The first wave of free agency is coming to a close as many of the top free agents are off the board, signing new contracts with other teams or returning to their current franchise. The first few days were a frenzy, but the market has dried up as the second wave is set to take place.
Regardless, there are plenty of good players available. These are the best ones left at each position.
Quarterback
While Jackson has the non-exclusive franchise tag on him and the Baltimore Ravens can match any offer, he’s available for any team to negotiate a contract with. Jackson is the top free agent left in the league.
The Ravens are 45-16 in Jackson’s 61 starts since he entered the league in 2018. They average 28.0 points per game when Jackson is on the field compared to 20.0 when Jackson misses games. Jackson is one of six players in NFL history to reach 100-plus passing touchdowns and 4,000-plus rushing yards in a career, and the fastest to reach the mark by 31 games. The Ravens are averaging 184.8 rushing yards per game with Jackson as a starter in his career — the most by any starting quarterback since the 1970 merger.
Former MVPs at 26 years old don’t hit free agency very often.
Running back
This demonstrates how the running back market has thinned over the last several days, as all the top rushers are off the board. Elliott is the top player left in a dry market.
Elliott was arguably the worst starting running back in the league last season, finishing last in the NFL in yards per carry (3.8), tackles avoided (32), and percentage of runs that went for 10-plus yards (7.4%). His rushing-yards-per-game numbers have declined each season as a result of the number of touches accumulated over the course of his career, averaging a career-low 58.4 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry in 2022.
Wide receiver
The wide receiver market is thinning, but teams can get a good pass catcher in Thielen. Still productive on the outside and in the slot, Thielen finished with 70 catches for 716 yards and six touchdowns last season.
The two-time Pro Bowler has 30 receiving touchdowns over his last three seasons — and he’s only 32.
Tight end
Easily the best tight end available, specifically based on his pass-catching ability. Schultz has 135 catches (fourth among tight ends), 1,385 receiving yards (sixth), and 13 receiving touchdowns (fifth) over the last two years — showcasing how good he’s been as a pass catcher among his peers.
With Mike Gesicki off the board, the market now turns to Schultz.
Offensive tackle
Lewan has experienced his fair share of injuries over the years, but is still a good player when he’s on the field. Allowing four sacks and 22 pressures in his last full season (2021). Lewan can hold the fort down at left tackle — in a league that doesn’t have a lot of good ones.
Offensive guard
It’s surprising Seumalo is still on the market nearly a week into free agency. A younger and more versatile option at guard, Seumalo can play left guard, right guard and center (he even started a game at right tackle in his career).
The protection on any offensive line would improve with Seuamlo (who allowed just one sack and 17 pressures last season at right guard).
Center
Hudson played just four games last season, but only allowed two pressures and a pressure percentage of 1.1% in his 284 snaps. He’s worth the contract for a team that needs a center, and provides excellent value for an offensive line.
Edge rusher
Still one of the clutch edge rushers in football, Clark’s 13.5 sacks in the playoffs are third-most in NFL history. Clark had just five sacks last season, but had 45 pressures and 13 quarterback hits. Clark has hit double digits in sacks twice and has made the Pro Bowl in three of the last four seasons (and is just 29).
Defensive tackle
Surprising Gaines is still on the market as the second wave of free agency approaches. Gaines had 16 pressures and four sacks last season in 12 starts. A solid starter, Gaines is primarily on the field against the run.
Outside linebacker
The linebacker market was strong in free agency, so Morrow could be set to cash in. Morrow finished with a career-high 116 tackles while playing in all 17 games for the Chicago Bears last season.
Just 27 years old, 13.9% of Morrow’s stops against the run resulted in a tackle. The 13 missed tackles are a concern.
Inside linebacker
Wagner is still one of the best players available on the market and still incredibly productive for his age (32). Notching a career-high six sacks, Wagner had 140 tackles, two interceptions, and five passes defended in earning All-Pro honors (first or second team) for the ninth consecutive year.
Wagner has finished with 100-plus tackles in all 11 of his seasons. He’ll be a great find for the team that gets him.
Cornerback
One of the good man-cover corners in the game, Ya-Sin allowed a 63.2 passer rating when opposing quarterbacks targeted him last season. He allowed just 51.7% of passes thrown his way to be caught with no touchdowns allowed.
For teams looking for a reliable corner, Ya-Sin provides excellent value. He’s a good find in the second wave of free agency.
Safety
Gardner-Johnson is the best free agent safety left, even if his market isn’t what he thought it was going to be. Gardner-Johnson tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions last season despite playing in just 12 games. Only Trevon Diggs and Justin Simmons have more interceptions than Gardner-Johnson over the past two seasons.
The Philadelphia Eagles are still making a push to keep Gardner-Johnson. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 63.8 passer rating targeting Gardner-Johnson last season, who can play both safety and cornerback.
Kicker
Even at 40 years old, Gould is still one of the best kickers in the game. Gould hit 27 of 34 field goal attempts last season (84.4%) and 50 of 51 extra point attempts (98.0%). He still has never missed a kick in the postseason — as Gould is 29 of 29 on field goals and 39 of 39 on extra points.
Punter
Bailey is looking for a career resurgence after the worst season of his four-year career, in which he averaged just 42.1 yards per punt and had just 32.9% of his kicks inside the 20-yard line. The 35.1 net yards per punt are a major concern as well.
Bailey was an All-Pro just two seasons ago. Perhaps he can turn things around with a new team.