There are still some big-name NFL free agents on the market heading into the summer months. We’re also expecting teams to be active on this front now that the compensatory formula is no longer in the equation.
That is to say, teams can sign free agents without it impacting the compensatory picks they receive in the 2024 NFL Draft. For contending teams that utilize this as a team-building method, this is no small thing.
From a couple stud veteran edge rushers to one of the best running backs and wide receivers of the modern era, there are NFL free agents that can still help teams heading into training camp. Below, we look at the top-25 currently available and their ideal landing spots.
Related: Top remaining NFL free agents and positional break down
1. DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver
The Arizona Cardinals’ decision to release Hopkins didn’t surprise many. They failed to find a trade partner for the high-priced Pro Bowl wide receiver. However, it is somewhat surprising that Hopkins has not been met with a strong free-agent market.
We’re hearing the five-time Pro Bowler being linked to the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns. Of those four teams, Cleveland makes the most sense. Hopkins would be reuniting with his former Texans teammate, Deshaun Watson. Meanwhile, there is a need at wide receiver behind Amari Cooper in Cleveland.
- Ideal DeAndre Hopkins landing spot: Cleveland Browns
2. Dalvin Cook, running back
Dalvin Cook has been among the most consistently good running backs in the NFL for some time. That’s why it was surprising that the Minnesota Vikings released him in a pure salary cap move.
We’re talking about a back who put up nearly 1,500 total yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago. Since the start of the 2019 season, the 27-year-old Cook is averaging 1,605 yards and 11 touchdowns at a clip o 5.2 yards per touch.
One team obviously comes to mind as a likely landing spot. The Miami Dolphins were linked to Cook in a trade earlier this offseason. Head coach Mike McDaniel has made it clear that there’s interest on this front. Expect something to happen ahead of training camp.
- Ideal Dalvin Cook landing spot: Miami Dolphins
3. Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE
One of the most underrated NFL free agents of the cycle, Ngakoue has racked up a whopping 39 quarterback hits and 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Dating back to his days with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-19), the former Maryland star has proven he can get to the quarterback on a consistent basis.
At issue here are struggles against the run. Most teams view Ngakoue as a mere pass-rush specialist, impacting his market in a big way. Even then, a situational pass rusher is of value in today’s NFL. The Seattle Seahawks did not add an edge guy with either of their two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draf. We’re expecting general manager John Schneider and Co. to be active on this front as they look to get more production from the edge.
- Ideal Yannick Ngakoue landing spot: Seattle Seahawks
4. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE
For the second straight offseason, Clowney finds himself still on the market with the NFL Draft a thing of the past. He didn’t re-sign with the Cleveland Browns until late May of last year. We expect teams to circle around back to him leading up to training camp. After putting up nine sacks and 19 QB hits in 2021, he took a major step back this past season (four QB hits, two sacks).
As mentioned above, we’re at the point in the offseason that the compensatory draft formula is not taken into account. It’s in this that we fully expect the San Francisco 49ers to be active. They rely a great deal on that formula. San Francisco also has a major need out on the edge next to Nick Bosa. Having restructured the contract of Christian McCaffrey to create more cap room, the 49ers are going to target an edge guy. Clowney just makes too much sense.
- Ideal Jadeveon Clowney landing spot: San Francisco 49ers
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NFL power rankings
5. Marcus Peters, cornerback
Peters’ regression this past season after missing the entire 2021 campaign to a torn ACL is worrisome. The three-time Pro Bowler yielded a 113.7 QB rating when targeted. Now on the wrong side of 30, that could force some teams to take a pause.
Even then, we’re talking about someone who was a true ball hawk pre-injury. From 2015-20, Peters recorded an eye-opening 31 interceptions and six touchdowns at cornerback. Indications are that the Las Vegas Raiders are likely to sign Peters ahead of training camp. It makes sense given their struggles against the pass last season.
- Ideal Marcus Smith landing spot: Las Vegas Raiders
6. Ezekiel Elliott, running back
As far as NFL free agents go, Zeke is the most-notable name. When it comes to actual on-field productivity, he’s coming off a disastrous 2022 campaign. The three-time Pro Bowler put up less than 900 rushing yards for the first time in his career. He also averaged a mere 3.8 yards per rush.
