Early look at NFL's top 25 free agents of 2026

With Super Bowl LX in the books, the football world's attention turns to free agency. The NFL's negotiating window opens March 9.

Here's an early look at the 25 best players slated to hit the market. Franchise-tag candidates are labeled with their projected tag values, per Over the Cap.

1. George Pickens

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate (Projected value: $28.8M)

Key stat: Led the NFL in receiving yards against man coverage (510) this season, per PFF

After spending three seasons in Pittsburgh's quarterback wasteland, Pickens fulfilled his potential in Dallas. With Dak Prescott throwing him passes, the Pro Bowl wideout showed he can be a WR1 over a 17-game stretch. He generated the third-most receiving yards in the league (1,429), trailing only Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua. If the Cowboys don't retain him, Pickens will be the biggest home-run hitter on the market.

2. Trey Hendrickson

Key stat: Ranked 3rd in sacks (39) over the past 3 seasons despite missing 10 games in 2025

Hendrickson is finally nearing the end of what's been a dragged-out divorce with the Bengals. The messy situation culminated in a tough 2025 season in which he was limited to seven games due to injuries. That might seem worrisome for a pass-rusher over the age of 30, but don't forget that Hendrickson had back-to-back 17.5-sack campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

3. Tyler Linderbaum

Key stat: Surrendered 2 sacks this season, per PFF

The top offensive lineman in this year's free-agent class, Linderbaum will instantly improve any unit he joins if the Ravens let him test the market. The former first-round pick is a four-year starter, and he's on a run of three consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns. He could provide the same kind of impact that Drew Dalman brought to the Bears' offensive line after scoring the biggest deal among centers in free agency last year.

4. Daniel Jones

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate (Projected value: $47.3M)

Key stat: Averaged a career-high 8.1 yards per pass attempt in 2025

If Jones hadn't torn his Achilles, he might've been the top free agent. Regardless, the quarterback did a great job of rebuilding his value in 2025, setting new personal bests in completion percentage (68%), passer rating (100.2), and the aforementioned yards per pass attempt. He carries risk, but teams in need of a signal-caller will certainly consider Jones in hopes of receiving production similar to what he had in 2025.

5. Alec Pierce

Key stat: Led all receivers in yards per reception in each of the last 2 seasons

Teams looking to add a downfield threat to their offense should be prepared to get into a bidding war for Pierce, who posted a career-high 1,003 yards on 47 catches this season (21.3 yards per reception). Pierce's receiving totals have risen significantly over the last two seasons, suggesting he may just be scratching the surface of his potential.

6. Jaelan Phillips

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate (Projected value: $27.3M)

Key stat: Recorded 41 pressures after joining the Eagles, 6th in the NFL during that span, per PFF

Phillips only registered five sacks this season, but he became a pass-rushing force in Vic Fangio's defense after joining the Eagles for the final eight games. Health has been a question mark over his career, with an Achilles tear ending his 2023 campaign and a knee injury pulling the plug on his 2024 season. In a weak free-agent class, Phillips' value remains high despite him having a red flag or two.

7. Breece Hall

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate (Projected value: $14.5M)

Key stat: Eclipsed 1,300 yards from scrimmage in each of the last 3 seasons

Hall's been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lackluster Jets offense for the past four years. He totaled over 1,000 rushing yards for the first time this year, and he's also shown the ability to be a dual-threat back with 188 career receptions.

8. Riq Woolen

Key stat: Has 12 interceptions since entering the NFL in 2022, 10th-most in that span

Woolen stormed out of the gate with six interceptions as a rookie in 2022. He's added six interceptions since. Though his defensive snaps have decreased each year since his marvelous rookie campaign due to inconsistent play and the emergence of Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe, Woolen is still a ball hawk who can energize a secondary.

9. Rasheed Walker

Key stat: Allowed 14 sacks over the last 3 seasons, per PFF

With Jordan Morgan waiting in the wings to take over the Packers' blind side protector spot, Walker is almost certain to hit free agency. Proven left tackles get paid in free agency, and the former seventh-round pick should be no exception. He's started 48 games over the last three seasons.

10. Braden Smith

Key stat: Surrendered 1 sack over 13 starts in 2025, per PFF

The veteran hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Smith's season was cut a tad short, but the right tackle will be one of the best and most dependable options on the market. A full-time starter since his rookie campaign in 2018, Smith has 105 starts to his name.

11. Kenneth Walker III

Key stat: Averaged a career-high 5.2 yards per touch in 2025

Walker, the newest Super Bowl MVP, is entering free agency after his 135-yard rushing performance powered the Seahawks' championship victory. The former second-round pick is the biggest home-run threat out of the backfield in this free-agent class. He produced 33 carries of 10-plus yards, good for sixth in the league, and 18 rushes of 15-plus yards, third-most in the NFL, per PFF. Walker surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this season for the second time in his career.

