Schultz: 11 offensive free agents you need to know

The NFL offseason is about to pick up in a big way. Our NFL insider Jordan Schultz looks at 11 players you need to keep tabs on.

Parris Campbell

Campbell is a guy I really like because he can line up anywhere and fits the mold of coordinators dressing up their offenses with pre-snap motion and elite speed (he ran a 4.31 40). Still just 25, the former Ohio State star is prime for a more featured role heading into 2023. His free-agency market should reflect that, as well.

Mike Gesicki

Forget the numbers last season in Miami. Gesicki is a bona fide matchup nightmare with 80-catch potential, according to one executive I spoke with. The former second-round pick can really run, too, and has the size and hands to become a dominant red-zone threat.

FA TE Mike Gesicki was a name I heard a lot of buzz on during Super Bowl week. He will be so much better once he's in an offense that designs routes for his skill set," one executive told me. He's a 70-80 catch guy when schemed for."

- Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 14, 2023

DJ Chark

Chark, who checks in at 6-4, 205 pounds, is only 26 and already one of the more productive wide receivers in football in terms of overall efficiency. When he gets targets, he produces, as evidenced last season in Detroit. In the six games he saw five or more targets, the former LSU standout averaged nearly 70 yards per game with three total touchdowns.

Nelson Agholor Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Agholor is best when he's playing fast. To be fair, I don't think the Pats deployed him the right way last year, hence the down numbers. Make no mistake, though: Agholor remains a big-time deep threat who averaged nearly 19 yards per catch with eight TDs in 2020, during his lone season with the Raiders. Someone's going to be very happy they signed him.

Allen Lazard

Coming off his best season, Lazard - still only 27 - has the physical frame at 6-5, 227 to create all kinds of problems. He made some massive catches for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers last season (60 receptions, 788 yards, six TDs) and his trajectory is pointing firmly upward. In a recent interview on The Schultz Report, Lazard told me: "I don't want to go a team where we're rebuilding, you know, where we're just happy to get by week-to-week."

I also spoke with a current NFL executive about Lazard, who told me: "You can do a lot of different things with him in your offense. He makes contested catches, he blocks, he can hurt you with his size. ... He probably runs better than you realize."

Jon Feliciano

A tough, physical interior lineman who played really well for the G-Men last season, Feliciano should command a nice contract for anyone lucky enough to acquire his services. Why? He played a career-high 971 snaps in 2022, while amassing a healthy 97.6 pass-blocking efficiency rating, per PFF. He also tied Andrew Thomas in fewest sacks allowed, which qualified them as the top-ranking offensive linemen duo in the league.

Darius Slayton

I've always liked Slayton; he's a big play waiting to happen, and proved himself a critical target for Daniel Jones. Only 26, his best football's clearly ahead of him, too, considering he just produced the highest reception percentage (65.7) of his career.

Alexander Mattison Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Super productive whenever he gets touches, the 24-year-old Mattison is a starting-caliber running back on the open market. He had a career-high five rushing TDs last season on only 74 carries. Mattison can catch, too, and has been a rock in pass protection, as well. In six career starts, the former Boise State star hit 90-plus rushing yards four times with five total TDs.

"Quality young running back," the executive told me. "Has the full package when you watch his tape as a starter when (Dalvin) Cook was out."

Rashaad Penny

A former first-round pick who was flat-out dominant down the stretch in 2021, Penny possesses true feature-back ability. In fact, he led the league with a 6.3 YPC clip that year and was once again stellar last season (6.1) when on the field. Penny's going to be a huge pickup for any offense lucky enough to sign him.

"He was completely dominant in Seattle when he was healthy," the NFL executive told me. "He can catch the football. He's fast and powerful. Really talented back."

Mike McGlinchey

Consistently one of the best right tackles in the league, McGlinchey is a mauler in the run game who's gotten much better in pass protection, as well. He'll be a top target for plenty of teams and the Niners will have to pay a pretty penny to keep the former No. 9 pick out of Notre Dame.

"I know they'd like to keep him," the executive told me, "but that's not gonna be an easy task. ... Money talks when you're a good starting offensive lineman."

DeAndre Carter

The super-explosive Carter had a terrific season for the Bolts, proving his value as a big-time return man and highly capable receiver. In fact, he amassed career highs in catches (46) and receiving yards (538), to go along with 3 TDs (tying his career best). Justin Herbert clearly trusted him, which says a lot. Perhaps equally important: Carter proved to be a special-teams weapon, ranking second in all of football with 11.7 yards per punt return.

Jordan Schultz is theScore's NFL insider and senior NBA reporter. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

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