Welcome to Week 18 of the 2023 NFL common season. We’ve arrived to the ultimate Energy Rankings ballot of the season because the playoffs close to. With one other convincing win this previous weekend, this time over the Miami Dolphins, the Baltimore Ravens are the NFL’s hottest group. They continue to be at No. 1. However who follows them?
Along with the up to date rankings this week, our NFL Nation reporters select the largest contract state of affairs to look at going into this offseason. Which gamers are free brokers, are in search of an extension or are at risk of getting reduce?
Let’s have a look.
Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL groups stack up towards each other, rating them from 1 to 32.
Earlier rankings: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17
Soar to a group:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 17 rating: 1
Greatest offseason contract to look at: DT Justin Madubuike
It is troublesome to search out somebody who’s having an even bigger breakout season in a contract yr than Madubuike. The 2020 third-round choose has grow to be the NFL’s greatest inside pass-rusher, drawing comparisons to Aaron Donald. Madubuike has recorded 13 sacks this season after totaling 8.5 sacks in his first three years. He’ll probably command a contract that averages over $20 million per season. If Baltimore cannot attain a cope with him after the season, the Ravens will presumably place the franchise tag on him to maintain him for the 2024 season. — Jamison Hensley
Week 17 rating: 2
Greatest offseason contract to look at: WR Brandon Aiyuk
The Niners picked up Aiyuk’s fifth-year choice for 2024 after rebuffing commerce curiosity in him final offseason, which suggests he stays on the group for not less than one other yr. However the 49ers’ most well-liked working process has been to re-sign homegrown stars like Aiyuk earlier than they enter the ultimate yr of their rookie deal. With the notable exception of DT DeForest Buckner, whom they traded to Indianapolis in 2020, the Niners have stored all of their foundational gamers, they usually’d love to do the identical with Aiyuk. That does not imply it will likely be straightforward or they will not obtain curiosity from across the league, however there’s additionally a path to structuring a deal for Aiyuk so his cap quantity spikes when different big-money offers come off the books. — Nick Wagoner
Week 17 rating: 6
Greatest offseason contract to look at: QB Dak Prescott
The Cowboys have a number of contract conditions to resolve within the offseason, however the greatest is Prescott’s deal. He’s set to depend $59.4 million towards the wage cap as he enters the ultimate yr of his deal. The Cowboys have stated they wish to signal him to a long-term deal, they usually haven’t got the leverage of utilizing the franchise tag in 2025. Whereas they wish to get long-term offers accomplished with CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons as properly, getting their quarterback locked up after his greatest season is a should and can be expensive. However Jerry and Stephen Jones take a look at it as the price of doing enterprise in relation to that place. — Todd Archer
2:12
Ryan Clark: Cowboys can beat 49ers on a superb day
Ryan Clark is not assured that anybody is a significant risk to the 49ers, however the Cowboys might beat them in the fitting state of affairs.
Week 17 rating: 4
Greatest offseason contract to look at: QB Jared Goff
Goff is signed by 2024 and will grow to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, so the Lions might want to determine what to do with the veteran quarterback. He has led the Lions again to relevancy, with them successful their first division crown since 1993, whereas reaching 4,000 passing yards on the season for the fourth time of his profession. It might make sense to lock down Goff, however the query is whether or not it will likely be for the brief time period or long run. He has taken possession of Detroit’s offense whereas revitalizing his profession within the course of. — Eric Woodyard
Week 17 rating: 7
Greatest offseason contract to look at: LB Von Miller
Miller’s function on the group is in query as he was a wholesome scratch in Week 17 as a consequence of his on-field efficiency (0 sacks, 3 quarterback hits in 11 video games). Off the sphere, he’s dealing with a felony assault cost after allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in Texas. Miller has stated the allegations are false. The group is letting the authorized course of play out and following the league’s lead. How the Payments deal with the Miller state of affairs — on and off the sphere — can be one thing to look at. Miller is underneath contract by 2027 on a six-year, $120 million deal, but when the group determined to maneuver on, a post-June 1 designation would lead to some cap financial savings however would nonetheless depart vital lifeless cap in 2024. — Alaina Getzenberg
Week 17 rating: 3
Greatest offseason contract to look at: QB Tua Tagovailoa
