Free agent edge-rusher Yannick Ngakoue Cooper Neill/Getty Images

NFL Free Agency 2024: Ranking the 10 Best Unsigned Players Under 30

Alex Ballentine

The NFL free-agent market doesn't have too many prizes left by the time we get to June. Most premium free agents have already signed with teams.

However, there are always a few holdovers who don't get signed until summer. Most of them are aging veterans chasing one last paycheck or a shot at a championship run. However, there are also a handful who are in their prime years and waiting for a chance to find the right fit in free agency.

Top free-agent lists this time of year are dominated by the likes of Justin Simmons, Stephon Gilmore, Xavien Howard and Calais Campbell. All four have their age-30 season in the rearview.

Here, we'll take a look at the available free agents who still have youth on their side. These 10 players are under the age of 30 and could still help out NFL franchises right now.

10. C Mason Cole

Mason Cole Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Age: 28

Younger linemen with starting experience are hard to come by this time of year. Mason Cole is not a high-end option at center, but he's also worth a look for any team that doesn't feel confident in their situation at the pivot.

The 28-year-old is coming off a rough season with the Steelers. There's no way around that. According to Sports Info Solutions, he allowed 10 stuffs, gave up five sacks and had 30 total blown blocks.

His 2022 campaign in Pittsburgh was much better. He started all 17 games, played over 1,000 snaps and only gave up three stuffs, one sack and had no penalties.

That's quality starter play at what should be a discount price.

The Steelers don't seem interested in Cole despite probably starting a rookie at center. However, a team like the Cowboys, who could be starting rookie Cooper Beebe at center, or the Denver Broncos, who have an interesting position battle at the pivot, could use Cole as an insurance policy.

Logical Landing Spots: Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos

9. S Jamal Adams

Jamal Adams Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Age: 28

Jamal Adams is the most accomplished player on this list. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro and was considered one of the best players at his position early in his career.

Unfortunately, injuries have led to a rapid decline in his availability and production.

Adams has played in just 10 games over the last two years, leaving his ability to return to his elite level of play in question. The 6'1", 213-pounder was always a unique safety, but his injuries have left his ability to remain at that position in question.

The Seahawks have left the door open for Adams to return, but only if he's willing to play linebacker, per ESPN's Brady Henderson.

Adams holds the record for sacks in a season by a safety with 9.5 in 2021. He hasn't had one since.

The last time we saw Adams on the field, he was a liability in coverage. In the nine games he suited up for last season, he gave up a passer rating of 111.7 when targeted.

Adams' placement on this list is based on the idea that he would be well-suited for a transition to linebacker. If a team can minimize his coverage responsibilities while unleashing him as a blitzer and run defender, Adams could still be a starter in the league.

Logical Landing Spots: Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers

8. DL Rasheem Green

Rasheem Green Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Age: 27

Rasheem Green isn't going to transform any defensive lines around the league. His most disruptive year still only saw him have 6.5 sacks and six tackles for loss. He is, however, a useful and versatile defensive lineman who should be on a roster.

Green's 6'4", 280-pound frame and athleticism give him the ability to moonlight as a true edge player who can be a tough run defender but also kick inside and play various alignments in pass-rush packages.

Green's season in Chicago did not help his stock. He was not a good fit in Matt Eberflus' system and had much more success with the Texans the year before when he earned a 62.4 grade from PFF and notched 3.5 sacks with seven tackles for loss.

He was also on the field for more run snaps than pass for the first time in his career, per Sports Info Solutions.

The 27-year-old's stock has never been lower, but the right fit could see him be a productive member of a defensive line rotation this year.

The Miami Dolphins could use a cheap, powerful edge player after losing Emmanuel Ogbah this offseason. Some of Green's best football was played in Seattle when Ken Norton Jr. was the defensive coordinator. He is now on Dan Quinn's coaching staff in Washington.

