It’s not rare for top free agents to come off career seasons, which makes free agency a risky time of year for NFL teams. More often than not, those career seasons end up being one-year flukes, with players quickly going from prized acquisitions to cap casualties in a short span.
But what’s different about 2026 is the number of pending free agents who will be in their mid-20s by the time the new league year opens at 4 p.m. ET March 11. There’s a strong chance these players needed a little more time to develop in a league that often rushes results.
From the 2022 draft class alone, Tyler Linderbaum, Alec Pierce, Kenneth Walker III, Rasheed Walker, Quay Walker and others are available this offseason. While this free agency class is short on big names, there is more boom than bust for this potential crop.
However, an older star edge rusher could be available, creating an interesting scenario for how teams balance production and age. There’s no denying that Trey Hendrickson is still one of the most productive pass rushers in the league, but he recently turned 31.
With the franchise tag period and the news and notes from the NFL combine ringing in our ears, here is our updated list of the top 50 free agents for 2026.
Projected contract: Three years, $105 million
It will be interesting to see whether teams will look to heavily invest in a talented edge rusher on the wrong side of 30. Also, Hendrickson, 31, only played in seven games in his ninth season due to injuries. But the numbers don’t lie. He’s still a dominant force when healthy. Hendrickson, who has 39 sacks combined over the past three seasons, could see a short-term deal from a Super Bowl contender that averages more than $35 million per season. Maybe something similar to what the Texans have done with 31-year-old Danielle Hunter, who’s on his second short-term deal with the team. —Gilberto Manzano
Projected contract: Four years, $84 million
Potential landing spots: Ravens, Giants, Chargers
The Ravens declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option despite being one of the league’s top centers, primarily because Baltimore didn’t want to get caught paying $23.4 million in 2026, as Linderbaum’s salary was factored as an offensive lineman and not a center. However, Baltimore now faces the reality of either having to tag Linderbaum, which is also grouped into one category, or pay him well enough to keep the ’22 first-rounder from getting to the open market. —Matt Verderame
Projected contract: Three years, $75 million
The versatile 6' 3" Pierce had shown flashes of his upside in his first three seasons, but he had too many quiet performances, never producing more than 41 receptions in a season. He’s now set up to break the bank after finally finding his footing in 2025, setting career highs in many statistical categories, with 47 catches for 1,003 yards. Pierce, who also added six receiving touchdowns, is a dangerous downfield playmaker, averaging more than 20 yards per reception in each of the past two seasons. The ’22 second-round pick quickly found chemistry with Daniel Jones and made plays with Philip Rivers and Riley Leonard at the end of the year. —GM
Projected contract: Two years, $60 million
Willis made the most of his opportunities after Jordan Love exited early in the Week 16 matchup against the Bears. In that game, Willis, a 2022 third-round pick, showed how much he’s improved since leaving the Titans before the ’24 season. Willis helped the Packers win two games in his first season in Green Bay, but he was more of a placeholder, being asked for the bare minimum. This time around, Willis flashed upside that could be enticing to quarterback-needy teams. He made plays with his arm and legs vs. Chicago and Baltimore, but he was unable to play in the regular-season finale against Minnesota due to injury. —GM
Projected contract: Four years, $80 million
Oweh shot up the free-agent rankings after making a quick impact with the Chargers after his midseason trade from the Ravens. The 2021 first-round pick had many highs and lows in Baltimore, including a 10-sack ’24 season before struggling for the start of this season. Expect the Chargers to make all efforts to retain him after Oweh was very productive in Jesse Minter’s defense, recording all of his 7.5 sacks this season with L.A. —GM
Projected contract: Three years, $55 million
Phillips, 26, made the most of his new surroundings after being traded from Miami to Philadelphia. He appeared to have regained his top form after dealing with significant injuries the past few seasons, including a ruptured Achilles in 2023 and a torn ACL last year. In the regular season, Phillips had five sacks, 14 QB hits and 53 combined tackles. Overall, Phillips has 28 career sacks in five seasons. —GM
Projected contract: Two years, $90 million
