With the regular season winding down, many fans are looking ahead.
It’s an exciting time of year. The NFL Playoffs provide us with one of the best sports experiences of the year. Yet, a lot of us are left wondering what’s next for our team that didn’t make it in.
This is what fans do best. We try and be optimistic. “There’s always next year” has become a cliché, but it rings as true as ever. It’ll never get old, and we’ll keep using it until the end of time.
When the 2023 offseason opens up, the league will see plenty of action in free agency, and next year, there are some highly-touted names. In the spirit of looking ahead, we’ll tackle the top 30 free agents ready to find a home next spring.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Brandon Graham, DE
After missing almost all of last season, Brandon Graham has been back with a vengeance in 2022. Discounting 2021, Graham has now had at least 8.0 sacks in three-straight seasons.
He may be going on 35 years old, but Graham is still playing at a very high level. He’s had a couple of multi-sack games this year, including a 3.0-sack performance against the Giants a couple of weeks back.
Teams that are looking for pass rushers can find a phenomenal one or two-year rental in Graham, who looks like he’s still got plenty in the tank. Look for the Eagles to bring him back, though, as he’s spent his entire career there, dating back to 2010.
The Eagles’ defense has been one of the most opportunistic units in football this year, and Graham is a big reason why. Teams covet guys who can pressure the quarterback consistently.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: DJ Chark, WR
Back in 2018, DJ Chark was just a rookie coming out of LSU and he was highly criticized. He was known as purely a speed guy, and for that reason wasn’t looked at as a possible number-one wide receiver.
After a slow start as a rookie, though, Chark picked it up and had an admirable second season in Jacksonville. The LSU product caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns that season — still his best season to date.
Over the course of 2020 and 2021 with Jacksonville, Chark endured some injury issues and missed a total of 16 games between both seasons. This season, too, Chark has missed a handful of games. Injuries have seemed to truly harp on his potential, but Chark is still only 26 years old though.
He’s had some brilliant flashes this year with Detroit, and if you are a fantasy football player, you know he’s been able to win you some weeks when he’s been “the guy.” But, will he stick in Detroit? That’s a tough question.
The Lions have Jameson Williams as their future cornerstone wideout, plus Amon-Ra St. Brown as that trusty, sure-fire security blanket. Chark could offer another team a solid WR2, and even though injuries have plagued him, he’ll likely get some decent attention in the spring.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Mike McGlinchey, OT
The San Francisco 49ers drafted Mike McGlinchey out of Notre Dame with the 9th overall pick out of back in 2018. He was coming to the league as one of the most rock-solid tackle prospects in recent memory, and was going to be an anchor for the Niners for years to come.
Fast forward to the present, and although the team exercised his fifth-year option, McGlinchey will now enter free agency in the spring. There is certainly reason to be skeptical about McGlinchey’s future in San Francisco, too, because he has not been as consistent in pass protection as you’d like to see if you’re a Niners fan.
In 2020, McGlinchey’s pass protection grade was just over 58, per Pro Football Focus. He did bounce back last season, earning a grade over 70. This year, so far, has been a mixed bag. PFF has him at a grade of 66.1 in that department. He has given up five sacks, which is far from ideal, especially on a team featuring oft-injured quarterbacks.
As we’ve established, though, tackle is a hard position to find and secure for the long haul. There are teams who need a tackle, badly, and will likely overpay for McGlinchey’s services. This could be a situation where we see him get well over $12-$15 million annually.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Geno Smith, QB
This is now how the Seattle Seahawks season was supposed to go. The team traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos and most assumed that Seattle would be a dumpster fire with some outlets even projecting them to be the worst team in football. Meanwhile, the opposite has happened.
Denver is one of the worst teams in the league, and Seattle is part of the NFC playoff picture. Somehow, they’ve managed to play respectable and competitive football, and it’s been Geno Smith leading the charge.
In a quarterback-driven league, Smith has proven to be more than capable of starting. Even when many thought it would be Drew Lock, Smith stepped up and earned the job — and he’s kept it.
Through Week 15, Smith had thrown for 3,671 yards, 26 touchdowns and only eight picks. He’s earned the highest passer rating of his career, this season, at 105.3 and holds a QBR of 63.9 — also a career-best.
