{"id":474393,"date":"2026-02-17T19:34:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T19:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/474393\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T19:34:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T19:34:38","slug":"ranking-the-top-50-nfl-free-agents-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/474393\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking the Top 50 NFL Free Agents of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s officially the offseason, and we\u2019ve stacked our big board of the best players set to hit the free agent market<\/p>\n

We are officially in offseason mode, and it\u2019s time to reset and update The Ringer\u2019s free agent rankings. We\u2019ve removed a couple of players from the initial list<\/a> who have already signed extensions to stay with their current teams (safety Quentin Lake with the Rams and offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen with the Jaguars), and we\u2019ve added a dozen more pending free agents to watch when the new league year begins next month.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also added best fits for every player on the list, based on team needs, scheme, and cap space. The NFL salary cap is now projected to be over $300 million, more than a $20 million increase from the previous year. Seven teams\u2014the Titans, Raiders, Chargers, Jets, Commanders, Seahawks and Bengals\u2014each have more than $50 million in available cap space for 2026, according to Over the Cap, and another six have at least $35 million to spend. The teams projected to be the most in the negative entering free agency are the Cowboys (\u2013$29 million), Vikings (\u2013$40 million), and Chiefs (\u2013$55 million).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some players have moved up or down from where they were in the initial rankings based on how they finished the regular season and their performance in the playoffs. For example, Seattle\u2019s Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, has vaulted up the list in a big way and is now my RB1 on the free agent board. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. went up a bit because of his solid late-season production and how much teams covet toolsy pass catchers with big-time draft pedigree. On the flip side, Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen and Bills edge Joey Bosa both dropped down the list after underwhelming finishes to the season.<\/p>\n

Even though reports are saying that the Cowboys will likely slap the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, he\u2019ll still remain atop this list until they officially make the move. A number of other players on this list could wind up on the tag as well, and we\u2019ll expand and update this list again after the March 3 tag deadline.<\/p>\n

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Current team: Dallas Cowboys
Age: 24
Drafted: 2022, second round (52nd)\u00a0
Pro Bowls: One (2025)
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Pickens is a nightmare to defend underneath, specifically on quick outs and slants, and he\u2019s one of the best downfield threats in the league, thanks to his deep speed and impressive ability to make contested catches. He finished the season with career highs across the board: 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. Pickens has added nuance to his route running in his first year in Dallas and is able to change up his speed to lull defenders to sleep before breaking open quickly. Importantly, he\u2019s largely eliminated the WWE-style antics and crash-outs<\/a> that propelled Pittsburgh to move him for just a third-round pick and some change last offseason. I don\u2019t care that analysts outside the Cowboys building criticized his effort after a lackluster performance on prime time late in the regular season. Jerry Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer know what they have in Pickens<\/a>: a badass dude who is a rare game wrecker. Jones stated on the Cowboys\u2019 official website<\/a> that he\u2019s \u201clooking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.\u201d Quarterback Dak Prescott made it known<\/a> that he wants Pickens back as well. Pickens is our highest-ranked free agent for now, but there\u2019s almost no chance that the Cowboys will let him hit the open market after such a banner year. ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter<\/a> reported last week that the Cowboys will use their franchise tag on Pickens. That sets all of us up for some great offseason content, with Jones staring down yet another contract battle with a star player.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n

\"\"Ian Johnson\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Current team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 31
Drafted: 2017, third round (103rd)
Pro Bowls: Four (2021-24)
All-Pro teams: One-time first-team (2024)<\/p>\n

The relationship between Hendrickson and the Bengals seems all but over\u00a0 after a very public contract dispute<\/a> in the offseason and a 2025 campaign that was cut awkwardly short due to injury<\/a>, but the highs of their five-year run together were excellent. Hendrickson made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four years in Cincinnati and became the fifth player since 1982 to record 17-plus sacks in back-to-back seasons. He ranked in the top six in PFF\u2019s pass rush win rate in 2023<\/a> and 2024<\/a>, and he was ranked seventh in the same statistic through the first six weeks of 2025<\/a>, before injuries derailed his season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When healthy, Hendrickson is an \u00fcber-productive pass rusher with frenetic, violent hands and great bend. He has a style of play that should age well after he recovers from his December core muscle surgery. The Bengals were hesitant to make a long-term commitment to the 31-year-old sack technician, but another team will likely jump at the opportunity to pay for his sack production on a two- or three-year deal. He won\u2019t make outlandish T.J. Watt money<\/a> on this side of 30, but I wouldn\u2019t expect him to sign a cheap one-year deal like Khalil Mack ($18 million) or Joey Bosa ($12.6 million) did in 2025. Hendrickson could land in the $28 million to $33 million per year range on a new deal, perhaps with a sprinkle of guaranteed money through the 2027 season, if he doesn\u2019t get stuck playing on the franchise tag once again in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n

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Current team: Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 26
Drafted: 2021, first round (18th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

The Eagles got away with highway robbery by acquiring Phillips from the Dolphins for a third-round pick at the trade deadline in November. His first two games in Philly came against two of the league\u2019s better offensive tackles, the Packers\u2019 Zach Tom and the Lions\u2019 Penei Sewell, and Phillips still made his presence felt right away, with 12 pressures and a sack in his first two games. He has an ideal frame, great strength, and terrifying explosiveness, making him a dream fit as a stand-up rusher who can line up anywhere in Vic Fangio\u2019s defense. Phillips can blow through and by tackles, and he often manhandles tight ends into the backfield when given the opportunity. Phillips ranked sixth in total pressures (41) after joining the Eagles in Week 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Injuries have been a problem for him dating back to his college days, but\u2014knock on wood\u2014he started every week of the season, without a bye week because of the timing of his trade. A healthy Phillips could be one of the league\u2019s best edge defenders. He is a big name on this list, but he isn\u2019t going anywhere. He\u2019s a candidate to receive the franchise tag if he and the Eagles can\u2019t agree on terms for what will likely be a monster extension.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n

