2024 NFL Free Agents: Updated Predictions for Top Stars Amid Super Wild Card Playoffs

The arrival of the NFL Playoffs brings with it discussion surrounding the free agents that will dominate headlines this offseason and the teams that may be willing to pony up the cash to bring them on board in pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy.

Among those free agents are quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Tee Higgins, and defensive tackle Chris Jones, all of whom are expected to be among the top free agents available.

What is the latest on them and where might fans expect them to continue their careers?

Find out with the latest updates and predictions for those stars.

Quarterback Joe Burrow made it abundantly clear that he wants dynamic wide receiver Tee Higgins back in 2024, telling reporters, "We'd love to have Tee back. He's a big part of what we've done here. It's no secret, our relationship. I expect Tee to be back. We all want Tee back."

"Expect."

Perhaps Burrow has some insight into whether the Bengals will take an aggressive approach to retaining their free agent wide receiver.

Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the franchise quarterback and team had discussions over the summer about the future of the roster, presumably including the status of Higgins.

Higgins missed most of November with a hamstring and ankle injury, but still managed to compile 656 yards, a 15.6 per catch average, and five touchdowns.

He is a deep ball threat, a big-play wideout who nearly changed the narrative of Super Bowl LVIII in 2022 with his 75-yard score at the start of the second half. More importantly, he is a strong, physical wide receiver who is a perfect compliment to Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd.

The arsenal of receivers has allowed the Bengals to remain as competitive as they have been, despite significant injuries to Burrow that necessitated Jake Browning to step in as starter.

Receivers with the experience in big games, against top competition like Higgins has experienced, do not walk in the door every day. Allowing him to walk rather than paying him and keeping the core of the team together in pursuit of a Super Bowl title would be a misfire by the Bengals front office.

There are countless teams in need of a wide receiver who would pay Higgins, including the Kansas City Chiefs, whose woes at the position were well-documented in 2023.

Despite the potential suitors, expect Higgins to remain with the Bengals, as long as Cincinnati is willing to pony up the cash that he has earned through his 3684 yards and 24 touchdowns in four seasons.

Prediction: Higgins stays with the Bengals on a long-term deal

For Kirk Cousins, his next destination will have less to do with money and more with the opportunity to win games and pursue championships, be it with the Minnesota Vikings or elsewhere.

"I think it ultimately is about winning football games. And so that will be the most important thing, winning football games. With that, no one thing is in a vacuum. Usually, you win football games because there are some other factors that are really important to me that are going to have to be there to be able to win football games. So it ultimately all ties together. The factors work together. But I certainly believe we can do that here," he told reporters at the end-of-season press conference.

He continued, "God has blessed me financially beyond my wildest dreams, so at this stage of my career, the dollars are really not what it's about."

Barring a new deal with the Vikings before then, Cousins is going to be the most coveted free agent quarterback on the market, and with good reason.

Before a season-ending torn Achilles, Cousins put up 2331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and was on pace to be one of the top-performing quarterbacks of the season. Despite his offensive output, the team was not particularly good, begging the question: why would the Vikings pay big money to retain a quarterback without wins to go along with his great stats?

Do the Vikings have someone on the roster to replace the former Pro Bowler? No, and they are unlikely to be in contention for a top quarterback in the draft without compiling a bounty of picks and moving up.

As for Cousins, there are any number of teams that could use a quarterback of his ability.

The Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and his old Washington Commanders squad are all in need of a competent starter. The Steelers, arguably, have the best situation, with playmakers in place and one of the best defenses in the league.

A player of Cousins' stature would make that team a playoff and Super Bowl contender.

The Steelers, as an organization, don't tend to make that kind of move, though. Look for the Patriots to be a player as they look to move into a new, post-Bill Belichick era.

Prediction: Cousins signs a deal with New England in the three-year range

Chris Jones is the heart and soul of the Kansas City Chiefs defense and the two-time Super Bowl-winning tackle knows he may be playing his final games with the only franchise he has ever known.

"What's the next chapter for you? For the team. I try not to think [that] it could be my last game in Arrowhead, and who knows? But, most importantly, we got a game to play. Trying to make a deep run in these playoffs. And if it is my last time, we got to make it worthwhile," he said prior to the Chief's Wildcard game against the Miami Dolphins.

The defending Super Bowl champs won that ice bowl of a game, 26-7, and advance to the divisional round of the the playoffs.

Jones is a game-changing defensive tackle. He has 75.5 career sacks, two interceptions, and 273 total tackles. He has dominated in the back-half of the 2023 season, with over 20 quarterback pressures since Week 13 alone.

There are a number of contending teams that would love to have a player of his caliber on their team to help push them into the Super Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears are all teams that could, and should, be in play for the star defensive tackle.

Assuming, of course, that the Chiefs cannot get a deal done with him.

Whether the team can afford the $30 million Jones could flirt with in free agency is the question.

Look for Jones to play his final downs as a Chief this postseason and move on to another contending team, with the Lions making the most sense given how close they appear to be to making a legitimate push toward a championship and the $61 million they have available in salary cap in 2024, per Spotrac.

Prediction: Jones joins Detroit on a three-year deal