Best available players still on the NFL free-agent market

The 2024 NFL Draft is two weeks away, which signals the end of the first wave of NFL Free agency.

Many of the big headliners have already signed their respective deals, but there’s still plenty of value left to be had with a lot of premium players still available. Here are six of the best remaining players on the free-agent market.

Tyler Boyd, WR

Although he isn’t in the same class as Calvin Ridley or Mike Williams, Boyd is a 29-year-old wideout with two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. He’s averaged 64 catches and 94 targets per season over his eight-year career, and before Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins came along, he proved he could put up fringe-WR1 numbers in the right offensive system. Boyd has drawn interest from the Steelers, Commanders, Chiefs and Chargers, among others.

 J.K. Dobbins, RB

Dobbins is only 25 years old, and while his injury history is a bit concerning (he’s missed 25 games over the last two seasons), he also has lot less tread on his tires than most running backs his age. (He has just 234 carries in three seasons.) A second-round pick of the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins had a promising 805-yard, nine-touchdown rookie year while splitting carries with Gus Edwards. He could be a great value add for a team like the Cowboys, Bengals or Chargers looking to add more RB depth. 

Stephon Gilmore, CB

Gilmore may be 33, but he proved last season he still has plenty left in the tank. The two-time All-Pro was second on the Cowboys with 13 passes defensed and two interceptions, and he limited opposing QBs to a completion percentage of 56.8. Dallas has left the door open for a possible return, but Gilmore has also been linked to the Panthers and Patriots.

Xavien Howard, CB

Howard will be 31 when the season starts, but like Gilmore, he showed last season he’s still got some good football left. He led the Dolphins with 12 passes defensed, and he surrendered just two touchdowns on 477 coverage snaps. Multiple reports indicate the Falcons, Raiders and Cowboys are all interested in him.

Justin Simmons, S

It’s not every day that a four-time second-team All-Pro safety becomes available, especially one considered still in his prime. Simmons still has a few more years of being a high-caliber player left. He had eight passes defensed, six forced incompletions, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and allowed just 4.13 yards after the catch per completion last season. The Titans, Chiefs and Steelers all reportedly have interest in him.

Connor Williams, C

With Lloyd Cushenberry and Tyler Biadasz, the two top free-agent centers, off the market, Williams is the next-best option available. He was limited to just nine games in 2023, but he allowed just one sack and six pressures on 497 offensive snaps. Williams is only 26, and he’s surrendered more than 30 pressures and allowed more than four sacks in a season just once in his career. The Steelers appear to be the front-runner to sign Williams, but the Cowboys and 49ers are also reportedly in the running.