The best remaining NFL free agents
The new league year just started, but most of the top names are already gone. Most, but not all.
The new league year hasn’t even started yet, but many of the top NFL free agents have agreed to join new teams or re-sign with their old ones. The free agency negotiating or “legal tampering” period doesn’t allow contracts to be signed, but barring massive Josh McDaniels style flip-flopping, the biggest reported deals will become official at 4 p.m. ET on March 14.
It has been some of the most action we’ve seen prior to the start of free agency. From a slew of trades to some high-profile franchise tagging to Sam Bradford getting another $20 million thrown at what’s left of his ACLs, it’s hard even keeping track of who is still available.
The top quarterbacks (and Bradford) went quickly, while the pass-rushing market dried up immediately with a pair of franchise tags to Demarcus Lawrence and Ezekiel Ansah. Wide receivers are getting paid a whole lot more than anybody expected, and that market is quickly evaporating. Running backs ... well, nobody is signing running backs yet.
We’ve got you covered and there are still plenty of players worth signing, depending on the need.
Quarterback
Signed: Jimmy Garoppolo, Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins, Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, Mike Glennon, Ryan Fitzpatrick, AJ McCarron, Tom Savage, Chase Daniel, Chad Henne, Josh Johnson
Best Available: Colin Kaepernick, Geno Smith, Jay Cutler
McCarron was thought to have a potentially strong market, but it took until the league year actually switched over, and then some, for him to sign with the Bills. Imagine that! Cutler is included because he’s, at times, competent and that just happens to be the bar at this point in the free agent class. The big names are essentially all gone.
Others available: Blaine Gabbert, Brock Osweiler, EJ Manuel, Matt Moore
Running Back
Signed: Le’Veon Bell (franchise tag), Chris Ivory, Jonathan Stewart, Isaiah Crowell, Dion Lewis, Jonathan Stewart, Carlos Hyde, Jerick McKinnon, Rex Burkhead, Corey Grant (RFA, tendered), Brandon Bolden, Doug Martin, Jeremy Hill, LeGarrette Blount, Damien Williams
Best Available: DeMarco Murray, Frank Gore
When Lewis went off the board, the market dried up quite a bit. Unless you want your team targeting a slew of veterans that may or may not have something left to offer.
Other available: Orleans Darkwa, Alfred Morris, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Alfred Blue, Thomas Rawls
Wide Receiver
Signed: Jarvis Landry (franchise tag + trade), Allen Robinson, Sammy Watkins, Paul Richardson, Marqise Lee, Danny Amendola, Donte Moncrief, Cameron Meredith (RFA, tendered), Tyrell Williams (RFA, tendered), Quincy Enunwa (RFA, tendered) Albert Wilson, Willie Snead (RFA, tendered), Taylor Gabriel, Michael Crabtree, De’Anthony Thomas, Bruce Ellington, Jarius Wright, Cody Latimer, Ryan Grant, Deonte Thompson
Best Available: Terrelle Pryor, Jordan Matthews, Mike Wallace
The wide receiver market has been STRONG. They’re all getting paid, and fast. Pryor had one really good season, and then disappeared with Washington in an injury-plagued season. Matthews also dealt with injuries last year with the Bills.
Other available: Allen Hurns, Eric Decker, Brice Butler, Kendall Wright, Jeremy Maclin, Markus Wheaton
Tight End
Signed: Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton, Cameron Brate, Derek Carrier, Virgil Green, Niles Paul, Lee Smith, Darren Fells, Tyler Eifert, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Ed Dickson, Eric Ebron, Luke Willson, Logan Paulsen
Best Available: Martellus Bennett
Boy, did Brate get paid or what? Bennett has been a very productive tight end over the years, yet there are injury concerns — and he could decide to retire instead. The rest of the pack includes aging veterans or under-performing veterans. Take your pick.
Other available: Antonio Gates, Ben Watson, Troy Niklas, Julius Thomas, Marcedes Lewis
Offensive Line
Signed: OT Nate Solder, OT Seantrel Henderson, OT Chris Hubbard, OT Andre Smith, OT Garry Gilliam, G Andrew Norwell, G Brandon Fusco, C Weston Richburg, C Daniel Kilgore, C Matt Paradis (RFA, tendered), G Zach Fulton, C Spencer Long, G Josh Sitton, C Ryan Jensen, C John Sullivan, G Justin Pugh, C Mike Pouncey, G D.J. Fluker, G Jonathan Cooper, G/C Matt Slauson, G Jack Mewhort
Best Available: OT Cameron Fleming, C Wesley Johnson
It’s a strong market for interior linemen, but the best LT (Solder), guard (Norwell), and center (Richburg) are off the market while the very good Paradis was tendered by the Broncos. But a (requested) release after free agency began put another viable lineman on the market: center Mike Pouncey. He didn’t stay available for long, as he got snatched up by the Chargers. Of the other remaining players, there are still very good starters, though age will catch up with some of them soon.
