Matt BowenJan 28, 2026, 06:20 AM ETCloseMatt Bowen is a fantasy football and NFL writer for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2015, writes regularly for ESPN+ and spent multiple years on “NFL Matchup.” After graduating from the University of Iowa, Matt played safety in the NFL for St. Louis, Green Bay, Washington and Buffalo over seven seasons.Follow on XMultiple Authors
play1:06What Jesse Minter’s hiring means for Lamar, RavensStephen A. Smith chimes in on the Ravens appointing Jesse Minter as their new head coach and what that means for Lamar Jackson.
play2:02Why Saturday finds Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy ‘confusing’Jeff Saturday and Dan Graziano try to make sense of the Steelers’ decision to hire Mike McCarthy as their next head coach.
Why Marcus Spears is intrigued by George Pickens’ free agency (0:39)Marcus Spears explains why he’s interested in George Pickens’ free agent market this offseason. (0:39)
What Jesse Minter’s hiring means for Lamar, RavensStephen A. Smith chimes in on the Ravens appointing Jesse Minter as their new head coach and what that means for Lamar Jackson.
Stephen A. Smith chimes in on the Ravens appointing Jesse Minter as their new head coach and what that means for Lamar Jackson.
Why Saturday finds Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy ‘confusing’Jeff Saturday and Dan Graziano try to make sense of the Steelers’ decision to hire Mike McCarthy as their next head coach.
Jeff Saturday and Dan Graziano try to make sense of the Steelers’ decision to hire Mike McCarthy as their next head coach.
We will have an updated top 100 in March, but for now, here are my top 50 pending free agents — including just two quarterbacks. Let’s stack the free agent class, starting with the 2024 sack leader.
What he brings: With 22 receptions of 20 or more yards in 2025 (fourth most in the league), Pickens has the explosive ability to flip the field. That skill will lead to big money in the open market if he isn’t franchise-tagged. Pickens also finished third in the NFL with 1,429 receiving yards. His ability to run routes at all three levels boosts his free agent profile even more.
What he brings: Linderbaum has a tone-setting mentality on the interior of the front, using elite foot speed and body control to match pass rushers or climb to the second level in the run game. His pass block win rate of 97.2% tied for second among 31 qualifying centers this season.
What he brings: An Achilles injury in Week 14 could delay Jones’ availability at the start of next season, but it’s clear he elevated his level of play and poise under coach Shane Steichen in Indianapolis. Jones’ 64.1 QBR ranked eighth in the league through Week 13, and he threw with a much stronger sense of timing. He fits in an offense that features a good run game, which allows him to operate as a facilitator.
What he brings: With his long 6-foot-5 frame, Phillips can play as both an edge setter and pocket disrupter. After being traded to the Eagles on Nov. 3, he had two sacks and 27 pressures in coordinator Vic Fangio’s system, flashing improved range to the ball. Over his five-year career, Phillips has accounted for 28 sacks and 150 pressures.
What he brings: A vertical stretch target at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce averaged a league-best 21.3 yards per catch in 2025. He also topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark and brought in six touchdowns. Pierce has the straight-line speed to lift the safeties, creating open coverage voids underneath for other targets. With more volume and an increased role, he has the skills to produce as a multilevel route runner.
What he brings: Walker’s pass block win rate of 93.8% ranked 11th among 68 qualifying offensive tackles. His technique could still improve and he lacks a strong anchor, but he has the footwork and mobility to match the speed of edge rushers. At a premium position, Walker will see heavy interest in free agency.
What he brings: An explosive pass rusher who gets off the ball in a hurry, Oweh can also flatten his path to maneuver around offensive tackles. After getting traded from the Ravens on Oct. 7, Oweh had 7.5 sacks and 27 pressures in Los Angeles. Plus, he recorded three sacks in the team’s wild-card loss to the Patriots.
What he brings: He is a big-bodied drive blocker at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, easily matching power in pass protection. Injuries have been a concern, as Smith has missed 17 games over his past three seasons. He started 13 games at right tackle for the Colts in 2025, and his pass block win rate jumped 7% from 2024.
What he brings: Franklin-Myers lacks the lateral speed and bend to turn pressures into a bunch of sacks from edge alignments. But he’s an active inside rusher who can play as a defensive tackle or 5-technique with his 6-foot-4, 288-pound frame. He had 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures this season.
