The NFL’s free agency frenzy is nearly here and we got ahead of the chaos by ranking the best 50 available players and took it a step further by adding where they might go when the legal tampering period opens Monday.
Besides the Eagles having several free agents on this list, a common theme is the number of players coming off career years. Whether it was Tony Pollard finally getting an opportunity to start or Josh Jacobs needing to impress a new regime, many players had something to prove to earn that next contract. The aforementioned running backs will soon learn how much value those career numbers in 2022 hold when it comes to compensation.
Career years don’t carry the same weight for running backs as they do for other positions. Quarterbacks Geno Smith and Daniel Jones will receive hefty pay raises for their improved play this past season. Same for defensive tackle Daron Payne, cornerback Jamel Dean and many other non–running backs scheduled to hit the open market.
Orlando Brown Jr.: Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports; Jimmy Garoppolo: Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports; Jordan Poyer: Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports; Saquon Barkley: Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports
Most would agree that Pollard, Jacobs and fellow free-agent running back Saquon Barkley are among the 10 best players at their position, but will they be paid like it? The days of paying running backs $15 million annually are probably gone. Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara and Ezekiel Elliott are in that category, but those contracts haven’t delivered advantageous returns on the investments for different reasons. And it’s tough to tell what the right price is for a top-tier running back.
Pollard and Jacobs might get stuck playing on the franchise tag, which is $10 million for running backs this year. But Barkley will likely get an opportunity to test the market, with Jones being the top priority for the Giants. Barkley’s situation will shed light on how the league views star running backs, but the results might not be surprising for the devalued position.
Barkley is one of many pending free agents with fascinating situations. With this being considered a down year for available wideouts, will a team overpay for a JuJu Smith-Schuster or Jakobi Meyers? And one more note before getting to the rankings: Players who have already received the franchise tag were included.
Even though the tagged players might not be available for bidding, we’ve decided to leave them in. They are all technically free agents until they sign their tenders, and they have opportunities to negotiate longer-term contracts, which can still impact the free-agent market.
So with that, let’s get to the rankings:
1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
Stop viewing Jackson as just an athlete and refer to him as an overall standout quarterback. He proved in his first five seasons he can hurt defenses with his arm and legs, and he emerged as one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL. The Ravens know that and haven’t shown signs of wanting to move on, despite the messy contract situation. But the two sides need to come to terms on an extension, because business affected the product on the field last season.
Best team fits: Raiders, Jets, Commanders, Colts, Panthers and any other team with QB needs
• Best fantasy landing spots for Lamar Jackson
2. Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Chiefs
There are no longer doubts about Brown being a top left tackle. He started his career as the Ravens’ right tackle, playing on the opposite side of Ronnie Stanley, and arrived in Kansas City with plenty to prove. Occasionally, he relies too much on his massive frame (6'8", 340), but he knows how to use it to his advantage and has flourished as Patrick Mahomes’s blindside protector.
Best team fits: Bears, Patriots, Broncos, Jets
3. Javon Hargrave, DT, Eagles
Hargrave was viewed as a rotational player with upside to assist Fletcher Cox on the Eagles’ interior defensive line when they signed him to a three-year, $39 million contract in 2020. That turned out to be a bargain, and the Eagles will need to pay a lot more to retain the defensive enforcer.
Best team fits: Seahawks, Raiders, Bears, Falcons
4. Daron Payne, DT, Commanders
The Commanders placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on Payne on Feb. 28. If he plays on the tag, he is projected to receive $18.937 million. Payne is free to negotiate with other teams, and, if he signs an offer sheet, the Commanders would have the right to match the offer. If they do not, they would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation. The Commanders have until the July 17 deadline to negotiate a new deal with Payne, who wasn’t happy about his contract situation last year. But he used that as fuel to deliver a career season (11.5 sacks). Payne went from being a one-dimensional run-stopper to a versatile defensive lineman capable of rushing the passer.
Best team fits: Raiders, Bears, Falcons, Patriots
5. Jamel Dean, CB, Buccaneers
Many teams will be hoping Dean hits the open market, and that’s a strong possibility with the Buccaneers’ cap-space problems. Dean will likely command more than his teammate Carlton Davis, who signed a three-year, $44.5 million contract extension last free agency. The Buccaneers might be O.K. with letting Dean walk after only one season as a full-time starter.
Best team fits: Titans, Cardinals, Lions, Bears
6. Jessie Bates, S, Bengals
The Bengals know Bates is one of the best safeties in the NFL, but quarterback Joe Burrow needs to get paid and tough decisions need to be made. Bates will benefit financially from being on the open market and could earn top-five money on the safety pay scale.
