A really interesting free agency guide from Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio, projecting the contract structure for the top 40 players slated to hit the market in 2024. From these 40 players, three would be interesting fits for the Green Bay Packers — position, value, and scheme-wise.
So let’s put their free agent profiles first (thanks, Josh and Kyle), and then a Packers-centric analysis.
1) WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Franchise Tag Likelihood: Low
Projected Contract: 3 yrs $70.5M, $23.5M APY, $45M Fully GTD
Year One Cap Hit: $7.5 million
Free agent profile: Higgins has been an alpha receiver buried behind another alpha receiver as a part of one of the best and deepest receiver rooms in the NFL. As the Robin to Ja’Marr Chase’s Batman, Higgins has still shown an ability to be a primary “X” receiver at times over the course of his first four years in the league. Over the course of 2021-2022 Higgins notched 261 targets, 179 catches, 2,577 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging just under 2.00 yards per route run. At 6’4 and 219 lbs. Higgins has prototypical size to complement good speed and can line up both inside and outside.
Outside of Evans, Higgins will be the most sought after receiving option on the market for wide receiver-needy teams. And with the recent explosion in the valuation of the receiver market he will be able to lock in a contract well ahead of other recent “Robins” like Chris Godwin and Mike Williams.
Kyle Dugger, New England Patriots
Franchise Tag Likelihood: Medium
Projected Contract: 3 years, $40.5 million, $13.5 APY, $25M GTD
Year One Cap Hit: $7.0 million
Free agent profile: Dugger’s best comp for contract extended late in the 2023 season. Grant Delpit agreed to a three-year, $36 million deal with the Browns recently. Over the past three seasons, Dugger has outperformed Delpit in tackles (278 to 276), interceptions (nine to six), passes defensed (20 to 17) and sacks (2.5 to 2.0).
And Dugger is playing more free safety than Delpit recently, which is typically the safety position that gets valued higher in free agency. As a versatile chess piece who can move up high, down into the box as well as play nickel against big slots and cover tight ends, Dugger should have a robust market of suitors who want him to help unlock their defense to be more multiple.
RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Franchise Tag Likelihood: Low
Projected Contract: 3 years, $31.5 million, $10.5M APY, $15M GTD
Year One Cap Hit: $4.2 million
Free agent profile: Once considered a generational prospect at running back, injuries have reduced his effectiveness to where Barley will no longer be considered a player who can reset his positional market. Still, Barkley is one of the best in the league at his position and a true three-down back.
