The 2026 NFL offseason promises to be an interesting one, with several big-ticket players potentially moving elsewhere prior to the start of kickoff in September. While the trade market and NFL Draft promise to have their own storylines, the next item of business for teams will be free agency. ESPN released their list of their top 50 free agents, but we’ll focus on the top 25 and their best fits in free agency.
No. 1 | ED Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
Best Fit: New England Patriots
The Patriots made a shocking Super Bowl appearance this year but ranked 22nd in sacks during the regular season. They have the cap space and need for a star edge defender.
No. 2 | WR George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
Best Fit: Dallas Cowboys
Pickens being tagged and eventually re-signed seems all too obvious at this point. Javonte Williams was inked to a 3-year extension this week, so it seems a lock Pickens will at least initially return to Dallas (tag and trade?).
No. 3 | C Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens
Best Fit: L.A. Chargers
The Chargers need to keep Justin Herbert protected. They allowed the second-most sacks in the league this year, and while the return of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt in 2026 will be huge, adding Linderbaum would ensure Jim Harbaugh can play the power football he loves.
No. 4 | QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
Best Fit: Indianapolis Colts
Jones revitalized his career in Indy, and I wouldn’t expect either party to move on despite his torn Achilles.
No. 5 | ED Jaelan Phillips, Philadelphia Eagles
Best Fit: New York Jets
The Jets had the second-fewest sacks per game in the league last year, and Will McDonald is the only proven edge talent they have.
No. 6 | WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Best Fit: Buffalo Bills
The Bills desperately need a weapon on offense. James Cook is an elite back, but Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid are not Super Bowl caliber weapons. Pierce led the league in yards per catch (min. 10 catches).
No. 7 | RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs
I personally don’t think the Chiefs are in a position to take Jeremiyah Love at No. 9. Instead, they have the opportunity to use a rare top ten selection on another position of need and land free agency’s top back.
No. 8 | OT Rasheed Walker, Green Bay Packers
Best Fit: Cleveland Browns
All five starters across the Browns’ line are free agents, so now they have the chance to hit the reset button. Adding Walker on the left side and potentially Utah’s Spencer Fano at No. 6 would offer their QB of the future solid bookends.
No. 9 | ED Odafe Oweh, L.A. Chargers
Best Fit: Baltimore Ravens
As weird as it would be for Oweh to be traded midseason from the Ravens and return just a few months later, it would make sense. The Ravens need help on the edge, and HC Jesse Minter just coached Oweh for the latter half of the season in L.A, where he had 10.5 sacks in 13 games.
No. 10 | OT Braden Smith, Indianapolis Colts
Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders need to build a wall to protect Fernando Mendoza. Kolton Miller is a very good left tackle, but DJ Glaze allowed 10 sacks this year on the right side.
No. 11 | DL John Franklin-Myers, Denver Broncos
Best Fit: Tennessee Titans
Franklin-Myers was on Robert Saleh’s Jets back in the day, and Tennessee needs upgrades up front. Jeffrey Simmons is fantastic, but Sebastian Joseph-Day is an impending free agent. JFM is an upgrade.
No. 12 | CB Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints
Best Fit: Buffalo Bills
Christian Benford is a legit CB1, but the Bills have had to rely on an older Tre’ White as their CB2. They’d likely have to choose between Pierce and Taylor, but the current Saint would be an excellent addition to their defense.
No. 13 | LB Quay Walker, Green Bay Packers
Best Fit: Miami Dolphins
The Green Bay to Miami one will be popular this offseason, I’m sure. Jordyn Brooks is an excellent linebacker, but pairing him with Walker would make for one of the strongest defensive spines in the league.
No. 14 | CB Riq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
Best Fit: New York Jets
Aaron Glenn needs to improve the defensive backfield, and Woolen may be the player that helps them do that. He plays with an edge, sometimes to a fault, but his size and athleticism are what you look for in a cornerback.
No. 15 | WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best Fit: Tennessee Titans
I find it hard to believe Evans will leave Tampa, but if he does, Tennessee would make a lot of sense. Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike are building blocks, but neither are No. 1 weapons. Evans may not be either at this point, but he’d give Cam Ward a veteran option in the short-term.
No. 16 | CB Jaylen Watson, Kansas City Chiefs
Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders
No. 17 | QB Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
Best Fit: Miami Dolphins
No. 18 | RB Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
Best Fit: Minnesota Vikings
No. 19 | LB Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars
Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders
No. 20 | TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Best Fit: New England Patriots
No. 21 | WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Best Fit: Denver Broncos
No. 22 | ED Khalil Mack, L.A. Chargers
Best Fit: L.A. Chargers
No. 23 | TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Best Fit: Tennessee Titans (Reports on 2/23 that he’s expected to be tagged)
No. 24 | RB Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Best Fit: Arizona Cardinals
No. 25 | SAF Bryan Cook, Kansas City Chiefs
Best Fit: Minnesota Vikings