Top Available NFL Free Agents ahead of 2023 season
Kicking things off with the New York Jets training camp, which begins on July 22, the 2023 NFL season is right around the corner. Even so, there are a dozen free agents still available from NFL.com’s list of the top 101 from this offseason.
Although most of the league’s top free agents found new homes, others, like former Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, are holding out for a contract with the right figures or a team with the right situation.
These are the 12 free agents still looking for a new home with time ticking down to 2023 training camp.
WR DeAndre Hopkins – No. 3
Former Cardinals and Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has had plenty of suitors, even taking visits to New England and Tennessee, but the 10-year veteran hasn’t given any hints about when he intends to make a decision. He’s eager to prove he’s still a 1,000-yard receiver after posting two seasons below that mark.
He played 10 games for Arizona in 2022 upon return from suspension, notching three touchdowns and 717 yards. Hopkins’ last contract was for two years, $54.5 million.
DE Yannick Ngakoue – No. 27
Former Colts 28-year-old pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue had 9.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss last season after posting 10 sacks in 2021. And yet, he’s still available.
Since going in the third round to the Jaguars in 2016, the former Maryland star has played for three more teams – the Colts, Raiders and Vikings. His last contract was for two years, $26 million.
RB Dalvin Cook – No. 30
Dalvin Cook‘s departure from the Vikings was the shock of the offseason. It also signaled a giant red flag to running backs across the league.
After posting his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, Cook parted ways with Minnesota. He was on five-year deal worth $53 million and the Vikings cleared $9 million in cap space by cutting him.
DE Jadaveon Clowney – No. 37
Former Texans star Jadaveon Clowney had a rough exit from Cleveland after playing 26 games for them over two seasons. He had nine sacks in 2021 but that number fell to just two in 2022.
Clowney was playing for the Browns on a one-year deal worth $10 million, which was an increase of $2 million from his previous deal. Entering his 10 season in the league, he’s headed for his fifth team.
OG Dalton Risner – No. 43
Former Broncos guard Dalton Risner is hoping to land with his second team after exiting his rookie contract this offseason. He was originally on a four-year deal worth $7.1 million.
The Broncos drafted Risner with the No. 41 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, they opted to part ways with the former Kansas State standout after 62 starts.
CB Marcus Peters – No. 48
A veteran now at 30 years old, cornerback Marcus Peters still has a lot to offer. He tore his ACL two seasons ago and bounced back with 47 stops for the Ravens this season.
Peters posted one interception in 2022, down from four, which he had in 2020, prior to his injury. He was on a three-year, $42 million deal with Baltimore.
DE Melvin Ingram – No. 54
At this point, defensive end Melvin Ingram is no stranger to the free agency market. With new teams each of the last two seasons, Ingram has provided juice for teams when they’ve needed it.
For the Dolphins last season, he had six sacks, as well as 4.5 tackles for loss. Ingram was on a one-year deal for $4 million in 2022.
QB Teddy Bridgewater – No. 60
Former Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater may not find a team just yet, but he showed he’s still got it in his two starts, before injury. After getting a one-year deal for $6.5 million from Miami, however, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to match that with his next contract.
He’s played for five different teams so far in his eight years in the league. The Vikings drafted him in the first round in 2014.
CB Bryce Callahan – No. 71
At 31 years old, Bryce Callahan proved last season that he still has gas left in the tank. Bouncing back from injury, he posted 47 tackles with three interceptions in 2022 with the Chargers.
A former undrafted free agent, Callahan had a two-year deal for $12 million with the Broncos before signing for just $1.27 million with L.A. last year.
DE Justin Houston – No. 72
The oldest player among the best free agents still available, defensive end Justin Houston will be 34 years old this season. The former third-rounder out of Georgia has played for three teams now in his career – the Ravens, Colts and Chiefs.
Showing that he’s still spry, Houston had 9.5 sacks last season in just 14 games. His last deal was for one year and $3.5 million.
S John Johnson – No. 77
Former Rams third-rounder John Johnson III is fresh off of two seasons with the Browns. His last deal was for three years and $33.75 million.
He posted 101 tackles last season, up from 61 in 2021. He’s also picked off four passes in the last two years as well.