Free Agency

2023 NFL Free Agency: 7 Biggest Winners Through First Week

When you talk about free agency in the NFL, it’s always exciting for the fans and even the coaches. Here are some of the biggest winners so far from the opening week of free agency.

7 Biggest Winners

New York Giants

“In free agency, it’s really important to know about the guys you’ve kept that could have gone away. The New York Giants kept Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, and then added tight end Darren Waller.” — Mike Zimmer

“They lost a starting guard in Nick Gates, but added an inside linebacker in Bobby Okereke.” — Marvin Lewis

Philadelphia Eagles

“The Philadelphia Eagles, like the Giants, have also kept a lot of their own players. They lost some, but kept a lot of their best ones like Jason Kelce. It’s not all about who went where, it’s about who stayed there.” — Zimmer

“They lose three defensive starters, but they kept Fletcher Cox as well as Brandon Graham, they keep James Bradberry, they re-did Darius Slay‘s contract, they got Kelce back, they kind of kept the front in place. They keep that front group in place, and now they’ll use the draft and fill in some spots, and develop some more young players.” — Lewis

Chicago Bears

“The Bears made the trade with Carolina that brought in receiver D.J. Moore, then they went out and get two inside linebacker starters. That’s big for them, and they’ll continue to fill in spots. They made some good moves getting players who will help them as they go through a rebuild.” — Lewis

“Tremaine Edmunds is a terrific linebacker. They also signed T.J. Edwards there, they got Nate Davis for their O-line, and they’ve got a lot more draft capital they can use by trading the first overall pick. I think that’s good.” — Zimmer

Atlanta Falcons

“I think the Atlanta Falcons did a nice job with their offensive line with Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom.” — Zimmer

“They also made the trade to get Jonnu Smith, and signed Jessie Bates III on defense. He’s a great young player and great kid. But the thing that Atlanta is riding on is that quarterback. They kind of hedged their bet, they were going with Desmond Ridder as starter, but added Taylor Heinicke in case things don’t go well. ” — Lewis

“They signed Heinicke for two years, $20 million — $10 million a year for him, I don’t know, seems like a good bit of money there.” — Zimmer

Cincinnati Bengals

“They lost Bates but did sign Orlando Brown Jr. to help quarterback Joe Burrow. They lost Samaje Perine and a couple other guys, as well. But in the back of their mind, they’re sitting there thinking, OK, we’re going to have to pay Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, we want to keep Tee Higgins, so some of these things are all being reworked throughout the whole organization because they’re looking to the future, too.” — Zimmer

“And Brown was in the 2018 draft, so he’s still somewhat of a young guy, and still improving. He’s a worker.” — Lewis

Carolina Panthers

“They’re picking off some needs on their roster. They signed quarterback Andy Dalton to be the backup because they’re going to get a quarterback with the first pick.” — Lewis

“Who knows if those guys that they pick are going to be ready. Just because you pick him No. 1 doesn’t mean he’ll be ready. One of the guys they signed was Sam Martin, he’s a really good punter, so that will help them with field position whether the top pick is ready right away or not.” — Zimmer

New Orleans Saints

“Trying to solidify the quarterback position and then going about it and trying to fill other spots, when you’re trying to fill that quarterback chair, that’s really important, and the Saints did that with Derek Carr.” — Lewis

“They re-signed Michael Thomas, signed a couple of defensive tackles, then added Jamaal Williams, who had a lot of touchdowns last season. They’ve done a good job, as well.” — Zimmer

Marvin Lewis is a former head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He won AP Coach of the Year in 2009, and helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl as defensive coordinator. Follow him on Twitter at @MarvinLewis.

Mike Zimmer is a former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He won Super Bowl XXX as defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.

Fantasy

Fantasy Football Reaction: Jamaal Williams Signs With Saints

Coming off a career season and leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns, Jamaal Williams signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints Wednesday. He goes from a lead back role with the Detroit Lions to serving as the complementary back with the Saints and starter Alvin Kamara, but Williams is still a fantasy-relevant player who you could start some weeks, despite a reduction in role.

Free Agency

St. Brown Bros: Rodgers to Jets Reaction, NFL Free Agency Recap

In the latest edition from the St. Brown Brothers, they talk about their buddy Jamaal Williams signing with the New Orleans Saints, and David Montgomery flipping teams. They also touch on Aaron Rodgers wanting to play for the New York Jets and getting ready for the Drake and 21 Savage summer tour.

Video

Fantasy Football Reaction: Saints Restructure Michael Thomas’ Contract

Since his excellent 2019 campaign with 149 catches, nine touchdowns and 1,725 yards receiving, New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas has only played in 10 games. Rather than move on from the recently oft-injured star, New Orleans opted to restructure his contract. Jordan Vanek breaks down the impact this move will have on the Saints’ offense and the fantasy football landscape.

Analysis

2023 NFL Draft: Full List of Picks For Every Team in All 7 Rounds

The NFL on Thursday awarded compensatory draft picks to NFL teams. The San Francisco 49ers led the way with seven extra picks, including three in the third round (Nos. 99, 101 and 102) for developing minority candidates to fill the head coach or general manager positions with a new team.

In all, 16 teams received comp picks for losing “more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year.” The 49ers and Los Angeles Rams received four extra picks under this formula — the maximum allowed.

Below is a list of every team’s picks in all seven rounds of the draft:

Note: There are only 31 selections in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft because the Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick.

First Round

1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago, 7-10) 

Team Needs: QB, RB, WR, TE, iOL, LB, SAF

2. Houston Texans (3-13-1)

Team Needs: QB, WR, Edge, OT

3. Arizona Cardinals (4-13) 

Team Needs: Edge, DL, CB, iOL

4. Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1) 

Team Needs: QB, TE, CB, SAF

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver, 5-12) 

Team Needs: WR, Edge, SAF, QB

6. Detroit Lions (from LA Rams, 5-12) 

Team Needs: WR, TE, CB, Edge

7. Las Vegas Raiders (6-11) 

Team Needs: QB, iOL, DT, CB

8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10) 

Team Needs: QB, WR, OL, DL, EDGE, LB

9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina, 3-14)

Team Needs: OT, Edge, WR, DL

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans, 7-10)

Team Needs: Edge, SAF, CB

>>Read More: Eagles Built Their Roster In Way Other Teams Can Follow

11. Tennessee Titans (7-10)

Team Needs: WR, iOL, DL, LB

12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland, 7-10) 

Team Needs: QB, WR, Edge, OT

13. New York Jets (7-10) 

Team Needs: iOL, OT, QB

14. New England Patriots (8-9)

Team Needs: WR, IDL, LB, OT

15. Green Bay Packers (8-9) 

Team Needs: SAF, iOL, Edge, CB

>>Read More: Has Jordan Love’s Time Come? 

16. Washington Commanders (8-8-1) 

Team Needs: QB, OL, LB, CB

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) 

Team Needs: OT, DL, LB, CB

18. Detroit Lions (9-8) 

Team Needs: DL, LB, TE, CB

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-10) 

Team Needs: QB, iOL, Edge

20. Seattle Seahawks (9-9) 

Team Needs: WR, Edge, SAF, QB

Miami forfeited its first-round selection, originally No. 21 overall, for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton

21. Los Angeles Chargers (10-8) 

Team Needs: OT, WR, iDL, CB

22. Baltimore Ravens (10-7) 

Team Needs: WR, OL, DL

23. Minnesota Vikings (13-4) 

Team Needs: WR, CB, DL, QB

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-8) 

Team Needs: iOL, DL, CB, SAF

25. New York Giants (9-7-1) 

Team Needs: iOL, LB, CB

>>Read More: Predicting QB Contract Extensions

26. Dallas Cowboys (13-5) 

Team Needs: LB, SAF, WR

27. Buffalo Bills (13-3) 

Team Needs: SAF, IOL, WR

28. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) 

Team Needs: TE, OT, LB, CB

29. New Orleans Saints  (from San Francisco, 7-10)

Team Needs: QB, DT, LB

30. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) 

Team Needs: Edge, SAF, CB

31. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) 

Team Needs: RB, LB, CB

Second Round

32. Pittsburgh (from Chicago)
33. Houston
34. Arizona
35. Indianapolis

36. Los Angeles Rams  (5-12)

Team Needs: OL, DL, LB, SAF

37. Seattle (from Denver)
38. Las Vegas
39. Carolina
40. New Orleans
41. Tennessee
42. NY Jets (from Cleveland)
43. NY Jets
44. Atlanta
45. Green Bay
46. New England
47. Washington
48. Detroit
49. Pittsburgh
50. Tampa Bay

51. Miami Dolphins (9-8)

Team Needs: LB, CB, TE, IOL, OT

52. Seattle
53. Chicago (from Baltimore)
54. LA Chargers
55. Detroit (from Minnesota)
56. Jacksonville
57. NY Giants
58. Dallas
59. Buffalo
60. Cincinnati
61. Chicago (from Carolina via San Francisco)
62. Philadelphia
63. Kansas City

Third Round

64. Chicago
65. Houston
66. Arizona

67. Denver Broncos (from Indianapolis, 5-12) 

Team Needs: OL, DL, LB, CB

68. Denver
69. LA Rams
70. Las Vegas
71. New Orleans
72. Tennessee
73. Houston (from Cleveland)

74. Cleveland Browns (from Jets, 7-10)

Team Needs: WR, DT, LB

75. Atlanta
76. New England (from Carolina)
77. LA Rams (from New England via Miami)
78. Green Bay
79. Indianapolis (from Washington)
80. Pittsburgh
81. Detroit
82. Tampa Bay
83. Seattle
84. Miami
85. LA Chargers
86. Baltimore
87. Minnesota
88. Jacksonville
89. NY Giants
90. Dallas
91. Buffalo
92. Cincinnati
93. Carolina (from San Francisco)
94. Philadelphia
95. Kansas City
96*. Arizona
97*. Washington
98*. Cleveland

99*. San Francisco 49ers  (13-4)

Team Needs: iOL, Edge, CB

100*. Las Vegas (from Kansas City via NY Giants)
101*. San Francisco
102*. San Francisco

Fourth Round

103. Chicago
104. Houston
105. Arizona
106. Indianapolis
107. New England (from LA Rams)
108. Denver
109. Las Vegas
110. Atlanta (from Tennessee)
111. Cleveland
112. NY Jets
113. Atlanta
114. Carolina
115. New Orleans
116. Green Bay
117. New England
118. Washington
119. Minnesota (from Detroit)
120. Pittsburgh
121. Jacksonville (from Tampa Bay)
122. Kansas City (from Miami)
123. Seattle
124. Baltimore
125. LA Chargers
126. Cleveland (from Minnesota)
127. Jacksonville
128. NY Giants
129. Dallas
130. Buffalo
131. Cincinnati
132. Carolina (from San Francisco)
133. Chicago (from Philadelphia)
134. Kansas City
135*. New England

Fifth Round

136. Chicago

Houston forfeited its fifth-round pick, originally No. 137, for a salary cap-reporting violation.

137. Buffalo (from Arizona)
138. Indianapolis
139. Denver
140. Cleveland (from LA Rams)
141. Las Vegas
142. Cleveland
143. NY Jets
144. Las Vegas (from Atlanta)
145. Carolina
146. New Orleans
147. Tennessee
148. Chicago (from New England via Baltimore)
149. Green Bay
150. Washington
151. Seattle (from Pittsburgh)
152. Detroit
153. Tampa Bay
154. Seattle
155. San Francisco (from Miami)
156. LA Chargers
157. Baltimore
158. Minnesota
159. Atlanta (from Jacksonville)
160. NY Giants
161. Houston (from Dallas)
162. Indianapolis (from Buffalo)
163. Cincinnati
164. San Francisco
165. New Orleans (from Philadelphia)
166. Kansas City
167*. Los Angeles Rams
168*. Arizona
169*. Dallas
170*. Green Bay
171*. LA Rams
172*. NY Giants
173*. San Francisco
174*. Las Vegas
175*. Tampa Bay
176*. Indianapolis (from Dallas)
177*. LA Rams

Sixth Round

178. Kansas City (from Chicago via Miami)
179. Tampa Bay (from Houston)
180. Arizona
181. Tampa Bay (from Indianapolis)
182. LA Rams
183. Detroit (from Denver)
184. New England (from Las Vegas)
185. Jacksonville (from NY Jets)
186. Tennessee (from Atlanta)
187. New England (from Carolina)
188. Houston (from New Orleans)
189. LA Rams (from Tennessee)
190. Cleveland
191. LA Rams (from Green Bay)
192. New England
193. Washington
194. Detroit
195. Denver (from Pittsburgh)
196. Tampa Bay
197. Miami
198. Seattle
199. Baltimore
200. LA Chargers
201. Houston (from Minnesota)
202. Jacksonville
203. Houston (from NY Giants)
204. Las Vegas (from Dallas)
205. Buffalo
206. Cincinnati
207. NY Jets (from San Francisco via Houston)
208. Jacksonville (from Philadelphia)
209. NY Giants (from Kansas City)
210*. New England
211*. Minnesota
212*. Dallas
213*. Arizona
214*. Las Vegas
215*. Washington
216*. San Francisco
217*. Kansas City

Seventh Round

218. Chicago
219. Philadelphia (from Houston via Minnesota)
220. Las Vegas (from Arizona)
221. Indianapolis
222. San Francisco (from Denver)
223. LA Rams
224. Atlanta (from Las Vegas)
225. Atlanta
226. Jacksonville (from Carolina)
227. New Orleans
228. Tennessee
229. Cleveland
230. Houston (from NY Jets via Tampa Bay)
231. Las Vegas (from New England)
232. Green Bay
233. Washington
234. Pittsburgh
235. Green Bay (from Detroit via LA Rams)
236. Indianapolis (from Tampa Bay)
237. Seattle
238. Miami
239. LA Chargers
240. NY Giants (from Baltimore)
241. Pittsburgh (from Minnesota via Denver)
242. Green Bay (from Jacksonville)
243. NY Giants
244. Dallas
245. New England (from Buffalo via Atlanta)
246. Cincinnati
247. San Francisco
248. Philadelphia
249. Kansas City
250*. Kansas City
251*. LA Rams
252*. Tampa Bay
253*. San Francisco
254*. NY Giants
255*. San Francisco
256*. Green Bay
257*. New Orleans
258*. Chicago
259*. Houston

*Compensatory pick

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