Are 2 former Alabama All-Americans the best remaining NFL free agents?

One week ago at 11 a.m. CDT March 10, players with expiring NFL contracts could begin negotiating with other teams.

This offseason’s free-agent frenzy has resulted in new contracts for more than 100 players, but many more remain unsigned, including two former Alabama All-Americans who are ranked as the best available players among the unrestricted free agents.

NFL.com lists wide receiver Amari Cooper as the best unsigned player. USA Today ranks offensive tackle Cam Robinson as the best unsigned player.

Both players were traded during the 2024 season, with Cooper going from the Cleveland Browns to the Buffalo Bills and Robinson moving from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Minnesota Vikings.

In his 10th NFL season, Cooper had the least productive showing of his career. After catching 150 passes for 2,410 yards and 14 touchdowns in the previous two seasons, the five-time Pro Bowler had 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, when he missed three games because of injuries.

Robinson has started all 101 regular-season games and four playoff contests of his NFL career at left offensive tackle. The Vikings acquired Robinson when their left tackle, Christian Darrisaw went down with a season-ending injury seven games into the 2024 campaign.

The other players from Alabama high schools and colleges on NFL active rosters or reserve lists at the end of the 2024 regular season who became unrestricted free agents last week and remain unsigned include:

  • Ameer Abdullah, running back, Homewood
  • Kwon Alexander, linebacker, Auburn
  • Tony Brown, cornerback, Alabama
  • Lester Cotton, guard, Central-Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Zach Cunningham, linebacker, Pinson Valley
  • Marlon Davidson, defensive tackle, Greenville, Auburn
  • Jack Driscoll, offensive lineman, Auburn
  • Grant DuBose, wide receiver, Park Crossing, Miles
  • Ronnie Harrison, safety, Alabama
  • Chris Hubbard, offensive tackle, UAB
  • Carl Lawson, defensive end, Auburn
  • Christian Matthew, cornerback, Samford
  • Jeremiah Moon, linebacker, Hoover
  • Siran Neal, cornerback, Eufaula, Jacksonville State
  • Anthony Schwartz, wide receiver, Auburn
  • Irv Smith Jr., tight end, Alabama
  • C.J. Uzomah, tight end, Auburn
  • Jedrick Wills Jr., offensive tackle Alabama
  • Jameis Winston, quarterback, Hueytown
  • Chandler Wooten, linebacker, Auburn

Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (Alabama) is a free agent, too, after playing in every game for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. But he did not become one at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The Colts released Davis from his contract as a salary-cap move.

After Davis’ release, linebacker C.J. Mosley (Theodore, Alabama) by the New York Jets, defensive end Za’Darius Smith (Greenville) and cornerback James Bradberry (Pleasant Grove, Samford) by the Philadelphia Eagles followed into free agency as salary-cap casualties.

Players with Alabama football roots who changed teams after becoming unrestricted free agents on Wednesday have been (with their new teams):

  • K.J. Britt, linebacker, Oxford, Auburn: Miami Dolphins
  • Byron Cowart, defensive lineman, Auburn: New York Jets
  • Carlton Davis, cornerback, Auburn: New England Patriots
  • Da’Shawn Hand, defensive lineman, Alabama: Los Angeles Chargers
  • Najee Harris, running back, Alabama: Los Angeles Chargers

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  • Jonathan Jones, defensive back, Auburn: Washington Commanders
  • Mac Jones, quarterback, Alabama: San Francisco 49ers
  • Ryan Kelly, center, Alabama: Minnesota Vikings
  • Nick Mullens, quarterback, Spain Park: Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Tremon Smith, cornerback, Saks: Houston Texans

Defensive tackles and Alabama alumni Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson changed teams as a free agents last week, too, but they had been released from their contracts by the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns, respectively, in salary-cap decisions. Allen signed with the Minnesota Vikings, and Tomlinson signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

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players from Alabama high schools or colleges who had expiring contracts re-signed with their 2024 teams. Those players included:

  • Bradley Bozeman, center, Handley, Alabama: Los Angeles Chargers
  • Noah Igbinoghene, cornerback, Hewitt-Trussville, Auburn: Washington Commanders
  • Michael Jackson, cornerback, Spain Park: Carolina Panthers

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  • Jarran Reed, defensive tackle, Alabama: Seattle Seahawks
  • Jamien Sherwood, linebacker, Auburn: New York Jets
  • JK Scott, punter, Alabama: Los Angeles Chargers
  • Trent Scott, offensive lineman, Lee-Huntsville: Washington Commanders
  • Darius Slayton, wide receiver, Auburn: New York Giants

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  • Jarrett Stidham, quarterback, Auburn: Denver Broncos

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.