In next year’s draft, there are two premier quarterbacks — maybe we’ll see three when it’s all said and done. Smith could very well be a bridge guy for one of those teams, and he’d do an admirable job in a role like that. There aren’t many guys more humble and full of leadership qualities like we’ve seen from Smith this year, either. He’s going to be a valuable pickup in free agency.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Fletcher Cox, DL
The long-time Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle has defied two commonalities in the NFL today. One, he’s been with the same team for a decade now. That rarely happens anymore, but Cox has stayed true to Philly, and Philly to him.
Secondly, he’s also managed to stay healthy throughout his career. Since he entered the league in 2015, Cox has only missed a grand total of five games, per Pro Football Reference. That’s over a decade of consistency from a now 32-year-old big man.
Speaking of consistency, Cox also earned six-straight Pro Bowl nods from 2015-2020 and also saw an All-Pro title once in that stretch. On an elite Eagles team this year, Cox could see himself right back in the Pro Bowl conversation once again.
In a league where Aaron Donald dominates interior linemen headlines, Cox has been one of the best at also creating pressure on quarterbacks. He’s been doing it a while, and doesn’t look like he’s slowing down anytime soon. Through Week 15, Cox had totaled 6.0 sacks and 10 quarterback hits.
Look for him to get plenty of attention from contenders next spring, as he’s put himself in prime position to be one of those “final pieces” to a Super Bowl roster.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Daniel Jones, QB
Similar to Geno Smith and the Seahawks, Daniel Jones and the New York Giants weren’t supposed to be this good. Sure, the Brian Daboll hiring was a fantastic move by New York. But, nobody saw this happening so soon. The Giants are in the thick of the playoff picture as it stands, and Jones has played relatively well under Daboll.
The tough part, for Giants fans especially, is what to do with Jones after the season. The Giants have played well enough to fall out of any top draft position where they could land someone like Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud or Will Levis. With Jones’ contract coming up, the Giants might actually be best served to re-sign him on a front-loaded deal with an option to get out after a year or two.
Yet, they might also look toward the future. It all hinges on how this season finishes for the G-Men. If Jones can get these guys into the playoffs and maybe even win a Wildcard game, then he could be under center for New York once again in 2023.
His skill set is one that teams covet today, though, as he’s been one of the more mobile quarterbacks in the league as of late. He’s sneaky athletic and should end the season likely over 700 rushing yards. Although he’s been more of a game manager in the passing game, the Giants have also had horrific luck keeping their pass targets healthy.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Jordan Poyer, S
This upcoming secondary market is going to be one of the best in recent memory, and Jordan Poyer will be a wanted man. He’s been in the league for almost a decade now, but over the past few seasons has truly become one of the best safeties in football.
The former seventh-rounder out of Oregon State started his career briefly with the Eagles back in 2013 before heading to the Cleveland Browns for three and a half years. Since 2017, though, he’s been a staple in this Bills defense. Poyer was voted to his first All-Pro honors last season and has made the Pro Bowl this year, too.
Although he will be 32 in April, Poyer should still have a couple of top-tier years left in him. He’s been relatively healthy throughout his career, up until this season actually. He’s missed a couple of games but is now back in the fold and ready for the playoff run.
When it comes to his main strengths, Poyer excels in coverage. He’s fine against the run, but he is one of the best coverage safeties there is in the league today. Pro Football Focus has him graded with a strong 74.2 in that department.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Dalvin Tomlinson, DL
Somehow, two years ago, the New York Giants allowed defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson to leave town. He signed a two-year, $21 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings and has quietly been one of the better guys in the league at his position over the past two or three years.
This year, he can somehow get overshadowed at times because the Vikings defense has been mostly porous as a unit. However, Tomlinson is one of the bright spots Minnesota’s defense can be proud of. In terms of a pass-rushing big man, Tomlinson is rivaled by few. He gets pressure on a regular basis and can do it from multiple spots up front if asked to.
Working mostly inside, Tomlinson has tallied double-digit quarterback pressures in four-straight seasons. At 28 years old, Tomlinson is in the thick of his prime and, because his sack numbers are down just a bit, teams may be able to get a slight discount.
But, if you ask an outlet like PFF, they’ll tell you he’s as valuable as interior linemen get. This season, he has a total of 23 pressures, 21 stops and a pass rush grade of 77.4 — which is very, very good for those unfamiliar.
