The list of 2023 NFL free agents is incredibly full right now. That includes former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and one of the best to ever play the game, Tom Brady.
Obviously, this list will dwindle as top-end players sign contract extensions. The NFL franchise tag will also play a role in who hits the open market in March of 2023.
As it stands, here’s our list of the top NFL free agents for 2023. This includes a positional breakdown at the bottom.
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1. Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson and the Ravens were at a standstill with reports surfacing that the quarterback was not in a rush to sign an extension with Baltimore this past offseason. This is complicated by the fact that he’s represented by his mother in contract talks.
- Lamar Jackson stats (2022): 62% completion, 2,231 passing yards, 755 rushing yards, 20 total TD, 7 INT, 91.3 QB rating
What we do know is that Jackson is highly unlikely to hit the NFL free agent market. The former first-round pick from Louisville has been absolutely dynamic throughout his four-year NFL career — accumulating 125 total touchdowns against 38 interceptions. Despite some recent struggles, he’ll be the top NFL free agent should Baltimore somehow opt not to franchise the QB.
2. Saquon Barkley, running back, New York Giants
Despite finding himself injury plagued over the past two seasons, Barkley is going to be one of the most intriguing NFL free agents of the 2023 cycle. The former Penn State star has been dominant through 12 weeks, recording 1,215 total yards while averaging 4.7 yards per touch. The larger question here is whether Barkley can remain healthy and how teams might view his injury history on the open market.
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3. Roquan Smith, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Smith, 25, jumped on to the scene big time as a rookie back in 2018, recording 121 tackles, five sacks and five passes defended. After some struggles as a sophomore, he’s picked it up over the past two seasons. That includes consecutive second-team All-Pro honors heading into 2022. Now a member of the Baltimore Ravens following a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears, Smith is looking to up his value down the stretch this season.
4. Orlando Brown Jr., offensive tackle, Kansas City Chiefs
Projected to be one of the top NFL free agents of the 2022 cycle, Brown saw the franchise tag placed on him. He initially held out of camp after failing to come to terms on a contract extension ahead of the deadline. At the very least, things are not trending in the right direction between Brown and his Chiefs. That could lead to him actually hitting the open market in March rather than Kansas City placing the franchise tag on its star left tackle. Thus far this season, he continues to play at an elite level.
5. Jordan Poyer, safety, Buffalo Bills
Poyer’s emergence to elite status took some time. He was a cast off of both the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles before joining Buffalo back in 2017. Since then, it’s been all about an upward trajectory. Last season alone, Poyer yielded a 42.2 QB rating. Thus far in 2022, he’s recorded four interceptions in just seven games. That type of ball-hawking ability won’t go unnoticed in March.
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6. Daron Payne, defensive tackle, Washington Commanders
For the better part of his five-year career, Payne has performed at a Pro Bowl level. This span has seen the Alabama product record a combined 49 quarterback hits and 21 sacks. That’s tremendous production from the defensive tackle position. He’s also in the midst of a career-best 2022 season in which the former first-round pick has racked up 6.5 sacks in 12 games.
7. Tom Brady, quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tom Brady stats (2022): 66% completion, 3,051 yards, 14 TD, 2 INT, 92.4 QB rating
Retired. Unretired. Committed to the Buccaneers. Looking for a way out. The narratives surrounding Brady have been absolutely insane since the 2021 NFL season came to an end.
What we do know is that the seven-time Super Bowl champion is likely going to be a free agent next March. He’ll obviously be one of the biggest NFL free agents on the market. He could also retire. So many unknowns with the quarterback and his team having struggled thus far on the season.
8. Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo returned to the 49ers for another season after restructuring his contract. He’s also now the team’s starting quarterback following the season-ending injury to Trey Lance. It’s in this that he has now upped his value for once NFL free agency hits. San Francisco is 6-3 in his nine starts this season with the quarterback tallying 18 total touchdowns against just four interceptions. That seems pretty good.
9. Josh Jacobs, running back, Las Vegas Raiders
Jacobs put up north of 1,300 total yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2019 before earning Pro Bowl honors as a sophomore. Sure Jacobs had somewhat of a down 2021 season, but he’s seen as one of the better young backs in the game. That’s been taken to a whole new level during a contract year. Including putting up north of 300 total yards in a Week 12 win over the Seahawks, Jacobs is on pace for nearly 2,300 total yards this season. It couldn’t have come at a better time for him.
10. Tony Pollard, running back, Dallas Cowboys
There’s a darn good chance that Dallas simply opts to release Ezekiel Elliott and re-sign Pollard to a massive contract once the offseason comes calling. Pollard, 25, has been a find for this team since it made him a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. In fact, the Memphis product is coming off a three-touchdown performance in Elliott’s stead back in Week 8. He’s now on pace for 1,332 total yards in part-time action this season.
