While a few teams are still fighting for the right to be called Super Bowl champions, most teams have turned their attention to the offseason game planning. The 2024 NFL Draft is the highlight of the offseason. However, free agency plays a critical role in building Super Bowl contenders.
Here are the top five upcoming free agent quarterbacks and tight ends with an early look at how fantasy players should view them for 2024 redraft leagues and dynasty leagues. Below we dive into a few notable 2024 NFL Free Agents.
- Top 2024 NFL Free Agents: RB | WR
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
Free Agents
Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN)
Unfortunately, Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in Week 8, ending his season. However, the veteran averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game, making him the QB6 among quarterbacks with at least six starts in 2023. While the Vikings will explore younger options at the quarterback position, Cousins could return this offseason despite his injury and age. The perfect outcome for fantasy players is for the veteran to return to Minnesota. Cousins was great for the fantasy value of Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison.
- Early Redraft Outlook: Low-end QB1 that will get drafted later than he should.
- Offseason Dynasty Outlook: Potential buy-low QB2 candidate for contending teams in superflex leagues.
Baker Mayfield (QB – TB)
Mayfield had a productive 2023 season. He was the QB10 for the year, averaging 16.1 fantasy points per game, finishing higher than Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence. However, the former No. 1 overall pick was the QB17 on a points-per-game basis among quarterbacks with at least six starts. Mayfield has played well enough to earn a long-term contract with an NFL team, but the question is which team. Hopefully, he is back in Tampa Bay on a Geno Smith-like deal, giving the team options in the future and Mayfield a massive pay raise.
- Early Redraft Outlook: Mid-range QB2 with upside, depending on who he signs with in free agency.
- Offseason Dynasty Outlook: A potential sell-high candidate whose future is not as clear as many would hope.
Tanner Hudson (TE – CIN)
Many had Irv Smith Jr. as a sleeper candidate entering the 2023 season. Yet, he wasn’t the Cincinnati tight end with fantasy value. Hudson was the TE29, averaging 5.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The veteran had some viable weeks as a streaming option. Hudson was the TE13 from Week 9 through Week 15, averaging 6.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The Bengals have several critical free agents this offseason, headlined by Tee Higgins. However, Hudson is a restricted free agent and is all but a lock to return.
- Early Redraft Outlook: Shouldn’t get drafted in standard-size leagues but could have some weekly streaming appeal.
- Offseason Dynasty Outlook: Worth adding off the waiver wire as part of a Joe Burrow-led offense.
Mike Gesicki (TE – NE)
While he was once considered an up-and-coming young tight end, Gesicki has fallen off the fantasy football radar. The former Penn State star had a breakout year in 2020, averaging 8.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling six receiving touchdowns. However, he fell out of favor in Mike McDaniel’s offense in Miami and joined the Patriots this past offseason. Unfortunately, Gesicki averaged only 14.4 receiving yards and three fantasy points per game despite the team lacking consistent weapons.
- Early Redraft Outlook: Not worth drafting, but could become a few-week streaming option if he lands a starting role on a high-powered offense.
- Offseason Dynasty Outlook: A speculative add off the waiver wire but unlikely to ever have enough fantasy value to start.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.