Welcome to the rental stage of NFL free agency.
The first wave of mega-deals is almost over. He’s a Super Bowl ring chaser, injury-plagued, and the focus has shifted to short-term deals for veterans looking to reset their value for 2025 with a healthy season.
Below are the Post’s top 10 free agents.
1.S Justin Simmons
Simmons, who was named to the All-Pro Second Team for the fourth time in his career with Denver, could be a great leader for a young team or an eagle’s eye (30 career interceptions) for a contender.
His size helps with tackling and his speed helps with coverage.
2. CB Stephon Gilmore
An odd man out for the Cowboys, who have a strong draft pick that includes Daron Brand and Trevon Diggs.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year had four interceptions in 33 starts over the past two years (age 32 and age 33 seasons).
3. Edge Jadeveon Clowney
The former No. 1 overall draft pick is looking for his sixth team in seven years.
Will it be the Jets we visited with on Wednesday?
He recorded a career-high 9.5 sacks with the Ravens last season for a discounted price of $2.5 million and displayed his usual solid run defense.
4.S Julian Blackmon
Blackmon was injury-prone with the Colts because he plays bigger than his size, but he missed just two games in 2023.
He treated center field as his own territory, tracking the ball (four interceptions last season) and punishing it.
5. QB Ryan Tannehill
Young starters Justin Fields, Sam Howell, Mac Jones and Kenny Pickett were traded to backup jobs.
Tannehill (81-70) lost his starting spot to the Titans last season due to an ankle injury (and rookie Will Revis). He’s a good choice as a placeholder.
6.CB Steven Nelson
Nelson, who is aiming for his fifth team in seven years, set a career-high with five interceptions (including the playoffs) with the Texans last season. According to CBS Sports, the quarterback had a passer rating of 73.3 when targeting him.
7. WR Tyler Boyd
The two-time 1,000-yard receiver remained productive after being overlooked by the Bengals as one of the NFL’s best trios (Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins) until last season.
He brings 6-foot-2 size and slot savvy.
8. DT Curry Campbell
Could the 37-year-old six-time Pro Bowler retire? yes.
But he had 6.5 sacks in 17 starts for the Falcons last season, so there’s still plenty of room in the tank.
He remains one of the league’s best run stoppers and a voice in the locker room.
9. OL Andrus Pete
The Saints’ three-time Pro Bowl left guard (2018-20) played in 16 games last season after two injury-plagued seasons.
He also held his own at left tackle. Is he going to make the right tackle to expand his market? Good for a run-based offense.
10. WR Odell Beckham Jr.
His last 1,000-yard season was in 2019.
He has scored 15 touchdowns in 51 games over five seasons since his glory days with the Giants.
Beckham could still be a good No. 3 receiver, but he could be in for a long wait if he aims to match the Ravens’ $15 million outlay last season.
