From Kyler Murray and Malik Willis to Trey Hendrickson and Kenneth Walker III, these are the most intriguing players available on the NFL’s free agent market
Editor’s note, March 9: This article will be updated as players agree to new contracts throughout the first wave of free agency.
[Read in Michael Buffer’s voice.] LET’S GET READY TO TAMPERRRRRRRR. At noon ET on Monday, NFL teams are permitted to start contract negotiations with pending free agents. Even though no new deals can be executed until the new league year officially starts at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, a lot of players will have agreed to new deals well before then. As the market opens, The Ringer presents the final top-50 free agent rankings. This list looks a bit different than it did at the end of the 2025 season, thanks to player cuts, re-signings and the franchise tag.
Soon-to-be-former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who will officially be released this week, is the new top-ranked player. Free-agents-to-be Alec Pierce, Tyler Linderbaum, and Trey Hendrickson are all probably better players than Murray, but he vaults ahead of them because of positional value. Free agency is a frenzy every year. The best of this bunch are going to turn bidding wars into big paydays, and desperate teams with holes to fill are going to overpay for the middle class of players. As the negotiations get underway, let’s dive into the rankings.
2025 team: Arizona CardinalsAge: 28Drafted: 2019, first round (1st overall)Pro Bowls: Two (2020-21)All-Pro teams: None
Murray’s seven-year tenure in Arizona included sporadic highs and consistent lows. When Murray is at his best, he’s a rare athlete with legit arm talent who can create explosive plays down the field in the passing game and big gains with his legs, often when playing out of structure. But injuries have kept him from being that elite dual-threat for much of his career. Murray has missed at least six games due to injury in three of the last four seasons. The former no. 1 overall pick led the Cards to just one playoff appearance, and that game was forgettable, with Murray completing just 19-of-34 passes for 137 yards and throwing two picks in a blowout loss to the Rams in the wild-card round four years ago.
Still, Murray has elite athletic traits and plays the most important position in football, and because Arizona still owes him over $35 million in guaranteed money, his next team should be able to sign him on the cheap. That makes Murray an extremely low-risk, high-reward bet for every quarterback-needy team in the league. Malik Willis might sign for more than $30 million annually after starting just three games in Green Bay the last two seasons. Murray is entering his age-29 season with 87 career starts and will make substantially less on his next contract. The cost alone means there’s little downside for a quarterback-needy team to sign Murray. The upside is he can experience a career revival, and blossom into a consistent starter if surrounded by better skill position talent and better coaching than he got in Arizona.
2025 team: Cincinnati BengalsAge: 31Drafted: 2017, third round (103rd)Pro Bowls: Four (2021-24)All-Pro teams: One-time first-team (2024)
The relationship between Hendrickson and the Bengals is finally over. The two sides had a very public contract dispute in the offseason and a 2025 campaign that was cut awkwardly short due to injury, but the highs of their five-year run together were excellent. Hendrickson made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four years in Cincinnati and became the fifth player since 1982 to record 17-plus sacks in back-to-back seasons. He ranked in the top six in PFF’s pass rush win rate in 2023 and 2024, and he was ranked seventh in the same statistic through the first six weeks of 2025, before injuries derailed his season.
When healthy, Hendrickson is an über-productive pass rusher with frenetic, violent hands and great bend. He has a style of play that should age well after he recovers from his December core muscle surgery. The Bengals were hesitant to make a long-term commitment to the 31-year-old sack technician, but another team will likely jump at the opportunity to pay for his sack production on a two- or three-year deal. He won’t make outlandish T.J. Watt money on this side of 30, but I wouldn’t expect him to sign a cheap one-year deal like Khalil Mack ($18 million) or Joey Bosa ($12.6 million) did in 2025. Hendrickson could land in the $28 million to $33 million per year range on a new deal, perhaps with a sprinkle of guaranteed money through the 2027 season.
2025 team: Philadelphia EaglesAge: 26Drafted: 2021, first round (18th)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
March 9: Phillips has reportedly agreed to a four-year deal with the Carolina Panthers that will pay him an average of $30 million per year and includes $80 million in guarantees.
The Eagles got away with highway robbery by acquiring Phillips from the Dolphins for a third-round pick at the trade deadline in November. His first two games in Philly came against two of the league’s better offensive tackles, the Packers’ Zach Tom and the Lions’ Penei Sewell, and Phillips still made his presence felt right away, with 12 pressures and a sack in his first two games. He has an ideal frame, great strength, and terrifying explosiveness, making him a dream fit as a stand-up rusher who can line up anywhere in Vic Fangio’s defense. Phillips can blow through and by tackles, and he often manhandles tight ends into the backfield when given the opportunity. Phillips ranked sixth in total pressures (41) after joining the Eagles in Week 10.
Injuries have been a problem for him dating back to his college days, but—knock on wood—he started every week of the season, without a bye week because of the timing of his trade. A healthy Phillips could be one of the league’s best edge defenders. The Eagles should prioritize a monster extension for Phillips, but interest from around the league could drive his price beyond what’s possible given their current cap situation.