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Current team: Baltimore Ravens
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, first round (25th)
Pro Bowls: Three (2023-25)
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Linderbaum will be a coveted center because he moves extremely well, especially as a run blocker. He has unlocked so much for the Ravens\u2019 run game because he\u2019s an extremely talented athlete with foot speed and balance that are rare at his position. He can pull, scoop, and reach with his arms, and he is lightning quick to get to the second level on his feet, where he regularly beats linebackers and safeties because of his leverage and positioning alone. He\u2019s also a menace when moving in space and blocking in front of screens. Linderbaum was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl this season, and he\u2019s ranked eighth or better among qualifying centers in PFF\u2019s run-blocking grade<\/a> every year of his career. The Ravens didn\u2019t pick up his fifth-year option<\/a> because it would have cost them $5.4 million more than what the NFL\u2019s highest-paid center makes annually. And because the NFL lumps all offensive line positions together when calculating the cost of the franchise tag, slapping Linderbaum with it would cost the Ravens $9 million more than what the league\u2019s highest-paid center (the Chiefs\u2019 Creed Humphrey) makes. Baltimore will have to reset the center market with a monster multi-year extension in the $18 million to $20 million per year range to keep Linderbaum. That\u2019s easier said than done with just $22 million in available 2026 cap space in March. Although it seems impossible to imagine the Ravens letting a homegrown talent like Linderbaum walk after he\u2019s more than exceeded expectations on his rookie contract, they could easily get outbid by teams with bigger wallets without the tag to block him from entertaining offers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n

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Current team: Indianapolis Colts
Age: 28
Drafted: 2019, first round (sixth)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

The Colts told us that they were all in on Jones when they traded two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner at last season\u2019s trade deadline, and while Jones\u2019s Achilles injury could ultimately affect the quarterback\u2019s new contract numbers, it shouldn\u2019t change Indy\u2019s plan to go for it again with him in 2026. The recovery timeline for NFL players with a torn Achilles is typically six to eight months, which should have Jones ready for Week 1. And if he\u2019s fully healthy and playing in Shane Steichen\u2019s offense with the same core of teammates from 2025 (Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, and Tyler Warren), the Colts could once again have one of the best offenses in the league. In Weeks 1-10 this season, before Jones first reportedly fractured his fibula (he suffered the Achilles injury in Week 14), the Colts led the league in yards<\/a>, points<\/a>, and EPA<\/a> per drive. Indy ranked eighth or better in the same three metrics among every offense in the first 10 weeks of a season this century<\/a>. Jones took full advantage of the deep shots Steichen schemed up, consistently made tough throws while under duress, and thrived on a heavy dose of play-action. Everything was finally clicking for Jones in a way it never did during his years in New York. Not coincidentally, it was far and away the best situation he has had in his seven-year career. That\u2019s not to say he couldn\u2019t be a serviceable starter in another offense if he does hit the open market in March, but the best, and most likely, outcome for both sides is for Jones to stay in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n

\"\"Dustin Bradford\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Current team: Denver Broncos
Age: 29
Drafted: 2018, fourth round (135th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Franklin-Myers deserves to get paid this offseason. He was outside the top 40 interior defensive linemen in average annual salary last season, at just $7.5 million; that should more than double with a new deal in 2026. He\u2019s a menacing behemoth with a relentless motor and violent hands on the interior of Denver\u2019s line. He can win off the snap with a heavy club or nimble swim move, and he plays from whistle to whistle on every down. He\u2019s a rare defensive lineman who can affect the pass and run game across multiple positions along the line of scrimmage using his size, brute strength, and hands. Franklin-Myers logged seven sacks and 15-plus quarterback hits<\/a> in back-to-back seasons with Denver, and now it\u2019s his turn to cash in.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n

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Current team: Green Bay Packers
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, seventh round (249th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Walker has played 900-plus snaps at left tackle in three consecutive seasons<\/a> and isn\u2019t a liability in pass protection. That makes him one of the most valuable free agents on the market even if he isn\u2019t an elite tackle or an impactful run blocker. Last year, Dan Moore Jr. signed a four-year, $82 million contract with the Titans after four seasons, 1,000-plus snaps played, and worse production than Walker. Walker should clear $20 million per year with ease on the open market. Plenty of teams desperately need serviceable tackle play, and Walker can provide that and is still well within his athletic prime.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Houston Texans<\/p>\n

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Current team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 42
Drafted: 2005, first round (24th)
Pro Bowls: 10 (2009, 2011-12, 2014-16, 2018-21)
All-Pro teams: Four-time first-team (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021), one-time second-team (2012)<\/p>\n

Rodgers said last year that he was \u201cpretty sure\u201d he\u2019d retire after this season, but that was well before he and the Steelers sneaked into the playoffs by winning the AFC North and before the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin. Rodgers was a four-time NFL MVP when he played for McCarthy in Green Bay. Recently, NFL Media\u2019s Tom Pelissero reported that \u201cthe odds are increasing\u201d that Rodgers will return for his 22nd season in the NFL and that Rodgers and McCarthy have discussed a reunion in Pittsburgh. I imagine that Rodgers will be deciding between retirement or returning to Pittsburgh and not truly exploring the entire free agent market and starting over again with a new team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n

\"\"Michael Allio\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Current team: Indianapolis Colts
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, second round (53rd)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Pierce is a bona fide home run hitter. Since entering the league in 2022, he has led the league in yards per reception (18.7). He also has 20 receptions on throws of 30-plus air yards in that same four-year span, tied for the second most of any receiver, behind only George Pickens (24). Pierce\u2019s size-speed combination gives him natural field-stretching ability, but what separates him from other deep threats is his ball tracking and his strong, reliable hands at the catch point. He consistently attacks the ball with his hands away from his body, helping him come down with tough catches out of his frame and through contact. Even if he never develops into a three-level, high-volume pass catcher, Pierce\u2019s value as a vertical threat should warrant a high price tag in free agency. His counterpart in Indy, Michael Pittman Jr., had 219 fewer yards on 33 more catches than Pierce this season<\/a>, and Pittman is making $23 million annually after signing a three-year extension with the Colts in 2024. Hell, Jakobi Meyers just signed an extension with the Jaguars in December at $20 million per year. Pierce\u2019s asking price should start in the $22 million to $24 million range and should only go up from there.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n

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Current team: Seattle Seahawks
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, second round (41st)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

The Super Bowl LX MVP is a compact, physical runner with great tackle-breaking ability and contact balance. He can shake off defenders in space by using his lightning-quick feet or bowl them over with a lowered shoulder. He\u2019s also deceptively fast. Walker ranked second (behind only Dolphins speedster De\u2019Von Achane) among backs with at least 150 carries in percentage of runs over 10-plus yards (14.1 percent), and he ranks sixth in the same stat among backs with 600 carries since 2022. His unique explosiveness and patience were on full display on Seattle\u2019s Super Bowl run, and he was rewarded with a beautiful teacup ride with Sam Darnold<\/a> at Disneyland. At 25 years old, Walker is still in his athletic prime, and he\u2019s coming off a career year. When Seahawks general manager John Schneider recovers from the parade bevvies<\/a>, the contract negotiation with Walker should start in the $11 million to $14 million per year range. If they can\u2019t align on a multiyear deal, I imagine that Seattle will slap the tag on Walker to avoid letting him walk, especially with backup Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Seahawks\u2019 Super Bowl MVP shouldn\u2019t play anywhere else in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n

