If you don’t have a good quarterback, what do you have? An opportunity to get better. The most important position on the field is the QB. Teams are always looking to find a franchise signal caller in the draft. However, that doesn’t always happen. If it did, quarterbacks wouldn’t be such a hot commodity.
Several quarterbacks are looking for new homes in 2024. Two marquee names will immediately be the starter on whatever team they sign with. But you and I both know that can change in a heartbeat. One moment, you’re the king of the town, and the next, you’re on the first train out of town.
Let’s look at the betting odds and make our predictions for the 2024 NFL Free Agency quarterback class.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
2024 NFL Free Agency: QB Odds & Predictions
Kirk Cousins
12-Year Veteran | Age 35
Kirk Cousins has been in the league for 12 years, the last six with the Minnesota Vikings. In Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers, he tore his Achilles, ending his 2023 season just eight games in. Reports right now have him ahead of schedule on his rehab.
Bringing experience to the table is one of the best attributes that Cousins has. The Michigan State product has a 101.2 passer rating in the last six years with the Vikings. He also averaged 11.1 yards gained per pass completion for an average of 264 yards per game.
The odds-on favorite landing spots are returning to the Vikings (+450) and signing with the Atlanta Falcons (+200). Cousins might have to give the Vikings a hometown discount to finish his career there. They still have to extend Justin Jefferson, and they just re-upped T.J. Hockenson last year. Jordan Addison, a talented rookie, also joined the fold in 2023, making it an appealing group of weapons for Cousins to work with.
The Falcons seem to be missing one crucial piece to the puzzle to take them to the top of the NFC South. Drafting Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson in the last three drafts have given them a trio of weapons that can take a game over at any time.
No matter where he ends up, look for Cousins to be in high demand.
Stacey’s Pick: Atlanta Falcons (+200)
Baker Mayfield
6-Year Veteran | Age 28
Jan. 15: Tampa, Fla.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield looks for a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns took Baker Mayfield with the first-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. After four seasons he was traded to the Carolina Panthers. After a brief stint in Carolina and then with the Los Angeles Rams to end the year, he found himself with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers took a chance on a one-year, prove-it deal with Mayfield, and it paid off. In one season with the Buccaneers, he had a passer rating of 94.6, his best since his 2020 season with the Cleveland Browns. He averaged 11.1 yards gained per pass completion for 237 yards per game. The two-time Heisman Trophy winner led the Buccaneers to their third straight NFC South title and to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
Two of my favorite landing spots for Mayfield are to return to the Buccaneers (-200) or sign with the Las Vegas Raiders (+700).
After another season of over 1,000 receiving yards, Tampa Bay signed Mike Evans to a new two-year, $52 million dollar contract. The Buccaneers also signed Liam Coen as the new offensive coordinator. Coen was in Los Angeles as the offensive coordinator with Mayfield during his time with the Rams. It looks like Tampa Bay is trying to get the cards in place for another run at the NFC South. That is, if they can resign Mayfield.
The Las Vegas Raiders are a team sitting in a good place to sign Mayfield. They have cap room and the No. 13 draft pick in the upcoming draft. The Texas native would be a good addition to pair up with Davante Adams. Signing Mayfield to a two or three-year contract to be a bridge while drafting a quarterback at the 13 spots could also be in play. Bringing in a young quarterback and giving him time to sit would be a good investment. Mayfield might just be the spark plug for head coach Antonio Pierce to get the team back to the Raider way.
The great thing about this time of year is that we don’t have to wait long. When the dominoes start to fall on these signings, they will happen quickly. The next few weeks will be busy as teams try to address all their needs for the 2024 season. The question is which organizations will get the quarterback they want to lead their teams and which will go back to the drawing board.
Stacey’s Pick: Las Vegas Raiders (+700)
Thanks for checking out my 2024 NFL Free Agency QB betting odds & predictions. Looking for more fantasy football & NFL betting advice? Follow me on Twitter @sdcochran99.
*Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker – USA TODAY Sports*