NFL Free Agency: 5 Players set to hit a mother lode payday in 2023

Modified Nov 02, 2022 15:36 GMT

Yesterday, November 1, the NFL trade deadline ended at 4:00 PM ET, with many players getting traded to new teams.

Some of the biggest names traded in-season were Christian McCaffrey, Bradley Chubb, Calvin Ridley, TJ Hockenson, Chase Claypool, and many others.

As we enter Week 9 of the NFL season, it’s about the halfway point to the playoffs. A key date for the next NFL season is March 15, when the new league year will begin, which is also when free agency begins.

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Some players will sign lucrative deals with their current team or to a new team in the off-season. Here is a list of five players who can break the bank in NFL free agency in 2023.

#1 - Lamar Jackson

The biggest name to enter free agency next off-season. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens couldn’t agree to a long-term deal this off-season, and the two said they would pick up contract talks after the season.

It was reported that Jackson turned down a six-year deal that would have paid him around $160-$180 million in guaranteed money. There were rumors that Jackson was seeking a Deshaun Watson-like deal, where the contract was fully guaranteed but the Ravens did not offer that.

Through eight games thus far, he has over 2,000 total yards and 17 touchdowns, with a 5-3 record.

#2 - Bradley Chubb

There’s a reason why the Miami Dolphins traded for Bradley Chubb, hours before the trade deadline ended. They acquired Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for running back Chase Edmonds, a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick.

In four-and-a-half seasons with the Denver Broncos, he's recorded 25.5 sacks, 170 tackles, six forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Miami is expected to sign him to a long-term deal upon acquiring him, but they know he will be in for a big payday next off-season.

#3 - Saquon Barkley

This season was a make-or-break one for Saquon Barkley and so far, he’s making the most out of it. After a brutal knee injury that sidelined him for most of the 2020 season, Barkley had a down year in 2021, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, 593 yards, and two touchdowns in 13 games played.

This season, he's recorded 779 rushing yards and five touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry thus far, and is looking like one of the best running backs in the NFL.

As he enters next off-season as a free agent, he will likely get signed to a big running back deal and could be a top-five highest-paid RB by the start of next season.

#4 - Orlando Brown

There’s a reason why the Kansas City Chiefs traded for Orlando Brown. KC tried to come to terms with Brown before the NFL season started on a long-term deal, but the offensive tackle is seeking more guaranteed money. The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on him this off-season, which pays him $16.7 million this season.

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Brown said he'd like to remain in KC, and the two sides will likely pick up talks this off-season, and maybe another NFL franchise tag could be placed on him next season.

#5 - Roquan Smith

Like Chubb, Roquan Smith was acquired this week by the Baltimore Ravens in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Smith was traded to the Ravens for linebacker AJ Klein, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2023 fifth-round pick.

Smith is a two-time Second-Team All-Pro, and has recorded 607 tackles, seven interceptions, 16.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

He will become a free agent in the off-season if the Ravens can't lock him down to a long-term deal.