2024 NFL free agency: Best team fits for top 50 players

4. Justin Madubuike, DT

Best team fit: Cincinnati Bengals

Look for the Ravens to make a strong play to retain Madubuike, who had a career-high 13 sacks in 2023. But I also like him in Cincinnati for a defense that needs to add more speed and playmaking ability to its front seven. The Bengals allowed a league-worst 6.0 yards per play last season. Madubuike has the foot quickness and first-step juice to leverage blockers and make an impact on the pocket.

5. Christian Wilkins, DT

Best team fit: New England Patriots

I expect the Patriots to be active in free agency, and Wilkins has the position versatility to align all over the defensive front. In 2023, Wilkins had 9 sacks, 35 pressures and 68 tackles in Miami. He would pair nicely with Christian Barmore to give first-year head coach Jerod Mayo two difference-makers on the defensive interior.

6. Brian Burns, DE

Best team fit: Carolina Panthers

Burns has the upper-tier traits you want in an edge rusher, and he's just entering his prime playing years, turning 26 this spring. With eight sacks and a pass rush win rate of 21.7% (seventh in the league) last season, I can't see the Panthers letting him hit the free agent market. He's a potential franchise tag candidate there if Carolina can't lock down a new deal.

7. Tee Higgins, WR

Best team fit: Cincinnati Bengals

If Higgins does make it to free agency, Carolina would also be a fantastic fit, as the Panthers need a WR1. But I have him staying in Cincinnati on the franchise tag, and with a healthy Joe Burrow back to start the 2024 season and Ja'Marr Chase on the other side of the field, this move could make the Bengals a Super Bowl contender once again. In four seasons with Cincinnati, Higgins has 24 touchdown receptions.

8. Danielle Hunter, EDGE

Best team fit: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have money to spend in free agency, and filling the edge rushing need should be a priority. Hunter's 16.5 sacks with the Vikings in 2023 were the fifth most in the league, and he also forced four fumbles. Adding Hunter would give the Rams a productive veteran force opposite Byron Young -- who had eight sacks as a rookie -- with Aaron Donald on the interior. That's how you upgrade a pass rush.

9. Jaylon Johnson, CB

Best team fit: Chicago Bears

I like Johnson staying in Chicago as the Bears' No. 1 corner, with the coverage traits, backfield vision and ball skills to produce once again. He posted a career-high four interceptions last season for a Bears defense that finished with 22 picks, tied for most in the NFL. I see Johnson signing a multiyear contract as a pivotal player in coach Matt Eberflus' scheme.

10. Antoine Winfield Jr., S

Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winfield played a key role in Todd Bowles' defensive system as a three-level defender for the Bucs. Entering his peak playing years, he already has 15 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 7 interceptions. Let's run it back.

11. L'Jarius Sneed, CB

Best team fit: Philadelphia Eagles

With his scheme-versatile coverage skills, Sneed will generate a ton of interest on the free agent market. Look for Atlanta and Las Vegas to make a play here, too. But I have Sneed landing in Philadelphia to upgrade the position opposite Darius Slay, with Vic Fangio now calling the defense for the Birds. Philly allowed 16 passing touchdowns in the second half of last season, tied for the fourth most in the NFL. The Eagles have to clean up the secondary, and Sneed can make an impact. He has at least two interceptions in each of his four career seasons with the Chiefs.

12. Mike Evans, WR

Best team fit: Carolina Panthers

Evans could follow Panthers coach Dave Canales to Carolina after he had 1,255 receiving yards and a league-leading 13 touchdown catches in the same offensive system last season in Tampa Bay. Evans is still playing at an extremely high level, and he'd be an immediate (and needed) upgrade for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young as a multiple-level target with red zone upside.

13. Baker Mayfield, QB

Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Yeah, here's another big-name Tampa Bay free agent returning, but it makes sense. Given Mayfield's production over the second half of last season and some impressive playoff tape (two postseason games with over 300 passing yards), there will be free agent interest for the veteran quarterback. But in this new Tampa Bay system -- which will fit his aggressive throwing mentality behind defined play-action concepts and schemed verticals -- I think Mayfield could keep posting big numbers.

14. Robert Hunt, G

Best team fit: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers can upgrade at the right guard position with Hunt, who in Miami showed he has the ability to win in pass protection and the skill set to block in multiple run schemes. That's a fit for Kyle Shanahan's offense, which needs help on the offensive line; San Francisco was 20th in pass block win rate last season (55.6%).

15. Chase Young, EDGE

Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens

I could see Young signing a one-year deal to play in Baltimore. He had 7.5 total sacks with Washington and San Francisco during the 2023 regular season, and he added a sack and two pressures in the Super Bowl. He has the physical traits to fit as an edge in a Baltimore defense that should deploy multiple fronts and schemed one-on-ones under new coordinator Zach Orr.

