NFL Free Agency 2023: One Player Every Team Must Sign

The Jaguars needed a receiver in 2022 and overpaid for Christian Kirk. But the signing paid off as Jacksonville advanced to the AFC divisional playoffs.

Many snickered at the Jaguars for spending boatloads of money on players who weren’t ranked high on pundits’ top-50 free agents lists in 2022. Let this serve as a reminder that scouting reports don’t always align with team needs.

Perhaps the Jaguars overspent on wide receiver Christian Kirk last March (four years, $72 million), but the front office viewed him as the right fit for its roster and coaching philosophy. Same with tight end Evan Engram, wide receiver Zay Jones, offensive guard Brandon Scherff, cornerback Darious Williams and a few other acquisitions that helped the Jaguars advance to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.

We’re still waiting on Tony Khan’s heel promo to tell the doubters they were wrong about Jacksonville’s signings, or maybe the Jaguars’ executive can ask one of his wrestlers from AEW to handle the mike drop.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently revealed that he’s still in contact with Beckham Jr :: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Here at the MMQB, we analyzed all 32 teams for what they might be searching for Monday when the legal tampering period opens to negotiate with outside free agents. So with roster needs, coaching philosophies and cap space in mind, here’s one free agent every team should sign.

Arizona Cardinals

• Marcus Davenport, edge rusher, Saints

The Cardinals generated only 36 total sacks this past season and lost J.J. Watt to retirement. New Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon knows the importance of having a stout pass rush after being the defensive coordinator of the Eagles, who recorded a league-high 70 sacks in 2022. Davenport excels at disrupting the passer, but he struggled with consistency and availability with the Saints, recording only 21.5 sacks in five seasons. Perhaps the former first-round pick would benefit from a change of scenery.

Atlanta Falcons

• Jessie Bates, safety, Bengals

The Falcons’ secondary would benefit from having an experienced veteran such as Bates, especially if the defense struggles again with generating a pass rush. Bates can limit the big plays downfield and has a knack for creating takeaways with four interceptions last season. Bates’s presence would also allow cornerback A.J. Terrell to roam the field.

Baltimore Ravens

• Jakobi Meyers, wide receiver, Patriots

Meyers’s versatility as a receiver and high-level blocker would be a perfect fit with a Lamar Jackson–led offense. Obviously, the Ravens have a contract dilemma with Jackson, but regardless of who’s throwing the ball, Meyers is known for making life easier for quarterbacks. Ask Mac Jones, Cam Newton and any other quarterback Meyers has played with since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

Buffalo Bills

• Isaac Seumalo, offensive guard, Eagles

Seumalo might have benefited from playing on a talented Eagles offensive line, but he emerged as one of its best run blockers. The Bills were one of the top rushing teams in the NFL last season, but a sizable amount came from quarterback Josh Allen. They need more production from the running backs, and Seumalo can help.

Carolina Panthers

• Byron Murphy, cornerback, Cardinals

Murphy developed into a versatile defensive back, but he does his best work from the slot. The Panthers are searching for a nickel cornerback and need more help for No. 1 cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Chicago Bears

• Jawaan Taylor, offensive tackle, Jaguars

Taylor will hit the open market with the Jaguars using the franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram. The Bears are in desperate need of offensive line help and have the salary cap to pay one of the top offensive tackles in free agency. Orlando Brown Jr. will also be available, but Taylor tends to deliver his best work against star pass rushers.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Andrew Wylie, offensive tackle, Chiefs

The Bengals focused on the interior of their offensive line last free agency, but now quarterback Joe Burrow needs better protectors at tackle. With the Bengals needing to pay Burrow and a few other top players, Wylie is a quality tackle who likely won’t command a hefty contract.

Cleveland Browns

• David Onyemata, defensive tackle, Saints

The Browns struggled against the run last year and will need to go bargain hunting to address this need because they don’t have much cap space. Onyemata is an underrated defensive tackle who made several plays in seven seasons for the Saints.

Dallas Cowboys

• Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver

The Cowboys showed plenty of interest in Beckham during his in-season free agency tour that ended with him not signing with a team in 2022 because his recovery timeline for the torn ACL he sustained in Super Bowl LVI took longer than expected. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently revealed that he’s still in contact with the three-time Pro Bowler, and Beckham joining Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb would be fun to watch this season.

Denver Broncos

• Mike Gesicki, tight end, Dolphins

Not much went right for Russell Wilson during his first season in Denver, but he did find success throwing to tight ends. Gesicki would provide an upgrade at the position and give Wilson a playmaker in the slot for big-chunk plays off seam routes. Gesicki wasn’t a scheme fit for Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, but Gesicki proved in previous seasons that he’s one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league.

Detroit Lions

• Jamel Dean, cornerback, Buccaneers

The Lions need plenty of help in the secondary after allowing 245.8 passing yards per game last season, third worst in the NFL. Dean is an experienced cornerback who’s coming off his best career season.

Green Bay Packers

• Jordan Poyer, safety, Bills

The Packers’ defense delivered subpar results this past season, despite having a talented roster. Poyer can still play at a high level, and his leadership would help the Packers’ defense reach its potential on the field.

Houston Texans

• Dalton Schultz, tight end, Cowboys

The Texans will probably draft a quarterback in the first round next month, and that rookie would benefit from having Schultz as a target. Prescott found plenty of success by throwing in Schultz’s direction the past few seasons. Schultz had 198 receptions over the past three seasons.

