The 2024 NFL free agency period is just hours away. Teams will use the next several weeks to improve their rosters before readying for the 2024 NFL Draft.
To that end, we’ve created a “free agency mock draft” that matches players to teams in free agency. Because free agency can go in an infinite variety of directions, we’ve laid down some ground rules to match the rigidity of the draft.
2024 Free Agency Mock Draft
We used the NFL Draft order to determine which teams select which players first. Trades that have affected the first round will apply, so the Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall choice instead of the Carolina Panthers.
We’ll also pay attention to the actual draft. The Bears, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots are in a position to land promising quarterback prospects near the top of the upcoming draft, so they won’t try to bring in a veteran signal-caller via our free agency mock.
We won’t strictly adhere to the nominal cap space each team carries as of March 13, but we also won’t match top-level free agents to squads with the least amount of financial breathing room.
Every club currently over the cap will find a way to get under the threshold and sign free agents this offseason. Thus, while we won’t match big-money FAs to the tightest-strapped teams, we won’t ignore them either.
1) Chicago Bears (From CAR): Josh Allen, EDGE
In a position to select USC QB Caleb Williams with the first pick in the upcoming draft, the Bears could try to find a free agent receiver to pair alongside DJ Moore in 2024. But general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus can’t resist the temptation to add to their Montez Sweat-led pass-rushing plan.
A first-round pick in the 2019 draft, Josh Allen genuinely broke out in his contract year. His 17.5 sacks were a career-high, while his 90 pressures ranked fifth among all edge defenders and first among FA defensive ends.
2) Washington Commanders: Brian Burns, EDGE
Like the Bears, the Commanders should be able to fill their quarterback void via the draft, so they’ll look to the defensive side of the ball in free agency. Washington needs reinforcements at defensive end after trading Sweat and Chase Young and last year’s deadline.
They’ll grab the franchise-tagged Brian Burns, who could’ve netted the Panthers at least two first-round picks in a rumored 2022 trade with the Los Angeles Rams. He’s been incredibly consistent since entering the league in 2019, with at least 7.5 sacks and 15 QB hits each season.
3) New England Patriots: Tee Higgins, WR
While Tee Higgins could be a WR1 on myriad rosters, he’ll always sit behind Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati. Let’s send him to the Patriots, who need additional pass catchers to build around a rookie QB like Jayden Daniels.
Injuries limited Higgins to 12 games and 656 receiving yards in 2023, but he’d gone over 1,000 yards in each of the prior two seasons. Excellent on in-breaking routes and consistently capable of winning against single coverage, Higgins becomes the top option in New England’s revamped aerial attack.
4) Arizona Cardinals: Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Michael Pittman Jr. might be more of a high-end WR2 than a classic WR1, but he’ll instantly become the top option in Arizona, where Marquise Brown is a pending free agent.
Pittman has posted 3,500+ yards and 15 touchdowns over four NFL seasons. Think about the offenses and quarterbacks he’s worked with in Indianapolis, and his track record as a reliable receiver becomes even more evident.
5) Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Wilkins, DT
Will Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers work through a financial reset year in 2024? Or will they double down on their veteran talent and try to compete?
Christian Wilkins just turned 28, so he should remain productive for Los Angeles regardless of the club’s chosen path. After posting 11.5 sacks and 27 QB hits from 2019 to 2022, Wilkins put up nine sacks and 23 quarterback hits in 2023 alone.
6) New York Giants: Mike Onwenu, G
The Giants need all the offensive line help they can get this offseason. So it’s an easy decision for GM Joe Schoen to pull the trigger on Mike Onwenu, who could start at right guard in New York but ultimately shift to right tackle if former first-round pick Evan Neal continues to struggle.
7) Tennessee Titans: Antoine Winfield Jr., S
The Titans, amid a rebuild under second-year GM Ran Carthon and first-year HC Brian Callahan, could go in any number of directions. Antoine Winfield Jr. represents a high-floor, heigh-ceiling pick.
A true Swiss Army knife who can do just about everything, Winfield spent roughly 60% of his 2023 snaps at free safety but also played in the box and the slot. He filled up the stat sheet, leading the league with six forced fumbles while adding six sacks and three interceptions and earning first-team All-Pro honors.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins, QB
The Kirk Cousins-to-Atlanta buzz continues to build, so this fit could manifest when free agency opens next week.
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With RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, an underrated offensive line, and a talented defense already in place, the Falcons are a quarterback away from contending next season — and Cousins is their best choice.
9) Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR
Calvin Ridley might not have been the WR1 the Jaguars were hoping for when they acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline, but he still put up the second-best receiving line (76-1,016-8) of his career. He’ll head to Chicago and become one of the NFL’s best No. 2 wideouts behind Moore.
