Ranking the 50 Best NFL Free Agents on the Market

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Ranking the 50 Best NFL Free Agents on the Market

Craig Ellenport · Athlon Sports

Wed, Mar 4, 2026 ·

10 min read

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For the record, the NFL 's free agent signing period begins next Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. That's officially the start of the new NFL year . But let's face it: Free agency really begins on Monday, March 9, when the "legal tampering" window opens. Just because players can't sign on the dotted line until Wednesday, many deals will be done well before then.

Some big names were taken off the market in recent days via franchise tags. The New York Jets locked up running back Breece Hall , the Dallas Cowboys tagged wide receiver George Pickens and the Atlanta Falcons tagged tight end Kyle Pitts .

But there are still plenty of valuable assets out there. Here's a look at the top 50 available free agents.

Note: Two of the biggest free agents on the market — quarterback Aaron Rodgers and tight end Travis Kelce — did not make this list, and here's why: Kelce has already said that the only way he doesn't retire is if he stays with the Kansas City Chiefs . As for Rodgers, well, let's just say he's No. 51 on this list.

Top 2026 NFL free agents

1. Trey Hendrickson , DE:From 2020-24, Hendrickson averaged 14 sacks per season. He's been dying to get out of Cincinnati for years, and this is his chance. There was a possibility the Bengals would use the franchise tag on him, but that would have created a very ugly holdout. Hendrickson is finally free.

2. Kenneth Walker III, RB:Would Walker rank this high if he wasn't the reigning Super Bowl MVP? Maybe not. But he is a 25-year-old running back with a couple of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, and he averaged 4.8 yards per carry in the 2025 postseason. Chances are the Seattle Seahawks will re-sign him, but there will be some competition for his services.

3. Malik Willis , QB:Willis has attempted all of 89 passes the last two years in relief of Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers , but he's shown enough to lead some to think he can be a starting NFL quarterback . There aren't many teams in the market for a starting QB, but Willis merits consideration.

4. Alec Pierce , WR:Pierce had a career-high 1,003 receiving yards last season with the Indianapolis Colts , and he's averaged 21.75 yards per catch over the last two years.

5. Tyler Linderbaum , C:A Pro Bowler each of the last three seasons, Linderbaum is among the best centers in the league. It would be surprising if the Baltimore Ravens let him get out of the building.

6. David Edwards , G:Edwards has been a staple of the Buffalo Bills ' o-line, and he'll make an immediate improvement for any team he signs with.

7. Odafe Oweh , OLB:The 27-year-old had 10 sacks with the Ravens in 2024 and then 7.5 in 12 games after being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers last season. Oweh can get to the quarterback.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

8. Mike Evans , WR:Yes, he'll be 33 when the 2026 season begins. Yes, he missed nine games last season with a broken collarbone. And yes, after 12 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , it's doubtful this future Hall of Famer will consider ending his career anywhere else. But it would be a crime for any team in need of a receiver (hello, Buffalo Bills ) not to make an offer.

9. Travis Etienne , RB:With 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 total touchdowns last season, Etienne proved that his subpar 2024 campaign was a fluke. The 27-yerar-old has averaged 1,441 scrimmage yards in his other three NFL seasons.

10. Rasheed Walker , OT:A starter with the Green Bay Packers the last three years, Walker is the best offensive tackle on the market, which immediate makes him attractivw.

11. Jamel Dean , CB:The seven-year pro is still playing at a high level for the Buccaneers. He had career highs last season with three interceptions (one returned for a score) and two forced fumbles.

12. Joel Bitonio , G:Almost all of the Cleveland Browns ' starting offensive linemen are free agents, and Cleveland's line is among the team's few bright spots. Bitonio is the best of the bunch.

13. Daniel Jones , QB:On the one hand, Jones is a playoff-tested quarterback who had a great first half of last season with the Colts. On the other hand, Jones has had more downs than ups in his seven-year career, and he is still rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered in December. The Colts used their transition tag on Jones, meaning they can still match any offer Jones accepts from another team.

14. Rashid Shaheed , WR:One of the NFL's best return specialists and a dangerous deep-ball threat, Shaheed made himself a nice payday with his contributions to the Seahawks ' Super Bowl run.

15. John Franklin-Myers , DE:One of the more underrated free agents on this list, Franklin-Myers quietly has 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos .

16. Cam Jordan , DE:The New Orleans Saints ' all-time sack leader will be 37 before the 2026 season begins, but he proved last year that he can still get to the quarterback when he notched 10.5 sacks. Jordan might retire, and he'd likely stay in New Orleans if he doesn't.

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan PhillipsEric Hartline-Imagn Images

17. Jaelan Phillips , LB:Health had been an issue for Phillips, but he came on strong last season after being acquired by the Eagles .

18. Devin Lloyd , LB:One of the more versatile linebackers on his list, able to rush the passer and play off-ball.

19. Jermaine Eluemunor , OT:A solid contributor to an otherwise shaky Giants o-line, Eluemunor will be in demand.

20. Connor McGovern , G:Like his Bills counterpart David Edwards, McGovern has been a steady force on the Bills' line.

21. Romeo Doubs , WR:He's never been able to break out as a star, but Doubs remains consistent. He had 55 catches last season with the Packers for a career-high 724 yards.