Logical Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders

7. IOL Connor Williams

Connor Williams Winslow Townson/Getty Images

Age: 27

Connor Williams comes with a pretty big asterisk on this list. He was putting together a great 2023 season before a torn ACL ended it prematurely, and that appears to be why he still hasn't signed with a team.

Williams' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that Williams' injury was "pretty significant" and he would be focused on rehabbing the injury with no "immediate plan" to sign with the Dolphins or any team.

Rosenhaus' words have proved to be a legitimate forecast of Williams' free-agency plans. Williams suffered the knee injury on December 11, so there could be concern that he won't be ready to go when Week 1 kicks off in September.

That makes contract negotiations difficult and impacts Williams' ranking on this list. Williams has proved to be a good NFL center in his time at Miami. After playing guard in Dallas, he made the switch in 2022.

He earned a 78.2 grade from PFF and allowed just three sacks while playing 1,056 snaps that season. He was playing even better before the injury in 2023 with an 86.5 grade and one sack conceded, but the injury has left his value for 2024 in question.

If Williams can work his way back into playing shape ahead of the season, he would skyrocket up this list. As of now, there are too many questions.

Logical Landing Spots: Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins

6. WR Hunter Renfrow

Hunter Renfrow Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Age: 28

Hunter Renfrow is the rare under-30 receiver with a 1,000-yard season on his resume who is looking for work this summer. The former Raider was a Pro Bowler in 2021 with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.

It's been downhill since. Renfrow's production plummeted in 2022 when injuries ended his season prematurely. Then the Raiders moved on from Derek Carr, and the Raiders essentially replaced Renfrow with Jakobi Meyers.

It's all evidence of how quickly things can change for a player in the NFL.

A fresh start should be good for Renfrow. He's a slot-only receiver with limited speed, and he's not going to be a flashy, big-play acquisition, but there's a role for him as a sure-handed option for a team in need of receiver depth.

The Saints are an obvious destination for Renfrow. He has a history with Carr, and New Orleans has a young receiver room.

Another interesting fit would be the Cincinnati Bengals. They drafted Jermaine Burton as a vertical slot weapon to ease the loss of Tyler Boyd, but Renfrow could join him as a complementary underneath option.

Logical Landing Spots: New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals

5. CB Adoree' Jackson

Adoree' Jackson Mike Stobe/2023 Mike Stobe

Age: 28

Cornerback is a position where depth matters, and a corner like Adoree' Jackson could help a lot of teams in that regard.

The 2017 first-round pick has never been a ball hawk. He has just four career interceptions, and he hasn't had more than 10 passes defended since his second year in the league.

Still, he's been a starter for seven years, playing in multiple schemes and delivering commendable results for the most part. He has inside-out versatility that a lot of teams could use as their cornerback room comes into focus throughout camp.

Jackson sounds like the kind of player who would be willing to go to a contender on a team-friendly prove-it deal.

"I want to win a Super Bowl," Jackson said, per John Flanigan of SNY.tv. "I know a lot of great players who have never won a Super Bowl. I've been able to play in this league and do things I never sought out to do. I just love to play and want to win, but I have good faith that will come."

Jackson gave up a passer rating of 95.5 on 88 targets last season, but his previous two seasons with the Giants were among the best in his career. A reunion with Las Vegas defensive coordinator Patrick Graham could make sense as they sort out a crowded cornerback room, or the Houston Texans could take a flier if he's really only interested in playing for a contender.

Logical Landing Spots: Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans

4. WR Corey Davis

Corey Davis Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Age: 29

Many of the names on this list are coming off major injuries or have quite a few miles on the odometer already. Corey Davis is an exception after taking a year away from the game in 2023.

The 29-year-old stepped away in the middle of last year's training camp, noting that the decision was not easy and expressing his gratitude for the opportunities the game has given him.

A year later, Davis has applied to be reinstated and the Jets released his rights.