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11. Geno Smith, quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
What a difference a couple of years make. It was just back in 2020 that Smith was on the verge of finding himself out of the NFL altogether. Thus far this season with the surprising Seattle Seahawks, he looks like an under-the-radar MVP candidate.
- Geno Smith stats (2022): 72.8% completion, 2,802 yards, 19 total TD, 5 INT, 107.9 QB rating
We’re not entirely sure what the market will be for Smith. But he will be among the most-interesting NFL free agents of the coming cycle. That’s for sure.
12. James Bradberry, cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia’s acquisition of Bradberry from the division-rival Giants this past offseason flew under the radar. But the dude has been absolutely brilliant opposite Darius Slay for the NFL’s best team in 2022. Bradberry has recorded 12 passes defended and three interceptions while yielding a 41.1 QB rating when targeted. He’ll be among the best NFL free agents come March.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NFL defense rankings
13. Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts
Production. Production. More production. Despite being cast off by multiple teams throughout his career, the 27-year-old Ngakoue simply continues to produce. He recorded 23 QB hits and 10 sacks for the Raiders a season ago before being dealt to Indianapolis. In 12 games thus far this season, the former Maryland star has already racked up 8.5 sacks. Still in his prime, he should have a strong market come March.
14. Jonathan Jones, cornerback, New England Patriots
Jones, 29, has pretty much been a full-time starter since New England made him an undrafted free agency back in 2016. The Auburn product had played pretty well leading up to the 2022 season. But he’s taken it to a whole new level in a contract year. That includes Jones yielding a 51.1% completion and 62.3 QB rating when targeted. He’ll certainly be among the most-attractice NFL free agents of the spring.
15. Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle, Philadelphia Eagles
Speaking of a strong market, NFL teams value interior pass rushers. This is exactly what Hargrave has proven he can been since the Pittsburgh Steelers made him a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Since joining Philadelphia as a free agent back in 2020, Hargrave has racked up 36 QB hits and 19 sacks in 42 games. This season, he’s tallied seven sacks in 11 games.
16. Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker, Buffalo Bills
Playing out the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, this former first-round pick is actually playing at the highest level of his career. Thus far on the season, Edmunds has proven to be much better in coverage than we’ve seen in the past (81.2 QB rating allowed). An all-around three-down backer in today’s NFL will have value on the open market. That’s for sure.
17. Marcus Peters, cornerback, Baltimore Ravens
Speaking of injuries, Peters missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL. Still only 29, he has struggled to return from said injury in 2022 (117.6 QB rating allowed). Despite this, someone should take a chance on a three-time Pro Bowler who has in the past proven to be among the best ball hawks in the league.
18. Miles Sanders, running back, Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders is off to a hot start to the 2022 campaign. The former Penn State star has put up 900 rushing yards at a clip of 5.1 yards per run through 11 games. If Sanders keeps at this pace, he will be among the most-coveted offensive free agents on the market next March. The question here is whether teams believe he can be a full-time three-down back. He has not proven that yet in Philadelphia.
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19. Robert Quinn, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles
Just recently acquired from the Chicago Bears in a blockbuster trade, Quinn is looking to overcome some early-season struggles as he hits the open market. Back in 2021, the three-time Pro Bowler recorded an astounding 18.5 sacks to go with 22 quarterback hits. The only question here is his relatively advanced age of 32.
20. Jacoby Brissett, QB, Cleveland Browns
Jacoby Brissett was put into a difficult spot in 2022 by unexpectedly being thrust into the starting QB spot for the Browns, due to the suspension of Deshaun Watson. However, he performed well and the offense was far better this season with him leading the unit than Watson. In 11 starts, he posted the best passer and quarterback ratings of his career and proved he is a viable starting option for teams in search of a placeholder in 2023.
21. Devin Singletary
Devin Singletary never turned into the backfield threat the Bills hoped for when they made him the starter in 2020. However, he is still a talented combo back who could be a worthwhile addition for a team that prefers a run game-by-committee approach. Furthermore, at 25, his best years are still ahead of him.
20. Vonn Bell, safety, Cincinnati Bengals
Prior to this season, Bell had been a good in-the-box safety with questionable coverage skills. In fact, he yielded a combined 115.8 QB rating the previous two years combined. Something has changed in a contract year with the former Ohio State standout having recorded four interceptions while giving up a 47.7 rating when targeted. We’ll have to wait and see if this is just a mirage.
21. Dalton Schultz, tight end, Dallas Cowboys
Despite dealing with some injuries this season, Schultz has still be able to produce for the Cowboys. He’s caught 72% of his 46 targets in nine games and is Dallas’ second-leading receiver behind CeeDee Lamb. This comes on the heels of a 2021 campaign in which he tallied 78 catches for 808 yards. Schultz will be one of the top NFL free agents from the tight end spot in March. That’s for sure.
