03-08-2024, 03:50 PM
(03-08-2024, 03:01 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: The NFL 2024 season for me kicks off with FA and Monday it starts, the 13th Wednesday players can sign FA contracts.
My wish is the Bengals would make Simmons (recently cut by Denver) their #1 off season move. He has been an all-pro safety; he can help develop our young guys and he won't count against future compensatory picks.
Is anyone else excited for FA? I attempt to temper my expectations knowing we are likely to rely more on the draft than free agents, so I am not disappointed when we idle for first week or longer. Any signing early to me is a plus.
Here is an updated list of the top 101 FAs post Henry signing with NE.
https://www.nfl.com/news/top-101-nfl-free-agents-of-2024-who-are-the-best-players-available
I. Our Guys
45. Reader, DT. Higher if not for injury.
47. J. Williams, OT
50. Awuzie, CB
83. Boyd, WR
II. Defensive Tackles (9)
1. Jones, KC
3. Wilkins, Mia
10. L. Williams, Sea
33. Cox, Philly
42. Stewart, Indy
45. Reader, Cin
51. Autry, TN
90. Tart, Hou
100. Rankins, Hou
III. Safeties (11)
11. Gardner-Johnson, Det
14. McKinney, NYG
31. Curl, Wash
37. Blackmon, Indy
39. Simmons, Den
64. Fuller, Rams
65. Chinn, Car
69. Stone, Balt
80. Whitehead, Jets
86. Gilman, Chargers
89. Hyde, Buffalo
Adams & Poyer & Gipson & Byard & Jackson & Diggs & Jenkins do not make the list. All former Pro-Bowlers save for Gipson & Jenkins, I think.
IV. Tight Ends (1)
71. Fant, Sea
V. OT (8)
5. Smith, Dallas
9. Onwenu, OG/OT, NE
44. Brown, NE
47. J. Williams, Cincy
48. Eluemunor, LV
67. Nijman, GB
85. J. Jones, Hou
99. Smith, KC
20 of the top 101 guys are DTs and S's. I just think the law of supply & demand dictate those would be good places to shop. And they match some of our biggest needs.
TE is a need, but Fant is the only one left. Likely means his contract gets jacked up. Draft + bringing back Sample & Hudson seems a better value. Or Hurst.
OT is not quite as barren in FA. But if you want better than Jonah, it is pretty much Smith at age 33 and Onwenu. Brown better when he plays, but has been over 600 snaps once in last 5 seasons. Fiscally, it might be better to give up the ghost on the Bowers dream at #18 (extremely unlikely) and just pick an OT.
