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NFL free agency begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. And if you’ve been off the NFL network for two days, that official kickoff will be more exciting than it actually is.
The NFL’s so-called legal tampering period began Monday and there was a frenzy to lock up top free agents. By the time Wednesday rolled around, 17 of the 25 free agents in Yahoo Sports’ top 25 on Monday had agreed to deals.
That doesn’t mean free agency is over. Teams will continue to look to veterans for help and there are some viable options. Here are the top 10 free agents who haven’t reached a deal and are still available:
Fuller finished seventh among cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus grades last season. At 29 years old there is concern that he will slip, but he should get one more big contract this offseason.
Brown has only one 1,000-yard season in his five-year NFL career and injuries have been a problem. He has the talent. He once he was a first round pick. Some team will be betting on him staying healthy and productive as his age-27 season progresses.
(UPDATED: Signing a four-year contract with Titans)
At one point, Ridley looked like an elite receiver. That was before a strange 2021 with the Atlanta Falcons in which he played just five games, a one-year-per-game suspension in 2022, and an up-and-down 2023 with the Jaguars. He’s still good and he’s only 29 years old, but the shine on him is practically off. Still, there was enough intrigue and upside to get $92 million from Tennessee.
Williams was released for salary cap reasons, and the Chargers had to be disappointed. Williams played only 16 games over the past two seasons. But when he plays, the usual Williams, he performs excellently. He was the seventh pick in the 2017 draft, has two 1,000-yard seasons and is still just 29 years old. Williams is coming off an ACL injury, which will scare away some teams. But in a very thin receiver market, Williams’ talent stands out.
The 5 best free agents in the NFL by position
Field Marshals
runners
Wide receivers
tight ends
offensive line
defensive line
Supporters
defensive backs
When Smith is on the field, he performs excellently. The problem is that 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 accept that. Availability is a major concern.
Consider Simmons one of the victims of the Russell Wilson trade. The Broncos, saddled with huge cap hits from releasing Wilson, are cutting Simmons to save $14.5 million on the salary cap. Simmons made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro last season. He led the NFL in interceptions for the 2022 season. He is 30 years old but is still capable of being a very good safety.
The big Brown has been a good left tackle for many years and still has plenty left in the tank. He could move to a team that struggles on the offensive line.
Baker should spark interest. He is a solid off-ball linebacker who is 27 years old. He can play all three downs. He is not an impact player but he is a good defender.
In 2022, Howard signed a deal that was the richest for any cornerback in NFL history. He’s now 30 years old, he didn’t have a great 2023 season and the Dolphins just cut him. But he was a Pro Bowler in 2022, and good cornerbacks are hard to find.
10. Washington Commanders S Kamren Curl
Curl was a seventh-round draft pick, but quickly broke into the Commanders’ starting lineup as a rookie. In his four seasons with the team he demonstrated good versatile ability. At 25 years old, he should get a good long-term contract.
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Four Verts free agency!
– Kirk Cousins is the player the Falcons need
– The Dolphins’ margin for error is now very small.
– The Rams will leave you without the ball.
– Brian Burns trade says it all about Panthers roster
Read the Four Verts free agency edition
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