UPDATED: 2023 IDP Free Agency Tracker
Want to know the impact of every IDP who signed a new deal this offseason? Evan Ronda goes team-by-team to analyze all the notable signings and trades.
April 2nd update: Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton to the Texans, Bobby McCain to the Giants, Nicholas Morrow and Terrell Edmunds to the Eagles, Keanu Neal to the Steelers, and Bobby Wagner to the Seahawks.
The start of free agency is always an exciting time during the NFL offseason: as teams look to patch holes on their roster, we get a better sense of their plans for the coming season (and beyond). With each new addition or re-signing, we as IDP managers must also adjust as the landscape of player values and outlooks continuously shifts.
This is true not only for the players who inked new deals, but also for the existing IDP assets on each team. To help you make sense of it all, I went through each team to recap their notable IDP moves and the impact on all the players involved.
Let’s jump into it, starting in Arizona!
Arizona Cardinals
LB Kyzir White
New head coach Jonathan Gannon brought some defensive reinforcements from Philadelphia to bolster a struggling Cardinals linebacker group. One of Zaven Collins or Isaiah Simmons could be at risk of losing valuable snaps as White will almost certainly assume a full-time role. Simmons and Collins are both athletic weapons with the potential to garner playing time at different positions (as we've already seen with Simmons in the slot), so don’t abandon all hope just yet.
Atlanta Falcons
S Jessie Bates
The former Bengal should help improve a porous Atlanta secondary in desperate need of talent. 2021 2nd round pick Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins played as the team’s starters in 2022, and it seems likely that Bates will replace Hawkins as a starter.
LB Kaden Elliss
New Falcons Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen brought Elliss with him from the Saints, which muddies an already-ambiguous linebacker room featuring Mykal Walker and much-hyped rookie Troy Andersen. Through the first three years of his career, Elliss has split snaps between the defensive line and the box evenly, so there is a chance he maintains this usage with a weak Falcons defensive line.
Baltimore Ravens
S Chuck Clark was traded to the New York Jets, which sets the table for a sophomore-year breakout for S Kyle Hamilton.
Buffalo Bills
LB Matt Milano is slated to lead a linebacker room featuring 2022 3rd-round rookie Terrel Bernard and apparent-backup Tyrel Dodson. S Micah Hyde and S Jordan Poyer reprise their roles as starting safeties again.
Carolina Panthers
S Vonn Bell
Bell joins S Jeremy Chinn and S Xavier Woods to create a fearsome three-headed beast in the secondary. Pay attention to reports discussing how the new defensive coordinator (and former Broncos DC) Ejiro Evero intends to deploy this threesome.
Chicago Bears
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Edmunds got a BAG in free agency just like we all expected. He will play every snap he can handle and instantly becomes a high-tier option at linebacker.
LB T.J. Edwards
Edwards will almost certainly have a lower ADP than Edmunds, but by all accounts has just as good a chance to finish as a top-12 linebacker. His addition pushes our beloved LB Jack Sanborn into a backup role. If either starter sustains an injury, be ready to add him off of waivers.
DL DeMarcus Walker
This was a signing that flew under the radar likely because of major moves elsewhere on the team. Walker should see a high volume of snaps on this defensive line, and his inside-out flexibility should give managers confidence in his playtime regardless of what Chicago does in the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals
S Nick Scott
With S Vonn Bell and S Jessie Bates departing in free agency, it’s time for first-round rookie S Dax Hill to step into a starting role alongside the former Ram. Bell played a greater percentage of high-value snaps relative to Bates, and with Scott coming from a team that primarily played their safeties deep, managers should prefer Hill to be the likely favorite to secure the more valuable of the two roles.
Cleveland Browns
EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
With Jadeveon Clowney out the door, Okoronkwo should slot in as the primary edge rusher opposite EDGE Myles Garrett. Rookie EDGE Alex Wright had multiple opportunities to prove himself last season, but did not impress and should remain a limited rotational option after this signing.
S Juan Thornhill
Thornhill will join S Grant Delpit as a current projected starting safety. He should replace S John Johnson III as the primary deep safety in this defense.
Dallas Cowboys
LB Leighton Vander Esch and S Donovan Wilson both re-signed with the team and should reprise their roles from 2022.
Denver Broncos
DL Zach Allen
The former Cardinal joins his defensive coordinator Vance Joseph in Denver to essentially replace DL Dre’Mont Jones in the interior of the defensive line. Allen has inside-out flexibility and should be a high-volume player.
Detriot Lions
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
In a surprising move, the Lions added CGJ on Sunday night. He played a traditional safety role in Philadelphia, but previously manned a nickel role in New Orleans. This will make projecting roles for S Kerby Joseph and S Tracy Walker a bit more difficult, but one thing is certain: Gardner-Johnson will get lots of work.
