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The pool of available NFL free agents is rapidly shrinking.

Many of the players who remain unsigned are flawed in one way or another, whether it’s because they just suffered serious injuries, have seen a recent drop in production, or are in the twilight of their careers.

Despite these flaws, many of these veteran talents still represent significant upgrades for a good number of rosters. Although teams have fewer holes at this point in the offseason thanks to the draft and past free agent signings, there are still plenty of gaps to fill.

With that in mind, here’s a look at eight players who have yet to find a new home and are likely to be lining up for a new contract soon. The players are listed in alphabetical order.

1 of 8

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Odell Beckham Jr. is still looking for a new team after his resurgence with the Los Angeles Rams last season. The veteran looked rejuvenated after signing with the Super Bowl champions, helping them earn a ring while becoming a big part of the team’s offense.

Unfortunately, OBJ suffered a torn ACL early in Super Bowl LVI and will likely not be available at the start of the 2022 campaign.

It’s understandable that NFL teams are wary of signing an aging wide after a significant injury. Caution is also called for, given Beckham’s tumultuous tenure with the Cleveland Browns.

Despite this, there are few options left for an organization to bolster their receiving corps, and Beckham is arguably one of the best expanders still available.

The 29-year-old did a fine job for the Rams before the injury, rushing for 305 yards and five points in eight regular season games. In the playoffs, he had 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns, including the first in Super Bowl LVI.

It’s clear the Rams and Beckham are doing well, and both teams would each benefit from sticking together.

Head coach Sean McVay recently said he “really wants” OBJ back this year. Beckham tweeted that the sentiment is mutual but made it clear that he wanted to be paid.

Los Angeles has just under five million cap space available – the fourth-lowest amount in the league – which could make it difficult to award Beckham the large sum of money he desires.

2 out of 8

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Duane Brown adequately held one of the most important positions in the game for 14 years.

Despite his status as one of the most consistent left tackles in the league, the longtime veteran is still looking for a new home this offseason.

Brown started all 17 games for the Seattle Seahawks last season and has only missed four starts since the start of the 2018 campaign. The 36-year-old made the 2021 Pro Bowl, proving he can still be an asset reliable.

Although Brown regressed slightly last season — he earned his lowest PFF rating since his rookie year — he still scored a very respectable 71.5.

The five-time Pro Bowler should be on the mind of any general manager who isn’t sold on his team’s protective abilities. That includes Omar Khan, who has the unenviable task of keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers competitive in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era.

Brown represents a real improvement over Dan Moore Jr., a fifth-round pick in 2021 who scored an ominous 57.8 PFF as a rookie rookie at left tackle.

Replacing Moore with Brown would give the young lineman a chance to learn from one of the best in the league while providing much more reliable protection for the QB who would eventually win the Steelers’ starting job.

3 out of 8

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Clubs with low-level options at left tackle could consider signing Eric Fisher as a cheap, stable and effective upgrade.

Although not a superstar, Fisher has always been solid. There are plenty of teams that would benefit greatly from the addition of a reliable and experienced attacking tackle, even if he only ranks in the league average.

Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2013, Fisher has played in 132 of a possible 145 games. He suffered a torn Achilles in the 2021 AFC Championship Game as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs – the first major injury of his career – and was released this offseason, catching up with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency.

Fisher finished the 2021 season with a respectable 68.2 PFF, a score that puts him on the fringes between starter and backup. That’s exactly the type of player the 31-year-old is at this stage of his career – he can offer quality depth as a swing tackle or some useful starting effort if needed.

The New York Jets are a great place for Fisher to land cheaply. Gang Green has had a fantastic offseason but could further bolster sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson’s protection with this signing.

Fisher would make an excellent swing tackle for New York while providing insurance behind left tackle Mekhi Becton, who played just 48 snaps last season due to a serious knee injury.

4 out of 8

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With pass-rush talent at a premium in the modern NFL, it’s hard to understand why a skilled forward like Trey Flowers remains unsigned.

The Arkansas product has missed 16 games over the past two years of a three-season stint with the Detroit Lions. Prior to those injury-plagued campaigns, Flowers had scored at least 6.5 sacks for four consecutive seasons.

After winning two titles with the New England Patriots, Flowers joined former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia at Motor City in 2019. He didn’t miss a beat, recording seven sacks while playing just 65% of the Detroit’s defensive snaps that season.

