The 2025 NFL season is now more than halfway done. Some teams find themselves in positions to compete for a playoff spot, while others feel like they’re on the outside looking in. Luckily for fans of the latter, there’s next year’s free agency to think about.
This early in the process, it’s obvious that not all of these players will hit the open market. Teams will offer contract extensions, franchise tags, or trade said players to ensure they don’t walk for nothing. As of right now, here are our rankings of the top 2026 NFL free agents at each position.
2026 NFL Free Agents by Position | Offense
Quarterback
Going into Week 11, Daniel Jones has the highest QBi grade among NFL quarterbacks at 90.5. He’s been an absolute revelation for the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts, and he appears likely to receive a massive contract extension before 2026 free agency kicks off.
Jones is making $14 million on his current one-year deal, which is much cheaper than what his price will be on his next contract. The question isn’t so much around whether he’ll get paid, but rather, exactly how much. He was a below-average starter for much of his career before 2025, so the Colts will have to bet that he’s not a one-year wonder.
Other than him, there probably aren’t any quarterbacks with expiring contracts who will start for NFL teams in 2026. The two other current starters slated to hit free agency are Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco, and both of them are in their 40s. They rank 27th and 26th in QBi this year, respectively, but they feel more likely to retire than to seek another deal.
The rest of the quarterbacks slated to hit free agency are firmly in the backup quarterback tier at this stage. With Jayden Daniels missing time due to injury, Marcus Mariota has the chance to increase his value for next offseason with a few strong games to close out the Washington Commanders’ season. Experienced starters like Jimmy Garoppolo and Carson Wentz could be solid backup signings, while Russell Wilson also projects as a retirement candidate.
1) Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
2) Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
3) Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals
4) Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
5) Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
6) Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
7) Russell Wilson, New York Giants
8) Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
9) Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
10) Trey Lance, Los Angeles Chargers
Running Back
The 2026 NFL free agent class figures to be pretty deep on running back talent. Of these top ten players, seven are currently the primary starters for their respective teams. Tyler Allgeier has played a key role in the Atlanta Falcons’ offense in each of the last few seasons, and Rachaad White has fared well in Bucky Irving’s absence this year.
Breece Hall figures to be the highest-paid running back of the bunch next offseason. He’s been an above-average starter for practically his whole NFL career, averaging 61.2 rushing yards per game and serving as a reliable checkdown option. Still only 24 years old, he’s on pace to surpass the 1,000-yard mark this season and should get big money as a result.
The biggest breakout star of the bunch is Rico Dowdle, who finished with over 1,000 rushing yards for the Dallas Cowboys last year but still flew under the radar. He’s taken over as the lead back for the Carolina Panthers, ranking third in the NFL in both rushing yards (788) and RBi grading (86.2).
Another running back who’s having a career year is Javonte Williams, who’s sixth in the league with 716 rushing yards and tied for third with eight rushing touchdowns. Initially, a cheap addition the Cowboys made last offseason on a one-year deal, he’s proven himself as a capable starter worthy of a bigger contract.
There are a handful of other long-time contributors in line for solid contracts, as well. Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, and Allgeier have all surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark at some point in their careers, and the latter could get a decent contract for a team willing to let him step out of Bijan Robinson’s shadow. J.K. Dobbins is well on his way to reaching the century mark with 772 yards through ten games, too.
1) Breece Hall, New York Jets
2) Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
3) Kenneth Walker II, Seattle Seahawks
4) Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
5) Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
6) Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
7) J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
8) Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9) Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
10) Brian Robinson Jr., San Francisco 49ers
Wide Receiver
Three of the top 20 players in receiving yards going into Week 11 are slated to hit free agency this season. If you expand that criteria to the top 30 leading receivers, you’ll get to five upcoming free agents. It’s a pretty strong group, though the best wide receivers typically don’t hit the open market in the NFL.
The Cowboys traded a third-round pick for George Pickens before the season, and it’s paid off for them this year. As of this writing, he ranks sixth in WRi grading (88.5) and fourth in receiving yards (764). He’s stepped into a true WR1 role with CeeDee Lamb’s injury problems, and even with Lamb now healthy, Pickens is one of the top young receivers in the NFL and should be paid as such.
Pickens is the only WR1 type slated to hit free agency in 2026, but there are plenty of high-caliber complementary weapons. In particular, Rashid Shaheed put together an impressive couple of years with the New Orleans Saints before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks at this year’s NFL trade deadline. He’s one of the best deep threats in the league and should be in line for a big payday.
