NFL Free Agents 2024: Predictions for Biggest Names Left on Market

The 2024 NFL preseason will wrap this weekend, and rosters must be trimmed to 53 players by August 27. While most teams are busy trimming rosters, a few are certain to add new pieces ahead of Week 1.

As players are evaluated in training camp and during exhibition play, team needs often come into focus. This often leads to the signing of notable free agents—recently, it led to safety Justin Simmons and cornerback Stephon Gilmore both finding new homes.

The start of the regular season may be just over two weeks away, but some quality veterans remain unsigned.

Below, you'll find a look at some of the best players still available, what they can potentially offer in 2024, any relevant recent buzz and a few predictions.

WR Hunter Renfrow

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 31: Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Las Vegas Raiders before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Hunter Renfrow has been on the market since the Las Vegas Raiders released him in the spring. The 28-year-old slot specialist is coming off of a couple of down seasons, but some team is likely to take a flier on him in 2024.

Injuries derailed Renfrow's 2022 campaign, and he largely fell out of the offensive game plan last season. However, he was a Pro Bowler in 2021, finishing with 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.

Renfrow would be a logical addition for a couple of teams. The New Orleans Saints could look to reunite him with former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, and they lack proven receiver depth behind Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.

After winning nine games but narrowly missing out on the NFC South title, the Saints could very much be all-in on the coming season.

The Minnesota Vikings may also want to give Renfrow a look. Second-year standout Jordan Addison is dealing with an ankle sprain, though he isn't expected to miss extended time.

"I kind of seen when it happened that it wasn't going to be a major injury," fellow wideout Justin Jefferson said, per Mark Craig of The Minnesota Star Tribune.

Minnesota just added Gilmore, so it doesn't appear averse to adding a late free agent. With rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy out for the season, though, the Vikings may not be as eager to chase the playoffs as the Saints are.

Prediction: Renfrow signs with the Saints during the regular season.

Edge Yannick Ngakoue

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 27: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Chicago Bears looks on during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Like Renfrow, pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue is coming off a bit of a down season but has a strong track record. Ngakoue recorded only four sacks with the Chicago Bears before his 2023 campaign was ended prematurely by an ankle injury.

Before last season, though, Ngakoue had never tallied fewer than eight sacks in a season.

A workout video that Ngakoue posted to social media in May suggests that he's healthy and ready to resume his steady production. Good pass-rushers typically aren't available this late in the summer, so the 29-year-old should draw heavy interest in the coming weeks.

Ngakoue would be a solid fit for the Baltimore Ravens, who employed him in 2020. The Ravens are firmly in a playoff window and lost top 2023 edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney in free agency.

However, a return to the Bears might make even more sense. Chicago is looking to make a 2024 jump with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and it could use a veteran edge opposite Montez Sweat.

According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the Bears have been "talking" to Ngakoue about a possible reunion.

During the preseason, rookie fifth-round pick Austin Booker has looked like a player who can quickly become Sweat's top complement. However, Chicago is looking to win now, and it can't possibly have too much pass-rushing depth.

Prediction: Ngakoue re-signs with Chicago.

RB Dalvin Cook

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 24: Dalvin Cook #33 of the New York Jets runs onto the field during team entrances before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Running back Dalvin Cook is one of the more interesting free agents still available. He had a disastrous 2023 campaign with the New York Jets but was a Pro Bowler with the Minnesota Vikings in each of the previous four years.

Cook signed with the Jets late in August last year and never really made an impact. He recorded only 292 scrimmage yards and 3.2 yards per carry before being released after 15 games.

After his release, Cook signed with the Ravens but only saw a handful of carries in the postseason.

The good news is that after not seeing a heavy workload in 2023, Cook could be fresher than he's been in years—he topped 250 touches in each of the previous four seasons. He could conceivably still help a running back-needy team like the Dallas Cowboys.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Cook "has shown interest" in playing for Dallas. However, the Cowboys have given no indication that the interest is mutual. They've had several opportunities to improve their backfield this offseason but have done nothing since signing Ezekiel Elliott post-draft.

With several running backs—many of them younger and likely cheaper—set to hit the market after final cuts, Cook may have to wait until the regular season to find an opportunity.

Prediction: Cook remains unsigned entering Week 1.

CB Ahkello Witherspoon

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (44) runs off the field during an NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals on November 26, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With Gilmore off the market, Ahkello Witherspoon becomes one of the top veteran cornerback options available. The 29-year-old was never a particularly reliable starter during his first six seasons, but he showed flashes of playmaking ability with the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Last season, Witherspoon landed with the Los Angeles Rams and quickly became a bright spot in the secondary.

Witherspoon started all 17 games for the Rams and recorded 14 passes defended and three interceptions. According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed an opposing passer rating of only 75.7 in coverage.

Los Angeles' cornerback depth is being tested, as Derion Kendrick is out for the year with a torn ACL, and Darious Williams has been dealing with a hamstring injury. Rams coach Sean McVay has not ruled out bringing back Witherspoon as insurance.

"I would never eliminate it," McVay said, per Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire. "I thought he did a really good job."

Witherspoon could aid most teams in need of cornerback help, and a return to San Francisco would also make sense—the 49ers are, after all, chasing a Super Bowl. However, L.A. is probably the cornerback's most sensible destination at this point in August.

The Rams have a new defensive play-caller in Chris Shula, but Witherspoon is already familiar with McVay and with most of L.A.'s personnel.

Prediction: Witherspoon re-signs with Los Angeles.