The following are PFT’s top 100 free agents for the start of the 2026 league year. The rankings include prospective unrestricted free agents and released players. The list will be updated as events warrant, with signings, tags and re-signings denoted when announced and/or reported. Players released after initial publication may be added and all 100 players initially on the list will still be listed after any additions.
1. Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. (Placed the franchise tag on him on February 27.)
2. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. (Placed the transition tag on him on March 3.)
3. Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)
4. Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Panthers on March 9.)
5. Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Ravens on March 11.)
6. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. (Placed the franchise tag on him on February 24.)
7. Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. (Agreed to four-year deal with Colts on March 9.)
8. Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Rams on March 9.)
9. Jets running back Breece Hall. (Placed the franchise tag on him on March 3.)
10. Packers quarterback Malik Willis. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Dolphins on March 9.)
11. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. (Signed a one-year deal with the Vikings on March 12.)
12. Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Steelers on March 9.)
13. Seahawks WR/KR/PR Rashid Shaheed. (Agreed to re-sign with Seahawks on a three-year deal on March 9.)
14. Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. (Agreed to one-year deal with Panthers on March 13.)
15. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker. (Agreed to sign with the Chiefs on March 9.)
16. Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith. (Agreed to two-year deal with Texans on March 10.)
17. Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)
18. Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bengals on March 9.)
19. Packers linebacker Quay Walker. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)
20. Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Commanders on March 10.)
21. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the 49ers on March 9.)
22. Seahawks defensive back Coby Bryant. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bears on March 9.)
23. 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
24. Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs. (Agreed to four-year deal with Patriots on March 10.)
25. Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. (Agreed to four-year deal with Saints on March 9.)
26. Broncos edge rusher John Franklin-Myers. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Titans on March 9).
27. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
28. Eagles edge rusher Jaelen Phillips. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Panthers on March 9.)
29. Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
30. Bills center Connor McGovern. (Re-signed on March 7.)
31. Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. (Agreed to a deal with the Patriots on March 9.)
32. Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 10.)
33. Chiefs safety Bryan Cook. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bengals on March 9.)
34. Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright. (Agreed to one-year deal with Jets on March 10.)
35. Bills edge rusher Joey Bosa.
36. Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bills on March 11.)
37. Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely. (Agreed to three-year deal with Giants on March 9.)
38. Chargers edge rusher Odafe Oweh. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Commanders on March 9.)
39. Steelers offensive guard Isaac Seumalo. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Cardinals on March 9.)
40. Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
41. Browns linebacker Devin Bush. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bears on March 9.)
42. Bears safety Jaquan Brisker. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers on March 12.)
43. Rams safety Kamren Curl. (Agreed to three-year deal with Rams on March 6.)
44. Bills offensive guard David Edwards. (Agreed to four-year deal with Saints on March 9.)
45. Patriots edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Commanders on March 11.)
46. Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
47. Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor. (Agreed to three-year deal with Titans on March 9.)
48. Chargers offensive guard Zion Johnson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Browns on March 9).
49. Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio.
50. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 15).
51. Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Buccaneers on March 9.)
52. Panthers center Cade Mays. (Agreed to three-year deal with the Lions on March 9.)
53. Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack. (Agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Chargers on March 7.)
54. Bears safety Kevin Byard. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots on March 11.)
55. Colts edge rusher Kwity Paye. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)
56. Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Eagles on March 10.)
57. Ravens edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones. (Agreed to three-year deal with Patriots on March 9.)
58. Browns offensive guard Wyatt Teller. (Agreed to two-year deal with Texans on March 17.)
59. Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad. (Agreed to a one-year deal with Bucs on March 12.)
60. Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner.
61. Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Titans on March 9.)
62. Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Ravens on March 11.)
63. Cowboys edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
64. Saints linebacker Demario Davis. (Agreed to two-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)
65. Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Steelers on March 9.)
66. Falcons edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 12.)
67. Titans offensive guard Kevin Zeitler.
68. Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Broncos on March 9.)
69. Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Cowboys on March 9.)
70. Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton. (Agreed to three-year deal with Buccaneers on March 9.)
71. Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan.
72. Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Seahawks on March 9.)
73. Giants offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. (Agree to three-year deal with the Giants on March 9.)
74. Commanders center Tyler Biadasz. (Agreed to three-year deal with Chargers on March 6.)
75. Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers on March 16.)
76. Browns tight end David Njoku.
77. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. (Agreed to return to Chiefs on March 9.)
78. Giants offensive guard Greg Van Roten.
79. Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota. (Re-signed with the Commanders on March 9.)
80. Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown. (Agreed to three-year deal with Jaguars on March 9.)
81. Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)
82. Bucs linebacker Lavonte David. (Announced his retirement on March 24.)
83. Bengals guard Dalton Risner. (Re-signed with Bengals on March 2.)
84. Vikings safety Harrison Smith.
85. Giants quarterback Russell Wilson.
86. Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
87. Jets safety Andre Cisco. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Jets on March 13.)
88. Buccaneers running back Rachaad White. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Commanders on March 12.)
89. Packers edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)
90. Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.
91. Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas.
92. Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. (Agreed to re-sign with Texans on March 9.)