Best team fits: Falcons, Raiders, Colts, Packers
7. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
Tom Horak/USA TODAY Sports
After three seasons of underwhelming results, Jones finally flashed his upside during his first year working with coach Brian Daboll. The Giants want that partnership to continue and have expressed interest in retaining Jones for the long haul, but at what price? Jones might be on this list again next year if he’s forced to play on the franchise tag.
Best team fits: Falcons, Texans, Panthers, Commanders
• Best fantasy landing spots for Daniel Jones
8. Dalton Schultz, TE, Cowboys
With the Cowboys possibly tagging Pollard, Schultz could be allowed to explore outside options. His down season (57 catches, 557 yards, five TDs) in Dallas likely won’t hurt his bank account because his skill set as a receiver would help most quarterbacks. Expect Schultz to see a contract north of $13 million annually.
Best team fits: Chargers, Packers, Panthers, Giants
9. James Bradberry, CB, Eagles
Bradberry made an immediate impact during his first season with the Eagles. The feisty cornerback defended the best receivers on a weekly basis for the Giants and the Eagles the past few seasons, and, if his current team lets him walk, a line of outside interest would form.
Best team fits: Bears, Panthers, Lions, Ravens
10. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard ahead of the Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, SI’s Albert Breer reports. Pollard will earn $10.1 million on a one-year deal in 2023. Pollard emerged as the Cowboys’ best all-around threat this past season (1,007 yards rushing, 371 yards receiving). He might have developed into that role much sooner if he wasn’t teammates with Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard, who waited for his turn as the lead back, and he might be waiting for a long-term commitment from the Cowboys, who didn’t get great results after signing Elliott to a six-year, $90 million deal a few years back.
Best team fits: Texans, Chargers, Cardinals, Jaguars
• Best fantasy landing spots for Tony Pollard
11. Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Broncos
Jones is another free agent coming off a breakout season (6.5 sacks). He created havoc as a pass rusher, but was inconsistent against the run and missed the final four games due to a hip injury. Despite some limitations, there will be a team that bets on his upside.
Best team fits: Browns, Bears, Raiders, Patriots
12. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S, Eagles
Gardner-Johnson is a versatile defensive back with a nose for the ball. He recorded six interceptions during his first season in Philly and will be looking to get paid this free agency after not coming to terms with the Saints on an extension last year. The Eagles likely want to keep him, but they have many key in-house free agents.
Best team fits: Packers, Falcons, Chiefs, Raiders
13. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
The Raiders reportedly placed the franchise tag on Jacobs ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline. Jacobs will earn $10.1 million on a one-year deal in 2023. Remember when people freaked out about Jacobs’s coming off the bench for a preseason game? As it turned out, it meant nothing because he rushed for 1,653 yards and earned the league’s rushing title.
Best team fits: Cardinals, Lions, Ravens, Bills
• Best fantasy landing spots for Josh Jacobs
14. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants
Barkley had a bounce-back season in 2022 and regained his spot among the best running backs in the league, but durability will probably still be a concern for the Giants and outside suitors. Will Barkley look for top-tier money at the position, which would be around $15 million annually, or accept that the position is no longer a priority for most teams? This will be a fascinating scenario during free agency.
Best team fits: Bills, Cardinals, Texans, Bengals
• Best fantasy landing spots for Saquon Barkley
15. Bobby Wagner, ILB
The Rams had a season to forget in 2022, but it wasn’t Wagner’s fault. He might have been their best overall player last season, and his Rams teammates would probably agree because they voted him team MVP. Wagner can rush the passer and play in coverage. He also made a handful of game-changing plays last season.
Best team fits: Eagles, Steelers, Cardinals, Seahawks
16. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Jaguars
Taylor might be inconsistent at times, but he tends to deliver his best performances against top edge rushers. As the saying goes, quality tackles don’t grow on trees. He’ll have plenty of interest if the Jaguars let him test the market.
Best team fits: Bears, Bengals, Commanders, Dolphins
17. Frank Clark, DE
This free-agent class was lacking a top edge rusher before Clark and the Chiefs failed to come to terms on a revised contract. Clark is coming off a dominant postseason run and was instrumental in the Chiefs winning two Super Bowls the past four years. A contender or a team ready to make the leap would be wise to invest in Clark on a short-term contract.
Best team fits: Broncos, Ravens, Lions, Patriots
18. Marcus Davenport, DE, Saints
The Saints were enticed by Davenport’s size and athleticism and traded up to get him in the first round of the 2018 draft. Perhaps some with the Saints might say he never reached his true potential during his time there. Davenport could benefit from a change of scenery.
