Best Fits for NFL's Most Intriguing Available 2024 Free Agents

The initial frenzy of 2024 NFL free agency has slowed, but plenty of valuable players are still on the market.

While many signings at this stage of free agency are largely for depth purposes, wide receivers Tyler Boyd and Mike Williams and safety Justin Simmons are among the potential high-impact additions who still need a new contract.

And so, the big question: Where will they land?

That answer isn't so simple considering the difference in priorities for each player. Does he want to land a big-money contract, or does he want to compete for a Super Bowl? We might not have a great understanding of a player's preference, either.

As a result, we're doing the best with the knowledge at hand—and some suspicions—to identify best fits for the most intriguing free agents left on the market.

Are you a functional wide receiver? The Arizona Cardinals could use your assistance.

Mike Williams is recovering from a torn left ACL, yet he's arguably the best wideout who remains available in free agency. The Los Angeles Chargers released the veteran before his age-30 campaign because of a cap crunch, but he's still deserving of a substantial contract.

Arizona recently dealt wideout Rondale Moore to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for quarterback Desmond Ridder, and No. 1 receiver Marquise Brown just signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Even if the Cardinals spend the No. 4 overall pick on Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., they could benefit from bolstering Kyler Murray's supporting cast.

Otherwise, the New England Patriots have a thin receiving corps and a mountain of cap space. Meanwhile, if Williams is looking to join a playoff threat, the Indianapolis Colts would be a quality landing spot.

Best Fits: Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Boyd is a prime example of what matters most to a player.

In eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, he earned more than $47 million. Boyd's production dipped after the arrivals of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but he remained an integral part of the offense with 58-plus receptions in all three seasons as the third option.

After the Bengals franchise-tagged Higgins this offseason, he requested a trade. There's no guarantee that he'll actually leave Cincinnati, though. Boyd could return to the Bengals if they do move on from Higgins, but that's hardly a guarantee.

Boyd, who went to Pittsburgh for college, would be an ideal receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers after they traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. If Boyd is comfortable as a third option, the Philadelphia Eagles would also be a logical landing spot.

Given the depleted state of their respective receiving corps, Arizona and New England should be mentioned with any receiver, too.

Best Fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots

Last year, Dalton Risner's wait for an NFL home surprisingly lingered into the beginning of the season. Don't expect a repeat this offseason.

Risner had a solid campaign with the Minnesota Vikings after joining the team in mid-September and starting 11 games at left guard. The former Denver Broncos starter rehabbed his value and became a key free agent, or so it seemed.

However, it's again taking him a bit longer than expected to sign with a team. Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis both already signed massive deals with the Carolina Panthers. Jonah Jackson linked up with the Los Angeles Rams, and the Patriots re-signed Mike Onwenu for $17-plus million annually apiece.

At the very least, it's reasonable for Risner to expect something along the lines of the three-year, $30 million pact that Jon Runyan inked with the New York Giants.

Minnesota should entertain re-signing him, and the Las Vegas Raiders have a big need at guard. If Risner's market thins, the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be closely monitoring him as well.

Best Fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chase Young, the second overall pick of the 2020 draft, soared into the NFL as the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He looked like a future superstar for the Washington Commanders.

Injuries ruined his next two seasons, though. The Ohio State product played only 12 combined games and tallied 1.5 sacks over that span.

Young notched five sacks in 2023 before the Commanders shipped him to the San Francisco 49ers at the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the move didn't result in a late-year breakout, as he racked up only 2.5 sacks in nine appearances with the Niners.

Still, Young doesn't turn 25 until mid-April. Rebuilding teams with a quarterback on rookie deal—like the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans—can afford to take a swing on Young, and both have already expressed interest in him.

The New Orleans Saints also lined up a visit with him. They could use inexpensive, high-upside gambles given their current position against the salary cap.

Best Fits: Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints

When a player suits up for four different teams in four straight years, that typically isn't a good thing. Stephon Gilmore is an exception to that rule, though.

The veteran cornerback has been consistently great at each stop, most recently for the Dallas Cowboys. He yielded 6.9 yards per target and a passer rating of only 82.7 in 2023, ending the season with 13 pass breakups and two interceptions.

Dallas should consider keeping him, although the return of Trevon Diggs after DaRon Bland's breakout year complicates that picture.

Beyond the Cowboys, any number of corner-needy defenses should be talking to Gilmore. Detroit is in the process of overhauling its cornerbacks room, and the Minnesota Vikings could use a veteran at the position after ranking 24th against the pass last year.

The Washington Commanders, who hired Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their new head coach, would be another strong fit for Gilmore.

Best Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders

As the Denver Broncos slashed their salary commitments, Justin Simmons joined Russell Wilson as a cap casualty.

The main difference? Simmons is still awesome.

During his eight-season run in Denver, Simmons was a consistent force on the back end of the defense. He landed second-team AP All-Pro honors in four of the last five seasons.

In what's become a saturated market at safety, Simmons might become a bargain. The Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders have enough cap space to dole out a more expensive deal, and the latter just lost Kamren Curl to the Los Angeles Rams.

Simmons may attract a high-dollar contract. But if that offer does not arrive, the Green Bay Packers would be a compelling option, even after the addition of Xavier McKinney. Cincinnati and Indianapolis are worth a nod as well.

Best fits: Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts