Caleb Harris
The 2024 NFL Draft is officially over as teams are busy putting the finishing touches on their rosters with positions they didn’t prioritize in the draft. Part of that logic has to do with the free agents available during the third wave of free agency, or the period when teams don’t have to give up a compensatory pick in next year’s draft to sign players.
With that deadline being this week, there should be a free agent frenzy for some of the top veterans still on the market. Here are the top picks for the best free agents on the board:
Best Fit: Denver Broncos
Want to give Bo Nix a chance? Allow a veteran to come and guide you as you learn the job. Tannehill would be a better replacement for that role than Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson.
Tannehill is unlikely to make it to Denver, but he is the veteran quarterback this team is missing. He made 151 starts in his 12-year career, throwing for 34,881 yards and 216 touchdowns with a 91.2 rating. His veteran presence as a starter and backup makes the quarterback space better.
Best Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh improved at wide receiver by adding Roman Wilson in the draft, but the Steelers could use a veteran wideout to pair with George Pickens and Van Jefferson. The Steelers expressed interest in Tee Higgins and Brandon Aiyuk, but were unable to land either of them.
The fates of Higgins and Aiyuk are tied to Boyd, who is the best free agent wide receiver available. Boyd would start in Pittsburgh and is familiar with the AFC North (a bonus). The two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver in Cincinnati would be more productive with more targets.
Best Fit: Los Angeles Rams
Bakhtiari is still one of the best tackles in the game when he’s healthy, which is probably why he hasn’t been signed since being released from the Green Bay Packers. A First Team All-Pro in 2020, Bakhtiari made five straight All-Pro teams before injuries caught up with him (he’s missed 38 games over the past three seasons).
The Rams have Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom at left tackle, not really addressing the position in the draft. Giving Bakhtiari the opportunity to get a job and stay healthy is a gamble worth taking.
Best Fit: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles could have more competition at linebacker, even after signing Devin White and Oren Burks in free agency and signing Jeremiah Trotter Jr. They’re probably set at linebacker, but Cunningham was a pleasant surprise for them last year.
He finished with 85 tackles and four passes defended in 13 games (10 starts), and is just 29 years old. Bringing Cunningham back would be good veteran competition for White and Nakobe Dean, and a good mentor for Trotter.
Again, that’s unlikely to happen, but the Eagles would have better depth at a weak position.
Best Fit: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts could use some veteran help in the secondary, with Julius Brents and Dallis Flowers the projected starters. While it was surprising to see Indianapolis emerge from the draft without selecting a cornerback until pick No. 201, the team is poised to add one next month.
Howard may have the opportunity to start in Indianapolis, as he allowed just two passing touchdowns and a 64.2 passer rating in coverage last season. He can still match up against the best wide receivers in the game.
Best Fit: Green Bay Packers
Still a starter, despite having played for four teams in three years, Gilmore can still play at a high level – even at 33 years old. He should find a job next month after allowing four passing touchdowns and a 60.3 rating in coverage.
Green Bay didn’t take the cornerback until pick 255, but they put a lot of resources into the safety position. They would need outside help alongside Jaire Alexander, and Gilmore would be more than ideal to challenge the oft-injured Eric Stokes for playing time.
Best Fit: New York Jets
The Jets didn’t address safety in the draft, thanks to filling some holes on offense. With a deep safety class remaining in free agency, they could afford it.
Enter Simmons, who is coming off a season that ended with 70 tackles, three interceptions and eight passes defended. Opposing quarterbacks targeting Simmons had just a 58.4 passer rating as he earned his third straight Second Team All-Pro selection.
Simmons is a better option than Tony Adams or Chuck Clark right now — and the Jets have been active in free agency. The price just needs to come down.
Best Fit: Baltimore crows
The Ravens haven’t taken safety until the No. 250 pick in this year’s draft, and could use more depth at the position with the departure of Geno Stone. They have Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton there, but Baltimore has run three safety sets in the past.
This is not a necessity for Baltimore, but rather a luxury if Williams or Hamilton go down. Hyde is a natural leader and strong hitter on defense, even with his coverage skills in decline. He would be a welcome addition.
