2026 NFL free agency: Projecting one signing for every team

We're still a few days away from NFL free agency, but teams are already thinking about which new players they want to add to their rosters. The franchise tag deadline comes Tuesday, March 3, and free agency begins March 11, although the negotiation window opens two days earlier. Not every team will make a lot of moves, but every rosterusually picks up at least one important veteran. Who represents the best match for each of the 32 teams?

Below, I've suggested one free agent signing for each team. I set myself a couple of rules for this exercise: only one free agent for each team, and only one team for each free agent. I also didn't assign any player to return to his current team, even on the franchise tag. For example, I didn't include quarterback Daniel Jones (expected to be re-signed by the Colts).

At the end, I've also included a list of additional free agents, as certainly some of these teams will sign multiple big-name free agents. Let's get started with the Bills.

Jump 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

Top remaining free agents

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

WR Mike Evans (TB)

Buffalo needs a No. 1 option for quarterbackJosh Allen, and Evans is still a talented "X" receiver. He has the size -- standing at 6-foot-5, 231 pounds -- and ball skills to win contested catches. Allen could also trust Evans on third down; in 2024, he had a team-high 220 yards on third down for the Bucs.

There are doubts about Evans, however, since he will be turning 33 in August and missed 10 games in 2025 due toa broken collarbone and a hamstring injury. But he is only one year removed from a 1,000-yard season with 11 touchdowns.

Miami Dolphins

TE Isaiah Likely (BAL)

The Dolphins' top three tight ends from last season are all free agents (Greg Dulcich, Darren Waller and Julian Hill), and they could use an upgrade at the position anyway. Waller had six touchdowns in his return from retirement, but he played only nine games due tohip andpectoral injuries.

Enter Likely, who is ready to start as a No. 1 tight end after spending a few years as TE2 behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore. Last season was a bit of an off year for Likely, who had only one touchdown and dropped to 19th among tight ends in the ESPN receiver scores. But he ranked sixth in 2023 and third in 2024, with 400 yards in each of those seasons. He should be able to shine in a Miami offense that doesn't need to feed a lot of other receivers after it releasedTyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

New England Patriots

EdgeJaelan Phillips(PHI)

The Patriots' two biggest needs this offseason are edge rusher and offensive line. On the O-line, they will likely depend on the development of young players likeWill Campbell and Jared Wilson. But the edge is a good place to bring in a veteran.

Phillips had two sacks and 27 pressures after he was traded to the Eaglesfrom Miami at midseason. His 12.4% pass rush win rate ranked 24th among qualifying edge rushers. Phillips could replace free agent K'Lavon Chaissonand/or make a good partner forHarold Landry III.

New York Jets

QB Malik Willis (GB)

Yes, it was a small sample with just one startand four total games played, but Willis had a phenomenal 93.1 QBR for the Packers in 2025. And he had an impressive 77.3 QBR in two starts the season before.

Willis is going to sign somewhere to start, and the Jets need a new quarterback. Justin Fields didn't work out, andFernando Mendozaseems to be the only QB prospect worthy of the first-round pick in April. It's unlikely Mendoza will fall past Las Vegas atNo. 1.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

C Connor McGovern (BUF)

The Ravens are going to need a replacement at center if Tyler Linderbaumleaves town. Why not the underrated 28-year-old McGovern, who quietly had one of the top seasons for a center in 2025? His 97.2% pass block win rate last season matched Linderbaum for second place behind Kansas City'sCreed Humphrey. And McGovern's 72.6% run block win rate ranked third among all centers.

Cincinnati Bengals

EdgeOdafe Oweh (LAC)

With Trey Hendrickson probably on his way out of Cincinnati, the Bengals need an edge rusher. And with the seventh-most cap space this offseason (per Roster Management System), they're in position to rain money down on a player still in his prime.

Oweh finally broke out after the Ravens traded him to the Chargers last season, with 7.5 sacks in the final 12 games and two forced fumbles in Los Angeles' playoff loss to the Patriots. The only question with the 27-year-old is whether he'll be comfortable playing with his hand in the dirt in Cincinnati after a few years as an outside linebacker in 3-4 schemes.