93. Titans tight end Chig Okonwko. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Commanders on March 11.)
94. Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Texans on March 9.)
95. Raiders offensive guard Dylan Parham. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Jets on March 11.)
96. Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins.
97. Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton. (Re-signed with the Broncos on March 9.)
98. Broncos outside linebacker Justin Strnad. (Re-signed with the Broncos on March 8.)
99. Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco. (Re-signed with the Bengals on March 24.)
100. Colts cornerback Mike Hilton.
101. Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.
102. Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier. (Agreed to two-year deal with Cardinals on March 9.)
The DWI case against Jets defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat was dismissed, because of insufficient evident, TMZ Sports reports.
Prosecutors filed the motion to dismiss, saying they cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt the “element of intoxication,” according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
Sweat was arrested by Austin, Texas, police in the early morning hours of April 7, 2024, after a rollover crash on Interstate 35. Sweat’s SUV was hit from behind by a sedan, whose driver fled on foot.
Police said Sweat had “glassy eyes” and his car smelled of “burnt marijuana.”
His attorney, E.G. Morris, released a statement to TMZ.
“He was involved in an accident that was not his fault, and he was lucky to come away from it with no lasting injuries,” Morris said. “I commend the Travis County Attorney’s Office for carefully reviewing this case and coming to the conclusion stated in the motion to dismiss.
“Some may say he received special treatment. He got the treatment that I hope every citizen will receive in these circumstances. Professionalism from the prosecutors. The evidence simply didn’t support the charge.”
The Titans selected Sweat with the 26th overall pick in the 2022 draft, and he spent his first two seasons in Tennessee. The Titans traded him to the Jets, and the trade became official on Thursday.
He has 85 tackles, eight for a loss, with three sacks and a forced fumble in his career.
A month ago, we noted that there was talk of Jets owner Woody Johnson meddling in head coach Aaron Glenn’s decision on who to hire as the Jets’ defensive coordinator. Now that talk has been bolstered by one of the candidates who was passed over for the job.
Wink Martindale, who was once viewed as the favorite to become the Jets’ defensive coordinator, told Pat Leonard that he thinks the decision on who to hire was out of Glenn’s hands.
“I think it was close,” Martindale said of his prospects of getting the job. “First of all, I’ve always respected and I like Aaron Glenn. He’s a good dude, and we think a lot alike on a lot of similar things defensively. But I think it was one of those, just to be honest with you, I think it was one of those decisions that was out of his hands, and we’ll just leave it at that. But that’s OK. Wherever you’re at is where you’re supposed to be. That’s what I’ve lived by forever and will until I go away.”
Martindale interviewed twice for the job and seemed likely to get it, but Glenn ended up hiring Brian Duker, just a day after he first interviewed for the job — and long after Glenn had interviewed Martindale and seven other candidates.
Martindale, who does not currently have a coaching job, was the Giants’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023 and had hoped to return to New York.
“I was excited to get back to the city and I think that would’ve been fun. I think it would’ve been a great challenge,” Martindale said.
Now it’s a challenge for Glenn and Duker, and if they don’t significantly improve the Jets’ defense, Johnson may be hiring a new head coach in 10 months.
As the details regarding various free-agent deals make their way into PFT headquarters, some things stand out.
For the wave of 2026 contracts, one specific fact stands out clearly.
The three-year deal negotiated by the Patriots and offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker includes per-game roster bonuses in the amount of $4.25 million. Per year.
It’s the largest per-game roster bonus we’ve ever seen, by far. It works out to $250,000 earned for each game he plays. And $250,000 lost for each game he misses.
The contract otherwise has a signing bonus of $7.2 million and base salaries of $2.3 million for 2026 (fully guaranteed), $9.5 million for 2027 ($7 million of which is fully-guaranteed at signing), and $9.5 million for 2028.
Vera-Tucker, a first-round pick of the Jets in 2021, has $2 million in annual incentives, tied to playing time and qualifying for the Pro Bowl.
The contract also has annual workout bonuses of $250,000. The 2026 workout bonus is fully guaranteed, but it must be earned.
The $4.25 million in per-game roster bonuses for 2026 are also fully guaranteed, but they also must be earned. (The guarantees only come into play if Vera-Tucker is released before or during the 2026 season.)
The Patriots had reason to protect themselves. A first-round pick in 2021, Vera-Tucker missed all of 2025 due to a torn triceps. He also missed 24 other games in four seasons.
Still, it’s a massive amount that is tied directly to his ability to play. It also creates a sizable incentive to make him inactive in late-season games that carry no real meaning.
We’ll see how it goes. There’s no precedent to compare it to. In all, $12.75 million is tied to being able to play. That makes the base APY as low as $9.75 million and as high as $14 million.
The Jets are bringing back one of their reserve offensive linemen for another season.
They announced that they have re-signed Xavier Newman on Thursday. The team did not disclose any terms of the deal.
Newman played four games for the Titans before joining the Jets during the 2023 season. He started in four of his seven appearances for the team that year and he has appeared in 14 games as a reserve over the last two seasons.
The Jets have also re-signed backup tackle Max Mitchell and added guard Dylan Parham this week. Last year’s starting guards John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker have both agreed to sign with other teams.
