The Top 50 Free Agents of the National Football League heading into the 2023 – 2024 NFL Season

Now that the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII with the final score of 38 to 35, it is now time to look at the top free agents of the National Football League and where they may end up prior to the 2023 – 2024 NFL season.

1. Lamar Jackson, QB

Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens

With new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken out in Baltimore with the Ravens, the Baltimore Ravens can build a sound system around Lamar Jackson’s dynamic attributes at the QB position. One of those features at quarterback is his rushing attack, play – action pass / run game, and a detailed drop – back route tree in order to scheme vs. opposing defensive coverages.

The franchise tag would be the best – case scenario if the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson are unable to reach a deal prior to the 2023 – 2024 NFL season. Jackson compiled a total of 2,242 – passing yards as well as 742 – rushing yards prior to missing the last 6 – games of the 2022 – 2023 NFL season due to a knee injury.

2. Orlando Brown Jr., OT

Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs

Brown is a high performing blocker in the run game as well as he uses his 6 – foot – 8 – inch and 340 – pound big – body frame and excellent footwork to also due a remarkable job in the pass – blocking game. I think he stays in Kansas City with the Chiefs as an intricate part of an upper – echelon offensive front. Look for him to resign with the Kansas City Chiefs, or else there will be many other takers.

3. Javon Hargrave, DT

Best team fit: Seattle Seahawks

The head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, Pete Carroll, could potentially upgrade the defensive front by signing Hargrave, which would add a major disruptive defensive tackle with a mean and aggressive pass – rush. Last year, Hargrave recorded 11 – sacks and 37 – tackles, and his pass rush win rate of 17.2 % ranked 3^rd – overall in the NFL.

4. Daron Payne, DT

Best team fit: Washington Commanders

A big and very powerful defensive tackle at 6 – foot – 3, 320 – pounds, Payne has the foot speed as well as the lower – body movement in order to create quite a disruption to opposing offenses. I think he stays in Washington with the Commanders in order to secure one of the NFL’s best defensive front lines.

5. Geno Smith, QB

Best team fit: Seattle Seahawks

Smith posted career – best stats in Seattle with the Seahawks this last NFL season, throwing for 4,282 – yards and 30 – touchdowns, with a league – leading 69.8 % completion percentage. By utilizing Smith’s top targets consisting of D. K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The veteran (mostly back – up QB) sees it very fast from the pocket as well as being efficient throwing the football, and I think there is a high possibility of Geno landing a new 3 – year deal.

6. Derek Carr, QB

Best team fit: New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints will need to get very creative so that they can make the money and salary cap work on a deal for Carr. Derek is a mid – tier starter with the arm talent to make every throw he needs to make in the NFL, but he must improve his footwork based on what we all saw on the 2022 – 2023 NFL season tapes in order to be a more accurate passer especially in clutch time. Carr’s 60.8 % completion percentage was the 2^nd – lowest of his career, but he has the potential to be a great NFL QB once again.

7. Mike McGlinchey, OT

Best team fit: Chicago Bears

McGlinchey did not have his best game in pass protection last year, but Mike has the blocking traits at a premier position to definitely help the Chicago Bears offensive line that must do a better job of protecting their quarterback in Justin Fields. He wins with his sharp angles as well as the ability to get off the ball very quickly, and while McGlinchey’s pass block win rate dropped to 89.6 % this past season, his run block win rate of 81.2 % ranked 5^th – overall in the NFL.

8. Saquon Barkley, RB

Best team fit: New York Giants

Barkley produced 1,650 – total yards, with 32 – rushes of 10 – yards or higher, and the film shows that Saquon’s explosive traits are back and in full attack. He’s a huge difference – maker with big – play potential on an offense that has very few weapons besides him. Barkley has regained his explosiveness and surprising rushing game following the injuries in which had limited him to a total of 15 – games over the previous 2 – years.

9. Jamel Dean, CB

Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons

Dean will have multiple options on the NFL free agency market. The Tennessee Titans are a potential landing spot, but I think the ideology of setting him up with A. J. Terrell in Atlanta in order to give the Falcons 2 – solid cornerbacks with impressive press – man capabilities to complete a backfield consisting of incredible vision in their defensive zone looks.

