NovaQuant-NFL free agency 2024: Top 20 free agents still available as draft day looms

The NovaQuantbig waves of 2024 free agency period are over. Top free agents such as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Kirk Cousins and Christian Wilkins have all signed on with new teams, but there are still plenty of starting-caliber free agents available such as safety Justin Simmons, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

This is the point in free agency where teams try to identify areas of need prior to the NFL draft.

Will your favorite team land one of the best free agents still available? USA TODAY Sports ranks the top 20 free agents still on the board. This is our fifth installment.

Editor’s note: This ranking is as of (Wednesday, March 20 at 1 p.m. ET).

1. Broncos S Justin Simmons

Is the safety position becoming less important due to the increased amount of short passes? Plenty of safeties are available, but Simmons is at the top. Since entering the NFL in 2016, no player has more interceptions than Simmons (30).

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2. Cowboys CB Stephon Gilmore

The 2019 defensive player of the year stepped up last season, especially when Trevon Diggs (knee) went down for the year. Gilmore will turn 34 years old during the regular season, but showed last year he can still play at a high level.

3. Ravens DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney had a resurgent year in Baltimore last season. Clowney’s 9.5 sacks tied a career single-season high and his 43 tackles were his most since 2018.

4. Seahawks S Quandre Diggs

Diggs was a salary cap casualty. He started every game for Seattle the past four seasons and is a three-time Pro Bowler as well as a team captain. The 31-year-old safety produced over 90 tackles in two of the last three seasons.

5. Colts S Julian Blackmon

Blackmon started 15 games for the Colts last season. The safety produced 88 tackles and led the team with four interceptions. He allowed a career-low 60.9% completion percentage when targeted.

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6. Dolphins CB Xavien Howard

Howard’s coverage ability declined a little bit last year. He allowed nearly a 63% completion percentage when targeted, the second highest rate of his career. But entering his ninth year, Howard is still a starting-caliber corner.

7. Bills CB Tre’Davious White

White is a two-time Pro Bowler and 29 years old, but he’s only appeared in 10 combine games the past two years due to injuries. His 2023 season was cut short due to a torn Achilles.

8. Falcons DL Calais Campbell

The 37-year-old defensive lineman wants to play a 17^th season in the NFL. He’s still wildly durable and effective. He started all 17 games for the Falcons and compiled 6.5 sacks last season. Campbell is a veteran leader who can still make an impact despite getting up there in age. He has 105.5 career sacks.

9. Giants CB Adoree' Jackson

Jackson started 36 games for the Giants the past three seasons. He only has two interceptions the last three years, but he did log 23 passes defended. He can also be used as a return man.

10. Seahawks S Jamal Adams

Adams was cut after four underwhelming seasons in Seattle. He never started more than 12 games in a single season with the Seahawks. A change of scenery could do well for the three-time Pro Bowler.

11. Texans CB Steven Nelson

The well-traveled cornerback could be playing for his fifth team. But Nelson, 31, is an experienced corner with 13 interceptions and 78 passes defended in 130 career games.

12. Titans CB Kristian Fulton

Fulton is coming off a bad year. He allowed a career-worst 75% completion percentage and was eventually placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He does have good game tape prior to 2023.

13. Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins

The oft-injured running back tore his Achilles in Week 1 of last season. Dobbins’ talent is there, but his durability is a major concern. He’s never started more than eight games in a season.

14. Ravens WR Odell Beckham

Beckham doesn’t have the explosion and quickness he once did. He had 35 catches and three touchdowns in one quiet year in Baltimore. The wideout is probably best as a third pass-catching option.

15. Bills S Micah Hyde

The 33-year-old safety started 14 games for Buffalo in 2023 and still has a nose for the football.

16. Bengals WR Tyler Boyd

One of the NFL’s most underrated slot receivers, Boyd’s had at least 58 catches for six straight years. Boyd was the veteran leader in Cincinnati’s wideout room.

17. Dolphins OL Connor Williams

Williams tore his ACL in December last season. He likely won’t be full-go for a while. When healthy, he’s a starting-caliber interior lineman who can play guard or center.  

18. Seahawks DT Teair Tart

Tart was released by Tennessee during the 2023 season after starting nine games. The defensive tackle has 79 tackles, 2.5 sacks in 47 career games (36 starts).

19. Chiefs OT Donovan Smith

Smith had an up-and-down lone season in Kansas City. He struggled with execution errors. But the starting tackle did step up during Kansas City’s Super Bowl run and helped the team repeat as champions.

20. Saints WR Michael Thomas

Injuries have derailed Thomas’ career. Thomas led the NFL in catches and receiving yards in 2019 but hasn’t played a full season healthy since. He showed flashes in 10 games in 2023.

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