Green Bay Packers edge rusher Za’Darius Smith talks to members of the media at Lambeau Field on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis.

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Top 10 NFL Free Agents Ahead of the NFL 2025 Preseason

As training camps heat up, several proven veterans remain unsigned. Here’s a look at the top 10 names still waiting.

Green Bay Packers edge rusher Za’Darius Smith talks to members of the media at Lambeau Field on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis.

As the 2025 NFL preseason kicks off, teams across the league are busy finalizing rosters, evaluating rookies, and locking in depth charts. Yet, amid all the preseason action, a surprisingly deep list of big-name veterans remains unsigned.

From former Pro Bowlers and All-Pros to dependable players with playoff experience, the current free agent pool is stacked with talent that could still make a difference. Whether due to injuries or shifting roster priorities, these players have found themselves without a team, for now.

Some interesting names still available on the NFL free agent market.

🏈 Keenan Allen
🏈 Amari Cooper
🏈 Rasul Douglas
🏈 Mike Hilton
🏈 Asante Samuel Jr.
🏈 Za'Darius Smith
🏈 Jadeveon Clowney
🏈 Matthew Judon
🏈 Justin Simmons pic.twitter.com/JyVGDHdBFt
— theScore (@theScore) July 19, 2025

Top Veteran NFL Free Agents as Preseason Begins

Here’s a look at the top 10 remaining free agents before Week 1 of the NFL preseason begins:

Amari Cooper, WR

A steady and refined wide receiver, Cooper remains one of the more polished route runners on the market. He spent time with both the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills in 2024 and continued to show his worth. According to USA Today, 75% of his production came on short to intermediate routes. It’s surprising that Cooper, still in good form, remains unsigned.

Amari Cooper to Chargers? @kpatra identifies best team fits for notable NFL free agentshttps://t.co/2xewalMDKB pic.twitter.com/tCky4JAtnK
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 30, 2025

Keenan Allen, WR

After a decade as one of the NFL’s premier slot receivers with the Los Angeles Chargers, Allen’s stock has dipped slightly. He came close to breaking the Chargers’ single-season reception record in 2023 but saw a regression last year with the Chicago Bears. The team’s decision to draft Luther Burden III in the second round this year signaled a changing of the guard. That said, Allen’s experience and elite short-area quickness could still be valuable in the right offense.

Free agent WR Keenan Allen, one of the top remaining players on the market, has drawn interest from multiple teams in recent weeks.

My understanding is he’s been waiting for training camps to open to better assess the landscape and get a clearer picture of each team’s wide… pic.twitter.com/4e7aclezM1
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 23, 2025

Odell Beckham Jr., WR

Few careers have captured public imagination like OBJ’s. Once a generational talent with the New York Giants and later the Cleveland Browns and Ravens, his 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins ended unceremoniously with nine catches for 55 yards in nine games before being released.

TRENDING: All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. posted that he has been training wearing #Giants gear.

👀

OBJ return…? pic.twitter.com/rYTnIIVt9R
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 21, 2025

Matthew Judon, EDGE

Judon made his name with the Baltimore Ravens before shining with the New England Patriots, where he recorded 15.5 sacks in 2022. However, after landing with the Atlanta Falcons last season, he posted just 5.5 sacks. As per analysts’, he’s no longer an every-down player, but he remains a savvy rusher with a strong inside counter. In a rotational role, Judon could still provide value.

REPORT: The Lions have had dialogue about signing EDGE Matthew Judon, per @davebirkett

👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/4PbaVltAIu
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) July 25, 2025

Za’Darius Smith, EDGE

Smith, between stints with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions in 2024, racked up nine sacks and, more impressively, has logged 61+ pressures in each of the last three seasons. He told USA TODAY Sports in June that he’d like to return to Detroit, where his physical presence and motor could still thrive in a pass-rush-by-committee setup.

Today is a perfect day to re-sign Za’Darius Smith. pic.twitter.com/RhTmV4tweg
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) July 20, 2025

Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE

Clowney had a resurgent year with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, but his 2024 stint with the Carolina Panthers didn’t live up to that bar. While his 5.5 sacks led the Panthers, he’s proven to be most effective when used situationally rather than as a featured edge rusher.

Many consider the Ravens the best landing spot for LB Jadeveon Clowney, per @USATODAY. pic.twitter.com/cfTcmuirFY
— Ravens Nation 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) July 27, 2025

Justin Simmons, S

For nearly a decade with the Denver Broncos, Simmons was one of the league’s most reliable safeties, earning four second-team All-Pro honors. Even last season with the Atlanta Falcons, he maintained his steady production, posting at least 60 tackles and two interceptions for the eighth straight year. While not the elite coverage safety he once was, Simmons’ instincts and experience keep him in the conversation.

🚨REMINDER: Former #Broncos star safety Justin Simmons is still a FREE AGENT.

Simmons is 31 years old and the top available defensive back on the market. Justin is a 4x All-Pro and 2x Pro Bowler.

Simmons wants to win a Super Bowl and prefers to sign with a contender. pic.twitter.com/v8wYm39PxK
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 7, 2025

Stephon Gilmore, CB

The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year made his mark with the New England Patriots, and though he may have lost a step, Gilmore remains a technically sound and savvy corner. With 56 tackles, nine pass deflections, and a pick in 15 starts for the Minnesota Vikings last season, he’s shown he can still hold his own.

🚨THE 10 CORNERBACKS IN #NFL HISTORY🚨

1) Darrelle Revis
2) Deion Sanders
3) Champ Bailey
4) Charles Woodson
5) Rod Woodson
6) Dick “Night Train” Lane
7) Ty Law
8) Richard Sherman
9) Stephon Gilmore
10) Mike Haynes

Thoughts…? pic.twitter.com/OKIHfZfUf8
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 24, 2025

Asante Samuel Jr., CB

Drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, Samuel showed strong coverage ability early in his career, allowing under a 63% completion rate when targeted across his first three seasons. However, injuries derailed his 2024 season, limiting him to just four games due to a shoulder injury.

Asante Samuel Jr. is still out there and John Lynch signed Eli Apple. Sad. pic.twitter.com/E3sTZhoGtm
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) July 28, 2025

Rasul Douglas, CB

Douglas brings physicality and a knack for making plays in zone schemes. After impactful stints with the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, he tallied five pass breakups and five interceptions last season, returning one for a touchdown, and added five tackles for loss. He fits best in a system that lets him bait throws and jump routes.

I'm also told free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas didn't move on an offer from the Miami Dolphins Thursday. Douglas continues to field interest from multiple teams, per league source. pic.twitter.com/rV7dMJu5z6
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 25, 2025

Image Credits: Imagn Image

Amari Cooper

Asante Samuel Jr

Jadeveon Clowney

Justin Simmons

Keenan Allen

Matthew Judon

Odell Beckham Jr.

Rasul Douglas

Stephon Gilmore

Za’Darius Smith

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.