Before the free agency, DNA of Sports offers you its traditional Top 5 free agents which will be available at each position on March 15. We start with the quarterbacks.
The quarterback position is the most important in American football, and it is rare to see great quarterbacks being free agents. The year 2023 is an exception, since the top 5 has a strong MVP and incumbents.
1 – Lamar Jackson – 26 years old
2022 stats (12 games played): 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 764 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns
See a former MVP 26 years on the market is a rare occurrence.
Not spared by injuries and not helped by leaders who have never known how to surround him with targets, Lamar Jackson has seen his value diminish recently.
He remains an incredible double threat who, given the right arrangements, can carry a team playoffs. Lamar is a winner, there aren’t that many in this league.
The ideal destination: Washington Commanders
Sorry for Sam howell but, if Lamar is available, it will have to look elsewhere for an opportunity to start. Terri McLaurin and Jahan Dotson would automatically become the best receiving duo Jackson had ever known. And the franchise has the cap available. An ideal marriage to make the NFC East diabolical?
2 – Derek Carr – 32 (March 28)
2022 stats (15 games played): 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 102 rushing yards
If Derek Carr never became a “franchise quarterback”, after his great 2016 season, he has become an extremely solid starter for almost a decade with the Raiders.
Now undesirable, it remains a safe bet that can put a team in the best possible position for playoffs.
The ideal destination: New York Jets
THE Jets arethey to a quarterback of the playoffs ?
It’s obviously not that simple.
It is true that the defense is a strength, and that the attack has some interesting resources. Have an experienced player capable of passing with a young player hope for a few seasons seems like a viable option for New York, looking for a quarterback Since (too much) a long time.
3 – Jimmy Garoppolo – 31 years old
2022 stats (11 games played): 2,437 yards, 16 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 23 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns
There are few players as divisive as Jimmy Garoppolo. After participating in two successful playoff campaigns, with the added bonus of a Super Bowl, Jimmy G has become undesirable in the bay, in favor of Brock Purdy.
Difficult however to bury a player capable of carrying out an attack and to draw a satisfactory performance from it.
The ideal destination: Atlanta Falcons
The choice may surprise, and will depend on the confidence in Desmond Ridder. The attack is not far from being successful, with a correct line and two prime targets: Kyle Pitts and Drake London.
In a likely weak AFC South in 2023, having a player of Garoppolo’s level could be enough to win the division. Given the cap available, bringing him in will not prevent Atlanta from strengthening.
4 – Daniel Jones – 26 (May 27)
2022 stats (16 games played): 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 120 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns
Disappointing since his arrival in the league, Daniel Jones has had a great resurrection this season. With a tackle left, two pebbles and three sticks, he managed to take his team to playoffs.
The possibility of seeing him get a nice contract has therefore become a reality, even if he seems greedy in his demands.
The ideal destination: new York Giants
brian Daboll managed to finally get Daniel Jones to perform, why to change ? THE Giants must take the bet, for better or for worse.
Jones’ development will go through a strengthening of the workforce, in order to know if he can take this team to the top in a division that is now competitive.
5 – Geno Smith – 32 years old
2022 stats (17 games played): 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 366 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Like Daniel Jones, Geno had a good year better thatanticipated.
It’s even more incredible for the old Jets since his career seemed definitively extinguished at more than 30 years. A veritable statistical monster in 2022, he was able to take advantage of a solid workforce to get the best out of a team not necessarily expected in the race for playoffs.
The ideal destination: Seattle Seahawks
Why change? Eepisode 2.
Smith has a coach who trusts him and the playmakers to carry out an explosive attack.
Seattle has a young workforce with a large draft capital: Smith can therefore help support the franchise in its renewal.
Other interesting names: Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum, Mason Rudolph, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton, Taylor Heinicke, Chase Daniel, Gardner Minshew