16. Leonard Williams, DT

Best team fit: Seattle Seahawks

I originally had the Raiders as a possible fit for Williams, given their need at defensive tackle, but with Mike Macdonald bringing his defensive system to Seattle, Williams fits better just re-signing there. Williams posted 5.5 sacks, 33 pressures and 62 tackles this past season, and he has the versatility to disrupt both the run and pass games under Macdonald. The Seahawks traded a second-rounder and a future fifth-rounder for him at the deadline, so they will be motivated to retain his services for at least one more year.

17. Michael Pittman Jr., WR

Best team fit: Indianapolis Colts

Regardless of whether it's an extension or the franchise tag, if I were the Colts, I wouldn't let the talented receiver walk. Pittman has both the production and the great fit in Shane Steichen's offense. In 2023, he posted a career-high 1,152 receiving yards, with 44.5% of those yards coming after the catch. And with a healthy Anthony Richardson back under center, the Colts have to retain their top target; Pittman can win at all three levels of the field.

18. Bryce Huff, EDGE

Best team fit: New York Giants

With a new defensive coordinator in Shane Bowen, the Giants would benefit from adding Huff -- a flamethrower off the edge -- to play opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux. Last season with the Jets, Huff produced 10 sacks and logged a pass rush win rate of 21.8% (eighth in the league). The Giants, meanwhile, were tied for 28th in sacks with 34.

19. Kendall Fuller, CB

Best team fit: Detroit Lions

The Lions allowed 247.4 passing yards per game last season, sixth most in the league. But bringing in a perimeter corner like Fuller could boost the whole profile of the Detroit secondary. With 16 career interceptions (10 in his past four years with Washington) and the savvy technique to play both man and zone, Fuller is a good fit for Aaron Glenn's system.

20. Tyron Smith, OT

Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs

The availability concerns for Smith are real; he has missed 33 games over the past four seasons with the Cowboys. But when healthy, Smith is a detailed technician with the physical demeanor to win on the edge. And he would absolutely upgrade the left tackle position for the Chiefs, limiting pass-rushers and keeping the throwing platform clean for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

21. Jonathan Greenard, EDGE

Best team fit: Chicago Bears

General manager Ryan Poles made the trade last season to acquire defensive end Montez Sweat, which changed the Bears' defensive setup. Now Poles could add another edge defender in Greenard, who is explosive off the ball and makes plays late in the down with his fantastic effort level. Last season with the Texans, Greenard had 12.5 sacks and a 22% pass rush win rate (sixth in the league). And his instincts show up as a run defender, too.

22. Jonah Jackson, G

Best team fit: Washington Commanders

Fitting into Kliff Kingsbury's offense in Washington, Jackson would immediately upgrade the left guard position. He can keep the pocket firm in pass protection, as he posted a 93.2% pass block win rate in Detroit last season. That's needed in D.C., as the Commanders allowed 65 sacks in 2023, tied for second most in the NFL. But Jackson is also an interior mauler who can create daylight in the run game, which could help spring Brian Robinson Jr.

23. Calvin Ridley, WR

Best team fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

Ridley could easily stay in Jacksonville as a top target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. In 2023, Ridley had 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, with 17 receptions of 20 yards or more. He's a sudden mover in the route tree and can be schemed open in Doug Pederson's offense.

24. Kevin Dotson, G

Best team fit: Los Angeles Rams

After posting the best tape of his career in 2023, Dotson might as well return as an interior blocker for the Rams. Last season, Dotson registered a 92.4% pass block win rate and a 73.5% run block win rate -- both stellar numbers. He's a phone-booth brawler in the run game, too, which showed up in Sean McVay's gap-heavy offense.

25. Kyle Dugger, S

Best team fit: Washington Commanders

Slotting the versatile Dugger into Dan Quinn's defense makes a lot of sense. With his rare position versatility at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds, Dugger can be deployed at multiple levels in sub-package personnel to create impact production. Over four pro seasons with New England, Dugger has 343 tackles, 9 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks.

26. Mike Onwenu, OT

Best team fit: Los Angeles Chargers

Besides left tackle Rashawn Slater, the Chargers are devoid of offensive line talent. Coach Jim Harbaugh would love to add a 6-foot-3, 330-pound people-mover in the run game. And Onwenu proved with the Patriots this season that he also has the ability to hold an anchor in pass protection at either guard or right tackle, which would help Justin Herbert. Los Angeles has to get better up front this offseason, so look for the club to make some cuts in order to clear cap space and address this unit.

