Taking a way-too-early look at the NFL free agency class of 2023. Where could big-name players like Deebo Samuel, Lamar Jackson, and Tom Brady land?
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any crazier…the initial 2023 NFL Free Agency predictions start popping up.
I’m not sure we’ll ever see anything quite like the madness that has been the 2022 NFL offseason, but there’s certainly a chance it could simply be the start of a new way of doing business in the NFL rather than a rarity.
The 2023 NFL offseason will include much better quarterback prospects coming out in the NFL Draft, and we could see some more significant player movement at the wide receiver position yet again.
The floodgates at that position group have been opened, no question.
In this post, we’re going to attempt to predict some big moves in the 2023 NFL Free Agency period, almost an entire year out.
It should be fun to look back on next offseason but for the time being, this can serve as an early look at what players are realistically going to be hitting free agency, which players are likely to be tagged, and what players could be tag-and-trade candidates.
I want to use a combination of realism and boldness with this post, so there will be some predictions in here that seem vanilla but there will be others that might feel very off-the-wall.
2023 NFL Free Agency predictions for 24 top players
2023 NFL Free Agency: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Prediction: Stays in Baltimore (long-term deal)
We’re starting off with a rather vanilla, maybe borderline boring prediction here. What could happen if the Baltimore Ravens let Lamar Jackson walk in free agency?
We’ve seen a lot of crazy things in the NFL, but that simply does not happen. Jackson is a 25-year-old quarterback who has already won an MVP award. To think he will hit free agency is bordering on insane.
Do I think Jackson has slightly hurt himself contractually by being self-represented? Absolutely. The whole story about Jackson not wanting a new deal until he determined he was worthy of it is a great testament to his work ethic and belief in self if true, but a player like Jackson should have a massive deal right now with no less than $130-150 million in guaranteed money.
Unfortunately for him, he’s playing out his fifth-year option.
Barring something catastrophic in 2022, I think Jackson will get a fair long-term deal from the Ravens. I think a worst-case scenario for him is the franchise tag in 2023.
Time will tell.