Who’s left? Here are the top 10 remaining NFL free agents
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:
1. Washington Commanders CB Kendall Fuller
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.
2. Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise Brown
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.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley
Ridley’s value is hard to gauge. At one point he 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.
Top 5 NFL free agents by position
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Defensive line
Linebackers
Defensive backs
4. Dallas Cowboys OT Tyron Smith
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.
5. Denver Broncos S Justin Simmons
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.
6. New England Patriots OT Trent Brown
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.
7. Miami Dolphins LB Jerome Baker
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.
8. Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard
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.
9. 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.
10. Baltimore Ravens G Kevin Zeitler
In 2017, Zeitler signed a five-year, $60 million deal with the Cleveland Browns that at the time made him the highest paid guard in NFL history. He won’t be getting a record-breaking deal this time around but he’s still a reliable player who just made his first Pro Bowl. Zeitler will be 34 years old next season but can still help a team looking to fill a hole at guard.
Live202 updates
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Why the Chiefs are all in on a three-peat
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Here’s our reset on the top 10 remaining free agents
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The #Panthers agreed to terms with WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette on a 1-year deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2024
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Mahomes does Chiefs another favor
The Chiefs are reportedly clearing $21.6 million in cap space by restructuring the contract of QB Patrick Mahomes. Is there anything Mahomes doesn’t do for this team?
Patrick Mahomes continues to help the Chiefs. (Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) -
Could we see another WR trade soon?
FWIW on the WR market: The Broncos aren’t currently shopping Courtland Sutton.
Maybe there’s a surprise WR somewhere available but not many obvious, realistic targets at the moment. https://t.co/YxYuGLg23v
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) March 12, 2024
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The Tennessee Titans are targeting All-Pro safety Justin Simmons. Tennessee was hoping to get a shot at C.J. Gardner-Johnson but Philly scooped him up.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 12, 2024
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Meanwhile, on the other side of Pennsylvania
Veteran DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is returning to the #Eagles on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million, per his agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown at @UniSportsMgmt.
Gardner-Johnson just turned 26. Now back with the team he helped reach a Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/1o0Y5t8HZC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2024
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Full parameters of the Steelers-Panthers trade
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Here’s who the Panthers are getting
Johnson was a Pro Bowler in 2021.
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Another trade! Panthers add a big target for their young QB
Trade: the Steelers are sending WR Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, per sources. A new weapon for Bryce Young.
Johnson has a $3 million roster bonus due Friday that the Panthers now will pay. pic.twitter.com/dt2nF83mIL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
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Saints signing former Chiefs LB Willie Gay
The #Saints have agreed to terms with former #Chiefs LB Willie Gay to a one-year deal worth a max of $5 million, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2024
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Former Bills safety Jordan Poyer reportedly signing with Dolphins
Former Bills safety Jordan Poyer is signing with the Dolphins on a one-year deal, according to his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
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Danielle Hunter’s getting $48 million guaranteed from the Texans, per NFL Network
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BREAKING: Texans land DE Danielle Hunter
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Best remaining free agents, according to Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab
Minnesota Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter
Washington Commanders CB Kendall Fuller
Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise Brown
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley
Dallas Cowboys OT Tyron Smith
Denver Broncos S Justin Simmons
New England Patriots OT Trent Brown
Miami Dolphins LB Jerome Baker
Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard
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Colts signing former Dolphins DT
Former Dolphins DT Raekwon Davis is signing a 2-year $14 million base value deal with the Colts, per agent Trevon Smtih.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
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Bears signing DB Jonathan Owens
Owens — yes, Simone Biles’ husband — is joining Chicago from bitter rival Green Bay.
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Bucs retaining another key member of defense, per report
The #Bucs keep another one home: Sources say they agree to terms with their own star LB Lavonte David, who gets a 1-year deal worth up to $10M. The base value is around $9M. pic.twitter.com/MUT5biU5a8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024
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Giants signing DB Jalen Mills, per report
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Here’s the money for the Panthers’ reported Josey Jewell deal:
Former Broncos LB Josey Jewell is signing a three-year, $22.75 million deal including a $7m signing bonus with Carolina.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
