NFL · 4 hours ago

ESPN Reveals Bold Predictions for 2026 NFL Free Agency

John Canady

Host · Writer

2026 NFL Offseason Final Verdict
If even half of these bold predictions come true, the 2026 NFL free agency period could completely reshape the league and turn expectations on their head.

Which bold prediction makes sense? Which would be a huge mistake? What bold predictions do you have?

Sound off in the comments!

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

The offseason is just getting started. Dive into the data and see where your team stands on our NFL Free Agency Hub.
ESPN Reveals Bold Predictions for 2026 NFL Free Agency
The NFL offseason is officially here, and with less than a week away until free agency begins, all eyes are on the top players who could be on the move in what many expect to be a busy next few months. Looking ahead, ESPN put together four bold predictions that could shake up the NFL landscape moving forward.
1) Mike Evans Remains in Tampa Bay
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

ESPN's Prediction: "Despite flirting with other suitors dangling promises of going to the big dance, wide receiver Mike Evans will stay in Tampa Bay. He has already won a Super Bowl in this town and were it not for the Buccaneers' injuries last season, the team might have dominated the division. Before anyone writes him off due to his age of 32 years, it's worth noting that Evans' nine missed games due to a collarbone injury in 2025 were an outlier, and in the eight games he did play, he was targeted on one-third of his red zone routes (fourth best among WRs with 50-plus targets). - Stephania Bell

SportsGrid's Take: Mike Evans' impact with the Buccaneers will go long after his tenure in Tampa Bay comes to an end. The Texas A&M product has been the face of the franchise for years, even when Tom Brady joined the NFC South squad. Still, with Evans' taste of success during the Brady years, the veteran wideout has made it clear he wants to return to the playoffs with a legit chance to make a run. The Bucs don't exactly look close, but if they can convince Evans they're willing to make bold swings to get over the hump, the playmaker's loyalty will likely push him to remain in Tampa Bay.
2) Jaguars Will Trade WR Brian Thomas Jr.
ESPN's Prediction: "The Jaguars will trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. during the free agency period. Wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter being leaned on more heavily offensively than defensively in 2026 will push coach Liam Coen to prioritize receivers who better fit his system. And quarterback Trevor Lawrence's trust in Parker Washington in high-leverage moments last season could lead Jacksonville to reshape the room and recover draft capital lost in last year's trade up for Hunter." - Eric Moody

SportsGrid's Take: Brian Thomas Jr. is a former first-round pick for the Jaguars and after his breakout rookie season, the former LSU standout looked to be not only a premier wideout for Jacksonville, but one of the next stars in the league. However, a sophomore slump altered the perception of the receiver, leading to rumors about a potential trade ahead of the deadline. There's no denying that Thomas Jr. is talented, but the caveat? The new regime of general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen didn't draft Thomas Jr. and if they want to bring in their own guys, they could sell high on the vertical threat's potential.
3) Malik Willis is Arizona-Bound
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

ESPN's Prediction: "Quarterback Malik Willis will sign with the Cardinals and continue his trajectory toward stardom. Jordan Love's backup with the Packers the past two seasons, Willis displayed impressive growth as a passer and is a dynamic runner. The Cardinals will move quickly to get him." - Jason Reid

SportsGrid's Take: Malik Willis will surely be one of the most intriguing quarterback options to monitor this offseason. Following the announcement that the Cardinals would be moving on from Kyler Murray, all eyes looked towards the former Liberty star. Obviously, the Cards would be an ideal fit with offensive guru Mike LaFleur taking over as head coach and giving Willis a legit chance to prove he's capable of being a starter. At the same time, my eyes are on the Miami Dolphins, who also have a quarterback issue to address. With Miami's new regime of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley coming from the Packers, Willis could be a prime candidate to head to South Beach.
4) Trey Hendrickson Joins NFC Squad
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

ESPN's Prediction: "The Cowboys will sign Trey Hendrickson. He would help to buttress their pass rush, which fell over the cliff after the Micah Parsons trade. Hendrickson was injured for much of last season, but when healthy, he is still one of the best pass rushers in the league." - Mike Tannenbaum

SportsGrid's Take: Trey Hendrickson will officially be a free agent after the Cincinnati Bengals opted not to place the franchise tag on the star edge rusher. There's no doubt the 31-year-old will be a hot commodity on the open market. Still, to me, the most likely landing spot is a reunion with former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis. The Colts were in heavy pursuit of the pass rusher both in the offseason and ahead of the deadline. Now that he's officially a free agent, Indy could ruin the Cowboys' plans.
2026 NFL Offseason Final Verdict
If even half of these bold predictions come true, the 2026 NFL free agency period could completely reshape the league and turn expectations on their head.

Which bold prediction makes sense? Which would be a huge mistake? What bold predictions do you have?

Sound off in the comments!

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

The offseason is just getting started. Dive into the data and see where your team stands on our NFL Free Agency Hub.
ESPN Reveals Bold Predictions for 2026 NFL Free Agency
The NFL offseason is officially here, and with less than a week away until free agency begins, all eyes are on the top players who could be on the move in what many expect to be a busy next few months. Looking ahead, ESPN put together four bold predictions that could shake up the NFL landscape moving forward.