What he brings: Taylor’s versatility and urgent play style show up on tape. He has the speed to cover receivers on the perimeter, but he can also play a disruptive role in the slot. In four seasons with the Saints, Taylor has 4 interceptions, 40 pass breakups and 7 sacks.
What he brings: Walker’s explosive traits create playmaking upside; he can cover ground as a run-and-hit defender. Plus, he diagnosed the run game at a quicker rate in 2025, averaging 4.9 tackles on designed rushes per game (11th highest). Overall, Walker had 2.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss and 4 pass breakups.
What he brings: Woolen has 12 interceptions and 36 pass breakups so far in his four-year career. A lack of consistent eye discipline has prevented him from reaching his ceiling in coverage, but he has the physical traits and speed at 6-foot-4 to help a defense majoring in man coverage and two-deep zone.
What he brings: Injuries limited Evans to eight games this season, but he had topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 11 straight seasons entering 2025. He’s a classic boundary receiver, with 6-foot-5 size and great ball skills. Evans can still get loose in the red zone and produce as a No. 2 option.
What he brings: Watson isn’t a high-end playmaker, but he has the length to challenge in press and the route awareness to play top-down on the ball in zone schemes. He has three career interceptions and 23 pass breakups.
What he brings: With his dual-threat traits and positive signs of development in Green Bay, Willis is one of the top quarterbacks in free agency. In four appearances (one start) this season, Willis completed 85.7% of his throws, rushed for 123 yards and scored four touchdowns. He’ll be signed to start somewhere this March.
What he brings: Etienne looked more explosive in 2025, slashing through creases of daylight as a runner. His 26 rushes of 10 or more yards were tied for the 12th most in the NFL, and he’s more than capable as a receiver out of the backfield (36 catches in 2025). He had 116 total yards and a touchdown in Jacksonville’s wild-card loss to Buffalo.
What he brings: Lloyd’s on-the-ball production increases his value heading into free agency. He had five interceptions on the season, returning one for a touchdown. He’s a solid starter who flashed high-level ability this season.
What he brings: Likely’s alignment versatility gives offensive playcallers more flexibility, and he has the catch-and-run traits to produce on high-percentage throws. He should be viewed as a “move” tight end who can get favorable matchups in the passing game. He had 27 catches for 301 yards and a touchdown this season, which was down from his six scores in 2024.
What he brings: Doubs has the route-running traits and foot quickness to uncover, and he is more than willing to work the middle of the field on in-breaking concepts. While the Packers missed Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft over parts of the season, Doubs averaged 13.2 yards per reception and caught five of his six touchdowns on red zone targets. In short, he’s a reliable pass catcher.
What he brings: An elbow injury forced Mack to miss five games early in the season, yet he finished with 5.5 sacks and 28 pressures. He will need to be used more as a situational rusher at this stage of his career, but he is still a powerful defender who can create impact plays off the edge.
What he brings: Pitts plays the position like a wide receiver, and his numbers were up in 2025 (88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns). Though he needs to be more willing as an in-line blocker, teams are getting upside here in the pass game. And he has the tools to find favorable matchups from a variety of pre-snap alignments.
What he brings: Walker is a decisive runner who can press the edges with speed, find cutback lanes in zone schemes and provide big-play ability. His 33 rushes of 10 or more yards were the sixth most in the regular season, and he can be targeted on screens or swing routes out of the backfield. He has had at least 25 receptions in all four of his NFL seasons.
What he brings: A rangy safety with top-down speed, Cook fits in both split-field and single-high schemes. The 2022 second-round pick is the highest-ranked player at his position on this list. He had six pass breakups in 2025, playing 82.6% of Kansas City’s defensive snaps.
What he brings: Shaheed can stretch defenses vertically, plus he can turn screens or underneath throws into chunk plays. He also provides an upgrade on special teams, making the Pro Bowl this season as a fearless kickoff returner with open-field speed. Shaheed has had 29 receptions of 20 or more yards in his four-year career.
What he brings: Chaisson plays with an extra gear off the edge, using his vertical burst to get around offensive tackles. And he has the short-area speed to close on quarterbacks off stunts or inside loops. The former first-rounder had a career-best 7.5 sacks and 32 pressures this season, plus he added three more sacks in the team’s first three playoff games.
What he brings: Mafe has a quick first step, which allows him to attack the edges of offensive tackles. His effort level and pursuit from the backside also lead to second-reaction sacks. Mafe can still refine his pass-rushing plan, but the traits are there to produce in a system that schemes favorable matchups out of multiple fronts. Mafe had two sacks and 33 pressures this season.