NFL Rumors: 3 underrated free agents that could change a franchise in 2023
The 2023 NFL offseason is fully underway with the official free agency period set to begin next week on March 15.
The deadline for all teams to use their franchise tags has passed, making the pool of available free agents much clearer for the upcoming 2023 NFL season. Any untagged player who hasn't received a new contract will be free to officially sign with any team next week.
Much of the focus in the early days of the offseason has been on pending free agents Derek Carr and Lamar Jackson. They are obviously capable of transforming a franchise, but they aren't the only ones who can do so.
Here are three other current free agents who are underrated in their potential to completely change a team’s outcome for the upcoming 2023 NFL season.
#1 - Gardner Minshew II
Gardner Minshew II has had limited opportunities to prove his worth as a potential starting quarterback, but has excelled in every chance he's received. He began his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars during their rebuilding phase. Despite a terrible roster around him, he recorded a solid 38 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions in 20 starts.
When Minshew was replaced by Trevor Lawrence, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles to serve as a backup for Jalen Hurts. In four starts, he recorded eight touchdowns and four interceptions and has completed 63 percent of his career passes. Minshew could be an under-the-radar free agent with true starter potential. He's done everything right while waiting for his next opportunity.
#2 - Jameis Winston
Jameis Wisnton had a polarizing run as the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He showed flashes of being a superstar quarterback, but struggled to take care of the football.
His 2019 campaign is a perfect example of this. He led the NFL with an incredible 5,109 passing yards, but also led the way with an alarming 30 interceptions.
His massive turnovers were ultimately the reason the Buccaneers let him go. He then joined the New Orleans Saints as a free agent, where he threw just eight interceptions in ten starts.
If he's truly solved this massive problem, he has the arm talent to be a top-level passer. He is one of only nine quarterbacks in NFL history to exceed 5,000 passing yards in a single season.
#3 - David Montgomery
David Montgomery has been quietly consistent during his time with the Chicago Bears. He has exceeded 200 carries for 800 rushing yards and five touchdowns in all four seasons of his career. He has also surpassed 300 receiving yards in each of the last three years.
Making Montgomery's production even more impressive is the team situation he's currently in. The Bears are currently in a full rebuild of their roster and also have one of the worst offensive lines in the entire NFL.
On an improved roster, Montgomery could potentially be one of the biggest steals of the 2023 NFL free agent class.