Best of what’s left in NFL free agency
Welcome to the rental stage of NFL free agency.
The initial wave of mega-contracts is mostly over. Focus is shifting to short-term deals for Super Bowl ring chasers or injury-plagued veterans trying to reset their value for 2025 with a healthy season.
Here is The Post’s top 10 free agents remaining:
1. S Justin Simmons: Coming off his fourth career Second-Team All-Pro selection in Denver, Simmons could be a great leader for a young team or a ballhawk (30 career interceptions) for a contender. His size helps in tackling, his speed helps in coverage.
2. CB Stephon Gilmore: Odd man out for strong-drafting Cowboys, who have DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year had four interceptions in 33 starts over the past two years — his age-32 and -33 seasons.
3. Edge Jadeveon Clowney: The former No. 1-overall draft pick is looking for his sixth team in seven years. Will it be the Jets, whom he visited with Wednesday? He tied a career high with 9.5 sacks — and played his usual stout run defense — at a discounted $2.5 million price for the Ravens last season.
4. S Julian Blackmon: Because he plays bigger than his size, Blackmon has been injury prone for the Colts, though he missed just two games in 2023. He treats center field as his territory — tracking the ball (four interceptions last season) and doling out punishment.
5. QB Ryan Tannehill: Younger starters Justin Fields, Sam Howell, Mac Jones and Kenny Pickett have been traded into backup jobs. Tannehill (81-70 career record) lost the
Titans’ starting job to an ankle injury (and to rookie Will Levis) last season. He is a good choice as a placeholder. 6. CB Steven Nelson: Looking for his fifth team in seven years, Nelson set a careerhigh with five interceptions
(playoffs included) last season for the Texans. Quarterbacks had a 73.3 passer rating when targeting him, per CBS Sports.
7. WR Tyler Boyd: The twotime 1,000-yard receiver remained productive when he was de-emphasized by the Bengals into part of one of the NFL’s best trios (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins) until last season. He brings 6-foot-2 size and savvy to the slot.
8. DT Calais Campbell: Could the 37-year-old six-time Pro Bowler retire? Yes. But he had 6.5 sacks in 17 starts for the Falcons last season, so there is more in the tank. He remains one of the best run-stoppers — and lockerroom voices — in the league.
9. OL Andrus Peat: The Saints’ three-time Pro Bowl left guard (2018-20) played 16 games last season after two injurymarred seasons. He held his own at left tackle, too. Is he willing to play right tackle to expand his market? Good fit in a runbased offense.
10. WR Odell Beckham Jr.: His last 1,000-yard season was in 2019. He has 15 touchdowns in 51 games over five seasons since his Giants glory days. Beckham still can be a good No. 3 receiver, but he will be waiting a long time if he is looking to match the Ravens’ $15 million outlay last season.