10 Bargain-Bin NFL Free Agents Who Can Still Help NFL Teams in 2024

With NFL training camps set to open later this month, it may feel like free agency is a thing of the past. However, several proven veterans remain available and would be capable of helping teams as late additions.

Last July, for example, we saw the likes of DeAndre Hopkins, Kwon Alexander, Arthur Maulet, Jimmy Graham and George Fant sign free-agent contracts. Each went on to appear in nine or more games in 2023.

We may see another surge of signings this year as teams look to round out rosters before, during and after training camp. Here, you'll find a look at 10 potential bargain free agents who should find new homes before Week 1.

While these players aren't likely to become season-altering stars, they have the experience, proven production, skill sets and/or positional value to be noteworthy contributors in 2024. We'll examine how they can fit, which teams could provide opportunities and why could be available at a team-friendly price.

Safety Jamal Adams probably won't return to the Pro Bowl form that he last exhibited in 2020. Injuries have limited the 28-year-old to 22 games over the past three seasons, and he was largely inconsistent in coverage during his Seattle Seahawks tenure.

However, Adams can still make an impact as a rotational box safety and hybrid linebacker. In nine games last season, he tallied 48 tackles and seven tackles for loss. In 2020, he recorded an impressive 9.5 sacks.

There was a time when adding Adams on the open market would have been anything but a bargain. After three disappointing campaigns, though, he'll likely need to settle for a short-term, prove-it deal for an opportunity to reestablish his market value.

A return to Seattle would make some sense, as Adams would be an intriguing chess piece for new head coach Mike Macdonald. His Baltimore Ravens defense regularly used a three-safety rotation in 2023 with Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton and Geno Stone.

The Ravens have also shown interest in Adams and met with the three-time Pro Bowler in May, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Potential Suitors: Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks

Kwon Alexander was a late addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in 2023. He proved to be a capable rotational player through nine games before suffering a torn Achilles.

Alexander finished the 2023 season with 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. He allowed an opposing passer rating of only 76.3 in coverage.

Injuries have been an issue for Alexander throughout his NFL career. He played all 17 games in 2022, but he's missed at least four games in every other since since 2017. However, he's a seasoned vet who can provide leadership and be an effective second-level coverage option.

Due to his injury history and age—he'll turn 30 in August—Alexander should be available at a team-friendly price.

A return to Pittsburgh is unlikely, as the Steelers signed Patrick Queen and drafted Payton Wilson to bolster their linebacker corps. However, the rival Baltimore Ravens could potentially use Alexander to help replace Queen.

The Green Bay Packers could also use Alexander's services after parting with linebacker De'Vondre Campbell early in the offseason. In Green Bay, Alexander could help mentor rookie second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper.

Potential Suitors: Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers

A two-time first-team All-Pro, offensive tackle David Bakhtiari was once among the best players at his position. However, injuries have limited the 32-year-old to only 13 games over the past three seasons.

However, Bakhtiari is hoping to return to his pre-injury form after undergoing a procedure on his injured knee in November.

"I am your cornerstone guy. Someone that's not only going to play in September but in December and into February and obviously hopefully for another couple of years," he said on The Adam Schefter Podcast.

Because Bakhtiari does have to prove himself again, he could become a massive free-agent bargain.

Bakhtiari would be worth a flier for the Cleveland Browns, who lost Jedrick Wills Jr., Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones to season-ending injuries last season. Wills has also failed to establish himself as a top-tier left tackle, so it would behoove the Browns to see if Bakhtiari can fill that role in 2024.

The Kansas City Chiefs should also be interested. Their Super Bowl window is wide open, but the Chiefs do have questions at tackle after not re-signing Donovan Smith this offseason.

Kansas City is set to hold a competition between second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia and 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris, who played only 37 percent of the Chiefs' offensive snaps as a rookie.

