Monday Mocks: 2024 Free Agent Class
Editors note: Ryan McDowell gets a well-deserved week off, with Mike Faiella covering for him. Mike and friends put together a mock draft, focusing on 2024 free agents. This was submitted prior to today’s “legal tampering period,” which has already resulted in many new landing spots for these players, but the content is still relevant, and entertaining. Enjoy!
Welcome to Monday Mocks, where Ryan brings you…you guessed it, a new mock draft every Monday during the off-season. With Ryan out, I will attempt to fill the space with a mock that meets the incredible standard that Ryan has set.
After consecutive weeks of rookie mock drafts, we turn our attention to the latest date on the NFL calendar, Franchise Tags and Free Agency. With all the tags in as of March 5th, we are doing a Superflex/Tight End Premium mock draft using only NFL Free Agents post tag deadline. This means that while we are very happy for Mike Evans and Dalton Schultz receiving new deals, they will be ineligible for this draft. As will Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman who both received the franchise tag from their respective organizations.
The one exception that was allowed was Russell Wilson who is not technically a free agent until the start of the NFL season but we know it is coming and, to be honest, we could use him to make this a little more exciting.
We have a star-studded cast of analysts making two picks each (with me making four because I was short one friend), so let’s get rolling!
ROUND ONE:
1.01 (Bob Gilchrist) – Saquon Barkley RB (former New York Giant)
Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers
The clear number one running back on the market, Saquon is an easy choice here. At only 27 years old, Saquon should quickly find a new team and cement himself as an RB1 in dynasty for a few more years
1.02 (Matt Price) – Derrick Henry RB (former Tennessee Titan)
Ideal Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens
I want Derrick Henry to the Ravens to happen more than anything else in free agency. The identity of the Ravens is to play tough defense and run with authority. No one fits with Baltimore more than Derrick Henry.
1.03 (Dustin “Omega” Keith) – Baker Mayfield QB (former Tampa Bay Buccaneer)
Ideal Landing Spot: Returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker is sure to go back to TB with Mike Evans locked in for two more years. It will be hard to find a better QB2 for the cost to acquire him.
1.04 (Ric Avery) – Calvin Ridley (former Jacksonville Jaguar)
Ideal Landing Spot: Returning to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Reuniting Ridley with the Jaguars and a healthy Lawrence could be an ideal scenario, capitalizing on their connection and his first year’s productivity as the team’s top receiver. I expect him to elevate the offense again.
1.05 (Andrew Cooper) – Josh Jacobs (former Las Vegas Raider)
Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans
Saquon Barkley is off the board so I’ll take the other elite RB option, Josh Jacobs, and put him on the Texans. They use the same scheme that the 49ers and Dolphins do and look at how their RBs produced. Even Devin Singletary looked good in HOU in 2023 (now he’s an unrestricted free agent). Give me Josh Jacobs running behind Laremy Tunsil and a fullback in that scheme all day long.
1.06 (Mike Faiella) – Kirk Cousins (former Minnesota Viking)
Ideal Landing Spot: Atlanta Falcons
I know the injury concerns are there but this is only one of two remaining QBs that I am confident will be starting next season. If he lands with those weapons in Atlanta, he should return to a bankable QB1.
Author’s Note: Did I forget I made an exception to include Russell Wilson when I made this pick? Absolutely! Embarrassing to be the person who made the rules and then forgot them mere minutes later but here we are.
1.07 (Leo Paciga) – Austin Ekeler (former Los Angeles Charger)
Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs
With questionable QB targets/values left on the board, I’ll go with Ekeler anticipating he lands with a team that can utilize his skills in the passing game. Yes, he’s coming off the worst season of his career, but I’ll wager that the decrease in productivity was due more to injuries, poor line play & the dysfunction of the Chargers than Austin’s diminishing skill set. Even at 28, I expect a bounce-back year in ’24 for Austin Ekeler & a serviceable 2-3 year window for fantasy production in PPR leagues.
