5 Bargain NFL Free Agents Contenders Should Target for 2024 Playoff Run
As the NFL approaches the final handful of weeks in the 2024 regular season, playoff contenders are dealing with the inevitable.
Injuries.
It's a long season in a physical game. Health setbacks are guaranteed to happen, and they're starting to hit some rosters hard.
As a result, teams are peering into free agency for replacements. Now, the reality is simple: These players are free agents for a reason. To suggest they'd suddenly become key starters is a little ambitious. Still, they may be able to provide depth at a position of need.
Every free agent mentioned is a risk, sure, but could be a useful addition to keep Super Bowl dreams alive.
Jerick McKinnon, RB
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Versatility is the appeal for Jerick McKinnon.
Most noticeably, that's focused on his pass-catching ability as a running back. He's collected 269 receptions in eight NFL seasons, including two years of 50-plus catches. McKinnon even reeled in nine touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
However, he wouldn't necessarily need to be limited to a third-down role. McKinnon was a fixture on Kansas City's special teams in 2023, covering both kicks and punts throughout the season.
McKinnon, at 32 years old, offers a veteran presence with comfort in a complementary spot and Super Bowl experience.
In short, there are worse ways to round out a roster.
Logan Thomas, TE
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At this point of the season, any signing is basically about one of two things: reliability or upside.
Logan Thomas fits the latter.
Among available tight ends, Jimmy Graham has the most career production. He's 38 years old, though. The younger group isn't proven at the NFL level. Thomas straddles that line as a 31-year-old target who posted 55 catches, 496 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Thomas certainly isn't a dominant blocker, but he was at least passable in that department recently.
As with any free agent, temper expectations. Thomas, nevertheless, can upgrade the receiving threat of several contenders' tight-end rooms.
Justin Hollins, EDGE
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Quarterback is the most important position on the field. After that, edge-rusher is probably next up.
Every week, though, it seems another key player gets injured. For example, the Detroit Lions can hardly keep one on the field. Detroit's list of unavailable edge-rushers—highlighted by Aidan Hutchinson, who began the year on an All-Pro pace—is stunningly extensive.
And that's why a player like Justin Hollins could be targeted.
He's bounced around the NFL but made an impact. Hollins played a rotational and special-teams role for the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams in 2021, for example, and tallied 3.5 sacks in 2022.
If a roster is looking for 10-15 defensive snaps at edge and an option on special teams, Hollins is a capable piece.
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Patrick Peterson, CB
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Once among the most feared corners in the game, Patrick Peterson is likely the most recognizable name.
Look, he's no longer that player—the three-time AP All-Pro and perennial Pro Bowler with the Arizona Cardinals. He's likely not even the 2022 version who assembled a great season for the Minnesota Vikings.
But, man, isn't he worth a gamble?
Each of the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders have a below-average secondary. Both the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs would benefit from upgrading the unit. Injuries are poking holes into other defensive backfields.
As the league nears the postseason, Peterson should be one of the first cornerbacks called down the stretch.
J.C. Jackson, CB
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Want a pure upside swing? Make it J.C. Jackson.
Following his tremendous 2021 campaign on the New England Patriots, he signed a big-money deal to join the Los Angeles Chargers. That, you may recall, ended up being a disaster. Jackson ceded 13.9 yards per target in an injury-shortened year.
Los Angeles released him early in 2023, and Jackson returned to the Pats. He yielded a more modest 7.7 yards per target but still gave up four touchdowns in eight appearances.
That recent performance: Undeniably bad. Being the team to attempt reigniting his career is an obvious risk.
In a pinch, however, adding Jackson—a true ballhawk early in his career—in hopes of finding a late-season spark is defensible.
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