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Current team: New York Jets
Age: 24
Drafted: 2022, second round (36th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s ridiculous to have a running back this high, but if I were a general manager, I\u2019d rather have Hall on my team at $11 million to $13 million per year than a lot of players on this list at higher-value positions. Hall is a silky-smooth runner with nasty cutting ability who can create explosive plays as both a runner and pass catcher. His numbers don\u2019t jump off the page, but the Jets are mostly to blame for that. New York ranks 31st in success rate and EPA per drive since it drafted Hall in 2022; the team also ranks 32nd in first-half point differential (\u2013346) and 32nd in point differential through three quarters (\u2013445) in the same four-year span. The Jets are almost always losing, which has limited the opportunities for Hall and the run game. He is a super-talented running back on a super-bad football team. Hopefully that will change in 2026, for his sake.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Denver Broncos<\/p>\n

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Current team: Green Bay Packers
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, first round (22nd)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Walker has a rare combination of size and speed that teams desperately need in this pass-happy league, where off-ball linebackers are picked on in man coverage or have trouble in zone coverage in the middle of the field. He also fights through contact well in the run game and has improved significantly as a tackler. Walker missed just one tackle after Week 8, per PFF<\/a>, and his missed tackle rate has been below 8 percent in each of the past three seasons. The Packers declined Walker\u2019s fifth-year option ahead of this season, but general manager Brian Gutekunst has said<\/a> that he wants to keep Walker for the long term. However, if Green Bay is unable to strike a deal with him, Walker should demand top dollar from a frenzy of bidders in March. Zack Baun<\/a>, Nick Bolton<\/a>, and Jamien Sherwood<\/a> all signed three-year extensions in the $15 million to $17 million range with their respective teams last offseason; Walker\u2019s asking price will likely start there.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Washington Commanders<\/p>\n

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Current team: New Orleans Saints
Age: 27
Drafted: 2022, second round (49th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

I\u2019m probably overrating Taylor a bit, especially considering how volatile cornerback play can be from year to year and scheme to scheme, but it\u2019s hard to find long-armed corners with positional versatility and great recovery speed like Taylor. Per PFF, Taylor has played more than 1,500 snaps outside and more than 1,500 in the slot in his four-year career<\/a>. He\u2019s an aggressive, high-effort player, which can lead to blown assignments and missed tackles at times. But he still has high upside and seemingly has a positive attitude. If he signs a contract somewhere in the $10 million to $13 million range, similar to other slot types who\u2019ve agreed to new deals in recent years (like Marcus Jones, Taron Johnson, Jourdan Lewis, and Kenny Moore<\/a>), Taylor could be one of the high-value gems of this free agent class.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n

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Current team: San Francisco 49ers
Age: 28
Drafted: 2020, seventh round (217th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Jennings has reliable hands, plays through contact, and can consistently win his matchups over the middle of the field, skills that have helped him become one of the league\u2019s best chain movers. He ranks tied for fourth among qualifying wideouts in first-down conversions per route run on third down over the past two years (2024-25)<\/a>. Jennings is also tough as hell. He told reporters in October<\/a> that he was playing through high and low ankle sprains, had a shoulder \u201cat 20 percent,\u201d and had five broken ribs. Because he played hurt for most of the season and didn\u2019t have starting quarterback Brock Purdy for seven games, Jennings didn\u2019t put up game-breaking numbers in 2025, but he\u2019s still as reliable as ever on money downs and found the end zone a bunch after Purdy returned in Week 11. Jakobi Meyers<\/a>, a 29-year-old career slot receiver with great hands, signed a three-year, $60 million extension with the Jaguars in December. Jennings\u2019s asking price should start there.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n

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Current team: Indianapolis Colts
Age: 29
Drafted: 2018, second round (37th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

A former guard at Auburn and second-round pick, Smith is a massive success story for Chris Ballard and the Colts. Smith developed into one of the best right tackles in the league while on his rookie contract, and Indianapolis paid him as such when it signed him to a four-year, $72.4 million extension in 2021<\/a>. But he isn\u2019t the same player he was four years ago. He suffered a season-ending concussion and neck injury in 2025 and has missed four or more games each of the past three seasons. Smith took a pay cut last offseason after missing the final five games of 2024 with an undisclosed personal matter. On the field, he\u2019s also ranked outside the top 20 qualifying tackles in PFF\u2019s pass-blocking efficiency metric in three of the past four years<\/a>, and his 2025 run-blocking grade (58.0) was more than 10 points lower than PFF has recorded any other year of his career<\/a>. Smith, who turns 30 years old in March, is clearly exiting his prime. But teams will always pay for a serviceable starting tackle, and if healthy, he can still be one. Right tackles Colton McKivitz<\/a> and Jack Conklin<\/a> signed three-year, $45 million extensions at 29 and 30 years old, respectively, last offseason. Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary<\/a> also signed an extension at $15 million per year at 30 years old in 2025. Smith should field offers in that range if Indy lets him reach free agency.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n

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Current team: Atlanta Falcons
Age: 25
Drafted: 2021, first round (fourth)
Pro Bowls: One (2021)
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

The hype for Pitts was always too much. He was labeled a generational tight end prospect at age 20 and was drafted before Ja’Marr Chase and Penei Sewell. Things started off well when Pitts caught 68 passes for 1,026 yards as a rookie<\/a> in Matt Ryan’s last year in Atlanta, but his career stalled because of injuries and bad quarterback play. Former head coach Arthur Smith was inconsistent in how he chose to feature Pitts in the offense week to week, if he did at all. His inconsistency continued throughout most of the Kirk Cousins\u2013Michael Penix Jr. era over the past two seasons, but Pitts finished 2025 on a hot streak, with 39 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns in his last six games\u2014easily the best stretch of his career. Pitts appeared to be bought in more as a blocker, and he became an asset in inline tight end alignments because of how explosive he is coming out of his stance. He can blow by linebackers while running vertical routes and crossers, creating easy separation with his speed alone. Pitts isn’t a technical, savvy route runner, but he’s big, long, and fast, and he catches the ball well and has soft, reliable hands. Line him up in the slot against smaller cornerbacks, and he can win because of his speed at the snap and ability to shield defenders from the football with his 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame. Travis Kelce caught his first NFL pass roughly a month before he turned 25 years old; Pitts turned 25 in October and has already caught 284 passes for 3,579 yards and 15 touchdowns. It would make sense for the Falcons to try their best to keep him after his resurgence, even if that means using the franchise tag on him, but if he does test the market, his salary floor will likely start around $11 million to $13 million per year\u2014similar to recent deals for Juwan Johnson ($10.25 million), Evan Engram ($11.5 million), and Jake Ferguson ($12.5 million)<\/a>.]<\/p>\n

