NFL Free Agents With Biggest Upside Who Could Find Homes Before Training Camp
The NFL free-agent market has mostly been picked over at this time of year, but there are a few potential difference-makers who are still waiting for a home.
With OTAs well under way, roster needs are becoming more obvious to decision-makers as they get their first real look at position groups working on the field. That can lead to some front offices pulling the trigger on bringing in a free agent they had their eye on.
In some cases, when the scheme fit, need and player talent all line up, it can make a big difference.
Looking at the available players, there are still a few who are available and have a high ceiling. If these free agents are healthy and can find the right situation, they could wind up putting together a strong 2024 campaign.
OT David Bakhtiari
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It's not hard to understand why David Bakhtiari finds himself without a team going into June. A difficult road back from an ACL injury and other ailments has caused him to miss all but 13 games over the last three seasons.
The 32-year-old played just one game in 2023 and one in 2021 with a 13-game campaign sandwiched in 2022.
The thing that gives Bakhtiari such enormous upside is his level of play when he's been on the field. He gave up no sacks in those 13 games and maintained a PFF grade of 79.8 in his 2022 season.
The three-time Pro Bowler might not be one of the top five tackles in the league anymore, but he's played like an upper-tier talent when he's been on the field.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported in May that Bakhtiari is on track to play in the 2024 season after knee surgeries. Yet, there have been no takers for the former All-Pro tackle.
His best landing spots would be a team with an iffy tackle situation. He shouldn't be the team's only option, but anywhere that has an alternative lineup that would be better with the Colorado product at left tackle should consider adding him.
The Saints are a good example. With Troy Fautanu able to play either tackle or guard, they could sign the tackle and kick Fautanu inside if Bakhtiari can stay healthy.
The Patriots' plan at left tackle could use a veteran like Bakhtiari, and the Kansas City Chiefs could add him to their Wanya Morris vs. Kingsley Suamataia position battle.
Best Landing Spots: New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs
DL Calais Campbell
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Calais Campbell is going to be 38 years old on September 1. That's about the only explanation as to why he's still available nearly three months after free agency started.
It certainly isn't about his play last season. He started all 17 games last season, played 63 percent of the snaps and registered 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hits. It's hard to imagine there aren't a lot of teams that could use that kind of contribution on the defensive line.
Campbell, 37, is a somewhat unique defensive lineman. At 6'8", 290 pounds, he has the length and size to play multiple alignments and has been best utilized by defenses who will play multiple fronts.
At worst, he's an interior pass-rush specialist who sees an even smaller amount of snaps in 2024, but he could be even more disruptive in that role.
The Arizona Cardinals have a lot of youth up front and could reunite with Campbell to add a veteran into the mix. The Philadelphia Eagles have been known to add some veteran depth on the interior and haven't done it yet, while the Los Angeles Rams could use him to mentor one of the youngest defensive lines in the league.
Best Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams
WR Corey Davis
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Corey Davis made the surprising decision to step away from football last August. In March, he put himself back out there, applying to be reinstated by the league, and the Jets released him from the reserve/retirement list.
Now the 29-year-old is still waiting to find out what team is going to be willing to have him for his comeback tour.
The potential is still there for Davis to be a functional weapon in the right offense. He never lived up to his billing as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 draft, but he became a good enough vertical threat to be a second or third option.
The Western Michigan product averaged 16.8 yards per reception in his final campaign with the Jets. Assuming he's back in football shape and refreshed from his time away, he could be a needle-mover for a team that needs another vertical threat.
That could mean a return to the Jets where they are a Mike Williams injury away from having to rely on Marquez Valdes-Scantling to be that guy for them.
The Atlanta Falcons stand out as a team that could use the 6'3" receiver. Outside of Kyle Pitts and Drake London, they've opted for smaller receivers with Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore entering the fold.
The Bills are another team that should be willing to take a look. After losing Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs, they drafted Keon Coleman, but they have a relatively smaller group of receivers outside of the rookie.
Best Landing Spots: New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills
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CB Stephon Gilmore
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Much like Calais Campbell, Father Time is the biggest drawback for Stephon Gilmore. He'll be 34 on September 19 at a position that doesn't always age well.
But, also like Campbell, his 2023 season campaign should put some of those worries at ease. Gilmore was an asset for a good Dallas Cowboys defense. He started all 17 games and racked up 68 tackles, two interceptions and held opposing passers to a passer rating of 82.7 when targeted.