22. Dalton Risner, offensive line, Denver Broncos
Teams value flexibility on the offensive line. That’s one of the reasons Risner will be among the most intriguing NFL free agents of the 2023 cycle. The former second-round pick out of Kansas State has started all 58 games he’s appeared since entering the league in 2019. He’s played both guard spots during that span and has a history of playing right tackle. Look for a top-of-the-market deal in free agency for Risner.
23. T.J. Edwards, linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles
Edwards has improved each and every since since the Eagles made him an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin back in 2019. He’s now considered one of the better all-around backers in the game and should get paid like it. The 26-year-old Illinois native has registered 103 tackles to go with seven tackles for loss, five QB hits and five passes defended in 11 games this season. Opposing signal caller are also posting a mere 81.3 passer rating when targeting him.
Related: Live NFL scores for the 2022 season
2023 NFL free agents: Top offensive player by position
Quarterbacks
- Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
- Teddy Bridgewater, Miami Dolphins
- Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Baker Mayfield, Carolina Panthers
- Jacoby Brissett, Cleveland Browns
- Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia Eagles
- Case Keenum, Buffalo Bills
- Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
- Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys
- Daniel Jones, New York Giants
- Drew Lock, Seattle Seahawks
- Joe Flacco, New York Jets
- Taylor Heinicke, Washington Commanders
- Andy Dalton, New Orleans Saints
Running backs
- Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
- David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
- Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks
- Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
- Kenyan Drake, Batimore Ravens
- Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
- Darrell Henderson, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills
- Melvin Gordon, Kansas City Chiefs
- Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
- Marlon Mack, Denver Broncos
- Sony Michel, Los Angeles Chargers
- Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
- Ronald Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
- James Robinson, New York Jets
- Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
- Damien Harris, New England Patriots
- Jeff Wilson, Miami Dolphins
- D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns
Fullbacks
- Andy Janovich, Houston Texans
- Derek Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Nick Bellore, Seattle Seahawks
- Keith Smith, Atlanta Falcons
- Jakob Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders
Tight ends
- Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
- Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
- Austin Hooper, Tennessee Titans
- Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals
- Pharaoh Brown, Houston Texans
- Adam Shaheen, Miami Dolphins
- Jordan Akins, Houston Texans
- Maxx Williams, Arizona Cardinals
- Donald Parham, Los Angeles Chargers
- Kyle Rudolph, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- O.J. Howard, Houston Texans
- Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
- Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders
Wide receivers
- Byron Pringle, Chicago Bears
- Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
- Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers
- Deonte Harris, New Orleans Saints
- Jamison Crowder, Buffalo Bills
- A.J, Green, Arizona Cardinals
- Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs
- Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints
- Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots
- Sammy Watkins, Green Bay Packers
- Zach Pascal, Philadelphia Eagles
- Keelan Cole, Las Vegas Raiders
- Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders
- Willie Snead, San Francisco 49ers
- Olamide Zaccheaus, Atlanta Falcons
- Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts
- Greg Ward, Philadelphia Eagles
- Darius Slayton, New York Giants
- Demarcus Robinson, Baltimore Ravens
- Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
- Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals
- Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
- James Washington, Dallas Cowboys
- DJ Chark, Detroit Lions
- Marvin Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Noah Brown, Dallas Cowboys
- Julio Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cam Sims, Washington Commanders
- N’Keal Harry, Chicago Bears
- Josh Gordon, free agent
- Jalen Guyton, Los Angeles Chargers
Offensive tackles
- Matt Pryor, Indianapolis Colts
- Isaiah Wynn, New England Patriots
- George Fant, New York Jets
- Mike McGlinchey, San Francisco 49ers
- Ja’Waun James, Baltimore Ravens
- Cameron Erving, Carolina Panthers
- Riley Reiff, Chicago Bears
- Jawaan Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Julie’n Davenport, Arizona Cardinals
