The 2023 NFL Draft is over, and soon it’ll be time to hunker down for the summer for the entire league.
But, with the acquisition period officially a thing of the past, once every team takes stock of what they have rostered, they’ll be looking to fill in the gaps wherever they can. And trust me, as much as there’s a lot of awesome undrafted free-agent talent out there, sometimes you can’t rely on youth as much as you want. Experience wins out, especially for those guys who already know what it’s like to battle against legitimate NFL competition.
Here are 11 unsigned (and useful!) NFL veterans who can still help teams now that the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books.
RB Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott is way past his best days as a tailback but could still work as an experienced player in a committee on a contender.
EDGE Melvin Ingram
I don’t know how he does it, but in a situational role, the aging Ingram is still more than capable of terrorizing quarterbacks on limited snaps.
OT Isaiah Wynn
Wynn has struggled with injury issues in his career, which is partly why the New England Patriots gave up on him. But I have to believe this lineman with tackle and guard versatility can still contribute well to a team that needs help up front.
RB Kareem Hunt
It’s been years since Hunt was a featured back, but there’s still a ton of tread on his tires. he’s a very young 27 for a man in the backfield.
QB Teddy Bridgewater
At this point in his career, Bridgewater might be the best backup quarterback in the sport. You’re probably paying a lot for a No. 2 guy, but he’s worth the price in case your starter goes down for any reason.
EDGE Leonard Floyd
Floyd is in his 30s now, but he’s still capable of being a useful Swiss Army Knife for a creative defensive coordinator.
DE Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue must be waiting for a lucrative deal in the latest wave of free agency because it’s confounding that a 28-year-old pass-rush specialist like him is still available.
S Adrian Amos
In his heyday, Amos was one of the better in-the-box safeties in the sport. As an aging veteran, he can still be a steady veteran presence for a defense that needs an experienced leader.
CB Shaquill Griffin
It’s been years since Griffin featured at a Pro Bowl level, and a recent back injury casts into doubt just how much he can contribute. But, in a pinch, you can do a lot worse than a late-20s cornerback with solid ball skills.
DE Frank Clark
Fun fact: Clark is third all-time in NFL playoff sacks with (13.5). That’s not a typo. I know those numbers might be partly a product of playing with the Chiefs … but how does this 29-year-old remain unsigned?
CB Rock Ya-Sin
Ya-Sin doesn’t pop off the page as a special cornerback, but there are almost no real flaws to his game. He’ll be starting for someone as a steady fill-in by September.
