Attention has officially turned toward the 2018 NFL Draft, which is just days away. Franchises are focusing on finding the cornerstones of their future, rather than the veteran impact contributors who could pay immediate dividends for them right now. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of talented Free Agents left on the open market, including some who have only become available in recent days. Here are the five best free agents left in the NFL as of Tuesday, April 17.
5. DT Johnathan Hankins
The defensive tackle is capable of being a cog in the middle of an NFL defensive line.
Following a few seasons with the New York Giants, he signed a three-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts a year ago. Nevertheless, the team released him after just one year, where he recorded 44 tackles and two sacks while starting all but one game. At 26 years old, there's still room to grow.
4. ILB NaVorro Bowman
The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker has struggled with his health in the past, missing the entire 2014 season, as well as most of the 2016 season. Then, he got into a public spat with the San Francisco 49ers last year, leading to his midseason release. Still, he recorded 127 tackles between the two Bay Area NFL teams last year and has five interceptions and seven forced fumbles in his career.
3. RB C.J. Anderson
Denver dipped their toes in pulling the plug on Anderson several times, finally doing the deed on Monday (April 16). Ironically, that decision came after the first 1,000-yard season of Anderson's career. The 2014 Pro Bowl player finished ninth in the NFL in rushing yards last season, just 300 behind the league leaders.
2. S Eric Reid
This free agent case is colored by the continuing debate about protesting athletes, with Reid being one of the fiercest advocates for societal change in the NFL. On the field, he's a talented and steady player up the middle who went to a Pro Bowl after his rookie season and is just 26 years old. Whether or not an owner will break the company line and sign him, however, remains to be seen.
1. WR Dez Bryant
A dip in play combined with his outspoken nature earned Bryant his release from the Dallas Cowboys last week. Still, the three-time Pro Bowl player has talent left in him following a season where he made 16 starts for the first time in three years, catching 69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns. He might not be a top-flight option in the NFL anymore, but he could be one of the best secondary receivers in the league.
