Top 50 NFL Free Agents to Watch in 2026: Breaking Update, Timeline, and Impact

The NFL offseason is approaching rapidly, and with free agency set to open at 4 p.m. Eastern on March 11, teams are preparing to make critical roster decisions that could shape the 2026 season. With the Super Bowl still 12 days away, the league’s top unrestricted free agents are drawing attention for potential big contracts, trades, and positional upgrades.

Free agency negotiations will officially begin on March 9 and 10, allowing teams to discuss terms with players before the official window opens. Many of the 2026 free agents may be extended or franchise-tagged, but this list highlights the 50 players most likely to impact the league’s landscape, factoring age, position, scheme versatility, production, and team needs.

1. Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals, 31: 17.5 sacks and 65 pressures in 2024; 4 sacks in seven 2025 games. Pros: Elite edge rush, veteran leadership. Cons: Age 31, injury risk.

2. George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys, 25: 1,429 receiving yards, 22 receptions of 20+ yards. Pros: Explosive field-flipping ability, versatile route runner. Cons: Consistency, injury history.

3. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Baltimore Ravens, 26: 97.2% pass block win rate. Pros: Footwork, leadership, run-game versatility. Cons: Limited scheme experience, past injuries.

4. Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts, 29: 64.1 QBR through Week 13; Achilles injury Week 14. Pros: Poised, strong fit in run-first offense. Cons: Recovery timeline, durability.

5. Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Philadelphia Eagles, 27: 28 career sacks, 150 pressures. Pros: Edge setter, versatile in schemes. Cons: Inconsistent production, injury history.

6. Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts, 26: 21.3 yards per catch, 1,000+ receiving yards. Pros: Vertical threat, multi-level route runner. Cons: Needs higher volume.

7. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets, 25: 188 career receptions, 90 total yards per game. Pros: Three-down back, dual-threat. Cons: Injury history, workload concerns.

8. Rasheed Walker, OT, Green Bay Packers, 26: 93.8% pass block win rate. Pros: Footwork against edge rushers, premium position. Cons: Technique refinement needed.

9. Odafe Oweh, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers, 27: 7.5 sacks, 27 pressures post-October trade. Pros: Explosive pass rusher. Cons: Scheme consistency needed.

10. Braden Smith, OT, Indianapolis Colts, 30: 6-foot-6, 312 pounds. Pros: Power drive blocker. Cons: Missed 17 games in three seasons.

11. John Franklin-Myers, DL, Denver Broncos, 29: 7.5 sacks, 23 pressures. Pros: Versatile interior rusher. Cons:Limited lateral speed.

12. Alontae Taylor, CB, New Orleans Saints, 27: 4 interceptions, 40 PBUs, 7 sacks over four seasons. Pros: Slot and perimeter versatility. Cons: Needs higher interception production.

13. Quay Walker, LB, Green Bay Packers, 26: 4.9 tackles per designed rush. Pros: Explosive run-and-hit defender. Cons: Coverage consistency.

14. Riq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks, 27: 12 career interceptions, 36 PBUs. Pros: Size and speed for man coverage. Cons: Eye discipline inconsistencies.

15. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 33: 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons entering 2025. Pros: Red-zone threat, veteran presence. Cons: Injury-prone, age.

16. Jaylen Watson, CB, Kansas City Chiefs, 27: 3 interceptions, 23 PBUs. Pros: Route awareness, press coverage. Cons: Not elite playmaker.

17. Malik Willis, QB, Green Bay Packers, 27: 85.7% completion, 4 total touchdowns in limited appearances. Pros:Dual-threat, developmental upside. Cons: Limited starting experience.

18. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, 27: 26 rushes of 10+ yards, 36 receptions. Pros: Explosive runner, pass-catching ability. Cons: Slight durability concern.

19. Devin Lloyd, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars, 27: 5 interceptions in 2025. Pros: Ball hawk, coverage and run support. Cons: Needs consistent snaps.

20. Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens, 27: 27 catches, 301 yards. Pros: Alignment versatility, catch-and-run skill. Cons: Production down from 2024.

21. Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers, 27: 13.2 yards per reception, 5 red-zone TDs. Pros: Reliable middle-of-field target. Cons: Limited vertical threat.

22. Khalil Mack, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers, 35: 5.5 sacks, 28 pressures. Pros: Power and experience. Cons:Rotational use, age limitations.

23. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons, 25: 88 receptions, 928 yards. Pros: WR skills at TE, matchup flexibility. Cons:Inline blocking limitations.

24. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks, 25: 33 rushes of 10+ yards. Pros: Edge speed, big-play ability. Cons: Needs pass protection improvement.

25. Bryan Cook, S, Kansas City Chiefs, 27: Six PBUs. Pros: Versatile safety, deep coverage. Cons: Limited interception production.

26. Rashid Shaheed, WR, Seattle Seahawks, 28: 29 receptions of 20+ yards. Pros: Vertical threat, special teams upgrade. Cons: Limited route tree.

27. K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, New England Patriots, 27: 7.5 sacks, 32 pressures. Pros: Explosive edge rush. Cons: Inconsistent production.

28. Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers, 29: 55 receptions, 9 touchdowns. Pros: Physicality, red-zone target. Cons: Deep separation limited, age.

29. Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys, 29: 1,201 rushing yards, 26 rushes of 10+ yards. Pros: Explosive runner, receiving ability. Cons: Injury history, declining explosiveness.

30. Boye Mafe, Edge, Seattle Seahawks, 29: 2 sacks, 33 pressures. Pros: Quick first step, pursuit. Cons: Needs refined pass-rush plan.

31. Isaac Seumalo, G, Pittsburgh Steelers, 32: 97.3% pass block win rate. Pros: Veteran interior blocker, technique. Cons: Age 32, mobility limitations.

32. Reed Blankenship, S, Philadelphia Eagles, 27: 9 career interceptions. Pros: Top-down coverage, alley defender. Cons: Limited scheme flexibility.

33. Zion Johnson, G, Los Angeles Chargers, 26: 90.7% career pass block win rate. Pros: Durable, young interior lineman. Cons: Room to develop physically.

34. Greg Newsome II, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars, 26: 33 PBUs over 5 seasons. Pros: Zone coverage specialist. Cons: Limited man coverage upside.

35. Connor McGovern, C, Buffalo Bills, 28: 97.2% pass block win rate. Pros: Mobile interior blocker. Cons:Limited outside-zone impact.

36. David Edwards, G, Buffalo Bills, 29: 95% pass block win rate in 2025. Pros: Light feet, versatile. Cons:Limited power anchor.

37. Nahshon Wright, CB, Chicago Bears, 27: 5 interceptions in 2025. Pros: Length, ball skills. Cons: Recovery speed.

38. Joey Bosa, Edge, Buffalo Bills, 31: 5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles. Pros: Speed-to-power pass rusher. Cons:Rotational use advised.

39. Chig Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans, 27: 56 receptions, 560 yards. Pros: Motion versatility, after-catch ability. Cons: Inline blocking limited.

40. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants, 25: 14 receptions of 20+ yards. Pros: Slot volume target, multi-level route runner. Cons: Size limitations.

41. Kam Curl, S, Los Angeles Rams, 27: 122 tackles in 2025. Pros: Durable, run support. Cons: Average playmaking in coverage.

42. Joel Bitonio, G, Cleveland Browns, 34: 96.4% pass block win rate. Pros: Veteran presence, technical excellence. Cons: Age 34, potential decline.

43. Cade Mays, C, Carolina Panthers, 27: 94.3% pass block win rate. Pros: Length, power. Cons: Athletic limitations.

44. Jaquan Brisker, S, Chicago Bears, 27: 4 interceptions, 7 sacks. Pros: Downhill safety, versatile. Cons: Missed time in 2024, injury history.

45. Leo Chenal, LB, Kansas City Chiefs, 25: 193 tackles, 7 sacks. Pros: Versatile defender. Cons: Limited pass coverage.

46. Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina Panthers, 28: 1,076 rushing yards, 39 receptions. Pros: Explosive, dual-threat. Cons: Workload durability.

47. Coby Bryant, S, Seattle Seahawks, 28: 7 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles past 2 seasons. Pros: Zone defender, versatile. Cons: Limited range.

48. Nakobe Dean, LB, Philadelphia Eagles, 25: 4 sacks, 55 tackles. Pros: Blitzing linebacker, pursuit speed. Cons:Small frame, coverage limitations.

49. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers, 25: 73 receptions, third-down specialty. Pros: Change-of-pace back, dual-threat. Cons: Needs complementary backfield.

50. Alex Anzalone, LB, Detroit Lions, 31: 2.5 sacks, 8 PBUs. Pros: Experienced, coverage and blitzer. Cons: Age, declining athleticism.