Top Remaining Free Agent Wide Receivers: 2024 NFL Free Agency Analysis

Veteran wideout Odell Beckham Jr. recently inked a one-year, $8.25 million deal with the Miami Dolphins and was just the latest domino to fall at the wide receiver position in the 2024 NFL free agency market.

With lots of high-profile names on the market this offseason, the running back position has slightly dominated free agency at the skill positions. That said, high-profile wideouts such as Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, and Gabe Davis have found new teams on the open market in 2024, while established stars like Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., and Mike Evans are set to remain with their current squads in the season ahead.

As we enter the month of May, there are still some intriguing wide receivers still available on the market. While these players might not be of superstar caliber, some certainly have a chance to contribute to a team and be fantasy-relevant in 2024. Let's take a look at the top remaining WRs still available in NFL free agency.

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Tyler Boyd

2023 Stats w/ Cincinnati Bengals: 17 Games, 98 Targets, 67 Receptions, 667 Yards, 2 TDs

While certainly not a superstar, it's probably fair to dub Boyd the crown jewel of the remaining WR free agent market. The 29-year-old has been a rock-solid, if unspectacular, contributor in Cincinnati, where he's spent the entirety of his eight-year career since being drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He's recorded 50+ catches and 600+ yards in seven of his eight seasons in the league.

Free agent wide receiver Tyler Boyd was in Los Angeles this week to meet with the #Chargers and will also head to the #Titans later this week, per source,

Market should heat up for Boyd, who has 513 catches for 6,000 yards over eight seasons in Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/7bMUcM89KK

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 1, 2024

With studs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins dominating targets in Cincy, Boyd has had few opportunities to amass huge numbers in recent years and has settled into the complementary role of a WR2/3. The former Pittsburgh star did have back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards in 2018-19 before the arrival of Higgins and company.

As he enters his age 30 season, Boyd is unlikely to sniff that type of output again, though he probably shouldn't be slept on in 2024 either. The veteran knows how to play, is loved by coaches, and will likely settle into his familiar WR2/3 role wherever he lands. The top candidates for his services currently appear to be the Los Angeles Chargers and the Tennessee Titans with the Chargers being the stronger option for his fantasy football potential in 2024.

Michael Thomas

2023 Stats w/ New Orleans Saints: 10 Games, 64 Targets, 39 Receptions, 448 Yards, 1 TD

Unlike the aforementioned Boyd, Michael Thomas was a legit superstar in the league for a large chunk of time. The Ohio State product broke into the league in a big way with the New Orleans Saints, topping 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first four NFL seasons. A true PPR machine at one point, Thomas still holds the all-time NFL record for receptions in a season after he hauled in an eye-popping 149 receptions in 2019.

However, that 2019 campaign would be Thomas' last great season, as a never-ending string of foot and ankle issues - as well as the retirement of Saints QB Drew Brees and the departure of head coach Sean Payton - have completely derailed a career that once appeared to be on a Hall of Fame trajectory.

No longer under contract with the Saints, Thomas remains on the free-agent market due to the combination of his inability to stay on the field, as well as his ineffectiveness when on it in recent years. He's played just 20 games since 2020 and now 31-years-old, Thomas will likely be forced to take a team-friendly, one-year deal if he wants to play in 2024.

The potential market for him has been quiet. There's the chance of a reunion with Sean Payton in Denver or he could land with a contending team that needs veteran WR depth such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, or Baltimore Ravens. Thomas' fantasy value has always been directly tied to his ability to rack up points in PPR formats, but his age and lack of durability will likely prevent him from ever finding such a role again.

Zay Jones

2023 Stats w/ Jacksonville Jaguars: 9 Games, 64 Targets, 34 Receptions, 321 Yards, 2 TDs

After posting a career-high 823 receiving yards in 2022, the well-traveled Jones struggled through an injury-riddled campaign in 2023. He appeared in just nine games with the Jags last season while posting his lowest statistical output since 2020.

Zay Jones: "Hey you must be the new rookie WR we drafted nice to meet..."

Brian Thomas Jr: pic.twitter.com/HvFQUa71y2

— Andrew Cooper (@CoopAFiasco) April 30, 2024

Following the acquisitions of Gabe Davis via free agency and Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of the recent NFL Draft, Jones was released by Jacksonville in part due to a suddenly crowded receiving corps.

He hits the free-agent market looking to land on the fourth team of his career. Despite his underwhelming 2023 production, there's reason to believe that Jones could have at least some fantasy impact in the upcoming year, depending on his eventual landing spot. When healthy, he's capable of being a team's second receiving option.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

2023 Stats w/ Kansas City Chiefs: 16 Games, 42 Targets, 21 Receptions, 315 Yards, 1 TD

After joining the Chiefs on a free-agent contract ahead of the 2022 season, MVS never lived up to expectations in Kansas City. He logged 687 receiving yards and two scores in his first campaign with the franchise, but took a major step back in 2023, tallying just 21 catches for 315 yards.

It's not a shock that the defending Super Bowl champs elected to move on from Valdes-Scantling and save a large chunk of salary cap space in the process, as he had minimal impact last season. The 29-year-old has now spent the entirety of his NFL career catching passes from Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, yet has never topped 700 receiving yards in a season.

It's fair to wonder if we've seen the best MVS has to offer and it's tough to envision him being anything more than a third receiving option for whatever team he signs with - and a fringe fantasy option due to that role. That said, he'll likely have suitors, as he's a legitimate downfield threat that offers speed and experience.

Hunter Renfrow

2023 Stats w/ Las Vegas Raiders: 17 Games, 37 Targets, 25 Receptions, 255 Yards, 0 TDs

Is Hunter Renfrow the player who logged over 100 catches and 1,000 yards in 2021 or the one who was a ghost in 2023? The Raiders appear to think the latter, as they released the veteran slot man, who was set to count $13.7 million against the salary cap, earlier this offseason.

Hunter Renfrow still out there 😎 pic.twitter.com/s4dkSOh6Nv

— Obi (@WiscoDirtyBird) April 28, 2024

Renfrow brings a specific skill set to the table, and though it's a skill set that doesn't include speed or size, it's a skill set nonetheless. However, he's a bounce-back candidate if he lands in the right situation in 2024, as he's an experienced slot weapon, a precise route runner, and a sure-handed possession receiver. The 28-year-old could be a nice cost-effective addition to a team in need of depth and experience in the receiving corps such as the Dallas Cowboys or New England Patriots. While there's a chance he provides some under-the-radar fantasy production in the right offense, we shouldn't expect anywhere close to his fantasy output of 2021.

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