2024 NFL Free Agents: Updated Predictions for Top Stars Amid Divisional Playoffs

The divisional round of the NFL Playoffs features teams with few questions at key positions, such as quarterback and edge rusher, and the Super Bowl a realistic expectation as a result.

For those not still battling for a Lombardi Trophy, they will turn their attention to the offseason, where they will look to improve their rosters in the NFL Draft but, also, via free agency.

The teams who can look at those available players and convince them to come aboard, to buy into their vision, are the ones who could very well find themselves competing in this round of competition a year from now.

Who are top free agents, which teams should be interested, and where will they ultimately win up? Find out with these predictions for some of the top available players.

While the standout defensive end may be the lesser-known of the two Josh Allens in the NFL, he is an extraordinary game-wrecker who had his best season in 2023 and should be one of the most coveted free agents this offseason.

According to Pro Football Focus, he compiled career highs in quarterback pressures (90), sacks (17.5), and a 20.5 percent pass-rush win rate. He added two forced fumbles, an interception, and 8.5 stuffs.

The former No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft looks the part of the defensive force the Jags envisioned him being when they took the chance on him that early in his class. Now, he will have plenty of suitors looking to acquire his services in hopes that he maintains that level of play and can propel them to a Super Bowl title.

Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Los Angeles are all legitimate playoff contenders in need of an additional rusher to help stunt opposing offenses and potentially create turnovers.

Allen would be a huge get for any of those teams, especially in the case of Baltimore or Kansas City, who could firmly establish dominance in the AFC with someone who can pressure opposing quarterbacks into making mistakes while dropping linebackers into coverage.

Do not expect him to get to that point, though.

The Jaguars are still a good team with plenty of playoff potential of their own. The 2023 season did not end as they had hoped but a healthy Trevor Lawrence, and an addition or two to the defensive side of the ball, are all that is keeping them from competing in the AFC.

The organization knows how important he is to what they want to do on the field and will likely exercise their franchise tag to keep him. At least for 2024, anyway.

Prediction: Allen signs a franchise tag and stays with Jacksonville next season

Like Allen, Brian Burns is one of the most talented defensive players in the league. His abilities jump off the screen, especially when rushing the passer. He is a difference-maker who has been far too good to play on the far too-bad Carolina Panthers teams he has been a part of since joining the league in 2019.

He has 46 career sacks, eight forced fumbles, two recoveries, and 34.5 stuffs. While 2023 was a down year compared to his career-best in 2022, he was still at the forefront of trade rumors as legitimate Super Bowl contenders sought his services in hopes of upgrading their defense.

The Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens all checked in on Burns before the trade deadline this season. All were rejected by the Panthers.

Including the Rams' offer of two first-round picks in 2022.

The team's desire to hold onto Burns suggests they know exactly how valuable he is, not only as potential trade bait but to the Panthers' on-field product. He is far and away the best player on the team and losing him would only further hurt the connection between the team and its fans, who have not had much to be excited about.

Like Allen, expect the Panthers to use the franchise tag on him to keep him in Carolina at least until the trade deadline, when the team's win-loss record and overall direction could finally dictate that he is dealt to a contender willing to pay up.

Prediction: Burns signs a franchise tag, remains with Carolina

Kirk Cousins was on-pace for a career year in 2023 until a torn Achilles sidelined him eight games into the season.

Through October 29, Cousins tallied 2331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He compiled four quarterback ratings of 100 or more and only in an October 1 game against Carolina did he dip below 90.

Had he not been injured, and continued that pace, there is an argument to be made that he would be in the MVP conversation. The only issue? His team was only 4-4 during that stretch.

Cousins has been adamant about his free agency being about winning games and championships, not earning the biggest payday possible.

"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.

He has not closed the door on a return to the Vikings but outside of short-lived playoff runs, the team has not had the success it had hoped for when inking Cousins to a contract back in 2018.

Cousins is a statistically great quarterback. He puts up big yards and throws for plenty of touchdowns. In big games, however, he tends to play his worst. His record in primetime games, for example, is just 12-20, with an 8-8 record at home.

When the lights are brightest, he struggles to guide his team to victories, even if his play is not necessarily the reason for the loss. Look no further than last year's Wild Card game, where a four-loss Vikings team suffered a crushing defeat to a barely-in New York Giants squad, in a game where he did not make key mistakes but was outplayed by Daniel Jones.

Even with all of that said, there are any number of teams in search of a quarterback that would incrementally better with Cousins under center.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, in particular, would be a Super Bowl contender with a consistently competent quarterback throwing the ball to George Pickens and Deonte Johnson. Ditto the Atlanta Falcons, who have the position players around Cousins to make a statement in a very winnable NFC South.

The New England Patriots are a dark horse candidate, though they do not have nearly the appealing pieces on offense to convince Cousins to finish out his career with the team.

Though the Steelers are not known for making big splashes in free agency, look for them to inquire about Cousins and if the money makes sense, to attempt to bring him aboard for what is the last year on head coach Mike Tomlin's contract.

Prediction: Cousins signs a three-year deal with Pittsburgh