The good news? Contending teams might have interest in a short yardage running back who can still get into the end zone. Elliott has recorded 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons. We like former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and the Los Angeles Chargers as a fit. While Austin Ekeler’s contract situation has been worked out, adding a short-yardage option to go with the catch-first back makes sense.
- Ideal Ezekiel Elliott landing spot: Los Angeles Chargers
7. Isaiah Wynn, offensive line
Coming off an injury-plagued 2022 season in which he missed eight games, Wynn is now among the top remaining NFL free agents on the market. For the former first-round pick out of Georgia, this isn’t how he envisioned things going.
Look for New England’s former starting left tackle to take a one-year contract as a way to improve his stock as a free agent next March. He’ll want to be given an opportunity to start. It’s in this that the Kansas City Chiefs make sense. Wynn could be the swing tackle in Kansas City while potentially backing up at both guard spots.
- Ideal Isaiah Wynn landing spot: Kansas City Chiefs
8. John Johnson, safety
It’s somewhat surprising that Johnson remains on the market. He’s among the most productive NFL free agents still available. Since entering the league as a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams back in 2017, Johnson has proven to be stellar in coverage. In fact, he has not given up a QB rating higher than 82.8 thus far in his career.
Still only 27, Johnson should draw a nice amount of interest as training camps approach. His ability as a center fielder should entice a team like the New York Giants. Jason Pinnock is slated to start for New York at free safety with free agent signing Bobby McCain backing him up. Johnson would be an upgrade over both.
- Ideal John Johnson landing spot: New York Giants
9. Taylor Lewan, offensive tackle
A three-time Pro Bowler earlier in his career, Lewan has missed extensive time to injury in two of the past three seasons (11 games in 2020, 15 games in 2022). At 31 years old, that has forced him to remain on the free agent market.
Despite this, teams love the idea of having a veteran presence at offensive tackle. There are also not 64 starter-caliber tackles in the league today. For some reason, the Miami Dolphins continue to rely on a struggling Austin Jackson at right tackle. They simply need to get more pass protection from this spot in front of the injury plagued Tua Tagovailoa. Why not take a chance on Lewan?
- Ideal Taylor Lewan landing spot: Miami Dolphins
10. Jarvis Landry, wide receiver
A slot receiver in the back end of his prime who played in just nine games last season. Typically, these types of NFL free agents wouldn’t be seen as attractive options. That’s until we realize Landry has a track record of success. A five-time Pro Bowler earlier in his career, Landry averaged 950 receiving yards from 2014-21.
Several contending teams will look into signing Landry ahead of the start of training camp. We like the Buffalo Bills as a fit. Right now, Deonte Harty is slated to start at the slot. That’s not an ideal scenario for Josh Allen and Co.
- Ideal Jarvis Landry landing spot: Buffalo Bills
Other top remaining NFL free agents and ideal landing spots
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | Landing spot |
| 11 | Kareem Hunt | RB | Browns | Vikings |
| 12 | Ronald Darby | CB | Broncos | Ravens |
| 13 | Teddy Bridgewater | QB | Dolphins | Rams |
| 14 | Shelby Harris | DT | Seahawks | Jets |
| 15 | Ben Jones | C | Titans | Raiders |
| 16 | Justin Houston | EDGE | Ravens | Bills |
| 17 | Akiem Hicks | DT | Buccaneers | Eagles |
| 18 | Leonard Fournette | RB | Buccaneers | Patriots |
| 19 | Carson Wentz | QB | Commanders | Cardinals |
| 20 | Anthony Barr | LB | Cowboys | Saints |
| 21 | Casey Hayward | CB | Falcons | 49ers |
| 22 | Shaquill Griffin | CB | Jaguars | Cowboys |
| 23 | Kyle Van Noy | EDGE | Chargers | Patriots |
| 24 | Trai Turner | Guard | Commanders | Raiders |
| 25 | Bryce Callahan | CB | Chargers | Patriots |
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