Baker Mayfield, David Montgomery Among Best NFL Free Agent Signings of 2023

Several offensive play makers and pass rushers more than earned the contracts they signed last offseason.

NFL fans often look back at free agency signings from the prior offseason and lament big money going to players who failed to reach expectations. But on the other, sunnier side of the coin, there are always plenty of players who outperform the contract given them.

In the list below, we look at players who changed teams via free agency last offseason and fit the latter description, factoring in value, production and impact on the team.

Here are, in our estimation, the 12 best free-agent signings from 2023.

Schultz formed an instant connection with Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud last season :: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

12. Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans

One year, $6.25 million

After playing multiple seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Schultz switched Lone Star State allegiances by joining the Texans and became an integral part of the offense. Schultz caught 59 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns, ultimately earning a three-year deal worth $36 million on Tuesday. Paired with star quarterback C.J. Stroud, the 27-year-old tight end should have great years ahead.

[ 2024 NFL Free Agency: Latest News & Analysis ]

11. David Long Jr., ILB, Miami Dolphins

Two years, $11 million

After four years with the Tennessee Titans, Long signed with the Dolphins on a two-year pact and immediately showed why he’s a budding star. Long notched 113 tackles including nine for loss, along with six quarterback hits and a sack—all career highs while proving his durability by playing all 17 games. He remains one of the pillars for Miami’s defense going into the final year of his deal.

10. Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers

Three years, $25 million

Not much went right last season for the Carolina Panthers, but landing Thielen on a team-friendly, three-year deal turned out to be wise. Following a nine-year stint with the Vikings, Thielen posted 103 receptions for 1,014 yards, providing the only legitimate weapon for rookie quarterback Bryce Young. While Thielen’s numbers are somewhat inflated by the lack of talent around him, he still performed admirably in his age-33 season.

9. Drue Tranquill, ILB, Kansas City Chiefs

One year, $3 million

Tranquill, a former Charger, might have been the best bargain in free agency last year. At the cost of just $3 million, Tranquill ended up playing a key role for the Super Bowl champs. While Nick Bolton missed nine games with a wrist injury, Tranquill seamlessly stepped in, providing 4.5 sacks from the inside while totaling 78 tackles and two forced fumbles. Even more importantly, Tranquill excelled in pass coverage, making him a valuable asset the Chiefs will almost certainly try to re-sign, even if it’ll cost them more this time around.

8. Kyle Van Noy, OLB, Baltimore Ravens

One year, $2.25 million

Throughout his previous nine NFL seasons, Van Noy was always a steady defender but never much of a pass rusher. That changed with the Ravens under defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who got the 32-year-old to post a career-high nine sacks in just 14 games. Baltimore posted a league-high 60 sacks last year, and Van Noy was a big reason why.

7. Bobby Okereke, ILB, New York Giants

Four years, $40 million

Spending his first four years with the Indianapolis Colts, Okereke was largely unsung from a national perspective. And though the Giants had a down season in 2023, Okereke starred with a team-high 149 tackles (including 82 solo) while defending 10 passes, forcing four fumbles and amassing 2.5 sacks. Few linebackers were better at playing every aspect of the game than Okereke.

6. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE, Baltimore Ravens

One year, $4.25 million

Clowney has made his way around the league during his vagabond career, playing for five teams across 10 years. It’s arguable Clowney had his best season in 2023, tying a career-best with 9.5 sacks while also staying healthy to play all 17 games. Those sacks enabled him to earn a couple of incentives built into his contract, which had a base salary of just $2.5 million. Now hitting the market once more at 31 years old, Clowney should have multiple suitors after starring for the AFC’s top-seeded team.

Clowney has played for four teams in the past five seasons, and could join another this year :: Mitch Stringer/USA TODAY Sports

5. Leonard Floyd, EDGE, Buffalo Bills

One year, $8 million

Floyd has quietly been one of the NFL’s more productive sack artists in recent years. After three years with the Los Angeles Rams where Floyd totaled 29 sacks, he took a one-year deal with the Bills and registered another 10.5, tying his career high and leading all Buffalo defenders to help the Bills win their fourth straight AFC East crown. Like Clowney, Floyd is once again a free agent and is likely about to find his third team in as many seasons with the Bills strapped for cap space.

4. Samson Ebukam, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts

Three years, $24 million

Ebukam has been a quality player for years, whether it be with the Rams or San Francisco 49ers. But he found another level after joining the Colts last year, producing 9.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits. Considering the price for a quality edge rusher these days, three years and $24 million is a bargain.

3. David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions

Three years, $18 million

Not often is a running back considered a great signing, but what else would you call Montgomery for the Lions last year? After being discarded by the Chicago Bears, Montgomery became one half of an elite tandem with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. The veteran back posted 1,015 rushing yards on 4.6 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns, helping Detroit win its first-ever NFC North title and two playoff games.

2. Jessie Bates III, S, Atlanta Falcons

Four years, $64 million

Bates left the Cincinnati Bengals last offseason for a lucrative deal in Atlanta. Despite the lofty annual price tag of $16 million, Bates actually over-delivered, earning Second-Team All-Pro status. The star safety was a turnover machine, with six interceptions and three forced fumbles. He also had a career-best 132 tackles. 

1. Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One year, $6.85 million

There’s no other option for the top spot. Mayfield was inked to a one-year deal for backup money ($4 million base salary), and then stunningly led the Buccaneers to the NFC South crown along with an emphatic playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles, nearly doubling his salary via incentives in the process. All told, Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, making him one of this year’s most-coveted free agents should he get to the open market.