2025 team: Baltimore RavensAge: 25Drafted: 2022, first round (25th)Pro Bowls: Three (2023-25)All-Pro teams: None
March 9: Linderbaum has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Raiders that will make him the league’s highest-paid center. His new three-year contract will be worth $81 million.
Linderbaum will be a coveted center because he moves extremely well, especially as a run blocker. He has unlocked so much for the Ravens’ run game because he’s an extremely talented athlete with foot speed and balance that are rare at his position. He can pull, scoop, and reach with his arms, and he is lightning quick to get to the second level on his feet, where he regularly beats linebackers and safeties because of his leverage and positioning alone. He’s also a menace when moving in space and blocking in front of screens. Linderbaum was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl this season, and he’s ranked eighth or better among qualifying centers in PFF’s run-blocking grade every year of his career. The Ravens didn’t pick up his fifth-year option because it would have cost them $5.4 million more than what the NFL’s highest-paid center makes annually. And because the NFL lumps all offensive line positions together when calculating the cost of the franchise tag, slapping Linderbaum with it would cost the Ravens $9 million more than what the league’s highest-paid center (the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey) makes. Baltimore will have to reset the center market with a monster multi-year extension in the $18 million to $20 million per year range to keep Linderbaum. That’s easier said than done with just $22 million in available 2026 cap space in March. Although it seems impossible to imagine the Ravens letting a homegrown talent like Linderbaum walk after he’s more than exceeded expectations on his rookie contract, they could easily get outbid by teams with bigger wallets without the tag to block him from entertaining offers.
2025 team: Denver BroncosAge: 29Drafted: 2018, fourth round (135th)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
March 9: Franklin-Myers is leaving Denver to join the Titans on a three-year deal that will reportedly pay him an average salary of $21 million per season.
Franklin-Myers deserves to get paid this offseason. He was outside the top 40 interior defensive linemen in average annual salary last season, at just $7.5 million; that should more than double with a new deal in 2026. He’s a menacing behemoth with a relentless motor and violent hands on the interior of Denver’s line. He can win off the snap with a heavy club or nimble swim move, and he plays from whistle to whistle on every down. He’s a rare defensive lineman who can affect the pass and run game across multiple positions along the line of scrimmage using his size, brute strength, and hands. Franklin-Myers logged seven sacks and 15-plus quarterback hits in back-to-back seasons with Denver, and now it’s his turn to cash in.
2025 team: Green Bay PackersAge: 25Drafted: 2022, seventh round (249th)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
Walker has played 900-plus snaps at left tackle in three consecutive seasons and isn’t a liability in pass protection. That makes him one of the most valuable free agents on the market even if he isn’t an elite tackle or an impactful run blocker. Last year, Dan Moore Jr. signed a four-year, $82 million contract with the Titans after four seasons, 1,000-plus snaps played, and worse production than Walker. Walker should clear $20 million per year with ease on the open market. Plenty of teams desperately need serviceable tackle play, and Walker can provide that and is still well within his athletic prime.
2025 team: Pittsburgh SteelersAge: 42Drafted: 2005, first round (24th)Pro Bowls: 10 (2009, 2011-12, 2014-16, 2018-21)All-Pro teams: Four-time first-team (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021), one-time second-team (2012)
Rodgers said last year that he was “pretty sure” he’d retire after this season, but that was well before he and the Steelers sneaked into the playoffs by winning the AFC North and before the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin. Rodgers was a four-time NFL MVP when he played for McCarthy in Green Bay. Recently, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported that “the odds are increasing” that Rodgers will return for his 22nd season in the NFL and that Rodgers and McCarthy have discussed a reunion in Pittsburgh. The quarterback is likely deciding between retirement or a return to Pittsburgh, so we shouldn’t expect Rodgers to explore the entire free agent market landscape this offseason.
2025 team: Indianapolis ColtsAge: 25Drafted: 2022, second round (53rd)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
March 9: Pierce has reportedly agreed to a massive four-year, $116 million contract to remain with the Colts. In a corresponding move, the Colts agreed to trade WR Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers, which opens up the role of true no. 1 receiver for Pierce moving forward.
Pierce is a bona fide home run hitter. Since entering the league in 2022, he has led the league in yards per reception (18.7). He also has 20 receptions on throws of 30-plus air yards in that same four-year span, tied for the second most of any receiver, behind only George Pickens (24). Pierce’s size-speed combination gives him natural field-stretching ability, but what separates him from other deep threats is his ball tracking and his strong, reliable hands at the catch point. He consistently attacks the ball with his hands away from his body, helping him come down with tough catches out of his frame and through contact. Even if he never develops into a three-level, high-volume pass catcher, Pierce’s value as a vertical threat should warrant a high price tag in free agency. His counterpart in Indy, Michael Pittman Jr., had 219 fewer yards on 33 more catches than Pierce this season, and Pittman is making $23 million annually after signing a three-year extension with the Colts in 2024. Hell, Jakobi Meyers just signed an extension with the Jaguars in December at $20 million per year. Pierce’s asking price should start in the $22 million to $24 million range and should only go up from there.