10. Daniel Jones, QB

Best team fit: New York Giants

Last season, Daniel compiled a QBR of 60.8 with the New York Giants which ranked 7^th – overall in the NFL last year, and he can play tall in the pocket while creating some serious issues for defenses with his newly acquired dual – threat offensive ability as both a runner, 708 – yards rushing last NFL season.

11. Jessie Bates III, S

Best team fit: Cleveland Browns

Bates has the post and split – field range in order to cover some major turf, and along with his scheme versatility that allows his to play from depth or spin down in coverage that he is accustomed to. Jessie logged 4 – interceptions and 8 – pass break – ups last season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Bates III has posted 14 – career interceptions over 5 – NFL seasons.

12. Dalton Schultz, TE

Best team fit: Los Angeles Chargers

In Moore’s system, Dalton could be utilized as a seam stretcher for his potential quarterback in Justin Herbert, with Shultz’s catch – and – run possibilities on the play – action and boot which Herbert excels at. Look for Dalton Shultz to end up with the Los Angeles Chargers.

13. James Bradberry, CB

Best team fit: Arizona Cardinals

Bradberry using his press – man cover – back skills as well as his high – level zone vision in order to hawk on the football in the backfield. Last season, Bradberry recorded 17 – pass break – ups and 3 – interceptions.

14. C. J. Gardner – Johnson, S

Best team fit: Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles would be retaining one of their most versatile defenders if they resign Gardner – Johnson, and if C. J. can play the safety position in order to cover the slot position especially the Philadelphia Eagles should be back in business with the stout defensive prowess.

15. Jawaan Taylor, OT

Best team fit: New England Patriots

The Jacksonville Jaguars could possibly use their franchise tag on Taylor, but he can also fulfil a big – time need for Bill O’Brien’s new offense in New England. Last year, the New England allowed 41 – sacks, and their quarterback Mac Jones struggled when he was pressured as he turned in an NFL – low 4.1 QBR throughout those situations.

16. Dre’Mont Jones, DT

Best team fit: Chicago Bears

With his edge and interior elasticity, Jones is a premier high – end pass – rusher who can demonstrate an explosive first step off on the line, and his ability to penetrate opposing offensive lines especially versus their run game is quite impressive. During his 2022 campaign he registered 6.5 – sacks and 28 – QB pressures, and his pass rush win rate was at 15.9 % ranked 6^th – among all other defenders in the NFL.

17. Josh Jacobs, RB

Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders

Jacobs may return to Las Vegas with the Raiders on the franchise tag following him posting career highs in rushing attempts with 340, rushing yards with 1,653, and receiving yards with 400. Josh posted 41 – rushes of 10 – yards or more throughout the course of last NFL season which was good for the 2^nd – most in the NFL.

18. Tremaine Edmunds, ILB

Best team fit: Detroit Lions

Edmunds is a big linebacker that has all the ability to cover backs or receivers with his long range in pass – coverage. Edmunds registered 7 – pass breakups, 102 – tackles, 1 – interception, and 1 – sack during the 2022 – 2023 NFL season.

19. Tony Pollard, RB

Best team fit: Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have the ultimate ability to release or resign both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, but in my opinion they should definitely keep Pollard who seems to the much more productive back out of the two. The Dallas Cowboys should avoid paying Zeke the huger contract that he will most likely demand.

20. Marcus Davenport, DE

Best team fit: Houston Texans

The new head coach of the Houston Texans, DeMeco Ryans, and their franchise are in desperate need of quality edge defenders, and Marcus Davenport fits that mold. He has the given physical attributes in both base as well as sub – package defense strategies. Look for Houston to sign the solid defensive end to the Texans.

21. Jakobi Meyers, WR

Best team fit: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans will be also be in position to draft a rookie quarterback with their number 2 overall selection in this April’s NFL draft, and Meyers is a fit here as a quality route runner with strong hands to work well over the middle of the field.

22. Lavonte David, ILB

Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Bucs have a major cap issue at this point of the 2023 NFL offseason, but bringing David back on a short – term contract would greatly benefit the defensive system of coach Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Other teams would be highly interested in signing him as well.