Tomlinson should stay in Minnesota if the Vikings know what’s good for them, but they’ll have plenty of competition going after the stud lineman.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Marcus Peters, CB
The Ravens are going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch throughout the 2023 offseason. They have some big decisions to make on guys like Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith, plus the need to upgrade a position like wide receiver, specifically.
Marcus Peters is an opportunistic, risk-taking corner that has always found his nose around the football. Since he entered the league in 2015, Peters has accumulated over 90 passes defended, over 30 interceptions and has scored 10 defensive touchdowns.
The four-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl cornerback will turn 30 in January, but should still be in line for at least one more decent contract. Any team looking for a ball hawk on the outside will be looking Peters’ way, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Ravens let him go if they need to pay others.
Peters did endure a mild calf strain in Week 15, but that shouldn’t prohibit him from playing in the postseason, should the Ravens end up in the playoffs. It also shouldn’t be too big of a worry going into his free agency next year. He’ll likely end up with a four-year deal either way. Will it be in Baltimore? They can’t afford to keep everybody.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: J.J. Watt, DE
UPDATE: Since publication, Watt has announced he plans to retire.
He has played in single-digit games for four of his seasons in the NFL, and injuries have been a main storyline for the former Wisconsin Badger, but J.J. Watt still has “it.” With over 111 career sacks and over 300 quarterback hits in his career, the future Hall of Fame pass rusher has already put together quite the career.
After two years with the Arizona Cardinals, he will likely be looking for a new team in the spring as Kliff Kingsbury’s guys try and figure out how to right the ship going forward.
It might feel like it’s been a while since we’ve seen a dominant season out of Watt, but he is currently in the midst of what will be his sixth season in double-digit sacks. Now, he hasn’t topped 10 since he did so back in 2018 with Houston when he also earned his fifth All-Pro honors.
But, in a season where the Cardinals have been a mess and their defense isn’t nearly as good as it was a few years back, Watt is enjoying a fantastic campaign. He’ll be 34 next March, but for any team needing one more pass rusher who is as creative and savvy as anyone in the league, Watt will be a strong signing.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Nelson Agholor, WR
This might not be a name you’d expect to see on a list like this, but Nelson Agholor will be a valuable pickup for his next team. Since entering the NFL, Agholor has been underutilized and underrated.
It took him a while to establish his footing as a pro, sure, but Agholor has turned into a solid possession receiver who occasionally has the ability to go deep. He can do a lot of things well but isn’t necessarily elite at one of them.
Back in 2015, Agholor was a first-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. The USC product was considered a bit of a reach at that point, and for that reason, he seemed to get an unfair start to his career. There were a lot of heavy expectations, but Agholor handled them well and has enjoyed a lengthy career to this point.
A couple of years ago, in his lone year with the Raiders, Agholor caught 48 passes for 896 yards and eight scores. That would go down as his best year to date, before joining the Patriots and becoming part of a committee used in Bill Belichick’s offense.
He’s a guy who will do his job, though, and will be a nice addition as any team’s third option on the depth chart.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Mike Gesicki, TE
Speaking of underutilized players, the Miami Dolphins very well could be ready to let go of tight end Mike Gesicki. A second-rounder back in 2018 out of Penn State, Gesicki came into the league as a prospect who could be one of the premier pass-catching tight ends in the league.
For the past five years, though, the Dolphins haven’t truly unleashed Gesicki as a focal point of their offense. In his first four seasons with Miami, his best year was in 2021 when he caught 73 passes for 780 yards and two touchdowns. Although, 2020 saw him catch a career-high six touchdowns.
Gesicki’s potential has always been right around that Zach Ertz type, though, and he’s even a bit more athletic than that. Miami now has a high-flying offense featuring a pair of speedy wideouts, and will probably end up letting Gesicki go find a new home next spring.
The 6-foot-6 Nittany Lion is still only 27 years old and is hoping to land a handsome contract in a few months. With tight end being such a tough position to lock down, and his potential to still be one of the best, he should have multiple suitors.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Yannick Ngakoue, DE
It has been a rollercoaster season for the Indianapolis Colts, to say the least. Between all of the quarterback drama, the hiring of Jeff Saturday, and now a Jonathan Taylor injury, the Colts are in the midst of a season to forget. However, one man that has had a standout year for Indy is defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.
