We’re nonetheless just a few days away from NFL free company, however groups are already eager about which new gamers they wish to add to their rosters. The franchise tag deadline comes Tuesday, March 3, and free company begins March 11, though the negotiation window opens two days earlier. Not each staff will make lots of strikes, however each roster normally picks up at the least one necessary veteran. Who represents the perfect match for every of the 32 groups?
Beneath, I’ve recommended one free agent signing for every staff. I set myself a few guidelines for this train: just one free agent for every staff, and just one staff for every free agent. I additionally did not assign any participant to return to his present staff, even on the franchise tag. For instance, I did not embrace quarterback Daniel Jones (anticipated to be re-signed by the Colts).
On the finish, I’ve additionally included a listing of further free brokers, as actually a few of these groups will signal a number of big-name free brokers. Let’s get began with the Payments.
Soar to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Prime remaining free brokers
AFC EAST
WR Mike Evans (TB)
Buffalo wants a No. 1 possibility for quarterback Josh Allen, and Evans continues to be a proficient “X” receiver. He has the scale — standing at 6-foot-5, 231 kilos — and ball expertise to win contested catches. Allen may additionally belief Evans on third down; in 2024, he had a team-high 220 yards on third down for the Bucs.
There are doubts about Evans, nevertheless, since he shall be turning 33 in August and missed 10 video games in 2025 attributable to a damaged collarbone and a hamstring harm. However he is just one yr faraway from a 1,000-yard season with 11 touchdowns.
TE Isaiah Doubtless (BAL)
The Dolphins’ prime three tight ends from final season are all free brokers (Greg Dulcich, Darren Waller and Julian Hill), they usually may use an improve on the place anyway. Waller had six touchdowns in his return from retirement, however he performed solely 9 video games attributable to hip and pectoral accidents.
Enter Doubtless, who is able to begin as a No. 1 tight finish after spending just a few years as TE2 behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore. Final season was a little bit of an off yr for Doubtless, who had just one landing and dropped to nineteenth amongst tight ends within the ESPN receiver scores. However he ranked sixth in 2023 and third in 2024, with 400 yards in every of these seasons. He ought to be capable of shine in a Miami offense that does not must feed lots of different receivers after it launched Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Edge Jaelan Phillips (PHI)
The Patriots’ two greatest wants this offseason are edge rusher and offensive line. On the O-line, they are going to probably depend upon the event of younger gamers like Will Campbell and Jared Wilson. However the edge is an effective place to herald a veteran.
Phillips had two sacks and 27 pressures after he was traded to the Eagles from Miami at midseason. His 12.4% cross rush win price ranked twenty fourth amongst qualifying edge rushers. Phillips may change free agent Okay’Lavon Chaisson and/or make a very good associate for Harold Landry III.
QB Malik Willis (GB)
Sure, it was a small pattern with only one begin and 4 whole video games performed, however Willis had an exceptional 93.1 QBR for the Packers in 2025. And he had a powerful 77.3 QBR in two begins the season earlier than.
Willis goes to signal someplace to begin, and the Jets want a brand new quarterback. Justin Fields did not work out, and Fernando Mendoza appears to be the one QB prospect worthy of the first-round decide in April. It is unlikely Mendoza will fall previous Las Vegas at No. 1.
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AFC NORTH
C Connor McGovern (BUF)
The Ravens are going to want a substitute at middle if Tyler Linderbaum leaves city. Why not the underrated 28-year-old McGovern, who quietly had one of many prime seasons for a middle in 2025? His 97.2% cross block win price final season matched Linderbaum for second place behind Kansas Metropolis’s Creed Humphrey. And McGovern’s 72.6% run block win price ranked third amongst all facilities.
Edge Odafe Oweh (LAC)
With Trey Hendrickson in all probability on his approach out of Cincinnati, the Bengals want an edge rusher. And with the seventh-most cap house this offseason (per Roster Administration System), they’re in place to rain cash down on a participant nonetheless in his prime.
