Matt BowenMar 26, 2026, 06:15 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
play1:58Orlovsky on Tua in Atlanta: This is the best decision for both partiesDan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth discuss whether Tua Tagovailoa is a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
play2:57Stephen A.: Franchise-tagging George Pickens is a ‘huge mistake’Stephen A. Smith sounds off on the Cowboys’ decision to franchise-tag George Pickens, calling it a “huge mistake.”
Woody: Kyler Murray could signal the end of J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota (2:21)Damien Woody, Mike Tannenbaum and Dan Graziano discuss Kyler Murray signing with the Vikings and how that could affect J.J. McCarthy’s career in Minnesota. (2:21)
Orlovsky on Tua in Atlanta: This is the best decision for both partiesDan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth discuss whether Tua Tagovailoa is a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
Dan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth discuss whether Tua Tagovailoa is a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
Stephen A.: Franchise-tagging George Pickens is a ‘huge mistake’Stephen A. Smith sounds off on the Cowboys’ decision to franchise-tag George Pickens, calling it a “huge mistake.”
Stephen A. Smith sounds off on the Cowboys’ decision to franchise-tag George Pickens, calling it a “huge mistake.”
It’s important to remember that most top players primed for free agency in 2027 will sign contract extensions long before we reach next March. Players can also be franchise-tagged. But for now, let’s size up the potential of the 2027 class with the best players who are at least currently slated to hit the open market.
Age, positional value, expected future production and scheme versatility are all factors in making the list. We also included three players who received franchise tags this season and some 2023 first-round picks who are eligible for a fifth-year option in 2027.
Jump to a 2027 position group: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL Edge | DT | LB | CB | S Tags | Fifth-year options
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns last season, and won his first MVP award. A master of pocket movement, he can throw fastballs to every level in coach Sean McVay’s system. Stafford will turn 39 next February, and if he continues to play, the tape tells us he can still produce at a high level.
Mayfield pairs his aggressive throwing mentality with the ability to scramble and make plays outside of structure. His numbers dipped last season despite a strong start, but he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024. Mayfield’s savvy play style is contagious — he battles.
If Murray wins the starting job in Minnesota over J.J. McCarthy, there is major opportunity here for him in coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. With a game plan built around Murray’s dual-threat ability (five seasons of 400-plus rushing yards), defined throws and play-action shots, he could cash in after his one-year deal is up.
Tagovailoa is coming off a rough 2024 season in Miami, with 20 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions before he was officially benched ahead of Week 16. But he now joins new coach Kevin Stefanski on a one-year deal in Atlanta. If Tagovailoa is named the starter over Michael Penix Jr., look for Stefanski to lean on his leveled play-action concepts and cater to the quarterback’s timing-and-rhythm style.
Orlovsky on Tua in Atlanta: This is the best decision for both parties
Swift boosted his value last season in coach Ben Johnson’s offense. He rushed for a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 34 receptions. Part of a backfield rotation, he fits best in zone-heavy scheme where he can press the ball to daylight and contribute to the pass game.
London fits the profile of a No. 1 receiver with the versatility to line up inside or outside. In 12 games last season, he caught 68 passes for 919 yards with seven touchdowns.
London creates conflicts for opposing defenses in scoring position. He has 19 red-zone touchdown grabs since entering the league in 2022 (eighth most in that time span).
Olave had 100 receptions, 1,163 yards and nine scores in 2025 (all career highs). He’s a three-level glider who can easily create his own separation. Olave has a history with concussions, including several in the 2024 season, but he answered availability questions in 2025 with 16 starts.
Still one of the league’s best at shaking press coverage, Adams led the league with 14 touchdown receptions last season (league-high 12 in the red zone). He will turn 34 years old in December, but his ability to make himself available to the quarterback from perimeter alignments brings value to any offensive system.
Rice has played in only 12 games over the past two seasons due to injuries and a suspension. When on the field, however, he can operate as a volume target on catch-and-run throws. In three seasons, 69.8% of Rice’s 1,794 receiving yards have come after the catch. Plus, he has the ball skills to win over the top.
