The frenzy period of free agency is long gone, but many notable free agents remain available, including a handful of decorated edge rushers.
A few of them will likely find homes in the coming weeks with postseason contenders or teams that missed on edge rushers during the NFL draft. There are also some quality defensive backs available and even a two-time rushing champion with three Pro Bowl selections.
Here’s a list of the top 10 remaining free agents, with best team fits. Plus, given there are so many quality players available, an extra list at the end of the story.
1. Yannick Ngakoue, edge
Best team fit: Jets
Ngakoue, 28, has played for four different teams in the past three seasons. He struggles in many areas, but he excels at rushing the passer and is coming off a season in which he recorded 9.5 sacks. The Jets would benefit from having Ngakoue as a rotational pass rusher, especially given he could provide a safety net in case rookie Will McDonald IV struggles to find his footing. The best teams (such as the 49ers and Eagles) have depth at edge rusher , and the Jets are hoping to reach that level with a talented defense to accompany their high expectations with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers.
2. Frank Clark, edge
Best team fit: Lions
Clark provides plenty of value as a consistent pass rusher with postseason success. He’s no longer a double-digit sack artist, but he remains a disruptor by creating hits and hurries. Also, the two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs tends to do his best work in the postseason: He had 2.5 sacks and four quarterback hits during Kansas City’s three playoff games last season. Clark, who’s entering his age-30 season, would provide leadership to an inexperienced Lions team with postseason aspirations. Detroit is in need of a third edge rusher to go with Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston, two players who flashed as rookies last season.
3. Jadeveon Clowney, edge
Best team fit: Saints
Clowney, 30, recently said he’s open to a reunion with the Texans, but the edge rusher would fit better with the Saints, a team aiming to win the NFC South with newcomer quarterback Derek Carr. Clowney would form a solid duo with Cam Jordan and could provide guidance for rookie Isaiah Foskey, a 2023 second-round pick, and Payton Turner, a ’21 first-round pick. Clowney, the No. 1 pick in ’14, had only two sacks with the Browns last season, but he earned respectacle run defense (74.3) and pass rush (70) grades from Pro Football Focus.
4. Marcus Peters, CB
Best team fit: Raiders
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It’s somewhat surprising that the Raiders haven’t announced a contract agreement with Peters after his team visit earlier this month. Peters, who remained a quality starting cornerback with the Ravens last season, would improve a Raiders secondary that lacks playmakers and experience. Peters, 30, occasionally takes costly gambles on the field, but the feisty competitor can still hang with the league’s best wide receivers. The 2015 first-round pick by the Chiefs recorded one interception and six passes defended last season in Baltimore.
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5. Melvin Ingram, edge
Best team fit: Texans
The 34-year-old Ingram is the oldest edge rusher on this list, but he might be the best pure pass rusher among the free agents. Ingram (6'2", 247 pounds) still has enough athleticism to overcome his lack of size for the position. He was an active playmaker for the Dolphins during the 2022 season, in which he recorded six sacks and 10 quarterback hits. Perhaps Ingram would do better with a playoff contender, but the Texans are finally trending in the right direction, and Will Anderson Jr., the No. 3 pick in last month’s draft, would benefit from playing alongside the veteran.
6. Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Best team fit: Cardinals
There are a few teams that should strongly consider adding Bridgewater, who has 65 career starts since entering the league in 2014 as the Vikings’ first-round pick. The Cardinals should be interested in Bridgewater, mainly because their current QB plan (with Kyler Murray not expected to be ready for the 2023 season) is starting 36-year-old Colt McCoy, who sustained multiple injuries last season. Arizona also has rookie Clayton Tune, the team’s fifth-round pick out of Houston. With Murray recovering from a torn ACL, the Cardinals would be wise to add an experienced quarterback such as the 30-year-old Bridgewater … but they may be more focused on the ’24 draft.
7. John Johnson III, S
Best team fit: Chargers
It makes plenty of sense for Johnson to reunite with Chargers coach Brandon Staley, who guided the safety to a career year in 2020 as the defensive coordinator of the Rams. L.A. also needs help for Derwin James, with plenty of inexperience behind the All-Pro safety. Johnson, 27, turned his breakout season with the Rams into a three-year, $33.75 million deal with the Browns, but he struggled in coverage the past two seasons. Perhaps a return to Southern California and working with Staley again could lead to a rebound season for Johnson.
8. Leonard Floyd, edge
Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
Best team fit: Panthers
Sticking with the theme of coaching familiarity, Floyd was around Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for two seasons with the Rams. Evero, who emerged as one of the best defensive minds in the NFL last season as the coordinator of the Broncos, is in need of an edge rusher on the opposite side of Brian Burns. Floyd, 30, had a slow start in 2022 partly because he played on an injured knee, but he finished with nine sacks in the final 11 games.
9. Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Best team fit: Bengals
Elliott, 27, is no longer in his prime, but he proved last season that he can still find the end zone and move the chains in short-yardage situations; the running back had 231 carries for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns during 15 games with the Cowboys. The Bengals could use Elliott’s services after losing Samaje Perine to the Broncos in free agency. Also, Joe Mixon’s time in Cincinnati is up in the air—given his legal troubles, the team has the option of cutting him post–June 1 for about $10 million in cap savings.
10. Dalton Risner, OG
Best team fit: Giants
The Giants are in need of interior offensive line help to go with rookie center John Michael Schmitz and bookend tackles Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal. Risner, 27, would improve the pass protection inside, and he has plenty of experience after starting 62 games for the Broncos the past four seasons.
Ben Jones, C; Jarvis Landry, WR; Justin Houston, Edge; Bryce Callahan, CB; Adrian Amos, S; Robbie Gould, K; Casey Hayward, CB; Carson Wentz, QB; Kareem Hunt, RB; Cameron Brate, TE
