NFL free agency kicked off Monday with the first day of the legal tampering period, and teams were not waiting around to add talent to their rosters. Thirteen of Pro Football Network’s top 100 NFL free agents are already off the board, but plenty of veterans are still available on the open market.
Let’s run through the best remaining free agents without contracts in place and find a few potential landing spots for each player. As a reminder, no free agent deals can become official until the start of the 2023 league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 15.
Who Are the Best Remaining NFL Free Agents After Day 1 of the Legal Tampering Period?
1) Lamar Jackson, QB
Lamar Jackson is unlike every other free agent on this list, given that he’s been assigned the franchise tag by the Ravens. If Jackson signs an offer sheet with another team and the Ravens decline to match, Baltimore would acquire two first-round picks from Jackson’s new club.
Several teams have already indicated they won’t be pursuing Jackson, but there’s still a chance he could receive a proposal on the semi-open market. Jackson seems unlikely to agree to any deal that isn’t fully guaranteed à la Deshaun Watson’s extension with the Browns.
MORE: Lamar Jackson Has Not Drummed Up Any Interest and That’s Suspicious
If Jackson finds a contract he likes, the Ravens could potentially tag-and-trade him, allowing them to recoup more than the two first-rounders they’d receive via a declined offer sheet.
Best Fits: Ravens, Colts, Jets
2) C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S
The Eagles witnessed free agents such as Javon Hargrave (49ers), TJ Edwards (Bears), and Marcus Epps (Raiders) walk out the door on Monday, but they were expected to have interest in retaining Gardner-Johnson. Philadelphia picked up Gardner-Johnson from the Saints last August in exchange for late-round draft picks, and he proceeded to lead the NFL with six interceptions despite appearing in only 12 games.
Gardner-Johnson is a position-versatile defensive back who can play either safety or the slot, so he should appeal to a number of teams around the league. With Jessie Bates already off the market, Gardner-Johnson is the best safety remaining in free agency.
Best Fits: Eagles, Texans, Lions
3) Orlando Brown Jr., OT
Two free agent offensive tackles — Jawaan Taylor and Mike McGlinchey — landed multi-year deals worth at least $17.5 million annually on Monday, but Brown is still available after the Chiefs declined to franchise him for the second straight year.
Kansas City appears out of the running for Brown after signing Taylor with the intent of playing him at left tackle. Still, there are plenty of other teams with a hole on the blindside, and it shouldn’t be a surprise if Brown is able to match or exceed the $20 million per year Taylor received from the Chiefs.
Best Fits: Patriots, Titans, Steelers
4) Lavonte David, LB
David hasn’t ruled out a return to the Buccaneers, but their cap situation will make a reunion difficult. Instead, the 33-year-old will likely play for a new franchise for the first time in his NFL career.
Despite his age, David still has plenty left in the tank. He’s incredibly durable, and a multitude of teams should be interested in adding his veteran presence to their linebacker rooms. A two-year deal — potentially fully guaranteed — should be within David’s grasp.
Best Fits: Raiders, Browns, Chargers
5) Isaac Seumalo, G
Eagles center Jason Kelce announced Monday that he’d be returning for his 13th NFL season in 2023. Thus, 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens — who looked like Kelce’s heir apparent — will likely slide to right guard to replace Seumalo.
Seumalo will turn 30 in October and has struggled with injuries, appearing in just 12 games between 2020 and 2021. He stayed healthy last season, though, and his 60 games’ worth of starting experience should be valuable for teams with young offensive lines. A multi-year deal worth eight digits annually is a realistic outcome for Seumalo.
Best Fits: Colts, Texans, Panthers
6) James Bradberry, CB
The Eagles scooped up Bradberry last May, signing him to a one-year, $7.5 million deal after the Giants released him. Bradberry made good and then some on Philadelphia’s investment, starting all 17 games while earning second-team All-Pro honors.
Bradberry will be 30 years old in August, so he probably won’t break the bank on a multi-year deal. But plenty of cornerback-needy teams will be willing to spend on a reliable veteran, and Bradberry has coaching connections with both the Raiders (Patrick Graham) and Commanders (Ron Rivera).
Best Fits: Raiders, Commanders, Texans
7) Dalton Schultz, TE
Schultz played under the franchise tag in 2022, but with the Cowboys needing the tender for running Tony Pollard in 2023, Schultz is a free man. He’s reportedly turned down a multi-year extension from Dallas, and the club doesn’t expect to re-sign him.
We’ve seen tight ends like Hunter Henry and Dawson Knox cross the $12.5 million threshold, and it shouldn’t be a surprise if Schultz can get there, too. He’s a willing blocker and is only a season removed from a 78-808-8 receiving line. With the dearth of wide receiver options, teams could be willing to spend up for an alternative pass catcher like Schultz.
Best Fits: Packers, Giants, Panthers
8) Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Despite constant rumors that he was nearing an NFL return during the 2022 season, Beckham ended up sitting out the entire year while recovering from his torn ACL. OBJ is reportedly targeting $20 million per year on his next contract, but there’s virtually no chance he’ll reach that high of a salary. Beckham has a case as this year’s second-best free agent receiver, but he might have to accept a prove-it deal.
Best Fits: Cowboys, Chiefs, Ravens
9) Jordan Poyer, S
Bills general manager Brandon Beane said earlier this year that he’d like to retain Poyer, who has developed into an All-Pro safety in the latter portion of his career. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was reportedly Buffalo’s priority, but the 24-year-old agreed to terms with the Bears on Monday.
Poyer will be 32 years old by the end of April, so a short-term deal appears likely. The Bills remain his best fit, but teams like the Eagles (who already lost safety Marcus Epps and could lose Gardner-Johnson) and the Giants (who have Julian Love as a pending free agent) could also make sense.
Best Fits: Bills, Eagles, Giants
10) Kaleb McGary, OT
The Falcons declined McGary’s fifth-year option for 2023 and proceeded to watch him post the best season of his career. McGary’s job was made easier by how much Atlanta ran the ball and used play action, but the former first-round pick could fit with a team like the Bears, who figure to deploy a run-heavy offense again next season.
It’s unclear if the Falcons still have interest in re-signing McGary after making Chris Lindstrom the highest-paid guard in the league.
Best Fits: Bears, Falcons, Patriots
11) Jacoby Brissett, QB
Brissett is fresh off the best season of his career, but the dynamics of the quarterback market mean he’s unlikely to be handed a starting job. A return to the Browns appears unlikely, but a handful of teams are searching for a bridge option under center.
Brissett, who ranked eighth in QBR in 2022, could make perfect sense for the Panthers, who will draft their quarterback of the future in 2023 after acquiring the No. 1 overall pick from the Bears. New Carolina head coach Frank Reich worked with Brissett in Indy, and the veteran QB could be a perfect mentor for a young signal-caller like C.J. Stroud or Anthony Richardson.
Best Fits: Panthers, Buccaneers, Commanders
12) Byron Murphy, CB
The Buccaneers re-signed Jamel Dean for just $13 million per year, so estimates that pegged Murhpy at $16 million annually will have to be revised. Still, Murphy is an inside/outside versatile cornerback and is just 25 years old, so his market should be there.
Murphy dealt with a back injury in 2022, but that shouldn’t dissuade teams that need help in the secondary. First-year Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has expressed interest in re-signing Murphy, who has appeared in 56 games for Arizona since being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft.
Best Fits: Cardinals, Commanders, Falcons