27. Saquon Barkley, RB

Best team fit: Houston Texans

With Devin Singletary hitting the free agent market, the Texans could swing big here to add Barkley as a dual-threat player in Bobby Slowik's offense. Think of Barkley as an underneath outlet for C.J. Stroud, in addition to the rushing volume he would take on. Barkley has averaged 98.8 scrimmage yards over his career with the Giants, and he would bring even more juice to one of the league's most dynamic offenses.

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28. Marquise Brown, WR

Best team fit: Tennessee Titans

Brown would add a different element to the Titans' wide receiver room because of his vertical stretch ability and open-field speed after the catch on in-breakers. Brown has 28 touchdowns in his career (four with the Cardinals in 2023), with 10 of them coming on throws of 20 or more air yards. In coach Brian Callahan's offense, Brown would work with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks to give quarterback Will Levis a versatile group of pass-catchers.

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29. Chidobe Awuzie, CB

Best team fit: Tennessee Titans

The Titans need some veteran help in the secondary, as they allowed the league's third-worst completion percentage to opponents (67.8%). And at 6-foot and 200 pounds, Awuzie not only has the man coverage skills to challenge on the perimeter, but also the fluid movement traits and closing speed to play off the ball in zone schemes. This is a solid fit for new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Awuzie didn't have a pick in 2023 with Cincinnati, but he did make 57 tackles and force a fumble.

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30. Jonah Williams, OT

Best team fit: New England Patriots

With both starting tackles -- Mike Onwenu and Trent Brown -- set to hit free agency, the Patriots could shore up the edges of the OL with Williams, a Bengals mainstay this past season. Despite his lack of upper-tier power and length, Williams wins with technique, gaining depth to create blocking angles and pass-set lines. He'd start at the right tackle spot for New England.

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31. Kenny Moore II, CB

Best team fit: Indianapolis Colts

The best scheme fit for Moore would be staying home with the Colts in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's system. He's one of the top slot corners in the NFL, with the ability to match in coverage outside. Moore had three interceptions in 2023 and has picked off 17 passes in his pro career.

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32. DJ Reader, DT

Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders

Reader suffered a season-ending quad injury this past season, and that's the main reason I have him lower in the ranks. When healthy, Reader wins with leverage, power and pad level at the point of attack, and he can get up on the toes of opposing quarterbacks as an interior pass-rusher (15 pressures in 2023 with the Bengals). In Vegas, he would provide a critical upgrade on the interior of the defensive line, with Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce making plays on the edges.

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33. Patrick Queen, LB

Best team fit: Denver Broncos

With Josey Jewell hitting free agency, the Broncos could opt to replace him with Queen, who can clean up in the run game, drop in coverage and create pressure on blitz stunts. In addition to 133 tackles, Queen chipped in 3.5 sacks and 18 pressures last season in Baltimore. He would bring a physical and productive presence to the middle of the Denver defense.

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34. Xavier McKinney, S

Best team fit: Green Bay Packers

This might be a stretch given the Packers' history in free agency, but McKinney can play both safety spots, with the ability to cover down and create range in the post. He had three interceptions last season with the Giants, and I see him as a good fit for a Packers defense that will change its coverage and pressure tendencies under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

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35. Josh Jacobs, RB

Best team fit: Dallas Cowboys

With the expectation Tony Pollard does not return to Dallas, the Cowboys could pivot to Jacobs. He has been a volume grinder for the Raiders, with the low pad level to finish runs and the quickness to make defenders miss. Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing in 2022, could also be utilized as a receiving option for Dak Prescott on swings, screens and unders.

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36. Kamren Curl, S

Best team fit: New York Jets

Curl is a highly instinctive safety who can roll into the front or drive top-down from split-field alignments -- traits that work well in Robert Saleh's system. While I would like to see Curl create more on-the-ball production -- he hasn't had an interception for the Commanders since grabbing three in his 2020 rookie season -- he's a solid pro who could produce in the Jets' defined coverages.

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37. Derrick Henry, RB

Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens

Both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are set to be free agents, and Keaton Mitchell suffered a knee injury near the end of the 2023 regular season. There's an opening here, and Henry could star as the lead back in Todd Monken's offense. Even if his overall play speed is starting to decline, he's a downhill hammer with excellent vision, and he can still find the end zone. Henry had 12 rushing scores last season with the Titans, and he'd upgrade the Ravens' run game when paired with Lamar Jackson.

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38. Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB

Best team fit: Minnesota Vikings

I originally had Murphy-Bunting to Arizona here, but I believe the Vikings will be seeking some corners for Brian Flores' aggressive system, and he'd work well in Minnesota. With his long frame and fluid hips, Murphy-Bunting can challenge on the outside or match in blitz coverage. He has eight interceptions and 22 pass breakups over five pro seasons, with two picks in 2023 in Tennessee.

