Predicting the Landing Spots for NFL’s Top Free Agents

The NFL offseason continues to heat up as many top free agents have re-signed with teams. Some players who were tagged include Tee Higgins (Bengals), L’Jarius Sneed (Chiefs), Antoine Winfield Jr (Buccaneers), and Michael Pittman (Colts). Mike Evans, the top receiver in the free agent class, re-signed with Tampa Bay on a 2-year $52 million deal. 

There are still many great players available as the start of free agency approaches (March 13, 4 pm ET). Below is a list of 10 free agents and the team I think they will land for the 2024-25 season. 

Offense

QB Kirk Cousins – 35 years old – 12 seasons – 2023 Team: Vikings 

Career Stats: 150 GP 66.9 COMP% 263.1 Y/G 270 Passing TD 110 INT 98.2 Rating 

Cousins has been solid his entire career and could be the missing piece for a team that is poised to make a run next season but lacks a quarterback. He is coming off an ACL tear which is concerning, but I think teams should still be willing to roll the dice with him due to his upside. 

My Prediction: Atlanta Falcons

Young squad with potential. I think he will be a great fit for Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts. 

QB Baker Mayfield – 28 years old – 7 seasons – 2023 Team: Buccaneers 

Career Stats: 89 GP 61.9 COMP% 228.4 Y/G 130 Passing TD 74 INT 88.1 Rating 

Baker had the best season of his career in 2023-24 after many people doubted him in recent years. Just when the Bucs seemed to be in a rebuild year he not only took them to the playoffs, but he got them a playoff win over the Eagles. 

My Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

He proved he belongs in Tampa and after resigning Mike Evans it only makes sense to continue to build their chemistry. Right now he is the best chance for this team to make it back to the playoffs. 

QB Russell Wilson – 35 years old – 12 seasons – 2023 Team: Broncos 

Career Stats: 188 GP 64.7 COMP% 232.2 Y/G 334 Passing TD 106 INT 100 Rating 

After an incredible run with the Seahawks, Wilson’s career with the Broncos was a shaky one resulting in Denver releasing him and eating a record $85 million in dead money. He is owed $39 million from the Broncos minus whatever his next contract is with a new team. This means Wilson will most likely sign a league minimum contract (1.2 million) resulting in the Broncos paying all the leftovers. 

My Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 

Kenny Pickett is not the answer. Bring in Russ for the league minimum and have Pickett watch and learn from a veteran quarterback. Wilson may have had a rough start with the Broncos, but he bounced back this year and showed he can still compete. 

* Running backs: APY/G = All-Purpose Yards Per Game *

RB Saquon Barkley – 27 years old – 6 seasons – 2023 Team: Giants 

Career Stats: 74 GP 98.8 APY/Game 47 Total TD 288 Receptions 

The Barkley/New York era looks like it has come to an end and rightfully so as the Giants decide not to tag the veteran RB. 

My Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 

Many people are saying Barkley to the Texans, which I can see, but Austin Ekeler most likely won’t be with the Chargers next season, and with Jim Harbaugh taking over as the head coach I like the fit. Ekeler’s style of a back was ineffective last year so I think they should bring in a pure rusher who can also catch well. 

RB Derrick Henry – 30 years old – 8 seasons – 2023 Team: Titans 

Career Stats: 119 GP 92 APY/G 97 Total TD 155 Receptions 

Henry continues to prove age is just a number as he eclipses another 1,000-yard season at the age of 30. However, as his ninth season approaches I think it is time he moves on from Tennessee and explore his options. *Fun Fact* Henry has more career passing touchdowns (5) than receiving (3). 

My Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 

How scary would a backfield containing Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry be? Defenses already cannot stop the option against Lamar and Hill/Edwards/Mitchell, now imagine with Henry. They could probably run the option four straight plays and pick up the first down every time. 

