2024 NFL Free Agent Predictions: Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry (Fantasy Football)

Like any year, the very best players have been kept away from the open market, but plenty of intriguing names will still be available. This includes a deep running back group coincidentally in a year when the draft is not flush with top-tier backs. This article will examine some of the best landing spots for the top free agents.

Ideal NFL Free Agency Landing Spots

Josh Jacobs (RB – LV) → Houston Texans

The current odds suggest Saquon Barkley is the most likely RB to land in Texas with CJ Stroud. However, a week ago, bookmakers were convinced Fields was heading to Atlanta, and now that looks like it was never even close.

The Texans are a young team and have plenty of cap space, with over $70M at the time of writing. That should allow them to be shrewd with their moves and pick the back that feels best. Barkley undoubtedly has a high upside, but Josh Jacobs is younger at 26. If the Texans intend to build for this year and the next few, then paying the younger running back would make sense. Jacobs would see an immediate jump in ADP and have the chance to get back into the top five.

Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG) → Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones told the media that the Cowboys would be all-in on 2024, bringing back head coach Mike McCarthy after being unceremoniously dumped out of the playoffs… again. With Tony Pollard also a free agent, this leaves a gaping hole for the Cowboys at a position that’s long been a strength and part of their identity. Barkley had a 1.7% touchdown rate in 2023, the lowest mark of any top-16 running backs in PPR scoring.

I could watch Saquon Barkley highlights for hours. pic.twitter.com/T1UNkrf2bO

— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) March 6, 2024

Being on a team like the Cowboys, with easily the best offensive line he’d ever played behind, would allow him to easily score over 10 touchdowns for the first time since his rookie season in 2018.

Derrick Henry (RB – TEN) → Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens and the Titans were close to agreeing on a deal that would have sent Henry to Baltimore before the trade deadline. Considering how anemic the Ravens’ rushing offense looked in the playoff loss to the Chiefs, it’s hard not to think it was a missed opportunity for Baltimore.

Henry, though, is now a free agent for the first time in his career at age 30. Although his rushing yards per game (68.6) have decreased for four straight seasons, he’s never rushed for under 4.2 yards per carry. He has also scored double-digit touchdowns in each of the last six years.

Running behind the Ravens’ offensive line while defenses try to account for him and Lamar Jackson would be nothing but an improvement in his situation. The Ravens would unlikely turn everything over to a 30-year-old back, but Henry could continue to be a reliable RB2 most weeks.