On the latest episode of the Razzball Fantasy Football podcast, Gladys Louise Tyler joins the show to discuss the offensive players who will be 2023 free agents in the AFC North. The below article is a high-level overview that will show how much cap space every team has going into the offseason, the percentage of snaps, and the fantasy points each key free agent had in 2022. During the podcast, we touch on the potential impact these free agents could have on the team if they were to leave in free agency this offseason. You can view the entire episode on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube channel or wherever you get your podcasts.
Team: Baltimore Ravens
2023 Cap Space: $26.8 million
Notable Free Agents:
| Player | Position | 2023 Snaps | Age | Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Powers | LG | 100.00% | 27 | N/A |
| Lamar Jackson | QB | 66.40% | 26 | 245.2 |
| Demarcus Robinson | WR | 58.10% | 29 | 105.8 |
| Josh Oliver | TE | 45.00% | 26 | 40.9 |
| Kenyan Drake | RB | 33.30% | 29 | 104.1 |
| Sammy Watkins | WR | 32.60% | 30 | 48.5 |
| Justice Hill | RB | 24.20% | 26 | 44 |
| Ja’Wuan James | LT | 2.20% | 31 | N/A |
- Don’t let the nearly 27 million dollars of cap space fool you. Most of that money is expected to go to Lamar Jackson if he resigns as a free agent this offseason. The Ravens do have the option of trading Jackson who would draw a lot of interest from quarterback-needy teams such as the Colts, Falcons, and Texans!
- The next big question will be how the Ravens can retool their receiving core behind Rashod Bateman. New Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken will bring a more pass-happy scheme that features wide receivers. This is a much different approach from Greg Roman which could be an issue if they don’t have the cap space to add weapons this offseason.
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
2023 Cap Space: $36.4 million
Notable Free Agents:
| Player | Position | 2023 Snaps | Age | Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayden Hurst | TE | 49.00% | 30 | 105.4 |
| Samaje Perine | RB | 40.30% | 28 | 142.1 |
| Trent Taylor | WR | 13.30% | 29 | 13.7 |
| Drew Sample | TE | 3.50% | 27 | 1.8 |
| Trayveon Williams | RB | 3.20% | 26 | 8 |
- The Bengals are flush with cap space, but the looming payday of Joe Burrow essentially makes most of it spoken for. Granted, the Bengals could wait until next offseason to get a deal done, but it seems they want to get a finalized sooner rather than later.
- A couple of key contributors from 2022 in Hayden Hurst and Samaje Perine, are pending free agents. Their departures could open up opportunities for other players in Cincinnati. If Perine were to walk, Joe Mixon could finally gain some more opportunities if they don’t view Chris Evans as his logical replacement. Meanwhile, Hurst quietly ran the 9th most routes per game amongst tight ends in 2022. This means if the right tight end lands in Cincinnati, that player could be a sleeper next season.
Team: Cleveland Browns
2023 Cap Space: -$14.3 million
Notable Free Agents:
| Player | Position | 2023 Snaps | Age | Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Pocic | C | 69.90% | 28 | N/A |
| Jacoby Brissett | QB | 67.00% | 31 | 182.6 |
| Hjalte Froholdt | RG | 50.40% | 27 | N/A |
| Kareem Hunt | RB | 41.90% | 28 | 126.8 |
| Pharaoh Brown | TE | 30.30% | 29 | 23.7 |
| Chris Hubbard | LT | 3.30% | 32 | N/A |
| D’Ernest Johnson | RB | 3.00% | 27 | 5.4 |
| Jesse James | TE | 1.50% | 29 | 0 |
- The Browns do have cap concerns heading into this offseason, so big changes on the offensive side of the ball are unlikely. Backup running backs Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson could be expendable as the Browns try to get under the cap. These departures could lead to Chubb seeing more work as a receiver in 2023 after splitting routes evenly with Hunt last season.
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
2023 Cap Space: -$138 thousand
Notable Free Agents:
| Player | Position | 2023 Snaps | Age | Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Gentry | TE | 49.70% | 27 | 32.2 |
| Miles Boykin | WR | 11.40% | 27 | 3.1 |
| Derek Watt | FB | 6.60% | 31 |
N/A |
| Benjamin Snell Jr. | RB | 3.60% | 25 | N/A |
- The Steelers are right at the cap heading into this offseason, and with no major free agents on the offensive side of the ball, we shouldn’t expect much change this offseason. The Steelers have a solid core that includes Kenny Pickett, Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Pat Freiermuth. This continuity on offense could lead to a big jump in production, making the Steelers and players worth watching this offseason.
- Pat Freiermuth could see a slight bump in usage as backup tight end Zach Gentry could leave in free agency. In the games where Gentry played less than 50% of the snaps, Freirmuth saw his PPG jump from 9.3 to 11.1 full PPR PPG.
Sources: RAZZBALL.COM, FFTODAY, SPOTRAC, OVERTHECAP, PFF.COM, TWITTER, PROFOOTBALL REFERENCE, AND SICSCORE.COM
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