Defensive deal with Christian Wilkins might be the extra urgent contract state of affairs, contemplating he can be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, however Tagovailoa’s contract might be extra fascinating. Miami picked up his fifth-year choice final offseason and tabled any contract talks till after the 2023 season. He responded by staying wholesome for your complete common season and at present leads the NFL in passing yards (4,451). He has a possibility to reset the market, regardless of Miami’s upcoming monetary conundrums. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Week 17 rating: 9
Greatest offseason contract to look at: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
The Browns not too long ago signed security Grant Delpit to a three-year, $36 million extension. Cleveland might lock up one other certainly one of its younger core defensive gamers later this yr. Owusu-Koramoah is having a breakout third season (98 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs) and is a significant cause the Browns have arguably the highest protection within the league. The 2021 second-round select of Notre Dame can be extension eligible this yr and figures to be the subsequent Cleveland defender nonetheless on a rookie deal to get a giant payday. — Jake Trotter
Week 17 rating: 5
Greatest offseason contract to look at: WR DeVonta Smith
The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract and can be eligible for a brand new deal when the 2023 season involves an in depth. The Eagles are often proactive in extending core gamers early, figuring out the value to retain them will solely go up. That might imply Philly would have two well-paid receivers on the roster, with A.J. Brown coming into the second yr of his four-year, $100 million deal. The ability place contracts are getting dear, however Smith is an ascending participant the Eagles will probably wish to preserve round for a very long time. — Tim McManus
1:10
What has occurred to the Philadelphia Eagles?
Tim Hasselbeck explains why the Philadelphia Eagles have misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games and the way they may fare occurring the highway within the playoffs.
Week 17 rating: 8
Greatest offseason contract to look at: DT Chris Jones
Jones can be a free agent this offseason if the Chiefs do not re-sign him or defend him with the franchise tag first. The edges could not agree on phrases of a multiyear extension this season when Jones held out from coaching camp and missed the regular-season opener. That makes it unlikely they might come to an settlement this time except one aspect or the opposite has a dramatic change of coronary heart. Jones returned to the Chiefs this season throughout Week 2 solely after the group agreed to sweeten the ultimate season of his contract. — Adam Teicher
Week 17 rating: 11
Greatest offseason contract to look at: G Kevin Dotson
The Rams traded for Dotson throughout coaching camp, and he ended up being a key pickup for a Los Angeles group that struggled to guard the quarterback final season. Dotson can be a free agent and certain a precedence for the Rams to re-sign this offseason. He enters the regular-season finale with a strong 92.6% go block win price. — Sarah Barshop
Week 17 rating: 13
Greatest offseason contract to look at: DE Jonathan Greenard
Greenard has performed to a excessive degree in a contract yr, with 12.5 sacks. Defensive ends who can rush the passer and register over 10 sacks can often earn over $15 million per yr, particularly after they’re solely 26 years outdated. He leads the Texans in quarterback hits (22), tackles for loss (15) and sacks. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans’ protection is constructed across the line of defense, so it will behoove the group to pay Greenard to pair him with Will Anderson Jr. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 17 rating: 16
Greatest offseason contract to look at: RB Jaylen Warren
Warren’s worth to the Steelers is way increased than his present contract, which has a base wage of $870,000 this season. He’ll be a restricted free agent after the 2024 season, however the Steelers might safe his companies by giving him a well-earned extension this offseason. Warren and Najee Harris, whose fifth-year choice resolution is due in Might, have been one of many league’s greatest working again tandems, and Warren’s emergence and consistency — averaging 5.4 yards per carry with 4 touchdowns and 751 yards — have gone a protracted technique to getting the bottom sport going. — Brooke Pryor
Week 17 rating: 14
Greatest offseason contract to look at: OLB Josh Allen
Allen is taking part in on his fifth-year choice and has put collectively a season that has made him a Defensive Participant of the 12 months candidate. He has a franchise-record 16.5 sacks and is second within the NFL in QB pressures with 94 (per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats information). The Jaguars have the choice to make use of the franchise tag on him so he does not hit free company after which work on an extension. In the event that they do come to phrases on a brand new contract, Allen can be simply the second of the Jaguars’ 11 first-round picks from 2010 to 2020 to signal an extension with the group (QB Blake Bortles). — Michael DiRocco
0:44
Cockcroft: Travis Etienne Jr. is a fantasy RB1 for Week 18
Tristan H. Cockcroft explains how Travis Etienne Jr. thrived in Trevor Lawrence’s absence and predicts one other optimistic fantasy return within the regular-season finale.
