There are just 60 minutes left of the NFL season, with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs set to do battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy on February 11.
The Las Vegas showdown will then bring the curtain down on the 2023 season and before you know it, the machine will start up again and the road to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans will begin.
A major part of the NFL offseason is free agency, which will see huge contracts handed out to a host of stars across the league as contracts expire and teams look to bolster their ranks.
Here is an early look at the top ten players currently set for free agency this offseason.
1. Chris Jones - Kansas City Chiefs
One of the best defensive players in the league, defensive tackle Jones has been instrumental in the Chiefs' run to Super Bowl LVIII. Jones and Kansas City have struggled to reach a contract agreement in the past, and should the Chiefs decline the opportunity to franchise tag him again, he will land a huge contract elsewhere.
2. Kirk Cousins - Minnesota Vikings
It will be interesting to see if the season-ending Achilles injury he suffered this year will put off any would-be suitors for Cousins, who has been reliably productive throughout his 12-year NFL career. The Vikings are unable to franchise him and there should be plenty of teams in the market for a tried-and-tested veteran QB of his experience.
3. Josh Allen - Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen made the leap last season from a decent pass rusher to one of the league’s best. With 17.5 sacks, 33 QB hits and 17 tackles for loss he is now living up to his potential. There’s a good chance he doesn’t make it to free agency as he’s an obvious choice for the franchise tag.
4. Tee Higgins - Cincinnati Bengals
Rib and hamstring injuries restricted Higgins to just 12 games this season in what turned out to be a season to forget for the Bengals offense, with Joe Burrow also missing the final two months of the campaign. But the 6ft 4in wideout is the best receiver in free agency this offseason, able to hurt teams all over the field and a perfect decoy for Ja’Marr Chase. And that probably means he’ll be franchise tagged.
5. Christian Wilkins - Miami Dolphins
A season which saw him earn career-highs in just about every defensive statistical category, Wilkins is versatile enough to play anywhere across the line. That would put him in good stead if he was to hit the open market, but a franchise tag surely awaits if an extension cannot be reached.
6. Danielle Hunter - Minnesota Vikings
With an NFL-leading 23 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, Hunter enjoyed a productive 2023 season and after almost being traded on the deadline this season, it’s a good bet that he does hit the open market.
7. Brian Burns - Carolina Panthers
The defensive end has managed 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons for a dreadful Panthers side and deserves the chance to spend his prime years at a better-run franchise.
8. Antoine Winfield Jr, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
At just 25 years old, Winfield Jr is about to enter his prime years and that will probably be enough to convince the Bucs to place the franchise tag on him. Named a first-team All-Pro this season, he clocked up 122 tackles with six sacks, six forced fumbles and three interceptions.
9. Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
After clocking up a career-high 13 sacks this season, Madubuike is set to hit the market at the best possible time for his earning potential.
10. L’Jarius Sneed - Kansas City Chiefs
A key part in the Chiefs’ surge to Super Bowl LVIII, Sneed’s water-tight coverage and aggressive nature helped his side see off Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson and will have no doubt caught the eye of several teams
Live on DAZN: Watch Conor Benn vs. Peter Dobson on February 3. Click here for details.