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The NFL has its own mad mid-March in the form of 2026 unrestricted free agency. Although the new league year doesn't start until next Wednesday at 4 p.m., most of the top free agents will have new contracts in place not long after the legal tampering period starts at noon on Monday. Once again, like in 2025, there was limited usage of the franchise or transition tag for teams to keep players off the open market. Only three marquee offensive skill players running back Breece Hall, wide receiver George Pickens and tight end Kyle Pitts were franchise-tagged. Meanwhile, the used the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones as their placeholder for agreeing on a long-term extension. That leaves a lot of talented offensive and defensive players free to choose new teams or agree to re-sign in free agency. Taking Hall, Pickens, Pitts and Jones out of the equation, here's predicting the landing spots for 60 free agents, starting with a coveted pa s rusher and going through a valuable backup QB: MORE: NFL free agency predictions: Projecting landing spots for top 60 players Barry Reeger EDGE Trey Hendrickson to Chargers Hendrickson should be the biggest splurge for Joe Horitz and Jim Harbaugh to help new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary with a cornerstone pa s rusher. C Tyler Linderbaum to Giants Former coach John Harbaugh is the only one who can convince Linderbaum to not go to Jim and the . He would be a fantastic new blocker and snapper for Jaxson Dart. LB Devin Lloyd to Raiders Lloyd should be a big defensive pickup for Las Vegas to shore up the second level for new coordinator Rob Leonard. EDGE Jaelan Phillips to Ravens Anthony Weaver needs pa s-rush help in coming over from the and will be compelled to go after one of his former stars. WR Alec Pierce to Commanders Pierce looks like he won't return to the Colts to help Daniel Jones as a downfield target so this sneaky destination works as Washington gets another field-stretcher for Jayden Daniels to play well off Terry McLaurin. Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) catches a touchdown pa s against the during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images LB Devin Bush to Cowboys The Cowboys will be trying to find some reasonable deals to upgrade their defense with a tough cap situation and Bush would be a good fit in Christian Parker's scheme. CB Jaylen Watson to Giants The can be this year's in some aggre sive spending to become an instant Super Bowl contender with John Harbaugh and Dart. Watson would be an ideal big cover man to fill a need. OT Rasheed Walker to Browns The Browns have made it clear they are eyeing key Packers offensive pieces but Walker might take priority to rebuild Todd Monken's front vs. a QB (Malik Willis). EDGE Odafe Oweh to Ravens Oweh had his delayed breakout with the Chargers, rushing the pa ser for Je se Minter post a midseason deal from Baltimore. He can return to the Ravens and follow Minter. RB Kenneth Walker III stays with Seahawks Walker needs to be a priority as the Super Bowl 60 MVP workhorse with Zach Charbonnet facing a long recovery from his major knee injury. MORE: WR Mike Evans to 49ers This is not much of a secret in terms of how much San Francisco covets the future Hall of Famer to help clean up some receiving me s and give Brock Purdy another trusted downfield and red zone guy to go with George Kittle. LB Leo Chenal to Broncos The Broncos need to upgrade linebacker, maybe multiple times, as the ace cover and pa s rush Chief would be a good intradivision steal. QB Aaron Rodgers stays with Steelers Rodgers has been rumored to be looking at the Vikings, too, but Pittsburgh doesn't hire former Green Bay offensive-minded coach Mike McCarthy without having a good feeling that Rodgers will return to play for him. CB Alontae Taylor to Bears Taylor can be sniped to help the Bears deal with some other cornerback free agency developments and reunite with Dennis Allen. RB Travis Etienne Jr. to Chiefs Patrick Mahomes needs more rushing and receiving support coming off his torn ACL. Etienne can give Kansas City a needed three-down back with sure hands and red zone burst still in his prime. MORE: Darren Mark Howe Jersey Yamashita-Imagn Images WR Jauan Jennings to Raiders Klint Kubiak will want to get a route-running technician with good hands to get open often for Fernando Mendoza, one who will play well off Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty