Free agency returns at the forefront of the NFL with the 2023 NFL Draft over and minicamps underway for all 32 teams. Many of the top free agents are off the board, but DeAndre Hopkins' release from the Arizona Cardinals makes the offseason a bit more intriguing, as does Dalvin Cook getting let go from the Minnesota Vikings.
There are plenty of good players available, even in the third wave of free agency. These are the best ones left at each position.
Quarterback
It's slim pickings at the quarterback position with Lamar Jackson officially back with the Ravens, leaving Wentz as the best available in a market that's significantly dried up.
Wentz completed 62.3% of his passes for 1,755 yards last year with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions (80.2 passer rating), getting benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell. He likely has a job awaiting him, if he's willing to accept a role as a backup.
Running back
Move over Ezekiel Elliott: The running back market just got a lot more interesting with the Vikings releasing the franchise's third all-time leading rusher.
While Elliott was arguably the worst starting running back in the league last season, Cook made his fourth straight Pro Bowl appearance by way of a 1,173-yard, 10-total touchdown campaign. He's the only NFL player to rush for 1,110-plus yards in each of the last four years. Even though his 4.4 yards per carry in 2022 was a career low, plenty of teams will likely be interested in his services.
Wide receiver
Hopkins is suddenly the top player on the board in this free agent class, thanks to his stunning release from the Cardinals. Hopkins has a list of quarterbacks he'd like to play with in 2023, but how realistic will it be for him to join any of those teams?
Hopkins has the eighth-most receiving yards through a player's first 10 seasons in NFL history (11.298) and the fourth-most receptions after a player's first 10 seasons (853). Hopkins averaged 7.1 catches per game (fourth in NFL) and 79.7 receiving yards per game (10th in NFL) despite only playing nine games last season. He's been a first team All-Pro three times and selected to the Pro Bowl five times in his 10 NFL seasons.
Whoever gets Hopkins is getting a No. 1 wide receiver -- an impressive prize this late in the offseason.
Tight end
There are not many tight ends left on the market, but Cameron Brate has valuable starting experience in the league (33 starts in 126 career games). He had just 20 catches for 174 yards last season at the age of 31, but provides value in two-tight end sets and good tight end depth.
Offensive tackle
Taylor 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.
Of course, there's also the possibility Lewan could retire, but he hasn't yet made that decision.
Offensive guard
Dalton Risner has spent the first four years of his pro career in Denver after the Broncos selected him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Kansas State. The 27-year-old is coming off a 2022 season where he gave up three sacks and was called for just one penalty on 967 offensive snaps played, according to Pro Football Focus.
Center
Rodney 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.
Defensive tackle
Ioannidis fell out of favor in Carolina, yet did have 35 pressures and a pressure rate of 10.5% last season. The sack total was low (one), but Ioannidis was able to get in the backfield and get around the quarterback.
Just 29 years old, Ioannidis gives a defensive line depth as an edge rusher and defensive tackle.
Edge rusher/Outside linebacker
Ngakoue is more of an edge rusher than an outside linebacker, but he's a good pass rusher. He finished with 9.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits last season. Ngakoue has eight-plus sacks in each of his first seven seasons (65 in his career), joining Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, and Aaron Donald as the only players to ever accomplish the feat.
If a team needs a pass rusher, Ngakoue is the player -- despite his limitations against the run.
Inside linebacker
Deion Jones is coming off his first season with the Cleveland Browns, playing in 11 games and starting five. He recorded 44 tackles, with 25 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks. He added an interception to his stats sheet last year, bringing his career total to 12. Last season was far from Jones' best, but saw a lot of success in the first few years of his NFL career, including a Pro Bowl selection.
Cornerback
Peters' three-year run in Baltimore appears to be over after the Ravens signed former Raiders CB Rock Ya-Sin to a free agent deal. The former All-Pro is coming off a 2022 season in which he appeared in 13 games and had just one interception -- the lowest total of his stellar career.
Safety
Johnson is the best safety remaining in a weak market, starting all 17 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He finished with 101 tackles, four passes defended, and an interception last season. Opposing quarterbacks targeting Johnson had just a 60.6 passer rating, completing 57.9% of their passes.
Teams that are looking for a veteran stater could find a gem with Johnson, who is just 27 years old.
Kicker
Even at 40 years old, Robbie 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.