Although he only recorded 1.5 sacks last year when he suffered from a knee problem, Flowers could bounce back in the right situation with good health.

Resuming with a team made up of veterans like the Los Angeles Rams – where there is a significant need for a proven forward after Von Miller left in free agency – could be the ideal solution. Flowers would have a career-changing chance, while LA would earn a relentless pass-rusher at a bargain price.

5 out of 8

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The Baltimore Ravens tapped Justin Houston to provide dependable production and leadership to their young corps of outside linebackers. The veteran answered the call, racking up 4.5 sacks on 579 defensive snaps in 15 games.

Despite Houston’s impact, the team is yet to sign the 33-year-old. The Baltimore Brass placed a rare UFA tender on Houston, giving the club the exclusive right to negotiate with him if he hasn’t found a new team by July 22.

While Houston may have a few options, a return to Baltimore may make the most sense for both parties.

The Ravens would benefit from the veteran’s consistent presence as Tyus Bowser picks up steam after a torn Achilles. Second-round rookie pick David Ojabo also just ruptured an Achilles and may not be available at all during the 2022 campaign.

Odafe Oweh managed to stay healthy during his remarkable rookie campaign, but he also said he wants to see Houston back this year (via BaltimoreRavens.com):

“Yeah, we kept in touch. We were together in California right after the season. But, yeah, I’m up for anything. Justin Houston, he taught me a lot last year. Obviously, out of the pitch and on the pitch. We can use all the help we can get. So, I’m okay with that.

While Houston could still technically sign elsewhere in the next two months, Baltimore should hope he returns and helps guide the organization to the playoffs in 2022.

6 out of 8

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It’s hard to believe a standout corner with a decade of experience has gone unsigned at this point.

Yet Jackrabbit Jenkins is still available despite playing quality cornerback play in each of his four saves since entering the league in 2012.

Jenkins is coming off a strong showing for the Tennessee Titans in 2021. The 33-year-old has started 13 of 14 games he has played for the club, recording 54 tackles, six passes defended and one interception.

Although Jenkins has seemed sensitive to the big play at times — he’s allowed 55 completions and six touchdowns on 90 targets — he can still be an asset in the right scheme. Only two players have had more pass breakups than Jenkins’ 43 amassed between the 2018 and 2020 seasons.

Teams that need a deep corner that can step in if injured should try to land the former Pro Bowler on a cheap contract.

The Arizona Cardinals have glaring holes in their secondary that need to be fixed. The team currently have Byron Murphy, Marco Wilson and Antonio Hamilton as their main options and would benefit greatly from Jenkins’ presence.

7 out of 8

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Julio Jones was widely considered one of the NFL’s elite broads during his decade-long tenure with the Atlanta Falcons.

His reputation took a hit, however, after a poor season with the Tennessee Titans in 2021. Jones struggled to stay healthy – missing seven games – and never seemed to match the Tennessee offense as he was active on the way to 31 receptions for 434 yards and a touchdown.

The 33-year-old is coming off the worst season of his career, but Jones still deserves a long look from the teams most in need.

Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler, was still productive as recently as 2020. Although he was also out for seven games that season, he still caught 51 balls for 771 yards and three scores.

Prior to that, Jones had six consecutive 1,000+ yard campaigns and only missed four contests between the 2014 and 2019 seasons.

The Indianapolis Colts would be an intriguing place for Jones after the organization traded for Matt Ryan this offseason.

A reunion could revitalize both veterans, giving them one last chance to fight for an elusive ring together in the twilight of their respective careers.

8 out of 8

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Long known as one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, Linval Joseph showed last season that he can still be productive in rushing pass situations.

The 6’4″, 323-pound lineman played 14 games for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021, collecting 57 tackles – three for loss – two QB hits and a sack in that span.

Although the 33-year-old is no longer the type of game-changing defender he was in his prime, the two-time Pro Bowler can still swallow rushers and fill space in the trenches when connected.

The recent signing of Akiem Hicks by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves Joseph as the best tackle available. Joseph earned a 63.1 PFF rating last year — a slight drop from his 68.7 rating in 2020 — but he’s still adequate as a spin stopper.

Cleveland has an elite pair of defensemen in Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, but lacks supporting talent inside, which means Joseph could be a perfect fit for the Browns. The team drafted Perrion Winfrey in the fourth round to complete the signing of free agent Taven Bryan, but Joseph’s pedigree was also unproven.