NFL · 1 hour ago

2026 NFL Free Agency: Ranking the Top 20 Players on the Market

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

2026 NFL Free Agency Final Verdict
Though not the deepest class, this year’s free-agent group boasts young offensive playmakers and proven defensive veterans who could elevate any roster.

Which star does your team need? Who will sign the biggest contract of 2026?

Sound off in the comments!

More to Come: Check Back for Live 2026 Free Agent Landing Spots & Signing Grades!

Paul Connor is an NFL writer who has spent five years covering NFL Free Agency. As a multi-time FFPC champion and trusted voice in the fantasy community, he has a proven track record when ranking players.
2026 NFL Free Agency Preview & Key Dates
The 2025 NFL season is in the books, with the focus now shifting to free agency. Let's rank this year's top 20!

2026 NFL Key Dates
- January 5 - Teams may sign current free agents, including CFL players, to 2026 contracts.
- January 5 - Teams may renegotiate/extend rookie contracts of players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft and undrafted free agents who signed in 2024.
- January 5 - Teams may exercise the fifth-year options for first-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft.
- February 17 - Clubs may designate Franchise and Transition Players through 4:00 p.m. ET on March 3.
- March 9-11 - From noon p.m. ET on March 9 through 3:59:59 on March 11, certified agents for players who are due to become unrestricted free agents and clubs may contact each other and begin negotiating contracts. A player who does not have a certified agent can represent themselves.
- March 11 - The NFL 2026 League Year and the free agent signing period begin at 4:00 p.m. ET.
- March 11 - With all 2025 contracts expired at 4:00 p.m. ET, the trading period begins.
- April 17 - The deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets with teams.
- April 22 - The deadline for teams to exercise their "right of first refusal" for restricted free agents who have signed offer sheets with other clubs.
- May 1 - The deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option for 2023 first-round picks.
- July 15 - The deadline for teams to sign designated Franchise Players to multiyear deals. Only one-year contracts are permitted after 4:00 p.m. ET.
On to SportsGrid's top 15 list, ranked by Paul Connor, a veteran sports analyst with 5+ years covering the NFL.
1. George Pickens
George Pickens Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: WR
- Previous Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Age: 24
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $1,688,045
- Market Value (Spotrac): $30,606,359
Dynamic wideout who exploded after his trade to Dallas, George Pickens posted career highs in yards (1,429), receptions (93), and touchdowns (9), en route to earning second-team All-Pro honors.
2. Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: EDGE
- Previous Team: Cincinnati Bengals
- Age: 31
- Experience: 8 Years
- Previous AAV: $29,000,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $25,449,056
Elite pass rusher with back-to-back 17+ sack seasons on his resume, though injuries limited Trey Hendrickson's 2025 output; still dominates with bend and hand technique.
3. Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: QB
- Previous Team: Indianapolis Colts
- Age: 28
- Experience: 5 Years
- Previous AAV: $14,000,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $43,598,522
Revitalized in Indy with top-10 QB play early in 2025, excelling in play-action before a season-ending Achilles injury, Daniel Jones provides stability for contending teams.
4. Tyler Linderbaum
Tyler Linderbaum Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: C
- Previous Team: Baltimore Ravens
- Age: 25
- Experience: 3 Years
- Previous AAV: $3,309,572
- Market Value (Spotrac): $17,723,496
Tyler Linderbaum is a mobile young center with elite run-blocking skills fresh off being named to his third straight Pro Bowl.
5. Jaelan Phillips
Jaelan Phillips Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: DL
- Previous Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Age: 26
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $3,504,551
- Market Value (Spotrac): $17,338,353
Explosive edge rusher who thrived upon his arrival in Philadelphia; injury history tempers hype, but Jaelan Phillips's upside is massive.
6. Alec Pierce
Alec Pierce Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: WR
- Previous Team: Indianapolis Colts
- Age: 25
- Experience: 3 Years
- Previous AAV: $1,650,336
- Market Value (Spotrac): $20,249,081
Deep-threat specialist, Alec Pierce, led the league in yards per reception (21.3); built chemistry with QB Daniel Jones for career-best production (47-1003-6).
7. Breece Hall
Breece Hall Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: RB
- Previous Team: New York Jets
- Age: 24
- Experience: 3 Years
- Previous AAV: $2,253,694
- Market Value (Spotrac): $10,391,954
Versatile back with explosive cuts and receiving ability; Breece Hall overcame poor team context to post 1,415 scrimmage yards.
8. Rasheed Walker
Rasheed Walker Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: LT
- Previous Team: Green Bay Packers
- Age: 25
- Experience: 3 Years
- Previous AAV: $935,218
- Market Value (Spotrac): $20,286,180
Rasheed Walker is a durable young tackle with solid pass protection, although a recent arrest could complicate his market.
9. Kenneth Walker III
Kenneth Walker III Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: RB
- Previous Team: Seattle Seahawks
- Age: 25
- Experience: 3 Years
- Previous AAV: $2,110,395
- Market Value (Spotrac): $8,397,845
Dynamic runner who forces missed tackles at an elite rate; career year and playoff performance make Kenneth Walker III a hot commodity.
10. Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: QB
- Previous Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Age: 42
- Experience: 20 Years
- Previous AAV: $13,650,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $10,569,536
The future Hall of Famer is still flashing arm talent while providing veteran leadership; limited mobility, but Aaron Rodgers remains a viable bridge option for teams.
11. Devin Lloyd
Devin Lloyd Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: LB
- Previous Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Age: 27
- Experience: 3 Years
- Previous AAV: $3,234,151
- Market Value (Spotrac): $20,144,133
An athletic linebacker, Devin Lloyd enjoyed a breakout 2025, earning top grades in run defense, coverage, and pass rush. An athletic linebacker, Devin Lloyd enjoyed a breakout 2025, earning top grades in run defense, coverage, and pass rush. He also recorded a staggering five interceptions, including a 99-yard pick-six.
12. Odafe Oweh
Odafe Oweh Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: EDGE
- Previous Team: Los Angeles Chargers
- Age: 27
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $2,835,598
- Market Value (Spotrac): $19,324,087
Athletic edge with high pass-rush win rate post-trade; length and speed make Odafe Oweh a specialist with upside.
13. Jauan Jennings
Jauan Jennings Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: WR
- Previous Team: San Francisco 49ers
- Age: 28
- Experience: 5 Years
- Previous AAV: $5,945,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $22,614,441
Jauan Jennings is a reliable chain-mover with strong hands; he excels on third downs and over the middle, versatile in slot or outside.
14. Quay Walker
Quay Walker Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: LB
- Previous Team: Green Bay Packers
- Age: 25
- Experience: 3 Years
- Previous AAV: $3,460,400
- Market Value (Spotrac): $8,287,375
A versatile linebacker with an impressive size-speed combo, Quay Walker continues to show improved tackling and coverage.
15. Mike Evans
Mike Evans Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: WR
- Previous Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Age: 32
- Experience: 11 Years
- Previous AAV: $20,500,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $13,311,924
Veteran receiver with reliable hands and red-zone prowess; injury-shortened 2025 ended 1,000-yard streak, but Mike Evans can still be productive at age 32.
16. Jamel Dean
Jamel Dean Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: CB
- Previous Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Age: 29
- Experience: 7 Years
- Previous AAV: $13,000,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $12,468,672
Jamel Dean is an elite corner who allowed a league-low passer rating in 2025; consistent coverage grades with interception upside.
17. Devin Bush
Devin Bush Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: LB
- Previous Team: Cleveland Browns
- Age: 27
- Experience: 7 Years
- Previous AAV: $3,250,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $7,899,931
Revitalized in Cleveland's defense, Devin Bush is coming off the best season of his career, logging 125 tackles, along with two sacks, two forced fumbles, eight pass deflections, and three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
18. Nakobe Dean
Nakobe Dean Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: LB
- Previous Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Age: 25
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $1,301,160
- Market Value (Spotrac): $7,899,931
Nakobe Dean's injury history is a concern, though the former third-round pick has been impactful when healthy.
19. Travis Etienne Jr.
Travis Etienne Jr. Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: RB
- Previous Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Age: 27
- Experience: 5 Years
- Previous AAV: $3,224,526
- Market Value (Spotrac): $6,813,812
An explosive runner, Travis Etienne Jr. rebounded from a poor 2024, recording 1,399 scrimmage yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns while playing all 17 games.
20. Kyle Pitts
Kyle Pitts Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: TE
- Previous Team: Atlanta Falcons
- Age: 25
- Experience: 5 Years
- Previous AAV: $8,227,624
- Market Value (Spotrac): $10,830,707
Kyle Pitts picked the perfect time to post a strong 88-928-5 receiving line, with his reception and touchdown totals marking career-highs; improving as a blocker.
NFL Free Agents: Best of the Rest
Leo Chenal, LB, Kansas City Chiefs