23. Jordan Poyer, S

Best team fit: New England Patriots

Poyer’s multidimensional talents fit well with the Bill Belichick defensive scheme as a mobile ball hawking defensive back with deep – field coverage range. The veteran safety Devin McCourty is set to hit free agency also, so there is a need to sign a defensive back to the New England Patriots.

24. Zach Allen, DE

Best team fit: Arizona Cardinals

Keeping Zach Allen in Arizona with the Cardinals should be a major priority. Allen registered 6.5 – sacks and 26 – pressures for the Arizona Cardinals last year, and he was blessed with the ability to rush from multiple defensive lineman positions.

25. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB

Best team fit: New York Jets

The New York Jets could trade for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Derek Carr is visiting with them too in order to try and work out a deal, but if none of those deals come to fruition for the New York Jets, Jimmy Garoppolo would immediately make a lot of sense for the New York Jets to acquire from an offensive perspective under their new offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett.

26. Odell Beckham Jr., WR

Best team fit: Dallas Cowboys

Someone just sign the man already, no need to say much more.

27. JuJu Smith – Schuster, WR

Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs

Smith – Schuster going back to the Kansas City Chiefs on a short – term contract would be a wise decision for the K. C. Chiefs especially given how he was easily deployed in Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes passing game last season.

28. Cameron Sutton, CB

Best team fit: San Francisco 49ers

Sutton will have multiple NFL franchises pursuing him due to the fact that he has the flexibility to play in the slot. The Tennessee Titans, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Las Vegas Raiders all work well as a good fit for him.

29. Evan Engram, TE

Best team fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

If Engram returns to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played a big role last season, catching 77 – passes that was good for 766 – yards and 4 – touchdown scores in Doug Pederson’s newly reorganized efficient offense

30. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT

Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons could easily enhance their defensive line with the addition of Tomlinson, a 325 – lb. nose guard who has the ability to play as a 1 – technique in a 40 front. With 13 – sacks over the course of his 6 – NFL seasons. Dalvin can plug up running gaps as well as command double – teams attention and provide an interior defensive rush along with Grady Jarrett.

31. David Long Jr., ILB

Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders could use as a 2^nd – tier linebacker with the ultimate natural instincts to react as well as track the ball and make plays for his team. The Las Vegas Raiders were 27^th in the NFL in yards allowed per play during the 2022 – 2023 season of the National Football League coming in at 5.8 – yards.

32. Yannick Ngakoue, DE

Best team fit: Cincinnati Bengals

Ngakoue led the Indianapolis Colts with 9.5 – sacks during the 2022 – 2023 NFL season, and he has recorded 65 – over the course of 8 – NFL seasons. There will be a large market demand for Yannick, although pairing him with the right franchise could be tough, given that he will be labelled as a sub – package football player.

33. Mike Gesicki, TE

Best team fit: Carolina Panthers

Gesicki would easily serve as a great vertical seam option to throw to for the Carolina Panthers, who can test the oppositions defenses as a 3 – level target. Mike caught only 32 – passes in Miami with the Dolphins last year for his head coach, Mike McDaniel.

34. Rock Ya – Sin, CB

Best team fit: Pittsburgh Steelers

How strong the NFL free agency market for Ya – Sin ends up being will be conditional depending upon the role that he would play for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ if his agent and him decided to sign with their historic and legendary AFC franchise.

35. Isaac Seumalo, G

Best team fit: Indianapolis Colts\

Following his 2 – injury plagued seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles he completely redeemed himself by starting all 17 – games the last NFL season, and he excelled as both a run – and pass – blocker post – injury.

36. DJ Chark, WR

Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens would be adding a vertical stretch wide out by signing D. J. Chark on the perimeter for the Baltimore Ravens’ QB, Lamar Jackson, to throw to. Chark averaged 16.7 – yards per reception over the course of the 11 – games that he participated in for the Detroit Lions last year which separated him from the rest especially with his deep balls receptions.

