NFL free agency 2023: Ranking the top 50 free agents, best players available by position

The NFL offseason isn’t far from its official kickoff, just a month and a half away. Free agency and new league year opens on March 15 with the league legal  tampering period beginning two days earlier.

Although the biggest prizes might again be available via trade like last year with Aaron Rodgers being on the block in Green Bay, there are still many talented unrestricted free agents set to test the open veteran market.

Some of these key players are bound to be re-signed or franchise-tagged before free agency, but many others will be allowed to find new teams based on their next contract values. 

Here’s our look at the best overall unrestricted free agents in the 2023 class and also breaking down the top players by position:

MORE: SN’s latest mock draft | Updated big board of top prospects

NFL free agency 2023: Ranking the top 50 players

1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens (age: 26)

The Ravens would like to keep the dynamic dual threat one-time MVP QB but they must give in to specific terms, value and guaranteed money Jackson’s camp should think he’s worth. A tag-and-trade scenario is also in play.

2. Kaleb McGary, OT, Falcons (age: 27)

McGary had a dominant run-blocking season in his big breakout for Atlanta and should command top-market value at right tackle should the team not keep him.

3. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants (age: 25)

The Giants need to decide how much Jones is worth ($30 million range or up to $40 million) after not picking up his fifth-year option ahead of his best NFL season. Jones found his passing and running groove despite limited weapons under the strong offensive-minded combination of Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka. New York is likely to still lock him up long-term, but it’s not a given.

4. Jason Kelce, C, Eagles (age: 35)

There’s a chance, depending on the outcome of Super Bowl 57 playing opposite his tight end brother Travis, that this Kelce may retire. If he doesn’t, he can still anchor the middle of a line at a high level.

5. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders (age: 24) 

Jacobs won the rushing title with 1,653 yards and also led the league with 393 touches and 2,053 yards. He is a rare special workhorse still with limited wear and there’s a good chance he stays in Las Vegas to keep thriving in Josh McDaniels’ offense.

6. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Vikings (age: 28)

Tomlinson is one of the league’s most disruptive interior pass rushers and he’s also a solid force against the run.

7. Jessie Bates III, S, Bengals (age: 25)

Bates is an excellent run-stopping safety who won’t return to Cincinnati after being franchise-tagged in 2023. He is also is pretty reliable making plays in coverage.

8. Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks (age: 32)

Smith had a Comeback Player of the Year season being elevated to replace Russell Wilson from journeyman backup status. The Seahawks would like to bring him back on a reasonable contract, but it also might have him bridge the position for a rookie.

9. Javon Hargrave, DT, Eagles (age: 29)

Hargrave’s job is to get upfield and get to the quarterback with inside pressure and he’s done it well for three seasons in Philadelphia, highlighted by his career 11 sacks.

10. Lavonte David, ILB, Buccaneers (age: 33)

David is near the end of his career as a well-rounded playmaker but he can still provide plenty of pop vs. run and pass with savvy leadership to go with it.

11. Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Chiefs (age: 26)

Brown is sometimes up-and-down with his play but he still grades out as a sound left tackle in front of Patrick Mahomes.

12. Isaac Seumalo, G, Eagles (age: 29)

Seumalo is another strong interior piece of Philadelphia’s league best offensive line with pass protection being his best asset.

13. Ethan Pocic, C, Browns (age: 27)

Pocic has been solid in every capacity coming over from the Seahawks replacing J.C. Tretter.

14. Brandon Graham, EDGE, Eagles (age: 34)

Graham has come back from a 2021 season lost to injury to post some his best play from his long career, including a career-high 11 sacks.

15. Jimmie Ward, S, 49ers (age: 31)

Ward can sometimes be a liability in coverage and doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher but he still plays like an active linebacker vs. the run.

16. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants (age: 25)

Barkley had an important explosive and healthy season as their workhorse and the Giants are working to keep him as one focal point of the new offense.

