10 best remaining NFL players after free agency Week 1: Who is yet to be signed ahead of 2023 season?
Now is a nice time for an NFL free agency update, as several players who entered March as potential free agents have signed new contracts, reached agreements on new ones or have been franchise-tagged.
Who is still available, and what significant signings may be made soon? The top ten NFL free agents are listed below:
#1 Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S
In 2022, Gardner-Johnson switched from being a slot corner to safety, ending the year with six interceptions.
Gardner-Johnson's minimum requirement is to be a reliable NFL starter, and given his youth, it's realistic to believe that his finest years are still to come. According to reports, the Atlanta Falcons have signed Jessie Bates III to a four-year, $64.02 million contract.
Gardner-Johnson probably would have gotten a comparable deal by now had it had been offered to him. Instead, he might be considering a salary in the range of $12-14 million annually.
#2 Leonard Floyd, Edge
By cutting Leonard Floyd to free up contract space, the Los Angeles Rams extended the deconstruction of their defensive corps. For an organization that's obviously rebuilding, it's a hard break.
Floyd must have been a very difficult player to part ways with. Over the last three years, he has recorded 29 sacks, nine of which came in the NFL last season. There have been rumors that the Green Bay Packers could be the final stop.
With Preston Smith and Rashan Gary as their partners, they may use a third pass rusher. In his final campaign as the linebacker coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, Joe Barry, the defensive coordinator, collaborated with Floyd. That year, Floyd recorded 10.5 sacks.
#3 Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Odell Beckham missed the entire 2022 NFL season due to an ACL tear sustained at Super Bowl LVI.
Will the highly rated WR regain his form after missing a year and suffering two ACL problems? That's a crucial question. Nevertheless, he led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory when we last saw him.
Beckham received 21 throws for 288 yards and two scores in less than four full contests during the Rams' postseason drive in 2021. Beckham, in that form, has the potential to make a difference for any team in the league.
He recently spoke with teams that might be intrigued. There were at least 12 teams interested, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
#4 Dalton Schultz, TE
Dalton Schultz is still among the top NFL free agents but he has had trouble finding a new deal.
It was earlier reported that the Cowboys would let Schultz walk in free agency this offseason. Schultz completed the franchise tag last year and made $10.93 million while doing so.
The tight end's choices may be restricted after playing for the Cowboys for the last two years, recording 135 receptions for 1,385 yards and 13 TDs. He might end up with the Los Angeles Chargers or the Cincinnati Bengals, both of which would keep him in a potent passing attack where he ought to excel.
#5 Dalton Risner, OG
Dalton Risner not being re-signed by the Denver Broncos is not a big shock, but surprisingly, he wasn't acquired by any NFL team last week.
Guard Ben Powers of the Baltimore Ravens and the Broncos have reached an agreement. That unmistakably indicated that the squad was taking a fresh approach, and Risner most certainly needs to begin seeking out a new group.
However, no team has contacted him yet. Does Risner want a bigger contract than he deserves? Are some of the subpar plays he made with the Broncos enough to scare off suitors?
#6 Isaiah Wynn, OT
Despite having a lot of high-level plays in his first three years, Wynn is still a young player who appeared to lose favor with the New England Patriots before going on injured reserve.
Wynn rejoining the Patriots would come as a huge shock. It's anticipated that a new team could pick him up shortly.
#7 D.J. Chark, WR
Chark is interested in cashing in with a major role in a new NFL team in 2023 after a reasonably successful campaign as a supporting cast member for the Detroit Lions in 2022.
Due to Chark's strong finish to the 2018 season, Lions general manager Brad Holmes could lure him back for the 2023 campaign. However, there's currently no assurance that it will happen.
#8 Yannick Ngakoue, Edge
If Ngakoue doesn't re-sign with the Indianapolis Colts, which is still possible given how productive he was (9.5 sacks) last year, he might soon sign with his sixth NFL franchise.
#9 Bobby Wagner, LB
In 2022, the Rams had a disastrous year, but Wagner wasn't to blame. He was named the team MVP by his Rams colleagues, who will likely accept that he was their best player last year. Wagner can play in coverage and rush the ball. A few of his plays from last season were game-changers too.
The Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles have all been touted as prospective stops.
#10 Marcus Peters, CB
Early on in NFL free agency, there has been little demand for mid-tier CBs like Marcus Peters.
Peters is one of the more seasoned defensive backs still available in free agency, having made 103 starts in the league. Peters appeared 13 times last season after sitting out the entire 2021 season due to an ACL tear. He recorded one interception and six pass deflections.
Marcus Peters is no longer a first-team All-Pro, but he's still a serviceable cornerback, and there ought to be many teams considering him at the right price.
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