Coby Bryant, S, Seattle Seahawks

Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina Panthers

John Franklin-Myers, DT, Denver Broncos

Deebo Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders

Braden Smith, RT, Indianapolis Colts

Alontae Taylor, CB, New Orleans Saints

Jaylen Watson, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Malik Willis, QB, Green Bay Packers

Tariq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks
2026 NFL Free Agency Final Verdict
Though not the deepest class, this year’s free-agent group boasts young offensive playmakers and proven defensive veterans who could elevate any roster.

Which star does your team need? Who will sign the biggest contract of 2026?

Sound off in the comments!

More to Come: Check Back for Live 2026 Free Agent Landing Spots & Signing Grades!

Paul Connor is an NFL writer who has spent five years covering NFL Free Agency. As a multi-time FFPC champion and trusted voice in the fantasy community, he has a proven track record when ranking players.
2026 NFL Free Agency Preview & Key Dates
The 2025 NFL season is in the books, with the focus now shifting to free agency. Let's rank this year's top 20!

2026 NFL Key Dates
- January 5 - Teams may sign current free agents, including CFL players, to 2026 contracts.
- January 5 - Teams may renegotiate/extend rookie contracts of players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft and undrafted free agents who signed in 2024.
- January 5 - Teams may exercise the fifth-year options for first-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft.
- February 17 - Clubs may designate Franchise and Transition Players through 4:00 p.m. ET on March 3.
- March 9-11 - From noon p.m. ET on March 9 through 3:59:59 on March 11, certified agents for players who are due to become unrestricted free agents and clubs may contact each other and begin negotiating contracts. A player who does not have a certified agent can represent themselves.
- March 11 - The NFL 2026 League Year and the free agent signing period begin at 4:00 p.m. ET.
- March 11 - With all 2025 contracts expired at 4:00 p.m. ET, the trading period begins.
- April 17 - The deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets with teams.
- April 22 - The deadline for teams to exercise their "right of first refusal" for restricted free agents who have signed offer sheets with other clubs.
- May 1 - The deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option for 2023 first-round picks.
- July 15 - The deadline for teams to sign designated Franchise Players to multiyear deals. Only one-year contracts are permitted after 4:00 p.m. ET.
On to SportsGrid's top 15 list, ranked by Paul Connor, a veteran sports analyst with 5+ years covering the NFL.