Alec Pierce is another intriguing young name to watch. Currently ranking 11th with an 83.7 WRi score, Pierce has averaged over 20 yards per reception in each of the last two seasons. The Colts have several other weapons on their roster, so an NFL team in need of a weapon could pay him the big bucks to jump ship.
Other young wide receivers projected to hit free agency include Wan’Dale Robinson and Romeo Doubs. The former has been a high-volume receiver for the New York Giants, and while he averages just 9.0 yards per reception in his NFL career, his reliability on short passes should entice the team. Doubs is more of a deep threat who could be on the outside looking in with some of the young receivers the Green Bay Packers have recently added.
Then, of course, you have the veterans. Deebo Samuel Sr. is still producing at a high level for the Commanders this season, and Jakobi Meyers, Keenan Allen, and Jauan Jennings are all still reliable complementary targets. The big question is Mike Evans, who suffered a potentially season-ending injury. He’s been a true WR1 when healthy, but can he bounce back to true form in 2026?
1) George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
2) Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
3) Deebo Samuel Sr., Washington Commanders
4) Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
5) Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars
6) Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
7) Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
8) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9) Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
10) Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
Tight End
The 2026 NFL free agency market currently figures to have a nice blend of proven talent and rising young names in its tight end group.
The one most likely to receive an expensive long-term deal in the bunch is Isaiah Likely, who currently splits time with Mark Andrews in the Baltimore Ravens’ tight end room. Likely has missed some time this year due to injury, but he’s only 25 years old and has shown dominating flashes over the years.
Other young tight ends with expiring rookie deals could generate interest in the NFL’s open market. Cade Otton has been a serviceable starter in Tampa Bay, as has Chig Okonkwo in Tennessee. The real wild card is Kyle Pitts, who hasn’t lived up to his No. 4 overall pick status in 2021 but is still young. Whichever team signs him will hope to recapture that Pro Bowl-level production from his rookie year.
The likes of David Njoku, Dallas Goedert, and the aforementioned Andrews are all still capable producers at tight end. Goedert in particular currently leads all NFL tight ends with seven receiving touchdowns in 2025. Given they’re all at least 29 years old, though, don’t be surprised if they move elsewhere next offseason.
Likewise, Travis Kelce is still performing at a high level and leads all impending free agent tight ends with an 84.5 TEi grade. But at 36 years old with a Hall of Fame induction in the waiting, there’s not much he really needs to prove anymore.
1) Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
2) David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
3) Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
4) Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5) Kyle Pitts Sr., Atlanta Falcons
6) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
7) Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
8) Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Offensive Tackle
It’s not necessarily a star-studded group of offensive tackles on track to hit 2026’s NFL free agency, though top tackles rarely hit the open market.
By PFSN’s analytical measures, the best tackle with an expiring contract is Colton McKivitz, who trails only Penei Sewell with a 90.9 OLi score at tackle this season. McKivitz has been a solid starter for the San Francisco 49ers, but it’s been his play this year that should see him get paid the big bucks.
Braden Smith is the most proven name of the bunch, having been a reliable right tackle for the Colts for much of his NFL career. He’s 30 years old, so a long-term contract might be more challenging to come by, but he’s a sturdy starting option who should get hefty guarantees in the short term.
That’s where this group of offensive tackles becomes difficult to project. Rasheed Walker has been somewhat inconsistent during his stint with the Packers, but the highs are encouraging enough to bet on the upside of a gifted 25-year-old. Braxton Jones was a solid starter at left tackle for the Chicago Bears for three seasons, but his benching earlier this year could impact how much he gets in free agency.
1) Braden Smith, Indianapolis Colts
2) Colton McKivitz, San Francisco 49ers
3) Rasheed Walker, Green Bay Packers
4) Braxton Jones, Chicago Bears
5) Cam Robinson, Cleveland Browns
6) Rob Havenstein, Los Angeles Rams
7) Jonah Williams, Arizona Cardinals
8) Jack Conklin, Cleveland Browns
Interior Offensive Line
Tyler Linderbaum is one of the most enticing players slated to hit 2026 NFL free agency as of this writing. A two-time Pro Bowler in his four seasons with the Ravens, Linderbaum ranks eighth in OLi among centers this season. He’s been one of the best centers in the league since his arrival in 2022, and he’ll be in line for a massive contract when the time is right.
There’s a bit of a drop off after that, though there’s still plenty of talent to be had in next year’s interior offensive line group. Wyatt Teller is a former Pro Bowler who’s still 15th among all guards with an 80.2 OLi grade; he could generate serious interest if he wants to leave Cleveland.