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39. Dalton Schultz, TE

Best team fit: Houston Texans

Schultz excelled as a middle-of-the-field target for Stroud in 2023, so let's not mess with a good thing. He's a seam-stretcher in Slowik's offense and can also work the underneath levels, slip tacklers after the catch, and pick up extra yards with his catch-and-run ability. Schultz caught 59 passes with five touchdowns in Houston this past season, but he's also a willing blocker in the run game.

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40. Kevin Zeitler, G

Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens

I would try to bring Zeitler back to Baltimore this offseason. The seasoned veteran posted a 93.8% pass block win rate, ranking 26th among all offensive linemen. But he was also a key part of the Ravens' run game, using his physical inside presence to displace defensive tackles and movement traits to pull on gap schemes.

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41. Trent Brown, OT

Best team fit: Carolina Panthers

The offensive line in Carolina played subpar football in the 2023 season. But adding a 6-foot-8, 370-pounder to play the left tackle spot -- while moving Ikem Ekwonu inside to guard -- would help turn things around. Brown used his massive frame to absorb power rushers in New England last season, and despite his limited foot quickness, he's better in space than you'd think. The Panthers took 65 sacks (tied for second most) last season, so improvements are a must.

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42. Frankie Luvu, LB

Best team fit: Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals need more production at the linebacker spot in Jonathan Gannon's defense, and they'll get the opportunity with Luvu headed to free agency. Luvu posted career-best numbers with the Panthers last season, with 125 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He fits here as an off-ball linebacker who can track the edges in the run game and get home on schemed blitzes.

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43. Connor Williams, C

Best team fit: Miami Dolphins

Williams suffered an ACL injury in his left knee in December, which has an impact on his value on the free agent market. However, Williams was really good on tape before the injury, posting a 93.9% pass block win rate. He's a positional blocker at the point of attack and an easy mover in the run game, creating positive angles to cut off defenders. I see Williams staying with Miami in Mike McDaniel's offense. But also keep an eye on Chicago; the Bears need to address the center position.

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44. Devin White, LB

Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons

White could use his second-level range to make plays in both the run and pass games, while also being deployed as a blitzer in the Falcons' loaded fronts. He has 23 career sacks over five seasons with Tampa Bay, and new Falcons coach Raheem Morris could scheme him up to maximize his skill set.

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45. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE

Best team fit: Miami Dolphins

With Dolphins edge rushers Bradley Chubb (torn ACL) and Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles) both suffering season-ending injuries last season, Miami could shore up the unit with Clowney on a one-year deal. Last season in Baltimore, Clowney tied a career high with 9.5 sacks, and his 24.2% pass rush win rate ranked fifth in the NFL. He's a speed-to-power rusher who can also set an edge against the run game.

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46. Tony Pollard, RB

Best team fit: Washington Commanders

With Antonio Gibson heading to free agency, the Commanders could target someone like Pollard on a short-term deal to create a backfield rotation with Brian Robinson Jr. I like that duo. Washington could then reduce the workload for Pollard while maximizing his dual-threat ability. In five pro seasons with the Cowboys, Pollard had 179 receptions, and in 2023 he rushed for over 1,000 yards for a second straight season.

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47. Josh Uche, EDGE

Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons

Morris could get his sub-package pass-rusher here with Uche, who posted 18.5 sacks over four seasons with the Patriots, including a career-high 11.5 in 2022. He's sudden off the ball, with the ability to close on the quarterback. And in Morris' system, Uche could be schemed off stunts to loop inside.

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48. Lavonte David, LB

Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It might just be a one-year deal for the 34-year-old, but the Buccaneers should really focus on bringing back David. The veteran linebacker is a key player in Bowles' defense, as he can key and diagnose with speed at the second level and join the front as a blitzer. In 2023, David finished with 17 tackles for loss, tied for seventh in the league.

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49. Austin Ekeler, RB

Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon heading to free agency, the Chiefs could sign Ekeler on a short-term deal to work in rotation with Isiah Pacheco. He would give coach Andy Reid a pass-game threat out of 21 personnel with the ability to flex from the backfield. Ekeler caught 51 passes last season with the Chargers and has 440 receptions in his career. Re-signing with the Chargers or joining the Raiders would also be good fits.

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50. Za'Darius Smith, EDGE

Best team fit: New Orleans Saints

Given the Saints' cap issues, this would probably be a one-year deal for Smith to play in Dennis Allen's multiple defense. I like the fit here, though, given Smith's pass rush versatility. Allen could deploy him off the edge or inside as a stand-up defensive tackle/nose. He's a power rusher who has 60 sacks in his career (5½ with the Browns in 2023), and New Orleans finished tied for 28th in sacks last season with 34.