2025 team: Seattle SeahawksAge: 25Drafted: 2022, second round (41st)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
March 9: The Super Bowl LIX MVP announced on social media that he’s agreed to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs. His new contract reportedly will be for three years, at an average annual salary of $15 million.
The Super Bowl LX MVP is a compact, physical runner with great tackle-breaking ability and contact balance. He can shake off defenders in space by using his lightning-quick feet or bowl them over with a lowered shoulder. He’s also deceptively fast. Walker ranked second (behind only Dolphins speedster De’Von Achane) among backs with at least 150 carries in percentage of runs over 10-plus yards (14.1 percent), and he ranks sixth in the same stat among backs with 600 carries since 2022. His unique explosiveness and patience were on full display on Seattle’s Super Bowl run, and he was rewarded with a beautiful teacup ride with Sam Darnold at Disneyland. At 25 years old, Walker is still in his athletic prime, and he’s coming off a career year. When Seahawks general manager John Schneider recovers from the parade bevvies, the contract negotiation with Walker should start in the $11 million to $14 million per year range. The Seahawks would be smart to retain their Super Bowl MVP, especially with backup Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in the divisional round of the playoffs, but letting Walker test the market could drive his price out of their comfort range.
2025 team: Detroit LionsAge: 32Drafted: 2016, first round (16th overall)Pro Bowls: One (2024)All-Pro teams: None
Decker is coming off his lowest-graded season since his injury-plagued 2017 campaign, per PFF. The 10-year veteran considered retirement before (sort of) announcing on Instagram that he’d be returning for #Year11. Fast-forward 10 days, and Decker took to IG again to say goodbye to Detroit after requesting and receiving his release after the Lions reportedly asked him to take a pay cut. He is still one of the best pass-protecting left tackles in the league, and he’s played at least 800 offensive snaps in seven of the last eight years. He’s well worth a short-term flier even at $20 million annually for a competitor with a left tackle need.
2025 team: Green Bay PackersAge: 25Drafted: 2022, first round (22nd)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
Walker has a rare combination of size and speed that teams desperately need in this pass-happy league, where off-ball linebackers are picked on in man coverage or have trouble in zone coverage in the middle of the field. He also fights through contact well in the run game and has improved significantly as a tackler. Walker missed just one tackle after Week 8, per PFF, and his missed tackle rate has been below 8 percent in each of the past three seasons. The Packers declined Walker’s fifth-year option ahead of this season, but general manager Brian Gutekunst has said that he wants to keep Walker for the long term. However, if Green Bay is unable to strike a deal with him, Walker should demand top dollar from a frenzy of bidders in March. Zack Baun, Nick Bolton, and Jamien Sherwood all signed three-year extensions in the $15 million to $17 million range with their respective teams last offseason; Walker’s asking price will likely start there.
2025 team: New Orleans SaintsAge: 27Drafted: 2022, second round (49th)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
March 9: Taylor has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal with Tennessee.
I’m probably overrating Taylor a bit, especially considering how volatile cornerback play can be from year to year and scheme to scheme, but it’s hard to find long-armed corners with positional versatility and great recovery speed like Taylor. Per PFF, Taylor has played more than 1,500 snaps outside and more than 1,500 in the slot in his four-year career. He’s an aggressive, high-effort player, which can lead to blown assignments and missed tackles at times. But he still has high upside and seemingly has a positive attitude. If he signs a contract somewhere in the $10 million to $13 million range, similar to other slot types who’ve agreed to new deals in recent years (like Marcus Jones, Taron Johnson, Jourdan Lewis, and Kenny Moore), Taylor could be one of the high-value gems of this free agent class.
2025 team: San Francisco 49ersAge: 28Drafted: 2020, seventh round (217th)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
Jennings has reliable hands, plays through contact, and can consistently win his matchups over the middle of the field, skills that have helped him become one of the league’s best chain movers. He ranks tied for fourth among qualifying wideouts in first-down conversions per route run on third down over the past two years (2024-25). Jennings is also tough as hell. He told reporters in October that he was playing through high and low ankle sprains, had a shoulder “at 20 percent,” and had five broken ribs. Because he played hurt for most of the season and didn’t have starting quarterback Brock Purdy for seven games, Jennings didn’t put up game-breaking numbers in 2025, but he’s still as reliable as ever on money downs and found the end zone a bunch after Purdy returned in Week 11. Jakobi Meyers, a 29-year-old career slot receiver with great hands, signed a three-year, $60 million extension with the Jaguars in December. Jennings’s asking price should start there.
2025 team: Indianapolis ColtsAge: 29Drafted: 2018, second round (37th)Pro Bowls: NoneAll-Pro teams: None