Oweh lastly broke out after the Ravens traded him to the Chargers final season, with 7.5 sacks within the ultimate 12 video games and two pressured fumbles in Los Angeles’ playoff loss to the Patriots. The one query with the 27-year-old is whether or not he’ll be snug taking part in together with his hand within the dust in Cincinnati after just a few years as an outdoor linebacker in 3-4 schemes.
WR Rashid Shaheed (SEA)
There’s extra to the return recreation than simply having a quick return man. The blocking issues. Nonetheless, the addition of Shaheed could be a giant step ahead for a Browns particular groups unit that I had ranked thirty second on punt return worth and twenty eighth on kick return worth by my particular groups DVOA (defense-adjusted worth over common) in 2025.
Shaheed would even be a robust downfield receiver for a unit that desperately wants enchancment. Final season, beginning for the Saints after which the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions, he had seven video games (together with playoffs) with at the least 50 receiving yards. No Browns receiver eclipsed Shaheed’s 687 receiving yards in 2025.
S Jaquan Brisker (CHI)
Final season’s safeties in Pittsburgh are free brokers excluding DeShon Elliott and, if you wish to contemplate him a security, Jalen Ramsey. That is why the Steelers must assault this packed security free agent class.
Brisker can play deep or within the field, and he is a hard-hitting security who will match the Steelers’ defensive persona. He missed 12 video games within the 2024 season attributable to a concussion, however he had at the least 90 mixed tackles in every of his three wholesome NFL seasons. Over his profession, Brisker has recorded seven sacks, 4 interceptions and 4 pressured fumbles.
AFC SOUTH
C Tyler Linderbaum (BAL)
Incumbent Jake Andrews ranked final amongst qualifying facilities with a 92.4% cross block win price, so it is a place the place the Texans want to take a giant swing. Bringing over Linderbaum, who ranked second at middle with a 97.2% cross block win price, would actually assist solidify the offense and hold Houston as a Tremendous Bowl contender in 2026.
Edge Bradley Chubb (MIA)
The Colts ranked simply thirtieth in cross rush win price (29.1%) final season, and three of their prime 4 cross rushers are hitting free company. So, it is a good time to herald a veteran. The Dolphins lower Chubb to clear cash off their wage cap, however he’s nonetheless simply 30 years previous. He had 8.5 sacks final season with 36 pressures.
CB Riq Woolen (SEA)
Vast receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is anticipated to be again initially of 2026, however the Jaguars nonetheless want one other CB starter on the skin if Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome II go away in free company.
Woolen has stirred some controversy in Seattle and was benched briefly a few occasions final season attributable to errors. However he nonetheless ranked twelfth within the league in my protection DVOA metric. He is additionally a bigger (6-4, 210 kilos), extra bodily nook who may cowl receivers who is likely to be too massive for the slight-framed Hunter.
Edge Okay’Lavon Chaisson (NE)
Tennessee would have been the right touchdown spot for George Pickens, because it desperately wants a No. 1 possibility for quarterback Cam Ward. However since Pickens is anticipated to be franchise-tagged by the Cowboys, let’s additional strengthen the Titans’ cross rush with Chaisson.
Tennessee was ranked a shocking fifteenth in cross rush win price (37.3%) final season, however Arden Key and Jihad Ward are each free brokers. Chaisson blossomed over the previous two seasons with the Raiders after which the Patriots. In 2025, he had 7.5 sacks, 32 pressures and an above-average cross rush win price of 12.9%. The Titans may put him on the robust aspect throughout from Oluwafemi Oladejo.
AFC WEST
TE Cade Otton (TB)
Tight finish is a transparent want for the Broncos, so why not signal an even bigger title similar to David Njoku? As a result of the Broncos have already got a receiving-first tight finish in Evan Engram, they usually want a No. 1 tight finish who can be a robust run blocker. That is Otton. He is additionally helpful as a receiver when wanted, with 1,172 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns over the previous two seasons.
RB Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
The Chiefs needn’t only a working again however a working again who can even function a receiving outlet for Patrick Mahomes. Walker had greater than 1,000 speeding yards final season and added 31 catches for 282 yards — a powerful 9.1 yards per reception common.
