As the last week of March approaches, brackets around America will be busted and the first big wave of NFL free agency will be wrapping up.
Despite this first wave of free agency winding down, there are still plenty of quality starters and depth pieces available for teams to add this offseason. With most of the free agents that demanded a high price tag with premium upside off the board, let’s take a look into the best remaining free agents.
Who Are the Best Remaining NFL Free Agents?
1. David Bakhtiari, LT
Good left tackles don’t grow on trees. Despite being 32 years old and battling a myriad of injuries in recent years, David Bakhtiari is the best left tackle available after his release from the Green Bay Packers.
With Tyron Smith signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets, it’s unlikely that Aaron Rodgers and Bakhtiari will reunite, making his services available to 30 other NFL teams that have a hole at left tackle and could use a proven veteran.
Best Fits: Chiefs, Cowboys, Steelers
2. Hunter Renfrow, WR
After five seasons with the Raiders, Las Vegas released wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, making him a free agent. At just 28 years old, after Mike Williams signed with the Jets, the former fifth-round pick from Clemson is the best-remaining receiver in free agency.
Renfrow seemingly fell out of favor with the Raiders in recent seasons, with his production decreasing since his Pro Bowl season in 2021.
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Still, Renfrow is closing in on 3,000 career receiving yards and has 17 touchdowns. He’s a reliable receiving option, still on the right side of 30 years old, that will likely cost much less than recent contracts like Jerry Jeudy and Calvin Ridley.
Best Fits: Chargers, Steelers, Commanders
3. Jamal Adams, S
While he might not be the player that once commanded two first-round picks via trade, Jamal Adams is the best-remaining safety in free agency.
Still just 28 years old, Adams brings seven years of defensive experience, almost 500 combined tackles, over 20 sacks, and four interceptions to whichever team elects to sign him.
The Seattle Seahawks released Adams due to a $17.5 million price tag, but reports indicate a reunion could be possible if Adams would be willing to convert to linebacker.
Best Fits: Seahawks, Falcons, Cowboys
4. Xavien Howard, CB
Similarly to Adams’ situation, the Miami Dolphins released cornerback Xavien Howard for salary cap relief.
After L’Jarius Sneed was traded to the Tennessee Titans for a future third-round pick, Howard became the best cornerback openly available. The 30-year-old ballhawk has 29 career interceptions and 95 passes defended.
Reports indicate that Howard could be willing to take a pay cut to play for a contender.
Best Fits: Lions, Texans, Chiefs
5. J.C. Jackson, CB
The New England Patriots released cornerback J.C. Jackson, marking the end of his second stint with the team. Despite the release, the Patriots and Jackson have “mutual interest” in a third reunion, according to reports.
Jackson is 28 and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Patriots in 2018. He was a Pro Bowler in 2021 with New England before signing a big deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Best Fits: Patriots, Chiefs, Vikings
6. Ryan Tannehill, QB
After being replaced by Will Levis, Ryan Tannehill’s time as a starting quarterback in Tennessee was clearly up. However, he might not have many options to start around the NFL, either.
Proven veterans like Jimmy Garoppolo, Jameis Winston, and Joe Flacco have all signed new deals to be backup quarterbacks. At 35 years old, Tannehill might need to slide into this tier of players, despite playing good football throughout his career with the Titans.
Best Fits: Bears, Broncos, Commanders
7. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE
While Christian Wilkins received all of the headlines this free agency, Emmanuel Ogbah was a very important piece to Miami’s defensive line.
At this stage of his career, Ogbah’s best fit is likely as a rotational defensive end, but that’s a valuable role to play on playoff teams. Ogbah has started 71 games in his career and has 42.5 sacks. He would be a valued addition to a rebuilding defense or a key rotation piece on a championship defense.
Best Fits: Eagles, Chiefs, Ravens
8. Justin Simmons, S
After the Sneed trade, Simmons is arguably the best remaining secondary player. After playing eight seasons in Denver after the Broncos drafted him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Simmons is looking for a new home.
At 30 years old, Simmons is still a starting-caliber safety coming off of a Pro Bowl season.
Best Fits: Packers, Commanders, Eagles
9. Jadeveon Clowley, LB/DE
Every single year, it feels like Jadeveon Clowney is one of the last remaining free agents to pick a team. He had a good bounce-back season with the Baltimore Ravens, recording 9.5 sacks.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft loves securing one-year jackpots every offseason, and it’s likely a contending team will bid highly for his services, even at 31 years old.
Best Fits: Dolphins, Jets, Falcons
10. Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Another AFC North veteran, Odell Beckham Jr. bounced back nicely with the Ravens after being sidelined all of 2022 with an injury.
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He’s 31 now but just put up 565 yards and three touchdowns with Lamar Jackson. A far cry from the player who went over 1,000 yards with Baker Mayfield in 2019, Beckham will still have some demand as one of the best veteran receivers available. Not to mention, he’s a box office draw wherever he goes.
Best Fits: Chargers, Dolphins, Saints