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2023 NFL free agency: Ranking the top 10 wide receivers

By Sayre Bedinger

2023 NFL Free Agency: Odell Beckham Jr. looks on during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat at FTX Arena on December 28, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
2023 NFL Free Agency: Odell Beckham Jr. looks on during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat at FTX Arena on December 28, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL Free Agency
2023 NFL Free Agency: Mecole Hardman #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 6, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

7. Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs

Teams are all going to want a piece of the Kansas City Chiefs if they can get it, and playing in KC might just be Mecole Hardman’s ticket to a contract way bigger than teams should be paying. Hardman missed more than half of the season in 2022, and even given the trade of Tyreek Hill, it’s hard to imagine that the former second-round pick Hardman hasn’t really been able to establish himself as a higher-volume type of target.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Hardman being a secondary option in the passing game as well as a threat in the return game. He has game-altering speed and playmaking ability, even if you don’t throw him the ball 100 or 150 times next season.

As is the case with many players on this list — buyer beware with the injury concerns, but Hardman at the age of 25 is worth a 2-3 year pact and could help an offense with a smart coach like Reid who knows how to utilize his weapons.

6. Darius Slayton, New York Giants

Darius Slayton really wasted no time once he got into the NFL in terms of exceeding expectations. A number of people quite liked his game coming out of Auburn, but Slayton lasted to the fifth round in 2019 and somewhat shockingly came out and had eight touchdown grabs in his rookie season. Averaging over 15 yards per reception, the future looked extremely bright for Slayton but his production really diminished as of 2021.

In 2022, he had a bounce-back year with a career-best 15.7 yards per reception and with his ability to stretch the field vertically, he should have lots of options in free agency. Like a number of players on this list, Slayton will be just 26 this season, and given his career 15.0 yards per reception average, he should get a deal worth at least $10 million per season.

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