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 quarterbacks slated to hit free agency in 2024. Click here for PFF's full list of the top 200 free agents.
1. QB KIRK COUSINS, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2024 Free agency rank: 2
An ill-timed torn Achilles derailed another strong season from Cousins, and he looked set to have a host of suitors in free agency, as he did back in 2018. Cousins still has the requisite arm strength to throw to all levels of the field and has been as accurate as ever in recent seasons.
Top free agent comparison: Philip Rivers, 2020
| Player | Clean-pocket grade | 1st & 2nd down grade | Standard dropback grade | Sack rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Kirk Cousins | 91.1 | 89.1 | 90.3 | 5.9% | ? |
| Philip Rivers | 91.2 | 89.0 | 87.3 | 5.5% | 12.6% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
2. QB Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
2024 Free agency rank: 68
Tannehill will be 36 years old in 2024, coming off a $27 million salary on the final year of his extension signed in 2020, but he could still be a bridge starter to a young quarterback, much like he was this season with the Tennessee Titans and Will Levis. Tannehill is a good athlete who wins off play action and with solid intermediate accuracy on rollouts to both the right and left. His pressure-to-sack rate has been too high for a few years now, but in his defense, he’s been operating behind a very porous offensive line with a pass-catching corps that does not create quick separation.
Top free agent comparison: Andy Dalton, 2023
| Player | Clean pocket grade | 1st & 2nd down grade | Standard dropback grade | Sack rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Ryan Tannehill | 88.1 | 84.3 | 77.0 | 9.3% | ? |
| Andy Dalton | 81.7 | 75.8 | 79.0 | 6.3% | 2.2% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
Mayfield made the most of his starting opportunity with the Buccaneers and at least left the door open to be involved in future training camp battles for starting jobs. He has brought his pressure-to-sack rate way down to 18.3% during the regular season, well below his rate over the past two seasons.
The former No. 1 overall pick kept his eyes downfield amid pressure and made more plays outside of structure than normal, with a heavy dose of RPO and play-action concepts from new offensive coordinator Dave Canales moving the pocket and simplifying his progressions. Mayfield still puts the ball in harm’s way too often, but he showed signs of individual growth in yet another new offense.
Top free agent comparison: Jameis Winston, 2022
| Player | Clean pocket grade | 1st & 2nd down grade | Standard dropback grade | Sack rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Baker Mayfield | 78.3 | 64.5 | 67.5 | 7.5% | ? |
| Jameis Winston | 84.1 | 65.5 | 70.3 | 6.3% | 6.7% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
Minshew accompanied Colts head coach Shane Steichen on his move from Philadelphia to Indianapolis and made the most of his opportunity once he was quickly made the full-time starter following a season-ending injury for Anthony Richardson in Week 5. Minshew generally takes what the defense gives him and matriculates the ball down the field with underneath throws. The Colts have run the most RPOs of any team in the league this season, which leads to simpler “either-or” decisions and schemed-up first reads. However, when necessary, Minshew isn’t afraid to uncork the ball to the intermediate and deep parts of the field.
At the same time, Minshew still has an erratic nature to his game, with frantic feet in the pocket that at times cause him to miss throwing windows or lead to inaccurate throws. Minshew has put the ball in harm's way far too many times in 2023, but the high-variance nature of his play can also win games.
Top free agent comparison: Brian Hoyer, 2015
| Player | Clean pocket grade | 1st & 2nd down grade | Standard dropback grade | Sack rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Gardner Minshew | 73.8 | 63.2 | 64.1 | 6.0% | ? |
| Brian Hoyer | 69.8 | 58.3 | 57.2 | 4.9% | 3.7% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
5. QB Jacoby Brissett, Washington Commanders
2024 Free agency rank: 126
Top free agent comparison: Andy Dalton, 2023
| Player | Clean pocket grade | 1st & 2nd down grade | Standard dropback grade | Sack rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Jacoby Brissett | 90.3 | 76.8 | 86.7 | 5.4% | ? |
| Andy Dalton | 81.7 | 75.8 | 79.0 | 6.3% | 2.2% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
6. QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
2024 Free agency rank: 130
Top free agent comparison: Joe Flacco, 2022
| Player | Clean pocket grade | 1st & 2nd down grade | Standard dropback grade | Sack rate | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Jameis Winston | 65.9 | 67.5 | 58.9 | 7.3% | ? |
| Joe Flacco | 70.0 | 64.3 | 62.3 | 4.7% | 1.7% |
*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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