Best fit: Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n

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Current team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age: 32
Drafted: 2014, first round (seventh)
Pro Bowls: Six (2016, 2018-19, 2021, 2023-24)
All-Pro teams: Two-time second-team (2016, 2023)<\/p>\n

It’s hard to imagine that Evans will play anywhere other than Tampa Bay next season. He recorded 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons<\/a>, all with the Buccaneers, before hamstring and collarbone injuries kept him out of nine games this past season, ending his illustrious streak. Evans offers a rare skill set when healthy. He\u2019s still able to win down the field and in the red zone with his 6-foot-5 frame, 35-inch arms<\/a>, and reliable hands. He attacks the ball in the air with unmatched precision and consistently hauls in tough catches away from his frame and through contact. Evans is considering retirement<\/a>, but if he does want to keep playing, the Bucs or another contender should sign him to a one-year deal somewhere in the $15 million to $20 million range. \u00a0Evans is making $20 million per year on his current deal, and other receivers in his age range (Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs, and Davante Adams) all signed short-term deals from $15 million to $22 million per year<\/a> last offseason. That honestly seems like a bargain for a future Hall of Famer who can still be a matchup nightmare any given Sunday.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n

\"\"Scott Winters\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Current team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 27
Drafted: 2022, seventh round (243rd)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Watson is a tall, long-armed cornerback who has improved every year of his career. Over the past two seasons, Watson allowed just one touchdown and recorded eight pass breakups and two interceptions, per PFF<\/a>. He\u2019s a scheme-versatile, disciplined player with more than 2,000 snaps played at outside corner over the past four years<\/a>. Watson may not have a ton of ball production, but he makes up for it with down-to-down consistency and an overall reluctance to give up the big play. The Chiefs currently have the least 2026 cap space of any team in the league<\/a>, making it hard to imagine that they can afford to keep Watson (and others in his draft class like safety Bryan Cook and linebacker Leo Chenal) on the franchise tag or a new multiyear extension. DJ Reed, Christian Benford, Charvarius Ward, and Carlton Davis\u2014outside corners with decent r\u00e9sum\u00e9s like Watson\u2019s\u2014signed multiyear contracts in the $16 million to $18 million per year range<\/a> last offseason; Watson could be looking for something similar.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Washington Commanders<\/p>\n

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Current team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Age: 27
Drafted: 2022, first round (27th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Lloyd had an up-and-down start to his career, so much that the Jags opted against picking up his fifth-year option after the 2024 season. He\u2019s since flipped the script. Lloyd rushed the passer more under Jacksonville\u2019s new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and racked up 28 pressures through<\/a> the wild-card round, 14 more than he\u2019s had in any other season of his career. Lloyd also had four interceptions in the first five weeks of the year<\/a>, including a 99-yard pick-six on Patrick Mahomes<\/a>, and added his fifth when he intercepted Daniel Jones in Week 14. Lloyd had just four career interceptions before this season. He\u2019s always had exciting athletic ability, but Campanile has unlocked special playmaking in the middle of the Jacksonville defense. Lloyd still misses a lot of tackles\u2014he ranks tied for 54th in missed tackle rate, among qualifying linebackers in 2025<\/a>, per PFF\u2014and gets stuck on blocks or caught in traffic in the run game, but he is going to get rewarded with a big pay day this offseason for such a dramatic spike in production in the pass game. The best case for him is probably staying in Jacksonville, where he could build on a breakout 2025 campaign with Campanile\u2014unless a team with a similar defensive coordinator outbids the Jags for him.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n

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Current team: Los Angeles Chargers
Age: 27
Drafted: 2021, first round (31st)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Oweh is an athletic, long-armed pass rusher who played the best football of his career after being traded by the Ravens to the Chargers in October. In his time with the Chargers (Weeks 6-18), Oweh tied for 12th among qualifying edge defenders in PFF\u2019s pass-rush win rate (16.3 percent). He wasn\u2019t a full-time starter with the Chargers, but Oweh has shown enough as a pass-rush specialist that Los Angeles could double down on his upside and sign him to a big extension, or he could command a deal in the range of $16 million to $22 million per year if he hits free agency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n

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Current team: Seattle Seahawks
Age: 26
Drafted: 2022, fourth round (109th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Bryant played mostly in the slot his first two years in Seattle under former head coach Pete Carroll, but he’s since become a full-time starter at free safety in Mike Macdonald’s defense. He’s reliable and disciplined in coverage and sprints downhill while defending the run. Bryant is rarely out of position, and he has had solid production in Macdonald’s defense, with seven interceptions and seven pass breakups over the past two years<\/a>. His versatility allows Macdonald to run everything he wants without the risk of coverage busts or missed assignments against the run. Seattle had extension talks with Bryant before the season, according to ESPN<\/a>, but the Seahawks have a lot of talented players on expiring contracts, so getting an extension done could be tricky. Some big-name safeties have recently signed multiyear extensions over $20 million per year\u2014Kyle Hamilton, Kerby Joseph, and Antoine Winfield Jr.<\/a>\u2014but I don’t think that Bryant is quite at that level. His market could be in the range of $13 million to $17 million per year, similar to recent deals for Amani Hooker ($13.5 million), Cam Bynum ($15 million), Jevon Holland ($15.1 million), and Trevon Moehrig ($17 million)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n

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Current team: Seattle Seahawks
Age: 27
Drafted: 2022, second round (40th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Mafe technically wasn\u2019t a starter in Mike Macdonald\u2019s defense, as DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu out-snapped him by a decent margin over the second half of the season and the playoffs. Still, Mafe is a high-effort, athletic player with over 600 snaps played in each of the past three seasons, including postseason games. His free agent market will be interesting. There\u2019s an argument that he should sign a contract in the $11 million per year range, similar to the extension Alex Wright signed with the Browns in November, but there\u2019s also a chance that a team that\u2019s willing to pay him to be a full-time starter will hand him a multiyear deal worth $14 million to $16 million a year, in line with the contracts for New England\u2019s Harold Landry III or Chicago\u2019s Dayo Odeyingbo. Could Mafe be a highly productive pass rusher on his next contract? Sure. We just haven\u2019t seen that from him yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n