I’m interested to see how the NFL treats the group of young linemen in the open market next year. Players like Luke Fortner, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Dylan Parham are all solid starters who have shown ups and downs over their careers. However, none of them is older than 27, meaning teams could bet on their longevity. John Simpson misses the cut at 28 but should still generate interest, too.
Joel Bitonio and Kevin Zeitler are two accomplished veterans who are nearing the end of their NFL careers, so there’s no guarantee they will even sign another deal after 2025. However, both are still solid starting guards at this stage of their careers.
1) Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens
2) Wyatt Teller, Cleveland Browns
3) Luke Fortner, New Orleans Saints
4) Alijah Vera-Tucker, New York Jets
5) Dylan Parham, Las Vegas Raiders
6) Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
7) John Simpson, New York Jets
8) Kevin Zeitler, Tennessee Titans
2026 NFL Free Agents by Position | Defense
EDGE
The group of edge rushers in the 2026 NFL free agency class has some serious star power. The headliner of the bunch is Trey Hendrickson, who received a pay bump in 2025 but is still on the last year of his contract. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler who had 70.5 sacks in his six seasons going into 2025. He currently has four sacks in seven games this year and should get a huge deal in free agency.
Jaelan Phillips got traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Philadelphia Eagles right before the NFL trade deadline this year, and he made his Eagles debut with a game-sealing forced fumble last week. He’s dealt with plenty of injuries over the years, but he’s a high-level pass rusher who’s still just 26 years old.
A handful of productive veterans are slated to hit the open market, too. Khalil Mack turns 35 in January but has four sacks in the six games he’s played this year, having made the Pro Bowl in nine of his last ten seasons in the NFL. Joey Bosa is 30 but leads all edge rushers on this list with an 84.8 EDGEi grade this season.
Younger talents like Odafe Oweh, Boye Mafe, and Malcolm Koonce should generate looks for long-term deals in next year’s NFL free agency period. Dre’Mont Jones and Leonard Floyd are reliable veteran pieces, but keep an eye on Al-Quadin Muhammad. With six sacks in just nine games, he’s having the best year of his career in Year 8.
1) Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
2) Jaelan Phillips, Philadelphia Eagles
3) Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
4) Odafe Oweh, Los Angeles Chargers
5) Boye Mafe, Seattle Seahawks
6) Joey Bosa, Buffalo Bills
7) Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders
8) Dre’Mont Jones, Baltimore Ravens
9) Leonard Floyd, Atlanta Falcons
10) Al-Quadin Muhammad, Detroit Lions
Interior Defensive Line
NFL teams in need of star power at the defensive tackle position will likely have to look to the trade market this coming offseason. That said, several starting-caliber interior defensive linemen should create a solid market.
Arguably the most enticing of the bunch is Travis Jones, who has the second-best DTi grade of this group at 79.7 and is only 26 years old. The Ravens have a lot of players to consider paying this offseason so that the NFL could drum up a strong market for an ascending young player up the middle like Jones.
Top contributors like D.J. Reader, DaQuan Jones, and David Onyemata are all in their 30s but still playing good football. John Franklin-Myers misses the cut at 29, but his 79.8 DTi grade leads all defensive tackles with expiring contracts.
There are a few rotational defenders like Sebastian Joseph-Day, Tear Tart, and Khyiris Tonga who have bounced around the NFL but are quality additions to any interior defensive line. Andrew Billings is another solid rotational defensive tackle, while Calais Campbell keeps on trucking along at 39 years old.
1) Travis Jones, Baltimore Ravens
2) John Franklin-Myers, Denver Broncos
3) D.J. Reader, Detroit Lions
4) DaQuan Jones, Buffalo Bills
5) David Onyemata, Atlanta Falcons
6) Sebastian Joseph-Day, Tennessee Titans
7) Teair Tart, Los Angeles Chargers
8) Khyiris Tonga, New England Patriots
9) Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals
10) Andrew Billings, Chicago Bears
Linebacker
Need an upgrade at linebacker this offseason? You’re in luck, because the 2026 NFL offseason is full of serious talent at the linebacker position.
Devin Lloyd has four interceptions and 36 tackles through seven games this year, and he’s looking like a potential Pro Bowler for the Jacksonville Jaguars. At 27 years old, he feels like a suitable candidate for an expensive long-term deal, whether it comes from the Jaguars or another NFL team in need of a playmaker on the second level of their defense.
With 40 starts in the 60 games he’s played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Leo Chenal has solidified himself as one of the most reliable run-stopping linebackers in the NFL. Conversely, Nakobe Dean is a better coverage linebacker who’s stepped into a big role for the Eagles. Both projects are strong candidates for a long-term deal.
