Best fits for top 20 remaining NFL free agents

There are still many notable players left on the open market after the first wave of free agency. Not all of them are household names, but they all have the potential to be key contributors in 2024.

Here, we try to play matchmaker with the top 20 free agents still left on the market.

Justin Simmons Eagles Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

The Eagles shouldn't wait any longer to pounce on the biggest free-agent defensive back still on the market. Simmons checks too many boxes to not end up in Philadelphia; he has experience with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and, more importantly, he addresses an area of need.

Odell Beckham Jr. Chiefs

Beckham and the Chiefs flirted last offseason before the wideout ultimately chose the Ravens. Even after signing Marquise Brown, the reigning champions need more weapons for Patrick Mahomes, who worked wonders with a subpar group outside of Rashee Rice last year.

Michael Thomas Dolphins

Tyreek Hill wants Thomas to join the high-flying Dolphins, and the fit makes sense. Hill and Jaylen Waddle scare defenses so much with their speed that Thomas could thrive working underneath, even if the former Pro Bowler is far from the force he once was.

Mike Williams Jets

• Editor's note: This article was published before Williams reportedly joined the Jets on a one-year deal.

The Jets are once again on the lookout for a giant, vertical threat at wide receiver. They swung and missed on Allen Lazard last year and seem eager to move on. Williams is a dangerous deep threat when healthy and would undeniably provide a massive upgrade to the team's receiver corps.

Stephon Gilmore Falcons Ryan Kang / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Falcons are all-in after landing Kirk Cousins in free agency, so it makes sense for them to go after experienced starters who can still play at a high level. Gilmore fits that mold perfectly and would give Atlanta an imposing duo at cornerback alongside A.J. Terrell.

Xavien Howard Ravens

Howard played at a Pro Bowl level for three years prior to 2023. Though he's now on the wrong side of 30, few defensive backs have his instincts for the ball. The Ravens already have a strong group, but they love stockpiling cornerbacks.

Tre'Davious White Rams

It's been a rough go for White, who suffered a torn Achilles in 2023 and a torn ACL in 2021. White was once one of the league's most dangerous cornerbacks, and though he may have lost a step due to injuries, Los Angeles should still take a chance on him.

Jadeveon Clowney Panthers

The Panthers are going to need an all-hands-on-deck approach to replace Brian Burns. Though they already signed D.J. Wonnum and K'Lavon Chaisson, the defense would benefit from a pass-rusher with the consistency of Clowney, who is coming off a terrific 9.5-sack campaign.

Tyler Boyd Steelers

A former Pitt Panther, Boyd carved out a solid career with the Steelers' division rival, the Bengals. But the timing seems right for the Steelers to bring Boyd back home. Pittsburgh needs a second wide receiver after trading Diontae Johnson, and Boyd is a proven commodity who can be the veteran leader for the likes of George Pickens and others.

Ryan Tannehill Bears Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Bears are projected to select Caleb Williams first overall, but, until then, Tyson Bagent is at the top of the quarterback depth chart. A veteran like Tannehill as the immediate backup would add a veteran presence to a room that will be lacking in experience.

David Bakhtiari Patriots

Bakhtiari reportedly plans to continue his career despite his consistent injury issues and release from the Packers. While no team should bank on the former All-Pro being healthy for the whole season, the Patriots are without an established option at left tackle and therefore need to take a gamble.

Jamal Adams Commanders

There hasn't been much noise for Adams so far, which isn't surprising considering he played just 10 games over the last two years. But a modest prove-it deal with the Commanders feels like a win-win situation after the club lost Kamren Curl in free agency.

Julian Blackmon Bills

Thanks to the ever-present duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, the Bills didn't need to think about the safety position for years. But both are now gone, and Blackmon could help fill the void. The 25-year-old is coming off his best season and has the versatility to line up at either safety spot.

Quandre Diggs Colts

Julian Blackmon is still a free agent, meaning the Colts have a massive hole to address at safety. Diggs is no longer a Pro Bowler and just turned 31 years old, but he could provide some much-needed experience and consistency to Indy's young secondary.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Chargers Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images Sport / Getty

There isn't much left of the Chargers' wide receiver room after they stripped it of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Quentin Johnston is coming off a disappointing rookie season, and Los Angeles will surely have to hedge its bets with a veteran addition. Valdes-Scantling has his flaws, but he would add some downfield receiving juice to this offense.

JK Dobbins Cowboys

Dallas has sat out most of free agency and watched starting running back Tony Pollard leave for the Titans. With all the big-name options off the board, the Cowboys might as well take a swing at Dobbins, who has flashed potential but dealt with multiple major injuries, including a torn Achilles.

Calais Campbell Bengals

Despite being 37 years old, Campbell remains one of the NFL's top run defenders. Cincinnati needs reinforcements in the middle of its defensive line after losing D.J. Reader, and Campbell previously played under Bengals defensive line coach Marion Hobby.

Hunter Renfrow Saints

The Saints are searching for receiving help, and Renfrow should come cheap after failing to record more than 330 yards in each of his last two seasons. A reunion with Derek Carr, who led Renfrow to a career-high 103 receptions and 1,038 yards in 2021, suggests this signing would benefit all parties.

Emmanuel Ogbah Titans

The Titans were already sniffing the pass-rusher market but are yet to land a big signing. Ogbah would be a nice catch for them. Though his numbers in recent years weren't anything to rave about, he did record back-to-back nine-sack seasons from 2020-2021.

Eddie Jackson Giants Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / Getty

While the Giants have intriguing young options at safety in Jason Pinnock and Dane Belton, the secondary is severely lacking in experience following Xavier McKinney's departure to the Packers. Jackson seemed to lose a step last year, but he'd be a solid option if Belton isn't ready to step up.

Editor's note: This article was updated following Trent Brown's reported deal with the Bengals.

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