There are a few well-known names available, like as Tyron Smith, Jadeveon Clowney, Calvin Ridley, Chase Young, and Stephon Gilmore.
The NFL’s annual March madness around free agency is barely (officially) getting started.
However, the majority of player bidding wars have ended as the legal tampering time has. Yes, the physicals still need to pass and the contracts still need to be signed and completed. However, compared to the day before, the skill pool is far smaller overall.
With the new league year approaching, these are the top 10 players still available, based on our first ranking of the top 50 free agents.
10. Edge Jadeveon Clowney
After ten years of service and five different organizations, Jadeveon Clowney is currently seeking a new deal.
Though he had a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2023 for the Baltimore Ravens, the age and injury history of the 31-year-old make it unlikely that he will receive a contract longer than one season.
9. CB Kristian Fulton
Fulton is a fascinating niche. The LSU graduate enters Free Agency for the first time after playing with the Tennessee Titans for his first four seasons.
Fulton is talented, but he hasn’t exactly changed the game. In his career, he has only recorded four interceptions and one forced fumble. He has 10 passes defensed in the last two years. Overall, good yet unexceptional.
At just 25 years old, Fulton aspires to prove his value again, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he signed a short-term contract.
8. WR Mike Williams
Williams may sign right away after the Los Angeles Chargers released him on Wednesday.
Throughout his storied career, Williams, 30, has suffered injuries despite his brilliance as a receiver. In addition, he has two seasons with 1,000 yards or more, but he is also recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings.
It is anticipated that Williams would sign a one-year deal with a lot of incentives to reset his market for one more big payoff.
7. LT Tyron Smith
Smith will one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He played with the Dallas Cowboys for 12 seasons as a standout, earning him a spot on the 2010 All-Decade Team.
Dallas, who has had difficulty keeping the 33-year-old on the field, seems to be moving on, though. Smith has never participated in more than 13 games in a season throughout the previous eight.
Still, he’s a fantastic short-term remedy for a contender because of his unquestionable potential.
6. CB Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore is still performing at a high level even though he is starting his 34th season.
The Cowboys are expected to lose the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, who will now likely sign with his sixth team in as many years. Gilmore will undoubtedly sign a one-year contract because of his age, but his skill and reputation may also make him a respectable price.
5. DB Kendall Fuller
Since the start of the legal tampering period, Fuller has been unquestionably one of the top players on the market.
Fuller, 29, spent time at safety and cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and won a Super Bowl with them. Fuller has been a cornerstone for the Washington Commanders for the last four years, missing only five games.
Fuller may be able to secure a multiyear contract due to his relative youth, adaptability, and skill with the ball (16 interceptions in his career).
4. WR Marquise Brown
Brown is an intriguing athlete. After being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, he played with the Ravens for three years, ultimately breaking 1,000 yards in 2021.
He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for a first-round pick following his breakout season. He has since amassed 1,283 yards in two seasons.
Brown, 26, is a fantastic deep threat who hasn’t yet reached the full extent of his enormous talent. At his next stop, we’ll see if he can do it.
3. G Kevin Zeitler
Zeitler ought to be ecstatic. Even if the contract is just temporary, the 34-year-old may receive a sizable payout with the amount of guard money being tossed around this summer.
Zeitler signed a three-year contract with the Ravens after spending two seasons each with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants following his entry-level signing with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Now that Baltimore is up against the cap, Zeitler may be moving again in an attempt to get that elusive championship ring. Additionally resilient, Zeitler has participated in at least 15 games in each of the last nine seasons.
2. Edge Chase Young
Young is one of those athletes whose name and draft position essentially support them. Young, the second overall choice in 2020, has only racked up 16.5 sacks in his combined career with the 49ers and Washington Commanders.
He tore his ACL in 2021, but he’s still a strong player and should be back to full health. And even at just 24 years old, Young has the potential to make a lot of money given the importance edge rushers have in the pass-happy NFL of today.
A multiyear agreement might see him earn a respectable rate, however a large deal is doubtful.
1. WR Calvin Ridley
Update: It’s said that Ridley has consented to sign a four-year contract with the Titans.
This summer, Ridley appears to have focused more narrowly, and a return to the Jacksonville Jaguars appears to be the most likely conclusion.
If Ridley chooses to investigate the market more, it wouldn’t be shocking if he signed a multiyear contract worth close to $20 million a year.
Following a year-long ban due to gambling, Ridley returned to the field last season and had 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.
