NFL's Top 10 Available Free Agents Remaining On The Market

Wait, who said NFL free agency is over? 

No NFL general manager has said that. Certainly, the San Francisco 49ers haven't because they dipped back into free agency Monday by agreeing to terms with tight end Logan Thomas.

(Thomas, who caught 55 passes for 496 yards and 4 TDs for the Commanders last season, is now expected to be George Kittle's backup.)

So moves are still happening and rosters are definitely not yet set around the league. At least none of the recognizable names that remain as unsigned free agents think so – and there are quite a few. 

They are mostly waiting on the right team with the right opportunity and contract to make the call. 

So, who exactly, are we still talking about? Well, here are the top unrestricted free agents (UFAs) still on the market:

Gilmore Best Available Free Agent

CB Stephon Gilmore: Based on 2024 play, he's easily the best available free agent right now. His tape from Dallas a year ago, and the past couple of years, really, speaks to top professional cornerback play. 

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 24: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins is tackled by Stephon Gilmore #21 of the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Here are the issues: He's continuing to rehabilitate from shoulder surgery, and he isn't going just anywhere on the cheap. He has a threshold below which he isn't budging and salary cap space is not in abundance for a ton of teams this time of year. The Raiders have been rumored to be interested, but it's a shock teams such as the Lions, Packers or Chargers wouldn't want his high standard of play and calm locker presence. 

Safety Justin Simmons: He's enjoyed his family time but has continued to train and if somebody wakes up, he'll be starting somewhere in 2024. Simmons has decided to remain patient and wait on the right opportunity. That means a chance to be on a competitive team for more than one year. That a high expectation at this point, but he is still outstanding. He has been second-team All Pro each of the past three seasons.

Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins high fives Xavien Howard #25 and Tua Tagovailoa #1 prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 06, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Howard Still Eyes Houston?

CB Xavien Howard: When he was first cut by the Dolphins, he made it clear he wouldn't be returning and would like to perhaps go back to his hometown and play for the Texans. And nobody doubted he might be able to do this because he's had at least 12 pass breakups in four straight seasons. But he's about to turn 31 and the knees are always a question here. If those check out, he could be a good addition for a lot of places – including Miami in an emergency.

WR Michael Thomas: He was putting up future Hall of Famer numbers his first four seasons but injuries have limited him to 20 starts the past four seasons and that's why he was designated a June 1 cut by the Saints. This is only a fit if Thomas can pass his physical. Any interested team will be gambling on a reserve receiver that has been trending toward getting healthier and is nearly unstoppable when he's 100 percent. But this doesn't feel like a multi-year commitment by anyone.

QB Ryan Tannehill: One assumes he understands he's no longer an NFL starter. Frankly, he's not really a backup at this stage, either. He is, however, a great backup plan if someone gets injured in training camp or during the season. He'll be in shape, and he can still win games in short spurts as a starter during the regular season.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 31: Patrick Peterson #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after beating the Seattle Seahawks 30-23 at Lumen Field on December 31, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

Peterson Knows All The Tricks

CB Patrick Peterson: Thought of putting J.C. Jackson here, but the knee and the uncertainty about his bout with a mental health issue makes him more of a project than Peterson. Peterson is about to turn 34, but he has played solid the past two years in Minnesota and Pittsburgh, with 26 passes defensed combined. This is a one-year deal player now. But he's a veteran who knows all the tricks.

DL Emmanuel Ogbah: He needs to be in the right system and would be a solid reserve addition in Minnesota because defensive coordinator Brian Flores knows how to use him. That wasn't the case in Miami the past couple of years, so his tackle numbers took a nose dive to 7 solos in 2022 and then again in '23. He still has some pass rush energy, however, and actually delivered 16 QB hits combined the past two years.

DE Yannick Ngakoue: He's only 29 years old and multiple teams have reached out because he's always been a solid, try-hard pass rusher. But last year it simply went poorly, as the four sacks with the Bears showed. Ngakoue should be on a roster in the coming weeks and seems ready for that because he definitely wants to be on a team by training camp in July. A return to Baltimore makes some sense.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Mecole Hardman Jr. #12 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after catching the game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

From Super Bowl Win To No Job

CB Adoree' Jackson: He has struggled with injuries for a while now and there's no telling how that has affected his body. But he looked pretty good on that 76-yard interception return against the Eagles last season. Despite that, the Giants have moved on and Jackson is going to need a team looking for a veteran backup cornerback. He probably should expect to sign a one-year deal.

WR Mecole Hardman: Last time we saw him, Hardman caught the winning TD in overtime to win the Super Bowl. He also had a 52-yard catch in that game. And that all begs the question why the Chiefs haven't re-signed him? Yes, the added Hollywood Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy. And they have a solid group of backups. But Rashee Rice's status for 2024 is uncertain and Kadarius Toney showed little in 2023.

Honorable mention: OT D.J. Humphries, LT Donovan Smith, WR Hunter Renfrow, S Quandre Diggs, DE Calais Campbell.