in the pa sing game. CB Jamel Dean to Jaguars With Etienne likely out the door, the Jaguars can snag the ideal versatile veteran corner to pair with a lot more defense-heavy Travis Hunter. QB Malik Willis to Dolphins Willis will be courted by the Jets and Browns plenty, but he should feel most comfortable as a complementary QB to a defensive rebuild under former Packers coordinator Jeff Hafley. G David Edwards to Texans Houston is rebuilding its offensive line much like Cleveland (also in play) but he would make most sense to replace Ed Ingram. Another team to watch is the Panthers. LB Nakobe Dean to Cowboys Parker is bound to steal a few former Vic Fangio Eagles for his rebuild of the Cowboys' entire defense. Dean would be the ideal rangy leader post Micah Parsons as they go 3-4 inside with him and Bush. EDGE Boye Mafe to Eagles Mafe would be an interesting fit with Fangio to build on his time with the Seahawks, also following former Seattle a sistant Clint Hurtt. DT D.J. Reader to Bears Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles can convince Reader to keep his run-stuffing stout ways in the NFC North for a team that desperately needs that. 28. Riq Woolen to Jets The Jets are no strangers to tapping into Seattle for cornerback help (see D.J. Reed) and will do it again for a big cover man to please Aaron Glenn, and to also raise the big-play quotient. TE Isaiah Likely to Browns There's a good chance that Likely follows Monken to Cleveland from Baltimore, as the Browns will need a replacement for David Njoku to support Harold Fannin Jr. in 12 personnel. WR/KR Rashid Shaheed toRaiders The Raiders should also be interested in a big-play slot to go with Jennings for the outside. This would be another nice Kubiak coup for Mendoza. MORE: WR Wan'Dale Robinson to Titans The Titans need another reliable short-area receiver and Robinson would be a dangerous weapon in the slot for Cam Ward, reuniting with Brian Daboll. C Connor McGovern to Bears Either the Bears (now minus retired Drew Dalman) or the Chargers (now minus retired Bradley Bozeman) will go get this plug-and-play starter. DT Calais Campbell to Packers New Green Bay defensive coordinator Johnathan Gannon, fired by the Cardinals, will want to keep giving the agele s disruptive behemoth a key role. G Isaac Seumalo to Panthers This would be a nice interior upgrade in front of Bryce Young and the running game. RB Tyler Allgeier to Buccaneers Bucky Irving should return as the strong lead but look for Allgeier to stay in the division as the power change of pace, following Zac Robinson from Atlanta. S Jaylinn Hawkins to Giants With the Giants already scoring Linderbaum and Watson in these projections, this move can help them "win" free agency with a starter next to Jevon Holland. EDGE Khalil Mack to Bills Mack wants to stay in the league and keep producing at a high level to add more sacks to his Hall of Fame resume. "The Return of the Mack" to his old college stomping grounds in Buffalo would be a fitting end, looking to be their new Von Miller. G Joel Bitonio to 49ers The 49ers need some interior blocking help and the savvy long-time Brown Bitonio would fit well with their scheme. S Kevin Byard III stays with Bears He was too valuable of a leader and playmaker to let go and should be their secondary priority. EDGE Joey Bosa to Packers Bosa should be interested in following former Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to help Green Bay's pa srush. LB Bobby Wagner stays with Commanders Wagner has found a good home as a leader and playmaker to end his Hall of Fame career. MORE: S Coby Bryant to Jets Don't be surprised when the Jets double up on former Seahawks secondary pieces, with Bryant being predicted with Woolen here. RB Kenneth Gainwell to Saints He can reunite well to Kellen Moore to give a needed versatile option behind Alvin Kamara. TE David Njoku to Falcons The Falcons tagged Kyle Pitts but will use some good 12 personnel and Njoku would offer the strong blocking complement back with Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees. RB Rico Dowdle to Broncos Dowdle would make sense to give R.J. Harvey some needed experienced support and power change of pace with JK Dobbins likely gone. WR Romeo Doubs to Steelers Doubs makes sense as a fellow former Packer to pair with Rodgers because of his reliable route-running and hands through the red zone. EDG Antti Tuomisto Jersey |
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