2024 NFL Free Agency Draft
For this mock draft, we mock the pending free agents with an order that starts with the team with the most cap space (the Washington Commanders) and ends with the team with the least (the New Orleans Saints).
Something to address quickly is although the cap spaces are provided, we are not taking them into account. Instead, we will work under the assumption that the teams will find a way to create the cap space needed to sign these players.
Got it? Good! Now let's hop right into it...
The Washington Commanders are on the clock.
1. Washington Commanders
Cap space: $83.5 million
The pick: Josh Allen, Edge Rusher (Jaguars)
The Commanders moved both Montez Sweat and Chase Young and are in need of pass-rushing help. Allen has long been a stud but 2023 showed off his ceiling as a pass rusher.
2. Tennessee Titans
Cap space: $74 million
The pick: Chris Jones, Interior Defensive Line (Chiefs)
Jones is likely headed to the Hall of Fame when everything is all said and done. He'll be quite the commodity if he hits the market, and the Titans would be ecstatic to match him next to Jeffrey Simmons.
3. Chicago Bears
Cap space: $70 million
The pick: Jaylon Johnson, cornerback (Bears)
The Bears cannot afford to lose Johnson, who turned into a true number-one corner this past season. With so many changes coming to this franchise, the one thing they have to have is a stud defender like Johnson.
4. New England Patriots
Cap space: $70 million
The pick: Mike Evans, Wide Receiver (Buccaneers)
Another Hall of Famer, Evans proved he's still a team's number one receiver even as he enters his 30s. No matter who is slinging the rock for the Patriots in 2024, he'll need a reliable option outside.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Cap space: $66.4 million
The pick: Michael Pittman Jr., Wide Receiver (Colts)
The Colts cannot afford to overthink bringing back Pittman Jr., who has proved his value to this franchise in his time with the team. Anthony Richardson needs a top receiver to develop and Pittman Jr. is that.
6. Houston Texans
Cap space: $65.4 million
The pick: Justin Madubuike, Interior Defensive Line (Ravens)
Madubuike went from a stud to an elite interior pass rusher. The Texans knocked it out of the park with Will Anderson Jr. as their top edge rusher, so getting an equally dominant defensive lineman will take this pass rush to the next level.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
Cap space: $61.3 million
The pick: Christian Wilkins, Interior Defensive Line (Dolphins)
D.J. Reader is set to be a free agent and the Bengals could afford to get younger and more dynamic at the position if he walks. Wilkins is one of the most underrated defenders in the league and can quickly become a household name in Cincy.
8. Detroit Lions
Cap space: $48.1 million
The pick: Antoine Winfield Jr., Safety (Buccaneers)
The Lions need a dawg on the backend of their defense and can't think of a better guy to give them that than Winfield Jr., who was arguably the best safety in football last season. Winfield Jr. plays with an edge and truly does everything from coverage to run support and everything in between.
9. Arizona Cardinals
Cap space: $44.6 million
The pick: L'Jarius Snead, Cornerback (Chiefs)
The Cardinals need a number one corner like a fish needs water. Snead has blossomed into a lockdown cover man in his time with the Chiefs and saved his best performance for this past season.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cap space: $43.6 million
The pick: Baker Mayfield, Quarterback (Buccaneers)
Mayfield had perhaps his best season of his career with the Buccaneers and the Bucs would be wise to retain him for the future. You don't see quarterbacks come in through free agency and perform at the level that Mayfield did this past season and the worst thing you could do is let him walk.
11. Las Vegas Raiders
Cap space: $42.6 million
The pick: Kirk Cousins, Quarterback (Vikings)
The Raiders' current quarterback situation is perhaps the worst in the league. Cousins may be coming off an Achilles injury, but he still feels worth bringing in to be a bridge guy for a younger quarterback. Quite frankly, there still seems like quite a bit left in the tank to carve out a significant role with his team.
12. Los Angeles Rams
Cap space: $35.3 million
The pick: Patrick Queen, Linebacker (Ravens)
The Rams were a nice surprise in 2023 and if they want to repeat that in 2024 then they'll need to continue bolstering a defense that was much better than people would give them credit for. Queen became a top-10 linebacker this past season and it feels like he's just getting started.
13. Carolina Panthers
Cap space: $31 million
The pick: Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver (Bengals)
Bryce Young needs better options at receiver and Higgins gets that ball rolling. Injuries have been the story of Higgins's career so far, but he's nonetheless worth the price of admission given his upside.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Cap space: $30 million
The pick: Brian Burns, Edge Rusher (Panthers)
The Falcons haven't had a top edge rusher since the days of Jonathan Abraham and Burns fills that need and then some. Burns is another gu who is very underrated and will instantly improve what has been a lackluster pass rush for the better part of ten years.
15. Minnesota Vikings
Cap space: $28.9 million
The pick: Danielle Hunter, Edge Rusher (Vikings)
Hunter may be in his 30s, but he is coming off the best statistical season of his career. The Vikings would be wise to keep him and make him an all-time player.
