The crux of the NFL offseason sits in the rearview, but there are still a lot of great players looking to land on rosters for the 2022-2023 season. Here are the five best available free agents following the NFL Draft:
Akiem Hicks, DT
Even at the age of 32, Hicks continues to dominate as one of the league’s top run-stuffers. Very few nose tackles can create pressure in the pass game like Hicks, as he tallied 3.5 sacks in 8 games in 2021; 2 coming against the Vikings. Hicks is a proven leader and a very efficient player that will elevate a team’s defensive line on a one or two-year contract; watch out for Jacksonville or Dallas to sign the beefy run stopper.
Odell Beckham Jr, WR
It’s not super surprising that Odell is still on the market thanks to a torn ACL, but he can still be a team’s top receiving option. Before his injury in the Super Bowl, Odell was having a productive playoffs; he recorded 21 catches for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns. Over the whole 2021 season, Beckham reeled in 44 passes for 537 yards and 5 touchdowns. I think Green Bay or Baltimore should make a run at the LSU alum to make him their top option.
J.C. Tretter, OC
It still shocks me that a player of Tretter’s caliber is still available. The 31 year old center posted a PFF grade of 78.7% only allowing 1 sack on 1,039 snaps in 2021 for Cleveland. He moves very well in pass protection and shows off great power in the run game to go with his high football IQ. I don’t think the Cornell alum will be available much longer. I think Minnesota or Miami makes the most sense for the ninth-year center.
Duane Brown, OT
Duane Brown being available is very interesting. On one hand, he’s a 36 year-old tackle that allowed 8 sacks last season which isn’t a positive; but on the other hand, Brown’s experience and longevity could entice a team looking to lock down the blindside of a quarterback. His 71.5% PFF grade over 969 snaps is pretty solid. If I had to guess, Chicago or Indianapolis could sign the aging pass protector.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Clowney is another interesting player that’s still on the market. I’d say he’s still available mostly because he’s inconsistent, but this past season he was legit; he made 37 tackles, 9 sacks, and forced 2 fumbles. While a player with a year like that still being on the market is shocking, you have to consider that in 2020 and 2021 he only accumulated 3 sacks. Clowney is still a good athlete, but it is a high-risk, high-reward type signing. The top spots for the former Gamecock would be either back in Cleveland or Baltimore.
