NFL free agency had a lot of good value players available. But after a busy first few days of teams all around the league signing top- and middle-tier free agents and making a handful of trades, there is limited help on the open market.
With teams re-examining where they stand in relation to the salary and cap and their upcoming positional target plans for the draft, they can determine where else they need to spend to fill holes.
From a handful of impact starters to a lot of role players, here's looking at the best veterans still unsigned:
NFL FREE AGENCY 2023: Tracking all the top 60 overall signings
NFL free agents 2023: The best players still available at each position
Quarterbacks
- Carson Wentz, Commanders
- Teddy Bridgewater, Dolphins
- Matt Ryan, Colts
- Mason Rudolph, Steelers
There's just backup material here left vs. real bridge solutions for teams. Wentz and Ryan hit a wall with their Colts tenures. Bridgewater was passed in Miami for Mike White.
Running backs
- Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
- Kareem Hunt, Browns
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers
- Darrel Williams, Cardinals
- Kenyan Drake, Ravens
- Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs
- Dontrell Hilliard, Titans
- Royce Freeman, Texans
- Giovani Bernard, Buccaneers
- Latavius Murray, Broncos
- Jonathan Williams, Commanders
Elliott is the biggest name here, but given his status as an aging limited power back, Nick Chubb needs a new backup with Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson not signed by Cleveland. Fournette needs to go to a winning team as more of a savvy pass-protection and pass-catching specialist.
Wide receivers
- Richie James, Giants
- Julio Jones, Buccaneers
- Demarcus Robinson, Ravens
- Jarvis Landry, Saints
- Odell Beckham Jr., street
- Byron Pringle, Bears
- Chris Moore, Texans
- Randall Cobb, Packers
Between the near career end foursome of Jones, Jones, Landry and Beckham, OBJ still has the most appeal — if he can take a one-year prove-it cheap deal for under $10 million and accept he's more of a big-play complementary No. 2.
Tight ends
- Dan Arnold, Jaguars
- MyCole Pruitt, Falcons
- Geoff Swaim, Titans
- Drew Sample, Bengals
Dalton Schultz (Texans) and Mike Gesicki (Patriots) were available for a while until snatched up by two AFC teams in need.
Offensive tackles
- Donovan Smith, Buccaneers
- Taylor Lewan, Titans
- George Fant, Jets
- Cameron Erving, Panthers
- Jermaine Eluemenor, Raiders
- Cameron Fleming, Broncos
- Ty Nsekhe, Rams
- Josh Wells, Buccaneers
- Eric Fisher, Dolphins
Smith was fading for Tampa Bay opposite Tristan Wirfs and that's why the market has been lukewarm. Lewan is older with the durability issues to think there's a chance he may not play again. This well is rather dry after the versatile athlete Fant.
Guards/centers
- Connor McGovern, Jets
- Elijah Wilkinson, Falcons
- Michael Schofield, Bears
- Oday Aboushi, Rams
- Ben Jones, Titans
- Gabe Jackson, Seahawks
- Will Clapp, Chargers
McGovern is better than the same-named player who went from the Cowboys tot he Bills, but he's limited to center. Otherwise, this list has a few plug-and-play starters and swing backups.
Edge rushers
- Jadeveon Clowney, Browns
- Bud Dupree, Titans
- Justin Houston, Ravens
- Leonard Floyd, Rams
- Melvin ingram, Dolphins
- Dawuane Smoot, Jaguars
- Carl Nassib, Buccaneers
- Carlos Dunlap, Chiefs
Clowney still is strong against the run but his durability and age (he turned 30 in February) are factors in him slowing down, a reason why Cleveland moved on opposite Myles Garrett. Dupree might end up back giving depth to the Steelers, the team that drafted him.
Defensive tackles
- Chris Wormley, Steelers
- Shelby Harris, Seahawks
- Matt Ioannidis, Panthers
- Akiem Hicks, Buccaneers
- Ndamukong Suh, Eagles
The pass rushers inside got paid in a hurry, including the Seahawks upgrading from Harris (acquired in the Russell Wilson trade) with fellow former Bronco Dre'Mont Jones. These are mainly rotational run-stopping bodies. Hicks and Suh may have finally aged out.
Linebackers
- Zach Cunningham, Titans
- Kwon Alexander, Jets
- Kyle Van Noy, Chargers
- Anthony Barr, Cowboys
- Damien Wilson, Panthers
Most of the best off-ball producers here got their big deals early.
Cornerbacks
- Anthony Brown, Cowboys
- Marcus Peters, Ravens
- Bryce Callahan, Chargers
- Troy Hill, Rams
- Rock Ya-Sin, Raiders
- Chandon Sullivan, Vikings
- Eli Apple, Bengals
- Shaquill Griffin, Jaguars
The Cowboys upgraded from Brown to Stephon Gilmore. Peters is a boom-or-bust veteran, while Callahan is relegated to slot duty. The rest are depth players at this point.
Safeties
- Rodney McLeod, Saints
- Adrian Amos, Packers
- Chris Banjo, Cardinals
- Duron Harmon, Raiders
- Andrew Adams, Titans
- Logan Ryan, Buccaneers
Amos still offers some nice starting upside.
Kickers
- Robbie Gould, 49ers
- Ryan Succop, Buccaneers
- Brett Maher, Cowboys
- Joey Slye, Commanders
- Mason Crosby, Packers
- Randy Bullock, Titans
Gould won't end up back in San Francisco after it traded for Zane Gonzalez Maher hurt himself with all those misses in clutch time.
Punters
- Matt Haack, Colts
- Andy Lee, Cardinals
Haack is the more reasonable option here with Lee turning 41 in August.
