2024 NFL Free Agents: Which Available Players Can Still Be Key Contributors?
We're just under a month away from the 2024 NFL draft, but that doesn't mean there aren't still a handful of free agents who can fill some key spots across the league.
Most have shifted their focus to a highly-talented draft class. There could be several future stars in this year's class, however, there are still plenty of teams who could use another veteran for a vital role.
These players might not be in their prime or marquee names, but they still have something to offer for teams that are still looking.
Considering their previous production, age and current health, these players are still capable of performing at a high level and helping a team reach their potential in 2024. We'll also take a look at a few logical fits for each player based on team needs around the league.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
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It's deja vu all over again with Odell Beckham Jr.
Last year at this time, OBJ was at or near the top of every "best free agents remaining" piece everywhere. His free agency didn't come to an end until April 9th when the Baltimore Ravens inked him to a one-year deal worth between $15-$18 million.
He didn't really live up to that kind of money, but he was the second-leading receiver for a good Ravens offense. Beckham was third on the team in receptions (35) and second for yards (565).
He's no longer a No. 1 or even an elite No. 2 receiver, but if he's your third option you have a pretty good arsenal of weapons.
Mike McDaniel seems to understand that. He announced that the Miami Dolphins have made OBJ an offer where he would team up with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Sticking with the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills are a team that could use more firepower in the receiver room after losing Gabe Davis in free agency. The Chargers obviously have a need there too after trading away Keenan Allen and releasing Mike Williams.
All three would be good situation for Beckham. The Dolphins are an established offense and playing with Josh Allen or Justin Herbert would be ideal for just about any receiver.
Potential Fits: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers
S Julian Blackmon
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Unlike most of the free agents you will find on this list, Julian Blackmon is still squarely in his prime. He won't turn 26 until just before the season starts in August.
He's also coming off the best year of his career.
Blackmon started 15 games for the Colts last season amassing career-highs for interceptions (four), tackles (88) and passes defended (eight). His passer rating allowed plummeted to just 46.6.
Yet, the young safety is still looking for work.
Stephen Holder of ESPN has provided some updates on that front. The Indianapolis Colts have "re-engaged" the safety in contract negotiations. Perhaps, the fact that he has gone this long without a contract could grease the skids for a return.
However, Holder also noted that he has visited with the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills. After losing both Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde this offseason, the Bills seem like a particularly good fit.
The Giants weren't mentioned but are a logical fit as well. With Xavier McKinney leaving in free agency, New York could continue investing in its defense by making a move for Blackmon.
Potential Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants
EDGE Mike Danna
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Mike Danna isn't a flashy defensive end, but he proved this season he can get the job done in a starting role. The 26-year-old started 16 games for the Kansas City Chiefs and was on the field for 74 percent of the defensive snaps.
Danna's pass-rushing numbers aren't going to get anyone too excited. He had a modest 8.6 percent pressure percentage and 6.5 sacks. However, he's a good enough run defender to offset his lack of explosion in that department.
He had 51 total tackles and 10 for a loss.
He would be a strong addition to a defensive line that needs an edge-setter for early downs, but might employ a pass-rushing specialist to get him off the field.
The Bears could pair him with Montez Sweat. Their defensive line is still under construction and it would address another need before the draft.
The fit with the Chiefs is already well-established and the L'Jarius Sneed trade has freed up money to bring back the defensive end.
The Atlanta Falcons still need an infusion of talent on the edges. Signing Danna then targeting a high-upside pass-rusher in the draft would be a good two-pronged approach.
Potential Fits: Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons
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CB Stephon Gilmore
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The Cowboys traded for Stephon Gilmore last offseason, getting one year from the veteran cornerback at a price of just under $10 million.
That's probably right in line with what Gilmore will be expecting this season. He's no longer a lock to earn a multi-year contract, but teams should be willing to pay him like a good starter because that's what he has been.
He started all 17 games for the Cowboys last season, picking off two passes and defending another 13. He gave up a passer rating of 82.7 which is strong even if it's his worst figure in six seasons.
The age is obviously a concern. He'll turn 34 in September. However, his play hasn't fallen off a cliff and he's still an upgrade for a lot of teams.
Joe Person of The Athletic reported that new Carolina Panthers signee Jadeveon Clowney is trying to recruit Gilmore to Carolina. The two are Rock Hill, South Carolina natives.
Depending on what Gilmore's priorities are that could make sense. He played nine games for the Panthers in 2021. If he wants to have a homecoming the Panthers would have a role for him.
However, the Panthers are also coming off a 2-15 season. There are teams with a better shot at winning who have cap space and a need at corner. The Detroit Lions have money and are coming off an NFC championship run.
A darkhorse fit would be the Philadelphia Eagles. James Bradberry struggled last season and the Eagles have $31.5 million in cap space, per Spotrac, after trading away Haason Reddick.
Potential Fits: Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles
CB Xavien Howard
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Xavien Howard was released into the free agent pool by the Miami Dolphins, but it had little to do with his play. The Dolphins designated him a post-June 1 cut because it will save them $18.5 million against the salary cap.
The 30-year-old cornerback became a luxury they couldn't afford to bring back in an offseason that saw them lose multiple important players while managing a tight cap situation.
