Top remaining NFL free agents: Ranking the 25 best players still available
NFL teams didn’t waste any time after free agency kicked off with the league's legal tampering period opening at noon ET on Monday.
Top free agents like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Kirk Cousins and Christian Wilkins are among the big names taking their talents elsewhere. But there are still plenty of impact players available — eight-time Pro Bowl tackle Tyron Smith among them.
Will your favorite team land one of the best free agents still available? USA TODAY Sports ranks the top 25 free agents remaining entering Friday. This is our fifth installment.
Player's old team in parentheses.
1. S Justin Simmons (Broncos)
Is the safety position becoming less important due to the increased amount of short passes? Plenty of safeties are available, but Simmons is at the top. Since entering the NFL in 2016, no player has more interceptions (30).
2. OT Tyron Smith (Cowboys)
Smith’s been one of the NFL’s best left tackles over the last decade. Father Time is starting to take its toll, but he still only gave up three sacks and 21 pressures in 13 games last season, per Pro Football Focus. (Update: Smith is reportedly signing with the New York Jets.)
3. WR Mike Williams (Chargers)
Williams has blossomed into one of the NFL’s premier deep threats. He produced 309 catches, 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Chargers. The 6-foot-4 wideout averaged 15.6 yards per catch.
4. DE/OLB Chase Young (49ers)
Young hasn’t taken the next step since his defensive rookie of the year campaign in 2020. The talent is there but consistency is an issue. Young had eight tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss in three playoff games for the 49ers this past season.
5. CB Stephon Gilmore (Cowboys)
The 2019 defensive player of the year stepped up last season, especially when Trevon Diggs (knee) went down for the year. Gilmore will turn 34 years old during the 2024 regular season, but showed last year that he can still play at a high level.
6. DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney (Ravens)
Clowney had a resurgent year in Baltimore last season. Clowney’s 9.5 sacks tied a career high and his 43 tackles were his most since 2018.
7. S Quandre Diggs (Seahawks)
Diggs was a salary cap casualty. The team captain started every game for Seattle the past four seasons and is a three-time Pro Bowl selection. The 31-year-old safety produced more than 90 tackles in two of the last three seasons.
8. S Julian Blackmon (Colts)
Blackmon started 15 games for the Colts last season. The safety produced 88 tackles and led the team with four interceptions. He allowed a career-low 60.9% completion percentage when targeted.
9. CB Xavien Howard (Dolphins)
Howard’s coverage ability declined a little bit last year. He allowed nearly a 63% completion percentage when targeted, the second-highest rate of his career. But entering his ninth year, Howard is still a starting-caliber corner.
10. CB Tre'Davious White (Bills)
The 29-year-old White is a two-time Pro Bowl selection, but he’s only appeared in 10 games the past two years due to injuries. His 2023 season was cut short due to a torn Achilles.
11. OT Trent Brown (Patriots)
Brown allowed three sacks and 17 pressures in 579 snaps last season. Pro Football Focus gave Brown an 80.2 blocking grade. He has the versatility to play left or right tackle.
12. DL Calais Campbell (Falcons)
The 37-year-old defensive lineman wants to play a 17th season in the NFL. He’s still durable and effective. He started all 17 games for the Falcons and compiled 6.5 sacks last season to move his career total to 105.5.
13. CB Adoree' Jackson (Giants)
Jackson started 36 games for the Giants the past three seasons. He only has two interceptions in that time, but he did log 23 pass breakups. He can also be used as a return man.
14. S Jamal Adams (Seahawks)
Adams was cut after four underwhelming seasons in Seattle that saw him never start more than 12 games in a year. A change of scenery could be good for the three-time Pro Bowl selection.
15. CB Steven Nelson (Texans)
The well-traveled cornerback has played for four different teams and been a primary starter everywhere he’s been. He has 456 tackles, 13 interceptions and 78 pass breakups in 130 career games.
16. RB J.K. Dobbins (Ravens)
Injuries have marred Dobbins’ career. He tore his Achilles in Week 1 last season and suffered a torn ACL in 2021. The talent is there but his durability is a big concern.
17. G Kevin Zeitler (Ravens)
The 34-year-old isn’t the player he used to be, but he’s been a quality and durable right guard throughout his 12-year career.
18. G Connor Williams (Dolphins)
A torn ACL last season dropped him down this ranking. Williams is capable of playing guard and center.
19. S Jordan Fuller (Rams)
Fuller started all 17 games for the Rams last season. He produced 94 tackles, three interceptions (tied for a career high) and eight pass breakups.
20. WR Odell Beckham (Ravens)
Injuries have taken a toll on Beckham. He’s not as explosive and doesn’t create the separation he once did. But he still has flashes of the Beckham of old. He never found a rhythm in Baltimore, though.
21. WR Tyler Boyd (Bengals)
The most unheralded of the Bengals’ receiving trio, Boyd’s had six straight seasons with 58 catches. He does most of his damage in the slot.
22. S Micah Hyde (Bills)
Hyde was a key piece of Buffalo’s defense for seven years. At 33 years old, though, he doesn’t cover as much ground as he once did.
23. DT Teair Tart (Seahawks)
A prototypical nose tackle. Tart has moments where he flashes and other moments where he doesn’t make much of an impact. He started nine games for Tennessee in 2023.
24. T Donovan Smith (Chiefs)
Smith started at tackle for the Chiefs last season but the defending Super Bowl champs don’t appear eager to bring him back. Penalties were an issue in Kansas City, but he has championship experience.
25. WR Michael Thomas (Saints)
Once regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Thomas now just struggles to stay on the field. He hasn’t played a full season since 2019. But in 2019, he led the NFL in catches (149, a league record) and receiving yards (1,725).
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL free agency 2024: The 25 best players still available
