NFL Free Agency: Top 10 Offensive Free Agents

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Before we know it, the NFL’s 2022 league year will be in full swing. Squads are now able to designate franchise tags or transition tags on pending free agents, if they so wish. The legal tampering period begins on March 14th. Just two days later, the free agency period officially opens on March 16th, allowing players to ink new contracts.

Which players will surprise fans by becoming the next player to increase or greatly improve their overall salary? At the same time, there will be certain star players that will receive much deserved record-breaking deals. Who re-signs with the same team that they were with before? Or, which top players make the move to a fresh start in a brand-new environment?

The 2022 NFL free agent class is limitless, and that includes the offensive side of the football. There is quite the mix of weapons and blockers to be had. We will include a fair share of each of those in today’s rankings. On top of that, it was difficult to leave some players outside of the top 10. Names like Allen Robinson and Brandon Scherff just missed the cut.

Keep in mind that some of the names listed could go on to receive the franchise tag or transition tag from the incumbent team of said player. As a result, some of these names may not be available when free agency opens. Who are the top 10 offensive free agents entering the 2022 offseason? Let’s get to it.

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1. WR Davante Adams

Obviously, a lot will hinge on the looming decision surrounding Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. If he elects to stay in Green Bay, odds are that Davante Adams could very well do the same. However, the Packers and the star wide receiver have “not had any discussions on a new contract since the season ended,” via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The two sides were also not seeing anywhere near eye to eye on potential contract terms this past summer.

The #Packers and WR Davante Adams have yet to talk contract since the end of the season. #GoPackGo #NFL #FPC @FPC_Packers pic.twitter.com/m8fPhrUQqg

— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) February 22, 2022

Arguably the league’s best wide receiver, Adams is a lethal route runner. His releases off of the line of scrimmage leave opposing defensive backs guessing. Additionally, he is smooth with his hands and provides scheme versatility. Since 2018, Adams has led the league in categories like receptions (432), receiving yards (5,310) and receiving touchdowns (47). The Fresno State product’s 1,553 receiving yards in 2021 were also a single season career high.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $25.8 million

Potential Fits if Adams does not remain with Packers: Raiders, Dolphins, Bears

2. WR Chris Godwin

Chris Godwin was on pace to set a new single season career high in receiving yards last year himself. He finished with 1,103 receiving yards in 2021, to go along with 98 receptions and five receiving touchdowns. Godwin’s season ended prematurely, however. He tore his ACL and MCL after taking a low hit against the division rival New Orleans Saints in Week 15. It was a game where Tampa Bay lost 9-0. But more importantly for the team, it was the first domino to fall in what led to a finish short of a second straight Super Bowl championship.

Godwin also presents scheme versatility, as he can be a pest from the slot. His hands and ability to make tougher catches in traffic set him apart from many other wide receivers in the NFL. Of course, his injury recovery will make things interesting. Godwin should still get paid handsomely, nonetheless.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $18.1 million

Potential Fits if Godwin does not remain with Buccaneers: Jaguars, Bears, Browns

3. OT Terron Armstead

There’s a weird mix of dominance that Terron Armstead has had since entering the NFL, while still being somewhat underappreciated among left tackles. He provides size, explosiveness and commanding power as a blindside protector. To boot, Armstead has been heavily praised for his leadership and toughness within the locker room and off the field.

With a resume like that, who wouldn’t want this mammoth of a left tackle on their team? Not every squad has the salary cap relief like other teams do, though. That includes Armstead’s incumbent team in the Saints. Injuries have also plagued the offensive lineman in recent years. He missed nine games total in 2021, due to elbow and knee injuries. Armstead also logged over 750 offensive snaps just twice in the first six seasons of his career because of ailments.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $23.9 million

Potential Fits if Armstead does not remain with Saints: Bengals, Dolphins, Jaguars

4. WR Mike Williams

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Wide receiver Mike Williams had to pay his dues early in his career, so to speak. The former seventh overall pick in 2017 missed the first six games of his rookie season. A mild herniated disk in his lower back also held him out of organized team activities and all of training camp that rookie year. Overall, Williams managed 759 receiving yards across his first two seasons, leaving plenty of room for growth.

His last few seasons have been much more impactful. Williams has been able to display short area burst, creating ample separation with his size and how he can be a consistent threat in the deep passing game. With that, he dominates in contested catch situations and in creating yards after the catch is secured. Williams generated single season career highs in receptions (76) and receiving yards (1,146) in 2021. He also had nine touchdown catches.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $16.7 million

Potential Fits if Williams does not remain with Chargers: Raiders, Browns, Jaguars

5. OT Orlando Brown Jr.

After mainly playing his first two seasons at right tackle with the Baltimore Ravens, Orlando Brown Jr. got a new chance in 2020. The Ravens regular left tackle, Ronnie Stanley, got hurt and missed most of the season. Brown Jr. swung over to left tackle as a result. He not only flourished there. But, the blocker became comfortable and even more confident.

