The NFL’s legal tampering period gave way to massive contracts and plenty of moves. But with the 2019 league year officially kicking on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET and free agency actually beginning, there are plenty of top players still available.
Here are the best remaining free agents at the start of free agency.
DE Ezekiel Ansah
Ansah is also coming off an injury-filled 2018 campaign and is set to turn 30 on May 29. But with a 12-sack season in 2017 and pass rushers being a prime target in free agency, Ansah could still cash in from a team that needs veteran help on the outside.
OLB Justin Houston
Cut for salary cap reasons, Houston is perhaps the most consistent and productive free agent still on the market. With 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, the question is just how long of a deal a team will give a 30-year old pass rusher entering his ninth season.
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Considered one of the better young safeties available at the start of the legal tampering period, Clinton-Dix hasn’t drawn quite the same attention as his peers thus far. Still, he could be a nice upgrade to many secondaries and should have a nice market with free agency starting officially.
OLB K.J. Wright
Wright missed most of the 2018 season with a knee injury but has been consistently great for the Seahawks previously. He’ll turn 30 years old in July, but could help solidify a linebacking corps quickly.
RB Tevin Coleman
Coleman is a game-changing player with explosive talent but has been inconsistent with the Falcons. Coleman would be a good pickup for a team in need of a receiver out of the backfield or for speed in a running back by committee approach.
WR Golden Tate
Traded from the Detroit Lions to the Philadelphia Eagles last season, Tate had a rather mediocre 2018 campaign. But with a thin wide receiver free agent group, Tate represents one of the best still available.
OT Daryl Williams
Much like wide receiver, the free agent market for offensive linemen has been thin in 2019. Williams is coming off a one-game 2018 season due to a knee injury but has the talent to be a solid tackle for a relative bargain.
TE Jared Cook
Now entering his 11th season in the NFL, Cook was still a highly-productive tight end for the Oakland Raiders last season. Cook caught 68 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns in 2018 — which ranked fifth in receptions, fourth in yards and tied for fourth in touchdown receptions among all tight ends.
WR Tyrell Williams
Not the top option on the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense, Williams could be in line for a big boost to his stat sheet if given more opportunity. But being a sure-handed wide receiver with deep speed and only 27 years old makes him an interesting option for teams in need of help on offense.
LB Jamie Collins
Collins was released by the Cleveland Browns ahead of free agency after a disappointing two seasons following a monster four-year $50 million deal. But with better expectations and a thin inside linebacker free agent class, Collins could be a solid pickup.
DT Ndamukong Suh
Suh is on the free agent market again after a single season with the Los Angeles Rams that saw him reach the Super Bowl. Suh can still be a dominant defensive lineman but at 32 years old, how much does he have left at a premium price tag?
