10 Best NFL Free Agents Available After 2024 Draft
Although the NFL draft provides each team with a major opportunity to build out its roster, personnel changes won't stop after this weekend.
Fans will be focusing on rookies throughout the spring and summer, but front offices are quickly shifting their attention back to free agency, where impact players can still be found.
The draft altered some free agents' outlooks, too.
Especially on Thursday and Friday, many selections helped show which teams preferred to get younger at a certain position. But there are plenty of opportunities for the top veterans who remain on the market.
This list of the top available free agents is based on a mix of individual talent, recent production and ability to meaningfully contribute in 2024.
10. Odell Beckham Jr., WR
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Earlier in April, Odell Beckham Jr. seemed like he might sign with the Miami Dolphins. He visited the team, but OBJ and the Fins couldn't reach a deal in the following days due to "different financial visions for a contract," according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Miami landed an edge-rusher and offensive tackle in the first and second round, though, so Beckham is likely staying on the radar.
Beyond the Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills must continued retooling their receiving corps after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and losing Gabe Davis in free agency. The New Orleans Saints—OBJ's home-state team—also should not be satisfied with its pass-catching group.
Beckham caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns with the Baltimore Ravens last season. He logged only 50 percent of snaps in his 14 appearances, so he has upside left.
Potential Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints
9. Michael Gallup, WR
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During his second NFL season, Michael Gallup amassed 66 catches for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns with the Dallas Cowboys. He looked like he'd become a long-term fixture for Dallas, especially after adding 843 yards in the following season.
However, he caught only 35 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns in an injury-shortened 2021 campaign, and he hasn't regained his previous form since.
Gallup totaled only 73 receptions and 842 yards over the last two years combined despite playing in 31 games. His role notably diminished late in 2023, which may spark concern about whether he has already peaked.
With that said, Gallup is only 28 years old. He deserves a second look.
Gallup shouldn't be expected to lead a receiving corps, but a fresh offense—perhaps the Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers or Saints—could rekindle his upside.
Potential Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints
8. Ryan Tannehill, QB
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The best days of Ryan Tannehill's career are in the past. At this stage of his career, he's basically a stopgap option for a non-contender or a useful veteran as a backup. Neither role is glamorous, but they're important nevertheless.
The draft has effectively filled any starting vacancy around the league, so Tannehill basically has two choices: embrace a second-string spot or wait for some team to lose its starter to an injury.
From a mentor perspective, Tannehill would be a logical fit on the Chicago Bears. Second-year player Tyson Bagent is the current backup to No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
Otherwise, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers could benefit from a veteran behind Jared Goff and Jordan Love, respectively.
Potential Landing Spots: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers
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7. Dalton Risner, OG
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Are we doing this again?
Last year, Dalton Risner went unsigned until Week 3, when the Minnesota Vikings signed him to a one-year, $3 million contract. He proceeded to allow zero sacks and got called for only three penalties across 745 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Risner might not be a star, but he proved last year that he's a starting-caliber guard.
Among several others, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dolphins, Packers and Lions should be in the picture. Otherwise, he may patiently wait until August or September to figure out his destination for 2024.
Potential Landing Spots: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions
6. Steven Nelson, CB
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Derek Stingley Jr. is a bigger name, but Steven Nelson has been an integral piece of the Houston Texans' secondary for the past two years.
A bit of a journeyman, Nelson has bounced from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Texans throughout his nine NFL seasons. He's never made a Pro Bowl or an All-Pro team, yet he's consistently merited a starting role.
The market for Nelson is intriguing.
Rebuilding teams such as the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans exited the draft without an early reinforcement in their secondary. A playoff contender like the Texans or Indianapolis Colts could have space for Nelson, too.
Potential Landing Spots: Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
5. Tyler Boyd, WR
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If the Cincinnati Bengals had unlimited financial resources, they probably wouldn't want Tyler Boyd to leave. However, the 29-year-old receiver may be eyeing one final long-term contract, and the Bengals have less than $14 million in available cap space.
While Boyd's production has dipped in recent years, that's largely because he's splitting targets with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Boyd's catch rate has remained near 70 percent in every season since 2020.
Any legitimate playoff hopeful with a bit of cap space—and one that didn't use an early-round pick on a wideout—should be calling Boyd.
Based on that particular combination, the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles stand out as sensible candidates.
Potential Landing Spots: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Xavien Howard, CB
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An expensive cap sheet caught up to the Miami Dolphins this offseason, forcing them to part with a handful of starting defenders.
Several players left in free agency, but they released cornerback Xavien Howard as a cap casualty. By designating him as a post-June 1 release, Miami saved $18.5 million in cap space this year.
Howard was fully cleared for football activities on the Wednesday before the draft, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. With the draft now over, teams will likely begin reaching out to him soon.
Similar to Nelson, the Texans and Colts are worth mentioning as possible landing spots for Howard. The same goes for the Minnesota Vikings, whose defensive coordinator is former Miami head coach Brian Flores.
Howard yielded 6.8 yards per target last season and only one touchdown on 62 targets.
Potential Landing Spots: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings
3. Stephon Gilmore, CB
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Similar to Steven Nelson, Stephon Gilmore has traveled an adventurous road. He spent five seasons with the Buffalo Bills and four on the New England Patriots, but he's jumped from the Carolina Panthers to the Indianapolis Colts to the Cowboys over the last three years.
There may be a reunion in the works, too.
Carolina is thin at corner and didn't address the position on the opening two days of the draft. The Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders should be picking up the phone as well.
No matter where he lands, Gilmore should be a locked-in starter. He surrendered 6.9 yards per target with Dallas in 2023, which was his worst mark over the last six years—and it's still pretty darn good.
Potential Landing Spots: Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders
2. Connor Williams, OL
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Connor Williams is still recovering from a torn left ACL that he suffered in December. At this stage of his recovery, NFL teams won't necessarily be rushing to sign him.
While a full recovery is generally the expectation from an ACL tear, medical checks are an integral piece of the process. But once he gets cleared for football activities, interest should begin picking up.
In 497 snaps last season with the Miami Dolphins, Williams earned an 86.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. That puts him firmly in the Pro Bowl tier of PFF's grades.
Late-round selections can ascend quickly, but that isn't the typical expectation. Both the Panthers and Seattle Seahawks have a pressing need at center that they seemingly didn't fill in the draft, and Miami should seriously think about bringing him back as well.
Potential Landing Spots: Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins
1. Justin Simmons, S
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Justin Simmons has garnered second-team All-Pro recognition four times in the last half-decade. That says enough about his talent.
Unfortunately, it's also not that simple. Only so many franchises are willing to pay a high-priced safety.
Although the 2024 cycle lacked superstars at the position, teams weren't rushing to sign Simmons while he counted against the compensatory pick formula. That no longer applies after the draft.
In other words, Simmons' market should pick up swiftly now that the draft is over—depending on his price, of course.
While the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks could use an upgrade at safety, the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots have more financial flexibility.
Potential Landing Spots: New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots
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