His means to generate explosive performs could possibly be a precious a part of lifting the Chiefs’ offense again to the highest of the league.
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LB Quay Walker (GB)
The Raiders may use playmakers all throughout their protection, and each of final season’s beginning linebackers are free brokers. Walker had 128 mixed tackles with the Packers final season and has sideline-to-sideline velocity to trace down working backs. He can be utilized as a blitzer as effectively. The Raiders would simply want to verify their different linebacker is powerful in protection, as that is a weak point for Walker.
G Isaac Seumalo (PIT)
The Chargers will get tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt again subsequent season, however they nonetheless want massive assistance on the inside offensive line. Left guard Zion Johnson, now a free agent, was close to the underside of the league in cross block win price (87.4%) final season. Heart Bradley Bozeman additionally introduced his retirement Feb. 23.
However, the veteran Seumalo was second amongst 65 qualifying guards with a 97.3% cross rush win price and fourth with a 76.9% run block win price. This might be an enormous step towards making Los Angeles a severe Tremendous Bowl contender.
NFC EAST
LB Devin Lloyd (JAX)
The Cowboys had one of many worst defenses in NFL historical past in 2025, in line with my DVOA metric, and they’re in determined want of playmakers. So why not usher in Lloyd? He’s a strong beginning linebacker who had 5 interceptions and 1.5 sacks final season.
CB Eric Stokes (LV)
Cornerbacks are a troublesome selection in free company as a result of they’re so inconsistent from season to season. Stokes was one of many worst cornerbacks within the league in 2024, however he reworked into one of many league’s finest in 2025 with 53 whole tackles and 5 passes defensed.
It is protected to say that we do not know what model of Stokes we’ll see in 2026. However it is a clear place of want for the Giants, who ranked seventeenth in yards allowed per completion final season (10.9). They will take an opportunity that Stokes is nearer to his 2025 play.
Edge Boye Mafe (SEA)
The Eagles may use extra assistance on the sting to rotate with Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt, and Mafe had an excellent season for the Tremendous Bowl champions in 2025.
Though Mafe had solely two sacks, he added 33 pressures. His 18.7% cross rush win price was eighth amongst edge rushers and his 11.4% strain price was seventeenth. Mafe is fast and nonetheless in his prime, turning 28 in late November.
Edge Trey Hendrickson (CIN)
For the No. 1 free agent, we’re on the lookout for three issues. First, a staff with a gaping gap on the edge rusher place. Second, a staff with lots of cap house. Third, a legit playoff contender.
The Commanders positively hit that first qualifier, as three of their prime 4 edges are free brokers. Additionally they hit the second qualifier with the sixth-most cap house, per Roster Administration System. And also you won’t consider them as legit playoff contenders, however they’re just one season faraway from showing within the NFC Championship Recreation.
I feel coach Dan Quinn might want to attempt his hardest to persuade Hendrickson to come back in and assist enhance the struggling Washington cross rush.
NFC NORTH
S Kam Curl (LAR)
Each Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III are free brokers, so even when one in every of them returns, the Bears will need assistance on the security place. Curl can play both deep or within the field, relying on what Chicago wants and which of their veterans is re-signed in free company.
Curl recorded two interceptions and 5 passes defensed in 2025, and he was tied for fifth with 79 solo tackles.
Edge Khalil Mack (LAC)
The Lions’ prime want is discovering pass-rush assist for Aidan Hutchinson. So why not intention for a longtime veteran at that place? Regardless of sitting out 5 video games in 2025 due to an elbow harm, Mack nonetheless completed with 5.5 sacks and 28 pressures.
Detroit is not swimming in cap house, but it surely ought to be capable of persuade Mack to take a pay lower so he can chase a Tremendous Bowl ring. Mack’s former Chargers teammate Joey Bosa would additionally match the invoice if he would not return to Buffalo.
LB Nakobe Dean (PHI)
The Packers are in all probability going to let linebacker Quay Walker go away after they declined his fifth-year possibility, which implies they want an choice to play subsequent to Edgerrin Cooper. Dean continues to be solely 25 years previous and arguably stronger than Walker in cross protection. Dean had 4 sacks, two pressured fumbles and 55 whole tackles final season.
