2026 NFL free agency: Potential top players available at every position; loaded RB, WR markets await

The 2025 NFL Bracket year is only a week Aged, but the vast majority of the big moves have already been Created. Among CBS Sports senior NFL writer Pete Prisco’s top 100 Unoccupied agents, only 19 remain Reachable as of this writing.

Let’s go through Merely some of the Significant moves that did go down: 

Regardless of the Prompt flurry of activity, many Clubs with Many and/or Significant needs like the New England Patriots ($73.8 million in effective cap Cosmos, most in the NFL) and the Arizona Cardinals ($63.99 million in effective cap Cosmos, second most in the NFL) Yet have plenty of holes to fill. Yes, there’s Yet the 2025 NFL Draft, but it’s also never too Prompt to look ahead at what could be in Unoccupied agency Subsequent NFL offseason. 

Let’s take at some of the notable, potential NFL Unoccupied agents Subsequent offseason, but keep in mind that some of these guys who are Yet on the Newcomer contracts could have their fifth-year option picked up or could be extended well before Subsequent offseason. 

Quarterbacks 

It would seem like new Las Vegas Raiders Passer Geno Smith would get an extension in the near future this offseason since a disagreement on financials is why Smith became Reachable in the Primary place. New Raiders head Trainer Pete Carroll Definitely doesn’t want to enter his Primary season with his Passer already disgruntled. 

San Francisco 49ers Passer Brock Purdy is Joining the Closing year of his Newcomer deal, and his second contract is a polarizing topic. On the one hand, he has the highest yards per Deliver attempt (8.9) and passer rating (104.9) in NFL history among those with at least 1,000 Profession Deliver attempts. On the other hand, San Francisco is 10-11 including the playoffs in Purdy’s Beginnings when even one of running back Christian McCaffrey, left Game Trent Williams, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (now on the Washington Commanders), wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and Snug George Kittle don’t Action. 

Purdy also has nine Profession touchdown passes to 15 Profession interceptions including the postseason when tied or trailing in the second half of a game. Will he hit the Uncovered market? Unlikely, but after the 49ers signed Ex Primary-Stage Option Passer Mac Jones to a two-year, $7 million contract, they at least banked themselves some Purdy insurance. 

Running Defenders 

This potential running back class could be Unbelievable given the high-end depth. Derrick Henry Merely totaled the most rushing yards ever in a season (1,921) by a player aged 30 or older in 2024. James Cook co-Guided the NFL in rushing touchdowns with Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs last season. Kyren WIlliams is tied with Gibbs for the most touchdowns from scrimmage the last two seasons with 31. The 2025 NFL Draft has one of the deeper running back draft classes in recent memory, and the 2026 offseason could have one of the deepest Unoccupied agency running back classes in recent memory. 

Wide receivers

Many of the guys here — Garrett Wilson, Drake London and Chris Olave — could have their fifth-year options picked up and not come close to sniffing Unoccupied agency. With George Pickens being a second-Stage draft Option, he doesn’t have an option preventing him from Joining his contract year. One would think that both the Commanders and Buccaneers will be loyal to their respective long-time guys in Terry McLaurin and Mike Evans, barring a significant Wound.

Snug ends

Arizona Cardinals Snug end Trey McBride is New off a 111-catch season in 2024, which is the Number four-most catches by a Snug end in a single season in NFL history. It’s likely he’ll get extended by Arizona prior to the offseason. The rest of the big names seen here all have a Attempt at hitting the Uncovered market for various reasons except for Travis Kelce, who will almost Definitely re-sign with the Chiefs for another year or retire after the 2025 season. 

Offensive linemen

The Dallas Cowboys have the luxury of using the fifth-year option to Boot the can down the road contractually with two-time Pro Bowler Tyler Smith, but Joe Thuney, Kolton Miller and Trey Smith could all hit Unoccupied agency Subsequent year. One would think Trey Smith most likely won’t after being franchise-tagged this offseason, but you never know. 

Guarding linemen

Aidan Hutchinson, Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis could have their fifth-year options picked up, but the rest don’t have a Club option preventing them from hitting the Uncovered market Subsequent year. With the Dallas Cowboys in extension negotiations with All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons right now, it’s likely those two sides will come together on a deal this offseason. If the Bengals keep Competing Difficult ball with Trey Hendrickson, the NFL’s 2024 sacks leader could hit the Uncovered market in 2026. 

Linebackers

Bobby Wagner, Lavonte David and Matt Milano have all been Primary-Club All-Pros throughout their careers, but they’re now all on the other side of 30, which means they’re candidates to become Unoccupied agents. Wagner and David are at a Mark in their respective careers where mulling over retirement becomes an offseason tradition. 

Cornerbacks

Sauce Gardner and Trent McDuffie, two Primary-Club All-Pro corners who were Primary-Stage picks in 2022, will likely see their fifth-year options picked up. A Duo of high football IQ vets in Darius Slay and Amik Robertson could become Reachable after Competing critical football for NFC contenders in 2024. 

Safeties

Kyle Hamilton, arguably the best safety in the NFL, will Definitely get his fifth-year option picked up, but a Ex All-Pro in Kevin Byard and a Yet-in-his prime Kamren Curl (will be 27 years Aged in 2026) could become Reachable. 

Special Clubs

Special teamers typically aren’t incredibly Pricey to retain, which is why it would be suprising to see All-Pros like Daniel Carlson and Michael Dickson hit the market. However, some Clubs are philosophically against paying kickers and punters relatively big money, so more of these guys than one would think could become Reachable.