While it may not be huge splashes, the drops add up, and there are some key receivers available this year that could complete a whole team
This year’s wide receiver class that’s set to hit free agency may not be the flashiest of all time. Instead, it’s quite the opposite. Not a single receiver that due to be without a team come March crossed the 1,000 yard mark this year. While it’s no indication of a boring offseason, blockbuster trades still to come, it’s important to start marking down our top 10 free agent wide receivers that are set to test the waters.
10.) Sterling Shepard | New York Giants
Sterling Shepard was out for nearly the entire 2022 campaign with a torn ACL. This wasn’t his first rodeo either, for the past 3 seasons, Shepard has been a healthy scratch, spending time on IR in 2020 with a turf toe injury and a torn Achilles in 2021. However, Shepard has shown spurts of being a solid WR 2 in the proper system. Being the feature receiver to Odell Beckham Jr. for some time, he’s gotten plenty of reps in the slot and at the outside position. For a low price, he could make an impact on a team as long as he stays healthy.
9.) Olamide Zaccheaus | Atlanta Falcons
Olamide has been a reliable target in an Atlanta QB room that has seen much turmoil and turnover. Helping out rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder through the 2022 season, Zaccheaus has been the slot guy in Atlanta. Posting a healthy 695 yards through 17 games started, the speedster has shown he deserves to be an accompanying receiver to a team that needs it. We can see Atlanta bringing him back, with the low amount of money he seems to cost.
8.) AJ Green | Arizona Cardinals
A veteran well past his prime, but still can be a big threat on the right team. A veteran presence on a young squad can prove to be invaluable when the time comes, especially come late season. AJ Green didn’t post crazy stats on the Cardinals, being overshadowed by much bigger name DeAndre Hopkins. He didn’t put up numbers like he used to in Cincinnati, instead only 236 yards. However, he did catch a crazy flea-flicker from David Blough in Week 18, and that alone warranted him on this list.
7.) Julio Jones | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Once the pride and joy of the city of Atlanta, Julio Jones has slipped past his best days. The 6-foot-3 phenom can still make his presence known on a regular basis. After getting released by the Tennessee Titans, he signed with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers and paled in comparison to the production of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. For the veteran minimum, Jones can still go up and catch jump balls and be a redzone threat. Just don’t expect him to take the top off the defense.
6.) Marvin Jones Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars
With Zay Jones, Marvin Jones has proved to be a solid target for young quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Christian Kirk also has been heavily influential in Lawrence’s and the Jaguars success in 2022. The receiver could be brought back to Jacksonville with a pay cut or a heavily restructured salary. His production has been down compared to his work in Detroit and his previous season in Jacksonville. Jones is also getting older, at 32, it may not be worth it to bring him back and give Lawrence a new weapon via the draft. He has only caught for 265 yards this year compared to 2020 in Detroit where he barely was short of 1,000 receiving yards.
5.) Allen Lazard | Green Bay Packers
The WR1 for Aaron Rodgers and the Pack this year, Lazard wants to try out the open market and get paid. He’s made it clear that the 20-16 loss vs. the Lions was his last game as a Packer and is coming off his most productive season yet. Thrust into the primary receiver role after the departure of Davante Adams and Marques Valdez-Scantling to Las Vegas and Kansas City, he was a steady workhorse for a sputtering Green Bay offense. Perhaps one of the best blocking receivers in the league, in ways he’s a hybrid tight end and receiver. With 809 receiving yards in 2022, it’d be hard to see him as a WR1 in the league, but is a perfect WR2/blocking receiver for a team that’s willing to cough up the dough.
4.) DJ Chark | Detroit Lions
Someone you might not have thought have a couple seasons ago, DJ Chark has absolutely exceeded expectations in Detroit. The wide receiver who came over from Jacksonville was thought to be a role player at most, but he is the Lions second leading receiver behind Pro Bowler Amon-Ra St. Brown. We expect the Lions to keep him on this season, as Jared Goff would never say no to weapons he trusts, and Dan Campbell has grown smitten with Chark. But if a team makes an offer he couldn’t refuse, he could witness a breakout year.
3.) Jarvis Landry | New Orleans Saints
The former All-Pro in Miami and Cleveland has found himself once again wanting a new contract. In a year riddled with injuries, Landry found himself buried behind new rookie Chris Olave. Spending most of his time on injured reserve nursing an ankle injury, the 30-year old might be past his prime. However, with a player of his skill and capable of his play could very easily witness a career renaissance wherever he goes as long as he is the feature receiver.
2.) Jakobi Meyers | New England Patriots
Mac Jones’ favorite target is on the chopping block in 2023, and is quite the sight for a lot of teams. While putting up good numbers– 804 yards on 67 catches, it was clear he didn’t do enough to staple himself as Bill Belichick’s number one receiver on the Patriots. The North Carolina State product would be a great fit as a complimentary receiver elsewhere in the NFL, and will provide a steady outlet paired with good routes for a quarterback in need.
1.) JuJu Smith-Schuster | Kansas City Chiefs
Everyone’s infamous TikTok star is now up for offers on the free agent market in 2023. Proving himself to be a great wide receiver on the Chiefs alongside Marques Valdez-Scantling, the former Pittsburgh Steeler may find himself back in Pennsylvania if the cards fold right. JuJu posted 933 yards, the most on this list and in the market, with 3 touchdowns. Smith-Schuster has flaws, fumbling issues and a lack of great routes top the list. But his upside is hard to turn down, especially at age 26.
