There’s still plenty of star-quality players available after a wild opening to the NFL’s free agency period.
Derrick Henry, Danielle Hunter, Calvin Ridley, Tyron Smith, Stephon Gilmore and Kendall Fuller are among the talented players who hadn’t reached contract agreements as of late Monday.
Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Saquon Barkley and Brian Burns already have found new teams. So have Christian Wilkins, Gardner Minshew, Jacoby Brissett, Josh Jacobs, D’Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler, Devin Singletary, Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, Chidobe Awuzie, Lloyd Cushenberry and Xavier McKinney.
The NFL’s league’s legal tampering period began Monday at noon EDT. Players can’t sign with new teams until the league year officially begins at 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday.
Here’s a top 10 list of best remaining free agents:
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1. DANIELLE HUNTER, EDGE RUSHER, MINNESOTA VIKINGS: The four-time Pro Bowl pick had a career-best 16 1/2 sacks, his fifth season reaching double digits in eight years.
2. DERRICK HENRY, RUNNING BACK, TENNESSEE TITANS: The 30-year-old four-time Pro Bowl pick has plenty of wear and tear but he just started 17 games, ran for 1,167 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He’s had five 1,000-yard seasons in the last six years, including 2,027 yards in 2020, and he’s scored double-digit TDs six straight years. He’s a perfect fit on a contender.
3. TYRON SMITH, LEFT TACKLE, DALLAS COWBOYS: After being limited to just 17 games over the previous three seasons, Smith started 13 and returned to his dominant form.
4. CALVIN RIDLEY, WIDE RECEIVER, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Put up solid numbers — 76-1,016-8 — in his first season back from a suspension and would be an excellent fit on a team that already has a star No. 1 receiver.
5. KENDALL FULLER, CORNERBACK, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: He’s a versatile defensive back with ability to play outside, in the slot or at safety.
6. STEPHON GILMORE, CORNERBACK, DALLAS COWBOYS: The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has played for four teams in the past four seasons but still is among the top guys at his position.
7. MARQUISE BROWN, WIDE RECEIVER, ARIZONA CARDINALS: Still waiting for that breakout year after his best season with Baltimore in 2021. Has game-changing deep speed that will interest many teams.
8. PATRICK QUEEN, LINEBACKER, BALTIMORE RAVENS: He’s coming off his best season, earning Pro Bowl honors and second-team AP All-Pro. A former first-round pick, Queen is only 24.
9. ARIK ARMSTEAD, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: One of the top interior linemen in the league, Armstead was released to save salary cap space. He’s had issues staying healthy, missing 13 games over the last two seasons.
10. CHASE YOUNG, EDGE RUSHER, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: The No. 2 overall pick by Washington in 2020, Young had just 2 1/2 sacks in nine games with San Francisco after getting five in seven games for the Commanders.
Honorable Mention:
JUSTIN SIMMONS, SAFETY, DENVER BRONCOS
CHAUNCEY GARDNER-JOHNSON, SAFETY, DETROIT LIONS
LAVONTE DAVID, LINEBACKER, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
KENNY MOORE, CORNERBACK, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
DEVIN WHITE, LINEBACKER, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
JONAH WILLIAMS, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, CINCINNATI BENGALS
CALAIS CAMPBELL, DEFENSIVE END, ATLANTA FALCONS
BOBBY WAGNER, LINEBACKER, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
TRENT BROWN, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
CURTIS SAMUEL, WIDE RECEIVER, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
First appeared on www.usatoday.com