Potential Suitors: Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore probably doesn't come across as a potential bargain at first blush. He's a five-time Pro Bowler, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and is coming off a strong campaign with the Dallas Cowboys.

Gilmore played 94 percent of the defensive snaps last season and started all 17 games. allowed an opposing passer rating of only 82.7 in coverage.

However, Gilmore is also a 33-year-old who carried a cap hit of only $10.0 million last season—well below the going rate for a high-end starter. He could be willing to take even less if it helps him find the right situation.

"I'm still focused on playing, but it has to be the right opportunity," Gilmore told NFL insider Josina Anderson in May. "I feel like it's the age thing with some of these teams. If I was 28, I would already have been signed by now."

If Gilmore is hoping to chase a championship, the right opportunity could be in Kansas City. The Chiefs parted with former top cornerback L'Jarius Sneed in an offseason trade.

The San Francisco 49ers should also take a long look at Gilmore. While San Francisco's defense was quite good last season—it finished third in points allowed—it had its issues against top passers like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow.

Potential Suitors: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers

Pass-rushers are rarely available at a bargain. However, the 2024 free-agent class was deep at the position, which has left a lot of value on the table in free agency.

Carl Lawson should be available at a cap-friendly price point after barely seeing the field with the New York Jets in 2023. After missing the 2021 season with a torn Achilles and then rebounding in 2022, Lawson played only 24 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps in the six games in which he appeared last season.

Unsurprisingly, Lawson wasn't thrilled with his role.

"I'm a football player, not a cheerleader," Lawson told reporters in October.

While Lawson didn't show much last season, he recorded seven sacks and 24 quarterback pressures in 2022. He also just turned 29 at the end of June.

A return to the Cincinnati Bengals—who originally drafted Lawson with a fourth-round pick in 2017—would be logical. The Bengals have one standout edge-rusher in Trey Hendrickson, but no one else on the roster had more than six sacks last season.

The Ravens should also be interested in Lawson after losing Jadeveon Clowney in free agency. Baltimore recorded an impressive 60 sacks last season but has yet to replace Clowney in its pass-rushing rotation.

Potential Suitors: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

Prior to his 2023 campaign with the Chicago Bears—which ended prematurely due to a broken ankle—Yannick Ngakoue was one of the NFL's most consistent pass-rushers.

Over his first seven seasons, Ngakoue recorded no fewer than eight sacks in any given year. He recorded 10 sacks in 2021 and 9.5 sacks in 2022.

Ngakoue's injury is probably the biggest reason why he should be available on a budget now. A workout video that Ngakoue posted to social media in May suggests he's now healthy, but the 29-year-old is still coming off a down season.

In 13 games with Chicago last season, Ngakoue recorded a career-low four sacks and 11 quarterback pressures. Those are problematic numbers because run support has never been one of Ngakoue's strengths.

Still, a return to form is possible, and Ngakoue should draw interest from teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders.

Ngakoue's best season was his 10-sack campaign with the Raiders. Las Vegas has two strong sack artists in Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, but in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, adding more to the Raiders' rotation couldn't hurt.

The Falcons have long been searching for edge help for years and lost top 2023 sack-producers Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree in free agency.

Potential Suitors: Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders

Emmanuel Ogbah has been a productive and versatile defender during his eight-year career with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins.

Ogbah has rushed opposing quarterbacks as both a linebacker and a defensive end in the NFL. While he's never recorded a 10-sack season, he's had several strong years as a high-end complementary piece.

This past season, Ogbah recorded 5.5 sacks and 15 quarterback pressures while playing only 25 percent of the defensive snaps in Miami. His ability to make an impact in a limited role should make the 30-year-old a valuable late addition.

At the same time, Ogbah's age and role-player status should also make him a budget-friendly option.

The Philadelphia Eagles would be a logical fit for Ogbah, largely because they now employ his 2023 defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, in the same role. After replacing Haason Reddick with Bryce Huff, the Eagles don't lack pass-rushers, but their rotation could still use a boost. They recorded only 43 sacks as a team last year after racking up a league-high 70 in 2022.

