The start of every new National Football League (NFL) season, as with every other major sports season, begins with the process known as the Free Agent Market. During this time before the NFL Draft, any and all players that have either been released by their former team or whose contract has been played out without an extension enter a market in which they can negotiate a new contract with any team including their own. The player then chooses which team they continue their career with. This article will list the top 5 contracts per position and their expectations this coming season.
Quarterback:
- Derek Carr, NO, $150,000,000, 4 years.
Much of Carr’s development has been stunted by a lack of a longer-term Head Coach to create a bond and his age of 32 does not inspire much hope that he will progress.
- Jimmy Garoppalo, LV, $72,750,000, 3 years.
The same issue that causes much doubt behind Derek Carr also applies to Jimmy Garoppalo as both are aging talents that have little to no room for growth.
- Taylor Heinicke, ATL, $14,000,000, 2 years.
Heinicke is most likely a reliever pickup by Atlanta in order to give the team a solid backup in case Desmond RIddler doesn’t see any improvement.
- Andy Dalton, CAR, $10,000,000, 2 years.
- Jarret Stidham, DEN, $10,000,000, 2 years.
Running Back:
- Miles Sanders, CAR, $25,000,000, 4 years.
Sanders has been a consistent back that creates a strong run to move behind. He still remains decently healthy and young back and only making him worth around six and half million per year gets
- David Montgomery, DET, $18,000,000, 3 years.
Montgomery has put up exceptional numbers throughout his rookie contract. Paired with Detriot losing one of their major weapons in Jamall Williams there is an aparent need for Detriot to fill his missing spot with another heavier, stronger back.
- Jamall Williams, NO, $12,000,000, 3 years.
Jamall Williams was mainly a solid back that was utinlized to punch in the ball to the Endzone in goaline rushes. Pairing Williams with the elusive Alvin Kamera creates an outstanding runningback core to rely on.
- Samaje Perine, DEN, $7,500,000, 2 years.
- Alexander Mattison, MIN, $7,500,000, 2 years.
Wide Receiver:
- Allen Lazard, NYJ, $44,000,000, 4 years.
Lazard is still mostly unproven as he is still a very young receiver with not many catches in his career. However if the blockbuster trade by New York to acquire Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay this trade for a receiver that is accustomed to playing with Rodgers should allow for a quicker sync between the two.
- Jakobi Meyers, LV, $33,000,000, 3 years.
Most likely the most joked about pickup as during the 2022 season Meyers threw an accidently pass to Las Vegas’ Chandler Jones for a game losing pick six by Jones. Outside of his major mistake Meyers is a subpar receiver that can hopefully fit his former Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels’ play scheme.
- Juju Smith-Schuster, NE, $25,500,000, 3 years.
Coming off a superbowl win the 26 year old reciever is leaving the phenomenal Patrick Mahomes and downgrading to Mac Jones as his quarterback. Hopefully this skill shift does not negatively affect the receiver however there is much worry over whether he will even have the opportunity to play at the next level.
- Adam Thielen, CAR, $25,000,000, 3 years.
- Roberts Woods, HOU, $15,250,000, 2 years.
Tight End:
- Hayden Hurst, CAR, $21,750,000, 3 years.
As a former first round pick many thought Hurst would be an astounding pickup however his lack luster stats and play had left many hoping the rebuilding Carolina will give Hurst the boost he needs to become a very successful tight end.
- Josh Oliver, MIN, $21,000,000, 3 years.
With an inconsistent blocking ability but high level receiving ability Josh Oliver is an amazing backup to T.J. Hockenson and can hopefully see a growth sputr in his new team.
- Dalton Schultz, HOU, $6,250,000, 1 year.
One of many great pickups by Houston during this offseason Schultz was seen as the best possible pickup for his position however his short and limited contract shows that Houston is unsure whether they are going to keep Schultz long term or use him while he remains healthy and shop for other options.
- Chris Manhertz, DEN, $6,000,000, 2 years.
- Mike Gesicki, NE, $4,500,000, 1 year.
Offensive Tackle:
- Mike McGlinchey, DEN, $87,500,000, 5 years.
- Jawaan Taylor, KC, $80,000,000, 4 years.
- Orlando Brown Jr., CIN, $64,092,000, 4 years.
- Kaleb McGary, ATL, $34,500,000, 3 years.
- Andre Dillard, TEN, $29,000,000, 3 years.
Offensive Guard:
- Ben Powers, DEN, $51,500,000, 4 years.
- Nate Davis, CHI, $30,000,000, 3 years.
- Issac Suemalo, PIT, $24,000,000, 3 years.
- Conner McGovern, BUF, $22,350,000, 3 years.
- Nick Gates, WAS, $16,500,000, 3 years.
Centers:
- Bradley Bozeman, CAR, $18,000,000, 3 years.