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Current team: Green Bay Packers
Age: 26
Drafted: 2022, second round (86th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Willis is exactly the kind of quarterback teams should want to sign this offseason if they\u2019re looking for a quality backup who could compete for a starting job. Throw his time in Tennessee out the window. He started only three games and played in four others over two years with the Titans<\/a>, and his leap from Liberty to the NFL was clearly too much for him out of the gate. He committed too many turnovers, held the ball too long, and took bad sacks. Everything was moving too fast for him. But since arriving in Green Bay, Willis has looked like a completely different player in his 11 appearances (including six starts). It looks like the game has slowed down for him in a big way, and now we’re seeing the athletic ability and big arm talent that had people excited about him as a draft prospect. He’s valuable on designed quarterback runs, and he uses his feet to turn sacks into scrambles for positive yardage. Willis also throws well on the run because he has an absolute cannon of an arm that allows him to throw from awkward angles and off platform. He can put the ball wherever he wants with the flick of his wrist, and he\u2019s shown special deep-ball accuracy in his limited action this season. The question about him as he hits free agency will be the small sample size of his quality starts in Green Bay.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Maybe there is a team brave enough to give Willis $20 million per year to be a starter, like the Jets did with Justin Fields last offseason. But that would be a pretty high-risk bet. (Also, how did that pan out for the Jets?)\u00a0Fields started over 40 NFL games before signing with New York; Willis has started only six. Daniel Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job in Indianapolis last offseason. Jacoby Brissett, Davis Mills, and Marcus Mariota all signed deals in the range of $6 million to $8 million annually with the expectation that they\u2019d be backups behind locked-in starters. Willis\u2019s value should be somewhere in the $8 million to $14 million per year range, but a bidding war among desperate teams could push his market value.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n

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Current team: Los Angeles Rams
Age: 26
Drafted: 2020, seventh round (216th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Curl has proved extremely durable over his six-year NFL career, with more than 700 snaps played each season and 1,000-plus snaps in each of the past three seasons<\/a>. He played a hybrid role in his first four years in the league with Washington, with the majority of his snaps coming in the box. In Los Angeles, he played more deep safety in split-safety shells in Chris Shula\u2019s zone-heavy scheme, but he came down into the box when the Rams wanted to run single-high looks. Curl has good size and range, and he’s a strong tackler in space. It’s a prerequisite to be versatile in Shula’s defense, and Curl fits the bill. He was an absolute steal for the Rams on his last contract. He didn\u2019t even rank inside the top 30 among safeties in average annual salary<\/a> after signing a two-year, $9 million deal with the Rams in 2024. His pay should more than double this year, putting him in line with guys like Justin Reid, Josh Metellus, and Amani Hooker.<\/a><\/p>\n

Best fit: Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n

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Current team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Age: 27
Drafted: 2021, first round (25th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Etienne is a dynamic back with sharp jump cuts who has also improved as a downhill runner, showing a willingness to lower his shoulder into contact and churn his legs to pick up extra yards. Etienne can run well through arm tackles and always seems to be falling forward, and once he breaks into the second level of the defense, he has the speed to open up his stride in space. Injuries cost Etienne his entire rookie season, and he battled through shoulder and hamstring issues in 2024, but he started every game for the Jags this season and moved as well as he has at any point of his pro career. He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons in the league, and he totaled 1,174 yards and seven touchdowns on 270 carries (4.3 yards per carry) <\/a>in 2025. Etienne has also caught at least 39 passes for 250-plus receiving yards in each of the past four seasons<\/a>, and he ranked second among running backs (behind Christian McCaffrey) in receiving touchdowns this season, with seven. Etienne is two years older than Kenneth Walker, which could be a reason for teams to offer him a shorter free agent contract. He could command an average salary similar to Walker\u2019s next deal, in the range of $10 million to $13 million per year.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Washington Commanders<\/p>\n

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Current team: Baltimore Ravens
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, fourth round (141st)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

It was a down year for Likely. He caught just 27 passes, for 307 yards and one touchdown, in 14 games<\/a>. He also fumbled the ball into the end zone for a touchback against Cincinnati in Week 13, and he had a touchdown called back when he lost the ball in the end zone against Pittsburgh the following week. To use Likely\u2019s words, it was an \u201cass as fuck<\/a>\u201d kind of season for him (and the Ravens overall). Likely is a rare athlete and is only 25 years old, but he just hasn\u2019t been consistent enough to warrant the monster multiyear extension many expected would be coming for him. Baltimore re-signed 30-year-old veteran tight end Mark Andrews to a three-year, $39.3 million extension in early December<\/a>, possibly signalling that Likely will test the market in March. Jake Ferguson, Pat Freiermuth, and Dalton Schultz each signed multiyear contracts in the $12 million per year range<\/a> in the past two years. I can\u2019t imagine that teams will be willing to make a similar long-term commitment to Likely after this down season, and he might be better off signing a one-year prove-it deal that gives him an opportunity to land a bigger multiyear deal in 2027 after a full season as the top tight end in a new offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n

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Current team: Buffalo Bills
Age: 28
Drafted: 2019, fifth round (169th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Edwards is a reliable player who can raise the level of play of the linemen around him. He was an absolute steal for Buffalo on his last deal (two years, $6 million<\/a>), considering he played over 1,000 snaps at guard for the Bills in back-to-back seasons<\/a>. He’s usually a stone wall in pass protection, and he wins consistently as a run blocker because of good positioning and strong hands. The Bills run a very diverse run game, and Edwards handles the range of responsibilities well. He doesn’t have great lateral agility, however, and he can get taken advantage of when trying to block on the move at the second level. Still, it\u2019s hard to find consistent, above-average offensive line players in free agency, and Edwards checks that box. With guys like Jonah Jackson<\/a> and Aaron Banks<\/a> signing new multiyear deals worth over $17 million per year last March, Edwards should see his per-year average clear $15 million with ease.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n

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Current team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 26
Drafted: 2022, sixth round (199th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Mays started for the Panthers only in spurts on his rookie deal, and he signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal<\/a> to return to the team in 2025 with the expectation that he’d be the backup center behind Austin Corbett. Mays wound up starting most of the season after Corbett suffered a knee injury in Week 2. Mays also missed time with an ankle injury, but he was reliable as both a run blocker and pass protector when he was in the lineup \u2014so much so that he kept the starting center job even when Corbett was cleared to play. (Corbett moved to guard.) Mays is a strong player who moves well for his size and plays from whistle to whistle. The Broncos re-signed their center, Luke Wattenberg, to a four-year, $48 million extension in November<\/a>. Mays\u2019s next deal might be less than that, but he should surpass the three-year, $21 million contract Robert Hainsey signed with the Jaguars last offseason<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

