Top 2026 NFL free agents: Best players available in free agency next year
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NFL free agency in 2025 has been a thrilling week of trades, big contracts and major moves across the league. Multiple franchises spent hundreds of millions of dollars in deals to upgrade their rosters on the open market.
Extensions for pending free agents like offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley took some big names off the market, as did the franchise tag. But that didn't stop teams from paying up to get more talented players in their buildings.
If your team missed out on some of the big names for one reason or another, don't worry. Plenty of big names will enter free agency next offseason who may be a better fit.
Of the names hitting free agency in 2026, 10 stand out as the top choices in the class. It's important to note that this does not include first-round picks from the 2022 NFL draft who will very likely stay with their teams in 2026 via the fifth-year option. For example, it'd be a shock if the Detroit Lions didn't pick up Aidan Hutchinson's fifth-year option. Same goes for the Baltimore Ravens and Kyle Hamilton as well as the Houston Texans with Derek Stingley Jr.
With that out of the way, here are the top 10 names hitting free agency in 2026:
Top 2026 NFL free agents
1. OLB T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt is entering his age-31 season in 2025 but there's been little drop-off in production since he won Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. Watt led the NFL in sacks in 2023 with 19 and recorded 11.5 in 2024 en route to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro nod.
Watt's been a fixture for the Steelers' defense for years. Even if he starts to fall off a bit, he'll command big money on a short-term deal for teams across the league.
2. WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins was franchise tagged once again this offseason so we're playing this scenario out that he would hit free agency after two consecutive tag years. Teammate Ja'Marr Chase gets the headlines as one of the best wideouts in the league but Higgins' skillset as a big-bodied ball winner with ample production would be welcome on most all teams. He'll turn 27 by next offseason with plenty of production left in the tank.
3. Edge Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans
Hunter was Houston's big free agent signing last offseason as the team spent aggressively to maximize quarterback C.J. Stroud's rookie contract. Hunter had a solid season by his standards with 12 sacks and a career-high 90 pressures per NFL Pro data.
Hunter's a year younger than Watt and has made the Pro Bowl each of the last three seasons. He hasn't missed a game since 2021 and should continue to put up good numbers in Houston this coming year. He'll be in demand on the free agent market once again.
4. TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
McBride is one of many players taken after the first round in the 2022 NFL draft who is slated to hit free agency. The Colorado State product made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 after recording career-highs in receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,146). With a relatively young roster around quarterback Kyler Murray, the Cardinals will likely look to sign McBride long-term before the start of the 2025 season. If he hits the free agent market, he'd be the top tight end in the class.
5. G Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Like Cincinnati with Higgins, Kansas City tagged Smith this offseason to prevent him from hitting the open market. If the two sides cannot agree on a long-term deal, Smith will hit free agency next offseason.
The former sixth-round pick has been a steal for Kansas City with just one game missed over his first four seasons. He made the Pro Bowl in 2024 and was set to re-set the guard market in 2025. He could do so again next year if he hits the open market.
6. OT Kaleb McGary, Atlanta Falcons
McGary's been a reliable, productive right tackle for Atlanta since 2019. He's missed just five games in the last four years. He did allow six sacks in 2024, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), but was one of the better run-blocking tackles in the league last season. Atlanta will likely want to sign him for another long-term deal which may be easier with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. still on his rookie contract.
7. OL Luke Goedeke, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Goedeke moved from guard to tackle in 2023 and played well enough to stay there in 2024. PFF ranked him 30th out of 141 qualifying tackles in 2024 who, like McGary, excels in run blocking more than pass blocking. His versatility at either guard or tackle will make him a hot commodity for teams looking for offensive line help in 2026.
8. S Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions
Like McBride, Joseph was a Day 2 pick in the 2022 NFL draft and is not eligible for a fifth-year option. Joseph's production in college was impressive and that's carried over to the NFL. He led the league in interceptions last year with nine, including one pick-six, along with 12 passes defensed. He's been a compliment to star Brian Branch in the secondary. But Detroit may run out of space to pay for all of their young stars after already handing out extensions to the likes of Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell.
9. WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens' days in Pittsburgh may be limited after the Steelers traded for D.K. Metcalf. The two players have similar skill sets, and Pittsburgh committed to Metcalf with a long-term deal. Pickens can stretch the field and make plays after the catch but non-football concerns have been an issue with him.
10. OT Kolton Miller, Las Vegas Raiders
Miller's been a mainstay at left tackle for Las Vegas for the last seven years after being picked at No. 15 overall in the 2018 NFL draft. PFF ranked Miller 14th among qualifying tackles in 2024 and as one of the top pass-blocking tackles in the league. Like Hunter, he'll be entering his age-31 season in 2026 but offensive tackles can play well into their 30s. Miller should be an attractive option on the market if Las Vegas doesn't extend him.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top 2026 NFL free agents: Best players available next year
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