The offseason is here, but for those of us who can’t quit the NFL, there is no offseason. One of the biggest questions this year outside of the NFL Draft is where some of the biggest names in Free Agency will call home for the 2024 season.
Of those players finding new cities to play in, which of them will use this fresh start to break out or reignite their careers?
- Erickson’s Free Agency Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
NFL Free Agents Who could Break Out (2024 Fantasy Football)
Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN)
Kirk Cousins is the newest iteration of Matt Ryan. He is a near lock to eclipse 4,000 passing yards. Cousins has also been averaging 28.75 touchdowns per year over his last four seasons, including 2023, where he only played in eight games. Before he went down with his Achilles tear, he was on pace to set career highs in every passing category and was averaging 18.72 fantasy PPG.
Now, in 2024, he gets to decide who he will be throwing passes to. The betting favorite is that he returns to the Vikings, which could mean huge returns for the 35-year-old quarterback. Kevin O’Connell’s system continues to thrive in Minnesota, and that is in large part due to what Cousins has been able to do holding the reigns. If he does return, he gets to throw passes to a vocal supporter of his return in Justin Jefferson, sophomore breakout Jordan Addison and recovering playmaking tight end TJ Hockenson. He is a low-end QB1 for 2024. Still, if he is fully recovered, I would not be surprised to see him emerge as a breakout candidate, landing inside the top five for the second time in his career.
- Ideal Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings
- Dark Horse Team: Seattle Seahawks
Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG)
Saquon Barkley averaged just under 16 fantasy PPG last season, even with the abysmal Giants offense. It looks like the two sides are heading towards a divorce, and a final stretch of breakout performances could be in the cards for Barkley in 2024 and beyond.
The Houston Texan’s rumors are swirling, and if he were to land in Houston, the sky is the limit for the former Nittany Lion. An improved offensive line isn’t the only boost for Barkley in Houston. He would also benefit from a premier young signal caller in C.J. Stroud and multiple pass-catching weapons that can ensure he faces less loaded boxes. Barkley would be a locked and loaded RB1 in 2024. Even if he doesn’t have another 90+ reception season left in him, it is not out of the question that he eclipses the 65 reception marker that we look for in elite PPR running backs.
- Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans
- Dark Horse Team: Chicago Bears
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
Tee Higgins is a popular candidate for the franchise tag, and while he may, in fact, be heading towards that fate, there have been rumblings that the Bengals will look to fill the WR2 role elsewhere. They have plenty of holes to fill on their team, and a cheaper option may be available via free agency.
If Higgins does, in fact, leave Cincinnati, there are a number of landing spots that make sense narrative-wise, but as far as need and cap space, one team stands out: the Washington Commanders. The Commanders give their likely rookie quarterback another premier pass catcher to pair with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. He would be a value for both the Commanders and fantasy managers alike after an injury-riddled 2023, where he produced the lowest PPG season of his career. Higgins could take over in the red zone in Washington while battling McLaurin for the Alpha role in this new-look offense. If all goes well with the Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels experiment, he could establish himself as a top-15 wide receiver in 2024 and flirt with dynasty WR1 numbers
- Ideal Landing Spot: Washington Commanders
- Dark Horse Team: New England Patriots
Names to Watch
- Ideal Landing Spot: Cincinnati Bengals
- Dark Horse Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Ideal Landing Spot: Arizona Cardinals
- Dark Horse Team: Carolina Panthers
More 2024 NFL Free Agency Coverage
- Erickson’s Free Agency Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- 6 Bold Predictions for 2024 NFL Free Agency
- Top 20 NFL Free Agents
- Top 10 NFL Free Agent Running Backs
- Top 10 NFL Free Agent Wide Receivers
- Top 10 NFL Free Agent Quarterbacks & Tight Ends
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