NFL's Top 10 Remaining Free Agents Include Beckham, Simmons, Clowney, And Some Surprises

Over 600 players remain unsigned into the second week of NFL free agency and now teams are generally looking to fill gaps, scrounging for bargains or trying to find players at positions they may want to address in the draft but also want veterans to have some flexibility. 

So many teams are re-checking with their pro personnel departments for the NFL's top remaining free agents. I mentioned many teams, but that doesn't necessarily include the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are apparently embracing the off portion of offseason.

Anyway, a year ago at this time, the top unsigned free agent was probably receiver Odell Beckham Jr. He had been wined and dined by the New York Giants and Cowboys at the end of the 2022 season while he was rehabilitating his knee. 

Odell Beckham Jr. is rumored to be in a relationship with Kim Kardashian. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images).

Odell Beckham Needs To Drum Up Interest

Ultimately, he didn't play in 2022, so he made his way to the NFL annual meeting to talk with multiple teams about playing in 2023. He eventually signed with the Ravens and delivered a solid but not amazing season. He caught 35 passes for 565 yards and 3 TDs.

Well, Beckham is a free agent again and teams aren't exactly blowing him away with offers this year. He has a history of not taking bargain deals.

So he might have to take another trip to the league's annual meeting, which begins next week in Orlando, to drum up some higher-priced interest.

Beckham is not alone. There are multiple big-name and big-production players who remain unsigned for 2024. These are the players that join Beckham as the 10 best available free agents left on the market.

(By the way, this list does not include Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown because he's visiting the Bengals on Tuesday and there is hope by both parties he'll be signed by the end of his visit.):

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Simmons Is Best Available Free Agent

FS Justin Simmons: Why did the Broncos move on? And why is he still available? Well, the Broncos moved on because of the salary cap and Sean Payton is smarter than everyone else. But the second question is baffling. He's been an All Pro second-team selection four of the past five years and three seasons in a row and he's only 30 years old. He can run, he can tackle and he covers. Assuming he's not pricing himself out of opportunities, he should be signing relatively soon.

WR MIke Williams: He's got plenty of teams interested, including the Panthers, Jets on Tuesday and Steelers later in the week, after which he hopes to make a decision. The Jets' hope, meanwhile, is to not let Williams leave the building. And because multiple teams are interested, the Williams camp is hoping for a multi-year deal. 

Edge Jadaveon Clowney: In a perfect world, Clowney could go back to Baltimore, where he fit the system and collected 9.5 sacks last season, if they could pay him market value. Except, the Ravens paid Clowney $4.5 million last season (with incentives) and may not want to use the cap space to pay more. So Clowney is shopping. He visited the Panthers last week and NFL Meda reported he'd visit the Jets this week.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Stephon Gilmore #9 of the Carolina Panthers looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Gilmore Still Very Good Despite Age

CB Stephon Gilmore: Did you hear about all the times Gilmore got burned playing for the Cowboys last season? Neither did I. The thing working against Gilmore now is numbers. Like 33 (his age) and his salary demands (he's never settled for anything below market). Perhaps a title-contending team needing cornerback flexibility and the addition of a pro's pro in the locker room before the draft can convince Gilmore to give them a year without asking a mint.

Slot WR Tyler Boyd: His receiving yards, yards per catch, touchdown, and first downs all decreased last season, so the question becomes, is he starting to decline or did not having Joe Burrow hit him particularly hard? Most teams will think it was the quarterback and not the slot receiver. He's generally reliable and very smart. He can be a quarterback's best friend on third and 5 or less.

CB Xavien Howard: He was something of a cap casualty, but his time had run its course in Miami. That's the reason he's on the market and initially had little desire to return to Miami on a cheaper contract despite having a home in South Florida. The point is moot now anyway, because the Dolphins signed Kendall Fuller. He' smart and knows how to prepare and could be valuable for a playoff run. But there are durability questions and his best season was 2020, so a while ago.  

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Andrus Peat #75 of the New Orleans Saints in an offensive stance during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Three-Time Pro Bowler Peat In Demand

OL Andrus Peat: The swing offensive lineman, who can play both guard and tackle, is a valuable commodity and that's why the Titans are interested and are scheduled to visit with Peat this week. Peat, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has played both left tackle and guard for the Saints. Last season, at tackle, he allowed two sacks. He last played guard on a full-time basis in 2022 and was effective there. 

C Connor Williams: If he was healthy he'd be signed already. He's not healthy as he continues to rehabilitate a significant knee injury that is threatening his career. If – big if – Williams can work himself back it won't be by the start of training camps in July. But perhaps a team that gets good medical intel on him might offer a below-market deal the bets on Williams for late in 2024 or even 2025. 

DL Calais Campbell: If Clowney doesn't return to the Ravens, they would be smart to look at a reunion with Campbell. No, this is not the Ravens front office suggestion box. This would be smart because last season Campbell delivered 6.5 sacks for the Falcons. The Falcons needed him on the field, and he delivered 712 defensive snaps – more than he ever played in a season during three years with Baltimore. At age 38 when the season opens, Campbell might benefit from rotational duty again.