6 Under-the-Radar NFL Free Agents Who Could Make a Major Impact | PFSN Debates

With some elite linebacker talent in this year’s draft, it’s an unfortunate year for Quay Walker to hit the market. Nevertheless, he’s a former first-round pick who has been a huge part of the Green Bay Packers’ defense since Day 1. Walker ranked 11th among all NFL linebackers in PFSN’s LB Impact metric in 2025, and has topped 100 tackles in each of his four years in the league.

Nick Cross, the Indianapolis Colts safety, hasn’t gotten enough love during the run-up to free agency. The former Maryland standout has racked up 166 tackles and forced five turnovers during the past two years, and broke out in 2025 under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. For any team looking for a high-flying, sideline-to-sideline safety, Cross is the guy.

I don't really understand why K'Lavon Chiasson isn't getting a bit more love in the FA market. The former first-round pick has 12.5 sacks over the last two years with two different teams and only turns 27 in July. I think he's just starting to develop the traits that got him drafted highly, and there aren't too many ascending rushers in their 20s with bonafide production making around $10m AAV.

I wouldn't consider John Franklin-Myers incredibly "under the radar", seeing as though he's the consensus top defensive tackle in this year's free agency class. However, compared to the other top names at other positions, he arguably doesn't get enough credit. He's a genuine difference-maker rushing the passer along the interior and a capable run defender. Three-down defensive tackles are extremely valuable in today's NFL.

Romeo Doubs. I'm not sure he's fully "under the radar," but a former fourth-round pick without a 60-catch season on his resume isn't exactly a hot-button player. He's PFSN WR Impact ranking has improved each season and his yards per route run have factored into that. I don't think it's crazy to say his best ball is in front of him and with him earning a target on a career-high 26.2% of his red zone routes a season ago, there could be a specialist type of role on a new team at the very least.

An impact tied to this would be the opening up of an opportunity for Matthew Golden. The burner didn't exactly jump off the screen in his rookie season and maybe he's not a full-time NFL player at any point in his career, but doesn't he deserve a chance to find out? With an aging Josh Jacobs and an oft-injured Christian Watson labeled as Green Bay's primary skill position players, one fewer WR to fight with targets for could give the team an extended look at a player they spent the 23rd overall pick on just 12 months ago. "Impact" is a word that goes both ways: maybe he shines and the Pack realize they were onto something, maybe he spits the bit completely ... either way, if Doubs moves on and that opportunity opens, Green Bay's future in the Jordan Love era will be impacted in a big way by what Golden shows with increased run.

Nick Cross is set to hit the market as the Colts give a massive payday to Alec Pierce and try to keep quarterback Daniel Jones, who's been stuck with the transition tag. Cross' market value is set to be just $6.1 million, which is barely in the Top 30 among current NFL safeties, even before the market resets. Cross is still just 24 years old, and he flashed the potential to be a truly high-level strong safety in both 2024 and 2025.

He proved susceptible to double-moves in zone coverage at times and can stand to trim down his missed tackle percentage, but the Maryland product eclipsed 120 total tackles and 5 tackles for loss in both 2024 and 2025, and in 2025, he upped his forced incompletion percentage in coverage from 3.4% to 7.2%, per TruMedia.

In a new environment and secondary that might not be as hampered by youth, instability, schematic change, or injuries, Cross has a chance to maximize his talents as a 6'0", 212-pound homing missile with 4.34 speed and steadily improving instincts.