Analysis
5/2/23
6 min read
2023 NFL Free Agency: Ranking the Top Players Still Available
Trackers: Contract Terms | Signings by Team | Original Top 150 | Grades
Here is a look at the best free agents who remain available on the NFL's open market:
Note: All ages are calculated by how old the player will be at the kickoff of the 2023 NFL season on Sept. 7.
Best Remaining Free Agents
1. Ben Jones, IOL, Age 34 (Titans)
2022 (Titans): Snaps: 650 | Penalties: 4 | Sacks Allowed: 1 | Pressures: 10
Tennessee releasing Ben Jones was a shock as many thought he would retire as a Titan. Ultimately, he chose the open market. Jones suffered multiple concussions and missed about seven games last season (the most he has missed in one season in his career due to injury).
He still graded well in 2022 as a pass protector and run blocker, which contributed to him receiving the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. Given that Jones is now 33 years old and has been durable for most of his career, he can be an extremely valuable upgrade for any team needing a solid veteran interior offensive lineman.
2. Dalton Risner, IOL, Age 28 (Broncos)
2022(Broncos): Snaps: 967 | Penalties: 1 | Sacks Allowed: 3 | Pressures: 29
Dalton Risner is a strong, rugged mauler who can bolster any team’s interior offensive line. Risner ranked 10th in the league in run block win rate this past season among guards (74.4 percent), and he can set an anchor in pass pro.
3. Taylor Lewan, OT, Age 32 (Titans)
2022 (Titans): Snaps: 59 | Penalties: 1 | Sacks Allowed: 0 | Pressures: 0
Taylor Lewan only played in two games before injuring his knee. He suffered a torn ACL in the same knee back in 2020. Lewan admitted that he is at a point in his career where he has to consider retirement and hang up the helmet. When healthy, Lewan has been one of the reasons why Derrick Henry has had explosive runs, but at this point in his career, retirement seems more likely than returning to football with another team.
4. Melvin Ingram, Edge, Age: 34 (Dolphins)
2022 (Dolphins): Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 6 | QB Hits: 10 | FF: 1
His age is working against him, but Melvin Ingram has shown he can still be a productive pass rusher, if only in a limited role. It's likely his last contract, so he should be motivated ... or have nothing left.
5. Casey Hayward, CB, Age 33 (Falcons)
2022 (Falcons): Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 0 | PBUs: 3 | INTs: 1
Casey Hayward only played in six games for the Falcons last season, but he's not only one year removed from a 2021 season that saw him put up nine passes defended with the Raiders. A team looking for a veteran cornerback might take a shot on Hayward.
6. Kyle Van Noy, LB, Age 32 (Chargers)
2022 (Chargers): Tackles: 46 | Sacks: 5 | PBUs: 3 | INTs: 1
Kyle Van Noy was a welcome addition to the Chargers, with 32 solo tackles, five sacks, and 37 pressures. Van Noy has the versatility to play inside as a run stopper and outside as an edge pass rusher. That’s the veteran savvy that makes him a valuable chess piece.
7. Matt Ioannidis, IDL, Age 29 (Panthers)
2022 (Panthers): Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 1 | Run Stuffs: 6 | FF: 1
Matt Ioannidis had a solid season and paired well with Derrick Brown upfront. It’s an easy decision for Carolina to bring him back if it can get a decent price.
8. Rashaan Evans, LB, Age 27 (Falcons)
2022 (Falcons): Tackles: 159 | Sacks: 2 | PBUs: 4 | INTs: 0
Rashaan Evans ranked 21st in defensive snaps among all positions and was sixth in tackles. At only 27, he should be sought after on the market, and the Falcons should try to bring him back to lead their defense.
9. Jarvis Landry, WR, Age 30 (Saints)
2022 (Saints): Rec. Yards: 272 | Rec. TDs: 1 | Catches: 25 | Avg: 10.9
Jarvis Landry was plagued by injuries this season and was not impressive when on the field. He will try to bounce back next season, and he has the hands and veteran know-how to help a team if he can stay healthy.