His wants and demands to play left tackle were too much to handle for the Ravens. Baltimore then traded Brown Jr. to the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason. Kansas City was clearly looking to overhaul their offensive line, after getting embarrassed in the Super Bowl LV loss to the Buccaneers. Brown Jr. was quite impressive. He only allowed six sacks and committed just seven penalties. That is not too shabby for a player playing left tackle for a full season for the first time. And it came in a new scheme as well. Brown Jr. presents length, power and size.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $23.3 million

Potential Fits if Brown Jr. does not remain with Chiefs: Bengals, Dolphins, Panthers

6. C Ryan Jensen

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Ryan Jensen has spent four seasons each with the Ravens and Buccaneers. Since his final year with Baltimore in 2017, he has not missed a single game at the center position. There is more to like than the durability. Jensen is a blocker that brings a tenacious attitude and finishes blocks with authority. Do not discredit is ability to block in space as well. Any quarterback or team is going to love having that upfront.

If anything, Jensen may come a bit cheaper than some may realize. He is set to turn 31 years old this upcoming May. The farther blockers go over the 30-age mark, the more caution there is at a position where players are constantly taking a beating. Finally, Jensen may not provide as much scheme versatility as one may think. His intense style is a benefit. Yet, overaggressive behavior and leaning during his blocks could be a problem here and there.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $10 million

Potential Fits if Jensen does not remain with Buccaneers: Bengals, Panthers, Bears

7. WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. saw his tenure with the Cleveland Browns come to a screeching halt midway through 2021. A series of off-field moments and certain social media posts led to him being released by the team. Plenty of potential suitors were interested in OBJ afterwards. Ultimately, he elected to sign with the Los Angeles Rams. Beckham Jr.’s 27 receptions, 305 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in seven regular season games with the Rams were all more than what he had in those categories in six games with the Browns earlier in the year.

Furthermore, Beckham Jr. was absolutely magnificent in the playoffs. He hauled in 21 receptions on 26 targets. Beckham Jr. also added 288 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns and 13.7 yards per reception in those four postseason games. Unfortunately for the receiver, he suffered a torn ACL midway through Super Bowl LVI. Beckham Jr. still made his impact, making two catches and adding a touchdown grab. He still became a Super Bowl champion, even though he could not finish the contest.

OBJ will have a different road to recovery than say Godwin, given the timing of the significant knee injury. He was still able to remind people of his tremendous speed, route running and ball skills while with the Rams, nevertheless.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $13.1 million

Potential Fits if Beckham Jr. does not remain with Rams: Chiefs, Raiders, Saints

8. RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson

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Cordarrelle Patterson quite literally did everything for the Atlanta Falcons offense in 2021. He has been known as a running back/wide receiver hybrid in recent years, along with having kick return prowess. Patterson took his running and receiving game to a new level in his lone season with Atlanta. He set new single season career highs in carries (153), rushing yards (618), rushing touchdowns (six), receptions (52- tied with his 2016 figure), receiving yards (548), receiving touchdowns (five).

Most of those exceeded his old career bests by a significant margin. He does come with his older age (set to be 31 years old in March) and has plenty of tread on his tires. Though, some teams should be hungry to maximize on his speed, dual threat capability and ability to be a matchup nightmare in space. Patterson is not easy to bring down either.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $9.1 million

Potential Fits if Patterson does not remain with Falcons: Chargers, Ravens, Cardinals

9. TE Dalton Schultz

A former fourth round pick out of Stanford, tight end Dalton Schultz seems to be just scratching the surface among dangerous pass catchers at his position. His career did start slowly. But in the last two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Schultz has produced 141 receptions, 1,423 receiving yards, 10.1 yards per reception and 12 touchdown catches.

I do not think people realize how proficient Schultz is as a blocker either. He truly can do it all. This tight end could soon be among the top couple of tiers at his position. Elsewhere, Schultz is dangerous in short to intermediate routes. He works the middle of the field so calmly. The way in which he wins after the catch is the cherry on top of a well-rounded skillset.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $12.6 million

Potential Fits if Schultz does not remain with Cowboys: Chargers, Dolphins, Colts

10. TE Mike Gesicki

Bringing back Mike Gesicki is one of the more complicated situations that the Miami Dolphins find themselves in entering 2022. On top of that, there is a new offensive mind in place at head coach with Mike McDaniel. The fact of the matter is that this player can produce at a high rate. He saw his receiving numbers improve steadily over the last three seasons. His reception numbers consecutively from 2019-21 are as follows. It reads as 51 in 2019, 53 in 2020 and 73 in 2021. The same goes for his receiving yards. It reads as 570 in 2019, 703 in 2020 and 780 in 2021.

However, there are limitations to his game as well. Questions of being able to separate consistently are persistent. According to Next Gen Stats, his yards of separation generated on targets has ranked seventh lowest or worse in each of the last three seasons. Gesicki is not the fastest or most physically gifted athletes either. Most of all, he is not a traditional tight end. Gesicki makes his money via the slot or lining up outside. But overall, it is hard to ignore his production and ability to produce down the field. He could grow further in an offense that is much deeper if he does not return to the Dolphins.

Projected Market Value via Spotrac: $11 million

Potential Fits if Gesicki does not remain with Dolphins: Chargers, Colts, Titans

To find out who made the cut in FPC’s top 10 defensive free agents article by Ryan Cuneo, click here. Be on the lookout for more FPC NFL offseason articles in the coming weeks. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.