You can follow the latest news from the USA TODAY free agency here.
The NFL Free Agency in 2025 was an exciting week of trades, major contracts and major movements across the League. Several franchises have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions to improve their lists on the free market.
Extensions for Free -waiting agents like the Ronnie Stanley offensive tackle I have removed big names on the market, just like the franchise label. But that did not prevent the teams from paying to get more talented players in their buildings.
If your team has missed some of the big names for one reason or another, don’t worry. Many big names will enter the free agency of the offseason which could be better suited.
Among the names that strike the free agency in 2026, 10 are distinguished as the best choices in the class. It is important to note that this does not include the choices in the first round of the NFL 2022 draft which will most likely remain with their teams in 2026 via the fifth year. For example, it would be a shock if the Detroit lions did not picked up Aidan HutchinsonFifth year option. The same goes for the Baltimore Ravens And Kyle Hamilton as well as the Houston Texans with Derek Stingley Jr.
2025 NFL Winners fresh agencies, losers: Who obtained the greatest boost of the last contracts, transactions?
The future of Philadelphia: How can Eagles replace Milton Williams, Josh Sweat? Classification of NFL Draft options
With this away, here are the 10 best names that hit the free agency in 2026:
TOP 2026 Free NFL agents
1. OLB Tj watt,, Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt began his 31-year season in 2025, but there has been little drop in production since he won the defensive player of the year in 2021. Watt led the NFL in bags in 2023 with 19 and recorded 11.5 in 2024 in 2024 on his way to his seventh consecutive pro bowl and a nod of the second All-Pro team.
Watt has been an element in the defense of the Steelers for years. Even if he starts to fall a little, he will order a lot of money on a short -term agreement for the League teams.
2. Wr Tee HigginsBengals of Cincinnati
Higgins was again frankly, this offseason, we play this scenario that he was going to hit the free agency after two years of consecutive beacons. The teammate Ja’mar Chase makes the headlines as one of the best in the league, but Higgins’ skills as a ball winner with amply production would be welcome for most teams. He will be 27 years old by the next offseason with a lot of production in the tank.
3. Edge Danielle Hunter,, Houston Texans
Hunter was the great signature of Houston’s free agent in the last season while the team has passed aggressively to maximize the recruit contract of the quarter-Arrière CJ Stroud. Hunter has experienced a solid season according to his standards with 12 bags and a career summit of 90 pressure per NFL Pro Data.
Hunter is a year less than Watt and has made pro Bowl each of the last three seasons. He has not missed a match since 2021 and should continue to set up good figures in Houston this year to come. He will again be in demand on the market for free agents.
4. Trey McBride,, Arizona cardinals
McBride is one of the many players taken after the first round of the NFL 2022 draft which should strike the free agency. The Colorado State product manufactured its first pro Bowl in 2024 after having recorded careers in receptions (111) and received from yards (1,146). With a relatively young list around the quarter-Arrière Kyler Murray, the cardinals will probably seek to sign McBride in the long term before the start of the 2025 season. If it strikes the market for free agents, it would be the tightest in the class.
5. G Trey Smith,, Chiefs of Kansas City
Like Cincinnati with Higgins, Kansas City marked Smith this off -season to prevent it from hitting the free market. If the two parties cannot agree on a long -term agreement, Smith will reach an upcoming free agency at the offseason.
The old sixth round choice was a flight to Kansas City with a single missed match during its first four seasons. He did the pro Bowl in 2024 and was to reset the guard market in 2025. He could do so again next year if he arrived on the free market.
6. OT Kaleb McGary,, Falcons of Atlanta
McGary is a reliable and productive right tackle for Atlanta since 2019. He has only missed five games in the past four years. He authorized six bags in 2024, by Pro Football Focus (PFF), but was one of the best blocking in the League last season. Atlanta will probably want to sign it for another long-term agreement, which can be easier with the quarter-back Michael Penix Jr. still on his recruit contract.
7. OL Luke Gedeke,, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Goedeke moved on duty to tackle in 2023 and played well enough to stay there in 2024. PFF ranked 30th out of 141 qualification in 2024 which, like McGary, excels in blocking the race more than blocking passes. His versatility in care or tackle will make him a hot product for teams looking for offensive help in 2026.
8. S Kerby JosephDetroit Lions
Like McBride, Joseph was a choice of day 2 in the draft of the NFL 2022 and is not eligible for a fifth year option. Joseph’s production at university was impressive and this is transported to the NFL. He directed the League in the interceptions last year with nine, including a pic-six, as well as 12 defensive passes. He was a compliment to Brian Branch’s star in the secondary. But Detroit could lack space to pay all their young stars after having already distributed extensions to Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell.
9. Wr George PickensPittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh’s days can be limited after the Steelers exchanged against DK Metcalf. The two players have similar skills and Pittsburgh is committed to Metcalf with a long -term agreement. Pickens can stretch the field and play games after capture, but non -football concerns were a problem with him.
10. OT Kolton Miller,, Las Vegas raiders
Miller was a pillar in the left tackle for Las Vegas for seven years after being chosen at n ° 15 in total at the NFL 2018 NFL. Pff ranked Miller 14th among qualification plates In 2024 and as one of the best plasters to block the league passes. Like Hunter, he will participate in his 31 -year season in 2026, but offensive plated can play well in the thirties. Miller should be an attractive option on the market if Las Vegas does not extend it.
This article originally appeared on USA Today: Top 2026 free NFL agents: best players available next year
