On March 9, three weeks from today, NFL players on expiring contracts can begin negotiating with outside clubs – any are currently free to broach extensions with their current ones – and can officially start to join new organizations at 4 p.m. ET on March 11, the start of the 2026 league year.
However, a great deal is still likely to happen between now and then – and doubtless will.
Starting Feb. 17, the two-week window for clubs to apply a franchise or transition tag to one of their pending free agents, thus severely restricting that player’s ability to leave, opens. Countless others will have their contracts terminated before March 11 as overbudget teams come into compliance with the 2026 salary cap prior to the start of free agency.
Elsewhere, Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, for example, renegotiated his contract in January, lowering his 2026 base salary to $2.1 million but obtaining a clause that would guarantee his new $67.9 million income in 2027 on March 13 – meaning he’ll almost certainly be going free and gauging his value anew, though that wouldn’t necessarily preclude a return to Atlanta. And whither Tua Tagovailoa? And/or Kyler Murray? The quarterback market could be intriguing, if not yet fully informed and certainly unlikely to present a marquee veteran option.
As for unforeseen trades and releases? Recent history tells us those will occur, too, and further shake up the league’s landscape. The Miami Dolphins, for example, have already started making much-needed salary cap room amid their unsurprising decisions to release WR Tyreek Hill and OLB Bradley Chubb, who become immediately eligible to sign with new teams once their contracts are officially terminated.
But, for now, I’ve compiled a list of the top 26 NFL free agents – one that’s bound to change and will be adjusted accordingly as events warrant – heading into the 2026 offseason:
1. WR George Pickens
He’s coming off a career year (93 catches for 1,429 yards and 9 TDs, all personal bests) and turns 25 next month − all good reasons for the Dallas Cowboys to use the franchise tag on Pickens, whether they plan to keep him (he and CeeDee Lamb would form an awesome but expensive wideout duo) or trade him. A good fit in Dallas last season, Pickens isn’t for everyone − and might still have to prove he’s a clear-cut No. 1 wideout. But his 2025 effort strongly suggested his production and potential are quickly coming into alignment.
2. DE Trey Hendrickson
After registering 35 sacks between the 2023 and ’24 seasons, including a league-leading 17½ in the latter campaign, the 31-year-old was limited to seven games by injuries last year − that in the wake of a contentious offseason with the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s worth wondering now if Cincy simply lets Hendrickson walk or tries a tag-and-trade gambit, but a fresh start seems like the best outcome. Regardless, his services should be in high demand.
3. C Tyler Linderbaum
You’d think the Baltimore Ravens will find a way to retain a 25-year-old three-time Pro Bowler. They may have to address QB Lamar Jackson’s contract first − he currently carries a cap charge of $74.5 million in 2026 and ’27 − which means a franchise tag could be a strong possibility if the Ravens are to keep Linderbaum off the market before granting him an extension. But if he goes free, an immediate bidding war will doubtless commence.
4. OLB Jaelan Phillips
It’s hard to come by untethered edge defenders theoretically entering their prime. But Phillips, 26, could be one of the belles of the FA ball after being acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles at last year’s trade deadline. He finished the season with five sacks and 63 quarterback pressures, per Next Gen Stats. More important, he appeared in 17 regular-season games for the first time since 2022 after injuries ruined his following two seasons. Strong against the pass and run, the 6-5, 266-pounder should find a very robust market … presuming he gets there.
5. QB Daniel Jones
A torn Achilles last December cut short what had been his best season statistically (238.5 passing yards per game, 100.2 QB rating) to that point. The QB trend du jour that may be forming in the NFL could be finding a reclamation project who won’t necessarily eat up a massive chunk of the salary cap − and Jones, 28, can thank Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield for their ongoing heroics. Hard to believe the Indianapolis Colts will allow Jones to gauge his worth with the rest of the league, though … especially when his previous team, the Minnesota Vikings, could suddenly become very interested in swooping in if he’s not secured soon.
6. OLB Odafe Oweh
He has 17½ sacks and 98 pressures as a part-time starter over the past two seasons, which were split between the Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers. Heady numbers for a 27-year-old who should be ready for a bigger role … and certainly a larger paycheck.
7. QB Malik Willis
He could be this year’s version of Justin Fields − a quarterback with intriguing skills but limited experience who can nevertheless capitalize financially given the high demand but low supply at his incomparably critical position. Willis, 26, has far fewer NFL reps than Fields but really impressed while filling in as a spot starter for the Green Bay Packers the past two seasons, completing nearly 80% of his passes while throwing six TDs and zero INTs. In addition to a 134.6 passer rating, Willis can also move like a tank. Keep an eye on the Dolphins, who just plucked their new GM (Jon-Eric Sullivan) and coach (Jeff Hafley) from the Pack, as an interested buyer.
8. WR/KR Rashid Shaheed
The big-play ability he flashed for years with the New Orleans Saints translated beautifully − and critically − when the Seattle Seahawks obtained him last November. Shaheed, 27, seemed like the final piece for to the ‘Hawks’ championship puzzle and delivered huge catches and returns in pivotal games down the stretch and in the postseason. However it should be captivating to see what Shaheed can fetch given he’s never been a No. 1 receiver nor has averaged 600 receiving yards during his four-year career. Still, his return ability − at a time when the kickoff is becoming an increasingly important component of the game − could really drive up his price tag.
