✍🏼 Best NFL Free Agents Still Unemployed

Plus News and a Dynasty Nugget or Two

Author

Jen of Deep Dive Fantasy
April 17, 2024

In today’s newsletter, I tackle the best remaining free agents still waiting to get signed. Plus we’ll hear from Ryan McDowell at DLF on some pertinent dynasty info.

The free agency period started with a bang as many notable players found new homes right away. We saw elite running backs like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, D’Andre Swift, and Tony Pollard get signed, along with wideouts Calvin Ridley and Gabriel Davis. Big names defensively also inked contracts with new teams like defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and safety Xavier McKinney.

The free agent market has slowed down to a near stop with the NFL Draft less than a few weeks away, but there are still some solid players available. Here’s a look at the best NFL players still unemployed as we head to the point in the offseason when rookies dominate the headlines. These names will likely return to relevancy after the 2024 NFL Draft when teams will look to fill holes based on how their specific drafts pan out.

All market value data is courtesy of Spotrac.

🦾 Quarterbacks

  • Ryan Tannehill – Market Value: $4.9M annually

🦵🏼 Running Backs

  • Ezekiel Elliot – Market Value: $2.7M annually

  • J.K. Dobbins – Market Value: $2.1M annually

  • Cam Akers – Market Value: $4.1M annually

  • Boston Scott – Market Value: $1.5M annually

  • Kareem Hunt – Market Value: $4.5M annually

  • Damien Harris

  • Rashaad Penny

🫴🏼 Wide Receivers

  • Michael Thomas -Market Value: $9.2M annually

  • Odell Beckham – Market Value:$11.9M annually

  • Tyler Boyd – Market Value: 8.7M annually

  • DJ Chark – Market Value: $10.0M annually

  • Hunter Renfrow

  • Michael Gallup

  • Allen Robinson

🍑 Tight Ends

  • Logan Thomas

  • Robert Tonyan

  • Marcedes Lewis

💪🏼 Offensive Linemen

  • Connor Williams (C) – Market Value: $13.5M annually

  • Mekhi Becton (RT) – Market Value: $12.9M annually

  • Andrus Peat (G)

  • Dalton Risner (G)

  • Laken Tomlinson (G)

  • Charles Lenoo (LT)

🏈 Defensive Linemen

  • Emmanual Ogbah (EDGE)

  • Carl Lawson (EDGE)

  • Yannick Ngakoue (EDGE)

  • Calais Campbell (DE)

  • Bryan Mone (DT)

💪🏼 Linebackers

  • Tyus Bowser (OLB)

  • Bud Dupree (OLB)

  • Zach Cunningham (ILB)

  • Shaquille Leonard (ILB)

  • Kwon Alexander (ILB)

💨 Cornerbacks

  • Xavien Howard

  • Adoree’ Jackson – Market Value: $11.3M annually

  • Stephon Gilmore- Market Value: $11.1M annually

  • Ahkello Witherspoon – Market Value: $10.2M annually

  • Levi Wallace – Market Value: $5.9M annually

💨 Safeties

  • Justin Simmons – Market Value: $11.1M annually

  • Micah Hyde – Market Value: $3.7M annually

  • Jamal Adams

  • Eddie Jackson

  • Quandre Diggs

  • Tracy Walker

  • Marcus Maye

Welcome to DLF Roundup. Each week, Ryan McDowell brings you a quick look at some of the dynasty happenings taking place over at Dynasty League Football.

The NFL Draft is now just over a week away. It’s almost here! So much of the analysis over the past several months has been focused on individual players, rightfully so. Now that free agency is essentially over, we have a good understanding of current team needs and what gaps each squad might be looking to fill next weekend.

With that in mind, I made landing spots for the incoming rookie class the focus of this week’s Monday Mock. Check out the full article here: Monday Mocks: 2024 Landing Spots. 

Here are my three favorite landing spots for the rookie class of 2024…

1.01 Chicago Bears QB

Okay, this one is cheating a little. We already know with near certainty that the Bears will be using their top overall pick on USC’s Caleb Williams. We are also quite sure that Williams will be the overwhelming favorite to be the top pick in most superflex rookie drafts. It has been a popular opinion leading up to the NFL Draft that Williams will have the best initial supporting cast of any top overall quarterback pick. That includes weapons like DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, along with a new offensive coordinator.

1.02 Minnesota Vikings QB

The Vikings are not in the same position as their division-foe Chicago, but still have a pressing need at the quarterback position. With Kirk Cousins gone, the Vikes signed Sam Darnold, but no one seems to view him as a long-term option, understandably so. Minnesota has made some pre-draft moves, hinting at a possible trade up for a quarterback. Like Chicago, the Vikings have strong pass-catchers that could make for an easy transition for any rookie signal caller. If the Vikings select Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, as has been rumored, it would be interesting to see if he could overtake Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels in rookie drafts.

1.03 Buffalo Bills WR

The Bills finally made the big move recently, dealing away disgruntled receiver Stefon Diggs. While the veteran had clearly lost a step, the trade leaves Buffalo with a major gap in their receiver depth chart. With Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir currently slotted as the top two pass catchers, this team needs a WR1. The Bills own the 28th overall pick and there should be a few options available for them, including Adonai Mitchell and Ladd McConkey. The rookie receiver that does land in Buffalo will certainly see a value bump in rookie drafts.

  • Bill Belichick is still looking for work after 24 seasons in New England. He is eyeing three jobs according to Don Van Natta Jr., Seth Wickersham, and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. He’s also rumored to be biding his time until he can work with Omaha Productions in a coveted broadcasting role. The hoodie always keeps us guessing.

  • After months of speculation, Dallas is finally making a move for their RB room! And…it’s Royce Freeman. Womp.

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