On the field, Howard was a positive asset as a starting corner. He started 13 games, allowed just one touchdown and an opponent passer rating of 81.3 when targeted. He might not be the same player he was when he had 10 interceptions and 20 passes defended in 2020 but he's more than adequate as an starter on the outside.
Howard has noted that he doesn't necessarily need a big contract to head to a contender.
Some people get paid, and some people win a Super Bowl. Some people do both. You do both, you're different. I want to be different," he said on The OGs Podcast (h/t Garrett Podell of CBS Sports). "I want to win a Super Bowl now. I already got paid, so now (a Super Bowl) is what I'm looking forward to."
Howard made that remark in reference to potentially joining the Houston Texans. They signed Jeff Okudah but Howard is a more proven option.
However, the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs also stand out as contenders who could use another starting option at corner.
Potential Fits: Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs
CB Steven Nelson
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Steven Nelson is the best of the corners remaining on the market based on production. He was a notable element of the Texans success on defense last season, giving up a passer rating of just 73.3 on 70 targets.
Nelson was a consistent starter playing in Lovie Smith's defense in 2022 before transitioning to DeMeco Ryans' system in 2023. His ability to play multiple schemes should make him an attractive option looking for late free-agency help.
The 31-year-old was a great pairing with Derek Stingley on the other side in Houston. The Denver Broncos would do well to make a similar tandem by putting him across from Patrick Surtain II.
The Las Vegas Raiders have a lot of potential on defense with Antonio Pierce taking the reins full-time. Their cornerback group is one of the few questions left on a group that ended the season strong last year.
The Kansas City Chiefs could be on the lookout for a veteran who could help prepare a rookie for a bigger role. They need to replace L'Jarius Sneed and depending on an unproven player might not be the way to go for a Super Bowl contender.
Potential Fits: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs
CB Patrick Peterson
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Patrick Peterson is yet another cornerback who could still play a significant role for a team in 2024.
The Pittsburgh Steelers cut the three-time All-Pro in a money-saving move. However, he played in all 17 games for the Steelers last season, starting 16 games and giving up just 7.7 yards per target.
He also added an intriguing chapter of his career by moonlighting at safety toward the end of the season.
Now he's without a home for 2024 but willing to be patient and flexible.
In an appearance on the FOX NFL Podcast (h/t Jeremy Pike of Steelers Depot) Peterson said that he doesn't expect to sign with a team until after the draft. That would allow him to get a better idea of what a team's secondary will look like.
He also didn't rule out a more full-time move to safety provided a team gives him some warning.
"I don't want to start at safety because that's a different animal back there, a different view," Peterson said. "If that is the case, I would need to be warned going into the season to get my body, my (mind) prepared. Because it's different being at the safety from a cornerback position having those open-field tackles. … And you're the last line of defense."
Peterson showed enough that he should get a shot at corner, but the possibility of playing safety makes him a safer signing.
The Packers—who could use help at corner and safety—would make a lot of sense. A return to the Steelers shouldn't be ruled out either.
Potential Fits: Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions
OG Dalton Risner
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Dalton Risner waited all the way until September to sign with a team in 2023. Within a few weeks he was starting for the Minnesota Vikings.
Teams were sleeping on Risner back then and they appear to be doing the same thing again. Ezra Cleveland—who Risner replaced in Minnesota—has already signed a three-year, $24 million contract.
That's not an apples-to-apples comparison. Cleveland, 25, is younger than Risner at 28. But if we're talking about who you'd rather have starting right now, at least one NFL team already weighed in on that debate.
Risner isn't an All-Pro guard, but he didn't give up a sack last season and only allowed two stuffs in the run game, per Sports Info Solutions.
He's a no-brainer plug-and-play signing on a one-year contract at this point.
The Vikings should still be considering a reunion. Blake Brandel is the likely starter at left guard in Minneapolis right now and he has just five career starts at 27 years old.
The Seattle Seahawks should also be in play for a guard. They lost Damien Lewis in free agency and Phil Haynes remains unsigned. Risner would also be an improvement over Aaron Banks for a Niners offensive line that needs to be improved to up their Super Bowl odds.
Potential Fits: Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers
S Justin Simmons
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It's been a somewhat difficult market for free agent safeties this spring but it's still a head-scratcher that Justin Simmons is available.
The 30-year-old was a second-team All-Pro for the third season in a row, picking up his second Pro Bowl nomination in the process. He had 70 combined tackles with three interceptions and had eight passes defended.
Cutting Simmons was a cost-saving move for the Broncos. He had little guaranteed money left on his contract and they saved $14.5 million against the cap by releasing him.
Despite the slow market, Simmons should still wind up with a home that is going to make him a starter. He is more than a capable starter and there are teams where he would be an upgrade.
The New York Giants could at least use him as a one-year stopgap after losing Xavier McKinney in free agency. The Los Angeles Rams have already went to free agency to form their defensive backfield for next season. Simmons could join Tre'Davious White and Darious Williams in their secondary.
The New Orleans Saints could pair him up with Tyrann Mathieu for a veteran safety duo that's still capable of making plays.
Potential Fits: New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints
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