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2023 NFL Free Agency Preview: Defenders Front and Center

Plenty of Quarterbacks Expected to be Available

With the 2022 NFL season wrapped up, free agency is just around the corner. March 13 marks the beginning of contract negotiations, and free agency officially begins on March 15 at 4 p.m. ET. The trading period for 2023 will also open on March 15.

Moves are already being made, like the Las Vegas Raiders cutting quarterback Derek Carr on Tuesday. Prepare for an exciting offseason. Free agency is stocked with major contributors, especially on defense, and trade rumors are swirling around several star players. Here’s what to know for NFL free agency, including top free agents, trade candidates, and teams poised for big offseasons.

Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens - Courtney Culbreath/AFP
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens - Courtney Culbreath/AFP

Let’s check the latest NFL news, stats, injury reports, and NFL picks for you to consider.

Top Free Agents

Offense

  • QB Lamar Jackson
  • OT Orlando Brown
  • QB Daniel Jones
  • QB Geno Smith
  • QB Derek Carr
  • OT Mike McGlinchey
  • RB Saquon Barkley
  • RB Josh Jacobs
  • WR Jakobi Meyers
  • RB Tony Pollard
  • QB Jimmy Garoppolo
  • TE Dalton Schultz
  • OG Ben Powers
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
  • TE Mike Gesicki

As usual, the quarterback position leads the way. Lamar Jackson, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith, Carr, and Jimmy Garoppolo are a great group of free agents. Carr and Garoppolo will end up with new teams and could help QB-hungry squads, like the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, or Carolina Panthers.

This is also a great free agency for running backs. Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard are some of the league’s best running backs. In addition, there will be solid options on the offensive line, led by Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown.

Keep in mind, some players will be franchise tagged. The window opens on Feb. 21 and closes on March 7. Jackson, Smith, Brown, Jacobs, and Pollard are prime franchise tag candidates.

Defense

  • DT Javon Hargrave
  • CB Jamel Dean
  • S Jessie Bates III
  • DT Daron Payne
  • LB Lavonte David
  • CB James Bradberry
  • S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
  • DT Dalvin Tomlinson
  • S Jordan Poyer
  • CB Patrick Peterson
  • DE Marcus Davenport
  • LB Tremaine Edmunds
  • LB Germaine Pratt
  • S Donovan Wilson
  • LB David Long Jr.

Free agency will feature an abundance of defensive players. The top defenders are a long list of star players. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave comes off 11 sacks, and defensive tackle Daron Payne posted 11.5 sacks in the 2022 season. Safety Jessie Bates III earned All-Pro honors in 2020, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s six interceptions were tied for the most in the 2022 season.

There’s a good chance most of these prominent defensive players end up with new teams. Most of their current teams cannot afford the lucrative extensions. Hargrave, Jamel, Dean, Bates, James Bradberry, Gardner-Johnson, and Jordan Poyer are the most notable players that could be on the move.

Trade Candidates

  • QB Lamar Jackson
  • QB Aaron Rodgers
  • WR DeAndre Hopkins
  • CB Jalen Ramsey
  • WR Brandin Cooks

This offseason could get wild with stars being traded. Jackson and Aaron Rodgers are of course the biggest names on the list. If Jackson leaves the Baltimore Ravens, it will likely be by trade instead of free agency. We also have the annual tradition of will Aaron Rodgers stay with the Green Bay Packers? It’s started once again, but this time there are persistent trade rumors. The Jets are one team that could make a big push for Rodgers.

Following the regular season, reports emerged that the Arizona Cardinals will explore trades for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Not much has materialized so far, but it’s a possibility to keep in mind. The Los Angeles Rams could also look to trade star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. This would be a move to save money. However, take this with a grain of salt. This is only a rumor as of now.

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks is perhaps the safest bet to be traded. The Houston Texans nearly dealt Cooks ahead of the trade deadline but did not make a deal. It’s no secret Cooks has been unhappy in Houston and even sat out some games. Potential suitors will make calls for Cooks, who is a good No. 2 wideout.

Hey Big Spenders

  • Chicago Bears: $94.4 million in cap space
  • Atlanta Falcons: $56.6 million in cap space
  • Las Vegas Raiders: $48.4 million in cap space
  • New York Giants: $46.7 million in cap space
  • Houston Texans: $37.6 million in cap space

These are the teams with the most cap space heading into free agency. The Chicago Bears lead by a wide margin. Expect the Bears to be aggressive as they hope to surround quarterback Justin Fields with better talent. Defense and the offensive line will likely be the focus, especially the defensive line. Defensive tackles Hargrave and Payne are two options that make plenty of sense.

The Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Houston Texans are no surprise. These are franchises in rebuilding phases with plenty of holes on their respective rosters. The New York Giants could be the most aggressive among the four teams. The Giants made a surprise playoff appearance in the 2022 season and will look to take the next step. Re-signing Jones could take a large chunk out of New York’s $46.7 million in cap space.

Rumors and reports will pick up over the next month. Keep a close eye on Jackson and Rodgers. Plenty of rumors surround the two. If one is dealt, the 2023 playoff picture will look a lot different.

The most important upcoming date is Feb. 21, when teams will be able to franchise tag players.

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