16. New York Giants
Cap space: $26 million
The pick: Calvin Ridley, Wide Receiver (Jaguars)
While Ridley didn't have the season many hoped he'd have, he was still a damn good pass catcher. The Giants have a barren cupboard of wide receivers and Ridley can come in and give Daniel Jones or whoever is slinging the rock in 2024 a much better option than what they currently have.
17. Kansas City Chiefs
Cap space: $23.8 million
The pick: Leonard Williams, Interior Defensive Line, (Seahawks)
Losing Chris Jones is heartbreaking and the Chiefs will need to find any kind of replacement for him. The story of Williams' career has been "very good with flashes of greatness," so KC wouldn't mind snatching him up to continue good play along the defensive line.
18. Philadelphia Eagles
Cap space: $20.9 million
The pick: Saquon Barkley, Running Back (Giants)
D'Andre Swift just had his best season with the Eagles in 2023, but he's a pending free agent and Barkley is a much higher upside player that Philly could add to an offense that already features Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, not to mention an elite offensive line. Barkley has never seen this much talent on the offense and could put up insane numbers.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
Cap space: $17.2 million
The pick: Bryce Huff, Edge Rusher (Jets)
Huff was one of the best-kept secrets of the league in 2023 and the Jaguars need a replacement for Josh Allen. Huff, who is coming off a 10-sack campaign, will come in for a fraction of the price.
20. New York Jets
Cap space: $7.6 million
The pick: Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle (Cowboys)
The Jets' offensive line is atrocious to put it politely. Smith is headed to the Hall of Fame when it's all said and done, but Gang Green should be more than willing to give him one last payday and potentially a chance for a championship run.
21. San Francisco 49ers
Cap space: $570k
The pick: Michael Onwenu, Offensive Tackle (Patriots)
The 49ers offensive line has quality play next to future Hall of Famer Trent Williams, but they could stand for some upgrades. Onwenu can play tackle and guard, so the Niners can find him a spot anywhere.
22. Green Bay Packers
Cap space: $350k
The pick: Geno Stone, Safety (Ravens)
The Packers could use an upgrade at safety and Stone picked off seven passes this past season. Stone won't force Green Bay to break the bank while also giving them a centerfielder who can create turnovers.
23. Baltimore Ravens
Cap space: $-828k
The pick: Derrick Henry, Running Back (Titans)
The Henry to Baltimore campaign feels inevitable and it just so happens to be available to create here. The Ravens have always valued power run games and there's no better option than Henry, who has been one of the league's best running backs over the last decade. It's a match made in Heaven.
24. Seattle Seahawks
Cap space: $-1.6 million
The pick: Connor Williams, Interior Offensive Line (Dolphins)
Williams will need some time to nurse an ACL injury, but the moment he's good to go he'll provide his future employer with very good center play. The Seahawks could use an upgrade at the position, so the fit here is perfect.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Cap space: $-12.3 million
The pick: Kevin Dotson, Interior Offensive Line (Rams)
The best thing the Steelers can do offensively is continue to beef up their offensive line. Dotson has been a stud player in his career and is a plug-and-play starter for Pittsburgh along the interior.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Cap space: $-14.3 million
The pick: Chase Young, Edge Rusher (49ers)
The Cowboys have had no issues rushing the passer over the last few seasons, but with Dorance Armstrong a pending free agent they can roll the dice on Young, who has yet to finally reach his potential. It's a risk, but it won't force Dallas to break the bank.
27. Cleveland Browns
Cap space: $-20.6 million
The pick: Leonard Floyd, Edge Rusher (Bills)
Za'Darius Smith was much better than most realize in 2023, but Floyd has had 9+ sacks in each of his last four seasons. This feels like an upgrade across from the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett.
28. Denver Broncos
Cap space: $-26 million
The pick: Josh Uche, Edge Rusher (Patriots)
Uche took a big step back in 2023 after an 11.5-sack season in 2022, but this will help the Broncos grab a guy who can be bought for a discount. Denver has gotten it done with decent pass rushers, but keeping the cupboard stocked with options helps to keep things good enough while they search for a franchise guy.
29. Los Angeles Chargers
Cap space: $-44 million
The pick: D.J. Reader, Interior Defensive Line (Bengals)
Reader is a savvy veteran at this point in his career and the Chargers have been endlessly searching for a good interior lineman. This is another one of those marriages that just makes too much sense.
30. Miami Dolphins
Cap space: $-51.2 million
The pick: Kevin Zeitler, Interior Offensive Line (Ravens)
The Dolphins' offensive line is solid at best. Zeitler has been one of the league's best guards since entering the league in 2012, despite having just one career Pro Bowl.
31. Buffalo Bills
Cap space: $-51.8 million
The pick: Marquise Brown, Wide Receiver (Cardinals)
Stefon Diggs can't do it by himself and Gabe Davis is replaceable now that he's a free agent. Hollywood Brown is a big play waiting to happen. Across from Diggs and with a quarterback in Josh Allen who can push the ball down the field as well as anybody else in the league, this is an ideal slot for both parties.
32. New Orleans Saints
Cap space: $-82 million
The pick: Kyle Dugger, Safety (Patriots)
Tyrann Mathieu continues to have a great career, but getting younger at the position is a must for the Saints. Dugger is a stud and will be one of the best values in free agency this offseason.