Cleveland Browns

WR Rashid Shaheed (SEA)

There's more to the return game than just having a fast return man. The blocking matters. Still, the addition of Shaheed would be a big step forward for a Browns special teams unit that I had ranked 32nd on punt return value and 28th on kick return value through my special teams DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) in 2025.

Shaheed would also be a strong downfield receiver for a unit that desperately needs improvement. Last season, starting for the Saints and then the reigning Super Bowl champions, he had seven games (including playoffs) with at least 50 receiving yards. No Browns receiver eclipsed Shaheed's 687 receiving yards in 2025.

Pittsburgh Steelers

S Jaquan Brisker (CHI)

Last season's safeties in Pittsburgh are free agents with the exception of DeShon Elliott and, if you want to consider him a safety, Jalen Ramsey. That's why the Steelers need to attack this packed safety free agent class.

Brisker can play deep or in the box, and he's a hard-hitting safety who will fit the Steelers' defensive personality. He missed 12 games in the 2024 season due to a concussion, but he hadat least 90 combined tackles in each of his three healthy NFL seasons. Over his career, Brisker has recorded seven sacks, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

CTyler Linderbaum(BAL)

Incumbent Jake Andrews ranked last among qualifying centers with a 92.4% pass block win rate, so this is a position where the Texans need to take a big swing. Bringing over Linderbaum, who ranked second at center with a 97.2% pass block win rate, would really help solidify the offense and keep Houston as a Super Bowl contender in 2026.

Indianapolis Colts

EdgeBradley Chubb (MIA)

The Colts ranked just 30th in pass rush win rate (29.1%) last season, and three of their top four pass rushers are hitting free agency. So, this is a good time to bring in a veteran. The Dolphins cut Chubb to clear money off their salary cap, but he is still just 30 years old. He had 8.5 sacks last season with 36 pressures.

Jacksonville Jaguars

CB Riq Woolen (SEA)

Wide receiver/cornerbackTravis Hunteris expected to be back at the start of 2026, but the Jaguars still need another CB starter on the outside if Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome II leave in free agency.

Woolen has stirred some controversy in Seattle and was benched briefly a couple of times last season due to mistakes. But he still ranked 12th in the league in my coverage DVOA metric. He's also a larger (6-4, 210 pounds), more physical corner who could cover receivers who might be too big for the slight-framed Hunter.

Tennessee Titans

EdgeK'Lavon Chaisson(NE)

Tennessee would have been the perfect landing spot forGeorge Pickens, as it desperately needs a No. 1 option for quarterbackCam Ward. But since Pickens is expected to befranchise-tagged by the Cowboys, let's further strengthen the Titans' pass rush with Chaisson.

Tennessee was ranked a surprising 15th in pass rush win rate (37.3%) last season, but Arden Key and Jihad Ward are both free agents. Chaisson blossomed over the past two seasons with the Raiders and then the Patriots. In 2025, he had 7.5 sacks, 32 pressures and an above-average pass rush win rate of 12.9%. The Titans could put him on the strong side across from Oluwafemi Oladejo.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

TE Cade Otton (TB)

Tight end is a clear need for the Broncos, so why not sign a bigger name such asDavid Njoku? Because the Broncos already have a receiving-first tight end in Evan Engram, and they need a No. 1 tight end who is also a strong run blocker. That's Otton. He's also useful as a receiver when needed, with 1,172 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Kansas City Chiefs

RBKenneth Walker III(SEA)

The Chiefs need not just a running back but a running back who can also serve as a receiving outlet for Patrick Mahomes. Walker had more than 1,000 rushing yards last season and added 31 catches for 282 yards -- an impressive 9.1 yards per reception average.

His ability to generate explosive plays could be a valuable part of lifting the Chiefs' offense back to the top of the league.

