Matt BowenMar 3, 2026, 04:50 PM 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
play1:00Schefter: Anthony Richardson granted permission to seek tradeAdam Schefter joins “SportsCenter” and breaks the news that the Indianapolis Colts have given Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade.
play0:46Riddick: Mike Evans will be in high demandLouis Riddick and Booger McFarland react to Mike Evans playing in 2026 and being set to be a free agent.
play2:21Why the Vikings are the best fit for Aaron RodgersThe “Get Up” crew agrees the Vikings are the top fit for Aaron Rodgers heading into his 22nd year in the NFL.
play1:33Why Dan Quinn is such a big fan of Commanders QB Jayden DanielsDan Quinn tells Rich Eisen a healthy Jayden Daniels can elevate the Commanders and establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL next season.
play1:10Are the Cowboys the best fit for Maxx Crosby?Peter Schrager and Jason McCourty discuss the impact Maxx Crosby could make if he were to join the Cowboys.
play2:55Kevin Stefanski’s mindset as Falcons’ new head coachKevin Stefanski joins “The Rich Eisen Show” and breaks down his mindset going into his first season as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
The teams Ben Solak expects to be in on Malik Willis (1:21)Ben Solak joins Rich Eisen to break down the interest he expects for free agent quarterback Malik Willis. (1:21)
Schefter: Anthony Richardson granted permission to seek tradeAdam Schefter joins “SportsCenter” and breaks the news that the Indianapolis Colts have given Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade.
Adam Schefter joins “SportsCenter” and breaks the news that the Indianapolis Colts have given Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade.
Riddick: Mike Evans will be in high demandLouis Riddick and Booger McFarland react to Mike Evans playing in 2026 and being set to be a free agent.
Louis Riddick and Booger McFarland react to Mike Evans playing in 2026 and being set to be a free agent.
Why the Vikings are the best fit for Aaron RodgersThe “Get Up” crew agrees the Vikings are the top fit for Aaron Rodgers heading into his 22nd year in the NFL.
The “Get Up” crew agrees the Vikings are the top fit for Aaron Rodgers heading into his 22nd year in the NFL.
Why Dan Quinn is such a big fan of Commanders QB Jayden DanielsDan Quinn tells Rich Eisen a healthy Jayden Daniels can elevate the Commanders and establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL next season.
Dan Quinn tells Rich Eisen a healthy Jayden Daniels can elevate the Commanders and establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL next season.
Are the Cowboys the best fit for Maxx Crosby?Peter Schrager and Jason McCourty discuss the impact Maxx Crosby could make if he were to join the Cowboys.
Peter Schrager and Jason McCourty discuss the impact Maxx Crosby could make if he were to join the Cowboys.
Kevin Stefanski’s mindset as Falcons’ new head coachKevin Stefanski joins “The Rich Eisen Show” and breaks down his mindset going into his first season as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Kevin Stefanski joins “The Rich Eisen Show” and breaks down his mindset going into his first season as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
My ranking factors in age, positional value, expected future production, scheme versatility and buzz around the league. This list only includes unrestricted free agents and a few players who are expected to released at the start of the new NFL league year on March 11 (i.e. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray).
Who is the top player in the class? How do the quarterbacks stack up? And which positions run deepest? Let’s dive in and look at the best available players from 1 to 100. (And I will update this list periodically over the next few days before we hit the negotiating window.)
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 last season.
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.
Schefter: Anthony Richardson granted permission to seek trade
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 last 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 last 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) last 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: 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: Lloyd’s on-the-ball production increases his value heading into free agency. He had five interceptions in 2025, returning one for a touchdown. He’s a solid starter who has flashed high-level ability in the NFL.
What he brings: Murray, who played in only five games last season due to a foot injury, is expected to be released by the Cardinals at the start of the league year. When healthy, Murray has the talent to produce in a system that maximizes his dual-threat ability, and he should draw strong interest as a free agent. In seven seasons with Arizona, he threw for 121 touchdowns and rushed for 3,193 yards.
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 in 2025, 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.