Who are the best available NFL free agents? Justin Simmons, Odell Beckham lead list (2024)

With the first few waves past, NFL free agency has entered the value stage of the process. Most of the top players are off the board, and teams now have more leverage, but there is still plenty of talent out there.

Who are the best available players for your team to sign? We’re tracking all of them right here.

This story will be updated as free agents agree to deals and as other players are released. The number preceding a player’s name shows where he landed in our rankings before the start of free agency. Players who were released on March 11 or later will not have a ranking. Ages (in parentheses) are as of Sept. 5, the scheduled date of the 2024 season opener.

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22. Justin Simmons, S, Broncos (30)

A surprising cap-related release by the Broncos, Simmons is one of the few safeties who has both size and speed. He’s a very good tackler, but he also excels in coverage. He keys and diagnoses well, showing good anticipation and reactions. He still has fluid hips and transitions easily in space, although he’s not as adept at man-to-man coverage as he was early in his career. He should be sought after by multiple teams. — Randy Mueller

37. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Ravens (31)

Opportunities and targets were limited for OBJ this season, but his skills and talent are still evident. He can run, he has the explosive ability to separate and he draws pass interference penalties as well as any other player in the NFL. He adjusts well to off-target throws and catches with his hands on par with the league’s elite. Even with his injury history, there is plenty more in the tank here if he should desire to move teams again. — Mueller

42. Andrus Peat, OT, Saints (30)

Peat is a guard by trade but filled in well enough at left tackle this year that we are leaving him in the tackle group, but some might still see him as a guard. He is strong, powerful on impact and can lock on to sustain in both the run and pass game. He’s not fleet of foot but imposes his will with his frame and physical presence. He’s a better player than a lot of right tackles in the league, although all of his NFL experience is on the left side. — Mueller

48. Bud Dupree, Edge, Falcons (31)

The Macon, Ga., native enjoyed playing close to home and had his best season since 2020. Dupree can play outside linebacker or a more traditional defensive end spot (like he did for the Falcons), which might make him a good fit for more teams. — Josh Kendall

50. Chris Hubbard, OT, Titans (33)

Hubbard was the Titans’ starter and full-time right tackle for nine games before injuring biceps and missing the balance of the season. He lacks ideal size but has excellent quickness and agility, particularly his lateral agility. He’s not well known around the league but is tough and consistent, and I love the way he competes. I think he can produce regardless of his measurables, even in the back end of his career. — Mueller

58. Marcus Maye, S, Saints (31)

Maye, who was released by the Saints, is athletic, smart and tough. He will take chances and chase shiny objects at times, but his instincts are usually pretty good. He just needs to stay healthy, which has been an issue over the last three seasons (28 games missed). — Mueller

59. Steven Nelson, CB, Texans (31)

Already a veteran of four teams, Nelson is a more experienced option at cornerback who had a solid body of work in 2023. He understands how to play and positions himself accordingly. He still is very light on his feet, can mirror in man-to-man coverage and closes with top-flight suddenness. — Mueller

64. Calais Campbell, DT, Falcons (38)

Campbell started all 17 games and contributed to the Falcons’ defensive turnaround. He finished the season playing at a high level and said he would like to play at least another year if the circ*mstances are right. His chances of re-signing in Atlanta declined upon defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s move to Jacksonville. — Josh Kendall

66. Stephon Gilmore, CB, Cowboys (33)

The Cowboys would probably love to have Gilmore back for another season. He played well in 2023. But already having Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland means Dallas will likely not be willing to spend much on its No. 3 cornerback. Gilmore would have to be willing to take something very team-friendly. Jourdan Lewis is also a free agent. — Jon Machota

NR. Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders (28)

Renfrow was a Pro Bowler in 2021 after posting career highs of 103 receptions, 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 80.5 percent of his targets. But he has just 61 catches for 585 yards and two TDs since, as he missed time due to injury in 2022 and saw his role shrink with Jakobi Meyers’ arrival in 2023. That said, he remains a good route runner who could play a significant role in a high-volume passing attack. — David DeChant

73. Mason Cole, C, Steelers (28)

Cole plays smart and positions himself well. He can bend and adjust to moving targets with enough quickness, agility and balance to be a functional starter. He lacks the mass to knock people back and doesn’t stay connected long enough in the run game at times, but he should not have a problem gaining employment after being released for cap purposes in Pittsburgh. — Mueller

77. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Patriots (29)

Zeke can still pick his way through traffic and put his foot in the ground to accelerate with conviction and pop. He still breaks arm tackles but might be lacking the breakaway speed he once had. He’s very good in the pass game on screens and dump-offs, getting yards on his own. He moves the chains effectively and could easily be considered a starting back for many NFL teams. — Mueller

78. Xavien Howard, CB, Dolphins (31)

Approaching 31 with a cap number of $25 million, Howard was released by Miami for salary purposes. His ability to mirror receivers in man-to-man coverage slipped in 2023, maybe because he wasn’t 100 percent healthy (he missed four games). His speed and suddenness to catch up was only evident in flashes. He would fit best in a zone scheme where he can play off technique and use his above-average ball skills and reactions to make plays. — Mueller

NR. David Bakhtiari, OT, Packers (32)

Bakhtiari has been a great player for a long time, and he probably still would be if healthy. But he’s played in just 13 of a possible 51 games over the last three seasons, as his surgically repaired knee has not cooperated. I’m not sure he’ll ever be fully healthy, which would make it hard to make the math work on a contract. —Mueller

83. Mekhi Becton, OT, Jets (25)

Becton is a large man who can create space on impact and cover up defenders on contact. He lacks ideal lateral range and the ability to recover when off-balance. His inconsistencies show consistently. His injury history is also concerning, even though he started 16 of 17 games in 2023, predominantly at left tackle — Mueller

