NFL · 1 year ago

Ranking the Top 5 Players Available in NFL Free Agency

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Kirk Cousins - Minnesota Vikings
What to do with Kirk Cousins? He is at the tail end of his career and is coming off of a torn Achilles injury that cost him the bulk of his 2023 season. However, Cousins was off to a great start last season and has the arm strength and accuracy to lead a successful offense. For a team with a strong roster looking for a starting-caliber quarterback, Cousins is the best option available.
1. Chris Jones - Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are busy trying to win another Super Bowl, but they are also undoubtedly attempting to figure out what to do with defensive tackle Chris Jones. Franchise tagging the dominant interior pass rusher would cost more than $33 million, a cost-prohibitive move for a team that needs to provide more offensive weapons for Patrick Mahomes to work with. As a result, one of the best defensive players in football could be on the open market.
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Pass rushers like Josh Allen do not often hit the market in the middle of their prime. Allen was excellent in 2023, with 90 quarterback pressures and 19 sacks. Pro Football Focus gives Allen a 91.4 pass-rush grade, one of the highest numbers in the NFL. The Jaguars will almost certainly hit Allen with a franchise tag to keep him in Jacksonville for another season.
3. Brian Burns - Carolina Panthers
Brian Burns is one of the few consistent standouts for the Carolina Panthers. He is not the edge defender that Josh Allen is, but Burns is an excellent player who continues to churn out quality seasons. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 80.8 in true-pass-rush situations and a pass-rush win rate of 11.6%. After years of losing with the Panthers, Burns will likely be looking to sign with a winning team.
4. Justin Madubuike - Baltimore Ravens
Perhaps no player has improved his market value this past season more than Baltimore defensive lineman Justin Madubuike. Last season saw him more than double his previous career high in sacks, and he registered at least a half sack in 13 of the Ravens' 17 regular season games. Do teams believe Madubuike's 2023 season was a fluke, or will they be willing to bet that he has turned a corner and is now a legitimate dominant lineman?
5. Kirk Cousins - Minnesota Vikings
What to do with Kirk Cousins? He is at the tail end of his career and is coming off of a torn Achilles injury that cost him the bulk of his 2023 season. However, Cousins was off to a great start last season and has the arm strength and accuracy to lead a successful offense. For a team with a strong roster looking for a starting-caliber quarterback, Cousins is the best option available.
1. Chris Jones - Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are busy trying to win another Super Bowl, but they are also undoubtedly attempting to figure out what to do with defensive tackle Chris Jones. Franchise tagging the dominant interior pass rusher would cost more than $33 million, a cost-prohibitive move for a team that needs to provide more offensive weapons for Patrick Mahomes to work with. As a result, one of the best defensive players in football could be on the open market.