NFL free agency is a year-round process, as teams scout opposing players in an effort to defeat them during the year and perhaps sign them in the offseason.
Now we're at the end of the 2023-24 NFL season, the free agency picture is coming into focus, and teams are beginning to identify potential targets to improve their roster weaknesses.
Here are the top linebackers slated to hit free agency in 2024. Click here for PFF's full list of the top 200 free agents.
1. LB FRANKIE LUVU, CAROLINA PANTHERS
2024 Free agency rank: 34
Luvu burst onto the scene in 2021 and has continued to be one of the best pass-rushing off-ball linebackers in the NFL, with his 43 pressures since 2022 ranking fourth at the position and his 9.5 sacks ranking first.
Luvu has also amassed 62 defensive stops against the run since 2022, which ranks 12th among linebackers over the span. Luvu has limitations in coverage but is a menace coming forward and rushing the passer or shooting through gaps to rack up tackles for loss.
Top free agent comparison: Kaden Elliss, 2023
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Frankie Luvu | 86.6 | 56.4 | 3.9% | 7.7% | ? |
| Kaden Elliss | 84.0 | 57.8 | 4.9% | 7.2% | 3.2% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
2. LB LAVONTE DAVID, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
2024 Free agency rank: 39
David earned his lowest regular-season overall grade since 2016 in 2023 but is still Mr. Reliable with a run-defense grade above 70.0 and a 65.0-plus coverage grade for the seventh consecutive year. David is one of the greatest coverage linebackers to ever play the game, and as more time passes, his thinking one step ahead of the opposing quarterback is on display more and more each week, overcoming some physical limitations through an unrivaled knowledge of the game.
As a free agent last year, David didn’t push very hard to maximize his earnings, and it appears he may be content entering his 13th season all with Tampa Bay.
Top free agent comparison: Karlos Dansby, 2014
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Lavonte David | 77.8 | 90.4 | 6.0% | 7.5% | ? |
| Karlos Dansby | 79.8 | 86.9 | 8.5% | 11.2% | 4.5% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
3. LB PATRICK QUEEN, BALTIMORE RAVENS
2024 Free agency rank: 45
Queen’s pass-rushing prowess is not captured below (much like Carolina Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu highlighted above), but it carries significant value in addition to his strong play against the run and in coverage over the past two seasons. His 48 quarterback pressures and eight sacks over the past two seasons are both second among off-ball linebackers.
With Baltimore's addition of linebacker Roquan Smith — the highest-paid player at the position after last year’s extension — and the team having several other pending free agents, Queen should get to test the market and potentially do quite well for himself.
Top free agent comparison: Jamie Collins, 2017
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Patrick Queen | 71.3 | 67.9 | 3.4% | 6.4% | ? |
| Jamie Collins | 74.7 | 67.5 | 3.7% | 9.0% | 7.5% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
4. LB JORDYN BROOKS, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2024 Free agency rank: 50
Brooks draws tough assignments in coverage, which knocks his grade a bit, but it also illustrates the trust this defense has in him. His ability to return by Week 1 of 2023 from a torn ACL suffered in Week 17 of 2022 was extremely impressive, and he posted career highs in pass-rush grade and coverage grade this season. Brooks is a three-down player who could continue to grow with improved health and experience.
Perhaps it would be wise for Brooks to sign a shorter deal that enables him to get back on the market sooner for another bite at the apple, with more good play to put on tape another year removed from his torn ACL.
Top free agent comparison: Bobby Okereke, 2023
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Jordyn Brooks | 61.1 | 48.3 | 4.4% | 8.6% | ? |
| Bobby Okereke | 67.3 | 62.0 | 1.7% | 7.8% | 4.4% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
5. LB BOBBY WAGNER, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2024 Free agency rank: 58
The ageless wonder may not be the elite coverage linebacker he was for the better part of a decade, but he is still a tackling machine sideline to sideline with dogged pursuit on every single snap and the requisite strength to shed blockers when coming forward. Wagner has lost athletic ability in space, but he’s made up a lot of that ground due to his play recognition and football IQ.
Top free agent comparison: Daryl Smith, 2016
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Bobby Wagner | 92.7 | 66.7 | 4.0% | 9.1% | ? |
| Daryl Smith | 77.5 | 62.7 | 5.0% | 8.5% | 1.6% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
6. LB AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR, TENNESSEE TITANS
2024 Free agency rank: 70
Al-Shaair was the 49ers’ third linebacker while working behind star Fred Warner and the hard-hitting Dre Greenlaw from 2019-22 before signing a one-year, $5 million deal with the Titans last offseason. Al-Shaair is completely fearless coming forward and attacking gaps in the run game, bursting through blocks or fighting with a second effort to make a play. There are limitations in coverage, but if any team needs an early-down thumper in the run game, Al-Shaair is the guy.
Top free agent comparison: Todd Davis, 2018
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Azeez Al-Shaair | 76.5 | 57.2 | 2.8% | 8.0% | ? |
| Todd Davis | 85.3 | 52.5 | 2.6% | 9.1% | 2.8% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
7. LB DEVIN WHITE, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
2024 Free agency rank: 73
White carries top-five-pick pedigree into free agency, which will always lead to a stronger market, and he’s consistently one of the most productive pass rushers among off-ball linebackers, using his elite athleticism to explode into the backfield. White’s issue at the NFL level has been biting on play action too frequently, freelancing at times and struggling in coverage generally, and it’s not great timing that 2023 was his least productive year by far in terms of defensive stops, tackles and pressures.