84. Tre Herndon, CB, Jaguars (28)

A regular starter in Jacksonville in 2019 and 2020, Herndon has been relegated to the third cornerback role since 2021, playing predominantly in the slot. He doesn’t have an interception since 2019, but his experience and versatility will offer value somewhere. — DeChant

96. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans (36)

Best suited as a backup at this stage, Tannehill can still process coverage, but his release seems to have slowed a bit. He is athletic and can be deceptively effective while extending plays or tucking and running for a first down. His arm velocity is average at this point in his career, and the ball does not jump off his hand. He can stand in the pocket, if protected, and make most NFL throws. — Mueller

99. Charles Leno Jr., OT, Commanders (32)

A one-time Pro Bowler and longtime starter, Leno has faded some after 10 years in the league, but he has 141 starts under his belt, almost all at left tackle. He missed four games in 2023 and is having offseason hip surgery, so he might not be in high demand. — DeChant

NR. Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys (28)

Gallup was a big-play threat early in his career, highlighted his 66 catches for 1,107 yards (16.8 average) and six touchdowns in 2019. But he tore his ACL in 2021 and hasn’t been the same since, averaging just 11.5 yards per reception on 73 catches over the last two seasons. The Cowboys released him after being unable to find a trade partner. Gallup had his best game of the 2023 season in the playoffs (six catches, 103 yards), so perhaps he can reboot his value on a one-year deal somewhere. — DeChant

103. Byron Pringle, WR, Commanders (30)

Pringle isn’t a household name, but he has a great combination of size and speed, plus reliable hands when throws come his way (69.5 catch rate in his career). He also has some juice as a kick returner. He could fit nicely in an offense that needs a speedy third or fourth receiver. — DeChant

109. Connor Williams, C, Dolphins (27)

Williams battled nagging injuries in college and early in his NFL career, and then he missed the second half of 2023 with a torn ACL. He has shown impressive stretches while playing guard and center, but durability is a significant concern. — DeChant

112. Quandre Diggs, S, Seahawks (31)

A quality player for several years in Seattle, Diggs was released for cap purposes. He still has very good instincts to key and diagnose run or pass, as well as excellent ball skills. But at age 31, he’s lost a step in coverage, and his tackling skills were inconsistent in 2023. In a deep safety class, his small frame and declining speed might lead some teams to look elsewhere. — Mueller

115. Tashaun Gipson Sr., S, 49ers (34)

Gipson has been a revelation for the 49ers since they signed him during the 2022 preseason following Jimmie Ward’s injury. The Niners retained Gipson for $2.9 million last season. With Talanoa Hufanga rehabbing from a torn ACL, another one-year deal might make sense if Gipson chooses to continue playing. — David Lombardi

116. Mark Glowinski, G, Giants (32)

Released by the Giants, Glowinski can still be effective in a zone scheme. He is smart, has good instincts and takes good angles in the run game. He’s not going to knock anyone off the ball but stays engaged and positions his body well to sustain. He’s a tough competitor who should make sense for some as a third guard option. —Mueller

118. Dalton Risner, G, Vikings (29)

Risner hit the open market last offseason and was not as sought after as he hoped. He signed with Minnesota three weeks into September and became a starter at left guard in Week 7. Pass protection is his strength. The Vikings are likely to want Risner back, but they won’t be the only team interested. — Alec Lewis

119. Levi Wallace, CB, Steelers (29)

Wallace had six interceptions and 24 passes defensed in his two seasons with the Steelers, who would love to have him back but won’t consider him a high priority. He shouldn’t be in high demand, which would allow the Steelers to snoop around for somebody younger with more upside. — Mark Kaboly

122. Geoff Swaim, TE, Cardinals (30)

Swaim is the best and most consistent run blocker of all tight ends in this class. He’s physical, strong and very willing — which should not be assumed as a given, even at the NFL level. He does the dirty work. — Mueller

123. Dalvin Cook, RB, Ravens (29)

Released by the Vikings, Cook flopped with the Jets before being waived, then went unclaimed on waivers and played sparingly for Baltimore in one playoff game. As low as his stock is now, he averaged 4.4 yards per carry in 2022 and doesn’t turn 30 until August 2025. — DeChant

127. Krys Barnes, LB, Cardinals (26)

Untendered by the Packers as a restricted free agent last offseason, Barnes joined the Cardinals and flashed as a part-time starter, logging 55 tackles and six passes defensed in only 408 defensive snaps. Arizona has plenty of cap space if it wants to keep him. — DeChant

136. Adoree’ Jackson, CB, Giants (28)

Jackson is coming off his worst season with the Giants since signing a three-year, $39 million contract in 2021. His durability concerns (18 games missed from 2020 to 2021) continued in New York, as he missed 14 games in three seasons. He can still cover, and his flexibility to play in the slot adds value, but he struggles with tackling. — Dan Duggan

137. Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals (29)

All signs point to the end in Cincinnati for Boyd, who should have a market among teams searching for a slot receiver. His reliability and savvy will be gold for any team grooming a young quarterback. He’ll probably end up with a multiyear deal in the $7-9 million per season range, which would be too rich for the Bengals’ balance sheet. — Paul Dehner Jr.

150. Jamal Adams, S, Seahawks (28)

When healthy, Adams can still make plays, although he is really more of a Will linebacker than a safety at this point in his career. The problem is his injury history, which (combined with his salary) made his release in Seattle inevitable. Most concerning is that the torn quadriceps tendon he suffered in the 2022 opener lingered well into 2023, which would give me significant pause before I would consider signing him. — Mueller

(Photos of, from left to right, Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Simmons and Andrus Peat: Patrick Smith, Harry How, Wesley Hitt / Getty Images)