Other available: OT Austin Howard, OT Greg Robinson, G/C Joe Berger, G/C Evan Smith, G Jahri Evans, C Travis Swanson, C Brett Jones (RFA)
EDGE
Signed: Demarcus Lawrence (franchise tag), Ezekiel Ansah (franchise tag), Shaquil Barrett (RFA), Muhammad Wilkerson, Trent Murphy, Dion Jordan (RFA, tendered), Aaron Lynch, Jeremiah Attaochu, Alex Okafor, Tank Carradine, Adrian Clayborn, Derrick Shelby
Best Available: Junior Galette
One of the most-needed positions in the NFL it seems, and it was hit hard with its top two players getting the franchise tag. The rest of the best soon followed. Curry was released by the Eagles after they failed to get him to take a pay cut — or find a trade partner, and he was quickly scooped up by the Buccaneers.
Other available: Kony Ealy, Pernell McPhee, Elvis Dumervil, Ahmad Brooks, James Harrison
Defensive Tackle
Signed: Star Lotulelei, Chris Baker, Justin Ellis, Kyle Williams, Haloti Ngata, Chris Baker, David Irving (RFA), DaQuan Jones, Mitch Unrein, Dontari Poe, Sheldon Richardson, Sylvester Williams, Clinton McDonald
Best Available: Ndamukong Suh, Johnathan Hankins, Dominique Easley
Suh, who was released by the Dolphins, is the best name to hit the market at the position. The Colts also surprisingly released Johnathan Hankins, who should be able to find a new home soon.
Other available: Bennie Logan, Nick Fairley, Jay Bromley
Linebacker
Signed: Anthony Hitchens, Mason Foster, Avery Williamson, Nigel Bradham, Demario Davis, Todd Davis, Barkevious Mingo, Brock Coyle, Zach Brown, Tahir Whitehead, Jon Bostic, Ramon Humber
Best Available: NaVorro Bowman
It’s a generally strong linebacker class overall, whether your team needs an inside guy or an outside guy. We’ve tried to separate as many edge players out as possible, but linebackers are notoriously versatile. For example, Bowman showed that he still has plenty left in the tank with the Raiders last year.
Other available: Connor Barwin, Lamarr Houston, Brian Cushing, Jerrell Freeman, Derrick Johnson, Kevin Minter, Gerald Hodges, Shea McClellin
Cornerback
Signed: Richard Sherman, Malcolm Butler, Trumaine Johnson, Kyle Fuller (transition tag), Vontae Davis, David Amerson, Brent Grimes, Aaron Colvin, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Bryce Callahan (RFA, tendered), Prince Amukamara, Patrick Robinson, DeShawn Shead, T.J. Carrie, Sam Shields, Tramaine Brock, Johnathan Joseph, Morris Claiborne, Rashaan Melvin, Orlando Scandrick
Best Available: E.J. Gaines, Bashaud Breeland
A ridiculously strong market at the position, there are still some nice cornerbacks available. Gaines is a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he has injury concerns. Breeland had agreed to a deal with the Panthers, but he failed the team’s physical and is a free agent again. The rest of the list includes a lot of aging players and a lot of players with durability concerns, but it remains a strong class.
Other available: Justin Bethel, Tramon Williams, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Marcus Cooper
Safety
Signed: Lamarcus Joyner (franchise tag), Tavon Wilson, Ricardo Allen (RFA, tendered), Bradley McDouglad, Kurt Coleman, Terrence Brooks, Rafael Bush, Cody Davis, Marcus Gilchrist, Tyrann Mathieu, Morgan Burnett
Best Available: Eric Reid, Kenny Vaccaro, Tyvon Branch
Reid is the most intriguing option remaining. He’s said he wouldn’t be surprised if his protests alongside Colin Kaepernick (he was the first to join Kaepernick) lead to him getting fewer looks in free agency. But he’s a high-level safety with mild injury concerns, and whoever gets him will be getting a very good player. Vaccaro hasn’t been quite as good as advertised, but he was covering well before an injury in 2017.
Other available: Steven Terrell, Tre Boston, Quintin Demps, Reggie Nelson, Ron Parker, Mike Mitchell