NFL free agents 2024: Best players still available at each position, including Ryan Tannehill & JK Dobbins

Vinnie Iyer

NFL free agents 2024: Best players still available at each position, including Ryan Tannehill & JK Dobbins image

NFL free agency has had a fast and furious start in the 2024 offseason. Teams have wasted no time in the new league year, signing, trading, and releasing players to reform their rosters.

Although the first few waves of moves have been made with much of the best veteran talent no longer on the open market, there is still some valuable personnel help out there ahead of the April draft.

Here's an updated look at who's left unsigned after the early free-agent signing period:

MORE FREE AGENCY: Top 75 signings | Grades | Winners & losers

NFL free agents 2024: The best players still available at each position

Quarterbacks

  • Ryan Tannehill, Titans
  • Carson Wentz, Rams
  • Trevor Siemian, Jets
  • Blaine Gabbert, Chiefs
  • Brian Hoyer, Raiders

Tannehill might be the last viable veteran bridge option. The rest are more seasoned backups.

Running backs

  • JK Dobbins, Ravens
  • Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots
  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs
  • Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs
  • Rashaad Penny, Eagles
  • Cam Akers, Vikings
  • Latavius Murray, Bills
  • Matt Breida, Giants
  • Boston Scott, Eagles
  • Damien Harris, Bills
  • Kareem Hunt, Browns
  • Joshua Kelley, Chargers
  • Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons

Elliott still has most appeal as a savvy power back. Most of the rest are change-of-pace options or depth chart fliers.

Wide receivers

  • Tyler Boyd, Bengals
  • DJ Chark, Panthers
  • Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens
  • Michael Thomas, Saints
  • Josh Reynolds, Lions
  • Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs
  • Michael Gallup, Cowboys
  • Hunter Renfrow, Raiders
  • Allen Robinson, Steelers
  • Isaiah Hodgins, Giants
  • Randall Cobb, Jets
  • Parris Campbell, Giants
  • Mecole Hardman, Chiefs
  • Laviska Shenault, Panthers
  • Richie James, Chiefs
  • Deonte Harty, Bills

Boyd leads the leftover slot charge. Beckham is looking for another chance after flashing in Baltimore. Thomas will hope to revive his career out of New Orleans.

Tight ends

  • Robert Tonyan, Bears
  • Logan Thomas, Commanders
  • C.J. Uzomah, Jets
  • Ross Dwelley, 49ers

There's not much here except limited recycled receivers and backup blockers.

Offensive tackles

  • David Bakhtiari, Packers
  • Mekhi Becton, Jets
  • Donovan Smith, Chiefs
  • Charles Leno Jr., Commanders
  • Brandon Parker, Raiders
  • Andre Dillard, Titans
  • Chuma Edoga, Cowboys

Becton still has the potential to be a reliable starter.

Guards/centers

  • Connor Williams, Dolphins
  • Dalton Risner, Vikings
  • Cody Whitehair, Bears
  • Andrus Peat, Saints
  • Laken Tomlinson, Jets
  • Brian Allen, Rams
  • Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Lions
  • Mason Cole, Steelers
  • Tyler Shatley, Jaguars
  • Mark Glowinski, Giants
  • Lucas Patrick, Bears
  • Matt Feiler, Buccaneers

Williams can start well as an inside snapper coming off his ACL injury The rest are mostly fading backups for rotational depth.

Edge rushers

  • Jadeveon Clowney, Ravens
  • Mike Danna, Chiefs
  • Derek Barnett, Texans
  • Yannick Ngakoue, Bears
  • Charles Harris, Lions
  • Carl Lawson, Jets
  • Randy Gregory, 49ers
  • Emmanuel Ogbah, Dolphins

Clowney still has plenty of appeal as situational pass rushers and has been getting nterest. There's not much to see with the rest.

Defensive tackles

  • Calais Campbell, Falcons
  • Austin Johnson, Chargers

Teams in need of this position have snatched up the better tackles.

Linebackers

  • Tyus Bowser, Ravens
  • Isaiah Simmons, Giants

With Tyrel Dodson and Devin White finding new homes this is now what's left.

Cornerbacks

  • Steven Nelson, Texans
  • Stephon Gilmore, Cowboys
  • Xavien Howard, Dolphins
  • J.C. Jackson, Patriots
  • Adoree' Jackson, Giants
  • Tre'Davious White, Bills
  • Patrick Peterson, Steelers
  • Avonte Maddox, Eagles
  • C.J. Henderson, Panthers
  • Rock Ya-Sin, Ravens
  • Levi Wallace, Steelers

The names are bigger than the remaining games here, but there are a few plug-and-play veteran outside starters who will be picked up later.

Safeties

  • Justin Simmons, Broncos
  • Jamal Adams, Seahawks
  • Julian Blackmon, Colts
  • Eddie Jackson, Bears
  • Marcus Maye, Saints
  • Quandre Diggs, Seahawks
  • Jayron Kearse, Cowboys
  • Adrian Amos, Texans
  • Mike Edwards, Chiefs
  • Keanu Neal, Steelers
  • Nick Scott, Bengals
  • Tashaun Gipson, 49ers
  • Micah Hyde, Bills

Simmons leads a group of once solid all-around options who can now provide only limited playmaking returns.

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.