The NFL can be brutal for accomplished veterans looking for work in free agency. While most of the top returning players found jobs quickly on the open market, several are left waiting in the preseason to find out whether they'll get chances to see their careers continue.
With final cuts looming, at his point before the regular season, teams have to consider injuries and depth concerns in deciding whether these players will be added to rosters.
Below are the nine best available NFL free agents, along with the reasons why they are not signed and what they can still provide a team.
Dez Bryant, WR
Why he’s not signed: Bryant is a classic case: a long-established No. 1 looking for a prominent gig elsewhere even though his skills are no longer adequate for the role. Nobody knows how he might handle a demotion and fit personality-wise on a young team that is not necessarily a contender (see Browns situation).
How he can help a team: Bryant's best value exists as a red-zone threat, the role Brandon Marshall played for the Bears and Jets in a similar, late-career stage. He would only play as the No. 3 or No. 4 option when a team spreads the field.
Eric Reid, S
Why he’s not signed: Reid, still only 26, can do everything required of the position at a relatively high level. He is paying the price for being the first teammate of note to join Colin Kaepernick in protests during the national anthem. Not helping Reid is the fact that the market for safeties is not favorable, which is part of the reason the Seahawks are finding it difficult to move Earl Thomas.
How he can help a team: For most teams, Reid would be able start at free safety and provide an upgrade. At this point, he unfortunately will need to settle for a swing backup role if he finally gets another chance.
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Bashaud Breeland, CB
Why he’s not signed: Also a 26-year-old defensive back with good all-around skills, Breeland had his chance with the Panthers until a non-football injury (foot) voided his contract. That's been an obvious concern, as just about every corner-needy team has been rumored to have interest in signing him since. A bigger issue regarding Breeland is the price for a player who is not a shutdown cover man.
How he can help a team: Breeland should end up somewhere to at least work in nickel packages and significantly improve a team's depth in the secondary.
Johnathan Hankins, DT
Why he’s not signed: Hankins showed last season he does not fit well in a 3-4 scheme. He is limited to being a run-plugger in a 4-3, as some of the inside pass-rush upside he showed early in his career has faded. Most 4-3 teams already have filled their rotation and don't have room for him.
How he can help a team: Hankins recently received interest from the Browns. Even without starting, he can contribute as an experienced reserve.
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Tyvon Branch, S
Why he’s not signed: Branch turns 32 in December and is coming off a torn ACL in November. It doesn't get much rougher than that in terms of an age and injury combination.
How he can help a team: He can provide some hard hitting and leadership as a backup strong safety.
NaVorro Bowman, ILB
Why he’s not signed: Bowman is 30 and has dealt with major knee and Achilles injuries in the recent past. He was released by the 49ers in the middle of last season and played well for the Raiders on the other side of the Bay, but the concern now is how much he's worth going forward.
How he can help a team: Bowman is an all-around playmaker who can still stuff the stat sheet and lead a defense. Don't sleep on a late return to Oakland.
Colin Kaepernick, QB
Why he’s not signed: You know why.
How he can help a team: You know how — he's better than most current backup QBs (and a few starters, too).
MORE: Ranking all NFL starting QBs
Junior Galette, OLB
Why he’s not signed: The 30-year-old edge rusher once posted double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons for New Orleans, but that was four years ago. In Washington, Galette dealt with both a torn Achilles and a domestic violence-related suspension. Those are the three strikes.
How he can help a team: The Rams had interest in Galette to bolster their pass rush, but they passed. Now the Seahawks, who are dealing with injury concerns around Dion Jordan, are looking at him for depth. There is enough left in Galette's tank for a third chance.
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Antonio Gates, TE
Why he’s not signed: Gates, who turned 38 in June, is not too old for the NFL. The question is whether the future Hall of Famer wants to do the Chargers a solid and postpone his retirement with the team in need of a replacement for his injured successor, Hunter Henry. Gates would have to commit to another long grind of a season even though he has nothing left to prove on the field.
How he can help a team: Gates would only come back for one team. Given his knowledge of the Chargers' offense and his uncanny chemistry with quarterback Philip Rivers, he would pick up right where he left off without much prep time. The biggest selling point: Los Angeles has a chance to be a strong playoff team in 2018.
