Feb. 18, 2026 5:30 am EST
Welcome to The Athletic’s top 150 free-agent rankings for 2026.
At the close of the regular season, close to 600 players were set to hit unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins on March 11. That number has already begun to fluctuate, and it will continue to do so. Some players will not hit the market because they sign contract extensions with their former teams. Others, like George Pickens, will be franchise-tagged (which is why he doesn’t appear below). Some players who are under contract will become available when they are cut for cap savings.
These rankings are based on all available players. A few notes on methodology before we dive in.
Available unrestricted free agents were scouted and then graded on a 2.0 to 8.0 scale. Grades were primarily based on performance on tape, but they also included factors such as age, upside, public injury information and positional value. For reference, a 5.0 grade represented an average starter at a specific position. The lowest grade for a player in these rankings was 4.3. The highest was 7.3.
Contract projections are based on positional market assessments and expected production over the length of the deal. The contract projections are for total base values. For instance, Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart was a pending unrestricted free agent before he signed an extension in January. That deal is worth up to $37.5 million over three years, including all incentives. The base value that hits the cap, however, is $30 million over three years. Our projections are for base value against the cap, not max value including incentives.
Ages are as of the projected 2026 season opener on Sept. 9. All statistics are courtesy of TruMedia and apply to the 2025 regular season unless otherwise noted. Snap rates represent players’ share of their team’s offensive or defensive snaps. Penalties include declined and offsetting fouls. Pressure figures are from Pro Football Focus via TruMedia. Splash plays include: sacks, tackles for loss, pressures leading to a throwaway, run and pass stuffs, interceptions, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, passes defended and stops on third and fourth down. Run stuffs are any tackle on a run play for exactly zero yards.
Team 49ers Bears Bengals Bills Broncos Browns Buccaneers Cardinals Chargers Chiefs Colts Commanders Cowboys Dolphins Eagles Falcons Giants Jaguars Jets Lions Packers Panthers Patriots Raiders Rams Ravens Saints Seahawks Steelers Texans Titans Vikings
Position C CB Edge G IDL LB QB RB S T TE WR
Loading
Try changing or resetting your filters to see more.
Contract projection: 3 years, $99 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-4 Weight: 265
Hendrickson has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL over the past five seasons. He has the third-most sacks in the league since 2020 with 74.5, and he played in only seven games last season due a core-muscle injury that required surgery. Hendrickson plays with a relentless, urgent motor that puts crushing pressure on a tackle’s outside shoulder. He turns the corner and finishes with a straight-line burst, always hunting for the ball. He has 15 career forced fumbles.
Hendrickson is dominant with his hands to swipe past a tackle’s strike. He also features numerous changeups off his wide moves, including lethal speed-to-power that takes advantage of a tackle’s momentum. Hendrickson is a capable edge setter in the run game, but he tops this list primarily because of his pass rush production.
Contract projection: 4 years, $54 million
Age: 25 Height: 5-11 Weight: 217
Hall is a home run threat every time he touches the ball, and he has the speed to pull away from defenders in space. He is a smooth and slippery runner to the edge and between the tackles, and he is a dynamic pass catcher who creates explosives in checkdown situations. Hall is a mismatch for pretty much any defender in the open field, and he features a diverse array of moves to break one-on-one tackles and find open grass.
Hall is a young player who has produced consistently in poor circumstances, finishing with at least 1,300 scrimmage yards in each of the past three seasons. He has a ton of upside with a better infrastructure around him, including better quarterback play. In 2024, the Eagles signed Saquon Barkley in free agency, and he unlocked their offense in a Super Bowl run. Barkley is a singular talent at the position. But Hall could have a comparable impact in the right situation.
Contract projection: 4 years, $98 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-5 Weight: 263
Phillips is a young, ascending edge rusher who finished fourth in pressure rate last season among players with at least 250 pass-rush snaps. He was traded from the Dolphins to the Eagles at the deadline for a third-round pick, and he had an immediate impact on the Philadelphia front.
He is an explosive athlete with a violent play style. He has short-area burst as a rusher, particularly when he drives to the inside on swim moves. He is a physical edge setter in the run game who can dominate tight ends in one-on-one situations. Phillips also has real coverage ability, which can allow defensive coordinators to get creative with their blitz and simulated pressure calls.
Contract projection: 4 years, $76 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-3 Weight: 235
A 2022 first-round pick, Lloyd put his game fully together in 2025 as one of the best off-ball linebackers in the league. He is an explosive playmaker with a well-rounded skill set. Lloyd is elite in coverage, physical in the run game and disruptive as a blitzer. He has sideline-to-sideline speed.
Lloyd showed off his ball skills in 2025, finishing with five interceptions, tied for second-most in the league. He can take on climbing guards as a run defender and win those matchups. He also had a career-high 28 pressures and finished third in pressure rate among off-ball linebackers.
Contract projection: 2 years, $88 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-5 Weight: 230
Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts last offseason and won the starting job over Anthony Richardson Sr. in training camp. Jones got off to an incredible start under coach and play caller Shane Steichen in 2025, leading one of the top offenses in football over the first half of the year. In Week 12, Jones fractured his left fibula. He played through the injury before tearing his right Achilles tendon in Week 14 and missing the rest of the season. Jones has said he expects to be ready for training camp in 2026.