10) New York Jets: Tyron Smith, OT
The Jets will be all-in during the 2024 campaign as Aaron Rodgers returns from an Achilles injury and won’t be afraid to spend on offensive line upgrades. Gang Green can overlook Tyron Smith’s age (33) and injury concerns because the future Hall of Famer offers elite play when healthy.
Onwenu, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Joe Tippman would at least represent a foundation for New York’s offensive line, but its front five would still need more work.
11) Minnesota Vikings: L’Jarius Sneed, CB
Having lost Cousins earlier in our free agent mock draft, the Vikings could consider a quarterback. But they’ll hold out hope of landing a young option in the draft.
Minnesota would’ve selected Jaylon Johnson at No. 11 had the division-rival Bears not locked him up via a contract extension. They’ll stick at cornerback and take L’Jarius Sneed, who can play on the perimeter or in the slot and didn’t allow a touchdown until the Divisional Round.
12) Denver Broncos: Danielle Hunter, EDGE
Although Baker Mayfield might fit Sean Payton’s offense, the Broncos won’t have the cap space to sign a veteran quarterback while absorbing Russell Wilson’s massive dead money hits.
Danielle Hunter won’t exactly be cheap, but Denver could probably work out a contract that includes low cap charges over the next two years. Hunter will give the Broncos an established pass rusher who can play ahead of Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, and others.
13) Las Vegas Raiders: Baker Mayfield, QB
Mayfield didn’t go to Denver, but he will head to the AFC West. The Raiders need a quarterback in the worst way and have the cap space to add Mayfield after he set career highs in completion rate (64.3%), passing yards (4,044), and passing touchdowns (28) with the Bucs in 2023.
If Mayfield posts a repeat performance while playing alongside Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and an underrated defense, Vegas can make the playoffs in 2024.
14) New Orleans Saints: Bryce Huff, EDGE
Bryce Huff ranked second to only Micah Parsons in pressure rate in 2023 and finished first in 2022. He’s never played more than 500 snaps in a season, but that will work in Seattle, where Huff will become part of a pass-rushing plan that already features Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson.
15) Indianapolis Colts: Kendall Fuller, CB
After losing Pittman to the Giants earlier in this draft, the Colts could try to find a new WR for returning QB Anthony Richardson.
But finding a CB upgrade for a defensive backfield littered with former late-round picks and undrafted free agents could be critical, and Kendall Fuller makes sense in Indianapolis. He’s better in zone coverage and could shift to the slot if Kenny Moore leaves in free agency.
16) Seattle Seahawks: Robert Hunt, G
Seattle could lose guards Damien Lewis and Phil Haynes and center Evan Brown to the open market, so GM John Schneider could target a new interior lineman in our free agency mock draft.
Robert Hunt is now the clear-cut top available guard after Kevin Dotson re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams. The former second-round pick dealt with injuries in 2023 but played every Dolphins offensive snap over the prior two seasons and could form a lethal duo with Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross.
17) Jacksonville Jaguars: Marquise Brown, WR
Marquise Brown isn’t as talented as Ridley, but he could be a solid fit alongside Christian Kirk. Brown could take the top off opposing defenses, helping the Jaguars threaten vertically in a way they rarely could in 2023, while Kirk handles the middle of the field.
18) Cincinnati Bengals: Leonard Williams, DT
The Bengals could look for a receiver to replace Higgins, but with no such option available, they’ll try to improve a defense that ranked dead last in yards per play allowed and fifth-worst in rushing success rate allowed. Leonard Williams is still one of the best run-defending defensive tackles in the league and can also help push the pocket from the interior.
19) Los Angeles Rams: Jonathan Greenard, EDGE
While L.A.’s defensive front already includes All-Pro Aaron Donald and standout rookies Byron Young and Kobie Turner, it still ranked just 25th in pressure rate last season.
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After missing 12 games with injuries from 2021 to 2022, Jonathan Greenard broke out for a career-high 12.5 sacks and 22 QB hits for the AFC South-champion Texans. He joins the Rams’ suddenly overflowing pass rusher rotation.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Lloyd Cushenberry, C
The Steelers may be looking for offensive line reinforcements after releasing center Mason Cole this offseason. A third-round selection in 2020, Lloyd Cushenberry worked under three Broncos coaching staffs in four seasons but still offered above-average play across 57 starts.
21) Miami Dolphins: Jonah Williams, OT
While the Dolphins still don’t know if Terron Armstead will retire this offseason, Jonah Williams can help them hedge their bets. The ex-Bengal can play left tackle if needed but could shift to guard if Armstead returns. Williams might grumble about another position change, but this is a draft.
