NFL · 9 hours ago

ESPN Ranks the Top 25 Free Agents Ahead of 2026 NFL Free Agency

John Canady

Host · Writer

25) WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
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

"At 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, Jennings is a consistent route runner who plays through contact and makes himself available to the quarterback on in-breaking targets." - Matt Bowen
1) EDGE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
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

"Hendrickson is a relentless defender off the edge, with a deep toolbox of counters and a knack for making plays late in the down." - Matt Bowen
2) C Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens
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

"Linderbaum has a tone-setting mentality on the interior of the front, using elite foot speed and body control to match pass rushers or climb to the second level in the run game. His pass block win rate of 97.2% tied for second among 31 qualifying centers last season." - Matt Bowen
3) EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Philadelphia Eagles
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

"With his long 6-foot-5 frame, Phillips can play as both an edge setter and pocket disrupter. After being traded to the Eagles on Nov. 3, he had two sacks and 27 pressures in coordinator Vic Fangio's system, flashing improved range to the ball. Over his five-year career, Phillips has accounted for 28 sacks and 150 pressures." - Matt Bowen
4) WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
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

"A vertical stretch target at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce averaged a league-best 21.3 yards per catch in 2025. He also topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark and brought in six touchdowns. Pierce has the straight-line speed to lift the safeties, creating open coverage voids underneath for other targets. With more volume and an increased role, he has the skills to produce as a multilevel route runner." - Matt Bowen
5) OT Rasheed Walker, Green Bay Packers
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

"Walker's pass block win rate of 93.8% ranked 11th among 68 qualifying offensive tackles. His technique could still improve and he lacks a strong anchor, but he has the footwork and mobility to match the speed of edge rushers." - Matt Bowen
6) EDGE Odafe Oweh, Los Angeles Chargers
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

"An explosive pass rusher who gets off the ball in a hurry, Oweh can also flatten his path to maneuver around offensive tackles." Matt Bowen
7) OT Braden Smith, Indianapolis Colts
Braden Smith Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: RT
- Previous Team: Indianapolis Colts
- Age: 29
- Experience: 8 Years
- Previous AAV: $17,500,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $13,534,302
"He is a big-bodied drive blocker at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, easily matching power in pass protection. Injuries have been a concern, as Smith has missed 17 games over his past three seasons." - Matt Bowen
8) DL John Franklin-Myers, Denver Broncos
John Franklin-Myers Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: DL
- Previous Team: Denver Broncos
- Age: 29
- Experience: 8 Years
- Previous AAV: $7,500,000
- Market Value (Spotrac): $7,878,273
"Franklin-Myers lacks the lateral speed and bend to turn pressures into a bunch of sacks from edge alignments." - Matt Bowen
9) CB Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints
Alontae Taylor Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: CB
- Previous Team: New Orleans Saints
- Age: 27
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $1,801,175
- Market Value (Spotrac): $11,166,006
"Taylor's versatility and urgent play style show up on tape. He has the speed to cover receivers on the perimeter, but he can also play a disruptive role in the slot." - Matt Bowen
10) LB Quay Walker, Green Bay Packers
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

"Walker's explosive traits create playmaking upside; he can cover ground as a run-and-hit defender. " - Matt Bowen
11) CB Riq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
Riq Woolen Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: CB
- Previous Team: Seattle Seahawks
- Age: 26
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $998,054
Market Value (Spotrac): $8,189,534

"Woolen has 12 interceptions and 36 pass breakups so far in his four-year career. A lack of consistent eye discipline has prevented him from reaching his ceiling in coverage, but he has the physical traits and speed at 6-foot-4 to help a defense majoring in man coverage and two-deep zone." - Matt Bowen
12) WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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

"Injuries limited Evans to eight games last season, but he had topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 11 straight seasons entering 2025. He's a classic boundary receiver, with 6-foot-5 size and great ball skills. Evans can still get loose in the red zone and produce as a No. 2 option." - Matt Bowen
13) CB Jaylen Watson, Kansas City Chiefs
Jaylen Watson Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: CB
- Previous Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Age: 27
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $936,343
Market Value (Spotrac): $12,474,546

"Watson isn't a high-end playmaker, but he has the length to challenge in press and the route awareness to play top-down on the ball in zone schemes." - Matt Bowen
14) QB Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
Malik Willis Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: QB
- Previous Team: Green Bay Packers
- Age: 26
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $1,290,025
Market Value (Spotrac): $10,584,895

"With his dual-threat traits and positive signs of development in Green Bay, Willis is one of the top quarterbacks in free agency. In four appearances (one start) last season, Willis completed 85.7% of his throws, rushed for 123 yards and scored four touchdowns. He'll be signed to start somewhere this March." - Matt Bowen
15) RB Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
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

"Walker is a decisive runner who can press the edges with speed, find cutback lanes in zone schemes and provide big-play ability. His 33 rushes of 10 or more yards were the sixth most in the regular season, and he can be targeted on screens or swing routes out of the backfield" - Matt Bowen
16) LB Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars
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

"Lloyd's on-the-ball production increases his value heading into free agency. He had five interceptions in 2025, returning one for a touchdown. He's a solid starter who has flashed high-level ability in the NFL." - Matt Bowen
17) QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: QB
- Previous Team: Arizona Cardinals
- Age: 28
- Experience: 7 Years
- Previous AAV: $46,100,000
Market Value (Spotrac): $1,500,000

*Expected to sign minimum deal, Arizona set to pay him remainder of contract*

"Murray, who played in only five games last season due to a foot injury, is expected to be released by the Cardinals at the start of the league year. When healthy, Murray has the talent to produce in a system that maximizes his dual-threat ability, and he should draw strong interest as a free agent. In seven seasons with Arizona, he threw for 121 touchdowns and rushed for 3,193 yards." - Matt Bowen
18) TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Isaiah Likely Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: TE
- Previous Team: Baltimore Ravens
- Age: 25
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $1,041,085
Market Value (Spotrac): $8,819,618

"Likely's alignment versatility gives offensive playcallers more flexibility, and he has the catch-and-run traits to produce on high-percentage throws. He should be viewed as a "move" tight end who can get favorable matchups in the passing game." - Matt Bowen
19) WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Romeo Doubs Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: WR
- Previous Team: Green Bay Packers
- Age: 25
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $1,085,979
Market Value (Spotrac): $12,003,173

"Doubs has the route-running traits and foot quickness to uncover, and he is more than willing to work the middle of the field on in-breaking concepts." - Matt Bowen
20) EDGE Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
Khalil Mack Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: DE
- Previous Team: Los Angeles Chargers
- Age: 35
- Experience: 11 Years
- Previous AAV: $18,000,00
Market Value (Spotrac): $18,408,954

"An elbow injury forced Mack to miss five games early in the season, yet he finished with 5.5 sacks and 28 pressures. He will need to be used more as a situational rusher at this stage of his career, but he is still a powerful defender who can create impact plays off the edge." - Matt Bowen
21) RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
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

"Etienne looked more explosive in 2025, slashing through creases of daylight as a runner. His 26 rushes of 10 or more yards were tied for the 12th most in the NFL, and he's more than capable as a receiver out of the backfield (36 catches in 2025). He had 116 total yards and a touchdown in Jacksonville's wild-card loss to Buffalo." - Matt Bowen
22) S Bryan Cook, Kansas City Chiefs
Bryan Cook Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: S
- Previous Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Age: 26
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $1,461,785
Market Value (Spotrac): $14,190,944

"A rangy safety with top-down speed, Cook fits in both split-field and single-high schemes." - Matt Bown
23) WR Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
Rashid Shaheed Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: WR
- Previous Team: Seattle Seahawks
- Age: 27
- Experience: 4 Years
- Previous AAV: $5,200,000
Market Value (Spotrac): $14,126,864

"Shaheed can stretch defenses vertically, plus he can turn screens or underneath throws into chunk plays. " - Matt Bowen
24) EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson, New England Patriots
K'Lavon Chaisson Free Agent Profile
- Free Agent Type: UFA
- Position: LB
- Previous Team: New England Patriots
- Age: 26
- Experience: 6 Years
- Previous AAV: $3,000,000
Market Value (Spotrac): $8,962,991

"Chaisson plays with an extra gear off the edge, using his vertical burst to get around offensive tackles. And he has the short-area speed to close on quarterbacks off stunts or inside loops." - Matt Bowen
25) WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
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

"At 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, Jennings is a consistent route runner who plays through contact and makes himself available to the quarterback on in-breaking targets." - Matt Bowen
1) EDGE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
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

"Hendrickson is a relentless defender off the edge, with a deep toolbox of counters and a knack for making plays late in the down." - Matt Bowen