17. James Bradberry, CB, Eagles (age: 29)

Bradberry was a great pickup opposite Darius Slay as he found his shutdown and ballhawking groove in coverage again.

18. Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Bills (age: 24)

Edmunds’ calling card remains his work in the passing game, where he can have a huge impact both in coverage and on the pass rush.

19. Jamel Dean, CB, Buccaneers (age: 26)

Dean (6-1, 206 pounds) uses his size well with physical coverage and also can provide great run support

20. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys (age: 26)

Pollard had a fantastic all-around season with his explosiveness, power and receiving that unfortunately ended with him breaking his left fibula in the playoffs. There’s a chance he explores free agency with Ezekiel Elliott set to return.

21. Jonathan Jones, CB, Patriots (age: 29)

Jones is a steady, savvy cover man who sometimes can be spectacular making plays on the ball.

22. Dalton Schultz, TE, Cowboys (age: 26)

Schultz played on the franchise tag as a key target for Dak Precott, especially in the red zone, but the team should make him available given it can be OK with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. 

23. Ryan Neal S, Seahawks (age: 27)

Neal had an outstanding overall season in which he covered well despite being tested a lot and also delivered against the run.

24. Isaiah Oliver, CB, Falcons (age: 26)

Oliver gave the Falcons some reliable corner play in every capacity to complement A.J. Terrell well in 2022.

25. Mike McGlinchey, OT, 49ers (age: 28)

McGlinchey remains a rock of a run blocker who fares well with his athleticism for Kyle Shanahan.

26. T.J. Edwards, LB, Eagles (age: 26)

Edwards shored up a consistent weakness well with his best season, cleaning up well with his upfield play vs. run and pass but also being pretty solid in coverage.

27. Daron Payne, DT, Commanders (age: 25)

Payne produced 12 sacks working with Jonathan Allen but that’s balanced out by him being a poor run stuffer at a still young stage of his career.

28. Drue Tranquill, LB, Chargers (age: 27)

Tranqulll is another player that doesn’t hold up well against the run but makes up for it as an active effective blitzer and very rangy cover man.

29. Conner McGovern, C, Jets (age: 29)

McCovern, not to be confused with the same-named Cowboys guard, is a plug-and-play athletic starter in the middle.

30. Patrick Peterson, CB, Vikings (age: 32)

Peterson has slowed down quite a bit considering he’s close to 33, but he still has the savvy to win often in coverage and his 5 INTs he can still make a lot of timely big plays.

31. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Cowboys (age: 25)

Vander Esch has settled in as a premier cover linebacker to complement ace pass-rusher Micah Parsons.

32. Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars (age: 28)

Engram stayed healthy and had a big first receiving season in Jacksonville, living up to his one-time first-round promise with the Giants. The Jaguars should bring him back for Trevor Lawrence.

33. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE, Browns (age: 29)

Clowney remains a special run stopper with his physical presence and is down to be a limited complementary pass rusher.

34. Cameron Sutton, CB, Steelers (age: 27)

Sutton is a steady cover man who also uses his size well (5-11, 188 pounds) in run support.

35. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots (age: 26)

Meyers is a productive possession slot man who remains key on third downs and has become better as a red zone threat.

36. Alex Singleton, LB, Broncos (age: 29)

Singleton is the classic pursuer and tackler vs. the run who is decent enough vs. the pass to stay on the field on third downs.

37. Vonn Bell, S, Bengals (age: 28)

Bell is a well-rounded starter who doesn’t dominant in any one area but can be effective as an extra linebacker type.

38. Kaden Elliss, LB, Saints (age: 27)

The 2019 seventh-rounder broke out in 2022 with his ability to fly around the field and make plays on the ball wherever needed, succeeding most in getting upfield.

39. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles (age: 25)

Sanders is coming off a healthy and explosive career-best 2022 season with 1,269 yards rushing and 11 TDs. He is a fine mid-volume runner but he can be inconsistent and doesn’t offer much in the passing game.

