NFL free agency in 2022 arrived in a fast and furious fashion as usual. In fewer than five days, most of the coveted available players are off the market, having either re-signed with their current teams or finding different homes with new teams.
But from the top tier of potential starters to the bargain basement of backups, there are several notable names and solid contributors still left unsigned in ’22. Here’s looking at the top remaining free agents by position, including a glut at the offensive skill spots:
NFL Free Agents 2022: The Best Players Still Available At Each Position
Quarterbacks
- Jameis Winston, Saints
- Marcus Mariota, Raiders
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Commanders
- Andy Dalton, Bears
- Jacoby Brissett, Dolphins
- Cam Newton, Panthers
Winston and Mariota keep waiting for their third chances as high first-round picks. Newton, after not working out with the Panthers, might be at the end of the line.
Running Backs
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers
- Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons
- Sony Michel, Rams
- Rashaad Penny, Seahawks
- Melvin Gordon, Broncos
- Duke Johnson Jr., Dolphins
- Darrel Williams, Chiefs
- Boston Scott, Eagles
- Ronald Jones II, Buccaneers
- Devonta Freeman, Ravens
- Latavius Murray, Ravens
- Justin Jackson, Chargers
- Devontae Booker, Giants
- David Johnson, Texans
- Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers
- Phillip Lindsay, Dolphins
- Alex Collins, Seahawks
There is the usual surplus of faded or aging committee veterans here with the exception of Fournette, who could still return to play with Tom Brady on a bargain deal.
Wide Receivers
- Odell Beckham Jr., Rams
- Jarvis Landry, Browns
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers
- TY. Hilton, Colts
- Jamison Crowder, Jets
- Sammy Watkins, Ravens
- Will Fuller, Dolphins
- Keelan Cole, Jets
- A.J. Green, Cardinals
- Emmanuel Sanders, Bills
- Tre’Quan Smith, Saints
- Cole Beasley, Bills
Beckham will likely return to the Rams as the market is wary of him coming off another major knee injury, but Thursday’s Davante Adams trade means the Packers are now on the lookout for remaining free-agent wide receivers.
Tight Ends
- Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers
- Zach Ertz, Cardinals
- Robert Tonyan, Packers
- Gerald Everett, Seahawks
Gronkowski also hinted he will be returning to Tampa Bay soon. The Cardinals re-signed Maxx Williams over Ertz. The Packers should be bringing back Tonyan. Everett is expendable with Noah Fant arriving in a trade and Will Dissly re-signing.
Offensive Tackles
- Terron Armstead, Saints
- Duane Brown, Seahawks
- Eric Fisher, Colts
- Trent Brown, Patriots
- La’el Collins, Cowboys
- David Quessenberry, Titans
- Riley Reiff, Bengals
- Brandon Shell, Seahawks
- Daryl Williams, Bills
- Bobby Massie, Broncos
- Zach Banner, Steelers
Armstead can still break the bank as he’s being patient, knowing he has no competition on the market in terms of pass protecting prime with Cam Robinson and Orlando Brown Jr. franchise tag. The rest are hurt by. a strong tackle class in the draft.
Guards/Centers
- Germain Ifedi, Bears
- Quinton Spain, Bengals
- Ereck Flowers, Commanders
Believe it or not, the interior offensive line market has been lit since the early negotiations, leaving little viable here. There were a wealth of solid starters and it also helps the position still come at a reasonable price in relation to others.
Edge Rushers
- Jadeveon Clowney, Browns
- Melvin Ingram, Chiefs
- Derek Barnett, Eagles
- Justin Houston, Ravens
- Jerry Hughes, Bills
- Trey Flowers, Lions
- Za’Darius Smith, Packers
- Jason Pierre-Paul, Buccaneers
Carl Nassib, RaidersThe guys who can get to the quarterback were in consistant demand, with Von Miller (Bills), Chandler Jones (Raiders), and Randy Gregory (Broncos) among those finding interesting new homes.
Defensive Tackles
- Akiem Hicks, Bears
- Calais Campbell, Ravens
- Fletcher Cox, Eagles
- Eddie Goldman, Bears
- Matt Ioannidis, Commanders
- Linval Joseph, Chargers
- Sheldon Richardson, Vikings
- Michael Pierce, Vikings
Hicks and Campbell will likely sign later as older former absolute studs. The rest will be hampered by the good depth at defensive tack.
Linebackers
- Dont’a Hightower, Patriots
- Bobby Wagner, Seahawks
- Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys
- Alexander Johnson, Broncos
- Anthony Barr, Vikings
- Kyzir White, Chargers
- Cory Littleton, Raiders
- Danny Trevathan, Bears
Hightower and Wagner were once playmaking centerpieces but age has worn them down to just above-average players. Vander Esch still has good upside.
Cornerbacks
- Stephon Gilmore, Panthers
- Tyrann Mathieu, Chiefs
- Jackrabbit Jenkins, Titans
- Donte Jackson, Panthers
- Steven Nelson, Steelers
- Patrick Peterson, Vikings
- Bryce Callahan, Broncos
- Joe Haden, Steelers
- Robert Alford, Cardinals
- A.J. Bouye, Panthers
Gilmore still has plenty left as a solid outside cover man. Mathieu’s versatility has a lot of appeal now that it’s apparent he’s not returning to Kansas City. The Panthers and Steelers are seeing wholesale changes here.
Safeties
- Kareem Jackson, Broncos
- Jayron Kearse, Cowboys
- Landon Collins, Commanders
- DeShazor Everett, Commanders
The safety market has mirrored what’s happened guard because of a combination of quality, value, and scarcity.
Kickers
- Randy Bullock, Titans
- Michael Badgley, Colts
- Greg Zuerlein, Cowboys
- Joey Slay, Commanders
- Greg Joseph, Vikings
Most of the top kickers were kept by their teams. The Gregs were released as their team looks for upgrades.
Punters
- Johnny Hekker, Rams
- Bryan Anger, Cowboys
- Kevin Huber, Bengals
- Pat O’Donnell, Bears
- Michael Palardy, Dolphins
- Andy Lee, Cardinals
- Corey Bojorquez, Packers
- Jordan Berry, Vikings
- Thomas Morstead, Falcons
Hekker was an expected release after his long tenure with the Super Bowl champs. The typical veteran carousel at this position will rev up in training camp with several left out.