Las Vegas Raiders

LB Quay Walker (GB)

The Raiders could use playmakers all across their defense, and both of last season's starting linebackers are free agents. Walker had 128 combined tackles with the Packers last season and has sideline-to-sideline speed to track down running backs. He can be used as a blitzer as well. The Raiders would just need to make sure their other linebacker is strong in coverage, as that's a weakness for Walker.

Los Angeles Chargers

G Isaac Seumalo (PIT)

The Chargers will get tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Altback next season, but they still need big help on the interior offensive line. Left guard Zion Johnson, now a free agent, was near the bottom of the league in pass block win rate (87.4%) last season. Center Bradley Bozeman also announced his retirementFeb. 23.

On the other hand, the veteran Seumalo was second among 65 qualifying guards with a 97.3% pass rush win rate and fourth with a 76.9% run block win rate. This would be a huge step toward making Los Angeles a serious Super Bowl contender.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

LB Devin Lloyd (JAX)

The Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in NFL history in 2025, according to my DVOA metric, and they are in desperate need of playmakers. So why not bring in Lloyd? He is a solid starting linebacker who had five interceptions and 1.5 sacks last season.

New York Giants

CB Eric Stokes (LV)

Cornerbacks are a tough choice in free agency because they are so inconsistent from season to season. Stokes was one of the worst cornerbacks in the league in 2024, but he transformed into one of the league's best in 2025 with 53 total tackles and five passes defensed.

It's safe to say that we don't know what version of Stokes we'll see in 2026. But this is a clear position of need for the Giants, who ranked 17th in yards allowed per completion last season (10.9). They can take a chance that Stokes is closer to his 2025 play.

Philadelphia Eagles

EdgeBoye Mafe (SEA)

The Eagles could use more help on the edge to rotate withNolan Smith Jr.and Jalyx Hunt, and Mafe had an outstanding season for the Super Bowl champions in 2025.

Although Mafe had only two sacks, he added 33 pressures. His 18.7% pass rush win rate was eighth among edge rushers and his 11.4% pressure rate was 17th. Mafe is quick and still in his prime, turning 28 in late November.

Washington Commanders

EdgeTrey Hendrickson(CIN)

For the No. 1 free agent, we're looking for three things. First, a team with a gaping hole at the edge rusher position. Second, a team with a lot of cap space. Third, a legitimate playoff contender.

The Commanders definitely hit that first qualifier, as three of their top four edges are free agents. They also hit the second qualifier with the sixth-most cap space, per Roster Management System. And you might not think of them as legitimate playoff contenders, but they are only one season removed from appearing in the NFC Championship Game.

I think coach Dan Quinn will need to try his hardest to convince Hendrickson to come in and help improve the struggling Washington pass rush.

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

SKam Curl(LAR)

BothJaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard IIIare free agents, so even if one of them returns, the Bears will need help at the safety position. Curl can play either deep or in the box, depending on what Chicago needs and which of their veterans is re-signed in free agency.

Curl recorded two interceptions and five passes defensed in 2025, and he was tied for fifth with 79 solo tackles.

Detroit Lions

EdgeKhalil Mack (LAC)

The Lions' top need is finding pass-rush help for Aidan Hutchinson. So why not aim for an established veteran at that position? Despite sitting out five games in 2025 because of an elbow injury,Mack still finished with 5.5 sacks and 28 pressures.

Detroit isn't swimming in cap space, but it should be able to convince Mack to take a pay cut so he canchase a Super Bowl ring. Mack's former Chargers teammateJoey Bosa would also fit the bill if he doesn't return to Buffalo.

Green Bay Packers

LBNakobe Dean(PHI)

The Packers are probably going to let linebacker Quay Walker leave after they declined his fifth-year option, which means they need an option to play next to Edgerrin Cooper. Dean is still only 25 years old and arguably stronger than Walker in pass coverage. Dean had four sacks, two forced fumbles and 55 total tackles last season.

Minnesota Vikings

S Bryan Cook (KC)

Cook, a rangy safety, would be perfect playing deep in coordinator Brian Flores' zone schemes. Cook had a career-high 85 tackles in 2025 and is still only 27 years old. The Vikings were 30th in DVOA against deep passes (16 or more air yards), while the Chiefs were 15th. Cook would provide an immediate improvement in that area for Minnesota.

