2015 NFL Free Agents: Updated List of Best Players Available Before NFL Draft

NFL teams have shifted their attention to the 2015 draft, forcing unsigned free agents to wait as their new peers land jobs first.  

Free agency's opening frenzy has long passed, and most of the summer's top stars relocated during the storm. The league's top-tier talent all signed, but several solid contributors remain available.

After the draft, organizations will identify holes to fill. Suddenly boring choices will draw their attention as much-needed depth. Dominoes remain stacked heading into May, so keep an eye on these unsigned players.

POS	Player	Former Team
QB	Michael Vick	NYJ
QB	Matt Flynn	GB
RB	Pierre Thomas	NO
RB	Steven Jackson	ATL
RB	Chris Johnson	NYJ
RB	Ahmad Bradshaw	IND
RB	Knowshon Moreno	MIA
FB	John Conner	NYJ
WR	Reggie Wayne	IND
WR	Wes Welker	DEN
WR	Donnie Avery	KC
TE	Jermaine Gresham	CIN
TE	Zach Miller	SEA
C	Chris Myers	HOU
C	Jonathan Goodwin	NO
OG	Justin Blalock	ATL
OG	Jeff Baca	SD
OT	Jake Long	STL
OT	Anthony Collins	TB
OT	Ryan Harris	KC
DE	Red Bryant	JAX
DE	Mathias Kiwanuka	NYG
DE	Tommy Kelly	ARI
DT	C.J. Mosley	DET
DT	Andre Fluellen	DET
LB	Brandon Spikes	BUF
LB	Lawrence Timmons	MIA
LB	D.J. Williams	CHI
CB	Javier Arenas	ATL
CB	Tarell Brown	OAK
CB	Carlos Rogers	OAK
S	Stevie Brown	NYG
S	Dawan Landry	NYJ
S	Brandon Meriweather	WAS
K	Jay Feely	CHI

RB Pierre Thomas

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

A constant in the New Orleans Saints' revolving door of running backs, Pierre Thomas has compiled 6,353 yards from scrimmage since joining the club as an undrafted free agent in 2007.  

Forced to clear cap space while working to retain Mark Ingram, the Saints gave Thomas his walking papers in early March. As many older backs are learning, there's little market for rushers with high mileage. Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Ahmad Bradshaw and Knowshon Moreno are all searching for landing spots as well.

Unlike those running backs, Thomas has never endured a workhorse burden. The 30-year-old has never taken more than 150 handoffs in a single season, twice tallying 147 carries in 2009 and 2013. By spreading the wealth, New Orleans has kept him fresh, and he maintains a steady career average of 4.6 yards per rush.

GP	ATT	RUSH YDs	YPC	REC	REC YDS	TOTAL TDs
110	818	3,745	4.6	327	2,608	40

But Thomas' versatility in the backfield is what will earn him another job. He corralled 45 receptions in 11 games last year while providing steady blocking to boot.

Earlier in April, ESPN.com's John Keim reported that Washington is keeping tabs on him.

"The Redskins have expressed interest in him, according to a source," Keim wrote. "But they likely will see what happens in the draft first before deciding how to proceed with Thomas. At this point, he's a name to watch."

He'd make a perfect complement to the hard-running Alfred Morris if Washington doesn't find someone to its liking during the draft.

WR Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne's value stems from past achievements and name recognition. The 36-year-old won't enjoy any more 100-catch, 1,000-yard campaigns, but the future Hall of Famer can round out a receiving corps as a solid safety valve.

While Wayne collected 64 catches, he was also targeted 116 times in an Indianapolis Colts offense that led the league in passing attempts. With Andre Johnson signed to replace Wayne alongside T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief, Wayne's departure is more of a sentimental loss than a tangible detriment to the Colts' title contention.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Yet Wayne does not intend to hang up his cleats. At the start of April, he shared his intentions to suit up for a 15th season to Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star.

"I still feel like I got some juice left," Wayne said. "I'm just going to play the cards the way they're dealt and go from there."

The NFL is too bottom-line oriented to afford Wayne a sympathy signing, but this is a man with 1,070 career catches. It'd make sense for him to wrap up his career on another title contender, putting a reunion with Peyton Manning in play. Or perhaps he does a reverse Wes Welker and switches allegiances to Tom Brady.

LB Brandon Spikes

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Although Brandon Spikes isn't the complete package, he's far too talented of a run-stuffer to keep twiddling his thumbs on the open market.

The 27-year-old linebacker played his role in the Buffalo Bills' No. 4 defense. Even though he recorded only 54 tackles sitting out pass situations, he made his presence felt while on the field.

Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson wonders how someone with such a plus skill remains available this late in the offseason:

If the Green Bay Packers don't invest a high pick at inside linebacker, their 3-4 defense should look Spikes' way after yielding 4.3 yards per carry last season. Sticking in Buffalo also isn't out of the question, but new head coach Rex Ryan won't offer any home loyalty.