They are roughly the same numbers he produced in 2022 when playing for the Indianapolis Colts. The takeaway is that Gilmore is still at least a serviceable No. 2 outside corner and won't be a liability.
That's an improvement over what a lot of teams have as their second option at corner right now.
The five-time Pro Bowler would be an immediate starter across from Jaycee Horn if he did return to the Carolina Panthers. Jadeveon Clowney is already doing his best to make that happen.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could use a veteran to go with Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. They took a shot on Patrick Peterson last season, so they've moved on a veteran before.
The Commanders are another obvious fit. Gilmore enjoyed a good season in Dan Quinn's system last season, and now he's calling the shots as Washington head coach.
Best Landing Spots: Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders
CB Xavien Howard
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Xavien Howard's three-year Pro Bowl streak came to an end in 2023, and now he's looking for a new team in May.
The league's opinion on a player can change fast, but there's still some upside for a team signing the soon-to-be 31-year-old.
Howard was primarily released by the Miami Dolphins in a cost-saving effort. They were able to clear $18.5 million in cap space by releasing him with a post-June 1 designation.
The Dolphins had to wait for their cap savings to kick in, but here we are in June and Howard is still waiting to see where he'll land next season.
Unlike Gilmore, Howard has had some health setbacks. He missed four games last season and ended the year with a foot injury, but he still looked good when he was on the field. He allowed just one touchdown on 62 targets and a passer rating of 81.3.
The Baylor product has said he's willing to take a pay cut to play on a contender this season. The Kansas City Chiefs have typically relied on drafting and developing corners, but he could replace L'Jarius Sneed.
The Houston Texans could bring him in to compete with Jeff Okudah for the starting spot opposite Derek Stingley, or the Detroit Lions could bolster their cornerback room in an attempt to get back to the NFC Championship Game.
Best Landing Spots: Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions
S Justin Simmons
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Xavien Howard isn't the only recent Pro Bowl defensive back who is still available.
Justin Simmons was a second-team All-Pro selection for the third consecutive season last year in addition to earning a second Pro Bowl nod. The Denver Broncos benefitted from the veteran safety racking up 70 combined tackles with three interceptions and eight passes defended.
The 30-year-old is a proven ballhawk with 14 interceptions over the last three seasons.
It was a tough offseason for safeties in general, but Simmons' playmaking ability should have set him apart from his peers and gives him high upside.
The problem is there aren't a lot of teams who are hurting for safety help. The Titans were connected to Simmons earlier in the offseason, and they could still circle back to him. It would allow Elijah Molden to play in the slot more while the veteran plays beside Amani Hooker.
The Eagles could be in the market for safety help as well. The move for Kevin Byard didn't work out last season, but they've been willing to add veterans at the position in the past.
The Ravens were able to utilize the safety trio of Kyle Hamitlon, Marcus Williams and Geno Stone to devastating effect last season. With Stone gone, they might look to add Simmons to their roster and continue to have flexibility in the secondary.
Best Landing Spots: Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens
WR Michael Thomas
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It's been five years since Michael Thomas put together one of the most prolific seasons of receiving production in history. In 2019, he had a record 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns.
Since then, he's caught 95 passes for 1,057 yards and four touchdowns across four seasons. Most of the nosedive in production can be chalked up to injuries. He missed the entire 2021 season with an ankle issue, only played in three games of the 2022 season before playing in 10 games of the 2023 campaign.
The injury risk is high for anyone who wants to take a shot on Thomas, but there's still some reward to be found. He was 13th in contested catch rate last season, catching 55.6 percent of his 18 qualifying targets, per Player Profiler.
That's a small glimmer of hope that the 31-year-old still has something left if he can manage to remain healthy and is willing to take on a smaller role.
There are a lot of ways that signing Thomas could end poorly. Injuries and a career of being a target magnet could make adjusting to a second phase with a new team difficult, but if he's bought in he is one of the highest upside free agents available.
A reunion with Sean Payton in Denver makes sense. The Broncos don't have much proven production outside of Courtland Sutton in their receiver room. And the Pittsburgh Steelers should still be on the hunt for receiver help with George Pickens.
If Thomas wants to rejuvenate his career, it's hard to beat joining a Sean McVay-coached team. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp figure to take a large percentage of the targets, but the Rams coach would find a way to maximize what the three-time Pro Bowler can still do.
Best Landing Spots: Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams
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