Now that the 2021 NFL Draft is over, the remaining unrestricted free agents will likely start finding new or old homes. Some may wait until training camp injuries take their toll, but many of the more notable names will likely find a place to call home.
Monday May 3rd, at 4 p.m. ET these players won’t count toward the NFL’s compensatory pick formula, per ESPN’s Field Yates. Below, we’ll take you through the best options left on the market. Many of these players have injury risk, as they are older in NFL years and likely aren’t signed yet due to medical worries. Barring negative physicals and/or retirement, these players should end up helping a team out in 2021.
Cornerback Richard Sherman is one of the top remaining players. He is still a useful player, as his instincts and veteran knowledge help him overcome his waning physical abilities. He’s been in talks with his old team the Seahawks, his current old team the 49ers, and the Raiders to name a few. He isn’t in any hurry to sign with a new team at the moment.
There are plenty of offensive linemen left and many are coming back from injuries and biding their time. The Chiefs Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz are two of the top players out there if they can show their injuries are behind them. They would both likely be possibilities to return to Kansas City, but the Chiefs have added a lot of depth to the o-line this offseason.
There aren’t a ton of offensive skill players ready to make a big impact for a team, but receivers Kenny Stills, Alshon Jeffery, Danny Amendola, Damier Byrd, and Dede Westbrook should all be able to push for playing time in the right spots. Running backs Le’Veon Bell, Todd Gurley, and Duke Johnson will find teams if they are willing to take the minimum salary.
Melvin Ingram and Justin Houston are the two best edge rushers available and they should be useful to a team needing an extra boost on the line. They could end up being more situational rushers than they have been in the past, but that’s still a good thing in a league that wins on the passing game and stopping the passing game.
Best free agents still available, post-NFL Draft
Richard Sherman, cornerback
Russell Okung, Tackle
Eric Fisher, Tackle (signed, Colts)
Alejandro Villanueva, Tackle (signed, Ravens)
Mitchell Schwartz, Tackle
Melvin Ingram, EDGE
Rick Wagner, Tackle
K.J. Wright, Linebacker
Bobby Massie, Tackle
Malik Hooker, Safety
Austin Reiter, Center
Nickell Robery-Coleman, Cornerback
Duke Johnson, Running back
Danny Amendola, Wide receiver
Le’Veon Bell, Running back
Gareon Conley, Cornerback
Geno Atkins, Defensive lineman
Bashoud Breeland, Cornerback
Jurrell Casey, Defensive Lineman
Casey Hayward Jr., Cornerback (signed, Raiders)
Alshon Jeffery, Wide receiver
Justin Houston, EDGE
Kawann Short, Defensive lineman
Tre Boston, Safety
Jason McCourty, Cornerback (signed, Dolphins)
Dennis Kelly, Tackle
Adrian Clayborn, EDGE
Darqueze Dennard, Cornerback
Oliver Vernon, EDGE
Earl Thomas Jr., Safety
Kenny Stills, Wide receiver
Damiere Byrd, Wide receiver (signed, Bears)
B.J. Goodson, Linebacker
Bradley McGougald, Safety
James Carpenter, Guard
Dede Westbrook, Wide receiver
Trent Murphy, EDGE
Todd Gurley, Running back