PFF’s Brad Spielberger released his 2024 NFL free agent rankings that rank his top 50 players who are set to enter free agency. Two Minnesota Vikings made the list and the names shouldn’t shock anyone.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins ranked second behind only Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones.
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
Contract Projection: Two years, $60 million ($30 million per year), $37.5 million total guaranteed
The other Viking to make the list was edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who ranked 12th, the third-highest edge rusher behind Jacksonville’s Josh Allen and Carolina’s Brian Burns.
Hunter has been a revelation in new defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy scheme, though he was just as productive in 2022. Teams that run a 3-4 or 4-3 could probably find a way to effectively deploy Hunter, and injury concerns of a few years ago seem like distant memories. He is on pace for another season with 900-plus snaps, 70-plus quarterback pressures and double-digit sacks.
Top free agent comparison: Jason Pierre-Paul, 2017
Contract Projection: Three years, $65 million ($21.67 million per year), $40 million total guaranteed
How Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Minnesota front office handle this off-season will define the direction this regime is looking to take. Last year, they let go of Za’Darius Smith (who also made this list), signaling they were looking more toward the franchise’s future. But after the success that both Hunter and Cousins had this season, there could be more of an emphasis on competing now than building for the future.
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