40. Juan Thornhill, S, Chiefs (age: 27)

Thornill is very active in playing the pass, either handling targets downfield or working to get to thE QB shooting upfield.

41. Hayden Hurst, TE, Bengals (age: 29)

He was good in giving a Joe Burrow a replacement for C.J. Uzomah at the position so it will be interesting to see whether they keep the former Raven and Falcon.

42. David Montgomery, RB, Bears (age: 25)

Montgomery is short on rushing pop and explosiveness, but he’s a good volume shooter in racking up the power yardage that’s there rushing and delivering when needed as adept receiver.

43. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Chiefs (age: 26)

The former Steelers standout Smith-Schuster quietly put up 78 catches for 933 yards in the remixed committee for Patrick Mahomes.

44. Matt Gay, K, Rams (age: 28)

He had a big Pro Bowl season during their Super Bowl run in 2021 and the former Buccaneer may look to cash in shore up another team’s field-goal group.

45. Arden Key, EDGE, Jaguars (age: 26)

Key was a surprise bright spot in the Jaguars’ front seven with his balanced situational play that included five sacks.

46. Devin Singletary, RB, Bills (age: 25)

Singletary is a solid power runner with some burst but he’s down to not really having a role as a receiver.

47. Garrett Bradbury, C, Vikings (age: 27)

Bradbury was on the brink of being deemed a huge first-round disappointment. to smooth interior play in the new offense.

48. Marcus Davenport, EDGE, Saints (age: 26)

Davenport has some untapped upside as a pass rusher and run blocker but he should be seen more as an effective situational starter.

49. Taylor Rapp, S, Rams (age: 25)

Rapp had an outstanding season living up to his college promise coming out of Washington. He stood out vs. the run but showed some big-play flashes vs. the pass.

50. Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins (age: 27)

Gesicki still has soft hands as a red zone threat (who loves doing the bad Griddy) but he just didn’t fit well catching passes in Mike McDaniel’s scheme.

2023 NFL free agents: Top players available by position

Quarterbacks

1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
2. Daniel Jones, Giants
3. Geno Smith, Seahawks
4. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
5. Jacoby Brissett, Browns
6. Sam Darnold, Panthers
7. Baker Mayfield, Rams
8. Taylor Heinicke, Commanders
9. Andy Dalton, Saints
10. Teddy Bridgewater, Dolphins
11. Cooper Rush, Cowboys
12. Mike White, Jets
13. Drew Lock, Seahawks
14. Mason Rudolph, Steelers
15. Case Keenum, Bills
16. Kyle Allen, Texans
17. C.J. Beathard, Jaguars
18. Chad Henne, Chiefs
19. Blaine Gabbert, Buccaneers
20. Nick Mullens, Vikings
21. Brandon Allen, Bengals
22. Chase Daniel, Chargers
23. Joe Flacco, Jets

Running backs

1. Josh Jacobs, Raiders
2. Saquon Barkley, Giants
3. Tony Pollard, Cowboys
4. Miles Sanders, Eagles
5. David Montgomery, Bears
6. Devin Singletary, Bills
7. Damien Harris, Patriots
8. D’Onta Foreman, Panthers
9. D’Ernest Johnson, Browns
10. Rashaad Penny, Seahawks
11. Jamaal Williams, Lions
12. Alexander Mattison, Vikings
13. Samaje Perine, Bengals
14. Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins
15. Raheem Mostert, Dolphins
16. Boston Scott, Eagles
17. Darrel Williams, Cardinals
18. Kenyan Drake, Ravens
19. Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs
20. Matt Breida, Giants
21. Dontrell Hilliard, Titans
22. Ronald Jones II, Chiefs
23. Royce Freeman, Texans
24. Giovani Bernard, Buccaneers
25. Latavius Murray, Broncos
26. Jonathan Williams, Commanders
27. Justin Jackson, Lions
28. Marlon Mack, Broncos
29. Mike Boone, Broncos
30. Malcolm Brown, Rams
31. David Johnson, Saints
32. Mark Ingram, Saints
33. Rex Burkhead, Texans
34. Trenton Cannon, Titans
35. Ameer Abdullah, Raiders

