2024 NFL free-agency primer: 10 best players available

NFL free agency doesn't officially begin until the start of the 2024 league year on March 13 at 4 p.m. E.T. However, with the offseason here for 18 of the league's 32 franchises, it's the perfect time to begin assessing the upcoming crop of free agents.

Here's a list of 10 of the best, in alphabetical order.

Jaguars edge-rusher Josh Allen

The No. 7 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, Allen should quickly get over the sting of Jacksonville's disappointing late-season collapse with a massive contract. The former Kentucky star had a career-high 17.5 sacks this season, and Pro Football Focus credited him with 88 total pressures, the fourth-most in the league. 

Giants running back Saquon Barkley

Barkley missed three games due to injury this season and has only played a full season once (2018). That, combined with the overall devaluation of running backs, could make the former No. 2 pick available at a discount, which would be a huge win for his 2024 team. This season, Barkley was one of 11 players with at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. When the football is in his hands, good things usually happen.

Panthers edge-rusher Brian Burns

Burns showed why the Rams offered two first-round picks for him at 2022's trade deadline this season, ranking sixth in ESPN's pass-rush win rate among edge rushers. Since being drafted 16th overall in 2019, his 46 sacks are tied for the seventh-most among all outside linebackers or defensive ends. (h/t StatHead)

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins

Coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, Cousins should still have immense value after putting up some of the best numbers of his career through eight starts in 2023. He completed 69.5 percent of his passes -- the second-best mark of his career -- and was on pace for 38 touchdowns, which would have been the most in his 12 NFL seasons.

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones

Jones is the second-best interior defensive lineman in the league, behind only Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams. He was credited with 75 total pressures this season by PFF. His 26 sacks during the past two seasons are 7.5 more than the next-closest defensive tackle, per StatHead.

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans

Evans is the only player in NFL history with at least 1,000 receiving yards in his first 10 seasons, and he can tie Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's mark for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in a career (11) in 2024. He has no reason to leave Tampa, but teams in need of a wide receiver (hello there, Kansas City) should be lining up at Evans' door.

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins

The 6-foot-4 Higgins was one of the best wide receivers after the catch this season. Per ESPN Analytics, he ranked eighth in their yards after the catch (YAC) rating. NFL Next Gen Stats shows he averaged 5.4 yards after catch per reception, two yards more than expected per reception, despite tying for the seventh-lowest average separation (2.3 yards) among qualifying wide receivers.

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson

Johnson is PFF's highest-graded corner, only allowing 25 receptions for 195 yards on 50 targets. He was credited with nine forced incompletions and six pass breakups; quarterbacks' 33.3 passer rating when targeting him was the lowest among corners with at least 150 coverage snaps.

Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

The season's biggest Pro Bowl snub, Winfield Jr. set a career-high with 122 tackles and led the league with six forced fumbles. He had four recoveries and added three interceptions, 12 pass deflections and six sacks to his outstanding year.

Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler

The veteran offensive lineman graded as the second-best pass-blocking guard by PFF, trailing only Chiefs Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney. Zeitler, 33, has only been credited with 52 pressures allowed since signing with the Ravens in 2021 and will be a valuable commodity on his next contract, too, despite his age likely limiting him to a one- or two-year deal.