Since entering the league in 2022, Watson has never played a full season due to injuries. But the 2025 tape tells us the arrow could be pointing up for him. With the 4.3 speed and vertical ability to threaten defenses, Watson is a proven target on the boundary who has averaged 17.3 yards per catch over his career.
A back injury limited LaPorta to nine games last season. However, he had 146 catches and 17 receiving touchdowns over his first two NFL seasons. Those marks ranked fourth most and second most among tight ends, respectively.
With the ability to stretch the seams and create favorable matchups from multiple alignments, LaPorta is a top-five tight end when healthy.
Kraft was amid a breakout season in 2025 before an ACL injury in Week 9. At that point, he had 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-foot-5, 259 pounds, Kraft is a physical target in the route tree who can rumble after the catch.
A knee injury in 2024 cut Hockenson’s season short, and sub-par QB play in 2025 reduced his total production. At his best, Hockenson should be viewed as a rugged, three-down tight end who can win in the middle of the field or on seams and corner routes. He had a career-best 95 receptions in 2023.
Goedert is a multilevel target who can produce on manufactured touches in the low red zone. In 2025, his 11 touchdowns were tied for second most in the league despite only 15 appearances.
Kelce is back in Kansas City for this upcoming season after catching 76 passes in 2025. His production and overall play speed has declined, but Kelce can still uncover due to his high-level field awareness. We’ll see if he continues to play in 2027.
Williams will turn 38 years old this summer, but he still has ideal tools for an NFL left tackle. He has the power and mobility to win matchups on the edges in both the run and pass game. Williams allowed just three sacks last season; his 79.5% run block win rate ranked sixth among offensive tackles.
Nelson’s tone-setting play demeanor would be a fit for any O-line room in the league, and he’s still producing high-level tape. His 95.5% pass block win rate ranked seventh among guards last season. Plus, he can easily displace defenders in the run game.
A durable interior presence, Brewer has the foot quickness to match defensive tackles in pass protection and operate in a zone run scheme. Last season, his 96.0% pass block win rate ranked sixth among centers.
Walker battled through a wrist injury last season, leading to a decline in his pass-rush production (3.5 sacks). However, he had at least 10 sacks and 40 pressures in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. If Walker can stay healthy in 2026, the former No. 1 overall pick could be a problem off the edges.
After 11.5 sacks in 2024, Van Ginkel recorded 7.5 in 12 games last season. His skill set fits best in a defense that schemes one-on-one matchups and stunts for him off the edges as an outside linebacker.
Thibodeaux had 11.5 sacks in 2023, but he has missed 12 games over the past two seasons, getting just 8.5 sacks during that time. He lacks elite bend on the edges, but he should still grade out as a solid starter next free agency.
Williams has the versatility and frame (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) to play multiple spots on the defensive front. A physical pass rusher and run defender, Williams has 18 sacks and a run stop win rate of 39.2% over the past two seasons.
At 6-foot-4, 347 pounds, Vea is an athletic plugger in the run game. And on pass plays, he provides an interior push to dent the pocket. In eight seasons with the Bucs, Vea has 35 sacks and 154 solo tackles.
Buckner’s sack totals and pass rush win rate have slipped over the past two seasons in Indianapolis. However, he can fit in a variety of NFL fronts with his powerful traits and 6-foot-7, 295-pound frame.
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Al-Shaair is an urgent run stopper who racked up over 100 tackles in Houston last season. Plus, he showed up in the pass defense with two interceptions and six pass breakups. He should be viewed as a productive three-down defender in free agency.
The scheme fit will be key for Luvu if he makes it to free agency, as he’s a stack linebacker — inside linebacker or 4-3 outside linebacker — who can be set up as a pass rusher or blitzer. With the foot quickness to shake blockers or wrap to the quarterback in tight quarters, Luvu had 11 sacks over the past two seasons.
Queen has the run-and-chase ability to track the ball on the perimeter and hunt down screens. Plus, he can slice into the backfield on blitzes to make splash plays. Queen could improve against the run game at the point of attack, but he has had over 100 tackles in four straight seasons.
Humphrey has 10 interceptions over his past two seasons, and his physicality in coverage still shows up nine years into his NFL career. Plus, he is willing to set the edges of the defense in the run game. Humphrey should be viewed as a scheme versatile corner if he reaches free agency.