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Current team: Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, third round (83rd)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Injuries have hindered Dean’s development since before he was drafted. He fell to the third round because of a pectoral strain. He played only 47 snaps as a rookie<\/a>, and then he missed a lot of the 2023 season with a Lisfranc injury. He finally started 15 games<\/a> for Philadelphia in 2024, but he didn’t play beyond the wild-card round in the playoffs because of a torn patellar tendon that caused him to begin the 2025 season on the sideline. He eventually returned to the starting lineup over the second half of this season, but he missed the Eagles’ Week 17 matchup against the Bills with a hamstring injury. Health is the biggest, and perhaps only, question for Dean as he heads to free agency. He’s a tenacious run defender with great explosiveness and sideline-to-sideline range. He’s a difference maker on three downs because of his ability to play the run and rush the passer. He led all linebackers with at least 30 pass rush snaps in PFF’s pass rush win rate (31.3 percent<\/a>). Dean isn’t a complete liability in coverage, either, which is more than you can say about most starting linebackers in the NFL right now. It’s hard to project what he will command on the open market given just how much his career has been affected by injuries. When healthy, he’s as valuable as players like Jamien Sherwood<\/a> and Nick Bolton<\/a>\u2014both of whom signed three-year, $45 million deals last offseason. But will Dean have to sign for less purely because of the injury concerns? Probably.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n

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Current team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age: 29
Drafted: 2019, third round (94th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Dean is a reliable outside corner who has played more than 5,000 snaps <\/a>over his seven-year career. He’s allowed just one touchdown in coverage over the last two seasons<\/a>, per PFF. Dean missed time in 2024 with a hamstring injury, and he suffered hip and shoulder injuries this year. He’ll turn 30 next season, and while he’s a good football player at a valuable position, concerns surrounding his injuries and age could affect his market. Dean took a significant pay cut in 2025, reducing his salary from $12.5 million to $4.5 million<\/a>, which voided the remaining year of his deal so that he could be a free agent this offseason. I imagine he’s looking to cash in one more big multiyear deal. These days, starting-caliber corners are making $12 million per year if not more, and Dean could exceed that if teams are confident in his health.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Cleveland Browns
Age: 27
Drafted: 2019, first round (10th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Bush was only 20 years old when the Steelers traded a second- and a third-round pick to move up 10 spots to take him in the 2019 NFL draft. Pittsburgh, however, let Bush walk after an underwhelming four-year start to his career, and he\u2019s since signed a series of one-year prove-it deals, each worth under $4 million per year in Seattle (2023) and Cleveland (2024 and 2025). Bush always has been an explosive athlete with sideline-to-sideline range and a physical demeanor, but the game was moving too fast for him early in his career. His eyes were in the wrong place, and he was thinking, not reacting, too much on the field. Add in that he is undersized at 5-foot-11 and 235 pounds, and Bush was bullied by big bodies in the trenches and was too often out of position because he was a step behind the play. But Bush has since flipped the script. He played the best football of his career with the Browns. He\u2019s improved his hand usage and played with a lot of confidence in Jim Schwartz\u2019s system. Now that the game has seemingly slowed down for him and his technique has improved, Bush has been a true difference-maker in the middle of the Cleveland defense. There\u2019s an argument that he should be a lot higher on this list, but, similar to Jacksonville\u2019s Devin Lloyd, his future success seems tied to his staying with a coach who has gotten the best out of him. Bush should command a two- or three-year deal in the $10-14 million per year range regardless of where he plays in 2026, but he\u2019ll be maximized if he can continue to ascend under Schwartz\u2014no matter where the longtime DC ends up.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Wherever Schwartz coaches in 2026.<\/p>\n

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Current team: Dallas Cowboys
Age: 25
Drafted: 2021, second round (35th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Jerry Jones said<\/a> that he wants Williams to be a Cowboy over the long term during what was Williams\u2019s breakout season in 2025, but Jones will have to pay up to make it happen. Williams, who tore three ligaments in his knee in 2022, signed a one-year prove-it deal at $3 million<\/a> last offseason to compete with Miles Sanders, and he ran away with the starting job almost immediately. Williams ranked seventh among all backs in forced missed tackles (54) during the regular season and fourth among qualifying backs in yards after contact per attempt (3.56). It takes multiple defenders to bring him down, which makes him valuable in short-yardage situations and near the goal line. Williams doesn’t shy away from contact and finishes his runs falling forward. He consistently gets more yards than what’s available because of how he runs through contact. He isn’t a home run hitter with great long speed, but he makes up for it with his short-area quickness and tackle-breaking ability. That said, anything over $10 million per year would be an overpay for Williams after he\u2019s had just one breakout season and a history of injuries. Jaylen Warren, D’Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, and Chuba Hubbard each signed multiyear deals in the $6 million to $8 million per year range<\/a> recently. Williams would still be a value signing on that kind of contract, but maybe he should try to get more. Running backs age fast; this could be his last big opportunity for a multiyear extension.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Houston Texans<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Age: 34
Drafted: 2014, first round (5th)
Pro Bowls: Nine (2015\u20132020, 2022\u20132024)<\/p>\n

Mack, who will turn 35 years old this month, is reportedly contemplating retirement<\/a> after a down year with the Chargers in 2025. He missed four games with an elbow injury and had to adjust to playing with a brace in the second half of the season. Still, Mack is the same tough, high-effort player he\u2019s been his entire 12-year career, and when healthy, his pass rush production always has been among the best in football, even as he\u2019s aged. If he still thinks he has enough in the tank, Mack should be able to sign a one-year flier with a contender for around $14 million.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n

\"\"Joe Robbins\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Current team: Seattle Seahawks
Age: 26
Drafted: 2022, fifth round (153rd)
Pro Bowls: One (2022)
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Woolen thrived earlier in his career playing a ton of press man and Cover 3 in Pete Carroll\u2019s defense in Seattle, and that may still be his best role in the NFL. The 2025 season started off poorly for him, but he improved as it went on while playing outside corner in Mike Macdonald\u2019s scheme, which deploys a lot of split-safety shells and varied, often disguised zone coverages. Woolen played less after star cornerback Devon Witherspoon returned from injury in Week 9<\/a>, but he was still heavily involved in the rotation during Seattle\u2019s Super Bowl run. Now, he should be coveted in free agency because of his rare length and athleticism, and he could command a contract in the $16 million to 18 million range. It will be interesting to see whether any teams view him as a liability because of the taunting penalty that nearly cost Seattle the NFC championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: New York Jets<\/p>\n