Wide receivers

1. Jakobi Meyers, Patriots
2. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs
3. Allen Lazard, Packers
4. D.J. Chark, Lions
5. Parris Campbell, Colts
6. Mecole Hardman, Chiefs
7. Richie James, Giants
8. Julio Jones, Buccaneers
9. Marvin Jones Jr., Jaguars
10. Demarcus Robinson, Ravens
11. DeAndre Carter, Chargers
12. Jauan Jennings, 49ers
13. Mack Hollins, Raiders
14. Darius Slayton, Giants
15. Trent Sheffield, Dolphins
16. Jarvis Landry, Saints
17. Chris Moore, Texans
18. Nelson Agholor, Patriots
19. Randall Cobb, Packers
20. A.J. Green, Cardinals
21. Byron Pringle, Bears
22. Marquise Goodwin, Seahawks
23. Damiere Byrd, Falcons
24. Sammy Watkins, Ravens
25. Sterling Shepard, Giants
26. T.Y. Hilton, Cowboys
27. Jamison Crowder, Bills

Tight ends

1. Dalton Schultz, Cowboys
2. Evan Engram, Jaguars
3. Hayden Hurst, Bengals
4. Mike Gesicki, Dolphins
5. Robert Tonyan, Packers
6. Irv Smith, Vikings
7. Austin Hooper, Titans
8. Dan Arnold, Jaguars
9. MyCole Pruitt, Falcons
10. Jordan Akins, Texans
11. Geoff Swaim, Titans
12. Drew Sample, Bengals
13. Josh Oliver, Ravens
14. Ross Dwelley, 49ers
15. Marcedes Lewis, Packers
16. Tyler Kroft, 49ers
17. Eric Tomlinson, Broncos

Offensive tackles

1. Kaleb McGary, Falcons
2. Orlando Brown Jr., Chiefs
3. Mike McGlinchey, 49ers
4. George Fant, Jets
5. Cameron Erving, Panthers
6. Jermaine Eluemenor, Raiders
7. Cameron Fleming, Broncos
8. Ty Nsekhe, Rams
9. Kelvin Beachum, Cardinals
10. Josh Wells, Buccaneers
11. Andrew Wyile, Chiefs
12. Brandon Parker, Raiders
13. Eric Fisher, Dolphins
14. Andre Dillard, Eagles

Guards

1. Isaac Seumalo, Eagles
2. Elijah Wilkinson, Falcons
3. Michael Schofield, Bears
4. Evan Brown, Lions
5. Max Scharping, Bengals
6. Oday Aboushi, Rams
7. Will Hernandez, Cardinals
8. Dan Feeney, Jets
9. Nick Gates, Giants
10. Nick Leverett, Buccaneers

Centers

1. Jason Kelce, Eagles
2. Ethan Pocic, Browns
3. Connor McGovern, Jets
4. Garrett Bradbury, Vikings
5. Bradley Bozeman, Panthers
6. Jon Feliciano, Giants
7. Austin Blythe, Seahawks
8. Scott Quessenberry, Texans
9. Will Clapp, Chargers
10. Tyler Larsen, Commanders

Edge rushers

1. Brandon Graham, Eagles
2. Jadeveon Clowney, Browns
3. Arden Key, Jaguars
4. Marcus Davenport, Saints
5. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Texans
6. Samson Ebukam, 49ers
7. DeMarcus Walker, Titans
8. Justin Houston, Ravens
9. Melvin ingram, Dolphins
10. Dawuane Smoot, Jaguars
11. Carl Nassib, Buccaneers
12. Carlos Dunlap, Chiefs
13. Dante Fowler Jr., Cowboys
14. John Cominsky, Lions
15. Lorenzo Carter, Falcons
16. Charles Omenihu, 49ers