12. Devin Lloyd

Key stat: Had 5 interceptions in 2025, tied for the most among linebackers

Lloyd finally put it all together under first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, recording five interceptions, a pick-6, and seven pass breakups. Unless it was a flash in the pan, he's poised to be a genuine difference-maker going forward.

13. Mike Evans

Key stat: Registered 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons before an injury-plagued 2025 campaign

While his injuries and age may be concerning, Evans has been a model of consistency when healthy. At best, he's a good bet to produce 70-plus receptions and more than 1,000 yards. At worst, he's an effective red-zone target with double-digit touchdowns in four of his last six seasons.

14. Rashid Shaheed

Key stat: The only player to record at least 1 punt-return and kick-return TD each in 2025

Shaheed's a dynamic deep threat, but his value goes beyond just catching the football. The Seahawks receiver has been one of the league's most electric return men, racking up five return touchdowns since his rookie year. He was instrumental in Seattle's Super Bowl run, scoring twice on returns in the regular season and once in the postseason.

15. Jauan Jennings

Key stat: Scored 7 TDs in the red zone in 2025, tied for 3rd among wide receivers

Brandon Aiyuk's absence and Ricky Pearsall's injury issues gave Jennings a platform to show what he can do. The 6-foot-3 wideout has been a magnet in the end zone, hauling in 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons while totaling 1,618 yards in that span. Jennings is also one of the NFL's better blocking wideouts.

16. Malik Willis

Key stat: Completed 78.7% of passes over 2 seasons with the Packers

Willis is undoubtedly elevated by a weak free-agent quarterback class. However, the dynamic dual-threat passer shined in limited action during his two years in Green Bay, completing 70 of 89 passes for 972 yards with six touchdowns and no picks across 11 appearances. He's worth the gamble for a quarterback-starved team.

17. Aaron Rodgers

Key stat: Didn't throw an interception over his final 10 regular-season starts

Rodgers was more than serviceable during the 2025 season. While he'll have limited suitors at his age, he represents a safe option in a shallow quarterback class. But first, he has to decide if he wants to play in 2026.

18. Odafe Oweh

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate (Projected value: $27.3M)

Key stat: Recorded 6.5 sacks over the last 6 games of the season

It was a Jekyll and Hyde season for Oweh in 2025: zero sacks with the Ravens and then 7.5 sacks with the Chargers. His production for L.A. served as a reminder of why he was a first-round pick. Which team will be willing to bet it can extract more of Oweh's potential?

19. Kyle Pitts

🔖 Franchise-tag candidate (Projected value: $16.3M)

Key stat: Ranked 2nd among tight ends with 88 receptions and 928 receiving yards in 2025

Pitts is coming off a career-high 88 receptions and five touchdowns, while his 928 yards were his best since his rookie campaign. He could be looking at a handsome payday in free agency, but staying in Atlanta under new head coach Kevin Stefanski is also very intriguing.

20. Romeo Doubs

Key stat: Posted career-high 724 receiving yards in 2025

Doubs isn't the flashiest wideout available in free agency, but he's been a key element of the Packers' offense for four years. He may not be a field-stretcher but should remain an excellent chain-mover and floor-raiser wherever he ends up. Forty-six of Doubs' 55 receptions were under 20 yards downfield.

21. David Edwards

Key stat: Flagged for 3 or fewer penalties in 5 of his 7 seasons, per PFF

Edwards will likely land one of the biggest contracts among free-agent offensive linemen if he reaches the market. The veteran graded 19th among all qualified guards this season, per PFF, and allowed only five sacks across his three seasons in Buffalo.

22. Alontae Taylor

Key stat: Has played 1,664 slot snaps and 1,597 outside cornerback snaps over his career, per PFF

Taylor has been the ultimate chess piece for the Saints' defense, and that versatility makes him appealing in free agency. He has 293 career tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions, and three forced fumbles. The dynamic cornerback brings a boom-or-bust element, but Taylor would be an incredible asset for any defensive coordinator, much like he was for Brandon Staley in 2025.

23. Jaylen Watson

Key stat: Didn't allow a TD in coverage this season, per PFF

Watson had his best season in his contract year, recording two interceptions and six pass breakups. At 6-foot-2, Watson has the kind of size any team would love to plug into its secondary. The cap-strapped Chiefs will have a tough time keeping him.

24. Quay Walker

Key stat: Missed 1 tackle over his final 8 regular-season games of 2025, per PFF

Walker led the Packers in tackles in each of his four seasons. His athleticism is obvious, though it's yet to translate into splash plays: He has one interception and three forced fumbles over his career. He and Edgerrin Cooper were a formidable duo for the Packers. If Walker is paired with the right dance partner again, he'll be worth his next contract.

25. Nakobe Dean

Key stat: Notched 7 sacks and 16 tackles for loss over the last 2 seasons

There's no questioning the fact that Dean can play. Can he stay on the field, though? When healthy, the Georgia product has been a menace coming downhill and terrorizing the opposing backfield. But Dean missed most of 2023 and seven games in 2025 with injuries.