Devin Bush has been a successful reclamation project for the Browns, as he leads all linebackers on this list with an 87.1 LBi grade that ranks 11th among all linebackers. A similar process could be expected from Quincy Williams, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 but has stepped back in recent years.
Then, you have the forever ageless Bobby Wagner and Demario Davis. Despite both being in the twilight of their respective careers, both remain playing at a very high level. Should they remain as active NFL players this offseason, they should command expensive short-term contracts.
1) Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars
2) Nakobe Dean, Philadelphia Eagles
3) Leo Chenal, Kansas City Chiefs
4) Kaden Elliss, Atlanta Falcons
5) Devin Bush, Cleveland Browns
6) Quincy Williams, New York Jets
7) E.J. Speed, Houston Texans
8) Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders
9) Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
10) Shaq Thompson, Buffalo Bills
Cornerback
There isn’t a true CB1 in the cornerback market of the impending 2026 NFL free agents. Still, there are plenty of intriguing young starters who could slide alongside an elite starter to form that missing piece that an aspiring title contender might need.
Jamel Dean leads the bunch with three interceptions this season, having returned one of them for a touchdown. He’s been a respectable starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his seven years in the NFL, but he’s having arguably his best season in 2025. He ranks fourth among all cornerbacks with an 89.9 CBi grade this year.
Cor’Dale Flott doesn’t sit too far behind in second place for CBi scores in this bunch, placing 10th at his position with 88.0. He’s broken up seven passes in nine starts for the New York Giants, and at only 24 years old, he should generate a ton of attention in the open market.
Another above-average starting cornerback in the bunch, Jaylen Watson, showed flashes as a starter in a shortened 2024 season but has looked quite comfortable in 2025, his fourth year in the NFL. He’s faring exceptionally well in coverage for a former seventh-round pick, as his allowed passer rating is just 69.8 this season.
Perhaps the biggest wild card of the bunch is Riq Woolen. After intercepting six passes and breaking up 16 as a rookie in 2022, he earned Pro Bowl recognition and came in third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. That’s remained the best year of his NFL career thus far, as the rest of his stint in Seattle has been plagued by inconsistency. Still, he’s enough of a playmaker and has a unique enough skill set at 6’4″ with elite speed to warrant a big contract.
1) Jaylen Watson, Kansas City Chiefs
2) Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3) Riq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
4) Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints
5) Cor’Dale Flott, New York Giants
6) Greg Newsome II, Jacksonville Jaguars
7) Cobie Durant, Los Angeles Rams
8) Cam Taylor-Britt, Cincinnati Bengals
9) Ja’Quan McMillan, Denver Broncos
10) Darius Slay, Pittsburgh Steelers
Safety
Similar to the cornerback group, the safeties slated to hit free agency in 2026 lack in star power but make up for it with a quantity of respectable starting options.
The highest-rated of the bunch by SAFi scoring is Quentin Lake, who stepped into a starting role for the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 and has really come into his own in 2025. He’s third among all safeties with an 89.7 SAFi grade, and at 26, it seems his best football is still ahead of him.
Ar’Darius Washington should be an interesting case, as he hasn’t played a down in 2025 due to injury. However, he was particularly effective in coverage in 2024 after stepping into a starting role for the first time. As previously mentioned, the Ravens have plenty of expiring contracts, and after drafting Malaki Starks in Round 1 this year, Washington seems like he’ll be on the way out, though he’ll have his fair share of suitors around the NFL.
Besides Lake, five other safeties grade in the top 32 in the NFL in SAFi this season, in order of appearance on this list: Reed Blankenship, Ronnie Hickman Jr., Kevin Byard, Andrew Wingard, and Alohi Gilman. Hickman has been an intriguing breakout player in a bad year for the Browns, while Blankenship has been a fixture in Philadelphia’s secondary for the last few seasons.
The Chicago Bears have an interesting decision to make at safety this offseason, as both of their starting safeties are slated to hit free agency. Byard turns 33 next August, but with four interceptions, he’s tied for the most in the NFL right now. Jaquan Brisker will be 27 in April, making him much younger, and he’s also a solid starting option. However, his extensive history of concussions makes his health a major question mark.
1) Ar’Darius Washington, Baltimore Ravens
2) Reed Blankenship, Philadelphia Eagles
3) Quentin Lake, Los Angeles Rams
4) Ronnie Hickman Jr., Cleveland Browns
5) Kevin Byard, Chicago Bears
6) Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars
7) De’Shon Elliott, Pittsburgh Steelers
8) Alohi Gilman, Baltimore Ravens
9) Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears
10) Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts