Who’s left? Here are the top 10 remaining NFL free agents

NFL free agency begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern time. And if you’ve been off the NFL grid for two days, that official start will be more exciting than it really is.

The NFL’s so-called legal tampering period started Monday and there was a frenzy to lock up the top free agents. By the time Wednesday rolled around, 17 of the 25 free agents from Yahoo Sports’ top 25 on Monday had agreed to deals.

That doesn’t mean free agency is over. Teams will still be searching for veteran help and there are some viable options. Here are the top 10 free agents who have not agreed to a deal and are still available:

1. Washington Commanders CB Kendall FullerFuller finished seventh among cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus’ grades this past season. At 29 years old there’s concern he’ll slip, but he should get one more big contract this offseason.

Kendall Fuller is the top remaining free agent on the market. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

2. Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise BrownBrown has just one 1,000-yard season in his five-year NFL career and injuries have been an issue. He has the talent. He was once a first-round draft pick. Some team will gamble on him staying healthy and productive as he goes into his age-27 season.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin RidleyRidley’s value is hard to gauge. At one point he looked like an elite receiver. That was before a strange 2021 with the Atlanta Falcons in which he played just five games, a yearlong gambling suspension in 2022 and an up-and-down 2023 with the Jaguars. He’s still good and just 29, but the shine is mostly off.

Top 5 NFL free agents by positionQuarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Defensive line
Linebackers
Defensive backs

4. Dallas Cowboys OT Tyron SmithWhen Smith is on the field, he’s an excellent performer. The problem is he hasn’t played a full season since 2015 and he’s 33 years old. He played in 13 games last season and his team would probably take that. Availability is a major concern.

5. Denver Broncos S Justin SimmonsConsider Simmons one of the casualties of the Russell Wilson trade. The Broncos, saddled with huge dead cap hits for releasing Wilson, are cutting Simmons to save $14.5 million on the salary cap. Simmons made a Pro Bowl and was second-team All-Pro last season. He led the NFL in interceptions for the 2022 season. He’s 30 years old but still capable of being a very good safety.

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6. New England Patriots OT Trent BrownThe massive Brown has been a good left tackle for many years, and he still has plenty left in the tank. He could move on to a team that has offensive line issues.

7. Miami Dolphins LB Jerome BakerBaker should get interest. He’s a solid off-ball linebacker who is 27 years old. He can play all three downs. He’s not an impact player but a good defender.

8. Miami Dolphins CB Xavien HowardIn 2022, Howard signed a deal that was the richest for any cornerback in NFL history. He’s 30 now, didn’t have a great 2023 season and was just cut by the Dolphins. But he was a Pro Bowl performer in 2022, and good cornerbacks are hard to find.

9. Washington Commanders S Kamren CurlCurl was a seventh-round draft pick but quickly got into the Commanders’ starting lineup as a rookie. In his four seasons with the team he showed good all-around ability. At age 25, he should get a nice long-term deal.

10. Baltimore Ravens G Kevin ZeitlerIn 2017, Zeitler signed a five-year, $60 million deal with the Cleveland Browns that at the time made him the highest paid guard in NFL history. He won’t be getting a record-breaking deal this time around but he’s still a reliable player who just made his first Pro Bowl. Zeitler will be 34 years old next season but can still help a team looking to fill a hole at guard.

Live202 updates

Wed, March 13, 2024 at 2:57 AM GMT+1

Why the Chiefs are all in on a three-peatWed, March 13, 2024 at 2:39 AM GMT+1

Here’s our reset on the top 10 remaining free agentsWed, March 13, 2024 at 1:57 AM GMT+1

The #Panthers agreed to terms with WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette on a 1-year deal.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2024

Wed, March 13, 2024 at 1:20 AM GMT+1

Mahomes does Chiefs another favorThe Chiefs are reportedly clearing $21.6 million in cap space by restructuring the contract of QB Patrick Mahomes. Is there anything Mahomes doesn’t do for this team?

