Every NFL offseason, mock drafts captivate fans eager for the next crop of high-profile rookies to find their new homes. But so often the exercise overlooks the fact that free agency comes first — and often ends up reshaping certain draft priorities.
So what if we applied the mock draft format to free agency? Below, we’ve done just that, imagining where some of the best available veterans might end up if teams were allowed to “sign” them in a designated order.
Rather than list teams in reverse order of last season’s records, we’ve created the draft order based on projected 2024 salary cap space, so the teams with the most money to spend get the better pick of this year’s top free agents.
We’ve included all unrestricted free agents in the exercise except for the following players, who are widely expected to either re-sign with their current teams or receive a franchise tag:
Now, without further ado, the 2024 NFL free agency mock draft:
A reunion with Kirk Cousins would be intriguing, but presuming they address quarterback in the actual draft, the Dan Quinn-led Commanders instead look to replenish their stripped-down pass rush with the best edge presence available.
A match made in heaven, Higgins gives the Titans the No. 1-caliber wideout they’ve lacked since A.J. Brown’s exit. Plus, the move reunites Higgins with his former Bengals offensive coordinator in new head coach Brian Callahan.
QB will be addressed one way or another, likely at the top of the real draft. Regardless, Evans finally gives them a formidable 1-2 punch out wide, pairing Evans’ big-bodied dominance with D.J. Moore’s electricity.
Hold onto your hats. While drafting a QB feels more likely (and smarter), who’s to say Jerod Mayo, Robert Kraft and Co. wouldn’t prefer a more proven technician, if given the chance to “burn some cash” on Cousins? In reality, of course, Cousins might be hesitant to join such a…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-free-agency-mock-draft-kirk-cousins-to-patriots-mike-evans-to-bears-and-30-other-big-name-moves/
Author : Cody Benjamin
Publish date : 2024-02-23 14:07:13
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