Jones’s stock fell after sustaining a season-ending Achilles injury in December. He also dealt with a fractured fibula during the team’s second-half free fall. And it didn’t help that Jones needed monster performances from running back Jonathan Taylor to be at his best. Still, Jones provided the Colts enough stability to help coach Shane Steichen run his offensive scheme. Also, the team has already shown its hand after going all in and trading two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Teams on the verge of searching for a quarterback don’t operate in that fashion. It appears Jones has a shot at returning with the team after completing 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games. —GM
Walker, a 2022 seventh-round pick, will likely see a hefty payday because of scarcity at the tackle position. It took Green Bay some time to fully believe in Walker, but he kept reassuring the team that he’s a starting-caliber left tackle in the league. He’s been a reliable three-year starter, with 48 career starts. —GM
Projected contract: Three years, $42 million
Franklin-Myers found a home in Denver after starting his career with the Rams and Jets. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph put Franklin-Myers in a position to succeed, and he took full advantage, playing next to Zach Allen and D.J. Jones. He had 14.5 combined sacks the past two seasons and played an instrumental role in Denver clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC. —GM
Projected contract: Three years, $40 million
Walker was the best version of himself in 2025. After seeing his fifth-year option get declined, Walker was a new man, amassing 128 tackles, including eight for loss, 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and five passes defensed. A ’22 first-round pick, Walker was at his best in a contract year and could still be improving at only 25. It will be difficult for Green Bay to let him walk in free agency. —MV
Projected contract: Three years, $50 million
Smith has been a solid tackle since coming into the league as a second-round pick out of Auburn in 2018. Smith has experience, starting 105 games over his career, but he’s also missed time, including four games this season, five games in ’24 and seven in ’23. At 29, Smith is still one of the most desirable free agents should he get to the market, with a combination of talent and excellent tape. While Smith has never been a Pro Bowler, he’s consistently one of the better right tackles in the league and should get a healthy multi-year deal. —MV
Projected contract: Three years, $54 million
Watson is underrated nationally because he’s not one of the superstar names on the Chiefs, such as Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones or Trent McDuffie. However, Watson has been excellent over the past two years, totaling two interceptions and six passes defensed in 2025 while playing 96% of the snaps. He’ll get low-end, No. 1 corner money either in Kansas City or elsewhere. —MV
Projected contract: Three years, $35 million
Taylor drew plenty of interest before the league’s trade deadline, but the Saints decided to keep the versatile cornerback. Perhaps that means New Orleans will look to extend the 2022 second-round pick. Taylor, who had two interceptions this year, has started 53 games in four seasons. —GM
14. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks
Projected contract: Three years, $39 million
Walker and fellow back Zach Charbonnet have created a nice tandem in Seattle, but it’s unclear if this will be their last year together. Walker has been terrific, rushing for 1,027 yards on 4.6 yards per carry in 2025, along with 77 total yards per game. At 25 years old and with the running back market rebounding, the Super Bowl MVP will get a nice multi-year deal. —MV
15. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jaguars
Projected contract: Three years, $36 million
Etienne is one of many Jaguars stars hitting the market. After looking like a diminishing talent in 2024, he flourished in Liam Coen’s system. The ’21 first-rounder from Clemson rushed for 1,107 yards on 4.3 yards per attempt after gaining only 558 yards in 15 games last season. He should be a top option for teams despite many quality backs hitting free agency. —MV
Robinson enjoyed a breakout year, giving rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart a reliable target on the outside. With Malik Nabers out for most of the season with a torn ACL, Robinson stepped up, catching 92 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. Coming off his rookie deal, Robinson should get a sizable deal. —MV
Projected contract: One year, $15 million
Evans missed nine games, but he contributed in the final four games of the season, including a 132-yard performance vs. the Falcons in Week 15. With still plenty to offer, Evans could be set up well for another lucrative contract heading into his age-33 season. Evans’s 11-year streak of recording at least 1,000 receiving yards ended in 2025, but he’s still a quality playmaker. —GM
