2022 NFL Free Agency: Top 10 free agents at every position
There are only four weeks left in the 2021 season and several teams are already looking ahead to the offseason.
So what players could the Raiders or any team with cap space be looking to add in free agency? Here are the top-10 free agents available at every position heading into the 2022 offseason.
Quarterback
Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
1. Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos
2. Jameis Winston, Saints
3. Mitchell Trubisky, Bills
4. Marcus Mariota, Raiders
5. Tyrod Taylor, Texans
6. Andy Dalton, Bears
7. Jacoby Brissett, Dolphins
8. Colt McCoy, Cardinals
9. Trevor Siemian, Saints
10. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team
There aren’t many quality starters expected to hit free agency, but that is par for the course. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Mitchell Trubisky and Jameis Winston got decent deals to be starters in 2022.
Running Back
Oct 25, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (28) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders free safety Erik Harris (25) during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
1. Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers
2. Melvin Gordon, Broncos
3. James Conner, Cardinals
4. Darrel Williams, Chiefs
5. Chase Edmonds, Cardinals
6. J.D. McKissic, Washington
7. Devonta Freeman, Ravens
8. Damien Williams, Bears
9. Sony Michel, Rams
10. Marlon Mack, Colts
Running backs usually don’t get big deals in free agency, but Leonard Fournette could be the expectation. He’s turned his career around in Tampa Bay and is only 27 years old.
Wide Receiver
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates a victory against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL divisional playoff game Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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1. Davante Adams, Packers
2. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
3. Allen Robinson, Bears
4. Mike Williams, Chargers
5. Odell Beckham Jr., Rams
6. Christian Kirk, Cardinals
8. Michael Gallup, Cowboys
7. Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (RB/WR)
8. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers
9. D.J. Chark, Jaguars
10. Antonio Brown, Buccaneers
The free-agent wide receiver market is deep with talent. Davante Adams is the crown jewel of the class, but players like Michael Gallup, D.J. Chark and Christian Kirk all should be paid well in 2022.
Tight End
Nov 1, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) drops a pass as Las Vegas Raiders inside linebacker Cory Littleton (42) defends during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
1. Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers
2. David Njoku, Browns
3. C.J. Uzomah, Bengals
4. Mike Gesicki, Dolphins
5. Evan Engram, Giants
6. Dalton Schultz, Cowboys
7. Hayden Hurst, Falcons
8. Robert Tonyan, Packers
9. Zach Ertz, Cardinals
10. Gerald Everrett, Seahawks
Rob Gronkowski is the biggest name available, but he is likely to do whatever Tom Brady ends up doing this offseason. David Njoku is an interesting name after a few good seasons in Cleveland. He’s still incredibly young and has the receiving potential to earn a big payday.
Offensive Tackle
Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) reacts in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
1. Terron Armstead, Saints
2. Orlando Brown, Chiefs
3. Duane Brown, Seahawks
4. Cam Robinson, Jaguars
5. Trent Brown, Patriots
6. Charles Leno Jr., Washington Football Team
7. David Quessenberry, Titans
8. Morgan Moses, Jets
9. Riley Reiff, Bengals
10. Nate Solder, Giants
Trent Brown just got paid in 2018, but he is set to hit the market again. Brown is one of the league’s best right tackles, but he is rarely on the field. Will he earn another big contract in 2022?
Interior Offensive Line
Oct 14, 2018; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins offensive guard Brandon Scherff (75) lines up against the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
1. Brandon Scherff, Washington Football Team
2. Ryan Jensen, Buccaneers
3. Matt Paradis, Panthers
4. Laken Tomlinson, 49ers
5. Mark Glowinski, Colts
6. Justin Britt, Texans
7. James Daniels, Bears
8. Connor Williams, Cowboys
9. Quinton Spain, Bengals
10. Brian Allen, Rams
The center market is strong in 2022, with players like Brian Allen, Justin Britt and Ryan Jensen all set to hit the market. Don’t be surprised if a few of these players are franchise tagged before free agency begins, however.
EDGE Rusher
Oct 4, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws the ball under pressure from Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
1. Chandler Jones, Cardinals
2. Von Miller, Rams
3. Haason Reddick, Panthers
4. Jerry Hughes, Bills,
5. Harold Landry, Titans
6. Uchenna Nwosu, Chargers
7. Randy Gregory, Cowboys
8. Jadeveon Clowney, Browns
9. Dante Fowler Jr., Falcons
10. Charles Harris, Lions
This has to be the best free-agent EDGE rusher class in NFL history. There are multiple future Hall of Famers available in Chandler Jones and Von Miller. Plus, there are a few up-and-coming stars like Randy Gregory and Harold Landry, available too. It’s a good time to need an EDGE rusher in the NFL.
Interior Defensive Line
Dec 29, 2019; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) warms up prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
1. Akiem Hicks, Bears
2. Calais Campbell, Ravens
3. Ndamukong Suh, Buccaneers
4. Linval Joseph, Chargers
5. Jarran Reed, Chiefs
6. Maliek Collins, Texans
7. Brandon Williams, Ravens
8. Larry Ogunjobi, Bengals
9. William Gholston, Buccaneers
10. Malik McDowell, Browns
The defensive tackle class is a pretty weak one in free agency. Several of the top players available are well past their primes. The younger options are inconsistent and are more rotational players than every-down starters.
Linebacker
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont’a Hightower (54) reacts after a tackle in the third quarter during Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports
1. Anthony Barr, Vikings
2. Dont’a Hightower, Patriots
3. De’Vondre Campbell, Packers
4. Kyzir White, Chargers
5. Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys
6. Keanu Neal, Cowboys
7. Foyesade Oluokun, Falcons
8. Alex Anzalone, Lions
9. Kenny Young, Broncos
10. Jarrad Davis, Jets
The NFL does not have enough quality linebackers and the 2022 free-agent class isn’t particularly exciting either. There are a few established veterans, but there likely won’t be a lot of value here either.
Cornerback
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 26: Cornerback Casey Hayward #29 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after an incomplete pass by the Miami Dophins during the second half of a game at Allegiant Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 31-28 in overtime. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
1. J.C. Jackson, Patriots
2. Stephon Gilmore, Panthers
3. Kyle Fuller, Broncos
4. Chris Harris Jr., Chargers
5. Patrick Peterson, Vikings
6. Casey Hayward Jr., Raiders
7. Joe Haden, Steelers
8. Xavier Rhodes, Colts
9. Bryce Callahan, Broncos
10. Steven Nelson, Eagles
The deepest position in free agency is easily at cornerback. There are at least a dozen starters who are expected to hit the market and several quality options after that.
The biggest name is J.C. Jackson, who should earn a huge payday in 2022. Don’t be surprised if he ends up being the league’s highest-paid cornerback when he hits the market.
Safety
Nov 14, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) reacts with middle linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (50) and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) after forcing a fumble against Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1) for a turnover in the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
1. Tyrann Mathieu, Chiefs
2. Marcus Williams, Saints
3. Marcus Maye, Jets
4. Devin McCourty, Patriots
5. Quandre Diggs, Seahawks
6. Jabrill Peppers, Giants
7. Jayron Kearse, Cowboys
8. Terrell Edmunds, Steelers
9. Adrian Phillips, Patriots
10. Justin Reid, Texans
Much like cornerback, the safety position has a lot of depth and a few elite names up top. The top option is Tyrann Mathieu, who is still playing great football with the Chiefs. However, Marcus Williams might be the highest-paid player in the group after five years of starting with the Saints.
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