RB Tony Pollard – 26 years old – 5 seasons – 2023 Team: Cowboys 

Career Stats: 79 GP 62.5 APY/G 28 Total TD 176 Receptions 

Pollard showed great flashes when backing up Elliot and when he got the chance to have his own backfield he produced, but was a little underwhelming. He was 16th in rushing yards/game and T-15 in rushing touchdowns, but I think this can be attributed to him not getting the ball as much as he should have. 

My Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 

Pollard mentioned he is open to returning to Dallas and would take a pay cut. I think this is the best place for him to be if he wants to be successful as long as they can get him in the ball more. 

RB Austin Ekeler – 28 years old – 7 seasons – 2023 Team: Chargers 

Career Stats: 103 GP 80 APY/G 69 Total TD 440 Receptions 

Ekeler was a fantasy football machine from 2021-2023 but was disappointing this past year. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 that most likely lingered throughout the year causing his low production, especially in the passing game which is his bread and butter. I do expect him to bounce back next season when he is fully healthy. 

My Prediction: Philidelphia Eagles 

The Eagle’s play-calling was atrocious down the stretch last season. They seemed to be running the same passing plays, specifically a lot of wide receiver screens…some to 35-year-old Julio Jones. Having Ekeler be a screen option may cause linebackers or safeties to drop down more which can free up AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. 

WR Calvin Ridley – 29 years old – 5 seasons – 2023 Team: Jaguars 

Career Stats: 66 GP 66 Receiving Yards/Game 324 Receptions 36 TD

Raise your hand if you fell in love with a 9-second video of Calvin Ridley running a route in training camp…🙋. All jokes aside Ridley showed some sparks of his previous self this season after missing most of 2021 and all of 2022. 

My Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 

Yes, they just won the Super Bowl, but they still should boost that wide receiver room. They had an incredible amount of costly drops throughout the year and some drama *cough cough Kadarius Toney cough cough* Ridley can be the guy to fix these issues and I don’t think he would turn down a chance to play with Mahomes. 

Defense 

DT Chris Jones – 29 years old – 8 seasons – 2023 Team: Chiefs 

Career Stats: 123 GP 188 Solo Tackles 85 Assisted Tackles 75.5 Sacks 12 Forced Fumbles 

Jones had contract issues at the beginning of this past season which resulted in him missing opening night, but it got sorted out and he was a big reason for the team’s Super Bowl run. 

My Prediction: Houston Texans 

The Texans are a young squad who turned their team around in a year with some big daft selections such as CJ Stroud, Will Anderson, and Tank Dell and Demeco Ryans is emerging as a coach I think a lot of people will want to play for. If the Texans bolster their defense with a veteran like Jones, they may become one of the favorites out of the AFC. 

LB Danielle Hunter – 29 years old – 8 seasons – 2023 Team: Vikings 

Career Stats: 119 GP 316 Solo Tackles 145 Assisted Tackles 87.5 Sacks 11 Forced Fumbles 

Hunter seems to get better with age as he recorded his highest in total tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles for a season in 2023-24. 

My Prediction: Chicago Bears 

The boos would rain down on Hunter if he signed with a team in the NFC North. However, the Bears have a chance to turn their team around this year as they hold the first overall and ninth-overall pick. I would love to see them sign Hunter and try to draft Dallas Turner out of Alabama. On the offensive side trade the first overall pick for three first-rounders, keep Fields, and build your team around the QB position first. 

CB Kendall Fuller – 29 years old – 8 seasons – 2023 Team: Commanders 

Career Stats: 117 GP 366 Solo Tackles 120 Assisted Tackles 16 INT 75 Pass Defended 

Fuller was the one reliable player on the Commander’s poor defense last season. At the conclusion of the season, he was one of the top corners and can impact a team’s secondary like no other. 

My Prediction: New York Giants 

The Giants are most likely gonna lose Saquon so they need to make a splash in some way and I think Fuller is a good start, especially with the cap room they have.