Even with training camps over a month away, there are still plenty of notable players who remain unsigned. If NFL teams are looking for experienced veterans to fill roster spots heading into training camp, here are 10 of the best players available.
Top NFL Free Agents Available
Justin Simmons
Out of all of the veterans still available, Simmons is the most surprising player to remain without a team. He was waived for salary cap reasons by the Denver Broncos in March but is coming off his fourth All-Pro season in five years.
Wild that Justin Simmons is still a FA at this point pic.twitter.com/ue5EQzXEha
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) June 13, 2024
At just 30 years old, and coming off yet another All-Pro season, Simmons should have plenty left in the tank.
Potential landing spots: Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons
Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore is coming off a season with the Dallas Cowboys that saw him start all 17 games, recording two interceptions and a forced fumble.
At 33 years old, he won’t be the All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year that he was back in 2019 and years prior, but Gilmore still has enough in the tank to start games and provide quality play.
Potential landing spots: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens
Connor Williams
Heading into 2023, Williams was one of the better centers in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. However, a late-season torn ACL derailed his season and his market in the offseason, leading to him going unsigned through the first portion of free agency.
It’s unknown when he’ll return to the field following his injury. However, thanks to his plethora of experience, whenever he does return, he could provide help at both center and guard for a team in need of reinforcements at those spots.
Potential landing spots: Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos
Micah Hyde
Alongside Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde was one of the better safeties in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. However, both were cut following the season for cap reasons, and Poyer has since joined the Dolphins on a one-year deal.
At 33 years old, Hyde still has some left in the tank, having earned second-team All-Pro honors just a few years ago in 2021. He may not be a starter going forward, but his veteran experience and knack for the football could make him a primary target for important depth, especially if any injuries are suffered by starters.
Potential landing spots: Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints
Ryan Tannehill
Quarterback is the most important position in football, and, as a result, it can be difficult to find one, especially this late. Despite that, Ryan Tannehill is still available, and at 35 years old, he could serve as a solid backup or spot starter in a pinch.
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He most recently spent the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans, starting eight games before injuries led to him being replaced and ultimately benched in favor of Will Levis. Now healthy again, Tannehill could be a much-needed addition if any team’s starter suffers an injury.
Potential landing spots: Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings
Jamal Adams
Once a highly-touted safety, Jamal Adams was cut earlier this offseason by the Seattle Seahawks for cap reasons and injuries he’d suffered the last two seasons.
However, at 28 years old, Adams is healthy once again looking to provide a team the top-tier box safety he once was. If he can stay healthy, which is a big question mark, he could provide some veteran support as either a starter or primary backup, depending on his landing spot.
Potential landing spots: Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers
Hunter Renfrow
If a team needs a slot receiver, there isn’t an option better than Renfrow, who was once one of the best slots in the game. At 28 years old, Renfrow is coming off two disappointing seasons in a row, leading to him being cut by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite that, Renfrow could provide a team with receiving depth. He may not be a starting option anymore, but he definitely could provide needed production in a pinch.
Potential landing spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals
Yannick Ngakoue
At 29 years old, the former Chicago Bears pass rusher could provide some of the best pass rush still available in free agency.
A liability in run defense at times, Ngakoue can play the role of a designated pass rusher for a new team. With 69 career sacks and 21 forced fumbles, it’s what he does best.
Yannick Ngakoue has finished with at least 8 sacks in all 7 seasons of his career. Safe to say he should be a key piece of the @ChicagoBears' pass rush. @YannickNgakoue pic.twitter.com/fGtmOJMsgE
— NFL (@NFL) August 4, 2023
Potential landing spots: Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers
Michael Thomas
Once one of the best receivers in the NFL, Michael Thomas is a free agent after being cut by the New Orleans Saints in March. A big reason why has been his struggle to stay healthy in recent years, playing just 13 games over the last three seasons.
However, at 31 years old, Thomas could still be a reliable receiving option if he keeps his health in check.
Potential landing spots: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders
Donovan Smith
Coming off of a Super Bowl victory with the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith is one of the better offensive tackles remaining in free agency. He likely wouldn’t come in as an immediate starter for any team but he could provide quality depth at left tackle for a team in need of help.
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A big value with Smith is he can provide teams with a lot of experience, having played in 136 career games, including starting 12 games in 2023.
Potential landing spots: Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans