie quarterback CJ Stroud and wide receiver Tank Dell. 

While the signs were encouraging for Texans fans, the team itself needs to update a few areas to make it even stronger. One area they need to improve is the pass rusher, because Jonathan Greenard, who had 12.5 sacks last season, is out of the team. While Greenard had an exceptional season, his track record isn’t great enough for the Texans to resign him.

Adding a champion like Chris Jones won’t be the worst decision. Not only will he bring the winner mentality, he will instantly be a leader in the locker room. On top of that, he can mentor budding pass rusher Will Anderson Jr.

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans RB (age 30)

ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler has confirmed from inside sources at the Tennessee Titans that ‘King’ Derrick Henry is unlikely to return to Memphis. It’s clear that the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year wants to add a couple of rings to his already-stacked mantlepiece.

The four-year, $50 million deal Henry signed with the Titans is coming to an end. After being selected in the second round of the 2016 draft, the 30-year-old spent eight glittering seasons in the music city. He leaves the Titans as one of the best running backs in the franchise, registering 9,502 yards, 90 touchdowns, two rushing titles, one OPOY, and four Pro Bowls.

He had already said goodbye when the Titans failed to reach the playoffs. As a result, he will be joining a loaded free agency filled with running backs.

Possible Destination: Dallas Cowboys

Make no mistake; even at his age, Derrick Henry is a monster and can tear through defenses with sheer brute strength. Those who haven’t seen his workout routine recently are missing out. But the interesting part is that his workout place is in Dallas, in his $1.6 million, 4,000-square-foot mansion near downtown, in the Bluffview area.

If this isn’t an indication that the Dallas Cowboys are top of the list for his favorite destinations, then don’t know what is. It could easily be a coincidence, but the Cowboys do need a running back because Tony Pollard‘s $10 million one-year deal is expiring; hence, he too will be a free agent. It’s a no-brainer.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB (age 28)

Baker Mayfield proved in 2023 that he can walk into an above-average team and take them to the playoffs. Not only that, he very nearly reached the championship game.

Being the first pick in the draft comes with lots of expectations, and if one rolls back time to two years ago, he was already considered a failure. Until the Buccaneers gave him a one-year deal, and the rest is history. He completed a career-high 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 passing yards, scoring 28 touchdowns. 

It’s not rocket science that the performance would entice the Buccaneers front office to keep him. But along with Mayfield, they have several other players to negotiate with. So the onus is that he will find himself for a fifth franchise in eight years in the NFL.

Possible Destination: New England Patriots

Mac Jones has fallen out of favor at Foxborough. The New England Patriots quarterback had a rough 2023, resulting in the Patriots benching him. Although he is working hard to stay in head coach Jerod Mayo‘s books, the consensus is that he will look for a new quarterback.

They could use the 3rd overall pick in the draft to select a new quarterback or sign Baker Mayfield in free agency. The Patriots have the highest salary cap, with close to $100 million in the bank. So it won’t be bothersome to give the 28-year-old a three- or even a four-year deal.

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