NFL's top 50 free agents of 2024

With Super Bowl LVIII in the books, the football world's attention turns to free agency. There'll be plenty of intriguing names available when the NFL's negotiating window opens March 11. Here's an early look at the 50 best players slated to hit the market.

1. Chris Jones

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Jones remains one of the NFL's most intimidating defenders. He finished with his third-most career sacks (10.5) in 2023. The All-Pro might've taken a few more run plays off than usual as he chased the incentives in his reworked deal, but he's still capable of being a defense's lynchpin for years to come. He'll get one of free agency's biggest deals.

2. Kirk Cousins

Cousins was on pace for the best season of his career before he tore his Achilles. The veteran signal-caller totaled 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns with only five interceptions in eight games. However, both Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Cousins - who can't be tagged - have expressed interest in a reunion.

3. Josh Allen

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

The Jaguars have said they won't let Allen get anywhere close to the open market and will likely use the franchise tag as a precursor to a huge extension. We don't blame them. The pass-rusher is the key piece on Jacksonville's defense and tied for second in the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2023.

4. Tee Higgins

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Despite being the No. 2 wide receiver in Cincinnati behind Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins has all the tools to be a top pass-catcher. The 25-year-old missed five games in 2023, but he'd previously had at least 900 yards and six scores in every campaign. Higgins is expected to receive a big contract if the Bengals don’t franchise tag him.

5. Brian Burns

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Young, productive pass-rushers like Burns don't see free agency very often. He has 246 pressures and 46 sacks in five years since entering the league as a first-round pick in the 2019 draft, per PFF. The Florida State product has been able to stay healthy, missing only three games in his career.

6. Justin Madubuike

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Madubuike was a steady force over his first three seasons before becoming one of the biggest breakout players of 2023. He more than doubled his total career sacks numbers by earning 13 this past season. Teams will likely be ready to pay big with the chance to secure Madubuike for his prime years.

7. Jaylon Johnson

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Johnson's trade demands during this past season didn't distract him from tallying a career-high four interceptions. Adept at playing both zone and man coverage, the young defensive back is expected to be coveted after posting PFF's highest coverage grade (91) among cornerbacks.

8. Antoine Winfield Jr.

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Winfield stated his case for being the NFL's best safety after earning first-team All-Pro honors thanks to a wild stat line: 122 tackles, six sacks, six forced fumbles, three interceptions, and four fumble recoveries.

9. L'Jarius Sneed

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Sneed's capability in coverage both in the slot and on the outside can't be understated. His dynamic abilities were on full display during the Chiefs' latest Super Bowl run after he surrendered just a single touchdown all season.

10. Christian Wilkins

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Wilkins is set for a big payday after playing last season on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. He set a career high in sacks with nine and has been a stabilizing force for the Dolphins' defense since being selected 13th overall in 2019.

11. Mike Evans

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

An ageless wonder, Evans produced a stunning 10th straight 1,000-yard season. Outside of the occasional drop, the veteran is as well-rounded as they come and is deserving of one final big contract.

12. Danielle Hunter

Hunter set a career high in sacks with 16.5 last season. He's been one of the most consistent pass-rushers in the NFL, racking up 62 sacks in his last 73 games. Hunter - who can't be tagged - has spent his entire seven-year career in Minnesota and was rumored to be traded at least year's deadline.

13. Leonard Williams

Williams had four sacks in 10 games for the Seahawks last season following a midseason trade from the Giants. His pass-rush productivity has dropped since his career year in 2020, but the veteran will be sought after in free agency.

14. Michael Pittman Jr.

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Pittman is a prime franchise-tag candidate after a career season in 2023. Despite playing most of the year with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, the wideout set his best-ever marks for catches (109) and receiving yards (1,152).

15. D.J. Reader

Reader is one of the league's best interior run defenders when healthy. He's racked up 104 tackles and 18 quarterback hits for the Bengals over the last three seasons.

16. Bryce Huff

Huff totaled 10 sacks and 67 pressures, according to PFF, as a rotational pass-rusher last season for the Jets. He could become one of the league's most productive pass-rushers with a more prominent role.

17. Saquon Barkley

Barkley couldn't match his 2022 production after the Giants franchise tagged him last offseason. Still, the former first-round halfback has posted at least 1,000 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. His ability as a home-run threat makes him one of the more enticing players in an undervalued running back market.

18. Tyron Smith

Smith has been a pillar of the Cowboys since he was drafted in 2011. Despite his age, the eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle remains capable of anchoring an offensive line. But concerns about his availability should be top of mind after he missed 33 games the last four seasons.

19. Baker Mayfield

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate

Mayfield had a career resurgence in Tampa Bay last season after playing for three teams in a two-year span. He set career highs in passing yards, touchdowns, and completions while leading the Buccaneers to the divisional round. The 2018 first overall pick said after the team's postseason loss that he would love to return to Tampa.

20. Jonathan Greenard

Greenard was one of the league's most productive pass-rushers this season, totaling 12.5 sacks in 15 games. He's missed 18 contests in the last three seasons, but he's still relatively young and should be rewarded for his standout 2023 campaign.

21. Robert Hunt

After beginning his pro career at tackle, Hunt has seamlessly slid over to guard over the past few seasons. He boasted PFF's highest pass-blocking efficiency among guards who played over 500 snaps in 2023.

22. Kendall Fuller

Fuller was one of the few bright spots in the Commanders' meager secondary. Noted for his technical ability in the secondary, PFF's seventh-ranked cornerback can adapt to any scheme as he's lined up at various positions throughout eight seasons.

23. Xavier McKinney

McKinney can play in the back half of the defense or toward the line of scrimmage. His five takeaways in 2023 (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries) proved he can create turnovers and be reliable in pass coverage.

