NFL free agency is about to begin.
A week from now, dozens of players will have new employers as teams start building for next season. It all starts at noon ET on Monday when the legal tampering period opens. Teams then will have 52 hours to negotiate with free agents before signing can become official at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
As the football world prepares for a wild week of news, we put together a new list of NFL free agency predictions.
NFL Free Agency Predictions: 10 Deals We’d Love To See
Kansas City Chiefs Sign WR Gabe Davis
We thought about putting Calvin Ridley here, but the Chiefs likely won’t be in the market for the receiver who probably will land the biggest contract in free agency. And Marquise Brown doesn’t feel like a great option, either.
So, the pick is Davis, who’s an excellent deep threat and has a flair for big moments. He definitely would be an upgrade over Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who recently was released. Kansas City must find receiver help this offseason, and Davis would be a great fit.
Dallas Cowboys Sign RB Derrick Henry
Henry is on record as saying he wants to go to a Super Bowl contender, and the Cowboys fit the bill.
Regardless of whether Dallas re-signs Tony Pollard, it’s now clear he’s not an every-down back. The Cowboys need someone who can be more of a force in the red zone and get tough yards late in games. Henry would be a perfect fit, and he’s the kind of star who’s made for Dallas.
New England Patriots Sign RB Saquon Barkley
The Patriots have a ton of cap space and a lot of holes to fill. With Rhamondre Stevenson on the roster, running back might not seem like a big need.
MORE: 2024 Free Agents by Position
But Stevenson has just one year left on his contract, and the Patriots prefer to manage his workload. They need insurance, and Barkley checks all the right boxes: explosive, strong in the passing game, and great in the locker room. New England also can afford to overpay at a position that no longer garners massive salaries.
Pittsburgh Steelers Sign QB Russell Wilson
We have our doubts about whether Wilson’s self-absorbed personality would play well in Pittsburgh. But there reportedly is mutual interest between the Steelers and the veteran quarterback, so Wilson could land in the Steel City.
Would he represent an improvement over Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph? Probably, even though the gap might not be huge. Regardless, Pittsburgh has a competitive roster that demands an upgrade at QB.
Arizona Cardinals Sign WR Calvin Ridley
Most people believe the Cardinals will use the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. At worst, they’ll trade down a few spots and select Rome Odunze, or something.
But we predict Arizona instead will trade down, address its holes on defense, and use free agency and/or trades to improve at receiver.
Detroit Lions Sign DT Chris Jones
Jones said he wants to stay in Kansas City, and the Chiefs insist they want to retain the superstar lineman. But money talks, and Detroit has a lot of cap space to work with.
The Lions don’t need to tweak their offense much this offseason. But the defense, while young and talented, was merely average last season and needs improvement. Adding Jones, even at an overpay, could be enough to put the Lions over the hump.
Baltimore Ravens Sign WR Marquise Brown
There might be too many hard feelings after the Ravens surprisingly traded Brown to the Cardinals two years ago. But Brown’s chemistry with Lamar Jackson was undeniable, and Baltimore still needs help at receiver.
Brown is overrated, with his raw receiving ability incongruent with his impressive athleticism. But he’s productive, and a reunion shouldn’t cost much.
Cincinnati Bengals Sign DE Danielle Hunter
He’s a bit of a headache, but Hunter also is really, really good.
Hunter averaged 11.6 sacks per season over the last seven campaigns, including 16.5 sacks in 2023. He’s a total force and one of the best free agents available. The Bengals might need to save their money for Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase’s contracts, but they also can’t neglect the defense. Hunter would make this group significantly better.
Atlanta Falcons Sign QB Kirk Cousins
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and there’s a lot of smoke surrounding Cousins and the Falcons.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
The writing might be on the wall for Cousins in Minnesota, and the Falcons need help at quarterback. Atlanta has a young, talented roster, but Cousins might be enough to help the franchise get back to the playoffs. This signing makes too much sense.
Buffalo Bills Sign CB Stephon Gilmore
The Bills probably shouldn’t be in the business of signing aging defenders after releasing some of their own, but they need help at cornerback. And that was true before the release of Tre’Davious White.
Gilmore, who’ll turn 34 in September, somehow still is a starting-caliber corner — and a great one at that. He also is no stranger to playing in Buffalo, where he spent the first five seasons of his career. The Bills must get younger on defense, but they still have room for someone like Gilmore.
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