NFL Analysis
1/10/24
7 min read
2024 NFL Free Agency: Ranking Top 5 Wide Receivers
It’s no secret that the 2024 NFL Draft is loaded with wide receivers.
But before we get to Draft Day, all 32 NFL teams will need to get through NFL free agency first, and there are some talented wide receivers on the free agent market that teams will be aggressively targeting.
Today, we will rank the top five wide receivers who could hit free agency this offseason.
Top 5 Free-Agent WRs
5. Noah Brown, WR, Houston Texans 
One of the more underrated signings of the 2023 offseason was WR Noah Brown. While there are some bigger names out there, the value he brings to the table as a blocker, receiver and special teams player far exceeds what many others bring.
Brown, just 28 years old, has only been featured twice so far in his NFL career: his 2022 season with the Dallas Cowboys and his 2023 season with the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, this season, Brown dealt with some injuries that limited him to 10 games, but he was one of C.J. Stroud’s favorite targets when he was healthy and on the field.
Brown's impact is often felt down the field and over the middle of it in contested catch situations where he thrives hauling the tough pass in consistently.
While his stats don't overly excite, when you turn on the tape, you see a player who can make a big impact in modern day offenses. If healthy, Brown will be a solid WR2 option for a team needing a young, reliable pass catcher.
Team Fits: New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins
4. Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
While there’s a good chance Calvin Ridley could return to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, right now, he’s positioned to hit free agency.
It’s tough to call Ridley’s 2023 season a disappointment, but his connection with QB Trevor Lawrence never really got to the level many expected it to when the Jaguars traded for Ridley in 2022. But in Ridley’s so-called "down" year, he still hauled in 76 receptions on 136 targets for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.
Ridley, just 29 years old, is likely working back into prime football shape after missing the entire 2022 season and most of 2021 due to injury and a sports gambling suspension.
The 2018 first-round pick is one of the better pure route runners in the NFL and can be a big addition for a playoff contender to help put the team over the top. Even with some of the concerns on the field in 2023 and the suspension that forced him to miss an entire season, Ridley should have plenty of interest from teams needing wide receiver help.
Team Fits: New York Jets, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There’s been a lot of talk around Mike Evans' contract situation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the last year.
We're not far removed from Evans saying he wouldn't be returning to Tampa Bay if his contract wasn’t resolved before the start of the season. But after winning the AFC South for the third consecutive season, will cooler heads prevail? We’ll find out, but plenty of teams will be in on the 30-year-old receiver, who is coming off another strong season.
Evans is coming off his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard season in Tampa Bay. In 2023, Evans racked up 1,255 receiving yards on 79 receptions, both career-highs since 2018. Evans is — and has been — the definition of consistency since he was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M.
While it’s tough to predict the market for Evans when there's so much talent in this year's draft, his ability to win down the field and in the red zone, as well as the impact he makes in the locker room, will go a long way for a team needing his presence on — and off — the field.
Despite his age and lingering injuries, Evans has played in at least 15 games in nine of his 10 NFL seasons, and there’s no questioning his on-field production in any of them. Expect him to be highly coveted and to get substantial offers from plenty of teams.
Team Fits: New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Washington Commanders
2. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
The top two free agent wide receivers this offseason are hard to pick between. Viewed as a 1A and 1B scenario, Michael Pittman Jr. and Tee Higgins headline a solid wide receiver free agent class.
Unfortunately, injuries to Higgins and QB Joe Burrow limited the wide receiver's production in his contract year with the Cincinnati Bengals. Higgins posted career-low numbers in games (12), yards (656), touchdowns (five), receptions (42) and targets (76). Even off of a down year, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide receiver was one of the best big-play receivers over the past two years and one of the main reasons the Bengals had so much success on offense.
Higgins, just 24 years old, has plenty of seasons left in him and could be in line for one of the biggest free agent contracts given his age, production and how he fits in offenses around the league. He's highly regarded for his production and how he handles himself off the field.
Team Fits: Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills
1. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Pittman is one of my favorite players in the NFL.
After he was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Pittman has done nothing but improve in each of his seasons in the NFL. In his first three years, Pittman played in an offense that was the furthest thing from wide receiver–friendly but did his job — and more — at a high level.
Pittman was put in a better position in 2023 with Shane Steichen calling plays and designing the offense, and he produced his best season yet, despite playing with a backup quarterback for most of the year.
Pittman is a scheme fit for any offense or coach because he can make plays at all three levels of the field. He’s yet to reach his ceiling due to below-average coaching and quarterback play for most of his career. In the right situation, Pittman has star wide receiver traits and the ability to be a true WR1 in any offense.
While his career numbers won’t necessarily “wow” you, Pittman is one of the most consistent and reliable receivers in the NFL, and his tape and effort speak volumes.
Team Fits: Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts
