In this daily series, we will look at all 633 unrestricted free agents who are scheduled to reach the market on March 11th at 12:00 ET, when teams can begin negotiating with them. Despite this, many transactions will be made before that time, with the combine serving as the start of the unofficial tampering period. Some will not be able to attend because they were franchised before the 4pm ET deadline on March 5th or were extended by their existing team.
Before somebody starts complaining about why we’re covering x position when we don’t need a player there. It is critical to examine every aspect of a roster since what you may obtain in free agency greatly influences what you do with extensions, trades, and the draft.
A team like the Cleveland Browns uses free agency and trades to fill any starting positions on the roster because they want to win now rather than develop a starter later in the season. They plan to use their backup and depth positions to develop future starters, so keep a watch on who Andrew Berry drafts later this summer.
We will go over all of the unrestricted free agency names across all positions, explaining why we believe they are targets or not, as well as others that are in the murky area yet excite us. Players who are restricted free agents or exclusive free agents are not included because they are unlikely to reach free agency due to their frequent returns, which should not be a focus.
How these articles will be written: we will look at all of the starting quality players on a daily basis: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, tackles, guards, centers, edges, defensive tackles, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safety.
Then we’ll go over the rotational/backup players, releasing them one by one: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, tackles, guards, centers, edges, defensive tackles, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties.
Then we will post two articles per day for the final set.
The depth/special teams choices include quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, tackles, guards, centers, edges, defensive tackles, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties.
Plus, a VIP set of articles in which the OBR crew will each add what they would do this offseason in the following positions: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, tackles, guards, centers, edges, defensive tackles, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties.
Then, since I promised to look at all 633 players, I’ll write one more post to wrap up the coverage of specialists.
Previous Position: Room
2020—Goodson, Smith, Takitaki, Wilson, Phillips, Davis
2021: Walker, Owusu-Koramoah, Takitaki, Wilson, Smith, Fields.
2022: Walker, Owusu-Koramoah, Takitaki, Phillips, Fields.
2023: Walker, Owusu-Koramoah, Takitaki, Fields, Adams, Diabate.
Current Position: Room
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s 2024 salary is $1,543,122, with no guarantees.
Tony Fields’ 2024 salary is $1,055,000, with no guarantees.
Mohamed Diabate
2024: $915,000 (no assurances)
2025: $1,030,000 (no promises)
2026: Restricted Free Agent.
Charlie Thomas’ 2024 salary is $915,000, with no guarantees.
2025: Exclusive Rights Free Agent.
2026 – Exclusive Rights Free Agent.
2027: Restricted Free Agent.
Caleb Johnson
2024 – $795,000 (no guarantees)
2025 – Exclusive Rights Free Agent
2026 – Exclusive Rights Free Agent
2027 – Restricted Free Agent
Anthony Walker
Unrestricted Free Agent
Sione Takitaki
Unrestricted Free Agent
Matthew Adams
Unrestricted Free Agent
Jordan Kunaszyk
Unrestricted Free Agent
Jacob Phillips is an unrestricted free agent.
How Many in 2024?
The Cleveland Browns are expected to have six linebackers on the final 53-man roster in 2024, with one on the practice squad, based on prior seasons.
Who is not included? Exclusive free agents.
These are players with fewer than three accumulated seasons (6+ games on the roster), therefore the team can keep them for the league minimum with no assurances. These players have little negotiation power and can only sign or retire.
Cole Christiansen (chiefs) and Nate Landman (falcons).
Jack Gibbens of the Titans, Jack Cochrane of the Chiefs, Christian Elliss of the Patriots, and Kanai Mauga of the Raiders.
Restricted Free Agents
These are players with three accrued seasons, so a team can tender them, but the money is not guaranteed, and other teams can then offer them contracts. The team that owns their rights can match the agreement to keep them or take the selection listed below by letting them walk. Teams rarely make bids on these players.
Here are the Over The Caps projections:
The first round costs $6,464,000, while the second round costs $4,633,000.
Right of First Refusal ($2,828,000)
Steelers – Chapelle Russell
Commanders – De’Jon Harris
Commanders – Jabril Cox
Chargers – Blake Lynch
Rams – Christian Rozeboom
Broncos – Jonas Griffith
Lions – Anthony Pittman
Seahawks – Jon Rhattigan
Patriots – Terez Hall
Chargers – Amen Ogbongbemiga
Jaguars – Caleb Johnson
Anthony Walker
Current Team: Browns
Old Contract: $1,232,500/1
PFF LB Rank – 34th out of 89 (20% snap minimum)
Snaps –Â 454
PFF Missed Tackle – 12.2%
Jack’s Estimate:Â $2.5m a year
Jack: If he had stayed healthy until the end of the season, I believe he could have been looking at $3 million or more a year; however, given the late-season injury, I believe he will sign a modest deal with possibly some incentives on top of it. He means a lot to the locker room and gives you a solid foundation; you may be able to do better, but it will cost a lot more. I expect him to return next season, even if it’s simply to look into other alternatives for the future.
Blake Cashman
Current team: Texans
Old contract: $1.8 million per
PFF LB Rank: 5th out of 89 (20% snap minimum).
Snaps: 655 PFF Missed Tackle Rate: 9.8%
Jack’s estimate: $5 million per year.
Jack: He had a tremendous season in 2023 and enters free agency at the appropriate moment; given the Texans’ rookie QB agreement, I expect him to be retained. He is really reasonable for his price; the question a team like the Browns must address is whether JOK is twice the player of Cashman. He’s not going to end up with the Browns, but it’s important to understand the position market before giving someone a large agreement.