In his seven years in the league, Ngakoue has somehow played for five NFL teams. Yet, all he does is sack the quarterback. He’s never finished with less than 8.0 sacks in a season and has totaled double-digits twice in his career — with this year looking like a third, at his current pace.
It’s hard to believe, but Ngakoue is still only 27 years old. He has a whole lot of football left in his future. And, the Colts defense is actually a fairly strong unit when all healthy. Indianapolis just needs to get the quarterback position right and add some offensive line help, and they could be right back into the playoff picture.
Depending on their timeline for success and how they view Ngakoue in their future plans, though, he might be heading for a sixth team in eight years. Again, it’s hard to believe when he’s been so consistent. But, for some reason, teams continue to get a bargain with his services.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Kareem Hunt, RB
The career of Kareem Hunt has been a ride, to say the least. Obviously, we can talk all day long about the dark times and legal issues. But, for the sake of football, Hunt is going to be a popular name on the market because of a few reasons.
First, the 27-year-old has plenty of tread left on his tires. Typically, this is the age where you start to question whether or not a running back is going to fall off. But, because of his role with the Cleveland Browns the past four seasons, he still has a lot left in the tank.
After the fallout with Kansas City, Hunt went on to become the second fiddle to Nick Chubb in Cleveland. He’s been a primary third-down back that operates in the two-minute drill as well. Hunt is a strong runner, but he can also catch the football. With the ball in his hands, he can be a violent runner, too.
Teams looking for someone that could operate as their first option in a two-headed backfield could look at Hunt as someone who fits that role perfectly. The former third-round pick averages a healthy 4.5 yards per carry and 8.7 yards per reception on his career.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Since making the Pro Bowl back in 2018, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s career has taken some turns, but after signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, he looks to cash right in with his next contract. Smith-Schuster is enjoying his best season since that lone Pro Bowl appearance five seasons ago.
This year, catching passes from Patrick Mahomes, Smith-Schuster has notched 74 receptions for 877 yards and three scores through Week 16. The USC product just turned 26 in November, and should be ready for a solid few more years in the prime of his career.
Smith-Schuster has a unique build, and teams that are looking for a big-bodied slot receiver should take notice of what he’s done in a Kansas City offense that spreads the ball around. Though Mahomes will throw it to anybody and everybody, especially with no Tyreek Hill now, Smith-Schuster is the go-to option right after Travis Kelce.
He’s proven he’s still got it, and for any team wanting some youth, size and a good amount of experience, Smith-Schuster is a great option. Let’s not forget the year he had with 111 catches for 1,426 yards back in 2018. If he’s given the opportunity, he can still be that same player.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Lavonte David, LB
This is it. This is the move you make if you’re a team wanting to add a highly-respected veteran, with plenty left to offer, en route to a Super Bowl run. Lavonte David has been doing it for years, and the guy just doesn’t slow down.
He may be 32 years old, but David is still one of the highest-graded linebackers in the game today if you ask PFF. His ability to hang in coverage, as well as stop the run, is unrivaled. David, though, hasn’t earned the rightful respect he’s deserving of throughout his career. His only All-Pro nod came in 2013, and the last Pro Bowl appearance we’ve seen from him was back in 2015.
Yet, all David has done is lead his defense time and time again. This is a guy who has averaged over 120 tackles per season — in 13 years in this league! There are very few linebackers who can say they have done the same, and the ones who can are mostly represented in the Hall of Fame.
David could be that missing piece just like Von Miller with the Rams a year ago; someone who comes in and changes the landscape of the defense just enough to tip the scale. He may be getting older, but David can still play at a high level, and he’ll get at least one more generous contract.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Dalton Schultz, TE
This season, Dalton Schultz is playing on the franchise tag where he’s earning nearly $11 million for the 2022 campaign. After the year is up, though, it’s unknown whether or not the Dallas Cowboys would decide to give him a long-term deal.
Dallas has been in the market for additional pass-catchers, as we’ve seen with the signing of T.Y. Hilton and the Odell Beckham Jr. rumors. But, when Schultz is on the field, he’s one of the very best there is at his position. He’s become one of Dak Prescott’s favorite targets.
