2023 NFL Free Agency: Top 10 Offensive Free Agents

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We are just a few days from the beginning of the NFL’s legal tampering period. Soon afterwards, the 2023 league year will officially open. The free agent frenzy is always a fresh opportunity for teams to stake their claim and reshape their roster.

Who will make the most surprising splash? What team makes a large gamble with a major payday? Those are just a couple of the big questions surrounding NFL free agency each offseason. Overall, the league has seen many stars switch jerseys recently, when you thought some of those names would never leave their original franchises.

Today, we will be listing the top 10 offensive free agents available for 2023. Stay tuned for the top 10 defensive free agents article, which will drop later today at Full Press Coverage. Let’s kick it off.

Note: Players that received the 2023 franchise tag will not be listed.

1) TE Dalton Schultz

It may surprise people that tight end Dalton Schultz cracks the number one spot on this list. Admittedly, this is a much better free agent class on the defensive side of the ball. Do not let that discourage you about the all-around game of Schultz, however.

The top traits of this pass catcher include crisp route running, an ability to win in contested catch situations and powerful blocking. Schultz’s football IQ and ability to read coverages goes under the radar quite a bit. Finally, the long-time Dallas Cowboy has a sneaky good quickness to catch opponents off guard after the catch. In the last three seasons combined, Schultz has tallied 198 receptions, 2,000 receiving yards, 17 receiving touchdowns and 10.1 yards per catch.

2) OT Jawaan Taylor

In my opinion, Jawaan Taylor is the clear best offensive tackle available. Durability may not stand out as someone’s best trait. But for what it is worth, Taylor has started in all of a possible 68 games in his career so far, including playoffs. He endured a bit of a tough start as a rookie. Though, Taylor has become a stud pass blocker at right tackle.

His timing of punches are wicked at the point of attack. Additionally, Taylor is sturdy with his hand placement and gains early leverage. His athleticism may not wow anyone. Nevertheless, this is a player who has become nearly automatic against pass rushers looking to stunt, twist or win with speed.

3) QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo is challenging to rank inside of this top 10 offensive free agents list. A couple of things remain true in the NFL, however. Many teams still need an answer at quarterback, first and foremost. On top of that, Garoppolo has been able to distribute the ball to different areas of the field, while getting the ball out quickly. He could be seen as a game manager right now. But in 2023, that term is not necessarily viewed as disparagingly as it was just six to eight years ago.

Garoppolo will have options on the open market. When given the time in the pocket, he has been mostly accurate. The key for him will be to remain healthy. Perhaps, a team in quarterback purgatory can ride Jimmy G to take them a step further. It will be fascinating to see what team lands him.

4) OT Mike McGlinchey

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The former number nine overall pick out of Notre Dame had a productive five seasons for the San Francisco 49ers. In general, Mike McGlinchey is probably the most dominant as a run blocker. He is an incredible athlete for his size. With his ability to move swiftly laterally and in space, running backs can gain immediate trust.

The biggest question with McGlinchey will be his pass blocking. On the bright side, you could argue that he has become much cleaner with his technique in the last couple of years. There are moments where balance and leverage can be lost. But as he continues to improve, teams can expect largely reliable play from McGlinchey.

5) WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

It has been an interesting last few years for JuJu Smith-Schuster. He had 97 receptions, 831 receiving yards and a single-season career high nine receiving touchdowns in 2020. Afterwards, he settled for a one-year discount to return to Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the 2021 season was limited to just five games for Smith-Schuster after suffering a devastating shoulder injury. He then took another one-year deal in free agency, joining the Chiefs on an incentive-laden deal.

The 2022 campaign was not always consistent. Yet, Smith-Schuster shined when Kansas City needed him to make a crucial play with the game on the line. His Super Bowl LVII appearance included seven receptions for 53 receiving yards. Smith-Schuster is more of a WR2 at this point. His larger frame, ball skills and football IQ are his top traits. A weak free agent wide receiver class should help him, in terms of contract offers.

6) G Dalton Risner

Dalton Risner was the only interior offensive lineman to make this list. An underrated guard for four years with the Denver Broncos, Risner has shined on an offensive line that has disappointed around him. Risner is probably most known for his athleticism. With that, he can climb to the second level or pull laterally with ease. The key for him there is stellar footwork and the ability to create creases with superb body positioning. Do not discredit his work ethic and willingness to get physical or nasty upfront, either.

7) RB Miles Sanders

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A dream season with the Philadelphia Eagles resulted in a career-best campaign for running back Miles Sanders. He finished 2022 with single-season career highs in carries (259), rushing yards (1,269), rushing touchdowns (11), rushing yards per game (74.6) and scrimmage yards (1,347).

Sanders is going to be most dangerous as a ball carrier inside of an offensive attack that uses zone rushing schemes. His mix of speed, change of direction skills and vision will be the top calling cards. Quietly, Sanders has become more dependable with his contact balance. That gives him more chances to shine when running in between the tackles.

8) OT Orlando Brown Jr.

The book on Orlando Brown Jr. is pretty simple. His strengths include power at the point of attack, downhill run blocking and length. On the other hand, the limitations for Brown Jr. are extremely concerning. He is not very athletic. As a result, his reps against pass rushers with ample speed can be difficult to watch. You also have to worry about occasional hiccups in footwork and hand technique as a pass blocker.

Mainly, he still cracks this top 10 offensive free agents list because of his positive flashes. In the right team or situation, he can be demanding for defensive linemen to have to deal with. The question is, will he continue to play left tackle? And, what team is going to be comfortable meeting his worrisome asking price?

9) WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Out of sight, out of mind, Odell Beckham Jr. is available to sign with any team. The injury history and availability questions are certainly daunting. At the same time, if a team can find the right role for OBJ, the groove he can find his quite exciting. He definitely should not be viewed as a team’s WR1 anymore. In the meantime, Beckham Jr. could serve as a fine complementary piece for a contending offense. It was only 13 months ago where he was brilliant in the early going of Super Bowl LVI.

10) WR Jakobi Meyers

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Like the aforementioned Smith-Schuster and Beckham Jr., Jakobi Meyers is not going to be viewed as a WR1. There are many roles that Meyers can fill inside of an offense, nonetheless. As a pass catcher, he can play bigger than his size may suggest in traffic. The ball skills and soft hands of Meyers helps him win many battles for jump balls. All told, this is a receiver that is not afraid to block. Teams could also benefit by moving Meyers all around the offensive formation.

Be on the lookout for more FPC NFL articles and analysis in the coming days. Follow us on Twitter, @FullPressNFL.

– 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.