Green Bay Packers
As of Monday, March 20th, there is an unfilled opening at safety alongside S Darnell Savage since S Adrian Amos is a free agent and remains unsigned. Savage himself lost playing time during parts of the 2022 season, so look for the Packers to bring in a free agent or draft a rookie to fill that role.
Houston Texans
Updated 4/2/2023
LB Denzel Perryman
Perryman joins LB Christian Harris and LB Christian Kirksey (as well as newly-signed LB Cory Littleton) in a linebacker room in desperate need of talent. While there are no guarantees that Perryman will play over Harris or Kirksey, it seems likely that someone is going to see a reduced role.
S Jimmie Ward
Jonathan Owens departed in free agency and was replaced by the former 49er S Jimmie Ward. In the previous scheme, Owens played the deeper role with S Jalen Pitre playing in the box more. Expect Ward to compete for that role, albeit in a new defensive scheme that plays its safeties deep at a slightly higher rate.
Indianapolis Colts
EDGE Samson Ebukam
The former 49er essentially replaces EDGE Yannick Ngakoue in a rotation that also features standout EDGE Kwitty Paye and the ascending EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo. Expect Ebukam to be featured as one of the leaders in snaps on the edge in Indianapolis.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Honestly, there isn’t much to share here. Expect similar player usage to last season with a new cornerback replacing CB Shaquill Griffin.
Kansas City Chiefs
LB Drue Tranquill
The former Charger joins an ambiguous linebacker room with Nick Bolton, Willie Gay, and Leo Chenal already under contract. It is unclear how many snaps he will demand, but managers rostering Gay and Chenal should be concerned about their 2023 usage.
EDGE Charles Omenihu
The other free agent 49ers edge joins the Super Bowl champs who just released EDGE Frank Clark. Omenihu should instantly be an upgrade, as his 13% pass-rush pressure rate clears the 9.5% rate from the departed Clark.
S Mike Edwards
With S Juan Thornhill leaving in free agency, Edwards should be a part of the three-safety rotation that includes S Justin Reid and rookie S Bryan Cook. Cook was the clear third option in 2022, making him a mostly-unuseable fantasy asset. Managers should keep an eye on reports discussing his usage vs. Edwards’ as there should be a sizeable gap between the starting position and the part-time player.
Las Vegas Raiders
LB Robert Spillane
The former Steeler joins LB Divine Deablo as the apparent starter at this point in the free agency cycle. Spillane is currently being drafted as the LB89 in best ball but will be climbing up the ADP ranks as more recent drafts are added to the database. There is still a chance the Raiders add another body at the position, so keep an eye out for reports indicating a future signing.
S Marcus Epps
While he might not be a flashy signing, Epps should walk into a high-volume deep safety role previously occupied by S Duron Harmon. He will likely remain a starting option only in deeper leagues, but a notable signing nonetheless.
Los Angeles Chargers
LB Eric Kendricks
With Drue Tranquill leaving for the division-rival Chiefs, the Chargers brought in Kendricks to replace him in the center of the defense. The landing spot should be IDP gold as Tranquill finished as the LB7 overall in 2022 in this role. Kenneth Murray remains a part-time player behind him.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are clearing house, losing EDGE Leonard Floyd, LB Bobby Wagner, CB Jalen Ramsey, S Taylor Rapp, CB Troy Hill, and S Nick Scott. As it stands, LB Ernest Jones is poised to lead the linebacker group, and every other position is ready for cheaper free agents and rookies to step into a sizeable workload. Don’t forget that S Jordan Fuller exists, either.
Miami Dolphins
LB David Long Jr.
The former Titan will join a star-studded Miami defense and replace LB Elandon Roberts (more on him in the Steelers section) in a new Vic Fangio defense. LB Jerome Baker is still under contract with the team, as well, so keep an eye out for further analysis about how these two players can coexist in this defense.
CB Jalen Ramsey
Did I mention this defense is star-studded? The Dolphins acquired Ramsey for a box of Girl Scout Cookies (honestly, not a bad deal) and he should immediately replace CB Byron Jones in the starting lineup.
Minnesota Vikings
EDGE Marcus Davenport
As of Monday, March 20th, EDGE Za’Darius Smith is still on the roster despite voicing his desire to be released. Assuming Smith is gone, Davenport should step into a sizeable workload opposite EDGE Danielle Hunter. If he can stay healthy, expect him to massively outperform his current bestball ADP of DL72.
Bonus: While this isn’t a transaction, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention LB Brian Asamoah as a big winner. He is slated to step into the role vacated by the release of Eric Kendricks.
New England Patriots
Nothing much to note here that is significant for IDP. Juju Smith-Schuster still looks strange to me in a Patriots jersey.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints haven’t made any notable IDP additions, but they have brought back a few players from 2022. As it stands, the loss of Marcus Davenport should lead to more opportunities for someone else in that defensive line. EDGE Payton Turner perhaps? He will have to stay healthy, first, but he is currently being drafted as DL94 in best ball.