More details

Patrick Mahomes continues to help the Chiefs. (Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Wed, March 13, 2024 at 12:48 AM GMT+1

Could we see another WR trade soon?FWIW on the WR market: The Broncos aren’t currently shopping Courtland Sutton.

Maybe there’s a surprise WR somewhere available but not many obvious, realistic targets at the moment. https://t.co/YxYuGLg23v

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) March 12, 2024

Wed, March 13, 2024 at 12:48 AM GMT+1

The Tennessee Titans are targeting All-Pro safety Justin Simmons. Tennessee was hoping to get a shot at C.J. Gardner-Johnson but Philly scooped him up.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 12, 2024

Wed, March 13, 2024 at 12:22 AM GMT+1

Meanwhile, on the other side of PennsylvaniaVeteran DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is returning to the #Eagles on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million, per his agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown at @UniSportsMgmt.

Gardner-Johnson just turned 26. Now back with the team he helped reach a Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/1o0Y5t8HZC

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2024

Wed, March 13, 2024 at 12:21 AM GMT+1

Full parameters of the Steelers-Panthers tradeWed, March 13, 2024 at 12:20 AM GMT+1

Here’s who the Panthers are gettingJohnson was a Pro Bowler in 2021.

Wed, March 13, 2024 at 12:15 AM GMT+1

Another trade! Panthers add a big target for their young QBTrade: the Steelers are sending WR Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, per sources. A new weapon for Bryce Young.

Johnson has a $3 million roster bonus due Friday that the Panthers now will pay. pic.twitter.com/dt2nF83mIL

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024

Tue, March 12, 2024 at 11:37 PM GMT+1

Saints signing former Chiefs LB Willie GayThe #Saints have agreed to terms with former #Chiefs LB Willie Gay to a one-year deal worth a max of $5 million, source says.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2024

Tue, March 12, 2024 at 11:35 PM GMT+1

Former Bills safety Jordan Poyer reportedly signing with DolphinsFormer Bills safety Jordan Poyer is signing with the Dolphins on a one-year deal, according to his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024

Tue, March 12, 2024 at 11:34 PM GMT+1

Danielle Hunter’s getting $48 million guaranteed from the Texans, per NFL Network

Tue, March 12, 2024 at 11:30 PM GMT+1

BREAKING: Texans land DE Danielle HunterTue, March 12, 2024 at 11:17 PM GMT+1

Best remaining free agents, according to Yahoo Sports’ Frank SchwabMinnesota Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter

Washington Commanders CB Kendall Fuller

Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise Brown

Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley

Dallas Cowboys OT Tyron Smith

Denver Broncos S Justin Simmons

New England Patriots OT Trent Brown

Miami Dolphins LB Jerome Baker

Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard

Tue, March 12, 2024 at 11:03 PM GMT+1

Colts signing former Dolphins DTFormer Dolphins DT Raekwon Davis is signing a 2-year $14 million base value deal with the Colts, per agent Trevon Smtih.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024

Tue, March 12, 2024 at 10:46 PM GMT+1

Bears signing DB Jonathan OwensOwens — yes, Simone Biles’ husband — is joining Chicago from bitter rival Green Bay.

Tue, March 12, 2024 at 10:36 PM GMT+1

Bucs retaining another key member of defense, per reportThe #Bucs keep another one home: Sources say they agree to terms with their own star LB Lavonte David, who gets a 1-year deal worth up to $10M. The base value is around $9M. pic.twitter.com/MUT5biU5a8

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024

Tue, March 12, 2024 at 10:28 PM GMT+1

Giants signing DB Jalen Mills, per reportTue, March 12, 2024 at 10:20 PM GMT+1

Here’s the money for the Panthers’ reported Josey Jewell deal:

Former Broncos LB Josey Jewell is signing a three-year, $22.75 million deal including a $7m signing bonus with Carolina.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024