The Minnesota Vikings could also consider Ogbah after reloading their pass-rushing rotation this offseason. They lost Danielle Hunter but added Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jihad Ward and rookie Dallas Turner.

Ogbah would be a bit of a luxury addition for Minnesota, but it's worth noting his connection with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Flores was Miami's head coach during Ogbah's two nine-sack campaigns in 2020 and 2021.

Potential Suitors: Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles

At some point, a team has to take a flier on receiver Hunter Renfrow, right? The 28-year-old has struggled over the past two seasons, but he was a Pro Bowler with the Raiders in 2021.

Injuries limited Renfrow in 2022, and he fell out of favor last season. During that span, Renfrow appeared in 27 games but produced only 61 catches for 585 yards and two touchdowns. Las Vegas released Renfrow at the start of the offseason.

However, Renfrow showed in 2021 that he can be an effective slot option. He had 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns that season. There's little reason to believe that Renfrow can't return to form if healthy.

The New Orleans Saints are a logical destination for Renfrow. New Orleans lacks reliable receiver depth after Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. It could also reunite Renfrow with quarterback Derek Carr.

The Denver Broncos should also take a look at Renfrow. Denver is looking to develop rookie quarterback Bo Nix and doesn't have a lot of proven pass-catchers after Courtland Sutton.
Denver's passing game coordinator, John Morton, was a senior offensive assistant with the Raiders during Renfrow's Pro Bowl year.

Potential Suitors: Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints

Left tackles who have won multiple Super Bowls aren't usually available at a below-market rate. However, Donovan Smith is a bit of an anomaly.

Despite winning championships with both the Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent years, the 31-year-old Smith has never been an elite player. Over the past two seasons, Smith was responsible for 21 penalties and allowed eight sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Smith played for Kansas City last season on a modest one-year, $3 million contract. However, he doesn't carry many injury concerns, has started all 136 regular-season games in which he's appeared and has loads of postseason experience.

Smith would be a terrific target for the New England Patriots, who are rebuilding under new head coach Jerod Mayo. Smith could help show New England what it takes to win, and he could provide valuable protection in front of rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

New England lost Trent Brown in free agency and is likely looking at a left tackle competition between former Pittsburgh Steelers right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and rookie third-round pick Caedan Wallace.

Given their injury uncertainty at the tackle position, the Cleveland Browns should also have a level of interest in Smith. In Cleveland, he could reunite with former Buccaneers teammate and current backup quarterback Jameis Winston.

Potential Suitors: Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots

Michael Thomas isn't the receiver he once was, and that's putting it mildly.

In his first four seasons in the NFL, Thomas recorded four campaigns with at least 1,100 receiving yards, three seasons with more than 100 receptions, three Pro Bowl appearances and two first-team All-Pro nods. He also led the NFL in receiving in 2019 and was named Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts.

Over the last four years, Thomas has seen a significant decline, largely due to injuries. He missed all of the 2021 campaign, hasn't reached 500 yards in a season and has appeared in only 20 games over that span.

At 31, Thomas probably isn't returning to the ranks of the elite. However, he's still a 6'3", 212-pound veteran who's capable of contributing. In 10 games with the Saints last season, he had 39 catches for 448 yards and a touchdown.

Thomas will likely have to agree to a team-friendly deal to find his next opportunity, but he's worth a flier based on past production and skill set alone.

Given their need for receiver depth, the Denver Broncos would be a sensible match for Thomas. It doesn't hurt that former Saints head coach Sean Payton and former offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. are now in Denver.

The Carolina Panthers can and should also consider Thomas as they look to put talent around second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Thomas' size, route-running prowess and divisional familiarity would be a boon as Young looks to bounce back from a disappointing rookie campaign.

Potential Suitors: Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos

Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.