With NFL Free Agency set to begin Wednesday at 4pm ET, there are several talented players ready to test the open market. This list highlights ten of the best free agents available based on production, upside, and potential impact. Players who received franchise tags, such as George Pickens, were not included in these rankings.
10. Devin Lloyd, LB
Devin Lloyd intercepts Patrick Mahomes and returns it for a touchdown. Screenshot from game broadcast.
Fresh off second-team All-Pro honors, Devin Lloyd delivered a career year just in time for his next payday. A first round pick in 2022, Lloyd seemed to finally put it all together in 2025. He is great in coverage and has solid ball skills, as shown by his five interception season. PFF actually had Lloyd ranked inside the top 10 at his respective position in run-defense, coverage and pass-rush grades. Still just 27 years old, a complete linebacker like Devin Lloyd should be a valuable piece for any defense looking to get faster and more dynamic.
UPDATE: Devin Lloyd has agreed to a three-year $45 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
9. Rasheed Walker, OT
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
Rasheed Walker may not be the biggest name in free agency, but given his premium position he should see a lot of interest. Walker had a 93.8% pass block win rate in 2025, which ranked 11th out of 68 qualified offensive tackles. Walker had a lot of challengers come along in Green Bay during his tenure, but the former seventh-round pick always maintained his spot on the Packers offensive line. He started 48 games at LT the last three seasons for the Packers, and is the best tackle available in this free-agent class.
8. Odafe Oweh, Edge
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
Odafe Oweh entered the 2025 season playing for the team that drafted him in round one in 2021, the Baltimore Ravens. Playing on his fifth-year option, Oweh did not register a sack through the first five games on Baltimore. Before week 6, the Los Angeles Chargers traded for Oweh. I’m not sure if it was the trade itself, but something woke this guy up just in time. He had a sack in his debut for the Chargers, and finished the season with 7.5 total. But he wasn’t done there, as he added three sacks in the Chargers’ playoff loss to the Patriots. Oweh was ranked 11th in PFF pass-rush win rate after he arrived in Los Angeles. He displayed his explosiveness as a pass rusher just in time before he was set to hit free agency.
UPDATE: Odafe Oweh has agreed to a four-year $100 million deal with the Washington Commanders. It includes $68 million guaranteed.
7. Mike Evans, WR
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
Mike Evans will turn 33 right before the 2026 season starts, and it’s fair to ask if his best days are behind him. 2025 was the first season he failed to reach 1,000 yards in his career, but he only played 8 games. I’m of the belief Mike Evans still has something to offer. You may lose speed and agility as you get older, but you don’t lose being 6-foot-5. Evans is a big body outside receiver who can physically beat press coverage and win a whole lot of jump balls. He’s tough to handle even for bigger corners. And I think he’s still a strong short-term option for a team needing a WR. I actually thought Buffalo may have been a good spot before the Moore trade happened.
UPDATE: Mike Evans has agreed to a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers that is worth up to $60.4 million.
6. Kyler Murray, QB
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
The Cardinals plan to release Kyler Murray at the start of the new league year (March 11). Murray has been very inconsistent since being the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. However, the talent is still obvious. And he plays the most important position in football. He suffered a foot injury in 2025 and was eventually replaced by Jacob Brissett. I’m sure his size is a concern for a lot of teams, but the incredible traits still make him worth a shot if you’re a QB needy team entering 2026. We’ve seen guys like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold turn their careers around, and I wouldn’t be giving up on Kyler Murray just yet either. Another bonus is Murray will very likely play for a minimum contract. Any salary he makes from his next team would offset the $36.8 million the Cardinals still owe him, so it is expected he takes a minimum contract. Having said all of this about my belief in Kyler Murray, please just note one thing. If he signs with the Jets, disregard everything you read and assume his career is over.
5. John Franklin-Myers, DL
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
Some may think this is way too high for Franklin-Myers, but I love his versatility. Franklin-Myers would rotate between the interior and the edge, and finished the season with 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures. This is the type of versatility that a coach loves, since it gives them options with the defensive line. Franklin-Myers was actually cut by the Rams after his rookie season, but is now heading for his third veteran contract. Defensive tackles are a premier position as well. So why not have one who can also play some edge when needed. He will turn 30 in September, but he’s still got plenty to offer.
UPDATE: John Franklin-Myers has agreed to a three-year $63 million deal with the Tennessee Titans. It includes $42 million guaranteed.
4. Alec Pierce, WR
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
Pierce averaged a ridiculous 21.3 yards per catch in 2025, which was the highest in the league. He is a 6-foot-3 vertical stretch target who turns just 26 in May. Pierce also topped 1,000 receiving yards and added six touchdowns. He played in 15 games, and finished with more yards than Michael Pittman Jr. who played in all 17. Pierce actually had 219 more yards than Pittman Jr. in those two less games, and did it with 33 less catches too. Highlighting what a rare vertical threat he really is. With a potentially increased role, maybe he improves even more as a multilevel threat.
UPDATE: Alec Pierce is returning to the Colts on a four-year, $116 million deal. Michael Pittman Jr. was also traded to the Steelers.
3. Jaelan Phillips, Edge
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
Jaelan Phillips was traded to the Eagles in November during the 2025 season. Phillips was a former first-round pick for Miami, but dealt with devastating injuries. In 2023 he tore his Achilles, and then partially tore his ACL in 2024. He was able to bounce back and play all 17 games last season for the first time since 2022. A great sight to see, and an easy guy to root for after fighting through his significant injuries in back to back seasons. When healthy, Phillips is a great edge rusher. He has 28 career sacks and 150 pressures in 63 games. Including 8.5 sacks his rookie season. If this guy can finally stay healthy, look for him to get even better.
UPDATE: Jaelan Phillips has agreed to a four-year $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. It includes $80 million in guarantees.
2. Tyler Linderbaum, C
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
Tyler Linderbaum is easily a top-10 center in this league. In fact, PFF had him as the fifth-highest graded center in the NFL for 2025. And his PFF grade has improved in every season since entering the league. He had a pass block win rate of 97.2% which was tied for second among 31 qualified centers. Yet it is run blocking where he is considered elite. He will be turning only 26 years old next month. It is extremely rare for someone this young and this good to enter free agency in the NFL. Expect Linderbaum to become the new highest paid center in the league.
UPDATE: Tyler Linderbaum has agreed to a three-year $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. It includes $60 million guaranteed.
1. Trey Hendrickson, Edge
Image: Screenshot from game broadcast
2025 was an injury plagued season for Hendrickson where he only played in 7 games. But he’s only one season removed from finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. In that 2024 season where he finished second in voting, he had 17.5 sacks and 65 pressures. Both were league highs in 2024. He had 17.5 sacks in 2023 as well. And if not for injuries, I would have expected another strong 2025 season out of him. Not only is this guy a relentless pass rusher, he also has to be pissed. He watched the Bengals sign Burrow, Chase, and Higgins while never making him a priority. The Bengals literally took care of their WR2 before their star pass rusher. In a league where pass rushers such as Hendrickson are so coveted, I never understood that decision. I like Higgins a lot, but with Burrow and Chase already signed my personal focus would have been on locking up Trey Hendrickson first. Who quite frankly deserved it. So not only are you getting an elite edge rusher, this guy would probably love nothing more than to show the Bengals what they let walk out the door.
UPDATE: Trey Hendrickson agreed to a four-year, $112 deal that could be worth up to $120 million with incentives.
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