2024 NFL Free Agents That Teams Should Be Eyeing over Super Wild Card Weekend
While the NFL playoffs kick off Saturday, most teams are already in offseason mode, and Super Wild Card Weekend is an opportunity to get a look at a few free agents. Each postseason squad has at least one player whose contract is about to expire and will be on other front offices' radars in free agency.
Here, we'll go game by game and highlight an impending free agent from each team to shine a light on who could be swapping jerseys in the spring, as well as provide a few potential destinations.
The players selected are a mix of high-profile and under-the-radar contributors, and all are under 30 years old. The potential destinations are based on B/R's team needs entering the 2024 offseason column.
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans
1 of 6
Browns: LB Sione Takitaki
2023 Stats: 65 total tackles (45 solo), 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PD
Age next season: 29
Over the last couple of years, Takitaki has been a spot-start and rotational linebacker in Cleveland. He's had good production for that role with 136 total tackles in the last two seasons combined and has been a solid all-around linebacker, earning decent grades from Pro Football Focus as a run defender and in coverage.
The five-year pro could be looking for an opportunity to be a full-time starter for the first time in his career and should have plenty of suitors as a second- or third-tier linebacker on the open market.
Potential destinations: Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles
Texans: TE Dalton Schultz
2023 Stats: 59 receptions, 635 yards, 5 TDs
Age next season: 28
Schultz hit the open market last season and gambled on himself by signing a one-year deal in Houston. That decision ended up coming out to a wash, as he finished the campaign with similar numbers as the year before with just two more catches, about 60 yards more and the same amount of touchdowns.
However, the 2018 fourth-round pick will hit the open market as the most productive tight end available, leading the position group in receptions and yards while ranking second in touchdowns, per Spotrac. Also, he can contribute in the ground game, as he's been a solid run blocker throughout his career.
Potential destinations: Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts
Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs
2 of 6
Dolphins: DT Christian Wilkins
2023 Stats: 65 total tackles (38 solo), 10 TFL, 9.0 sacks
Age next season: 28
Given his production over the last few years, Wilkins will arguably be the top interior defender available in free agency. He's able to impact the passing game, as evidenced by his 20.5 career sacks and 19 career passes defended. Also, he's a quality run defender with a good grade from Pro Football Focus in that department this season and throughout his time in the NFL.
The five-year veteran should have no shortage of suitors on the open market, partially because he has the versatility to play as a defensive tackle in even fronts or at end for a team that primarily uses odd fronts.
Potential destinations: Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings
Chiefs: CB L'Jarius Sneed
2023 Stats: 78 total tackles (60 solo), 2 INTs, 14 PD
Age next season: 27
The battle for the top free-agent cornerback this offseason is a two-horse race between Jaylon Johnson and Sneed. The former was the top corner on B/R's NFL free-agency big board in November, but the latter is no slouch and coming off an impressive campaign.
Sneed surrendered about a 50 percent completion rate and a passer rating of 55.9 during the regular season, per PFF. His physical playing style makes him good in press coverage and gives opposing wide receivers fits as the Louisiana Tech product held his own against a few top wideouts like Davante Adams, Ja'Marr Chase and Stefon Diggs in 2023.
Potential destinations: Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills
3 of 6
Steelers: QB Mason Rudolph
2023 Stats: 74.3 completion percentage, 719 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
Age next season: 29
Pittsburgh doesn't have many notable impending free agents, and Rudolph certainly didn't fall into that category at the beginning of the year or even a month ago.
However, there's no denying that the team's offense has been much-improved since he's been under center. It averaged 17.9 points per game (28th in the NFL) for the entire season but moved up to 27.0 ppg (fifth) in the last three games.
This is also a relatively weak free-agent quarterback class, and if this season has taught general managers anything, it's that investing in a good backup signal-caller is important. Sunday will be an opportunity for Rudolph to show other teams what he's got to potentially be brought in for a quarterback competition in training camp.
Potential destinations: Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos
Bills: EDGE A.J. Epenesa
2023 Stats: 20 total tackles (9 solo), 6.5 sacks, 7 TFL
Age next season: 26
While wide receiver Gabe Davis is the most significant impending free agent in Buffalo this offseason, he suffered a PCL sprain in the season finale and his status is up in the air for Sunday's contest, per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Even if the wideout does suit up, he likely won't be at 100 percent anyway.
