Where and on what terms will the NFL’s best free agents end up in 2023? We explore these questions in the following article. Here is the list of our top free agents:
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
Alter: 31
2022 Statistiken: 10 Starts, 2.437 Passing Yards, 16 TDs, 4 INTs
Possible interested parties: Raiders, Buccaneers, Jets, Commanders
With Derek Carr landing with the New Orleans Saints, Garoppolo will be at the helm of free agent quarterbacks by the start of the new game year — unless a team wants to get combative and try to get the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson with an offer they don’t can match to lure away. Garoppolo is likely to have plenty of prospects, but the Raiders are the ones to keep an eye on. It would be a logical step for Las Vegas to reunite the veteran quarterback with Josh McDaniels, his former New England offensive coordinator, while the search for a long-term replacement for Carr continues.
Forecast: Las Vegas Raiders on a 2-year, $48M contract ($28M guaranteed)
Miles Sanders, RB
Alter: 25
2022 Statistiken: 259 Carries, 4,9 Yards pro Carry, 11 TDs
Possible prospects: Eagles, Dolphins, Bills, Panthers
Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
With Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard all receiving franchise tags, there are few top running backs left. Sanders is probably the most successful of his free agent peers. Still, it’s debatable if he offers more opportunities than someone like David Montgomery, Kareem Hunt, Damien Harris or Alexander Mattison. With so many reasonable options available, don’t expect a running back to get a monster contract.
Prediction: Dolphins on a 2-year, $13M deal ($6M guaranteed)
Receiving Top Free Agents
Jakobi Meyers, WR
Alter: 26
2022 stats: 67 catches, 57.4 yards per game, 6 TDs
Possible prospects: Texans, Packers, Bears, Ravens, Giants
Christian Kirk turned the wide receiver market on its head a year ago with an eye-popping four-year, $72 million deal. Today, the position is even more in demand and supply thinner than ever, so there might be more eye-catching contracts. The Texans are primed to pick a quarterback with the #2 pick in the draft, and they know they need to put guns around him. General manager Nick Caserio was the Patriots’ hiring manager when New England signed Meyers as a free agent, and he knows what the 26-year-old wideout has to offer. Meyers is certainly no star, but he proved a safe bet for Mac Jones. With money to spend, the Texans will be willing to overpay to give their undrafted rookie quarterback a safe option.
Prediction: Texans on a 4-year, $63 million deal ($38 million guaranteed)
Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Alter: 30
2021* stats: 44 catches, 38.4 yards per game, 5 TDs
*Missed 2022 due to injury
Possible prospects: Cowboys, Bills, Rams, Giants
Photo: IMAGO / Icon SMI
The Cowboys toyed with signing Beckham and Jerry Jones ahead of the 2022 playoffs warned that his team shouldn’t rule out doing something in free agency. CeeDee Lamb says his team needs to surround Dak Prescott with more guns.
Prediction: Cowboys on a 2-year, $32 million contract ($15 million guaranteed)
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Alter: 26
2022 stats: 78 catches, 58.3 yards per game, 3 TDs
Possible prospects: Chiefs, Patriots, Ravens, Giants, Bears
Smith-Schuster has re-established himself as a reliable veteran with a one-year contract with the Chiefs. Kansas City will likely do whatever it takes to bring him back, but the lack of receiver depth in this free agency will only create more competition for the top names. Among other things, the Ravens should be at the forefront of the search for experienced pass catchers.
Prediction: Ravens on a 2-year, $28M contract ($16M guaranteed)
Top Free Agents unter den Tight Ends
Dalton Schultz, TE
Alter: 26
2022 stats: 57 catches, 38.5 yards per game, 5 TDs
Possible prospects: Chargers, Colts, Lions, Texans, Panthers
A return to the Cowboys isn’t out of the question, but Schultz shouldn’t be short of interested parties should he decide to move on to a new field. Every NFL team might use a dual threat like Schultz, who’s one of the best at his position as both a blocker and receiver. However, the Colts seem like an ideal place to land. New head coach Shane Steichen demands a lot from his tight ends in the running and passing game. Schultz isn’t a top star, but he’ll get paid like one.
Prediction: Colts on a 4-year, $60M contract ($32M guaranteed)
Mike Gesicki, TE
Alter: 27
2022 stats: 32 catches, 21.3 yards per game, 5 TDs
Possible prospects: Commanders, Giants, Texans, Lions, Colts
Foto: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire
The concept of the Commanders’ new offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, calls for the use of tight ends as receivers. Gesicki is certainly no Travis Kelce, but he’s far more comfortable running routes than he is when used for blocking. Logan Thomas is still in the game in Washington, but he’s nearly 32 and the team has little depth behind him.
Prediction: Commanders on a 3-year, $36M contract ($20M guaranteed)
Orlando Brown, LT
Alter: 26
2022 stats: 17 starts, 47 pressures allowed, 4 sacks allowed
Possible prospects: Chiefs, Bengals, Patriots, Bears
Brown goes to the open market following the Chiefs declined to use the franchise tag. That might seem like a risky move for Kansas City, as the standout tackle is sure to draw interest from other teams. Maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to assume he’ll move on. Brown is only willing to play as a left tackle and there are only a limited number of teams that have the need and leeway to spend big at that position. A less competitive market than expected might bring him back to the defending champions in a deal that makes sense for both sides.
Prediction: Chiefs on a 5-year, $95m contract ($55m guaranteed)
These were our top free agents of 2023.
Photo: IMAGO / Icon SMI