22. Jaylen Watson , CB:One of several key starters from the Chiefs set to test free agency, Watson would be a big loss to Steve Spagnuolo's defense if he signs elsewhere.

23. K'Lavon Chaisson, LB:Chaisson had been a disappointing former first-round pick... until he blossomed into a key member of the New England Patriots ' defense last season. He made a lot of money along the way.

24. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR:Flying under the radar, Robinson has 185 receptions over the last two seasons. In 2025, he set career highs with 1,014 receiving yards and four touchdoiwns.

25. Isaiah Likely , TE:With Kyle Pitts off the market, Likely is the best available free agent tight end.

26. Keaton Mitchell , RB:When healthy, Mitchell has been a speedy and dangerous backup to Derrick Henry in Baltimore. If a team gave him the chance to get more carries, he could make a splash.

27. Boye Mafe , DE:Mafe only had two sacks last season, but he was a key member of the Seahawks' dominant defense.

28. Kwity Paye , DE:The former first-round pick didn't help himself last season with just 4.0 sacks, but his 16.5 sacks over the previous two seasons should be a reminder of his potential as a fierce pass rusher.

29. Kaden Elliss , LB:A productive every-down linebacker who is more than capable as both a pass rusher and a defender who can drop into coverage.

Oct 21, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) pursues Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the first half at State Farm Stadium.© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

30. Khalil Mack , DE:Mack's 5.5 sacks last year was his lowest total since his rookie season of 2014, but the 35-year-old has 113 career sacks, which should count for something.

31. Riq Woolen , CB:Woolen has been up and down since he recorded six interceptions as a rookie in 2022, but he was still a valuable member of last year's Seattle defense.

32. Cade Mays , C:Mays played a big role in Carolina's surprise success last season, and there will be a market for his services.

33. Jauan Jennings , WR:With so much injury and uncertainty in the 49ers ' receiving room, Jennings stepped up the last two seasons and became a reliable target for Brock Purdy . Jennings had a career-high nine TD grabs last season, and brought a tough attitude to the offense.

34. Wyatt Teller , G:The 31-year-old has missed four games each of the last two seasons, but he's still capable of being a productive road-grader at guard.

35. Jaquan Brisker , S:In his fourth year with the Bears, the ball-hawking Brisker had a very strong postseason that likely earned him extra dollars on a new contract.

Jul 23, 2025; Rochester, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa (97) during training camp at St. John Fisher University. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images© Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

36. Joey Bosa , DE:Bosa turns 31 in July and he's five years removed from his last double-digit sack season, but he can still be disruptive when needed.

37. A.J. Epenesa , DE:Epenesa was banged up for much of last season, but he's been a valuable part of the Bills' defensive line rotation over the years.

38. Coby Bryant , S:Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori got much of the attention during Seattle's Super Bowl run, but Bryant was also a stalwart in that secondary, both against the pass and coming up to stop the run.

39. Kam Curl , S:Curl was a dependable piece in the Rams ' defense.

40. Nahshon Wright , CB:Good timing — after just one interception in his first four seasons, the Bears corner had five picks last year, racking up 118 return yards and a touchdown.

41. Kenneth Gainwell , RB:A career backup in his four seasons with the Eagles, Gainwell was supposed the be a backup in Pittsburgh last year. But he broke out for career highs in rushing yards (537), receptions (73), receiving yards (486) and total touchdowns (8).

42. Demario Davis , LB:Still very productive at age 37 (he had a career-high 143 tackles last season), Davis is unlikely to leave New Orleans at this stage of his career.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle is set to re-enter free agencyBrett Davis-Imagn Images

43. Rico Dowdle , RB:Dowdle did enough in his first fiull season with the Carolina Panthers to make some teams think he can be a No. 1 back.

44. Deebo Samuel , WR:Samuel was nowhere near the two-way threat in Washington last year that he had been in the previous four years in San Francisco , but there will surely be some teams that think he can still be a dangerous offensive weapon.

45. Alex Anzalone , LB:His tackle totals have dipped a bit the last two years but he can still be a productive inside linebacker.

46. Matt Milano , LB:injuries have taken a toll the last three seasons, but he can still be effective and has a nose for the ball.

47. Haason Reddick , DE:Reddick makes this list based on potential. He has been a feared pass rusher in the NFL, but not for the last coupe of years.

48. J.K. Dobbins, RB:When healthy, Dobbins can be a productive back. The problem is that he's had a hard time staying healthy.

49. Calais Campbell , DE:Campbell will be 40 on September 1, but a team would be wise to sign him for his leadership alone. And he had 6.5 sacks with the Cardinals last season, so he's still productive.

50. Brandon Aubrey , K:There's little question Aubrey is the best kicker in the NFL, and the Cowboys will likely make him the highest-paid kicker in league history.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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