Breaking Down The Top 5 NFL Free Agents This Offseason
During an appearance on Reach TV's show "The Game Plan" with Courtney Fallon, Let's Ride podcast host Patrick Chiotti unpacked his five favorite NFL free agents ahead of what promises to be an active 2024 offseason.
"Obviously the quarterback position is the most important in football," Chiotti said. "[Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback] Kirk Cousins is just the name that everybody is wondering where is this guy to land? Minnesota is kind of putting out all the signs that they might not be bringing him back. He's going into his mid-30s [Cousins is 35], he's coming off a very serious injury, but he's still playing at such a high clip, whatever team is willing to give him that contract and give him that commitment for next season or two seasons is going to be very happy with their investment. He's at the top of my list for sure."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers stars Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans both came up, with Chiotti singling out the aging wide receiver as a particular priority.
"This is another guy who's getting up there in relative football age, but he's still playing... at such a high level," Chiotti said. "I feel like Tampa Bay is going to do everything they can to keep both Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield because that was such a good tandem, but I think with teams needing wide receivers, Mike Evans is probably going to be looking for somewhere where he can really get back to the Super Bowl, he can get that big payday and be a part of a really great team."
A teammate of Cousins', Vikings defensive end Daniel Hunter, was Chiotti's third free agent pick.
"Again, this is going to be a guy who's going to command a huge market in free agency, I think he's one of the better player at that position," Chiotti said.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs was next.
"I think Josh Jacobs is not being talked about enough as a free agent option among running backs," Chiotti opined. "This is one of the better running backs in the league. Maybe Vegas tries their best to keep him. I don't know how they're looking financially, but I think he's going to go where the money goes, and I don't think that's in Vegas."
Finally, Chiotti listed Dallas Cowboys offensive left tackle Tyron Smith.
"He's getting older [he's 33]," Chiotti said. "This is a fantastic draft for offensive tackles. Where they're sitting right now in that latter part of Round 1, you could probably get a really great offensive tackle prospect at that area, and so you could probably let Tyron Smith walk."