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

DLJohn Franklin-Myers (DEN)

The Falcons are one of the teams that will need a 5-technique defensive end, with both David Onyemata and Kentavius Street hitting free agency. Franklin-Myers had a pass rush win rate of 10.1% last season, which ranked him eighth among interior defensive linemen. He also had 7.5 sacks and was strong against the run; his average run tackle came after a gain of just 1.6 yards.

Carolina Panthers

LB Kaden Elliss (ATL)

The Panthers could use another inside linebacker to play next to Trevin Wallace, and Elliss had over 100 tackles in each of the past three seasons. He also might be the best blitzing inside linebacker in the league right now, which would give defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero a very interesting option to juice up their pass rush.

As an added bonus, signing Elliss would take away from a division rival. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said that replacing Elliss would "take more than one human being."

New Orleans Saints

WR Alec Pierce (IND)

The Saints ranked 31st in pass plays that gained at least 20 yards last season (5.6%). So let's give second-year quarterbackTyler Shough a great deep threat who would help their offense stretch the field.

Pierce had his first 1,000-yard season on only 47 catches, averaging 21.3 yards per reception. The season before, it was 22.3 yards per reception. That deep efficiency helped him rank fourth among all wide receivers in my DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) metric in 2025.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LB Alex Anzalone (DET)

The time might have finally come for 36-year-oldLavonte David to leave the Buccaneers, which opens a spot for a veteran in the middle of Tampa Bay's defense. Anzalone is strong against the run and had 2.5 sacks and eight passes defensed for Detroit last season.

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

OT Braden Smith (IND)

Here's the team with the biggest need for a right tackle, as both Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum were low in pass block win rate last season and are going to be free agents. Smith has been steady for the Colts, ranking 34th out of 68 qualifying players in pass block win rate last season (90.6%).

Los Angeles Rams

CB Jaylen Watson (KC)

The Rams are going to have some changes in the secondary next season. CornerbacksCobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon are free agents, as is nickelback Roger McCreary, who barely played after he was picked up from Tennessee at midseason. Darious Williams is still on the roster but could use a change of scenery.

Watson is a talented corner with the size (6-2, 197 pounds) to press and the awareness to play zone coverage. He had a phenomenal coverage DVOA in six games in 2024, then was above average (40th out of 98 qualifying) in a full season in 2025.

San Francisco 49ers

G Joel Bitonio (CLE)

Would the 49ers be willing to put 34-year-old Bitonio next to 37-year-old Trent Williams(assuming the Niners and Williams can work out his contract situation) on the left side of their offensive line? There is an opening here, and a chance for Bitonio to finally go after a Super Bowl ring with a real contender.

He ranked third among all guards with a 96.4% pass block win rate last season, and his run block win rate of 72.3% was above average. Alijah Vera-Tucker would also be an interesting signing for the 49ers if they wanted to go younger at left guard instead.

Seattle Seahawks

WR Jauan Jennings (SF)

This signing would achieve a couple of goals for the Seahawks. It would give them a receiver to replaceRashid Shaheedif he leaves in free agency. Furthermore, Jennings is a strong run blocker and the Seahawks still want to be a run-first offense.

New offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is familiar with Jennings from his time in San Francisco, and adding Jennings would bring the benefit of taking away from an important division rival. Jennings had nine touchdowns last season but was even better in 2024, when he ranked 12th in ESPN's receiver scores.

Top remaining free agents not assigned to a team:

• RB Travis Etienne Jr. (JAX)


• WR Tyreek Hill(MIA)


• TE David Njoku (CLE)


• OT Rasheed Walker (GB)


• G David Edwards (BUF)


• G Alijah Vera-Tucker (NYJ)


• EdgeJoey Bosa (BUF)


• CB Jamel Dean (TB)


• CB Alontae Taylor (NO)


• S Kevin Byard III (CHI)

]