NFL Free Agents: Top 5 Players Still Available & Best Fits for 2015
At this point, just about each and every NFL team has the majority of their roster set. However, for some teams dealing with injuries and lack of depth, there's always the free agent market to turn to.
Here are the five best NFL free agents remaining.
1. Reggie Wayne
Multiple teams, such as the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers, have shown interest, but no signing has been confirmed. Wayne is 36 years old, and past his prime, but he can still be a valuable asset for an offense this season. Wayne returned from a torn ACL injury last year with 779 receiving yards. He's played his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts, but the Colts have already said they won't be re-signing the future Hall of Fame wide out. Wayne may be considering retirement if he doesn't get signed by Sept. 10, when the regular season begins.
Best fits: Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings
2. Steven Jackson
Running backs are notorious for going downhill once they turn 30 years old, but 32-year-old Steven Jackson may still have something left in the tank. Despite playing on a terrible Atlanta Falcons squad last season, Jackson still managed to put up 707 rushing yards. Jackson won't be a featured back at this stage in his career, but he can certainly be a complimentary back. The Dallas Cowboys could be a great fit because Darren McFadden is injured so often. Jackson hasn't fumbled once since the 2011 season when he was a member of the St. Louis Rams.
Best fits: Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions
3. Wes Welker
Wes Welker is the big hit or miss free agent of this offseason. He's one of the best slot receivers in NFL history, but constant head injuries are leaving general managers worried. Welker has made his career in the slot area and, with that, has come enormously big hits from opposing linebackers, resulting in concussions. Still, Welker is a skilled player who can help a team move the chains and get critical first downs. He won't provide any type of deep threat, but if healthy, Welker can be a quarterback's best friend for short yardage.
Best fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans
4. Dwight Freeney
After spending the last two seasons with the San Diego Chargers, Dwight Freeney is an unrestricted free agent. He had a bounce-back season last year after playing just four games in 2013. Last season Freeney played in all 16 games and recorded 3.5 sacks. He's not the Freeney he used to be with the Colts, but if plugged into the right system, he can be an effective pass rusher. Freeney could very well choose retirement as well.
Best fits: Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons
5. Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson has said multiple times that he wants to play for the Cowboys, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Johnson's six year streak of accumulating 1,000 yards ended last season with the New York Jets. Johnson had a career low 663 rushing yards last season, but he still averaged 4.3 yards per carry on the ground, and he has breakout speed. Johnson isn't the elite back he once was, but he can aid a team that needs some help with their running game. Surprisingly, the Chicago Bears ranked 27th in rushing yards last season.
Best fits: Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams
Other notable free agents include: Michael Vick, Knowshon Moreno, Santonio Holmes, Pierre Thomas, Ahmad Bradshaw.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1