2016 NFL Free Agents: Updated List of Best Players Available Before NFL Draft

The 2016 NFL draft begins on Thursday, with the first day dedicated solely to the first round.

Hope for the future of each franchise hinges on teams making good picks in Chicago, whether it's the potential Pro Bowlers in the first round or the hidden gems waiting to be unearthed in the later rounds.

The draft is how many teams will address their most pressing needs for the upcoming season, but it's not the only way forward. There are still a number of solid veteran players available as free agents waiting for the right franchise—or, perhaps, just any franchise—to come calling. 

Here's a quick look at some of the most talented players still available for hire. Players included on this list are free agents as of Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET.

Player	Position	2015 Team
Anquan Boldin	WR	SF
Marques Colston	WR	NO
Antonio Cromartie	CB	NYJ
Owen Daniels	TE	DEN
Jahri Evans	OG	NO
Ryan Fitzpatrick	QB	NYJ
Arian Foster	RB	HOU
Dwight Freeney	DE/OLB	ARI
Leon Hall	CB	CIN
Sammie Lee Hill	DT	TEN
Greg Hardy	DE	DAL
Brian Hoyer	QB	HOU
Andre Johnson	WR	IND
Jason Jones	DE	DET
Mike Neal	OLB	GB
Jerraud Powers	CB	ARI
Walter Thurmond	S	PHI
Louis Vasquez	OG	DEN
Roddy White	WR	ATL
Donte Whitner	SS	CLE

The above table is by no means a comprehensive list of remaining free agents, but it includes players who were either solid contributors in 2015 or have achieved some notable level of success thus far in their NFL careers.

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the best of the bunch. The 33-year-old quarterback notched career highs in both passing yards (3,905) and touchdown passes (31) against a manageable 15 interceptions. He also proved himself to be a remarkably nifty runner, with 270 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. 

Contract negotiations with the New York Jets stalled out this offseason, but the team is still the most likely to re-sign him with other teams either snagging free-agent quarterbacks or pinning their hopes to the upcoming draft. 

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan is apparently still committed to working out a deal with the man who led New York to a 10-6 record in 2015, via the team's official Twitter account:

Newly acquired running back Matt Forte is hoping he gets a chance to play with the veteran quarterback.

“I’d be disappointed [if I don’t] get to work with him [given that he was here] last year and the good job he did,” Forte said on CBS Sports Radio, via the New York Post's Mark Cannizzaro. “But at the same time, you have to prepare yourself for the worst or if that doesn’t happen.”

The Jets have the 20th overall pick in the NFL draft. Top quarterback prospects Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are expected to be long gone by then, but the team could put pressure on Fitzpatrick by taking Memphis signal-caller Paxton Lynch at the end of the first round.

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Eventually, some team is going to take a chance on running back Arian Foster, a talented player who has struggled with injuries throughout his seven-year NFL career. Foster played in just four games with the Houston Texans in 2015, picking up 163 rushing yards and one touchdown on 2.6 yards per carry. 

He also added 227 yards and two more scores as a receiver, solid numbers for a four-game sample set and ones that show he can still make moves when in space. Foster visited the Miami Dolphins in late March, but it's been all quiet since then.

Teams in need of veteran leadership at wide receiver still have options available. Anquan Boldin racked up 789 receiving yards and four touchdowns with the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, excellent numbers considering he was working with the likes of Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert.

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

NJ.com's Jordan Raanan thinks the New York Giants could use him:

Marques Colston could benefit from a change of scenery after the New Orleans Saints, who drafted him in 2006, released him in March. Colston has had a couple of down years, but he is probably still good for 40-50 receptions and a few touchdowns if given the right opportunity.

As for defensive players, cornerback Leon Hall is still capable of contributing. The 31-year-old cornerback totaled 55 tackles and two interceptions in 2015. Cincinnati Bengals analyst Dave Lapham told ESPN 1530's James Rapien that Hall had back surgery this offseason, so it seems teams are waiting to see how he recovers.

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Cornerback-turned-safety Walter Thurmond had a productive season for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, racking up 71 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions.

He hasn't yet signed for the upcoming season, but there may be a reason for that, per a March report from Philly.com's Les Bowen:

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Multiple team sources said Friday that might be because Thurmond, who turns 29 in August, is contemplating retirement.

Reached by text, Thurmond asked "who started that rumor?" But when asked whether he wanted to deny it, he did not respond.

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Should Thurmond decide that his heart is still in it, he should have no problem finding a willing suitor for the upcoming season.

Greg Hardy is undoubtedly talented, but it wouldn't be surprising if he didn't get another chance in the NFL. His case involving domestic abuse allegations was dismissed in February, but that and other concerns involving his conduct and temperament likely make him untouchable in the eyes of most teams.

With teams laser-focused on the upcoming draft, there likely won't be any movement on the free-agent front until next week. Even then, teams will be quick to stock up on the top undrafted players as they look to get healthy, young bodies into training camp. 

Most of the above players should find a home in 2016 as NFL teams get a more complete sense of what they need for the upcoming season and the inevitable injuries take their toll.