Ranking the top 10 NFL free agent moves of 2023
1. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Cleveland Browns
Okoronkwo might not be who you expected to take the top spot on this list, but the rising star has earned it. The Browns have been trying to find an edge-rushing pair for Myles Garrett since drafting him in 2017 and may have finally found their guy via free agency.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo broke out in his first season as a full-time player in 2022, generating the 3rd-highest pressure rate in the NFL (16.4%, min. 200 pass rushes).
The Browns now have 2 of the top 5 pressure rate leaders from 2022 (Myles Garrett: 16.3%, 4th).#Browns https://t.co/PABWrDJMUE pic.twitter.com/4Wk7H6KzF8
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 13, 2023
Okoronkwo totaled five sacks, six QB hits and 25 QB hurries across 268 pass-rushing snaps for the Houston Texans last season. In his first season as a full-time player in 2022, Okoronkwo generated the third-highest pressure rate in the NFL (16.4%, minimum 200 pass rushes).
If you blink, you will miss Ogbonnia Okoronkwo's (No. 45) filthy spin move. Very nice get for the Browns. pic.twitter.com/aS0cXaFEkS
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 13, 2023
With the ability to also effectively play the run, Okoronkwo’s violent bull rush and wicked spin move gives Cleveland arguably the top pass-rushing duo in the NFL. When his three-year, $19 million deal is taken into consideration, there might not have been a better free agent signing than Okoronkwo.
