Free agents can formally sign contracts when the NFL’s new league year officially begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.
There’s already been a flurry of moves since the legal tampering period commenced Monday. Among the highlights: Sam Darnold agreed to move to the Pacific Northwest; the Minnesota Vikings bolstered their offensive and defensive lines; Justin Fields decided to take his talents to the New York Jets; and Joey Bosa is moving across the country to Buffalo.
There are still a plethora of quality players who remain free agents. USA TODAY Sports ranks the top 20 free agents still available:
1. Stefon Diggs, wide receiver (2024 team: Texans)
Diggs suffered a torn ACL during his first season in Houston and seems more suited as a No. 2 receiver at this stage of his career. Still, he racked up 47 catches, 496 receiving yards and three touchdowns in eight games, and should be a high-quality secondary receiver as he prepares for his age-32 season.
2. Amari Cooper, wide receiver (2024 team: Bills, Browns)
Cooper joined the Bills via trade in October but never connected with Josh Allen. He had 20 catches, 297 receiving yards and two touchdowns in eight regular season games and caught just six passes for 41 yards in the postseason. Cooper turns 31 in June but is still a sharp route runner.
3. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback (2024 team: Jets)
Rodgers’ tenure in New York will ultimately go down as a failure. He suffered a season-ending Achilles tear just four plays into his Jets debut in 2023 and led the team to a 5-12 record in what was a tumultuous 2024 season. There is a silver lining, though. Rodgers performed better during the latter portion of the year. He had a 91-or-above passer rating in four of his final five contests.
4. Cam Robinson, tackle (2024 team: Vikings, Jaguars)
The Vikings traded for Robinson to help stabilize their left tackle position after Christian Darrisaw went down. Robinson filled in nicely in Minnesota. He started in 10 games for the Vikings. At 29 years old, he still has plenty of productive years left.
5. Keenan Allen, wide receiver (2024 team: Bears)
Allen will be 33 years old at the start of next season. He saw his numbers decline during his first year in Chicago. Is the dip in production a sign of things to come, or was it a byproduct of Caleb Williams’ up-and-down rookie season with the Bears? It’s probably both, but Allen remains a savvy route runner.
6. Russell Wilson, quarterback (2024 team: Steelers)
Wilson helped the Steelers get into the playoffs, but the team’s passing offense never really got going. He averaged 225 passing yards per game for a Steelers club that had the 23rd-ranked offense in the league. He still throws a pretty deep ball but has a propensity to turn down intermediate passes. The 36-year-old QB can still be a capable starter in the right situation.
7. J.K. Dobbins, running back (2024 team: Chargers)
Dobbins rushed for a career-best 905 yards in his first year with the Chargers. He has a career average of 5.2 yards per carry. But injuries have followed Dobbins throughout his NFL tenure.
8. Evan Engram, tight end (2024 team: Jaguars)
A pass-catching tight end, Engram caught 114 balls in 2023. A torn labrum limited him to just nine games last season.
9. Justin Simmons, safety (2024 team: Falcons)
Simmons was regarded as one of the top safeties in the NFL a few seasons ago. He formed a nice combo with Jessie Bates in Atlanta. He’s still a starting safety but not the perennial All-Pro he was during his days in Denver.
10. Julian Blackmon, safety (2024 team: Colts)
Blackmon started 62 career games in Indianapolis. He’s registered at least three interceptions and 86 tackles the past two seasons.
11. Teven Jenkins, offensive line (2024 team: Bears)
The Bears were comfortable letting Jenkins walk after they revamped their interior O-line. Jenkins was responsible for four sacks and 17 pressures in 738 snaps.
12. Dante Fowler, edge (2024 team: Commanders)
Fowler is coming off one of his best seasons as a situational pass rusher. He led the Commanders with 10.5 sacks. The former top-five pick will be 31 years old at the start of next season. He might be best as a situational pass rusher at this stage of his career.
13. Azeez Ojulari, edge (2024 team: Giants)
Ojulari flashed during his rookie season when he tallied a career-best eight sacks. His rookie year is still his best statistical season, though. The potential is there but he needs to show development as an edge rusher.
14. Asante Samuel Jr., cornerback (2024 team: Chargers)
Samuel began the season as the Chargers’ starting corner. He ended the year in unheralded fashion on injured reserve. He has solid coverage skills but is not a sure tackler.
15. Mekhi Becton, offensive line (2024 team: Eagles)
Becton revitalized his career with the Eagles. He allowed three sacks and 25 pressures at right guard. After a rocky start to his career at tackle with the Jets, the former first-round pick seems to have found a home at guard.
16. Kyzir White, linebacker (2024 team: Cardinals)
White produced 137 tackles in 17 starts in Arizona last season. He’s an athletic linebacker who’s had four straight seasons with at least 90 tackles.
17. DeMarcus Lawrence, edge (2024 team: Cowboys)
A foot injury cut Lawrence’s 2024 season to just four games. He was the Cowboys’ second-best pass rusher when healthy. He’ll be 33 years old at the start of next season.
18. Levi Onwuzurike, defensive line (2024 team: Lions)
Onwuzurike started 10 games for an injury-riddled Lions defense. His 13 QB hits in 2024 were by far a career high. He’s a defensive tackle who can take another leap this year.
19. Josh Myers, center (2024 team: Packers)
Myers allowed one sack and 29 pressures in 1,006 snaps this past season. He’s a durable center who’s started at least 16 games for three straight years.
20. Za’Darius Smith, edge (2024 team: Lions, Browns)
Smith filled in nicely with the Lions after the Browns traded him. He had nine total sacks between the two teams. He’ll be 33 years old in September but can still be a quality pass rusher.
