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

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.

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

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

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.