- Kaleb McGary, Atlanta Falcons
- Kelvin Beachum, Arizona Cardinals
- Brandon Parker, Las Vegas Raiders
- Andre Dillard, Philadelphia Eagles
- Chris Hubbard, Cleveland Browns
Guards
- Rodger Saffold, Buffalo Bills
- Justin Pugh, Arizona Cardinals
- Isaac Seumalo, Philadelphia Eagles
- Wes Schweitzer, Washington Commanders
- Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons
- Austin Blythe, Seattle Seahawks
- Germain Ifedi, Atlanta Falcons
- Daniel Brunskill, San Francisco 49ers
- David Quessenberry, Buffalo Bills
- Michael Deiter, Miami Dolphins
- Dan Feeney, New York Jets
- Nate Davis, Tennessee Titans
- Jake Brendal, San Francisco 49ers
- Trai Turner, Washington Commanders
- Billy Turner, Denver Broncos
- Andrew Wylie, Kansas City Chiefs
- Nick Gates, New York Giants
- Jon Feliciano, New York Giants
- Cody Ford, Arizona Cardinals
- Will Hernandez, Arizona Cardinals
Centers
- Rodney Hudson, Arizona Cardinals
- Bradley Bozeman, Carolina Panthers
- Mitch Morse, Buffalo Bills
- Connor McGovern, New York Jets
- Garrett Bradbury, Minnesota Vikings
- Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
- Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints
- Ethan Pocic, Cleveland Browns
- Evan Brown, Detroit Lions
- Kyle Fuller, Seattle Seahawks
- Austin Reiter, Kansas City Chiefs
2023 NFL free agents: Top defensive players by position
Defensive ends/EDGE
- Marcus Davenport, New Orleans Saints
- J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
- Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
- Markus Golden, Arizona Cardinals
- Jordan Phillips, Buffalo Bills
- Matthew Ionnidis, Carolina Panthers
- Trey Flowers, Miami Dolphins
- Jadeveon Clowney, Cleveland Browns
- Arden Key, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Rasheem Green, Houston Texans
- Carlos Dunlap, Kansas City Chiefs
- Dean Lowry, Green Bay Packers
- Kyle Van Noy, Los Angeles Chargers
- Akiem Hicks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Chase Winovich, Cleveland Browns
- Dawuane Smoot, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Melvin Ingram, Miami Dolphins
- Kemoko Turay, free agent
- William Gholston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Justin Houston, Baltimore Ravens
- L.J. Collier, Seattle Seahawks
- DeMarcus Walker, Tennessee Titans
- Dante Fowler Jr., Dallas Cowboys
- Kerry Hyder, San Francisco 49ers
- Shaq Lawson, Buffalo Bills
- Samson Ebukam, San Francisco 49ers
- Clelin Ferrell, Las Vegas Raiders
Defensive tackles
- Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
- Jarran Reed, Green Bay Packers
- Jerry Tillery, Las Vegas Raiders
- Dalvin Tomlinson, Minnesota Vikings
- Chris Wormley, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Sheldon Rankins, New York Jets
- Derrick Nnadi, Kansas City Chiefs
- Tyquan Lewis, Indianapolis Colts
- Hassan Ridgeway, San Francisco 49ers
- Johnathan Hankins, Dallas Cowboys
- David Onyemata, New Orleans Saints
- A’Shawn Robinson, Los Angeles Rams
- Larry Ogunjobi, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Poona Ford, Seattle Seahawks
- Malcom Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Greg Gaines, Los Angeles Rams
Linebackers
- Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Azeez Al-Shaair, San Francisco 49ers
- Anthony Walker, Cleveland Browns
- Devin Bush, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Denzel Perryman, Las Vegas Raiders
- Jayon Brown, Las Vegas Raiders
- Deion Jones, Cleveland Browns
- Jarrad Davis, Detroit Lions
- Kwon Alexander, New York Jets
- Kenny Young, free agent
- Duke Riley, Miami Dolphins
- Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys
- Devon Kennard, Baltimore Ravens
- Nicholas Morrow, Chicago Bears
- Kyzir White, Philadelphia Eagles
- Elandon Roberts, Miami Dolphins
- Cory Littleton, Carolina Panthers
Cornerbacks
- Anthony Brown, Dallas Cowboys
- Bradley Roby, New Orleans Saints
- Emmanuel Moseley, San Francisco 49ers
- Cameron Sutton, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Troy Hill, Los Angeles Rams
- Anthony Averett, Las Vegas Raiders
- Rock Ya-Sin, Las Vegas Raiders
- Greedy Williams, Cleveland Browns
- Patrick Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
- Sidney Jones, Las Vegas Raiders
- Deandre Baker, free agent
- Isaiah Oliver, Atlanta Falcons
- Mike Hughes, Detroit Lions
- Byron Murphy, Arizona Cardinals
- Trayvon Mullen, Arizona Cardinals
- Tre Herndon, Jacksonville Jaguars
- David Long, Los Angeles Rams
- Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- P.J. Williams, New Orleans Saints
Safeties
- Jimmie Ward, San Francisco 49ers
- Adrian Amos, Green Bay Packers
- Jessie Bates, Cincinnati Bengals
- Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
- Eric Rowe, Miami Dolphins
- Johnathan Abram, Seattle Seahawks
- Marcus Allen, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Anthony Harris, Denver Broncos
- Jabrill Peppers, New England Patriots
- Taylor Rapp, Los Angeles Rams
- Juan Thornhill, Kansas City Chiefs
- Tarvarius Moore, San Francisco 49ers
- Geno Stone, Baltimore Ravens
- Julian Love, New York Giants
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