Top free agent comparison: N/A
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Devin White | 29.7 | 42.6 | 5.1% | 6.3% | ? |
| N/A | – | – | – | – | – |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
8. LB JOSEY JEWELL, DENVER BRONCOS
2024 Free agency rank: 78
Jewell may not be great in any one facet of linebacker play, but he’s good in all of them. And a well-rounded linebacker is an asset to any defense. Jewell covers well in zone, with good spatial awareness to get proper depth, and he has the ability to come forward and blitz up the middle on occasion.
Jewell wears the green dot on defense and gets everyone lined up, and he rarely seems out of position. A team looking for a field general with several years of starter experience could do much worse.
Top free agent comparison: Wesley Woodyard, 2014
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Josey Jewell | 74.1 | 72.4 | 3.6% | 6.0% | ? |
| Wesley Woodyard | 61.2 | 75.5 | 1.6% | 8.8% | 2.9% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
9. LB BLAKE CASHMAN, HOUSTON TEXANS
2024 Free agency rank: 80
Cashman was acquired via trade from the New York Jets before the 2022 season but went on to play just 149 defensive snaps due to a concussion sidelining him for a while. Flash-forward to 2023 with the arrival of new head coach and former NFL linebacker DeMeco Ryans, and Cashman is having a career year.
Cashman’s pass-rush ability has been the value add we’ve known about even when he logged limited snaps in past years, but his eight tackles for loss or no gain against the run is a top-15 mark, and his 79.7 coverage grade ranks 15th. Among 55 linebackers with at least 50 tackles in 2023, Cashman’s 7% missed tackle rate is a top-15 mark.
Over the past two seasons, Cashman has racked up 19 pressures, five sacks and five quarterback hits on just 94 pass-rush snaps, and that will be the skill he hangs his hat on in free agency.
Top free agent comparison: Zaire Franklin, 2022
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Blake Cashman | 82.7 | 71.9 | 7.8% | 8.0% | ? |
| Zaire Franklin | 74.9 | 73.0 | 5.6% | 6.0% | 1.6% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
10. LB DRUE TRANQUILL, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
2024 Free agency rank: 81
It came as a surprise last offseason when Tranquill’s free agent market didn’t pan out, but he eventually joined the Chiefs on a one-year, $3 million flier. Tranquill is light on his feet and can get washed out of plays against the run, but he more than makes up for it in coverage and as a free rusher. Tranquill has recorded 33 quarterback pressures and 10 sacks dating back to 2022.
As a coverage backer, Tranquill has recorded 36 stops in coverage since 2022, and his 0.85 yards per coverage snap allowed over the span is a top-25 mark. Tranquill possesses the change-of-direction ability to carry running backs on out-breaking routes to the flat, as well as the backpedaling speed to patrol the deep middle in a variety of Tampa 2-esque looks that Steve Spagnuolo likes to deploy and disguise, making his fit and big role in this defense unsurprising despite a lot of draft capital invested at the position in recent years.
Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson had a similar profile before signing a one-year, $2.75 million contract in 2021.
Top free agent comparison: Kyzir White, 2022
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Drue Tranquill | 47.3 | 73.4 | 3.1% | 7.0% | ? |
| Kyzir White | 53.5 | 70.6 | 3.7% | 6.3% | 1.4% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
11. LB Jordan Hicks, Minnesota Vikings
2024 Free agency rank: 96
Hicks was having his best season in a half-decade through Week 10 before a scary injury required a trip to the hospital and an extended absence from football, but he did return in Week 16. Hicks moves well north to south and packs a punch as a tackler, rarely missing many opportunities despite a very high volume in defensive stops and total tackles over the past five years. He has some limitations in coverage at this stage of his career, with average stop-and-start ability horizontally, but Hicks is a tone-setter over the middle who makes a ton of plays each week.
Top free agent comparison: Kevin Burnett, 2013
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Jordan Hicks | 83.8 | 49.5 | 4.5% | 8.7% | ? |
| Kevin Burnett | 73.2 | 50.8 | 4.6% | 9.2% | 2.3% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
12. LB Willie Gay, Kansas City Chiefs
2024 Free agency rank: 105
Top free agent comparison: Cody Barton, 2023
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Willie Gay | 63.6 | 56.2 | 1.0% | 6.7% | ? |
| Cody Barton | 64.5 | 53.3 | 3.3% | 7.3% | 1.6% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
13. LB Tyrel Dodson, Buffalo Bills
2024 Free agency rank: 109
Top free agent comparison: Nick Kwiatkoski, 2020
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Tyrel Dodson | 77.2 | 66.2 | 4.7% | 10.3% | ? |
| Nick Kwiatkoski | 69.3 | 64.8 | 4.7% | 7.7% | 3.5% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
14. LB Oren Burks, San Francisco 49ers
2024 Free agency rank: 112
Burks will always carry special teams value which should establish a higher floor for him contractually, in line with recently-signed linebackers like Zaire Franklin and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, among others.
Top free agent comparison: Zaire Franklin, 2022
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Oren Burks | 76.1 | 76.5 | 2.4% | 6.8% | ? |
| Zaire Franklin | 74.9 | 73.0 | 5.6% | 6.0% | 1.6% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
15. LB Nicholas Morrow, Philadelphia Eagles
2024 Free agency rank: 140
Top free agent comparison: Kyzir White, 2023
| Player | Run-defense grade | Coverage grade in the box | Forced incompletion rate | Run-stop rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Nicholas Morrow | 58.5 | 63.9 | 3.4% | 7.9% | ? |
| Kyzir White | 64.8 | 67.0 | 4.4% | 7.8% | 2.2% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
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