2023 team: Denver Broncos

2024 free agent rank: 25th

The last veteran, former All-Pro the Eagles enlisted to help save their secondary didn’t work out. But Kevin Byard had been trending downward in 2023 before Philadelphia traded to acquire him from the Tennessee Titans. Simmons, despite being roughly the same age, is coming off his third-straight All-Pro season.

His presence would help maximinze Chauncey Gardner-Johnson’s versatility, allowing the returning Eagle to work as a safety or in the slot. He’s also push Reed Blankenship to a rotational role for which he’s better suited and give Sydney Brown a chance to shine. He may not be a long term solution, but Philly needs a short-term fix.

2023 team: Dallas Cowboys

2024 free agent rank: 40

It may take a bit of a hometown discount to bring Gilmore back where his career began; Buffalo only has roughly $7.5 million left to spend this offseason. The former defensive player of the year may no longer be in position to command an eight-figure salary across multiple seasons, but he remains an above-average cornerback capable of making a difference along the sideline. He allowed less than 56 percent of his targets to be caught in coverage last fall.

He’d be a salve to a secondary that’s lost veteran playmakers like Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer this offseason. His athleticism may decline as he enters his age 34 season, but he can bring proven, consistent production to a defense in need of experienced leaders.

2023 team: Las Vegas Raiders

2024 free agent rank: 50th

This isn’t the kind of free agent splash Cowboys fans want, but it’s one they need. James is a rock solid center in a free agent class flush with them. He’d be the kind of steadying presence capable of replacing Tyler Biadasz without missing a beat. He wouldn’t be an exciting signing, but he’d be a useful one.

2023 team: Miami Dolphins

2024 free agent rank: 54th

How much does Howard still have left in the tank approaching his age 31 season? He allowed just an 81.4 passer rating in coverage last season, but his 62.9 percent completion rate allowed was his second-worst of the last six years.

Still, the Colts managed to get strong production from a former All-Pro on the wrong side of 30 with Gilmore in 2022. Now they could bring in Howard to start opposite JuJu Brents and Kenny Moore to give Indianapolis a high-potential secondary capable of thriving in single coverage. While the team hasn’t brought in many outside free agents this spring, Howard could be the kind of low-cost, low-commitment addition to helps prod the Colts back to the playoffs.

There’s a chance he has a Stephon Gilmore-type second (then third, then possibly fourth) act, continuing to provide above-average coverage while serving as a trusted leader on the field and in the locker room. That’s a presence worth paying for.

2023 team: Indianapolis Colts

2024 free agent rank: 62nd

Blackmon is coming off his finest season as a pro — a year in which he set career bests in passer rating allowed (46.6), missed tackle rate (4.1 percent) and passes defensed. While he’s a fluid center fielder, his breakthrough came thanks in large part to a shift closer to the line of scrimmage, which suggests his next team could utilize him best in the box.

Unfortunately for the 25-year-old, he’s also hitting free agency amidst a wave of talented safeties, which has stunted his market. While several teams that could have been great fits are no longer destinations, the Texans could use a dynamic young playmaker next to Jalen Pitre in the middle of the field. He could handle downhill duties and, ideally, allow Pitre to maximize the playmaking skill he showed off as a rookie in 2022.

2023 team: Baltimore Ravens

2024 free agent rank: 70th

Should Beckham rank this high after a 31-catch season at 31 years old? His yards per catch (16.1) and yards per target (8.8) both say yes, even if the bulk of his output came in a five-game stretch from November to early December.

It’s important to place expectations on any OBJ signing. He’s a useful WR3 who can rise up as the second guy on a quarterback’s wish list, but he’s long removed from his days of stardom. That would make him a strong fit for the Lions, who need another intermediate range target to fit between Amon-Ra St. Brown’s short-range wizardry and Jameson Williams’ budding deep skills. He’d be a proper replacement for Josh Reynolds, whose 10.9 yards before catch in 2023 were right on par with Beckham’s 11.7.

2023 team: Kansas City Chiefs

2024 free agent rank: 75th

Danna would be an ideal addition to a rising pass rush in need of additional depth — and help clear the path for the Bears to focus on revitalizing their offense at this year’s draft. He’s a strong 4-3 defensive end who could shift into Chicago’s system after 2023’s solid performance (6.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits in his first season as a starter). His presence wouldn’t prevent the team from taking a swing at some high upside, low floor rookie prospects in April, either.

2023 team: Seattle Seahawks

2024 free agent rank: 79th

Diggs has a tremendous pedigree but he’s a risk; as a smaller safety he relies heavily on his athleticism, which isn’t a great place to be when you’re 31 years old. He gave up a 103.9 passer rating in coverage last season, the worst of his career since moving to the middle of the field.

That makes him a risk — one Green Bay may be willing to take. Signing Xavier McKinney was a big deal, but there’s little around him in terms of proven talent at safety. A one-year deal would give Diggs the chance to move to another contender and show he’s still capable of being a difference maker when it comes to swatting away deep balls.

2023 team: Cincinnati Bengals

2024 free agent rank: 83rd

Boyd was once the best wide receiver in the NFL to wear a uniform number in the 80s (it was brief, but the argument was sound). He’s since settled into a complementary role as a trusted and productive third wideout from the slot who has averaged 64 catches and 750 receiving yards per season over the last three years.

Those numbers may fade now that he’s in his 30s, but his big frame and ability to box out cornerbacks should help him retain his value even as he slows. He’s a reliable short range target — the kind of asset who could help whichever struggling quarterback who wins the Steelers’ quarterback competition and clear George Pickens for longer routes downfield. Plus, he gets to return to the stadium where he played his college ball.

2023 team: Baltimore Ravens

2024 free agent rank: 80th

Dobbins’ grade hinges heavily on his health — something that’s never been a strong suit in the NFL. His elite efficiency and explosiveness makes him a low-cost, high-upside signing if he can approach his 2022 form. That’s when he put up a 1,000-yard pace over eight games while averaging a clean 5.7 yards per carry.

The Buccaneers have a steady RB1 in Rachaad White, but his value as a pass catcher creates room for a run-first back to help him share the load. Dobbins could be an inexpensive addition capable of outshining Chase Edmonds for RB2 duties and adding explosiveness to the Tampa backfield. His 1.05 rush yards over expected (RYOE) per carry in 2022 ranked fourth-best in the NFL.

2023 team: Miami Dolphins

2024 free agent rank: 35th

Williams has been busy rehabilitating the torn ACL he suffered in December — and injury that threatens to keep him out for the bulk of 2024. That means he’s in no rush to sign this offseason since teams will a) already likely have addressed their center needs with healthy free agents or at the draft and b) be leery of a veteran coming off a year’s rehab.

That makes divining his future even more difficult than most. The best case scenario for Williams would be to find a team with playoff aspirations and a need at center. San Francisco certainly has the former and, with 32-year-old Jake Brendel up front, may have the latter.