Even with NFL training camps starting later this month, there are plenty of recognizable free agents available. We examine one possible free agent signing for all 32 teams.
1 Potential Free Agent Signing for All 32 Teams
Arizona Cardinals: Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE
The Arizona Cardinals received early flashes from BJ Ojulari, who produced 40 tackles and four sacks as a non-starter. Ojulari could use some help, though, especially a veteran who knows how to consistently attack the passer.
That’s where Yannick Ngakoue can come in. While he’s coming off a down, four-sack 2023 campaign, Ngakoue had a streak of seven straight seasons of producing seven sacks or more. He’d likely love playing for head coach Jonathan Gannon’s scheme that helped turn Haason Reddick into an All-Pro.
Atlanta Falcons: Ahkello Witherspoon, Cornerback
Ahkello Witherspoon has produced two career three-interception campaigns, but his most recent one came with Raheem Morris as his defensive coordinator.
Morris has since gone from the Los Angeles Rams to taking the head coaching reins with the Atlanta Falcons. Cornerback is a major question mark for Morris’ team. He also took Jimmy Lake with him after coaching up Witherspoon and the Rams defensive backs. Witherspoon is an underrated veteran idea for a young CB room.
Baltimore Ravens: Emmanuel Ogbah, EDGE
Patrick Queen was a significant free agent loss. While an inside linebacker would be ideal here, the Baltimore Ravens don’t come off as the kind of team that turns down veteran pass rushers — à la Jadeveon Clowney last year.
With Clowney off to Carolina, Emmanuel Ogbah serves as one of the top pass-rushing options for a team aiming to topple Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.
Buffalo Bills: Justin Simmons, Safety
Buffalo has questions beyond its wide receiver room. Safety is the next most scrutinized position, especially with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer leaving via free agency.
While the Bills drafted Cole Bishop and lured back Taylor Rapp, they still need a proven ball-hawk on the backend. Two-time Pro Bowler Justin Simmons has a deep history of snatching the football — proven by grabbing 5+ interceptions from 2020-2022.
Carolina Panthers: Hassan Ridgeway, Defensive Tackle
The Carolina Panthers’ defensive line has been hit with losses — notably Brian Burns in an offseason trade.
Derrick Brown remains steady and reliable inside, but he needs help ahead of 2024. Hassan Ridgeway is among the best remaining interior defensive linemen still available.
Chicago Bears: Mason Cole, Center
Chicago has the weapons for Caleb Williams from DJ Moore to the newly added Keenan Allen. Now it needs to give the top overall pick and new starting quarterback protection.
The Bears can solidify center depth with free agent Mason Cole. According to Pro Football Focus, Cole didn’t allow a sack following Week 8 against Jacksonville for the rest of 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals: Xavien Howard, Cornerback
The four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard remains one of the best free agents available. However, a 17-page lawsuit on June 7 is hovering above him, in which he is alleged to have shared illicit photos and videos involving women without their consent to a minor.
Cornerback-needy teams like the Cincinnati Bengals could still take a swing at Howard — especially given their history of working with players who dealt with off-the-field issues. Cincy still needs help outside of rising star Cam Taylor-Britt. Howard, despite his age (30), still surrendered just one touchdown to his side in 13 games last season.
Cleveland Browns: Lynn Bowden Jr., Wide Receiver
The Cleveland Browns have a pending contract situation with Amari Cooper. They also have former first-rounder Jerry Jeudy on board via trade.
Jeudy and Cooper, though, look more like inside/possession targets for Deshaun Watson. The Youngstown, Ohio, native Bowden can provide a non-expensive, versatile deep threat for Cleveland.
Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Smith, Offensive Tackle
Dallas may opt to start top pick Tyler Guyton on the left side of the offensive line. Depth is still needed at the area perennial Pro Bowler Tyron Smith bequeaths.
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The multi-time Super Bowl-winning Donovan Smith is perfect for depth and championship experience purposes for the Cowboys.
Denver Broncos: Scott Quessenberry, Center
With Bo Nix representing the future of Denver Broncos football, he could use seasoned help up front.
Scott Quessenberry remains unsigned after a torn ACL/MCL. Before his 2023 season-ending injury, Quessenberry produced three seasons of allowing zero sacks per PFF but allowed seven in 2022 while with the Houston Texans. Still, he’s a strong veteran center option for a remodeled Broncos offense.
Detroit Lions: Kwon Alexander, Linebacker
As stacked as the Detroit Lions are across the field, linebacker remains a big question mark.
Rookie Jack Campbell was met with mixed results in ’23 and appeared to have difficulty adjusting right away to the speed of the NFL. Perhaps he will take leaps in 2024, but Kwon Alexander is among the fastest LBs available and can be another option for them.
Green Bay Packers: Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback
No, this isn’t a possible replacement for QB1 Jordan Love. However, Love and the Packers will need someone reliable in case he goes down.
Ryan Tannehill gives immediate assurance if brought in — with a past as a Pro Bowler, a playoff QB, and a backup.
Houston Texans: Shaquille Leonard, Linebacker
Houston was among the most aggressive spenders in the offseason. Yet, they could use one more piece to top off the Texans’ loaded roster.
With linebacker still a question mark, they could strike big by luring in a former Pro Bowl rival of theirs in Shaquille Leonard. The three-time Pro Bowler would help replace last year’s leading tackler Blake Cashman, who is now with the Minnesota Vikings.