Week 17 rating: 17
Greatest offseason contract to look at: WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman is within the ultimate yr of his rookie contract and has clearly established his significance to the Colts’ offense. He has missed two video games previously two seasons. The Colts have been outscored 53-10 in these two contests and averaged 167 passing yards. The Colts are a distinct group when Pittman is on the sphere, and he’ll be in search of a contract that displays that actuality. Are the Colts prepared to supply it? — Stephen Holder
Week 17 rating: 10
Greatest offseason contract to look at: WR Mike Evans
The quarterback state of affairs most actually warrants monitoring, too, however Evans — the franchise-record holder in nearly each receiving class and the Bucs’ profession scoring chief — and his agent already expressed frustration publicly about not getting a deal accomplished earlier than the beginning of the season, and the value to signal him will go up because of him testing the market. He is at present main the league with 13 receiving touchdowns, one away from matching his profession greatest. — Jenna Laine
Week 17 rating: 12
Greatest offseason contract to look at: QB Geno Smith
The Seahawks gave Smith a three-year, $75 million deal final March, however the assure construction was such that they may transfer on after this season with a nonprohibitive $17.4 million in lifeless cash if the quarterback did not preserve his 2023 Professional Bowl type. Smith’s numbers throughout his up-and-down 2024 season have declined throughout the board, which brings that chance into play. The date to know is Feb. 16. That is when Smith’s $12.7 million base wage for subsequent season would grow to be totally assured if he is nonetheless on the roster, which makes {that a} probably deadline to find out his rapid future. — Brady Henderson
Week 17 rating: 19
Greatest offseason contract to look at: QB Jordan Love
After the form of season he has put collectively in his first yr as a starter, Love goes to need the Packers to tear up his current contract, which averages simply $13.5 million per yr and pays him solely $6 million (plus incentives) this season. Whereas they can not do something till Might due to the rule that claims an extension cannot be prolonged for 12 months, Love will virtually actually need it accomplished earlier than he takes the sphere for the 2024 season. Though the Packers obtained Love’s companies on a budget this yr, they’ll find yourself paying him close to the highest of the quarterback market subsequent yr. — Rob Demovsky
Week 17 rating: 15
Greatest offseason contract to look at: WR Tee Higgins
Higgins and the Bengals failed to achieve a contract extension forward of the 2023 season, and the long run seems unsure. The receiver has indicated he want to return to Cincinnati. The problem, nevertheless, is how a lot the Bengals are prepared to pay him. Higgins has handled accidents over time however has nonetheless produced at a excessive degree. Giving Higgins the franchise tag and probably in search of a commerce associate is also a viable state of affairs because the Bengals attempt to construct a roster round quarterback Joe Burrow. — Ben Child
Week 17 rating: 23
Greatest offseason contract to look at: RT Ryan Ramczyk
The Saints should do their yearly sequence of restructures to get in compliance with the wage cap, however Ramczyk’s is hard as a consequence of his damage state of affairs. Ramczyk stated he has a severe knee challenge that might put his future in jeopardy. He’ll spend the offseason consulting with medical doctors, however within the meantime, his 2024 wage cap determine is $27 million. If he performs in 2024, the Saints will restructure it and push the cash down the highway, but it surely’s probably they will want to attend for extra solutions on his knee earlier than touching the contract. — Katherine Terrell
Week 17 rating: 21
Greatest offseason contract to look at: QB Russell Wilson
This not solely is the largest for the Broncos but additionally is probably going the largest contract state of affairs within the league. Coach Sean Payton benched Wilson final week — he stated he wished to discover a “spark” for the offense — and Jarrett Stidham is beginning as an alternative. All of it means, with a monumental $85 million lifeless cash hit over two years, the Broncos could have a significant resolution to make about what the long-term plan can be at quarterback. Payton stated no resolution has been made on whether or not they may launch Wilson, however the Broncos are already projected over the cap subsequent season — by about $20 million — and have simply six draft picks in April, together with solely two within the first two days of the draft. — Jeff Legwold
Week 17 rating: 20
Greatest offseason contract to look at: QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Signed to a three-year, $72.75 million cope with $45 million assured final offseason, Garoppolo was benched after the Halloween night time firings of common supervisor Dave Ziegler, coach Josh McDaniels and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi and has not performed since an Oct. 30 loss at Detroit. His future with Las Vegas is murky at greatest.
