Top 5 available NFL free agents by position ahead of training camp

The first waves of free agency have gone by, the draft is over, and NFL teams have already started OTAs. But that doesn't mean the free agent market is empty, because there are still several useful players — and a track record showing that franchises can still find value and real contributors late in the […]

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Ryan Tannehill
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

The first waves of free agency have gone by, the draft is over, and NFL teams have already started OTAs. But that doesn't mean the free agent market is empty, because there are still several useful players — and a track record showing that franchises can still find value and real contributors late in the process.

So, let's evaluate the five best available free agents in each position. Disclaimer: We did not add UFL players to the list, because they are technically not free agents at this point.

Quarterbacks

  • 1. Ryan Tannehill (Tennessee Titans)
  • 2. Blaine Gabbert (Kansas City Chiefs)
  • 3. Trevor Siemian (New York Jets)
  • 4. Ben DiNucci (Denver Broncos)
  • 5. Brian Hoyer (Las Vegas Raiders)

As expected, the quarterback market has dried up fairly quickly, even with backups without much ceiling to start being signed. Former Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans starter Ryan Tannehill is easily the best available here, with a couple of bottom of the roster options behind him.

Running backs

  • 1. Kareem Hunt (Cleveland Browns)
  • 2. Jerick McKinnon (Kansas City Chiefs)
  • 3. Latavius Murray (Buffalo Bills)
  • 4. Marlon Mack (Arizona Cardinals)
  • 5. Cam Akers (Minnesota Vikings)

Nowadays, it's easier to find young and productive running backs, so older guys run out of work pretty fast. Kareem Hunt lost productivity and efficiency over the last few years, but his versatility is still appealing at this point, just like McKinnon. Latavius Murray was the oldest active RB last year and still played ok. Mack and Akers are younger, but have suffered with sequences of injuries.

Wide receivers

  • 1. Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints)
  • 2. Hunter Renfrow (Las Vegas Raiders)
  • 3. Russell Gage (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
  • 4. Mecole Hardman (Kansas City Chiefs)
  • 5. Jamal Agnew (Jacksonville Jaguars)

The WR group starts well with Thomas, Renfrow, and Gage, then loses traction. MT hasn't played well since 2019 because of injuries, but showed he can still be a useful receiver last season for the Saints. Renfrow and Gage was cut mostly because of financial reasons, but for the right price can still be productive pieces. And do you remember Hardman's last play? It was the Super Bowl-winning touchdown in overtime against the 49ers — it's his second free agency in a row, after he signed with the New York Jets (and was traded back to the Chiefs) last year.

Tight ends

  • 1. Logan Thomas (Washington Commanders)
  • 2. Marcedes Lewis (Chicago Bears)
  • 3. Tyler Kroft (Miami Dolphins)
  • 4. Geoff Swaim (Arizona Cardinals)
  • 5. Blake Bell (Kansas City Chiefs)

Logan Thomas, a former converted quarterback, is certainly the best value of the group. He still has a decently productive season in 2023, with 496 yards and four touchdowns, but was released because of money and management change in Washington. Beyond him, 40-year-old Marcedes Lewis is still a great blocker and a positive locker room leader.

Tackles

  • 1. David Bakhtiari (Green Bay Packers)
  • 2. Donovan Smith (Kansas City Chiefs)
  • 3. DJ Humphries (Arizona Cardinals)
  • 4. Charles Leno (Washington Commanders)
  • 5. Conor McDermott (New England Patriots)

Bakhtiari has played only 13 games since suffering a serious knee injury in 2020, but when he plays, he still performs at a high level. If he's healthy enough, the former All-Pro can still be a valuable lineman. Donovan Smith and DJ Humphries are also competent starters, while Leno and McDermott at this point are depth alternatives.

Interior offensive linemen

  • 1. Connor Williams (Miami Dolphins)
  • 2. Dalton Risner (Minnesota Vikings)
  • 3. Nick Gates (Washington Commanders)
  • 4. Halapoulivaati Vaitai (Detroit Lions)
  • 5. Mark Glowinski (New York Giants)

The guard market still has more depth, but the best interior linemen available is Connor Williams, who had a solid season for the Dolphins. Dalton Risner was a late addition for the Vikings, but played fairly well too.

Interior defensive linemen

  • 1. Calais Campbell (Atlanta Falcons)
  • 2. Al Woods (New York Jets)
  • 3. Mike Purcell (Denver Broncos)
  • 4. Ross Blacklock (Tennessee Titans
  • 5. Linval Joseph (Los Angeles Chargers)

The defensive tackle market is tough, with Al Woods as the best option — which tells you everything you need to know. Calais Campbell is more of a 3-4 defensive end, and edge-IDL hybrid who is still highly effective despite his age. He will be 38 by week 1, but can still be an effective rotational piece.

Edge defenders

  • 1. Carl Lawson (New York Jets)
  • 2. Markus Golden (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  • 3. Jerry Hughes (Houston Texans)
  • 4. Yannick Ngakoue (Chicago Bears)
  • 5. Emmanuel Ogbah (Miami Dolphins)

Every year, trainig camp comes and there are several mercenary edge rushers at 30+ years old still available — and still able to contribute as rotiational pass rushers. Lawson's tenure with the New York Jets was a complete disappointment, but he is 28 and can turn his career around.

Linebackers

  • 1. Shaquille Leonard (Philadelphia Eagles)
  • 2. Zach Cunningham (Philadelphia Eagles)
  • 3. Blake Martinez (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  • 4. Anthony Barr (Minnesota Vikings)
  • 5. Kwon Alexander (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Leonard and Cunningham were both let go by the Eagles, who are trying to improve after a failed approach at linebacker. Blake Martinez came back from retirement and barely played last season — but when he did, it was at a good level, so he might deserve another shot. Barr and Alexander are experienced, athletic players.

Cornerbacks

  • 1. Stephon Gilmore (Dallas Cowboys)
  • 2. Patrick Peterson (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  • 3. Adoree' Jackson (New York Giants)
  • 4. JC Jackson (New England Patriots)
  • 5. Steven Nelson (Houston Texans)

Gilmore and Peterson are former elite players. They are far from their prime, but can still play at a decent level. Adoree' and JC Jackson both got decent deals in free agency, but could justify that on the field. Steven Nelson is not a star, but is a useful secondary piece in the slot.

Safeties

  • 1. Jamal Adams (Seattle Seahawks)
  • 2. Justin Simmons (Denver Broncos)
  • 3. Eddie Jackson (Chicago Bears)
  • 4. Quandre Diggs (Seattle Seahawks)
  • 5. Micah Hyde (Buffalo Bills)

Safety is by far the heaviest position in free agency at this point. We could have put players like Tracy Walker, Tashaun Gipson, Marcus Maye, Kareem Jackson, and other useful pieces. Adams and Simmons, in particular, can still play at a high level despite their age, since coaches know how to adapt their roles.

Special teamers

  • 1. K Randy Bullock (New York Giants)
  • 2. K Mason Crosby (New York Giants)
  • 3. P Pressley Harvin III (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  • 4. K Brett Maher (Los Angeles Rams)
  • 5. LS Jake McQuaide (Detroit Lions)

Bullock and Crosby both spent time with the Giants last season because starter Graham Gano missed half of the year with a knee injury. Other than that, free agency is not very deep — especially at punter, where the best option is Pressley Harvin III, a former draft pick who played three seasons for the Steelers.

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