Best team fits: Bears, Falcons, Chiefs, Broncos
19. Tremaine Edmunds, ILB, Bills
Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK
Edmunds is another middle linebacker with a vast skill set. He might not be as consistent as Wagner, but Edmunds made strides in coverage this past season. With the Bills looking to create cap space, he might be playing elsewhere in 2023.
Best team fits: Steelers, Commanders, Raiders, Falcons
20. Cameron Sutton, CB, Steelers
Sutton got his opportunity to start for the Steelers after signing a two-year, $9 million extension in 2021, and made the most of it. He’s now in line for a hefty pay raise as a versatile cornerback.
Best team fits: Panthers, Lions, Titans, Ravens
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21. Zach Allen, DL, Cardinals
The development of Allen was a nice surprise for the Cardinals amid a disappointing season. With the retirement of J.J. Watt, Allen might be a top offseason priority for the Cardinals.
Best team fits: Lions, Falcons, Raiders, Rams
22. Jordan Poyer, S, Bills
Poyer is another top in-house free agent the Bills will likely allow to test the market. Perhaps Poyer’s time in Buffalo is over, but he’ll quickly find a new home as an experienced playmaker.
Best team fits: Chiefs, Jets, Chargers, Vikings
23. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Chiefs
Smith-Schuster quietly recorded 933 receiving yards during his first regular season with the Chiefs and stepped up when it mattered most as Mahomes’s go-to receiver in the Super Bowl. Smith-Schuster should be the top available receiver due to his versatility as a receiver and blocker.
Best team fits: Ravens, Giants, Patriots, Vikings
• Best fantasy landing spots for JuJu Smith-Schuster
24. Mike McGlinchey, OT, 49ers
McGlinchey is a polished run blocker and fits well in 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s rushing scheme. He does struggle at times as a pass protector, but mistakes are expected with defenses playing away from left tackle Trent Williams.
Best team fits: Bears, Raiders, Commanders, Dolphins
25. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots
Many have Meyers as the best free agent among receivers because he can play in the slot and has the size to produce on the outside. He’s never had a 1,000-yard season, but he’ll have plenty of interest from teams with a weak class of free-agent wideouts.
Best team fits: Cardinals, Panthers, Ravens, Jets
26. Lavonte David, ILB, Buccaneers
David had another year with 100-plus tackles. The 11-year veteran can still play, but he might be searching for a new home for the first time in his career with the Buccaneers looking to get under the salary cap.
Best team fits: Lions, Bears, Seahawks
27. Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Beckham’s free-agent tour during the 2022 season had a lackluster ending because his recovery timeline for a torn ACL went longer than expected. He hasn’t played in a year, but a team will probably take a chance on the former Pro Bowler.
Best team fits: Cowboys, Ravens, Giants
28. Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars
After five shaky seasons with the Giants, Engram learned the grass is greener with the Jaguars. The former first-round pick developed chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and had his best statistical season (73–766, 4 TDs).
Best team fits: Panthers, Packers, Dolphins
29. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers
Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
With several teams in need of a quarterback, Garoppolo will find a starting opportunity. But it wouldn’t be surprising if he returns to San Francisco with Trey Lance and Brock Purdy recovering from injuries.
Best team fits: Jets, Texans, Buccaneers, Raiders
• Best fantasy landing spots for Jimmy Garoppolo
30. Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Colts
Ngakoue could soon be joining his sixth NFL team if he doesn’t re-sign with the Colts, which could still be a possibility with the way he produced (9.5 sacks) in 2022.
Best team fits: Falcons, Giants, Chiefs
31. DJ Chark, WR, Lions
Chark has what many teams want: blazing speed. There’s always a market for deep threats, especially when it’s a down year for wide receivers in free agency and the draft.
Best team fits: Chargers, Ravens, Giants
32. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Vikings
There’s a chance Tomlinson doesn’t hit the open market after the Vikings moved the void date on his contract to possibly come to terms on an extension before free agency. Tomlinson is a stout run-stopper, and many teams need help in that area.
Best team fits: Browns, Patriots, Seahawks
33. David Long Jr., ILB, Titans
Long is a physical linebacker with solid instincts, and he has a nose for the ball. He recorded 86 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss.
Best team fits: Dolphins, Jets, Vikings
34. Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
Gesicki wasn’t a scheme fit with Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and had a down year (32–362, 5 TDs) while playing on the franchise tag. His subpar stats in 2022 might get overlooked because he displayed in previous seasons that he’s a quality playmaker in the slot and as a red zone target.
Best team fits: Texans, Broncos, Buccaneers
35. Kaleb McGary, OT, Falcons
The Falcons have an interesting dilemma with McGary, who found his footing this past season after a rough start to his career. The Falcons probably don’t want to overpay for McGary, but it never hurts to have two solid tackles to protect the to-be-determined starting quarterback and pair him with left tackle Jake Matthews.
