The New Reality No.208: 2024 Free Agents, Quarterbacks

Photo: Ron Chenoy, USA Today Sports

The 2024 NFL free-agent class is loaded with big names at the skill positions. Here is a look at the quarterbacks potentially on the move and the dynasty impact of their free-agent status.

Last year and in general with the biggest names in free agency, most returned to their incumbent team. Quarterback is a bit of a different animal than the other skill positions as notable players rarely see true free agency with the franchise tag as a significant weapon to retain and continue to work a deal with the league's most important position. Kirk Cousins is the rare exception in 2024 as an expected free agent.

QUARTERBACKS

Tier 1

• Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins has handled his contracts at an elite level, keeping the duration short for more bites at the free-agency apple for new-market money. Cousins will be coming off a season-ending injury, but that had minimal effect on Dak Prescott as a recent example of an injured quarterback with a new offseason contract. Cousins was definitely elevated by the strong surrounding talent in Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and an added Jordan Addison this season in Minnesota, but Cousins is an elevator of his situation. Cousins has eight seasons as a top-12 fantasy option and was (still is) averaging the most expected passing fantasy points of the entire quarterback position (19.4) in 2023. Cousins is an ideal trade acquisition for dynasty teams out of the playoffs (or in general) with an eye toward 2024. A future 2nd is a strong offer for Cousins, and one recent deal of Baker Mayfield for Cousins plus a 2nd points to how shifting from a starting to non-starting (or injured) quarterbacks can lead to future value and a win-win for divergent team directions in the current season.

Tier 2

• Ryan Tannehill
• Jameis Winston
• Baker Mayfield
• Gardner Minshew

All four quarterbacks offer Week 1 starting outcomes for 2024. Ryan Tannehill was far closer to the NFL average in a number of categories than the general acknowledgment this season prior to an injury and Tennessee turning the page to Will Levis. Tannehill has four top-15 seasons under his NFL belt and a peak of QB9 (twice). Jameis Winston has been simmering in New Orleans to revamp his profile but is a proverbial box score-stuffer in fantasy with playing time. Winston, along with Baker Mayfield and Gardner Minshew, offer bridge potential to a drafted rookie in 2024 with the upside to revamp their profile to a new contract and longer lens as a Week 1 starter, a la Geno Smith or Ryan Tannehill in the past.