The 10 best remaining NFL free agents as new league year approaches

March 14, 2024

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NFL free agency begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern time. And if you’ve been off the NFL grid for two days, that official start will be more exciting than it really is.

The NFL’s so-called legal tampering period started Monday and there was a frenzy to lock up the top free agents. By the time Wednesday rolled around, 17 of the 25 free agents from Yahoo Sports’ top 25 on Monday had agreed to deals.

That doesn’t mean free agency is over. Teams will still be searching for veteran help and there are some viable options. Here are the top 10 free agents who have not agreed to a deal and are still available:

Fuller finished seventh among cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus’ grades this past season. At 29 years old there’s concern he’ll slip, but he should get one more big contract this offseason.

Kendall Fuller is the top remaining free agent on the market. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Brown has just one 1,000-yard season in his five-year NFL career and injuries have been an issue. He has the talent. He was once a first-round draft pick. Some team will gamble on him staying healthy and productive as he goes into his age-27 season.

(UPDATED: Signing four-year deal with Titans)

At one point Ridley looked like an elite receiver. That was before a strange 2021 with the Atlanta Falcons in which he played just five games, a yearlong gambling suspension in 2022 and an up-and-down 2023 with the Jaguars. He’s still good and just 29, but the shine is mostly off. Still, it was enough intrigue and upside to get a $92 million from Tennessee.

Williams was cut for salary-cap reasons, and the Chargers had to be disappointed Williams played just 16 games the past two seasons. But when the oft-Williams does play he’s a top performer. He was the seventh pick of the 2017 draft, has two 1,000-yard seasons and is still just 29 years old. Williams is coming off an ACL injury, which will scare off some teams. But in a very thin receiver market, Williams’ talent stands out.

Top 5 NFL free agents by position

Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Defensive line
Linebackers
Defensive backs

When Smith is on the field, he’s an excellent performer. The problem is he hasn’t played a full season since 2015 and he’s 33 years old. He played in 13 games last season and his team would probably take that. Availability is a major concern.

Consider Simmons one of the casualties of the Russell Wilson trade. The Broncos, saddled with huge dead cap hits for releasing Wilson, are cutting Simmons to save $14.5 million on the salary cap. Simmons made a Pro Bowl and was second-team All-Pro last season. He led the NFL in interceptions for the 2022 season. He’s 30 years old but still capable of being a very good safety.

The massive Brown has been a good left tackle for many years, and he still has plenty left in the tank. He could move on to a team that has offensive line issues.

Baker should get interest. He’s a solid off-ball linebacker who is 27 years old. He can play all three downs. He’s not an impact player but a good defender.

In 2022, Howard signed a deal that was the richest for any cornerback in NFL history. He’s 30 now, didn’t have a great 2023 season and was just cut by the Dolphins. But he was a Pro Bowl performer in 2022, and good cornerbacks are hard to find.

10. Washington Commanders S Kamren Curl

Curl was a seventh-round draft pick but quickly got into the Commanders’ starting lineup as a rookie. In his four seasons with the team he showed good all-around ability. At age 25, he should get a nice long-term deal.

Live252 updates

Wed, March 13, 2024 at 6:23 PM MST

That’s a lot of money in Denver…

The Broncos chose to decline Russell Wilson’s $22M (guaranteed) option bonus before releasing him. This accelerated all $39M of salary into 2024 for cap purposes.

Resulting Dead Cap Hits
2024: $53M
2025: $32M

— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 14, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 5:50 PM MST

The Broncos’ move to release Russell Wilson, who has since signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is officially done.

Broncos officially have released QB Russell Wilson with a post-June 1 designation, per source.

As was its plan entering free agency, Denver now will spread the cap hit by taking on $53 million in 2024 and $32 million in 2025. pic.twitter.com/fAFl2LOQaX

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 5:36 PM MST

And the Sheldon Rankins deal is a go.