- Jake Brendal, SF, $16,500,000, 4 years.
- Garrett Bradbury, MIN, $15,750,000, 3 years.
- Jason Kelce, PHI, $14,250,000, 1 year.
- Hjalte Froholdt, ARI, $4,600,000, 2 years.
Defensive Ends
- Dre’Mont Jones, SEA, $51,530,000, 3 years.
Jones was ranked the third best defensive lineman however his above market value pricetag gave him a bigger expectation for greatness to arise by this pickup.
- Zach Allen, DEN, $47,750,000, 3 years.
As a third round pick Allen has grown overtime seeing a stead increase in his production throughout his career however with very unimpressive numbers through his rookie contract Allen, in many eyes, has done nothing to earn an above average pay.
- Larry Ogunjobi, PIT, $28,750,000, 3 years.
Extending his one year deal shows that Pittsburgh is hoping to get valuable play from the former Bengal. Ogunjobi has not had any breakout years but has stayed consistent in reaching a disruptive energy against opposing teams.
- Samson Ebukam, IND, $24,000,000, 3 years.
- Kaden Elliss, ATL, $21,500,000, 3 years.
Defensive Tackles:
- Javon Hargrave, SF, $84,000,000, 4 years.
Hargrave is a very persistent pash rusher and run stopper who has created a major impact on Philadelphia’s defensive line. His contract reflects this with almost 21 million per year in revenue for Hargrave.
- Dalvin Tomlinson, CLE, $57,000,000, 4 years.
Tomlinson’s career numbers do not reflect his contracts value and Cleveland is over paying Tomlinson by an exreme amount. In addition to his limit play before joining Cleveland the team’s well known toxic environment creates a place for another player to either prove himself or fall into the blackhole that is Cleveland.
- David Onyemata, ATL, $35,000,000, 3 years.
Hopefully Onyemata’s play can greatly approve as the stats he achieved during the 2022 season saw no outstanding numbers in any category. Overall this year’s defensive free agency market has been disappointing to say the least.
- Shy Tuttle, CAR, $19,500,000, 3 years.
- Khalen Saunders, NO, $12,300,000, 3 years.
Linebacker:
- Tremaine Edmunds, CHI, $72,000,000, 4 years.
One of the most active teams currently Chicago have a major pickup in Edmunds. Throughout his career he has consistently put up over 100 tackles each season and good pass coverage. Paired with his 6’5 frame Edmunds is a very athletic player that Chicago desperately needs to improve their defense.
- Bobby Okereke, NYG, $40,000,000, 4 years.
New York has picked up a rising star in Okereke. Even with lower rookie numbers than what many would like to see recently Okereke has become a very solid body to have on the field with a good sense of game.
- Kaden Elliss, ATL, $21,500,000, 3 years.
Kaden Elliss is a very superpar linebacker with no major numbers in any category. The price tag on Elliss very heavily tanks the linebacker market as this below average back is earning a strongly overpaid salary.
- Arden Key, TEN, $21,000,000, 3 years.
- Germaine Pratt, CIN, $20,250,000, 3 years.
Defensive Back:
- Jamel Dean, TB, $52,000,000, 4 years.
Although this isn’t a team change Jamel has earned his salary with outstanding play and haevy support against the run makes Dean an outstanding extension by Tampa Bay.
- James Bradberry, PHI, $38,000,000, 3 years.
With a small amount of controversy where Bradberry was realeased by Philadelphia for less than a day before coming to agreement. Even as Bradberry is an older option than many free agents his solid coverage and tackling skills.
- Cameron Sutton, DET, $33,000,000, 3 years.
Detroit’s need for secondary help sees Sutton as a solid pickup for the team. Speaking in terms of defensive backs stats are not the most influential factor as if a back is extremely good many teams will not throw the ball anywhere near them.
- Jonathan Jones, NE, $19,000,000, 2 years
- Byron Murphy, MIN, $17,500,000, 2 years.
Safeties:
- Jessie Bates III, ATL, $64,020,000, 4 years.
Atlanta’s horrendous secondary created an enormous need for a strong team leader that will support the entire team. Bates fills this need as he commanded the secondary in Cincinnati and generated good numbers in his time there.
- Vonn Bell, CAR, $22,500,00, 3 years
Carolina’s improved secondary is only boosted by acquiring Vonn Bell. Although he hasn’t put up any record breaking numbers his play style and coverage skills speak for themselves.
- Juan Thornhill, CLE, $21,000,000, 3 years.
Throughout his rookie contract Thornhill has been a notable name on Kansas City’s roster and will only continue to improve Cleveland’s secondary. Thornhill hopefully can fix the holes that Cleveland faces either on the field or off the field.
- Donovan Wilson, DAL $21,000,000, 3 years
- Jimmie Ward, HOU, $13,000,000, 2 years