Indianapolis Colts

• Kaleb McGary, offensive tackle, Falcons

The Colts’ offensive line surprisingly struggled this past season, and the team is now searching for upgrades at the tackle positions. McGary can slide in at right tackle to protect the new quarterback the Colts will probably draft next month and to provide running lanes for running back Jonathan Taylor, who’s in need of a bounce-back season after rushing for only 861 yards in 2022.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• James Bradberry, cornerback, Eagles

The Jaguars have a surging offense, but they have a few holes to address defensively. Adding Bradberry would give Jacksonville a legit No. 1 outside cornerback to defend the top receiver on a weekly basis. Also, the Jaguars are planning to cut Shaquill Griffin, giving the team more cap space to sign a top free agent such as Bradberry.

Kansas City Chiefs

Ngakoue could be a cheaper option at defensive end for the Chiefs after the released Frank Clark :: Jenna Watson/IndyStar Staff/USA TODAY Sports

• Yannick Ngakoue, edge rusher, Colts

With Frank Clark likely being released, the Chiefs will need help at edge rusher. Ngakoue would be a cheaper option for the reigning champions, and he could form a productive pairing with George Karlaftis.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Zach Allen, defensive lineman, Cardinals

The Raiders desperately need run stoppers and more pass rushers to assist Maxx Crosby on the defensive line, so why not get a player who can address both needs? Allen emerged as one of the most improved players in the league last season. He creates pressure in the pocket and excels at closing running lanes.

Los Angeles Chargers

• John Johnson III, safety

Johnson is familiar with Chargers coach Brandon Staley from their one season together with the Rams in 2020 when Staley was the defensive coordinator. Johnson could be the eraser of the defense, while star safety Derwin James roams the field to create takeaways and impact plays.

Los Angeles Rams

• Ben Powers, offensive guard, Ravens

The Rams’ offensive line was decimated by injuries last season, but they shouldn’t rely on healthy players to improve the unit this season. Powers flourished in the Ravens’ system, and he can provide insurance in case of injuries or inexperienced players don’t pan out.

Miami Dolphins

• David Long Jr., inside linebacker, Titans

Long would be a great fit for Vic Fangio’s defense in Miami. He’s a standout run stopper, blitzer and is quick to the ball to limit the quick throws that opposing offenses tend to do often against a two-high shell defense.

Minnesota Vikings

• Jonathan Jones, cornerback, Patriots

The Vikings had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL last season with a defensive unit that allowed 265.6 passing yards per game—only the Titans allowed more yards in 2022. Jones is familiar with new defensive coordinator Brian Flores from their time together in New England.

New England Patriots

• Cameron Sutton, cornerback, Steelers

If Jones leaves in free agency, cornerback would be a glaring need for the Patriots. Sutton has gotten better every season in Pittsburgh and can assist as a slot and outside cornerback.

New Orleans Saints

• Poona Ford, defensive lineman, Seahawks

The Saints might part ways with free agents Davenport and Onyemata because of their tight cap space, which would leave them thin on the defensive line. Ford is coming off a down season and might be an affordable option in New Orleans.

New York Giants

• JuJu Smith-Schuster, wide receiver, Chiefs

Many are laughing at Giants quarterback Daniel Jones for seeking at least $45 million per year on his next contract, but he guided New York to a postseason appearance, despite having a lackluster group of wideouts. Perhaps Jones proves he’s worth the money with more quality receivers such as Smith-Schuster, who stepped up for Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.

New York Jets

• DJ Chark, wide receiver, Lions

Chark would stretch the field for Aaron Rodgers or whichever veteran quarterback the Jets add in the coming days. The Jets are thin at wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Bobby Wagner, inside linebacker, Rams

Wagner wants to play for a contender, and he’ll likely have plenty of interest after another All-Pro season. The Eagles appear to be the right fit for Wagner, and they might have a few openings with many free agents on the defensive side.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Tremaine Edmunds, inside linebacker, Bills

The Steelers have received shaky play from their inside linebackers the past few seasons. Edmunds can end that trend as a do-it-all middle linebacker. He had many highs and lows with the Bills, but he’s one of the best at his position when he captures his stride.

San Francisco 49ers

With Brock Purdy and Trey Lance recovering from injuries, Mayfield could be an option for the 49ers :: Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports

• Baker Mayfield, quarterback, Rams

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently wrote to keep an eye on the 49ers as a landing spot for Mayfield, and this makes plenty of sense because Brock Purdy might not be fully healthy before the start of the season, and Jimmy Garoppolo might find a new home in free agency. Trey Lance would benefit from having a veteran quarterback such as Mayfield to compete with in training camp.

Seattle Seahawks

• Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle, Eagles

The Seahawks have made many right moves since trading Wilson to the Broncos. They were right about quarterback Geno Smith, delivered a memorable draft class in 2022 and have a healthy salary cap. Now they’re in a position to splurge in free agency. The Seahawks need interior defensive linemen, and they would be wise to get Hargrave, possibly the best available free agent this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• D’Onta Foreman, running back, Panthers

The Buccaneers averaged a league-low 76.9 rushing yards per game last season and don’t have enough cap space to chase the top free-agent running backs. But everyone knows by now that you don’t need to spend big to find quality running backs. Foreman knows how to move the chains and would be an affordable option for Tampa Bay.

Tennessee Titans

• Lavonte David, inside linebacker, Buccaneers

The Titans could have an opening at inside linebacker if Long leaves in free agency. But even if Long stays, the Titans should go after David, the 12th-year veteran coming off another standout season. David playing on a defense with Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and Harold Landry would give Tennessee a ferocious front seven.

Washington Commanders

• Mike McGlinchey, offensive tackle, 49ers

The Commanders have an opening at right tackle and are in need of consistency on the offensive line. McGlinchey could provide that and might fit well in Eric Bieniemy’s offense.