9. TE Kyle Pitts
The No. 4 overall pick in 2021 − the highest-drafted tight end ever − Pitts, 25, never seemed to fully reach his potential with the Atlanta Falcons, which isn’t completely an indictment of him. But he was a second-team All-Pro in 2025 and did just put together his best season since he was a rookie, catching a career-high 88 passes and five TDs. Pitts could really take off in an offense that truly leverages his estimable abilities … and maybe even has the foresight to feature him in the red zone.
10. RB Breece Hall
Though the New York Jets seemingly purged much of their talent at last year’s trade deadline, they hung on to their 24-year-old back. And why not? Hall has averaged 1,260 yards from scrimmage and nearly seven TDs during his four seasons − and for the lowly NYJ. Explosive and an excellent receiver, Hall is the best runner on the market … if he actually reaches it.
11. WR Alec Pierce
Similar to Shaheed, he could be an elite No. 2 receiver in the right system. Unlike Shaheed, he doesn’t bring any special teams value. However Pierce, 25, has led the league in yards per reception each of the past two seasons (21.8 ypc over the duration) and is coming off a breakout year with 47 grabs for 1,003 yards. He should get paid nicely in what’s a fairly thin crop of free agents.
12. S Coby Bryant
After struggling as a corner earlier in his Seattle career, he’s flourished as a safety the past two seasons − and the 26-year-old should get a nice bump given the league’s other teams always look to raid the most recent Super Bowl champions.
13. CB Jaylen Watson
He’s big (6-2, 197), young (27), still experienced (29 starts) and playoff tested. Watson is coming off his best season but is probably a luxury for the capped-out Kansas City Chiefs.
14. LB Devin Lloyd
A first-rounder of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, he blossomed into a Pro Bowler last season as the team blossomed around him. If the Jags don’t pony up to keep their 27-year-old defensive quarterback, someone will.
15. S Bryan Cook
He’s emerged as a key component of Steve Spagnuolo’s K.C. D in recent years. A steady, reliable player, Cook, 26, should be a stabilizing presence if not one who’s going to make a ton of splash plays.
16. LT Rasheed Walker
He’s been a solid, if unspectacular, starter for the Packers since 2023. But serviceable, 26-year-old left tackles don’t grow on trees.
17. RB Kenneth Walker III
The 25-year-old Super Bowl MVP will get a hefty raise in Seattle or elsewhere. But Walker is not the second coming of Saquon Barkley, isn’t as good an every-down player as Hall and has spent most of his career in a platoon. The guess here is that Walker won’t come close to resetting the compensation scale at a position that generally doesn’t command top dollar.
18. WR Jauan Jennings
A 6-3, 212-pounder, the 28-year-old caught 132 balls (15 for TDs) over the past two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers. Jennings’ roots as a quarterback also make him quite a threat on trick plays. He’s also the proverbial dog that some locker rooms covet … and others won’t.
19. WR Mike Evans
He’ll be 33 by Week 1 and is coming off the worst of his 12 NFL seasons. But 6-5 and 231 pounds don’t fade like speed does, and a healthy Evans should be a dangerous offensive weapon and top-tier leader again in 2026 − whether it’s for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or someone else.
20. OLB Khalil Mack
He’ll be 35 by next week and is coming off (perhaps) the worst of his 12 NFL seasons. But 6-3 and 269 pounds worth of power don’t fade like an agile pass rusher might, and a healthy Mack should be a dangerous defensive weapon and top-tier leader again in 2026 − whether it’s for the Chargers or someone else.
21. CB Nahshon Wright
Though he’s already 27, he’s hardly a finished product. He’s also a 6-4, 199-pound corner who led the NFL with eight takeaways (5 INTs, 3 fumble recoveries) after becoming a surprise starter (and surprise first-time Pro Bowler) for the Chicago Bears. The upside and production spike are going to make Wright rich.
22. WR Romeo Doubs
He’s 25 with good size (6-2, 204) and has averaged roughly 50 receptions and 600 yards during four years with the Pack, who have widely dispersed their target share in the post-Davante Adams era. Doubs could be far more impactful as a 1A or second option elsewhere.
23. QB Aaron Rodgers
Last season was his best since 2021, his most recent MVP effort. Hard to imagine the 42-year-old legend playing anywhere besides the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just hired Mike McCarthy, formerly Rodgers’ coach in Green Bay. But, again, monitor the Vikings as a possible dark horse.
24. S Kamren Curl
The kind of versatile DB any defense wants, able to play deep, in the box or in the slot. Only 26, Curl already has 86 starts split between Washington and the Los Angeles Rams.
25. DE Joey Bosa
He’ll be 31 this season and has a checkered injury history. But Bosa’s 2025 campaign with the Buffalo Bills was his best since 2021. He had five sacks and 43 pressures in 15 games and led the league with five forced fumbles. He’d be wise to find a home where his snaps can be maximized but limited.
26. WR Wan’dale Robinson
He may be 5-8 and 185 pounds, but the 25-year-old was targeted 140 times each of the past two years with the New York Giants − and posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2025. Robinson isn’t a No. 1 receiver, either − doesn’t mean he won’t heavily impact his next offense.