S Bryan Cook dinner (KC)
Cook dinner, a rangy security, could be excellent taking part in deep in coordinator Brian Flores’ zone schemes. Cook dinner had a career-high 85 tackles in 2025 and continues to be solely 27 years previous. The Vikings had been thirtieth in DVOA in opposition to deep passes (16 or extra air yards), whereas the Chiefs had been fifteenth. Cook dinner would offer a direct enchancment in that space for Minnesota.
NFC SOUTH
DL John Franklin-Myers (DEN)
The Falcons are one of many groups that may want a 5-technique defensive finish, with each David Onyemata and Kentavius Avenue hitting free company. Franklin-Myers had a cross rush win price of 10.1% final season, which ranked him eighth amongst inside defensive linemen. He additionally had 7.5 sacks and was robust in opposition to the run; his common run deal with got here after a acquire of simply 1.6 yards.
LB Kaden Elliss (ATL)
The Panthers may use one other inside linebacker to play subsequent to Trevin Wallace, and Elliss had over 100 tackles in every of the previous three seasons. He additionally is likely to be the perfect blitzing inside linebacker within the league proper now, which might give defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero a really attention-grabbing choice to juice up their cross rush.
As an added bonus, signing Elliss would take away from a division rival. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich mentioned that changing Elliss would “take multiple human being.”
WR Alec Pierce (IND)
The Saints ranked thirty first in cross performs that gained at the least 20 yards final season (5.6%). So let’s give second-year quarterback Tyler Shough an excellent deep risk who would assist their offense stretch the sector.
Pierce had his first 1,000-yard season on solely 47 catches, averaging 21.3 yards per reception. The season earlier than, it was 22.3 yards per reception. That deep effectivity helped him rank fourth amongst all huge receivers in my DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above substitute) metric in 2025.
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LB Alex Anzalone (DET)
The time may need lastly come for 36-year-old Lavonte David to depart the Buccaneers, which opens a spot for a veteran in the course of Tampa Bay’s protection. Anzalone is powerful in opposition to the run and had 2.5 sacks and eight passes defensed for Detroit final season.
NFC WEST
OT Braden Smith (IND)
Here is the staff with the largest want for a proper deal with, as each Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum had been low in cross block win price final season and are going to be free brokers. Smith has been regular for the Colts, rating thirty fourth out of 68 qualifying gamers in cross block win price final season (90.6%).
CB Jaylen Watson (KC)
The Rams are going to have some adjustments within the secondary subsequent season. Cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon are free brokers, as is nickelback Roger McCreary, who barely performed after he was picked up from Tennessee at midseason. Darious Williams continues to be on the roster however may use a change of surroundings.
Watson is a proficient nook with the scale (6-2, 197 kilos) to press and the attention to play zone protection. He had an exceptional protection DVOA in six video games in 2024, then was above common (fortieth out of 98 qualifying) in a full season in 2025.
G Joel Bitonio (CLE)
Would the 49ers be keen to place 34-year-old Bitonio subsequent to 37-year-old Trent Williams (assuming the Niners and Williams can work out his contract state of affairs) on the left aspect of their offensive line? There may be a gap right here, and an opportunity for Bitonio to lastly go after a Tremendous Bowl ring with an actual contender.
He ranked third amongst all guards with a 96.4% cross block win price final season, and his run block win price of 72.3% was above common. Alijah Vera-Tucker would even be an attention-grabbing signing for the 49ers in the event that they wished to go youthful at left guard as a substitute.
WR Jauan Jennings (SF)
This signing would obtain a few objectives for the Seahawks. It might give them a receiver to interchange Rashid Shaheed if he leaves in free company. Moreover, Jennings is a robust run blocker and the Seahawks nonetheless wish to be a run-first offense.
New offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is aware of Jennings from his time in San Francisco, and including Jennings would convey the good thing about taking away from an necessary division rival. Jennings had 9 touchdowns final season however was even higher in 2024, when he ranked twelfth in ESPN’s receiver scores.