This year, though, has been a bit different. Schultz missed a couple of games due to injury and also didn’t play the whole season with Dak at quarterback. So, his numbers have taken a hit. Last year, he caught 78 passes for 808 yards and eight scores. This year, though, he’s pacing for right around 54 receptions and under 600 yards, with between four and five touchdowns.
Will the Cowboys fork over enough money to keep a guy they thought was worth the tag? Dallas does have a deep tight end group which Dak uses plenty. Behind Schultz, the Cowboys have Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, both of whom Dak has thrown touchdowns to.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Josh Jacobs, RB
When the Las Vegas Raiders declined Josh Jacobs’ fifth-year option, not many would be so bold as to blame the team. Running backs, after all, rarely get paid lucrative contracts these days. They have become a dime a dozen.
But, Jacobs took that decision and used it as prime motivation to pour in his best season yet. At just 24 years old (he turns 25 in February), it feels like he’s been in the league much longer. Yet, the 2-time Pro Bowler and former Alabama star is only finishing up his fourth pro season.
Becoming the league leader in rushing this year has to be a dream for Jacobs, especially right before hitting free agency. At a position that’s no longer honored with teams’ bank accounts, Jacobs looks every bit like a guy who is worth giving top dollar.
He’s been able to make a living both on the ground and through the air, showing out as one of the more complete running backs in the NFL today. He has accumulated over 6,000 yards from scrimmage in four seasons. What more could you ask for? Some team is going to not only pay Jacobs, but be glad that they did.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: James Bradberry, CB
We’re not yet done talking about the Eagles defense, but next up in a line of free agents they’ll have to decide on is cornerback James Bradberry. The former Pro Bowler is in the midst of what might be his best season yet, and is a huge part of one of the league’s best secondary units.
Thus far in 2022, Bradberry is allowing an opposing quarterback rating of just 42.2, which is by far the lowest of his career. He’s been phenomenal this season. This year’s campaign is coming at a great time, too, as last year was the worst year of Bradberry’s career. For perspective, in 2021, he gave up a passer rating of 93.0 and allowed eight passing touchdowns.
This year? He’s given up just one touchdown all season. It’s been a different story for the 29-year-old veteran. The Eagles will have many tough decisions to make this spring, especially on defense, and Bradberry isn’t the only defensive back they’ll have entering free agency.
Chances are, they won’t be able to keep all of the guys on this list. Bradberry might be in line for one more lucrative contract after his performance in 2022, and the Eagles could very well see him playing in a different uniform in 2023.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Marcus Davenport, EDGE
Remember back when the New Orleans Saints traded up for Marcus Davenport in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft? There were some who thought that maybe, just maybe, the Saints were moving up to find Drew Brees’ eventual replacement — Lamar Jackson.
Instead, the Saints traded a good amount for Davenport, who has been well worth the investment so far in his young career. The Saints’ season hasn’t gone as well as fans would have liked, and Davenport would probably like to see a different result from his year thus far, as well.
After posting 9.0 sacks last year, he’s only accumulated 0.5 on the season in 2022, which is a career-low. Still, Davenport is only 26 years old and is an athletic freak. His potential is still there to revert back to the guy we saw last year, especially if he were to join a team that’s ready to win now. Taking a little bit of pressure off Davenport could truly unleash him as the monstrous pass rusher he can be.
He likely won’t be back in New Orleans.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Daron Payne, DL
The crop of defensive linemen available in next year’s free agency class is loaded, and Daron Payne is just another name who will be ready to cash in. The Alabama product has been one of the very best at his position since entering the league on his rookie deal back in 2018.
Much talk is made about how good Aaron Donald is as an interior lineman that can also rush the passer, but Payne is becoming part of that elite conversation year by year. This season, he’s totaled 9.5 sacks with a couple of games to go — as an interior lineman. That’s tough to do, but Payne is one of those physical specimens who can do it all from the interior.
Payne will turn 26 in May, meaning he will have a whole lot of football left in front of him and most of it will be played on a mega deal he’s going to sign in just a few months.
To go along with his 9.5 sacks this year, Payne has also tallied career highs in quarterback hits (17), tackles for loss (16), and passes defended (5). He’s also come up with a safety this season.
