Headlined by Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Bijan Robinson, everyone is getting excited about the 2023 NFL Draft. While it is a ton of fun to see these exciting new rookies, let’s not forget about these 2023 free agents. There are plenty of notable free agent quarterbacks and running backs to get excited about, as well as a handful of wide receivers. No, there aren’t as many notable names as far as wide receivers go, but there are some interesting ones to keep an eye on nonetheless.
The following list consists of the top free agent wide receivers heading into the 2023 season. Potential cap casualties will not be included in this article, but we’re sure to see some. Let’s get right into it with the Top 5 Free Agent Wide Receivers for 2023.
1) JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs
JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of the most interesting wide receivers in this class. He had a great start to his career in Pittsburgh, averaging 13.7 fantasy PPG and coming out the following year with a breakout performance of 18.6 PPG. This year Smith-Schuster has been a serviceable Flex option averaging 12.8 PPG, but he has also been dealing with injuries on top of coming into a new offense.
Smith-Schuster had a tremendous three-game stretch putting up 22,25, and 19 points before leaving the game the following week due to a concussion. The Chiefs look like a great fit, as Smith-Schuster has had many fantastic games, but he needs to become consistent with the offense.
While Travis Kelce gets the most targets in this offense, being the top wide receiver for the best quarterback in the league is phenomenal. If he winds up signing a long-term deal in Kansas City, his value will see a bump. It’s a real possibility that we’ll see him back with the Chiefs in 2023.
One situation that I could see as a potential fit would be with Houston. The Texans are terrible, but taking an elite quarterback like Bryce Young could help jumpstart their offense. All in all, they could have a decent offense with a core of Young, Smith-Schuster, Dameon Pierce, and Brandin Cooks. Smith-Schuster is a talented wide receiver who could get back to elite-level status if he winds up in a great situation next year.
Potential Landing Spots: Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans
2) Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
Jakobi Meyers is a 26-year-old wide receiver who is not a top-notch fantasy option but has been a solid Flex play. Meyers has averaged 12.6 PPG this year, showing the talent is there; however, his upside is capped due to the offense he plays in. Mac Jones has been a solid NFL quarterback, but his overall offense has been horrible due to his surrounding cast and the amount of overall passing volume. Nevertheless, Meyers could be an excellent Flex play if he becomes more consistent with his target share in this Patriots offense.
Along with the Patriots, Meyers could also find great success with the Giants, as they have a similar situation with a struggling offense. Daniel Jones is not a great pocket passer, and his future with the team is uncertain. The Giants could use a talent like Meyers, who could be a number-one target with this lackluster wide receiver core. If the Giants bring in a new pocket-passing quarterback and upgrade their offensive line, they could be a good spot for Meyers next year as a team that needs some obvious help at the wide receiver position.
Potential Landing Spots: New England Patriots, New York Giants
3) Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers
While Allen Lazard has been somewhat disappointing, he should have the expectations of a solid Flex play rather than a league winner for your fantasy football teams. The Packers would be a fine situation as he has played well this year but where Romeo Doubs plays is a big question. If Lazard receives the role he has this year, he will be a viable flex, but if he is treated as the third option in a lousy offense, this next year will be rough.
The Raiders could be in a much better situation with Lazard next year. With Davante Adams complimenting Lazard again, this could be a good situation for Lazard next year. Along with this, the Raiders look to have a great offense next year with Adams, Darren Waller, Josh Jacobs, and Derek Carr. Lazard needs to use his size, and an offense that offers elite touchdown upside fits perfectly.
Potential Landing Spots: Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers
4) D.J. Chark, Detroit Lions
D.J. Chark is a relatively young player at just 26 years old. He had his breakout year back in 2019 when he caught 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. For fantasy purposes, he put up just over 225 fantasy points and 15 PPG. Since then, Chark has only regressed, but for the past two years, Chark has played 11 total games.
Even so, he should move on from the Lions because next year, they will already have a duo of Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie Jameson Williams, limiting his potential target share.
Outside of the Lions, New Orleans is a team that could be an option. Rookie wide receiver Chris Olave has broken out as the WR1 on the Saints, but beyond that, they need a true number two option where Chark could fit in very nicely. Jarvis Landry is also a free agent and is on the wrong side of 30.
The Patriots could also be a good fit for Chark if the Meyers does leave this offseason. Even if he stays, the Patriots have a weak receiver group that should allow Chark to get on the field and receive a good number of targets. Despite the fact the Patriots don’t run the ball a ton, I expect Mac Jones to improve and build a connection with his receivers next year. Chark is a talented player who will thrive again when he gets the opportunity.
Potential Landing Spots: New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots
5) Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
Hardman still has a shot at being a viable NFL weapon and player for your fantasy football teams if he takes a step forward in his overall receiving game. He’s also still fairly young at just 24 years old. Hardman has work to do on his route running and feel for the game, but he has elite-level speed that NFL coaches love.
Hardman has played solid this year, averaging 11.7 fantasy PPG, but some slight improvement could bump Hardman to be a solid Flex play. In Hardman’s last game he played in before leaving with an abdomen injury, he had nine targets which turned into 20 fantasy points, and the week before produced 28 fantasy points with six total touches.
The Packers would be a great fit because they’re struggling at wide receiver and could use a good slot player to pair with rookie Christian Watson. If Aaron Rodgers comes back, or even Jordan Love in the future, I expect the Packers offense to get back to elite status soon. If Hardman returns to the Chiefs, they already have an elite offense, but if Kelce regresses, Mahomes will look to throw it to his receivers more. If Hardman is used like he was the past weeks before the injury, he’ll be a top-end flex next year.
Potential Landing Spots: Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs
Other Notable Free Agent WRs
Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots
Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts
DeAndre Carter, Los Angeles Chargers
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders
Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Trent Sherfield, Miami Dolphins
Olamide Zaccheaus, Atlanta Falcons
Top 10 Free Agent Quarterbacks for 2023
Top 10 Free Agent Running Backs for 2023
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