24. Patrick Queen

Queen has come on leaps and bounds since a shaky start to his career. Sure, it helps to play on one of the NFL's best defenses. But he won't turn 25 until August, so his potential likely hasn't yet been reached.

25. Kyle Dugger

With a large and sturdy frame (6-foot-2, 222 pounds), Dugger is as much a force against the run as he is in pass coverage. He racked up 343 tackles and nine interceptions over four seasons with the Patriots.

26. Calvin Ridley

Ridley was inconsistent after his year-long suspension. He flashed his old self at times and finished with 1,000 yards, but he also had nine games with 40 yards or fewer. His contract will depend on if teams believe his issues were just rust or not.

27. Josh Jacobs

Jacobs' rushing averages took a tumble a year after he led the league with 1,653 yards. The 26-year-old possesses plenty of upside as a capable option as both a receiver and runner, although he missed the Raiders' final four games of the season due to a quad injury.

28. Kevin Dotson

A fresh start with the Rams seemingly revitalized Dotson's career last season. He's PFF's second-highest-graded guard when it comes to run blocking.

29. Chase Young

Young didn't take his game to the next level after being acquired by the 49ers at midseason. In fact, the former No. 2 pick regressed, producing only 3.5 sacks in 10 games. It might be best for the pass-rusher to take a one-year prove-it deal.

30. Marquise Brown

Brown has never quite lived up to expectations as a former first-rounder, recording just one 1,000-yard season in five years. However, he possesses rare speed that is invaluable in the Cover 2-heavy modern NFL.

31. Derrick Henry

Henry is definitely no longer the world-shaking force he once was, but the star running back should still have something left in the tank. While his production dipped in 2023, Henry still put up over 1,000 yards and 12 scores.

32. Josh Uche

Uche had a disappointing campaign after a tremendous 2022 season where he racked up 11.5 sacks. He was subjected to trade rumors at the deadline but ultimately stayed put in New England.

33. Frankie Luvu

A menacing force as an off-ball linebacker, Luvu's career-high 125 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season showcased his progression.

34. Kamren Curl

One of the more unheralded free agents, Curl should draw plenty of suitors after being one of the few positives in the Commanders' secondary. Although interceptions have been elusive for him over the past three seasons, he's more than made up for the lack of turnovers with his reliability as the last line of defense.

35. Dalton Schultz

Schultz passed up a three-year deal to return to Dallas before opting to sign a one-year deal with Houston, setting himself up for another payday. While 635 yards and five scores aren't spectacular, he should benefit from a weak tight end group.

36. Andre James

The 26-year-old has blossomed into one of the league's better young centers while starting 48 games for the Raiders over the last three years.

37. Chidobe Awuzie

Awuzie is set to explore free agency for the second time in his career. After standing atop the Bengals' depth chart over the past three seasons, the 6-foot, 200-pound defender is perfectly suited to upgrade any cornerback room and fit in any defensive scheme.

38. Jordyn Brooks

Brooks quickly bounced back from a torn ACL he sustained in the final game of his 2022 campaign. The former Seahawks linebacker should continue to elevate his play after recording 4.5 sacks less than a year removed from his significant knee injury.

39. Michael Onwenu

Gifted with the versatility to play either guard or tackle, Onwenu's stature as a pass-blocker has seen him surrender just nine sacks in four seasons.

40. Jadeveon Clowney

After a long search, Clowney finally found the perfect home in Baltimore. The former No. 1 pick looked reborn in the Ravens' scheme, tying a career-high with 9.5 sacks.

41. Lavonte David

Surpassing 100 tackles in 10 of his 13 seasons in the league, the 34-year-old David still has a coveted knack for diagnosing plays post-snap.

42. Stephon Gilmore

There's expected to be a market for the former All-Pro despite him being on the wrong side of 30. The wily veteran proved that he's not too long in the tooth after posting a career-high 68 tackles to go along with 13 passes defensed and two interceptions in his first season with the Cowboys.

43. Bobby Wagner

After leading the league with 183 tackles, Wagner illustrated that his age doesn't equate to diminished production ahead of his 13th season. The nine-time Pro Bowler's IQ is still an asset to teams in need of a veteran voice, even if his coverage skills have diminished.

44. Gabe Davis

Davis might not be the NFL's most well-rounded receiver, but his value as a consistent deep threat is massive. He's averaged 16.7 yards per catch during his career and has 27 touchdowns in four years.

45. Jonah Jackson

Jackson has made a name for himself as an interior offensive lineman and has a penchant for getting to the defense's second level. He's started 57 games since being drafted in 2019.

46. Tony Pollard

Pollard didn't meet expectations in Year 1 as the Cowboys' feature back. Although he exceeded 1,000 scrimmage yards for the third consecutive season, the dual-threat tailback submitted the lowest breakaway percentage (rushing yards on designed attempts of 15 more than 15 yards) in 2023, per PFF.

47. Connor Williams

While Williams displayed above-average skills as a pass-blocker, it was his ability as run-blocker that truly set the Dolphins center apart before he tore his ACL last December.

48. Geno Stone

Stone flourished in his first season as a full-time starter in Baltimore. The former seventh-round pick established himself as a more than capable coverage defender, leading all safeties in the league with seven interceptions in 2023.

49. Austin Ekeler

Ekeler's explosiveness may be behind him after he tallied just seven 10-plus-yard carries last season. However, the former undrafted halfback remains an adequate option both as a runner and pass-catcher out of the backfield.

50. Devin White

White experienced a slight dip in production last season after racking up three straight campaigns with over 100-plus tackles. Yet there's no doubt that the 2019 fifth overall pick still possesses the athleticism to be a key contributor in the middle of a defense.