For a team that wants a dominant force on the interior of their defensive line, Payne is arguably the top target.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Javon Hargrave, DL
The one guy who could be argued as slightly better than Payne in this class? Once again, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles as the topic of conversation, and their big man in the middle is about to get paid.
Javon Hargrave has really come on over the past two seasons and is now one of the most well-rounded interior defensive linemen in the game today. If you wanted to argue between him and Payne, you could have a case for either one of them above the other. It’s that close. But, Hargrave has the edge in sacks so far this year (10.0), so we’ll stick up just above Payne.
Hargrave also has 14 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss, a pair of fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. The 2021 Pro Bowler is just one more piece on this top-tier Eagles defense that the team will have to decide on in the spring. As we’ve established, Philadelphia won’t be able to keep all of these guys, and Hargrave could be an odd man out.
He’ll also be 30 early in 2023, which is one reason you might place him below Payne if you’d prefer the younger of the two.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Jessie Bates, S
A huge reason why the Bengals defense has been able to turn a corner over the last year or two is due to a couple of players in particular. One of those is former Wake Forest standout, safety Jessie Bates.
Bates is one of the best all-around safeties in football, and especially strong against the run. He might even be the best run-defending safety in the NFL. But, Bates can make a play in coverage too. In four of his five seasons in the league, Bates has totaled over seven passes defended and at least three interceptions.
It is quite shocking that Bates has yet to make a Pro Bowl, but teams will know his worth by the tape. He’s a playmaker.
The 26-year-old is looking to cash in during a free agency period that will see a lot of premier names in the secondary. He’s one of two or three guys that should easily eclipse $10 million annually, and depending on the market, there could be more.
The Bengals would obviously love to keep him, but they’re going to have other large contract decisions to make when it comes to guys like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Roquan Smith, LB
It will be interesting to see what the Ravens decide to do with Roquan Smith after this year, especially since they will need to break the bank for Lamar Jackson if they decide to keep their quarterback.
But, Baltimore traded a second-rounder for Roquan Smith, knowing that he will enter free agency in the spring. He has been a welcome addition with the Ravens, who needed another big-time leader on that defense.
This is one of the fastest linebackers in the game today, and a guy who can go sideline to sideline in a hurry. Smith can pile up over 120 tackles in a season, at minimum, in his sleep. Smith has gone over that number four of five seasons, including 163 last season.
The question is, do the Ravens view him as a long-term piece in their defense?
He has had questions about his effort and wrapping up in the past, but when Smith is locked in, he’s as good as anyone as an inside backer with the ability to also play outside. Whichever team decides to pay Smith, they will have to fork over possible record-setting money. Is he worth it? We’ll find out if Baltimore thinks so.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Saquon Barkley, RB
No one expected the New York Giants to take such a leap in one season under Brian Daboll, but Daniel Jones has enjoyed a career season (although that isn’t saying much). A huge reason why New York has succeeded is because of the re-emergence of Saquon Barkley.
It seemed like we may never see the same Saquon again after injury after injury, but this year, he’s been a different beast. Barkley will be 26 in February, but if he’s able to get through the rest of this season — and maybe even postseason — without additional wreckage, then he will be one to get a decent contract next spring.
Teams would love to get a guy as explosive and talented as Barkley, who again went over 1,000 yards on the ground this year — the third time he’s done so in his career. His ability to catch the football and make moves downfield makes him one of the more well-rounded backs in the game.
It has only been his health that’s in question, and this year he’s been able to make it through. Although running backs rarely get paid big these days, Barkley could be one who gets a hefty two or three-year deal that’s full of front-loaded money.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
Once more, the quarterback market could get wild next spring. There are going to be teams looking at moving on from guys who just aren’t “it,” and none will be a bigger story than the New York Jets if they opt to cut ties with Zach Wilson.
Already, we have seen speculation about the Jets going after someone like Garoppolo to replace Wilson. Reuniting with Robert Saleh, whom he knows from their time together in San Francisco, would make a lot of sense.
Aside from New York, Garoppolo is sure to have plenty of suitors. Teams like Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indianapolis, among others, could look at making a move at the quarterback position. Garoppolo has proven himself to be capable as a starter and has a plethora of playoff experience to boot.