Best team fits: Colts, Cardinals, Steelers
36. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
Sanders’s rushing stats of 1,269 yards with 11 touchdowns went under the radar last season. Perhaps most gave the Eagles’ dominant offensive line the credit, and Sanders’s struggles in previous years may have played a role in that. Ignore the narratives. Sanders is a productive playmaker.
Best team fits: Bengals, Bills, Patriots
• Best fantasy landing spots for Miles Sanders
37. Arden Key, DE, Jaguars
The Raiders had high hopes for Key after they made him their third-round pick in 2018. He showed flashes with the 49ers in ’21 and became a consistent playmaker (4.5 sacks) with the Jaguars last year. He’ll likely find a long-term home this free agency.
Best team fits: Falcons, Ravens, Rams
38. Andrew Wylie, OT, Chiefs
Wylie was exceptional during the Super Bowl and consistently allowed Mahomes time to make plays throughout the 2022 season. The Chiefs got a steal after they re-signed Wylie on a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he wants Wylie and Orlando Brown Jr. back. We’ll soon find out whether the front office gets it done.
Best team fits: Bengals, Commanders, Raiders
39. T.J. Edwards, ILB, Eagles
Speaking of steals, Edwards also had his best season after signing a one-year, $2.2 million extension in Philly. He recorded 159 total tackles and started every game last season.
Best team fits: Cardinals, Chargers, Raiders
40. Fletcher Cox, DT, Eagles
Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK
Cox had another standout season (seven sacks), but as you can tell from this list, the Eagles have a handful of key in-house free agents. With Cox turning 33 later this year, the Eagles might prioritize their younger players.
Best team fits: Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks
41. Patrick Peterson, CB, Vikings
Peterson had five interceptions despite the Vikings’ having one of the worst defenses in the league. With Minnesota adding Brian Flores as defensive coordinator, Peterson probably won’t be part of a secondary makeover. A contender would benefit from signing Peterson as a No. 2 or 3 cornerback.
Best team fits: Falcons, Patriots, 49ers
42. Byron Murphy Jr., CB, Cardinals
Murphy hasn’t met expectations as a former second-round pick, but he’s made improvements and contributed a handful of key plays for Arizona last season.
Best team fits: Panthers, Lions, Jaguars
43. Isaac Seumalo, OG, Eagles
Seumalo was outstanding in the Eagles’ zone-running scheme. Again, the Eagles can’t keep everyone, and teams are always looking for offensive line help.
Best team fits: Rams, Dolphins, Bills
44. Baker Mayfield, QB, Rams
The Mayfield L.A. experience had more highs than lows in five games with the Rams last season. The former No. 1 pick made throws in tight windows, created instant chemistry with inexperienced receivers and made enough plays to keep games competitive despite a poor offensive line. Mayfield did enough under Rams coach Sean McVay to at least compete for a starting role with another team in 2023.
Best team fits: Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints
45. Samson Ebukam, DE, 49ers
Ebukam was a solid No. 2 edge rusher (five sacks) behind Nick Bosa. Expect the 49ers to make a strong push to retain the key playmaker.
Best team fits: Falcons, Chiefs, Seahawks
46. Jonathan Jones, CB, Patriots
Jones, a two-time Super Bowl champion, can play inside and outside and has a knack for making impact plays. He recorded four interceptions and 11 passes defensed last season.
Best team fits: Lions, Titans, Ravens
47. Drue Tranquill, ILB, Chargers
Tranquill quickly adapted to Chargers coach Brandon Staley’s defensive scheme and has been a steady playmaker since arriving in L.A. in 2019. Tranquill has solid instincts and can contribute as a pass rusher (five sacks in ’22).
Best team fits: Commanders, Steelers, Vikings
48. Eric Kendricks, ILB, Vikings
Kendricks is coming off a down season and appeared a step slower in coverage, but the former All-Pro delivered his seventh consecutive season with 100-plus tackles (137 total tackles with eight for loss). The Vikings couldn’t afford to keep Kendricks because of cap space and that will be a positive for his new team.
Best team fits: Steelers, Eagles, Seahawks
49. Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Raiders
Ya-Sin is a consistent playmaker when he’s on the field, but being available has been an issue for him throughout his four-year career. Ya-Sin had 45 combined tackles, seven passes defensed and six missed games due to injury during his first season with the Raiders.
Best team fits: Cowboys, Bengals, Vikings
50. D’Onta Foreman, RB, Panthers
Just watch a highlight tape of what Foreman did after the Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers. He rushed for 914 yards last season and consistently moves the chains. Every team needs that.
