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Top remaining NFL free agents: Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen lead best players available
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- Top remaining NFL free agents: Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen lead best players available
We're officially in July, which means we are getting closer to football season. All 32 NFL teams begin training camp this month.
NFL personnel departments across the league are examining their rosters as training camp approaches in just a few weeks. Every year, around this period, there are late roster additions. The recent blockbuster trade between the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers is a prime example.
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USA TODAY Sports has ranked the top free agents since the beginning of the offseason. Most of the top free agents have already found homes, but there are several impact players still unsigned.
Veteran wide receivers Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen are still free agents. At the same time, safety Justin Simmons and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney remain on the open market.
Who are the top free agents still available as of July 1? USA TODAY Sports explores the 10 best free agents available.
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Top 10 remaining NFL free agents
1. Amari Cooper , WR (2024 teams: Browns , Bills )
Surprisingly, Cooper is unsigned as the calendar turns to July. Cooper is still a smooth route runner and a reliable possession receiver who can create separation. A total of 75% of his targets came on short and intermediate routes in 2024.
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2. Keenan Allen , WR (2024 team: Bears )
Allen has been one of the NFL's best slot receivers over the past decade. He isn't far removed from breaking the Chargers' single-season receptions record in 2023. However, there were signs of slippage in his lone season in Chicago . The Bears essentially replaced Allen when they selected Luther Burden III in the second round of this year's draft.
3. Justin Simmons , S (2024 team: Falcons )
Simmons is another player who was once regarded as one of the best at his position . The four-time second-team All-Pro has compiled at least 60 tackles and two interceptions in each of the past eight seasons.
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4. Julian Blackmon , S (2024 team: Colts )
Blackmon is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least three interceptions and 85 tackles. His 73.5 coverage grade ranked 15th amongst qualifying safeties, per Pro Football Focus.
5. Asante Samuel Jr. , CB (2024 team: Chargers )
Samuel allowed under a 63% completion percentage when targeted in his first three seasons. However, a shoulder injury limited the cornerback to only four games in 2024. Samuel can line up on the outside but has the frame of a slot corner.
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6. Kyzir White , LB (2024 team: Cardinals )
White produced 137 tackles in 17 starts in Arizona last year. He's tallied four straight seasons of at least 90 tackles. Arizona was comfortable moving on from White. They signed linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and drafted Cody Simon in the fourth round.
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7. Za'Darius Smith , Edge (2024 teams: Browns , Lions )
The Lions released Smith this offseason, but he told USA TODAY Sports in June that he wants to re-sign in the Motor City . Will the veteran return to Detroit? Smith registered nine sacks between the two teams he played with last season. The edge rusher has produced at least 61 pressures in each of the past three seasons.
8. Gabe Davis , WR (2024 team: Jaguars )
Davis had four straight seasons of at least 500 receiving yards before it was snapped in what was a disappointing year with the Jaguars.
9. Stephon Gilmore , CB (2024 team: Vikings )
Gilmore will turn 35 years old in September. The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year isn't the standout corner he once was, but he's still a very capable defender. He had 56 tackles, nine pass deflections and one interception in 15 starts last year.
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10. Jadeveon Clowney , edge (2024 team: Panthers )
Clowney had a resurgent season in Baltimore , tallying 9.5 sacks in 2023. He didn't live up to expectations in Carolina, though; his 5.5 sacks equaled a team high. The veteran is most productive when he's not the primary edge rusher.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen lead best remaining NFL free agents