Rich Cimini of ESPN noted that Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that "the door is always open" for Davis to return to Gang Green and the Jets are still open to that possibility back in March. Davis was third on the team in receiving yards (536) with Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco and Mike White playing quarterback.

Even then he was a decent deep option with a 91.4 percent true catch rate and 13.8 yards average depth of target, per PlayerProfiler.

A Jets reunion would give them some much-needed receiver depth and Aaron Rodgers could optimize his skill set. However, the division rival Buffalo Bills also have a need for more receiver depth and Josh Allen's deep ball would maximize Davis' skill set as well.

Logical Landing Spots: New York Jets, Buffalo Bills

3. Edge Yannick Ngakoue

Yannick Ngakoue Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Age: 29

Yannick Ngakoue has racked up frequent flyer miles playing for five teams over the last four years. The edge-rusher has always found a home, but his uneven playing style isn't for everyone and not something that teams are willing to commit to.

Ngakoue has been a productive pass-rusher throughout his career but a non-factor in the run game. At 6'2", 246 pounds, he doesn't set a firm edge, and he's only had more than 30 tackles in a season once.

Still, the ability to rush the passer is always in demand, and he can do it at a reasonably high level. He had only four sacks while playing 72 percent of the Chicago Bears' defensive snaps this season, but he had a pressure rate of 11.0 percent, which topped his 10.6 percent rate with the Colts in 2022.

Ngakoue had to wait until August to get signed last year, and he's hoping to be in a training camp.

"I just hope that I'm somewhere before training camp starts because everyone needs to go through a training camp in order to have the kind of season they want to have. It's just like a boxer at the end of the day. If you don't have a proper training camp, you can go into the ring and get knocked out. So it's all about preparation," he told SiriusXM NFL Radio in March (h/t Kevin Patra of NFL.com).

There are enough teams that could still use a pass-rush specialist out there that Ngakoue should find a home.

Logical Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs

2. Edge Carl Lawson

Carl Lawson Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Age: 28

Carl Lawson will turn 29 this month and he's had some injury issues in the past, but he was productive before getting stuck behind a deep rotation of pass-rushers in New York last season.

Lawson dealt with a back injury early in the 2023 season and ended up playing just six games and 24 percent of the snaps. However, the Jets also had Bryce Huff, Jermaine Johnson, John Franklin-Myers, Will McDonald IV and Micheal Clemons competing for time on the outside.

Lawson was frustrated by his role and didn't get a chance to showcase his skills. When healthy and on the field, those skills have been productive. Lawson had 58 total pressures in his final season with the Cincinnati Bengals and missed the entire 2021 season with a torn Achilles.

That can be a major injury, but Lawson still came back to put up 46 total pressures in 2022. It's hard to believe that he's just suddenly not good enough to contribute as a rotational pass-rusher who has traditionally been strong against the run.

Multiple teams could use a veteran edge-rusher like Lawson to round out their group heading into the 2024 season.

Logical Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons

1. CB Ahkello Witherspoon

Ahkello Witherspoon Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Age: 29

The Los Angeles Rams signed Ahkello Witherspoon on June 29 last year. He ended up starting all 17 games for Sean McVay's team, posting three interceptions, giving up a passer rating of 75.7 when targeted and getting his hands on a career-high 14 passes.

Apparently, the league is happy to potentially let history repeat itself.

It's once again June and Witherspoon is once again available. Last year it was easy to explain away his availability after two injury-riddled years in Pittsburgh. This year, it's hard to figure out why teams wouldn't at least bring in Witherspoon to compete in their cornerback room.

Witherspoon has the height and length that so many teams around the league covet at 6'2", 195 pounds. After putting together one of the best years of his career, he should find a home at some point before the season starts.

He would at least be a good veteran fallback plan for any team relying on younger players to step up like the Rams were last season.

Witherspoon spoke highly of serving as a mentor for young cornerback Derion Kendrick. His willingness to mentor and still play at a high level could make him a valuable addition.

Logical Landing Spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs

   

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