22) Philadelphia Eagles: Xavier McKinney, S
The spine of the Eagles’ defense collapsed in 2023, so GM Howie Roseman will deviate from his typical strategy of avoiding financial commitments to safeties. Xavier McKinney played the best football of his career, spending time deep, in the box, and manning the slot while playing over 1,000 defensive snaps.
23) Houston Texans (From CLE): Saquon Barkley, RB
Reports have pegged Houston as a potential landing spot for Saquon Barkley, so this connection could occur once the free agent market opens.
The Texans already have a solid offensive line, so Barkley can help improve the club’s rushing attack after it ranked 30th in DVOA last season. He’s still one of the NFL’s most electrifying backs when healthy and could add another dimension to Houston’s C.J. Stroud-led offense.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Queen, LB
The Cowboys need a left tackle to replace Tyron Smith, but with no viable choices on the board, Jerry Jones will solidify the second level of his defense with Patrick Queen. A former first-round pick, Queen thrived moving downhill for the Baltimore Ravens and could play the same role in Dallas’ scheme.
25) Green Bay Packers: Kamren Curl, S
The Packers could lose three safeties to free agency — Jonathan Owens, Darnell Savage Jr., and Rudy Ford — who played over 600 snaps in 2023.
Seeing Green Bay target defensive backs on the open market won’t be surprising. Kamren Curl could be a realistic, high-floor option after spending the past four years as a stabilizing force in Washington’s secondary.
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chase Young, EDGE
After cutting Shaquil Barrett earlier this year, the Buccaneers might aim to get younger on the edge. Bowles will always run a blitz-heavy scheme, but the Buccaneers need to be able to generate pressure with their front four.
Chase Young looked dominant with the Commanders before his November trade to the San Francisco 49ers. If Tampa Bay gets the early-season version of Young, it’ll be happy to have landed him here.
27) Arizona Cardinals (From HOU): Mekhi Becton, OT
After injuries limited him to just one game from 2020 to 2021, Mekhi Becton finally managed to stay healthy for 16 games this past season. He missed one contest and part of another after spraining his ankle, but any intrigued team has to be encouraged by Becton’s stretch of availability in 2023.
As long as he stays in shape, Becton has all the tools to be a high-end left tackle. The Cardinals, potentially reeling after watching incumbent LT D.J. Humphries tear his ACL in Week 17, could take a chance on the ex-Jet.
28) Buffalo Bills: Justin Simmons, S
Justin Simmons, the only street free agent in our mock, was cut by the Broncos in March. A second-team All-Pro in four of the last five seasons, Simmons has played on just one winning team (a 9-7 squad during his rookie campaign) in his eight-year career. He’ll join the cap-strapped Bills on a team-friendly deal and hope for a shot at a Lombardi.
29) Detroit Lions: Chidobe Awuzie, CB
While the Lions tried to address their CB depth chart by signing Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley and drafting Brian Branch, Detroit was still starting Bears castoff Kindle Vildor in the NFC Championship Game. Dan Campbell and Co. need to add depth in any way possible.
Chidobe Awuzie was a legitimate CB1 as recently as 20. While a torn ACL slowed him down over the next two years, he’s still only 28. The Lions should improve from 25th in pass defense efficiency, with Sutton, Awuzie, and Branch starting in nickel packages.
30) Baltimore Ravens: Darnell Mooney, WR
While Zay Flowers looked like a star in his 2023 rookie season, the Ravens have to consider adding another pass catcher this offseason. Odell Beckham Jr. is a free agent, while former first-round WR Rashod Bateman has yet to top 600 yards in a single season.
Darnell Mooney looked like an obvious Bears extension candidate after his breakout 2021 campaign, when he posted 81 receptions for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns. His production took a nosedive over the ensuing two years, but Mooney could rebound while catching passes from Lamar Jackson.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Jonah Jackson, G
Kyle Shanahan’s scheme has typically been enough to hide subpar offensive linemen in San Francisco, but it might be time for the 49ers to contemplate an upgrade along their front five. Spencer Burford struggled at right guard while rotating snaps with Jon Feliciano, a pending free agent.
Jackson should be able to play in any scheme after working in Ben Jonhson’s creative Lions offense. His athleticism and movement skills will easily fit the 49ers’ game plan.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: DJ Reader, DT
The Chiefs re-signed Chris Jones before the start of free agency but can still add another veteran to their interior line.
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DJ Reader is hardly the pass rusher that Jones is, but he’s a stout run defender who can push the pocket in the right situations. Coming off a torn quad tendon, Reader will allow Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo to play with lighter boxes once he returns to full health.
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