It’s already June, which means we are just over a month away from NFL training camps getting underway. There seems to be an atypical number of big-name NFL free agents still available with teams having done the work already to fill their primary needs.
At some point, some of these big-name NFL free agents are going to join NFL rosters. Some will wait until injuries force teams into a situation where they might have to pay up a little bit, and others will take the next opportunity given to them. Whatever the motivation, we have a lot of really notable free agents to get through and predict where they might land.
Let’s look at a few from each position group on the offensive side of the ball.
Predicting where top NFL free agents will land in 2023
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have moved on from Aaron Rodgers and are entering into the Jordan Love era. Behind Jordan Love, however, the Packers have nothing. Well, to be fair, they did draft Sean Clifford out of Penn State. If the Packers have to play without Jordan Love for any period of time in 2023, though, this team is poised to be in big trouble. We’re talking Caleb Williams/Drake Maye status.
But Carson Wentz is still out there and made himself a top NFL Draft pick wearing green and gold, once upon a time. I’m sure Wentz would love a return to the icy tundra for a shot to play for the Green Bay Packers. The fit makes sense given Green Bay’s current level of need for a quality backup.
Teddy Bridgewater: Las Vegas Raiders
Recent news regarding Jimmy Garoppolo’s health status for the 2023 season has to have the Raiders panicking at least a little bit. As much merit as the idea has on paper, it doesn’t sound like Tom Brady is preparing to try the owner/player thing like Michael Jordan once did. With Garoppolo’s health a major question mark, I think the Raiders could go after someone like Teddy Bridgewater, a quality veteran who can at least keep your offense moving when he himself is healthy.
Bridgewater has had his share of health issues as an NFL player, which is why he’s still currently available. But the Raiders are a team that makes a lot of sense for him.
NFL Free Agents: Running back
Ezekiel Elliott: Cincinnati Bengals
Somebody’s got to sign Ezekiel Elliott soon, right? This is a guy who still had 12 touchdowns last season and has 32 touchdowns over the last three seasons combined. Averaging about 11 touchdowns per year, we know Elliott is the type of back that can help you cash in when you get inside the red zone and into goal-line situations.
There’s some question at this point about whether or not Joe Mixon is going to face any trouble from the league for off-field issues, but the Bengals honestly don’t seem super worried about it. With the loss of Samaje Perine in the 2023 offseason, I think adding Elliott makes sense regardless of Mixon’s status.
Leonard Fournette: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys could just re-sign Ezekiel Elliott if they were planning on adding another veteran running back into the mix, but let’s just go down this hypothetical road for the moment. I don’t hate this idea at all given Tony Pollard is coming off of a major injury in the playoffs and you’re going to need some more depth at this position group.
I’m sure Ronald Jones would love to see Fournette join the Cowboys’ backfield alongside him (sarcasm).
Kareem Hunt: Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos seem to be getting Javonte Williams back much quicker than expected, and they did sign Samaje Perine in free agency. With that being said, they might need some additional depth at the running back spot with how much new head coach Sean Payton wants to run the ball.
Kareem Hunt obviously doesn’t appear to be overly coveted by NFL teams right now, but he might have a friend in Denver. Broncos running backs coach Lou Ayeni recruited Hunt to Toledo once upon a time and was his position coach there.
NFL Free Agents: Wide receiver
DeAndre Hopkins: Carolina Panthers
As of right now, it really doesn’t seem like anyone is truly the “favorite” to sign DeAndre Hopkins. At this rate, it kind of just feels like something the Carolina Panthers could swoop in and do. Why not? The Panthers have already done everything possible within their power to make the transition to the NFL as seamless as possible for rookie Bryce Young. Adding DeAndre Hopkins to a revamped WR corps that already includes veteran Adam Thielen?
That would be outstanding. This is a move that simply should happen. Whether it does or not remains to be seen. Hopkins is from South Carolina and played his college ball at Clemson, so this would be as close to a homecoming for him as you can get.
Kenny Golladay: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys added veteran Brandin Cooks to their wide receiver position in a trade this offseason, but there is room for some additional help there if they are so inclined. Kenny Golladay was cut by the New York Giants and presents a very low-risk, potentially high-reward proposition as a bargain free agent.
Why the Cowboys?
The last time Golladay was really great was with the Detroit Lions. His wide receivers coach at that time was Robert Prince, who is currently in that same role with the Cowboys.
Julio Jones: Kansas City Chiefs
This just seems like something that will eventually happen, doesn’t it? The Kansas City Chiefs have a really young wide receiver group, and someone like Julio Jones could come in and play a huge role without putting up big numbers. He just seems like the ideal type of mentor and on-field coach for these young Chiefs receivers and could win a ring in KC.
NFL Free Agents: Offensive line
Justin Pugh (OG): New York Giants
Could we see a bit of a reunion here for the New York Giants in 2023? It kind of sounds like Justin Pugh wants to see it happen. I wouldn’t be shocked.
Ben Jones (C): Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos significantly upgraded their offensive line in the 2023 offseason, but they did virtually nothing at center. In a contract year, are they really putting all their eggs in the Lloyd Cushenberry III basket? With Russell Wilson’s Denver Broncos life on the line, are they going to risk the type of interior pressure we saw last year?
With a Pro Bowl center on the market?
Trai Turner (OG): New Orleans Saints
Trai Turner is a New Orleans native and the Saints could use some veteran depth for their interior offensive line. They have a lot of young guys, and plenty of unheralded guys, but I think the Saints could use a proven veteran like Turner to be able to step in as their “6th man” if need be.
Dalton Risner (OG): Kansas City Chiefs
Up to this point, no NFL team has signed Dalton Risner and I find that slightly shocking. He’s 27, he’s been a starter from Day 1 in the NFL, and he’s largely been healthy over the course of his career. Did pushing Brett Rypien on Christmas really put Risner on the “do not sign” list for NFL teams?
Ultimately, I could see him trying to stick it to the Broncos by signing with a division rival.