NFL free agency: Predicting where top 24 projected players land in 2023

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NFL Free Agency; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (right) talk following the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 NFL Free Agency: Quenton Nelson, OG, Indianapolis Colts

Prediction: Re-signs with Indianapolis Colts

Nothing crazy here. I don’t think Quenton Nelson is really even in danger of being franchise tagged, although you just never know.

Nelson has been one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL since he was drafted back in 2018, and the Colts are not going to let him walk out the door.

He’s a cornerstone piece for this team.

2023 NFL Free Agency: Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Signs with San Francisco 49ers

If Deebo Samuel is going to be getting a sign-and-trade to make his wish of playing in a new NFL city on a massive contract come true, the 49ers are going to need to replace him.

They still have Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, but Samuel is the obvious centerpiece of this offense’s passing attack.

All due respect to tight end George Kittle, of course.

The Kansas City Chiefs are also going a different direction at receiver in this scenario, which means that Mecole Hardman could be one of the top available receivers in 2023 NFL Free Agency.

I think at this point, it’s safe to say that things haven’t worked out as well as they could have for Hardman, who came into the NFL with a rather similar size profile and athletic makeup as Tyreek Hill.

Up to this point, Hardman has not proven himself capable of being that same type of receiver, though. Perhaps a relocation to San Francisco could help him get things going in the right direction.

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