There are still some big-name NFL free agents on the market with the 2023 regular season entering Week 10 and the NFL trade deadline a thing of the past.
We’re going to see more activity on this front now that trades can’t be used to find depth on rosters throughout the league. We saw that immediately after the deadline with the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders adding Pro Bowlers in free agency.
Below, we look at the top-20 remaining NFL free agents and ideal landing spots.
1. Jarvis Landry, wide receiver
A slot receiver in the back end of his prime who played in just nine games last season. Typically, these types of NFL free agents wouldn’t be seen as attractive options. That’s until we realize Landry has a track record of success. A five-time Pro Bowler earlier in his career, Landry averaged 950 receiving yards from 2014-21.
Several contending teams will look into signing Landry for depth. We like the Minnesota Vikings as a fit. Brandon Powell is currently serving as the slot receiver with Justin Jefferson on injured reserve and K.J. Osborn moving outside. With Kirk Cousins sidelined to a torn Achilles, new Vikings starter Joshua Dobbs could get all of the help he needs.
- Ideal Jarvis Landry landing spot: Minnesota Vikings
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NFL power rankings
2. Desmond King, cornerback
King continues to bounce around the league despite being solid from the slot and being able to play both safety spots. The former All-Pro with the Los Angeles Chargers could provide flexibility for a playoff contender. Back in 2022 with the Texans, he recorded two interceptions while yielding an 85.8 QB rating when targeted.
At 4-5 on the season, the Atlanta Falcons are a surprising team. They could also use help in the slot with DeAundre Alford (99.7 QB rating allowed in coverage this season) struggling.
Ideal Desmond King landing spot: Atlanta Falcons
3. Akiem Hicks, defensive tackle
Yet another former Pro Bowler as one of the top remaining NFL free agents, Hicks has been a consistent force on the interior of the defensive line. While he has seen a downtick in production over the past two seasons (13 QB hits, 4.5 sacks), there is a lot to like here.
Back in 2020 with the Chicago Bears, Hicks recorded 21 QB hits. A team like the Cincinnati Bengals could use him for depth behind D.J. Reader and B.J. Hill. Heck, Hicks could even play on the outside in a pinch.
- Ideal Akiem Hicks landing spot: Cincinnati Bengals
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2024
4. Taylor Lewan, offensive tackle
A three-time Pro Bowler earlier in his career, Lewan has missed extensive time to injury in two of the past three seasons (11 games in 2020, 15 games in 2022). At 31 years old, that has forced him to remain on the free agent market. While there were rumors of retirement, Lewan shot those down on social media during the opening weekend of action.
Teams love the idea of having a veteran presence at offensive tackle. There are also not 64 starter-caliber tackles in the league today. Lewan seemingly had a deal in place with the Miami Dolphins earlier in the season. But it fell through. Instead, we like the division-rival New York Jets as a fit. They are dealing with a plethora of injuries on the offensive line and just opened the practice window for veteran tackle Duane Brown. At the very least, Lewan would provide depth after Zach Wilson was sacked eight times in a Week 9 loss to the Chargers.
- Ideal Taylor Lewan landing spot: New York Jets
5. Anthony Barr, linebacker
Barr, 31, is no longer the player he was during a stretch in which he earned four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015-18. This past season with Dallas saw the former UCLA standout record 58 tackles in 14 games (10 starts) while yielding a 101.4 QB rating when targeted.
Teams will still have interest in the linebacker. We’re looking at his former Dallas Cowboys team now that starting linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is on IR with a neck injury.
- Ideal Anthony Barr landing spot: Dallas Cowboys
6. Casey Hayward, cornerback
Hayward, 33, is no longer the player that saw him earn Pro Bowl appearances with the Chargers earlier in his career. He also missed all but six games to injury with the Atlanta Falcons a season ago. Even then, we’re talking about someone with a nice track record of success. In fact, Hayward yielded a mere 80.7 QB rating in 2022.
A return to the Los Angeles Chargers, where Hayward earned two Pro Bowls, could be in the cards. Los Angeles ranks dead last in the NFL against the pass (320.7 yards per game) and just recently traded high-priced cornerback J.C. Jackson. It almost makes too much sense.
- Ideal Casey Hayward landing spot: Los Angeles Chargers
7. Melvin Ingram, EDGE
It’s surprising that Ingram remains on the NFL free agent market at this point in the season. The veteran recorded six sacks in part-time action with the Miami Dolphins last season. A three-time Pro Bowler, he has racked up 57 career sacks in 11 seasons.
We like the Las Vegas Raiders as a landing spot following the release of fellow edge rusher Chandler Jones due to multiple off-field issues. Vegas needs to find a running partner for Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby if the team is going to turn make a run under new head coach Antonio Pierce.
- Ideal Melvin Ingram landing spot: Las Vegas Raiders
8. Gabe Jackson, Guard
Jackson, 32, continued to play at a high level with the Seattle Seahawks a season ago, starting all 15 games in which he played. He’s been about as consistent as they get since entering the league as a third-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders back in 2014.
Even then, he remains on the NFL free agent market heading into Week 10. Teams that have struggled in pass protection from the interior of the offensive line should come calling. We like the Carolina Panthers as a possibility. This unit has been a disaster blocking for Bryce Young (26 sacks in seven games).
- Ideal Gabe Jackson landing spot: Carolina Panthers
9. Carlos Dunlap, EDGE
Even at 34 years old, Dunlap could very well be an option as a situational pass rusher for a contending team. Last season with the Chiefs saw the former Pro Bowler record 12 QB hits and four sacks. It is a surprise he’s still on the market.
We like the Dallas Cowboys as a fit. They were inactive ahead of the NFL trade deadline and could use depth out on the edge with second-year player Sam Williams (two sacks) having struggled in 2023.
- Ideal Carlos Dunlap landing spot: Dallas Cowboys
10. Bryce Callahan, Cornerback
The 5-foot-8 Callahan has been darn good in coverage throughout his career. Last season alone with the Los Angeles Chargers, he recorded three interceptions while yielding a mere 80.0 QB rating in coverage.
That’s where the San Francisco 49ers come into play as a logical option. They acquired EDGE rusher Chase Young ahead of the NFL trade deadline in order to help out a questionable cornerback group. Slot guy Isaiah Oliver (80.5% completion in coverage) has been terrible this season.
- Ideal Bryce Callahan landing spot: San Francisco 49ers
Other top remaining NFL free agents and ideal landing spots
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | Landing spot |
| 11 | Kenny Golladay | WR | Giants | Rams |
| 12 | Chris Wormley | DL | Steelers | Bears |
| 13 | Andrew Adams | S | Titans | Rams |
| 14 | La’el Collins | OT | Bengals | Seahawks |
| 15 | Matt Ioannidis | DL | Panthers | Packers |
| 16 | Logan Ryan | S | Buccaneers | Eagles |
| 17 | Eric Fisher | OT | Colts | Raiders |
| 18 | Landon Collins | S | Giants | Raiders |
| 19 | Ben Jones | C | Titans | Jets |
| 20 | Maxx Williams | TE | Cardinals | Eagles |
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