1.08 (Schuyler Malak) – Tony Pollard (former Dallas Cowboy)
Ideal Landing Spot: Returning to the Dallas Cowboys
Perhaps we underestimated the impact Tony Pollard’s leg injury would have in 2023. He did not have the same burst in his post-Ezekiel Elliot soloist opportunity as he showed in 2022. Being only behind Christian McCaffrey in Red Zone rushes, Pollard’s measly 8% conversion rate (26th among players with greater than 30 opportunities) is to blame for the difference between a solid season and a forgettable one. Now one year removed from lower extremity surgery, you’re getting solid upside in Pollard with an entry cost around RB24 prices. If acquirable for expendable assets, Pollard is a solid buy-low target. Worries should lie within Pollard’s ability to play quick/aggressive and not with who else is featured within his backfield, wherever that is. Personally, I’d like another season in Dallas for the former Memphis Tiger.
1.09 (John Arrington) – Russell Wilson (former Denver Bronco)
Ideal Landing Spot: Atlanta Falcons
I feel like my draftmates and the dynasty community have forgotten about Wilson because of the fact that he was released by Denver. The fit never seemed to work with Sean Payton and Russell Wilson, so in my opinion, this gives Russ a fresh start. He now has the ability to choose which team he goes to and he may even be willing to take a small contract because of the fact that he’s still being paid handsomely by Denver.
1.10 (Wyatt Bertolone) – Marquise “Hollywood” Brown former Arizona Cardinal
Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are in need of a wide receiver that can stretch the field and actually make a play when the ball is thrown their way. Marquise Brown can do just that. His 2023 wasn’t what we hoped in a new Arizona offense with subpar quarterback play for half the season but I believe Brown still has the juice and ability to make an impact.
1.11 (Alex Dushanes) – Tyler Boyd (former Cincinnati Bengal)
Ideal Landing Spot: New England Patriots
Tyler Boyd is a super interesting FA in a market that’s drying up quickly. His slot services could be highly coveted if he parts ways with Cincy. While KC might be the perfect spot, it’s too easy so I’ll bypass the Chiefs and take New England. The Patriots have no talent in their WR room, and furthermore seem to be having an identity crisis. Boyd could be the perfect “move the chains” professional New England needs to ease their future play-caller into the NFL.
1.12 (Mike Faiella) – D’Andre Swift (former Philadelphia Eagle)
Ideal Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns
Swift showed flashes with the Eagles but ultimately fell flat of his fantasy managers’ expectations due to inconsistent workload and QB vulturing of the short-yardage TDs. Cleveland would not only give him the Kareem Hunt workload but he could also take work from Jerome Ford in a solid rush offense
ROUND TWO:
2.01 – Gabe Davis (former Buffalo Bill)
Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs
Last year’s fantasy darling after a breakout in the playoffs, Gabe Davis mostly fell flat. The hit or miss player has frustrated fantasy managers but may see a resurgence in Kansas City. Can he capitalize on the MVS role more than his predecessor? We might get a chance to find out!
2.02 – Noah Fant (former Seattle Seahawk)
Ideal Landing Spot: Cincinnati Bengals
Fant quietly has three 50+ reception seasons and his best football is likely still ahead of him after getting lost in the shuffle in his final year in Seattle. Landing in a high-powered offense that needs a reliable third target could bring Fant back into fantasy consideration
2.03 – Devin Singletary (former Houston Texan)
Ideal Landing Spot: Returning to the Houston Texans
Singletary has done nothing but produce wherever he goes. The Texans obviously want to move on from Pierce and even if they draft a rookie or bring in another FA I think he re-signs with the Texans who just locked up Shultz and are looking to build consistent success from last year.
2.04 – Curtis Samuel (former Washington Commander)
Ideal Landing Spot: Chicago Bears
Curtis Samuel could be a perfect weapon for the Chicago Bears offense. He’d bring much-needed depth and playmaking ability to their receiving corps. Over the past two seasons with Washington, he racked up a solid 1,269 yards, 183 targets, and 8 touchdowns. Pairing him with a potential upgrade at quarterback, either Justin Fields or a rookie like Caleb Williams could unlock even more of his potential.