10. Duron Harmon, S, Age 32 (Raiders)
2022 (Patriots): Tackles: 86 | INTs: 2 | PBUs: 5 | FF: 2
Duron Harmon is a consistent force at safety. He forced four total turnovers and is silky smooth in coverage. His age is a downside, but any team looking for a veteran safety on a short-term deal should look at Harmon.
11. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Age 34 (Chiefs)
2022 (Chiefs): Tackles: 39 | Sacks: 4 | Run Stuffs: 7.5 | FF: 1
Carlos Dunlap is a savvy veteran who the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs added as an extra third-down edge rusher. Dunlap is on the home stretch of his career, but any team that needs depth on the defensive line could use him.
12. Byron Jones, CB, Age 30 (Dolphins)
2022 (Dolphins): N/A
Byron Jones suffered an Achilles injury in the 2021 season but had surgery in March 2022 and has not played since. He recently tweeted that he cannot run or jump and was released by Miami. If he can get healthy, Byron Jones has plenty of talent to contribute to any defense. His health, however, is a question that remains to be answered.
13. Akiem Hicks, IDL, Age 33 (Buccaneers)
2022 (Buccaneers): Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 1 | Run Stuffs: 4 | FF: 0
Akiem Hicks missed six games due to a plantar fasciitis tear and didn’t make much of an impact once he got back on the field. He brings a nice veteran presence and will look to bounce back next season. We expect him to sign somewhere else because the Buccaneers have cap issues and a capable, more cost-effective replacement they could re-sign in Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
14. Carl Nassib, DE, Age 30 (Buccaneers)
2022 (Buccaneers): Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 3.5 | Run Stuffs: 4 | FF: 0
Carl Nassib played decently this season and is a quality depth guy on the edge but not a difference-maker. He can provide a nice veteran presence on a defensive line.
15. LaMarcus Joyner, S, Age 32 (Jets)
2022 (Jets): Tackles: 57 | INTs: 3 | PBUs: 6 | FF: 0
Lamarcus Joyner struggled at free safety this year, and the Jets probably will replace him. However, Joyner has plenty of experience, so a team with a young secondary might go after him.
16. Leonard Fournette, RB, Age 28 (Buccaneers)
2022 (Buccaneers): Rush Yards: 668 | Rush TDs: 3 | Catches: 73 | Rec. Yards: 523
Leonard Fournette began the season as the Buccaneers starting running back this season. But RB Rachaad White ran much more efficiently when he got his opportunities and took over the starting role later in the season. Fournette is likely headed to a new team in a backup role.
17. Cameron Brate, TE, Age 32 (Buccaneers)
2022 (Buccaneers): Rec. Yards: 174 | Rec. TDs: 0 | Catches: 20 | Avg: 8.7
Cameron Brate dealt with a concussion and a neck injury in 2022, and he only appeared in 11 regular season games. He had 20 catches for 174 yards and added an eight-yard touchdown catch in Tampa’s playoff loss to the Cowboys.
18. Andrew Adams, S, Age 30 (Titans)
2022 (Titans): Tackles: 62 | INTs: 1 | PBUs: 3 | FF: 0
Andrew Adams is a seven-year veteran who had a mediocre 2022 season with the Titans but showed strong coverage in his first six seasons. He allowed a 63.2 percent passer rating during that span.
19. Rodger Saffold, IOL, Age 35 (Bills)
2022 (Bills): Snaps: 1,062 | Penalties: 10 | Sacks Allowed: 2 | Pressures: 36
Rodger Saffold started every game for the Bills at guard, but his play wasn’t up to starting caliber. He gave up only two sacks, but he was in the bottom third in PFF’s pass block grades and was one of the worst interior offensive linemen in the run game. Saffold likely will take a depth role for a team that needs experience on the offensive line.
