It’s never too early to start thinking about the upcoming free-agency class. General managers around the league already have short lists of players they are hoping to sign, but some may no longer fit the budget after breakout years.

Several players have gone from relatively unknown entities to stars this season, while others have elevated their play to a level that will earn them a much bigger contract than they would have inked during the 2022 offseason.

With that in mind, let’s look at a handful of talents who are set to cash in during free agency and project just how much they will make in their next contract.

Cooper Rush, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush is making a shade over $1 million for the 2022 campaign, but the backup-turned-starting-savior for the club could be in line for one of the biggest pay raises of any player this coming offseason.

Rush adeptly kept the Cowboys afloat after it was revealed that the thumb injury Dak Prescott suffered in the opener would keep him out for over a month. Over Rush's first four starts, the 28-year-old racked up 775 passing yards and four touchdowns without a single interception while his team went a perfect 4-0.

Although Rush had a bad outing in Week 6—he threw three interceptions in a losing endeavor against a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense—he should still be one of the most intriguing quarterbacks to hit the open market this spring.

Rush had spent the last half-decade largely working as Dallas’ backup signal-caller. He was only active for 10 games prior to the 2022 season, however, and threw just three passes between entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan in 2017 and 2020, a year he spent out of football after failing to make the New York Giants practice squad.

Since rejoining the team in the wake of Prescott’s season-ending injury, Rush has had a meteoric rise following his time with the practice squad. After seeing sporadic action in 2021—including a lone start in which he went off for 325 yards and two scores while leading a fourth-quarter comeback against Minnesota—the quarterback is now poised to potentially become a full-time starter in 2023.

Even if Rush doesn’t end up starting, he’ll make a case for being the top backup option for franchises needing depth at the position. He’s shown he can carry an NFL offense and manage a game, traits that will help him stick around the league for the foreseeable future.

Contract Prediction: Two years, $20 million

Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley had an incredible start to his career before enduring one of the harder falls in recent memory. That is all in the rearview now, as the running back is well on his way back to the top during a resurgent 2022 campaign.

Barkley entered the league as a prized No. 2 overall draft pick of the New York Giants in 2018. He began living up to his promise immediately, finishing his rookie year by amassing over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 15 total touchdowns while earning a laundry list of accolades that included an Offensive Rookie of the Year award and a Pro Bowl nod.

While his sophomore campaign wasn’t as successful, Barkley still tallied nearly 1,500 yards and eight scores while appearing in 13 games. Unfortunately, a pair of injury-plagued years followed that campaign, notably a 2020 season that saw Barkley suffer a torn ACL just two games in.

After slogging through a rough 2021 season—the running back could only muster 593 rushing yards on 162 totes, well below the 4.8 yards per attempt he averaged in 2018-19—Barkley finally appears healthy for the first time in years.

Barkley has been more effective than ever in 2022 despite getting little help from an inept Giants passing attack. He’s posting an average of 5.2 yards per carry and is the second-leading receiver on the roster, notching 155 yards on a team-high 21 receptions over the first six games.

The back has led Big Blue during their surprise run from the league’s basement to a playoff contender. He’s been the focal point of an offense that ranks No. 4 in the league in rushing yards with an average of 163.0 per game. The Giants have leaned heavily on Barkley to pound the rock while jumping out to a shocking 5-1 record.

Barkley has once again proved he can be a versatile bell cow, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s well on his way to getting paid like a top featured back this offseason and will be considered one of the crown jewels of the 2023 free-agent class barring injury.

Contract Prediction: Three years, $45 million