2.05 – Hunter Henry (former New England Patriot)
Ideal Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers
In the tight end world, targets are everything. We are looking for a path to being a top two target on the team. The Carolina Panthers released Hayden Hurst and their best pass catcher right now is Adam Thielen, who turns 34 this season. Henry could be a steady target for the young QB.
2.06 – JK Dobbins (former Baltimore Raven)
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Giants
So much talent here, just can’t stay healthy. I’m cheering for a full recovery and that the Giants fix their O-line in this draft for a nice landing spot for Dobbins to establish himself as a top back again
2.07 – Antonio Gibson (former Washington Commander)
Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers
There’s been ample talk about the RB position in L.A. especially with new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh fervently championing the running game like a street corner preacher discusses the rapture. There will be ample opportunity for the running backs who land with the Chargers and Antonio Gibson would be a nice fit for a discounted price compared to the heavy hitters in this free agent RB class. Gibson, who turns 26 this summer, has 3,926 yards from scrimmage and 29 total TDs through 4 seasons with minimal wear and tear (642 rushing attempts). He’s also averaged 43 receptions per year and has the ability to challenge a defense by lining up as a WR that can threaten downfield. Gibson won’t be an every-down option, but when you factor in price point and ability, he’s a great fit for the Chargers as a back with enough size, skill, and pass-catching ability to produce solid numbers in this new Charger offense.
2.08 – Zack Moss (former Indianapolis Colt)
Ideal Landing Spot: Returning to the Indianapolis Colts
Zack Moss was the RB4 during his 5 game stint as the Colts’ lead back. It is undetermined if he will return, but Moss showed us enough in 2023 to view him as a player with solid upside contingency value. Assuming he signs with a team that intends to find him a role, Zack Moss is a desirable fantasy handcuff. At this point in the draft, Moss’s contingency value likely supersedes the higher range of outcomes for the remaining WRs.
2.09 – Darnell Mooney (former Chicago Bear)
Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs
Mooney has disappointed after flashing in his second season in the NFL. Injuries to himself and his QB definitely haven’t helped anything, but he seems to fit what the Chiefs have been looking for; a speed/downfield threat. The Chiefs have tried bringing in multiple speedsters, but none of them seem to have the ability to actually catch the ball. In steps Mooney!
2.10 – Jameis Winston (former New Orleans Saint)
Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders
I still think Winston is one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the league and a fantasy-friendly one at that, loving to push the ball down the field (have to love that for Davante Adams). The Raiders might not be able to get one of the top QBs in the draft so Winston could be a backup plan as an upgrade to Aidan O’Connell to help Antonio Pierce field a competitive team.
2.11 – Kareem Hunt (former Cleveland Brown)
Ideal Landing Spot: Dallas Cowboys
Hunt is going to annoy people next year wherever he goes. You know he won’t be a workhorse and will just muddy up any RB room he finds himself in. While we all want DAL to take a stud rookie, isn’t it so very Jerry Jones to bring in a rushing champ from nearly a decade ago? However, bringing in a 1B could be exactly what Pollard needs after showing he couldn’t be the lone guy. There are few teams more desperate to win now than the Cowboys.
2.12 – Jacoby Brissett (former Washington Commander)
Ideal Landing Spot: New England Patriots
If not for the absurd, fully guaranteed contract of Deshaun Watson, this would be a great spot for Joe Flacco. Unfortunately, the Browns need to reinsert Watson as the starter so let’s grab an old friend (and the guy who was in the Flacco role before Flacco) Jacoby Brissett and send him back to New England. That should get you 3-5 starts before the 3rd overall pick takes over. Better than nothing this late in the draft!
Ryan will be back next week with another mock draft!
- Monday Mocks: 2024 Free Agent Class - March 11, 2024
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Strategy: Draft Pick Value - December 21, 2023
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Strategy: Bankroll Leagues - July 28, 2022
