Ranking the best remaining NFL free agents

The first week of NFL free agency was a veritable feeding frenzy. Yet when the music stopped on football’s version of musical chairs, several noteworthy players were left without a seat.

Let’s count down the best remaining free agents in the NFL.

5. Adoree’ Jackson, CB

Adoree’ Jackson getting cut by the Tennessee Titans this offseason was somewhat surprising. He dealt with injury trouble in 2020, but according to Pro Football Focus, he ranks behind only Jaire Alexander, Richard Sherman and Stephon Gilmore in coverage grade when lined up outside since 2018.

Any team that needs an upgrade in the secondary, and is willing to take a minor gamble, should bet on Jackson. The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles are confirmed to be interested in him.

4. Russell Okung, OT

Russell Okung made waves as the first NFL player to be paid in Bitcoin last year. Now he’s back on the open market, but Okung is anything but a gimmick.

Okung is considered above average in both run and pass blocking by PFF, so it makes sense that the Carolina Panthers would want to re-sign him. The Eagles could also be interested.

3. Richard Sherman, CB

He may be nearly 33, and coming off a down year in which he played just five games, but there will still be a market for the services of Sherman. He had a career year in 2019 for the San Francisco 49ers, allowing just 227 receiving yards and a passer rating against of 46.8.

The New Orleans Saints are rumored to have interest in Sherman following their release of veteran corner back Janoris Jenkins.

2. T.Y. Hilton, WR

T.Y. Hilton is four seasons removed from his NFL-leading 1,448-yard campaign, but he’s still been a sure-handed target capable of moving the chains in the interim for the Indianapolis Colts.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears are bound to be interested in Hilton after losing out on the Kenny Golladay sweepstakes. And the Detroit Lions, who let both Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. walk away this offseason, should be interested in giving Jared Goff some sort of reliable receiver to throw to in his first year in the Motor City.

1. Melvin Ingram, DE

After earning three straight Pro Bowl nods, Melvin Ingram suffered a lost season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. He battled a knee injury that held him out for multiple games, and inhibited him in the ones he did participate in.

It’s not an ideal way to go into free agency, but Ingram is attracting interest throughout the league. He’s rumored to be meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs this week.