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Current team: Chicago Bears
Age: 27
Drafted: 2021, third round (99th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Wright struggled in the final two games of the regular season. But he turned it back on for the playoffs, and his overall body of work in 2025-26 was largely impressive. In his first year as a full-time starter at outside cornerback since he was drafted by the Cowboys in 2021, Wright amassed five picks, seven pass breakups, and two forced fumbles<\/a>. He doesn’t have great recovery speed or short-area quickness, but he makes up for it with his length and instincts. He anticipates routes well and is always a threat to get his hands on the ball at the catch point because of his 6-foot-4 frame and 33-inch arms<\/a>. Wright signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal<\/a> with the Bears in 2025, expecting to compete for a depth spot in the secondary, but Jaylon Johnson’s injuries thrust Wright into a starting role early, and he didn\u2019t give it up. Although he’s a bit of a one-year wonder with limited athleticism, in the right defense, Wright could be a playmaking outside corner. He should get paid starter money in the $12 million to $16 million per year range, whether it’s in Chicago or not.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

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Current team: New England Patriots
Age: 28
Drafted: 2020, fourth round (134th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Hawkins emerged as a breakout star for the Patriots in 2025. Originally a 2020 fourth-round pick with the Falcons, Hawkins started 19 games<\/a> and played a career-high 1,102 defensive snaps<\/a> for the Pats in 2025. He recorded four picks, two pass breakups, two sacks, and a forced fumble<\/a> through the Super Bowl. Hawkins is deployed mostly as a deep safety, but he often comes down into the box when New England plays single-high shells. He signed a one-year, $1.8 million deal<\/a> with the Patriots last offseason with the expectation that he’d be a depth piece and a core special-teamer. After this season, Hawkins could sign a multiyear deal for low-end starter money in the $7 million to $12 million range and still be a value signing.<\/p>\n

Best fit: New England Patriots<\/p>\n

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Current team: Cleveland Browns
Age: 29
Drafted: 2017, first round (29th)
Pro Bowls: One (2023)
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Njoku battled knee injuries since Week 6 of 2025, and rookie Harold Fannin Jr. took over as the top tight end in Cleveland\u2019s offense. If Njoku can get healthy, he should still be a valuable volume pass catcher and a true red zone threat on his next team. Injuries and age should add a discount to his price in the offseason, making him that much more attractive as a low-risk, high-reward option on the open market. Mike Gesicki signed a three-year contract worth $8.5 million per year<\/a> last offseason when he was entering his age-30 season, and Dallas Goedert reworked his contract to a one-year, $10 million deal<\/a> at 30 years old last May. Njoku should sign something in that range if he can get a clean bill of health.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Washington Commanders<\/p>\n

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Current team: New York Giants
Age: 24
Drafted: 2022, second round (45th)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Robinson enjoyed a breakout season in 2025. He makes up for his tiny frame (he\u2019s just 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds) and smaller catch radius with great ball skills and reliable hands. He dropped only three passes<\/a> in 16 games last season, and he ranked tied for eighth among receivers with 80-plus targets in drop rate (3.2 percent<\/a>). Robinson is a jittery athlete who can create separation in a hurry, and he thrived with more downfield targets this season. His average depth of target in 2023 and 2024 was under 6 yards; in 2025, his ADOT was 9 yards<\/a>. It’s a big reason his yards per reception average has jumped. He caught 92-of-131 targets for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. Robinson isn’t a contested-catch threat and his YAC numbers are middling at best, but he’s a quick separator who can win in high-leverage moments down the field. Even if teams view him as a slot-only receiver, Robinson should have a market in the $12 million to $18 million range.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n

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Current team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 26
Drafted: 2022, second round (62nd)
Pro Bowls: None
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Cook has started 46 games for the Chiefs over the past three seasons<\/a>. He can play deep and box safety and has done so at a high level for years now. Cook is also a reliable tackler\u2014he missed only 11 tackles over the past two years<\/a>, and in 2025, he ranked seventh among safeties with 400-plus snaps played in missed tackle rate (5.6 percent<\/a>). Cook seems to crave contact and brought a physical, aggressive presence to the Chiefs secondary. He’s best used splitting time deep and in the box given how well he fits in run support, but he’s improved in coverage. He limits plays after the catch with his tackling ability, and he’s shown better discipline when protecting the deep areas of the field. It would shock me if he signs for anything less than $15 million per year on the open market.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Chicago Bears
Age: 26
Drafted: 2022, second round (48th)
Pro Bowls: None<\/p>\n

Brisker enjoyed a breakout season under Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in 2025. Brisker blitzed over three times more than he had in any other year of his career, and he was a constant force playing the run as an in-the-box safety. He showed he\u2019s also a solid player in coverage, and he held his own playing deep as a split safety with Kevin Byard. Brisker is a physical, high-effort player and a willing tackler, which separates him among his peers at safety. He won\u2019t command top-of-the-market money because he isn\u2019t a premier deep safety like Xavier McKinney or Jessie Bates III, but a player with his skills around the line of scrimmage still has immense value in today\u2019s league. Brisker should sign somewhere in the range of $12-14 million per year, either to stay with the Bears or to join a new team eager to drop him into the box and let him go to work as a run defender and blitzer. Though Chicago could get priced out, I hope Brisker stays put and builds on his season with Allen again in 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Chicago Bears<\/p>\n

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON \u2013 JANUARY 17: Rashid Shaheed #22 of the Seattle Seahawks runs downfield during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on January 17,\u2026<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Seattle Seahawks
Age: 27
Drafted: 2022, undrafted
Pro Bowls: Two (2023, 2025)<\/p>\n

Believe it or not, Shaheed had only 18 receptions in his 12 games with the Seahawks last season, including the postseason; he had 44 in nine games with the Saints before the trade deadline. But he made most of his impact as a punt returner with Seattle, averaging the third most yards per return (14.2) of any player with at least 20 punt returns in 2025<\/a>. However, I remain bullish on Shaheed as a pure receiver. He\u2019s a prolific vertical threat with great ball skills, and a team desperate to improve its punt return averages and add a downfield weapon who can blow the top off of opposing defenses should pay up for Shaheed\u2019s services if he doesn\u2019t re-sign with Seattle. Darnell Mooney signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Falcons in 2024; Shaheed shouldn\u2019t sign for anything less than $14 million per year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 32
Drafted: 2016, third round (79th)
Pro Bowls: One (2024)<\/p>\n

Seumalo is one of the older players on this list, but he\u2019s also proved to be an extremely durable, high-floor offensive lineman throughout his 10-year career. He\u2019s played over 800 snaps in each of the past four seasons, and he was PFF\u2019s 15th-highest-ranked guard <\/a>in 2025. A contender should jump at the opportunity to pay Seumalo $8-10 million annually on a one- or two-year contract.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