Garoppolo’s contract makes him an unlikely commerce candidate, so if the Raiders, who already cleared wage cap area by changing $21.3 million of his current base wage right into a signing bonus, merely launch him, they might take up a cap hit of $28.3 million for 2024 except they do it with a post-June 1 designation, which might allow Las Vegas to separate the hit over two years, $15.5 million in 2024 and $12.8 million in 2025. Oft-injured Garoppolo’s base wage of $11.25 million for 2024 is assured for damage solely. — Paul Gutierrez
Week 17 rating: 24
Greatest offseason contract to look at: CB Jaylon Johnson
Even after earlier contract negotiations and a last-second commerce request went nowhere, Johnson expressed a want to stay in Chicago long run and hopes to work out a cope with the Bears within the offseason. The 24-year-old cornerback has earned his payday within the ultimate yr of his rookie deal, recording a career-best 4 interceptions. The addition of Montez Sweat up entrance has solidified Chicago’s go rush and helped these on the again finish of the protection grow to be extra productive at taking the ball away. Constructing upon that to create a fair higher protection for 2024 begins with making a brand new deal for Johnson precedence No. 1 for common supervisor Ryan Poles. — Courtney Cronin
1:24
Rex: Bears might win division in the event that they get Marvin Harrison Jr.
Rex Ryan explains why if he have been the Bears, he would commerce out of the No. 1 choose and draft Marvin Harrison Jr. later within the first spherical.
Week 17 rating: 18
Greatest offseason contract to look at: QB Kirk Cousins
For the previous 10 months, Cousins’ contract has hovered over the Vikings greater than another challenge dealing with the roster — and it is nonetheless no nearer to being resolved. Cousins was taking part in at a excessive degree when he ruptured his proper Achilles tendon halfway by the season, having thrown for the second-most yards and tying for probably the most landing passes within the league on the time. The group’s 3-5 report since then could be traced to poor quarterback play behind him. However the Vikings should determine whether or not they wish to pay prime greenback to a quarterback who can be 36 subsequent summer season and is coming off the primary main damage of his skilled profession at a time after they produce other holes to fill and a giant test to pay receiver Justin Jefferson in some unspecified time in the future. — Kevin Seifert
Week 17 rating: 22
Greatest offseason contract to look at: CB A.J. Terrell
Terrell is underneath contract on the fifth-year choice for 2024 (talking of which, Atlanta has an fascinating resolution on the fifth-year choice of Kyle Pitts, too) however how the Falcons deal with their prime cornerback can be one thing to look at. Atlanta was in an identical state of affairs final season with Chris Lindstrom, and the Falcons obtained a deal accomplished with him proper earlier than the beginning of the brand new league yr. Terrell is without doubt one of the league’s vivid younger corners — he is permitting a 53.5% completion price and a passer ranking towards of 87.3 this season — and has proven himself all through the previous 4 seasons to be dependable and a real No. 1 nook. — Michael Rothstein
Week 17 rating: 26
Greatest offseason contract to look at: DE Bryce Huff
Huff, who made the group 4 years in the past as an undrafted free agent, can be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. With a career-high eight sacks and a 21.2% stress price, second solely to the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons (minimal: 250 go rushes), Huff is in line for a giant payday. He isn’t an every-down participant, however he performs a premium place — and groups are prepared to pay massive bucks for gamers who can put the quarterback on the bottom. The Jets need him again, however they have already got lots invested in defensive ends. — Wealthy Cimini
Week 17 rating: 25
Greatest offseason contract to look at: RB Derrick Henry
Henry, 30, will grow to be a free agent this offseason. The Titans’ Professional Bowl working again has run for 1,014 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 video games this season regardless of averaging a profession low in yards per rush (3.9). There was curiosity in Henry on the commerce deadline, however the Titans determined to maintain the eight-year veteran. Now they might want to determine whether or not to maneuver on from their franchise working again this offseason. — ESPN employees