Defensive tackles

1. Dalvin Tomlinson, Vikings
2. Javon Hargrave, Eagles
3. Daron Payne, Commanders
4. Andrew Billings, Raiders
5. Chris Wormley, Steelers
6. Khyiris Tonga, Vikings
7. Fletcher Cox, Eagles
8. Zach Allen, Cardinals
9. Sheldon Rankins, Jets
10. David Oneymata, Saints
11. Matt Ioannidis, Panthers
12. Dean Lowry, Packers
13. Shy Tuttle, Saints
14. Taven Bryan, Browns
15. Jarran Reed, Packers
16. Akiem Hicks, Buccaneers
17. Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Buccaneers
18. Ndamukong Suh, Eagles
19. Larry Ogunjobi, Steelers
20. Derrick Nnadi, Chiefs

Linebackers

1. Lavonte David, Buccaneers
2. Tremaine Edmunds, Bills
3. T.J. Edwards, Eagles
4. Drue Tranquill, Chargers
5. Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys
6. Alex Singleton, Broncos
7. Kaden Elliss, Saints
8. Azeez Al-Shaair, 49ers
9. Denzel Perryman, Raiders
10. David Long, Titans
11. Sione Takitaki, Browns
12. Baby Okerke, Colts
13. Kyzir White, Eagles
14. Kwon Alexander, Jets
15. Kyle Van Noy, Chargers
16. Cory Littleton, Panthers
17. Anthony Barr, Cowboys

Cornerbacks

1. James Bradberry, Eagles
2. Jamel Dean, Buccaneers
3. Jonathan Jones, Patriots
4. Isaiah Oliver, Falcons
5. Patrick Peterson, Vikings
6. Cameron Sutton, Steelers
7. Sean Murphy-Bunting, Buccaneers
8. Tavierre Thomas, Texans
9. Emmanuel Mosley, 49ers
10. Anthony Brown, Cowboys
11. Marcus Peters, Ravens
12. Byron Murphy, Cardinals
13. Bryce Callahan, Chargers
14. Antonio Hamilton, Cardinals
15. Troy Hill, Rams
16. Rock Ya-Sin, Raiders
17. Chandon Sullivan, Vikings
18. Mike Hughes, Lions
19. Eli Apple, Bengals
20. Tre Herndon, Jaguars
21. Brandon Facyson, Colts

Safeties

1. Jessie Bates III, Bengals
2. Jimmie Ward, 49ers
3. Ryan Neal, Seahawks
4. Vonn Bell, Bengals
5. Juan Thornhill, Chiefs
6. Taylor Rapp, Rams
7. Jabrill Peppers, Patriots
8. Jordan Poyer, Bills
9. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Eagles
10. Rodney McLeod, Saints
11. Devin McCourty, Patriots
12. Adrian Amos, Packers
13. Julian Love, Giants
14. Duron Harmon, Raiders
15. Geno Stone, Ravens
16. Terrell Edmunds, Steelers
17. Deshon Elliott, Lions
18. Andrew Adams, Titans
19. Donovan Wilson, Cowboys
20. Logan Ryan, Buccaneers

Kickers

1. Matt Gay, Rams
2. Greg Joseph, Vikings
3. Robbie Gould, 49ers
4. Brett Maher, Cowboys
5. Joey Slye, Commanders
6. Mason Crosby, Packers
7. Matt Prater, Cardinals
8. Greg Zuerlein, Jets

Punters

1. Sam Martin, Bills
2. Riley Dixon, Rams
3. J.K. Scott, Chargers
4. Matt Haack, Colts
5. Bradley Pinion, Falcons
6. Andy Lee, Cardinals
7. Thomas Morstead, Dolphins

Long snappers

1. Matt Overton, Cowboys
2. Carson Tinker, Seahawks
3. J.J. Jansen, Panthers
4. Morgan Cox, Titans
5. Jon Weeks, Texans
6. Patrick Scales, Bears