NFL Free Agency has been a whirlwind. In just a few days, we’ve seen franchise quarterbacks on the move, blockbuster deals, shocking trades, and whatever the Panthers are doing. Though it seems like every available football player has already signed a deal, here are the top five free agents left on the market heading into the weekend.
TYRON SMITH (OT)
One of the biggest surprises of this cycle is that the eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro tackle has yet to find a home. Smith has missed 30 games over his past four years with the Dallas Cowboys, but he’s also been a stalwart on Dak Prescott’s blindside and a grader in the run game for Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Could he find a home with the Chargers to bookend the line with Rashawn Slater?
TRENT BROWN (OT)
The guards are getting all the love in 2024, but here’s another Pro Bowl tackle with huge size and experience manning both sides of the line. In his second stint with the New England Patriots, Brown played every game in 2022 before being in and out of the lineup last season with various injuries. With the Bengals losing a starting tackle earlier in free agency, would Brown be an answer to their problem?
CHASE YOUNG (DE)
Defensive End Chase Young is easily the youngest player on this list and he can impact an NFL game off the edge, as seen in his 7.5 sacks in 2023 with the 49ers and Commanders. He still has a lot of football left ahead of him. Could new coach Jerod Mayo and the Patriots take a swing on a player with his pedigree as they retool their defense?
MIKE WILLIAMS (WR)
After seven seasons together, the Chargers are releasing WR Mike Williams, per source. The move will save the Chargers $20 million against their cap and Williams will become a free agent. pic.twitter.com/okV2GrLCRz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2024
The Los Angeles Chargers released their former 7th overall pick on Wednesday. Williams tore his ACL last year, but the 6’4” target is still a physical presence with elite contested catch ability when healthy. He started off his 2023 season with 19 receptions and 249 yards in the three games before going down. Williams is still only 29 years old, two years younger than fellow unsigned wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Michael Thomas. With Marquise Brown signing in Kansas City, do the Cardinals fill their new need for a field-stretching target with Williams?
STEPHON GILMORE (CB)
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore maybe 33 years old, but he played all 17 games last season with the Dallas Cowboys, adding two picks and 13 passes defended. After one-year stints with Dallas, Indianapolis, and Carolina over the past three seasons, he could again be an effective stopgap for an NFL secondary in need. A team like the Bucs perhaps?
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Daniel Willon is a sportswriter based in Southern California. A lifelong Chargers, Lakers, and UCLA fan, he’s covered everything from football to surfing. Follow him on X @dwillsports.
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