One free-agent target for each AFC team in 2024 offseason

It's never too early for us to sift through team needs for the offseason. (We're especially looking at you, QB-needy New England Patriots.) As determined by Yardbarker NFL writers, here's one 2024 free agent worth pursuing for each AFC team.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Safety Xavier McKinney: Since starter Micah Hyde will be 33 next season and has had a string of concerning neck injuries over the past few years, Buffalo should consider pursuing a younger free safety. McKinney wears many hats for a New York Giants defense and has already racked up a career-high 94 tackles and posted his lowest passer rating allowed since his six-game rookie year (66.8), per Pro Football Reference. 

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Center Lloyd Cushenberry III: Miami may be less inclined to re-sign starting center and impending free agent Connor Williams after he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14. Denver's Cushenberry would make an excellent replacement. The ninth-best center by PFF's grading system (73.2), Cushenberry has allowed just nine pressures in 519 pass-blocking snaps this season and hasn't surrendered a sack. 

NEW YORK JETS | WR Mike Evans: New York attempted to acquire Evans at the trade deadline and should make another push for the future Hall of Famer, especially given the disappointing initial returns of Allen Lazard's four-year, $44 million deal. Despite the switch from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield at quarterback in Tampa Bay, Evans has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the 10th consecutive season and averaged his most receiving yards per game since 2019 (76.9). 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | QB Kirk Cousins: Although the Patriots may address their quarterback need in April's draft, signing Cousins — who averaged the second-most passing yards before suffering a torn Achilles (291.4) — may be tempting. Considering the Patriots lack the weapons to support a rookie QB effectively, signing Cousins — a 12-year veteran — and drafting Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and a developmental quarterback could be a better path to a more successful rebuild. — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | TE Dalton Schultz: The durability of second-year TE Greg Dulcich, who has missed 12 games with hamstring and foot injuries, is concerning. Schultz — who has 44 receptions for 513 yards and five TD catches in 12 games with the Texans — would add a needed punch to Denver’s passing attack. 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | WR Mike Evans: This one is a no-brainer for the Chiefs. Evans — who is second in the league in receiving TDs (11 in 15 games) for Tampa Bay — would bolster an erratic receiving corps and thrive with an elite QB like Patrick Mahomes.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | DT Justin Madubuike: Outside of star DE Maxx Crosby (13.5 sacks in 14 games), no Raider has generated more than four sacks. Madubuike has a career-high 12 sacks in 14 games with the Ravens and would give Crosby the help he desperately needs. 

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | CB Jaylon Johnson: The Chargers rank 30th in the NFL in passing yards allowed (261.4). PFF recently gave Chicago's Johnson a 91.5 pass-coverage grade, the highest at his position, so this seems like a perfect marriage.  — Clark Dalton

AFC North 

BALTIMORE RAVENS | DE Justin Madubuike: Madubuike is having a breakout year at the perfect time. The Ravens love to draft and develop their defenders, so all signs point toward the team doing its best to retain its rising defensive star.

 CLEVELAND BROWNS | WR Mike Evans: His addition would create one of the top duos in the league with WR Amari Cooper. The Browns need a more reliable WR2 than Elijah Moore, who continues to underwhelm in his third season (52 catches for 560 yards and one TD catch).

CINCINNATI BENGALS | WR Tee Higgins: Higgins’ down season (36 catches, 497 yards, four touchdowns) leaves the Bengals with an interesting decision to make this offseason. But they know what they have in him after he posted 215 catches for 3,028 yards and 19 touchdowns in his first three seasons, and now he’ll likely come at a discount.

 PITTSBURGH STEELERS | CB Jaylon Johnson: Per Yahoo's Jordan Schultz, the Steelers made a “serious push” for Johnson (five takeaways) at the trade deadline, but the Bears price was too high. If they have a second chance to get him in free agency, the Steelers should pounce. Pittsburgh's secondary needs an influx of youth to pair with rookie CB Joey Porter Jr., who has had a strong season. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | RB Austin Ekeler: The weakness of the Texans offense is unquestionably the running game as neither Dameon Pierce nor Devin Singletary have proven to be starting-caliber RBs. Adding a do-it-all back like Ekeler, who’s just 121 yards away from his third straight season with 1,000+ yards from scrimmage, will give QB C.J. Stroud another receiving weapon out of the backfield and a home-run threat (Ekeler has 30 rushing TDs since 2021). 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | TE Hunter Henry: When Anthony Richardson returns next season, the Colts must give him more passing targets and minimize the times he runs, which is how he suffered a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder in October. Indy has a solid WR trio in Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, but it needs a legit TE1 like Henry, who has averaged 50 receptions and 560 yards over the past five seasons.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | DE Danielle Hunter: The Jaguars defense always feels like it’s one premier pass-rusher away from being great. Josh Allen is a stud and will likely be given a big-money deal to come back, but Travon Walker hasn't lived up to his billing as the No. 1 overall pick, which is why Jacksonville should throw money at Minnesota's Hunter, who has logged double-digit sacks in five of the past seven years. 

TENNESSEE TITANS | WR Tee Higgins: DeAndre Hopkins is Tennessee’s clear-cut No. 1 receiver, but beyond him, there are not many receiving options who QB Will Levis can trust. Treylon Burks is still young (23), and if he can avoid injury he could develop into a promising receiver. Tennessee, however, can’t wait for that to happen, which is why the team should go all-in on adding Cincinnati's Higgins, who is 24 and had 1,000+ yards receiving in back-to-back seasons entering 2023. — Michael Gallagher