NFL Free Agency: The 10 best players still available

NFL free agency continues to roll on. Several big-name players have already signed monster deals or surprising bargain. Yet this ride is still getting started.

There is quite a long list of veterans without new teams, many of them having a higher quality. One can imagine teams are trying to let the market settle down before making a move for them. The question is who are those players that they should be focusing on?

Here are the top 10 names still available and what they could bring to the table for any team that eventually makes a move to grab them.

01. Justin Houston

Everybody knows how valuable good pass rushers are in the NFL. Houston may not be the unstoppable force he was five years ago but even at age 30, he’s continued to prove that he can make life uncomfortable for quarterbacks with nine sacks in both 2017 and 2018.

02. Ziggy Ansah

Basically, he’s the Houston of 4-3 defensive ends. Getting up there in years but still young enough to be effective. The difference with Ansah is his injury setbacks have been a bit more frequent. When he’s healthy, he can impact games every week. Teams must tread carefully.

03. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

It’s amazing whacky the markets can be at safety. Some get gigantic paydays while others have to take discounts. Clinton-Dix was a Pro Bowler in 2016 and remains a solid presence in coverage but his tackling and run defense have regressed. Can he improve them? That’s what teams will risk.

04. Ronald Darby

Another of those talented players who can be highly effective when he’s able to stay on the field. Darby is coming off a torn ACL last season so it’s unclear whether he’ll be at his typical form anytime soon. However, his strong cover skill and physical play are worthwhile ventures.

05. Ndamukong Suh

People saw in the playoffs why the Rams acquired Suh when they did. He affects games with his ability to control the line of scrimmage, particularly as a run defender. It’s beyond difficult to move him. He may be on the older side, but he can still have an impact.

06. K.J. Wright

The former Pro Bowl linebacker helped Seattle win a championship and was consistently productive for several years before suffering some injury setbacks in 2018, missing 11 games. He’ll turn 30 this year but if recovered can be good for 100 or more tackles a season.

07. Bryce Callahan

Nickel corners are valued more than ever before given how offenses love to throw more than ever. When he’s on the field, Callahan is one of the best. He’s solid in coverage, tackles well, and can blitz too. The problem is he has never played a full 16-game season.

08. Zach Brown

One of those good players who just can’t seem to find a team that believes in him. Brown has averaged well over 100 tackles the past three years and gone to a Pro Bowl. Yet both the Bills and Redskins didn’t think he was worth keeping. Somebody will eventually.

09. Golden Tate

Having receivers who are good after the catch is such a value for NFL offenses. Tate has been one of the better ones for a long time. He understands how to make the tough catches and can turn short plays into bigger ones. He’s into his 30s now though, so his explosiveness may be waning.

10. Markus Golden

What most would call a boom-or-bust signing. Golden was an emerging pass rusher in 2016 when he had 12.5 sacks for Arizona. Then he tore his ACL in 2017 and had just 2.5 sacks as a 4-3 defensive end last year. Nobody can be sure if he’ll regain his old form, but if he does? Oh boy.

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