4 Remaining NFL Free Agents Who Should Be Signed

Free agency has quieted over the last few weeks. There were some major splashes, including many moves the Browns made to revamp their offense and a similar number of transactions by the Los Angeles Rams in an effort to contend for a Super Bowl next year.

But, this more recent silencing of the NFL free agency conversation has made it easy to overlook some extraordinarily talented NFL veterans who are still waiting for a place to call home. In this article, I list some of the top remaining free agents and explain why teams should be aiming to add them to their rosters.

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#4 Jeremy Maclin

Kansas City Chiefs v Indianapolis Colts

Maclin was once a perennial top 15 wide receiver thriving in Andy Reid and then Chip Kelly’s system. Now he is two years removed from prominence, after suffering through two years in lethargic offenses led by two of the league’s least explosive quarterbacks: Joe Flacco and Alex Smith.

In the right system, Maclin could still flirt with 1000 yards receiving. He’s still on the right side of 30 and has years of experience finding open room in the vertical passing game. A team looking for a vertical threat should consider bringing him in on a small contract. Perhaps New England would be interested in taking a chance on the talented veteran after dealing Brandin Cooks to St. Louis and losing Danny Amendola to the rival Dolphins this offseason.

#3 Antonio Gates

Pittsburgh Steelers v San Diego Chargers

This guy should have a job until the day he retires. If San Diego was interested in bringing back the man with a near love connection with quarterback Philip Rivers, they likely would have done so already.

Gates saw his first real decline in production this year, but that may have been more a result of a decrease in volume than efficiency or talent decline. While healthy all season, Gates only started in four games, as the Chargers looked to other tight ends like Hunter Henry to carry the load.

If Gates could find a home with a team that is not looking beyond this year at tight end, he may still have enough gas in the tank to play one more season at a high level. Perhaps Pittsburgh is ready to move on from Vance McDonald and Jesse James with Todd Haley’s dink and dunk offense exiting the building and would be willing to add a savvy veteran to their receiving arsenal.

#2 Elvis Dumervil

Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals

Forget that Dumervil is aging because he likely won’t get much more than a one-year deal at this point anyway. Dumervil didn’t start a single game last year for the 49ers but was still able to generate 6.5 sacks. Prior to an injury-plagued 2016 season, Dumervil averaged over 10 sacks per game in three years with the Ravens.

He still has prowess as an outside rusher, and every defense could use additional help getting pressure on the quarterback.

#4 Navorro Bowman

Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers

Most analysts assumed Bowman would have re-signed with the Raiders at this point, but the two sides have not come to terms on a new contract. In the meantime, teams should try to make a run at the veteran inside linebacker. Bowman has not only proven he knows what it takes to stop the run, but also has the football intelligence to lead a defensive unit pre-snap. Bowman is well worth taking a chance on.