The 2026 free agent class lacks a generational talent but offers depth at premium positions. Pass rushers, cornerbacks, and two former franchise quarterbacks headline a market that could reshape multiple rosters. Using PFSN’s Impact metrics, here are the top available players heading into the new league year.
1) Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Bengals
Hendrickson ranks first among available edge rushers with an 86.4 Impact score despite playing on a disappointing Cincinnati team. The 31-year-old led the NFL in sacks in 2024 and has recorded three double-digit sack seasons since joining Cincinnati.
Age and price tag will scare some teams away, but Hendrickson remains an elite pass rusher capable of transforming a defense. Contenders needing immediate help off the edge should prioritize him over younger, cheaper alternatives.
2) Jamel Dean, CB, Buccaneers
Dean posted an 87.1 Impact score in Tampa Bay, ranking second among available corners. The 29-year-old combines size, speed, and ball skills in a way few defensive backs can match. He allowed the second-lowest passer rating in his coverage among qualified corners last season. Dean fits any scheme and should command top-of-market money from a team looking to lock down its secondary for the next three years.
3) Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
Murray hits the market after Arizona’s rebuild moved in a different direction. His 75.3 Impact score reflects an uneven 2025 campaign, but the dual-threat ability remains tantalizing. Murray can still create explosive plays with his arm and legs when healthy and protected. The question is whether any team trusts him as its long-term answer at 28 years old. A prove-it deal makes the most sense for both sides.
4) Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
Miami’s decision to absorb $99 million in dead money tells you everything about Tagovailoa’s 2025 season. His 72.2 Impact score represents a career low, and his position rank of third among free agent quarterbacks speaks to how far he fell. The arm talent and quick release still exist, but durability concerns and diminished production will limit his market. Atlanta makes sense while Michael Penix Jr. recovers from ACL surgery.
PFSN’s best available NFL free agents:
💰 EDGE Trey Hendrickson
💰 CB Jamel Dean
💰 WR Stefon Diggs
💰 QB Kyler Murray
💰 CB Riq Woolen
💰 QB Tua Tagovailoa
💰 WR Alec Pierce
💰 C Tyler Linderbaum
💰 CB Jaylen Watson
💰 CB James Pierre
💰 CB Marshon Lattimore
💰 EDGE Jaelan… pic.twitter.com/pbFjWOwmte— PFSN (@PFSN365) March 9, 2026
5) Stefon Diggs, WR, Patriots
Diggs bounced back from his torn ACL to post an 87.0 Impact score in New England. The 32-year-old remains one of the league’s best route runners and showed no lingering effects from the knee injury.
His relationship with Drake Maye developed throughout the season, but the Patriots are releasing him ahead of free agency. Diggs wants to win, and a contender with an established quarterback should appeal to him more than another rebuilding situation.
6) Riq Woolen, CB, Seahawks
Woolen emerged as one of the league’s best young corners with an 81.7 Impact score. At 26, he offers the rare combination of elite size, speed, and upside that teams covet at the position. Seattle faces a difficult decision with multiple defensive players hitting free agency. If Woolen reaches the open market, expect multiple teams to pursue him aggressively as a long-term cornerstone.
7) Alec Pierce, WR, Colts
Pierce finally broke out with an 84.6 Impact score after years of inconsistent quarterback play in Indianapolis. The 25-year-old offers legitimate deep speed and improved route running that make him more than just a vertical threat. He ranked third among available receivers and should attract interest from teams needing a true number-two option opposite an established star.
8) Tyler Linderbaum, C, Ravens
Linderbaum ranks as the top available interior offensive lineman with an 87.6 Impact score. The 25-year-old former first-round pick anchored Baltimore’s dominant rushing attack and rarely lost battles at the point of attack.
Centers rarely hit free agency in their prime, making Linderbaum a unique commodity. Any team struggling to protect its quarterback or establish the run should view him as a priority target.
9) Jaylen Watson, CB, Chiefs
Watson developed into a legitimate starter opposite Trent McDuffie in Kansas City’s defense. His 80.4 Impact score reflects steady play in a scheme that asks corners to handle significant responsibilities. At 27, Watson offers several years of quality play at a position where depth matters. He profiles as an ideal second corner for a team building around a young defensive core.
10) James Pierre, CB, Steelers
Pierre posted a surprising 91.6 Impact score in Pittsburgh’s aggressive defensive scheme. The 29-year-old outperformed his draft pedigree and contract to become a reliable starter. His position rank of fourth among available corners suggests he belongs in the second tier, but the production exceeded expectations. Pierre offers value as a starting-caliber corner at a reasonable price point.
11) Marshon Lattimore, CB, Commanders
Lattimore’s 79.1 Impact score reflects a down year by his standards, but the former All-Pro still flashes elite coverage ability. Injuries have plagued his recent seasons, raising durability questions for any team considering a significant investment. At 29, Lattimore likely needs a short-term deal to prove he can stay healthy. The upside remains, even if the floor has dropped.
12) Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Eagles
Phillips hits free agency after finishing 2025 with Philadelphia following a midseason trade from Miami. His 82.4 Impact score ranks second among available edge rushers, though injuries have limited his availability throughout his career. When healthy, Phillips displays the athleticism and pass-rush moves of a double-digit sack producer. The medical evaluation will determine whether teams view him as a foundational piece or a rotational gamble.
13) Rashan Gary, EDGE, Packers
Gary rounds out the top 15 with a 77.7 Impact score after recording 7.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons. The 28-year-old never quite reached the dominant pass rusher ceiling Green Bay envisioned when drafting him, but he remains a quality starter. Gary offers scheme versatility and enough juice off the edge to warrant a mid-tier investment from a team seeking depth behind an established star.
