Wide receivers have been in high demand in recent years, but does this free agency class inspire much confidence in the position?
We’ve seen some insane wide receiver trades lately, and while some teams already have their dynamic WR1, other teams have yet to find that difference maker. The wide receiver free agency market does not look great, but could their be some hidden gems?
Who are the best five wide receivers in the coming free agency period?
Ranking the free agent wide receivers for the 2023 offseason
5. Marvin Jones
Marvin Jones turns 33 soon but has been the epitome of productive during his long career. In fact, Jones has had at least 500 receiving yards in his career in every season except his rookie campaign, and did add another 529 yards and three touchdowns in 2022 with the Jaguars.
He also has a 1,000 yard season to his name and could at the very least raise the floor of the WR room for most teams.
4. Allen Lazard
Allen Lazard has been with the Green Bay Packers for his entire career and has had a couple of nice seasons in a row, adding 788 yards and six touchdowns this year after a 513 yard and eight touchdowns season in 2021.
He’s also 6’5″, 225lbs and perhaps could be a true X receiver for a needy team.
3. DJ Chark
Finding quality, big bodied wide receivers in the NFL is hard to come by, and if it wasn’t for Chark struggling with injuries during his career, he’d be a household name. He does have a 1,000 yard season to his credit and has 4.3 speed.
If Chark can simply stay healthy, which is much easier said then done, he could be a fantastic addition to an up and coming wide receiver room. His physical qualities are too great to ignore and I do think he can run into a decent payday in March.
2. JuJu Smith-Schuster
Back in 2018, Smith-Schuster had 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s also added seasons of 917, 552, 831, and 933 yards. He’s not a true WR1, but there may not be a better WR2 in the NFL than the former Steeler and current Chief.
He’ll likely be looking for a multi-year deal and I think the any team who needs a WR could do worse than signing JuJu for three years, perhaps around $12-ish million a season. He’ll get paid, and has proven to be reasonably productive.
1. Jakobi Meyers
I think Jakobi Meyers is the best wide receiver in free agency this year and will get paid the most. He’s had at least 729 yards in three straight seasons and has settled into the NFL as a low-end WR1 with back to back 800 yard campaigns.
No matter what direction teams go with their wide receivers in free agency, signing Meyers would be a phenomenal idea as a possession guy who has reliable hands.