\"\"Joseph Weiser\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Current Team: Green Bay Packers
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, fourth round (132nd)
Pro Bowls: None<\/p>\n

Doubs has had some frustrating drops and middle-of-the-pack production in his four years with Green Bay, but he is still only 25 years old and has all of the skills necessary to be a productive second option in any offense. He\u2019s a savvy route-runner with enough dynamism and speed to win at all three levels of the field. He\u2019s a balanced player\u2014neither a gadgety YAC type nor a pure vertical threat\u2014and he doesn\u2019t need to be pigeon-holed into the slot. I don\u2019t think Doubs will clear $20 million per year on his next contract, but his absolute floor should be in the $13-14 million range. It might be a mistake for a team like the Raiders or Titans to overpay him to be the focal point of their offense, but he could quickly become a major value signing as a WR2 at $15 million to $18 million per year.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, third round (103rd)
Pro Bowls: None<\/p>\n

Chenal isn\u2019t the kind of athlete you want to trust in pass coverage, but he\u2019s an \u00fcber-physical, high-effort run defender and improving pass rusher. That means he probably should be used situationally, but that specific role has a lot of value, especially as teams continue to use more personnel groupings with multiple tight ends or six offensive linemen. Chenal will have to go to a team with enough cap space to be able to afford paying for a part-time linebacker. But whoever signs him to a multiyear deal for around $7 million to $8 million annually is going to get a steal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Best fit: San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Buffalo Bills
Age: 28
Drafted: 2019, third round (90th)
Pro Bowls: One (2024)<\/p>\n

McGovern is a durable center with more than 1,000 snaps played in three of of the past four seasons. He\u2019s an above-average pass protector, and has proved to be scheme-versatile as a run blocker in Joe Brady\u2019s diverse rushing attack in Buffalo. McGovern signed a three-year, $22 million contract with the Bills three years ago and is now due for a much-deserved pay bump. Drew Dalman (26 years old when he signed last year) and Luke Wattenberg (28) signed deals worth $14 million and $12 million annually last year with the Bears and Broncos, respectively. If Buffalo lets McGovern test the market, teams desperate for better center play should be willing to pay $10 million or more per year for McGovern.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n

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Current team: Buffalo Bills
Age: 30
Drafted: 2016, first round (third)
Pro Bowls: Five (2017, 2019-21, 2024)
All-Pro teams: None<\/p>\n

Bosa flew under the radar as one of the best-value players in the NFL this season. Injuries marred his final three years with the Chargers, but he rebounded in a big way in Buffalo. He signed a one-year, $12.6 million deal<\/a> with the Bills last offseason\u2014more than 20 other edge players are making more than him this season\u2014yet Bosa ranked eighth at his position in PFF’s pass-rushing grade in 2025<\/a>. He isn’t the same elite player he was in his early 20s and he was a complete nonfactor in Buffalo\u2019s two playoff games, but he’s still a reliable three-down starter who can consistently win his matchups in obvious passing situations. A pass rush\u2013needy team should jump at the opportunity to pay Bosa somewhere in the $14 million to $18 million per year<\/a> range once he hits free agency again.<\/p>\n

Best fit: San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 27
Drafted: 2019 supplemental draft, fifth round
Pro Bowls: None<\/p>\n

Thompson is a reliable, versatile safety with over 900 snaps played in each of the past five seasons with the Cardinals. He doesn\u2019t have a ton of ball production, but he\u2019s a sound tackler and disciplined in coverage regardless of alignment and assignment. He\u2019s best suited for a zone-heavy defense that moves him around. Justin Reid signed a three-year extension worth $10.5 million per year last offseason; Thompson\u2019s floor asking price should start around there.<\/p>\n

Best Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Indianapolis Colts
Age: 24
Drafted: 2022, third round (96th)
Pro Bowls: None<\/p>\n

The Colts used Cross as a box safety and frequent blitzer last season, and he was far more effective in that role than he was in 2024, when he was asked to play a ton of Cover 3. Cross racked up 16 total pressures in 2025, 14 more than he had the season before, and he was reliable in run defense as the extra defender in the box on early downs. Cross is essentially a safety-linebacker hybrid who isn\u2019t a liability in pass coverage like a traditional linebacker would be. Though this type of player has become increasingly important as opposing offenses run more multiple tight end sets, free safeties still tend to command more money on the free agent market, in large part because of their on-ball production compared to box safeties or hybrid players. The top of the free safety market is over $20 million per year, and the best slot cornerbacks make $12-13 million per year. Cross will likely wind up with a deal that\u2019s closer to $8 million per year, and that would be a steal.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n

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Current Team: New England Patriots
Age: 26
Drafted: 2020, first round (20th)
Pro Bowls: None<\/p>\n

Chaisson\u2019s production exploded in his first year with the Pats. The former Jags first-round pick had never recorded more than 30 pressures in any season of his five-year career before logging 74 (!) pressures with New England during its Super Bowl run, far outperforming the one-year, $3 million prove-it deal he signed with the team last offseason. Chaisson always has been an explosive player with a lightning-quick first step, but now he has drastically improved his hand usage and plays like a rusher with a real plan for how to attack offensive tackles. He\u2019s still a better pass rusher than he is a run defender, but he\u2019s by no means one-dimensional. Chaisson is still only 26 years old; he has multiple prime years left in the tank. He probably won\u2019t clear the $20 million per year mark, but Chaisson should more than quadruple his salary on his next deal. His New England teammate Harold Landry III signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract last offseason; Chaisson\u2019s asking price should start right around there.<\/p>\n

Best fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n

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Current Team: Atlanta Falcons
Age: 25
Drafted: 2022, fifth round (151st)
Pro Bowls: None<\/p>\n

Even though he probably wants a starting role, Allgeier is best suited as a complementary back. He\u2019s not a home run hitter or a prolific pass catcher, but he is a tough, physical runner tailor-made for short-yardage situations and pass protection. He\u2019s also recorded zero (!) fumbles on 676 career carries. Teams that feature lighter, slasher-type starting tailbacks should jump at the opportunity to sign Allgeier as a change-of-pace back for around $6 million per year.<\/p>\n

Best fit: San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Austin Gayle<\/p>\n

<\/a>Austin Gayle writes about the NFL, surviving horror movies, raw-dogging flights, and other weird stuff. He\u2019s The Ringer\u2019s audience engagement manager (big numbers guy) and a 10-year Oakland Raiders season-ticket holder who still thinks about Derek Carr\u2019s leg every Christmas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s officially the offseason, and we\u2019ve stacked our big board of the best players set to hit the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":474394,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[349,99],"class_list":["post-474393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=474393"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474393\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/474394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=474393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=474393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=474393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}