San Francisco could try and keep him, but with Trey Lance and the emergence of Brock Purdy, they already have plenty of talent at the position. San Francisco also knows Garoppolo will be one of the top available quarterback names on the market in an offseason that could see a ton of movement at the position.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Orlando Brown, OT
In a massive deal last spring, the Chiefs traded for Orlando Brown Jr. and solidified that side of the line protecting Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City gave up multiple picks, including a first rounder, to get Brown.
The former Oklahoma Sooner made his name in Baltimore and stated a case to become their franchise left tackle. However, Baltimore committed to Ronnie Stanley there, and dealt Brown to the Chiefs.
This season, Brown has been hovering around the no. 23 overall graded offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus, but regardless of his grade, he is going to get a monstrous contract in the spring.
Knowing how wild Kansas City has been with their cap in the past, it’s not hard to imagine them bringing Brown back. But, in a league where premier left tackles don’t show up regularly, they will have some competition, for sure.
A team like the Bears, who will have over $100 million in cap space next offseason, would be a team to watch for when it comes to swooping in for Brown’s services.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: CJ Gardner-Johnson, DB
We have spent a lot of time talking about the Eagles defense already, but there was arguably no bigger of a move on that side of the ball, all of last offseason, than Philadelphia acquiring CJ Gardner-Johnson from New Orleans.
He is as versatile a defensive back as there is in the league today, with the ability to play both safety and cornerback. This year, he has been at his best when given a little freedom. Johnson has proven to be the best in the game when it comes to taking the ball away.
Wherever the ball goes, Johnson goes. On the year through Week 15, Johnson accumulated six interceptions and another eight passes defended. It seems like, any time the Eagles defense gets a big takeaway, Johnson is in on it somehow.
Philly’s defense was already a solid unit, but making the move for this guy was what put them over the top. He performs at a high level, and he’ll let the opposition know about it. As one of the game’s best when it comes to getting in other players’ heads, Johnson likes to ensure the opposing men know his presence.
He will undoubtedly be the top free agent defensive back next spring, and bring home a salary well over $10 million annually.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Tom Brady, QB
UPDATE: Since this post’s publication, Brady has announced his retirement.
Let’s be honest with ourselves for a minute. Yes, Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever toss a pigskin. He has done it all. The accolades, the stats, the praise — it’s all there.
Yet, in 2022, he hasn’t been the same guy. Brady has looked visibly off, and it’s been quite odd to watch from a fan’s perspective. It’s not something we’re used to. However, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.
He came off a 2021 campaign that saw him light it up. He was one of the very best in the game, even leading the NFL in passing yards last season with 5,316. The man looked bionic even at his age.
This year has been loaded with distractions for the legendary gunslinger. A divorce is enough to take down any man, especially one as public as Brady and Gisele’s has been. It’s not fair, but it comes with the territory.
I won’t pretend to know Brady on a personal level, but I would venture to guess that this has been the toughest year of his career for multiple reasons. Let’s give him some time after this season — however it may pan out — and allow the guy to heal, both physically and emotionally.
If he retires, then so be it. But, something tells me he’s not ready to go out like this. And if that’s his mentality, he’ll be a highly sought-after man come the spring.
30 best NFL free agents in 2023: Lamar Jackson, QB
We’ve come a long way from the pre-draft rumors of teams asking Lamar Jackson to try out at other positions, haven’t we? An MVP and a single-season NFL record later, and Jackson is set to become a very, very rich man. Jackson has become one of the most dangerous men in the NFL with the ball in his hand, and he’s been able to do it through the air and with his legs at times.
Jackson’s bet on himself was paying off for a while this season, as the Ravens started hot and Lamar looked like, well, Lamar. But, this season became yet another year where Jackson endured injury, forcing Tyler Huntley into action.
The Ravens are still currently in the AFC’s playoff picture, so the season is by no means lost. However, Jackson’s health is a concern and he’s got to be on that field for the rest of the year — healthy.
Jackson is a winner. He obviously wants to win, and so do the Ravens. It is in the team’s best interest for this man to be on the field for the remainder of the year — and protecting himself at all costs. His future quite literally depends on the next few weeks and couple of months.
If Jackson can get back to doing what he does at the highest of levels, then he’ll see a contract that maybe only a handful of quarterbacks have ever seen before. Hopefully, for the Ravens’ sake, it’s in Baltimore.