New York Giants
Updated 4/2/2023
LB Bobby Okereke
The former Colt secures a bag and will almost certainly lead the linebacker group in snaps in 2023 and beyond. Behind him, LB Micah McFadden (and Darrian Beavers if you’re a believer in him) should soak up whatever snaps remain for the 2nd guy there. The Giants can still add another body at that position, so be wary if you’re planning to rely on either of those players in their sophomore season.
S Bobby McCain
The Giants are only interested in adding defenders named Bobby, it seems. McCain might be in a position to replace S Julian Love, but McCain split time at slot corner in 2022, so there may still be hope for the Dane Belton truthers out there.
New York Jets
The Jets made two underrated transactions in free agency. The re-signing of LB Quincy Williams should set him up to reprise his role as the LB2 for the Jets with LB Kwon Alexander slated to depart in free agency. They also traded for S Chuck Clark who will replace S LaMarcus Joyner and join S Jordan Whitehead as likely starting safety options in 2023.
Philadelphia Eagles
Updated 4/2/2023
LB Nicholas Morrow
With the loss of linebackers TJ Edwards and Kyzir White, the Eagles needed to add someone to start alongside Nakobe Dean this season. Morrow is currently slated to fill that role unless he is usurped by a rookie at some point later in the season.
S Terrell Edmunds
The former Steeler was brought in to replace S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and should play valuable snaps for the Philadelphia defense. Sophomore S Reed Blankenship is expected to start alongside him unless the Eagles add another player at the position.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Updated 4/2/2023
LB Cole Holcomb
The Mullet steps into a needy Pittsburgh linebacker room and will immediately be a full-time option. The Steelers lost all three of their most-used linebackers to free agency, and are prepared to use Holcomb at a rate that should allow him to be a productive IDP starter.
LB Elandon Roberts
While the Steelers use a second linebacker at a lower rate than the league average, there is still an opportunity for Roberts to have relevant weeks as the LB2 in Pittsburgh.
S Keanu Neal
With Terrell Edmunds in Philadelphia, the Steelers brought in S Keanu Neal on a 2-year deal and he should compete for a starting role. Will he absorb Edmunds’ valuable box safety usage? Considering Neal also has LB experience, it’s quite possible.
CB Patrick Peterson
Peterson replaces CB Cameron Sutton as an outside corner and should get as much volume as he can handle. Peterson is a solid target in best ball if you’re punting DB.
San Francisco 49ers
DL Javon Hargrave
A strong 49ers defensive line grows even stronger as Hargrave looks to lead the interior defensive line rotation alongside DL Arik Armstead.
Bonus: I’ll also note that EDGE Drake Jackson is slated to see a sizeable increase in snaps with the departure of Ebukam and Omenihu. Don’t sleep on the re-signed S Tashaun Gipson Sr. either, as he played over 1,000 snaps last season as a deep safety. Nothing is preventing the team from adding at the position, but Gipson is practically free right now.
Seattle Seahawks
Updated 4/2/2023
LB Bobby Wagner
This might be the easiest projection this off-season. Expect Wagner to do what he has always done: be a productive, high-volume linebacker.
LB Devin Bush
With the injury to LB Jordyn Brooks, Bush looks to be the #2 guy behind Wagner. While his efficiency is somewhat questionable, he should still have productive weeks in this defense.
DL Dre’Mont Jones
The Seahawks run a heavy rotation at defensive line, but Jones should lead the group in snaps. He’s more of an option in DT-required leagues, but the former Bronco is being paid a respectable contract and will be used accordingly.
Julian Love
Seattle now boasts one of the best safety rooms in the league, as Love joins Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, and Ryan Neal. Someone is going to get the short end of the stick here, so keep an eye out for reports discussing how this group will be utilized.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EDGE and linebacker should look similar to 2022, but at safety, the Bucs are slated to lose all three of their most-used options in Mike Edwards, Keanu Neal, and Logan Ryan. Expect them to bring in two options to fill the position and play a sizeable allotment of snaps.
Tennessee Titans
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Al-Shaair will finally get an opportunity to be the star linebacker of his team after spending the first four years of his career as a backup in San Francisco. This might be one of the biggest free agency winners at linebacker and he may still be on waivers in shallower IDP leagues.
Washington Commanders
DL Daron Payne returns to play the same role he did in 2022. LB Cody Barton was brought in to replace Cole Holcomb, but don’t expect him to be used as the LB1 on the team. LB Jamin Davis is still around, and FA LB Anthony Walker was reportedly visiting the team on Monday morning. S Bobby McCain was released which should allow S Darrick Forrest to play an increased role in 2023 if nobody else is brought in to compete with him.
That’s it for now! I hope this article was helpful. Be sure to keep it bookmarked, as I’ll be adding thoughts here all offseason as new moves are reported.
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