Week 17 rating: 27
Greatest offseason contract to look at: S Xavier McKinney
The simple choose right here would’ve been Saquon Barkley. However equally necessary is that McKinney is ready to grow to be a free agent. McKinney, who has performed each defensive snap this season, needs to return to the Giants. The issue is that common supervisor Joe Schoen determined earlier than the season to place his contract on the again burner. The 2 sides didn’t speak about an extension throughout the present marketing campaign. If the Giants wish to carry him again, it isn’t going to be low-cost. — Jordan Raanan
Week 17 rating: 29
Greatest offseason contract to look at: WR Keenan Allen
There are a lot of gamers to select from, together with Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Mike Williams, who all could have cap hits upward of $30 million subsequent season. However Allen is linked to the Chargers in a means these different gamers aren’t. Drafted within the third spherical in 2013, Allen is the longest-tenured Charger, having been a part of the group from Philip Rivers in San Diego to Justin Herbert in L.A. and for all the things in between. However Allen is 31 and has a cap hit of $34.7 million subsequent season. With a brand new regime, Allen might be taking part in elsewhere in 2024. — Kris Rhim
Week 17 rating: 31
Greatest offseason contract to look at: WR Marquise Brown
The Cardinals picked up Brown’s fifth-year choice for this season and paid him $13.4 million however didn’t give him the long-term contract he wished. Nonetheless, an injury-riddled 2023 is likely to be what stands in the way in which of Brown getting the form of second contract gamers need. Arizona could have a choice to make in relation to Brown: Give him a long-term deal to maintain him reunited along with his good good friend, quarterback Kyler Murray, let him stroll or give him a brief prove-it cope with the hope — and doable promise — of an extended deal coming sooner or later. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 17 rating: 28
Greatest offseason contract to look at: G/T Mike Onwenu
The Patriots rank thirty second within the NFL in go block win price (42%), which displays how constructing the offensive line can be a prime precedence, and Onwenu tasks to be one of many prime linemen obtainable throughout the NFL. Invoice Belichick beforehand stated Onwenu is constructed to play proper guard, however the 2020 sixth-round choose has moved to proper deal with in a number of seasons to assist the group. In late December, Onwenu relayed: “From my brokers, they stated there have not actually been a lot talks. There was communication, however there have not been any presents or any contracts that have been despatched. It is form of only a ready sport to see the way it goes.” — Mike Reiss
Week 17 rating: 30
Greatest offseason contract to look at: S Kamren Curl
Washington wished to increase him within the offseason, however the possession change prevented the group from making massive strikes. Curl is a glue participant for the protection, though that group has struggled mightily this season. Nonetheless, he has been a strong starter for 4 seasons — though he is not a playmaker, with just one interception and one pressured fumble in his profession. These latter stats will depress his worth, though he nonetheless might command a deal that averages round $15 million per yr. He stays a strong starter able to taking part in within the field, rotating deep, or being utilized in a hybrid security/linebacker function and protecting tight ends. Quite a bit can be decided by how he’d slot in no matter protection Washington makes use of subsequent season after the anticipated teaching adjustments. However Curl must be a precedence for a brand new employees. — John Keim
Week 17 rating: 32
Greatest offseason contract to look at: OLB Brian Burns
Carolina tried to get a deal accomplished earlier than the season however wasn’t prepared to satisfy Burns’ calls for, which have been within the $30 million-a-year vary, in accordance with a league supply. The worth would possibly drop barely after a down yr for the two-time Professional Bowl choice, or the Panthers would possibly simply decide to make use of the franchise tag on him. Regardless, this must get settled long run for a key cog to the protection. — David Newton
