The 2023 NFL free agent class will be an interesting one, especially with the surplus of good running backs set to hit the open market. It’s still a valuable position in the NFL, evidenced by the increase in rushing yards around the league as teams combat zone defenses and five-man defensive backfields.
Will those running backs get paid? We’ll find out this offseason. There will be plenty of good ones available.
This free agent class has plenty of quarterbacks available, even if there are questions behind the one franchise quarterback who’s clearly at the top of the list. There isn’t many cornerbacks and wide receivers to hit the open market this year, and the list of good offensive linemen shrunk after Elgton Jenkins (Packers) and Jack Conklin (Browns) re-signed with their current teams last month.
There are going to be plenty of value signings in free agency, even if those players will make a bit more than their market value suggests. Which of these free agents are worth the contracts they will be getting? These are the top-50 free agents set to hit the open market, determined by their productivity and their impact on the field.
1. Lamar Jackson (QB)
Are the Ravens really going to let Jackson hit the free agent market? They could just franchise tag Jackson and give themselves more time to work out a long-term deal with him. Until that tag comes, Jackson is a free agent. Any quarterback-needy team will covet him.
A true difference-maker in the backfield, Barkley played all 16 games so far and set a career high in rushing yards in a Pro Bowl season. Put Barkley in an offense with playmakers at wide receiver, and those receiving numbers will significantly increase as a receiver out of the backfield. Running backs are a risk on a second contract, but Barkley is the best player in this class not named Lamar Jackson.
Smith made an instant impact in the Ravens defense since Baltimore acquired him prior to the trade deadline. Smith and Patrick Willis are the only players to have 150-plus tackles, four-plus sacks and three-plus interceptions in a season. This is the best defensive player in free agency.
Opposing quarterbacks targeting Bradberry have completed just 42.5% of their passes and have a 43.3 passer rating this season. Bradberry and Darius Slay formed the top cornerback duo in the NFL this season, as the Eagles cornerback showed he’s still a No. 1…
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