Meanwhile, Epenesa is healthy and a good under-the-radar player. He's only made a handful of starts during his career but has made a significant impact in the passing game with 13 sacks as well as 13 passes defended over the last two years. That type of production should intrigue any team that's looking for help on the edge.
Potential destinations: Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts
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Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
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Packers: S Darnell Savage
2023 Stats: 51 total tackles (36 solo), 0 INT, 1 PD, 1 TFL
Age next season: 27
At his best, Savage is a rangy safety who has the speed to patrol the secondary and prevent explosive plays. He's also had good ball production in the past with nine interceptions and 31 passes defended heading into this season. However, as the numbers above would imply, this has been a down year for the former first-round pick.
Injuries have kept him to 10 games over the last four months and have limited the number of impact plays he's been able to make. So, with plenty of eyeballs on him this Sunday, it will be crucial for Savage to have a strong performance and bolster his résumé before hitting the open market.
Potential destinations: Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans
Cowboys: DT Neville Gallimore
2023 Stats: 15 total tackles (8 solo), 1 sack, 2 TFL
Age next season: 27
The Cowboys don't have a ton of notable impending free agents, and while running back Tony Pollard is the bigger name, Gallimore is a decent under-the-radar player. The defensive tackle's production is underwhelming, but he's also buried on the Cowboys' depth chart behind Osa Odighizuwa, who is having an excellent season.
The Oklahoma product hasn't gotten much playing time this year, but he was a quality prospect coming out of college who could make an impact on both phases of the game. In free agency, he'll likely be looking for an opportunity to start on a short-term deal, so it will be vital for him to make the most of the snaps he gets this weekend.
Potential destinations: Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants
Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions
5 of 6
Rams: G Kevin Dotson
Age next season: 28
Dotson should top a lot of teams' lists who are in need of some interior help up front. The guard fared very well in Pro Football Focus' grading system as a run blocker and only allowed 20 pressures on over 500 snaps in pass protection.
The former fourth-round pick has always been a stout pass-blocker but took a big step forward in the ground game this year after getting traded from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles last offseason. PFF accredits that to Rams head coach Sean McVay pivoting to a more gap-heavy scheme, so Dotson will likely be looking to play in a similar system next season.
Potential destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots
Lions: G Jonah Jackson
Age next season: 27
Jackson will be a top free agent at guard this offseason, as he'll be one of the few former Pro Bowlers available. Also, the four-year pro's value increased as Detroit struggled without him on the field this season, according to Lions Wire's Jeff Risdon:
"For a pending free agent like Jackson, missing games like he has shines a spotlight on his value to the team," Risdon wrote. "It's clear the Lions sorely need Jackson in the lineup, especially for his pass protection in front of Jared Goff, who has turned the ball over six times in two games thanks in part to the increased pressure created by Jackson's injuries."
Potential destinations: Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6 of 6
Eagles: RB D'Andre Swift
2023 Stats: 229 carries, 1,049 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs, 39 catches, 214 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD
Age next season: 25
Last offseason proved that the free-agent market is cruel to running backs in today's NFL, so Swift shouldn't expect a large contract this spring. However, he is coming off a career year, rushing for over 1,000 yards for the first time as a pro and earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.
The Georgia product also can catch passes out of the backfield with nearly 200 receptions and over 1,400 receiving yards in four years, which should help increase his value. When healthy, he's a legitimate offensive weapon.
Potential destinations: Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
Buccaneers: S Antoine Winfield Jr.
2023 Stats: 122 total tackles (76 solo), 3 INTs, 12 PD, 6 FFs, 6 sacks
Age next season: 26
Winfield Jr. is a stat-sheet stuffer as he's an extremely versatile safety who can make an impact on all three levels of the defense. During the regular season, he logged elite grades from Pro Football Focus overall, against the run and as a pass-rusher while only being a few points shy of an elite mark in coverage.
The former second-round pick is arguably one of the best players at the position in the league, so he'll undoubtedly be on top of any team's list that is looking for a safety on the open market.
Potential destinations: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts
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