37. T.J. Edwards, ILB

Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons

The inside linebacker in T. J. Edwards is one who has been known to diagnose the run and quickly disrupt it. Edwards has the 2^nd – level range in order to impact all of the zone windows he encounters. His 159 – tackles was tied for 6^th – NFL, and T. J. can be considered as a blitzer in both a solid base defense as well as sub – personnel packages.

38. Byron Murphy Jr., CB

Best team fit: Minnesota Vikings

Murphy has not completely lived up to the great expectations that, but he managed to recover 2 – fumbles this last season for the Arizona Cardinals. He added 59 – return yards off of those as well. Murphy Jr. is only 25 – years – old, and he is still ascending towards his NFL prime.

39. Brandon Graham, DE

Best team fit: Philadelphia Eagles

Graham recorded a career – high 11 – sacks this last year during his 13^th – NFL season of his pro career. Brandon has spent every one of those NFL – season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

40. Ben Powers, G

Best team fit: Buffalo Bills

No matter where this left guard end up, he should make an immediate impact on the front lines.

41. Nate Davis, G

Best team fit: Washington Commanders

Nate – Dog is an improving guard on the offensive line who played fairly well last season for the Tennessee Titans, but Davis unfortunately had to miss 5 – games due to injuries. He is just 26 – years – old at the moment, but those injuries could potentially bring down his value in the NFL’s free agency market.

42. Kaleb McGary, OT

Best team fit: Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos would be wise to sign McGary in order to block for their QB in Russell Wilson especially in Sean Payton’s new offensive system. Pocket protection is key in that situation. A 2019 1st – round NFL draft pick, Kaleb possesses some sneaky quickness off of the ball, and he can utilize his agility to match up to fast defenders rushing the passer off of the edge.

43. Miles Sanders, RB

Best team fit: Miami Dolphins

The NFL free agency market will most definitely dictate the overall value for Sanders who seems to have a pretty consistent ceiling for his upcoming NFL contract. He set his NFL career -highs in rushing attempts with 259, rushing yards with 1,269, and touchdowns with 11 for the Philadelphia Eagles this last NFL season.

44. Drue Tranquill, ILB

Best team fit: New York Giants

Tranquill’s 144 – total tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2022 – 2023 NFL season was an absolute career – high, and Drue can be deployed from the inside linebacker position as a blitzer from various second – tier defensive alignments. Tranquill logged 5.5 – sacks as well as 4 – pass break – ups last year.

45. Dalton Risner, G

Best team fit: Los Angeles Rams

Risner came in ranking 10^th overall in the National Football League in run block win rate this last NFL season among guards where he clocked a 74.4 % rate as well as his solid pass – protection. The Los Angeles Rams must finish fixing up their offensive line dilemmas following the Rams giving up an enormous 59 – sacks (3^rd – most in NFL last season).

46. Vonn Bell, S

Best team fit: Cincinnati Bengals

Bell can match up well with most tight ends (excluding Travis Kelce), play off of the numbers in the deep – half, or spin down to muddy the middle of the gridiron. The veteran safety intercepted a career – high 4 – passes in 2022 – 2023 NFL season and added 8 – pass break – ups.

47. Arden Key, DE

Best team fit: Houston Texans

Key recorded 11 – sacks over his last 2 – NFL seasons. Arden has the positional flexibility and he can adapt to cover in pretty much any situation that he finds himself in. He can be deployed as an interior or edge rusher in Houston with the Texans.

48. Jadeveon Clowney, DE

Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens

While his production definitely died down last season in 2022 as he only had 2 – sacks, Clowney still possesses all of the physical tools of a straight defensive lineman / power pass rusher who can absolutely win defined one – on – one blocking schemes.

49. Sam Darnold, QB

Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons

Darnold completed 58.6 % of his passes which was good for 1,143 – passing yards, 7 – touchdowns, and 3 – interceptions. Sam is an average maneuverer with some decent arm talent and 2^nd – reaction ability.

50. Germaine Pratt, ILB

Best team fit: Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals should try to retain Pratt. He is a complete 3 – down linebacker who can play downhill versus the run game as well as create coverage disruption from the linebacker position. Pratt compiled 14 – pass break – ups, 2 – interceptions, and 99 – tackles.