Most teams are getting smarter about keeping their best players. That's partly why the list of 2026 potential free agents below has already been decimated by a slew of forward-thinking clubs that locked up young stars. (Or they just trade them to the Packers.)
Still, there are a lot of intriguing options, especially among pass rushers, pass catchers and offensive linemen. Without further adieu, our way-too-early look at the top 25 free agents of 2026.
Nik Bonitto
Denver Broncos · Edge
Having just earned his first Pro Bowl selection with 13.5 sacks, Bonitto is not a one-year wonder, but a player who steadily built his game to become an unpredictable, every-down difference maker. Solidifying those gains in 2025 will net him a quarterback-like contract.
Tyler Linderbaum
Baltimore Ravens · C
It’s hard to imagine the Ravens letting a two-time Pro Bowl center leave after his rookie contract.
Jaelan Phillips
Miami Dolphins · Edge
This ranking assumes Phillips can stay healthy this season. If so, he’s just about everything teams look for in a pass rusher.
Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals · Edge
The Bengals’ one-year raise for Hendrickson makes it likely that he actually makes it to free agency next offseason. A potential franchise tag would cost $36 million.
Tariq Woolen
Seattle Seahawks · CB
Woolen improved his tackling in 2024 to fortify a promising career for a cornerback with incredible size and speed.
DaRon Bland
Dallas Cowboys · CB
After logging 14 interceptions and five pick-sixes in his first two seasons, Bland will look to re-establish himself as a difference-maker coming off a foot injury that sidelined him for 10 games in 2024.
George Pickens
Dallas Cowboys · WR
In the wake of a tumultuous time in Pittsburgh, Pickens’ ability to fit into Dallas' offense as a No. 2 receiver will inform whether any team wants to give him the contract of a No. 1 option.
Alijah Vera-Tucker
New York Jets · OG
Vera-Tucker has started at every position except center, settling in as one of the league’s better right guards when healthy.
Isaiah Likely
Baltimore Ravens · TE
Likely is the type of explosive matchup problem that every team is trying to find to round out their two tight end sets.
Rashid Shaheed
New Orleans Saints · WR
Speed kills. In a league designed to prevent big plays, Shaheed has averaged almost 17 yards per catch for his career. He looks set up for a big year and a possible franchise tag.
Mike Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers · WR
Yeah, Evans' consistency and longevity are getting ridiculous. He’s staying on this list until any decline is apparent.
Luke Goedeke
Tampa Bay Buccaneers · OT
One of the better development stories in football, Goedeke evolved from a liability at guard to a plus starting right tackle.
Wyatt Teller
Cleveland Browns · OG
Teller became a top-tier guard soon after arriving in Cleveland, but he will be 31 at the start of his next contract and might not fit the Browns’ timeline.
Alec Pierce
Indianapolis Colts · WR
In a league desperate for big plays, Pierce averaged an NFL-high 22.3 yards per catch in 2024, routinely streaking past defenders deep down the field.
Travis Jones
Baltimore Ravens · DT
Jones is becoming an archetypal Ravens development story. He might blow up just in time to get paid elsewhere in free agency.
Zyon McCollum
Tampa Bay Buccaneers · CB
McCollum improved greatly in his third season and is one of four Bucs on this list.
Jakobi Meyers
Las Vegas Raiders · WR
Meyers wanted a raise from the Raiders and then requested a trade when he didn’t get it. He’s a rare quality as a No. 2/3 receiver who has shown he can fit in any style of offense.
Cade Otton
Tampa Bay Buccaneers · TE
One of the most improved players at his position last season, Otton is quietly a complete tight end who is just hitting his prime at 26.
Kenneth Walker III
Seattle Seahawks · RB
Walker has missed a fair amount of time due to injury, but no one’s ever questioned his explosive ability or creativity as a runner when healthy.
Breece Hall
New York Jets · RB
There’s a compelling list of potentially available running backs. Hall might not be the most complete rusher, but he's an asset when used as part of a tandem.
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Jauan Jennings
San Francisco 49ers · WR
Typecast at times in his career as a role player, Jennings showed last season (77 catches, 975 yards, six TDs) he can carry a bigger load as a ball-winner when asked.
Boye Mafe
Seattle Seahawks · Edge
Part of a deep crop of potentially available pass rushers, Mafe might not be a priority for the Seahawks to sign because they have so many players in the front seven.
Colton McKivitz
San Francisco 49ers · OT
Any solid starting-caliber offensive lineman will get paid plenty, and McKivitz (37 starts over the past two seasons) qualifies.
Odafe Oweh
Baltimore Ravens · Edge
The sack production (10 last season) might be better than the down-to-down difference-making.
Devin Lloyd
Jacksonville Jaguars · LB
Lloyd improved greatly in Year 3. This league is short on linebackers who can stay on the field, and he should be peaking in time for his next contract.