The #Bengals just now agreed to terms on a two-year, $26 million deal with DT Sheldon Rankins, sources say. Another nice payday for the former first-round pick, who heads to Cincinnati to join Lou Anarumo’s defense after recording six sacks last season for the #Texans. pic.twitter.com/wiZGVqAOAo

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 14, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 5:03 PM MST

Report: Bengals nearing deal for DT Sheldon Rankins
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 4:57 PM MST

Cowboys are on the board with an outside free agent!

Dallas is reportedly signing LB Eric Kendricks, its first free agent signing from outside the building

Plot twist! Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks is now expected to sign with the #Cowboys, per sources.

The #49ers made a strong offer. But Kendricks is opting to reunite with Mike Zimmer, who gets an experienced LB to help run his defense. pic.twitter.com/lNV3wxJ8pS

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 4:55 PM MST

Joe Flacco is coming back for another season.

Flacco played in five games last season with the Cleveland Browns, who signed him after starter Deshaun Watson went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. Flacco went 4-1 with the Browns and got them to the playoffs, though they were knocked out in the wild-card round by the Houston Texans.

Flacco threw for 1,616 yards and had 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season, his 16th in the league after the Baltimore Ravens took him with the No. 18 overall pick in 2008. Flacco also became the first quarterback in league history to throw for more than 250 yards and multiple touchdowns in his first five games with a new team.

The 39-year-old will now join the Colts, who will be his fifth team.

Read more
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 4:50 PM MST

Yes Kirk Cousins already has a Falcons chain
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 4:34 PM MST

BREAKING: Joe Flacco signing with Colts

Former Browns QB and NFL Comeback Player of the Year winner Joe Flacco reached agreement with the Indianapolis Colts, per sources. It’s a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, including $4.5 million guaranteed. Flacco to Indy. pic.twitter.com/e9aNkQGfaG

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 4:27 PM MST

Report: Cardinals signing former Bengals OT Jonah Williams
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 4:24 PM MST

Kirk Cousins was the one who tweeted the Falcons’ announcement
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 4:12 PM MST

Kirk Cousins = officially an Atlanta Falcon
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 3:49 PM MST

Cardinals releasing 9-year veteran OT
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 3:30 PM MST

WR Jamison Crowder returning to Commanders on 1-year deal

New: WR Jamison Crowder is re-signing with the Commanders on a 1-year deal, per source.

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 13, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 3:21 PM MST

Safety Harrison Smith returning to Viking on restructured contract

Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith has agreed to a restructured contract and will play a 12th season with the #Vikings at age 35, per sources.

The 29th overall pick in 2012, Smith has 34 career INTs, becoming one of the best safeties of his era… and he’s not done yet. pic.twitter.com/V2z0PNwa8H

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 3:16 PM MST

Chess not checkers

Chess not checkers love all Ridley

— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 13, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 2:41 PM MST

Commanders signing veteran LB Bobby Wagner to 1-year deal

Sources: #Seahawks perennial Pro Bowler and All-Pro LB Bobby Wagner is signing with the #Commanders on a 1-year deal worth a max value of $8.5M, a deal that includes $6M in guarantees.

Dan Quinn was with Wagner a decade ago in Seattle, now they’re back. A splash for Washington. pic.twitter.com/QPcsF0y9mt

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 2:39 PM MST

The Jaguars losing Calvin Ridley is such a clean example of asset mismanagement and simply wasting time
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 2:29 PM MST

Calvin Ridley seems happy with his decision

😂😂😂😂😂😂

— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 13, 2024
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 2:19 PM MST

It wasn’t too long ago that Calvin Ridley was considered among the best receivers in the NFL.

He was a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons and in his third season he had 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. Things have gone a bit sideways since then. But now, Ridley is getting another shot to get back on that star track.

The Tennessee Titans struck a four-year, $92 million deal to bring in Ridley on Wednesday afternoon, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That deal includes $50 million in guaranteed money.

Read more about this stunner
Wed, March 13, 2024 at 2:18 PM MST

BREAKING: Calvin Ridley signing with Titans