Indianapolis Colts: Patrick Peterson, Cornerback
Indianapolis had CB to address during the offseason, but the Colts didn’t target the position until the fifth and sixth rounds of the NFL Draft.
A capable veteran next to Kenny Moore III is still useful for a team looking to snatch the AFC South from the Texans. While old pal Stephon Gilmore is out there, Patrick Peterson is equally enticing as a potential safety option too.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Adoree’ Jackson, Cornerback
We’ll stick with cornerback needs in the AFC South here, but this time we look at an option that would be considered a swipe at the rival Tennessee Titans.
Adoree’ Jackson spent his first four seasons with Tennessee and delivered 33 combined pass breakups in his first three years. Since the Titans lured away former Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley via ’24 free agency, a CB-needy team like the Jags can turn to a former Titans starter as the counter.
Kansas City Chiefs: Xavien Howard, Cornerback
Consider the Kansas City Chiefs as another team that’s capable of bringing in Howard amid his controversy.
Andy Reid has worked with players who faced a distraction away from the field. But for the Super Bowl champs, there’s room for one more CB after losing L’Jarius Sneed. Howard comes off as a prized complement to rising star Trent McDuffie.
Las Vegas Raiders: Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback
Even though Jack Jones provided a spark at corner once Antonio Pierce was promoted to head coach, he is still raw with only five career starts.
Gilmore brings much-needed experience to a unit lacking consistent starts. While he and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham didn’t cross paths in Foxborough, Mass., perhaps their New England Patriots connection could sway a pairing here in Sin City.
Los Angeles Chargers: Quandre Diggs, Safety
Now that Jim Harbaugh has the offensive personnel to play his physical brand of football, he can still focus on one more piece to the defense.
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Prized safety Derwin James Jr. can use depth and help in the safety room. Granted, Alohi Gilman is back, but he’s never started a full season in his first four NFL years. Quandre Diggs could bring key veteran assurance.
Los Angeles Rams: Justin Simmons, Safety
While the Los Angeles Rams solidified their defense through additional pass rushers and signing Tre’Davious White, they lack a true ball-hawking safety.
Simmons would be the perfect, much-needed takeaway artist here.
Miami Dolphins: Carl Lawson, Defensive End
Jaelan Phillips’ health will be key to this Miami Dolphins pass rush, but if he’s not ready to go, a past AFC East rival can be ideal here.
Carl Lawson produced seven sacks in his first season with the New York Jets in 2022 but was limited to six games last year. He’d be a good insurance policy in the rush room.
Minnesota Vikings: Hunter Renfrow, Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are the 1-2 punch, but Minnesota could use a No. 3.
Hunter Renfrow remains unsigned. Perhaps he can be the new Adam Thielen here, especially with J.J. McCarthy as the future under center.
New England Patriots: David Bakhtiari, Offensive Tackle
Can David Bakhtiari be healthy ahead of 2024?
Either way, the New England Patriots need pass protection help for Jacoby Brissett — and down the road, Drake Maye. Bakhtiari has experience sealing off blockers, having done it for Aaron Rodgers.
New Orleans Saints: Donovan Smith, Offensive Tackle
The New Orleans Saints had lapses with their pass protection for Derek Carr last year.
While there are other areas to address like wide receiver and edge rusher, it’s hard for the Saints to pass on a former division rival and Super Bowl champ in Smith.
New York Giants: Patrick Peterson, Cornerback
The New York Giants’ weakest area is the secondary. Especially cornerback.
The eight-time Pro Bowler Peterson, though, would give this defense veteran help at either CB or even safety if brought in.
New York Jets: Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver
Michael Thomas remains unsigned. While he may not be the 149-catch threat he once was in 2019, he can still give a needy WR room a jolt.
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We’re certain Rodgers wouldn’t pass on the opportunity to feed Thomas the football — and he could complement Garrett Wilson.
Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Cunningham, Linebacker
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Devin White and Zack Baun and drafted Jeremiah Trotter Jr. this offseason to help solidify their linebacker depth, but they could use another piece. They could bring back Zach Cunningham, who started 10 games for them last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Lawrence Guy, Defensive Tackle
Cornerback is a need, but so is interior help for T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. With Lawrence Guy having a history of collapsing pockets inside, he could be welcomed here greatly.
San Francisco 49ers: Connor Williams, C/G
For a team that loves versatility, an offensive line swingman could be enticing too for the reigning NFC champs.
Connor Williams is anticipated to be healthy from his ACL tear. He’s a perfect depth addition, especially as a center — arguably one of the 49ers’ most questionable positions.
Seattle Seahawks: Tashaun Gipson, Safety
A former Pro Bowler, Tashaun Gipson had a career renaissance with the San Francisco 49ers the last couple of seasons. With room at safety, the Seattle Seahawks can keep the veteran out west.
Tampa Bay: J.C. Jackson, Cornerback
J.C. Jackson may be on his final NFL strike after botched campaigns with the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots. However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need CB help, and this puts Jackson on a playoff team and not in a rebuild.
Tennessee Titans: Conor McDermott, Offensive Tackle
Help and more help are needed to protect Will Levis moving forward. The towering 6’8″ veteran Conor McDermott can come in and give Tennessee breathing room in the tackle department.
Washington Commanders: Charles Leno Jr., Offensive Tackle
Like the Tennessee Titans, the Washington Commanders have a young passer to keep intact in Jayden Daniels. Charles Leno Jr. can be brought back for experience and depth reasons, having spent the last three years in D.C., starting in 47 total games.