One of the busiest periods of the NFL calendar is almost here, with free agency set to get underway next week.
First will come the legal tampering period on Monday, when teams and players can enter talks, before these prospective deals can be signed on Wednesday, following the start of the new league year.
There will be countless subplots to keep an eye on as teams look to restock their rosters ahead of the 2024 season, but here are four early storylines to keep an eye on.
What happens in the stacked running back class?
The franchise tag deadline came and went with no running backs being tagged, meaning that the free agency market for RBs will be stacked this year.
The likes of Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, Gus Edwards, D’Andrew Swift and Austin Ekeler are just some of the players who will be looking for new teams this offseason.
It will therefore be fascinating to see what this does for the market. Veteran running backs have often grumbled at being underpaid, so will the significant increase in the salary cap this year mean bumper contracts will be handed out, or will demand outstrip supply and cause prices to drop?
Kirk Cousins set to define the QB market
When free agency opens, all eyes will be on Kirk Cousins. The veteran passer is the biggest free agent quarterback we’ve seen for a few years and his decision could determine a lot of what happens in free agency and the draft.
The Vikings would like to have him back, but there are a gaggle of QB-needy teams that won’t be able to draft one of the leading prospects and would therefore be viable options for Cousins. Atlanta is an obvious choice, with Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and Denver also worth keeping an eye on.
Once Cousins finds a new home, Baker Mayfield will be the next biggest name up - assuming he doesn’t agree a deal to re-sign with the Buccaneers. Russell Wilson will be a cheap option for someone, with back-up fodder such as Gardner Minshew, Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Tannehill and Jameis Winston also in the market.
Does Chris Jones become the highest-ever paid defender?
Chris Jones’ role in the Kansas City Chiefs’ latest Super Bowl-winning season won’t be underestimated by the market after the Chiefs failed to use the franchise tag on the defensive tackle.
The Chiefs will do what they can to try and re-sign the 29-year-old, but he will have plenty of suitors and would likely become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, should he hit free agency.
Wide receivers in demand?
While the running back position is stacked this year, the same cannot be said at wide receiver. The tagging of Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr, plus Mike Evans agreeing a new deal with the Bucs has taken a significant chunk out of the market.
Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, Darnell Mooney, Tyler Boyd, Gabe Davis, Curtis Samuel and Odell Beckham Jr are the biggest names available, which is likely to mean big contracts for the likes of Ridley and Brown.
On the other hand, the draft is stacked with excellent wide receiver prospects, so will we instead see teams put all their efforts into landing cheaper, developmental options to fill gaps in their rosters?
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