The most obvious comparison here is Kirk Cousins, who tore his Achilles in October 2023, hit free agency and signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons. In 2024, Cousins threw 16 interceptions in 14 games and got benched in December for rookie Michael Penix Jr. Jones is seven years younger than Cousins was then. Will the Cousins experience change Jones’ market?
Jones is accurate and mobile. He played with excellent timing and rhythm within Steichen’s offense. He has the arm strength to push the ball deep, and he gives his playmakers a chance when he identifies one-on-one matchups downfield. Jones ranked seventh in EPA per dropback before his injury.
Contract projection: 4 years, $71 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-2 Weight: 305
Linderbaum, a 2022 first-round pick, is an athletic, versatile and powerful run blocker. He takes great angles and is very capable on the move on outside-zone runs, as a puller and in the screen game. Though he is not an elite pass protector, Linderbaum shows the eyes and instincts necessary to identify stunts and deceptive movement along the defensive front.
Linderbaum can give up some ground in pass protection when rushers get into his chest, and he is not always consistent with his initial strike. But he is more than functional in that phase, and his run blocking is among the best in the league.
Pressure rate allowed
5.2%
Contract projection: 2 years, $51 million
Age: 33 Height: 6-5 Weight: 231
Evans’ record-tying streak of 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards ended in 2025 as he battled injuries. He was limited to eight games because of a hamstring injury and a broken clavicle. But he still has a rare size-speed-physicality blend. Evans is elite at the catch point in 50-50 situations. He is tough to handle at the line of scrimmage, even for bigger corners. And he is a three-level threat who can win in the short, intermediate and deep parts of the field.
Evans was finally healthy for a Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He caught six passes for 132 yards. This game showed he still has the goods, though health will be a factor as Evans enters his age 33 season.
Contract projection: 4 years, $52 million
Age: 25 Height: 5-9 Weight: 211
Walker played one of the best games of his career in a Super Bowl MVP performance against the Patriots. He rushed 27 times for 135 yards and added two catches for 26 yards. Walker gained nine first downs in the game, which tied a career high he set two weeks earlier in another standout performance against the 49ers in the divisional round. This playoff run showcased all the best attributes of Walker’s game.
He has a compact build with a low center of gravity that allows for impressive contact balance. He is elusive and shifty in short areas. He is excellent between the tackles, where he can use his vision and quickness to find creases, especially on inside-zone schemes. And he has the speed to attack the edges, both on designed stretch runs and bounces to the outside. He is a capable route runner, including from receiver alignments, and he has good yards-after-the-catch instincts on screens and checkdowns. Walker also has a sound base in pass protection. A well-rounded back who should parlay a Super Bowl ring into a long-term payday.
Contract projection: 2 years, $46 millon
Age: 27 Height: 6-1 Weight: 225
A 2022 third-round pick, Willis was traded from the Titans to the Packers in August 2024 and spent the past two seasons backing up Jordan Love. In Week 16 last season, Love suffered a concussion. Willis came on in relief and went 9-for-11 passing for 121 yards and a touchdown in an overtime loss to the Bears. Willis then started the next week against the Ravens and showed he is ready for a shot to start somewhere in 2026. He completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown. He added nine rushes for 60 yards, including two touchdowns on designed read keepers. Willis did not throw an interception in his two games in Week 16 and 17. His only turnover came on a miscommunication against the Ravens, when he was not expecting the snap.
Willis displayed poise, elite arm talent, velocity and accuracy from various arm slots and platforms and off-script playmaking as a thrower and runner. He has upper-echelon athleticism for the position and exceptional contact balance, both as a runner and within the pocket.
Contract projection: 3 years, $37.5 million
Age: 27 Height: 5-10 Weight: 215
Etienne had a bounce-back season in Liam Coen’s Jaguars offense, totaling 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 total touchdowns. He has vision at the line of scrimmage to find small creases and get skinny. He has sudden explosion when he finds his crease and is a smooth cutter who maintains forward momentum when adjusting his path. He has speed to the edge and is at his best when attacking horizontally.
Etienne is a weapon in the open field, with stop-start ability, abrupt change of direction, elusiveness and craftiness. He is a versatile receiver who finished 12th among running backs in yards after catch per reception — though he did have four drops. Etienne could be more physical at the end of runs, and though he is a willing blocker, he could be sturdier as a chipper and pass protector.
Contract projection: 4 years, $102 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-3 Weight: 211
Pierce is a vertical outside receiver who is sudden off the line of scrimmage, including against press-man coverage. He led the NFL in yards per reception at 21.3, and 32 of his 47 catches went for explosive gains. He uses long strides to create space and has elite ball tracking, especially outside the numbers in contested-catch situations. Pierce has the leaping ability and body control to play above the rim. He has a second gear on vertical routes to create separation in the deep part of the field, and he will run past flat-footed corners who are playing off coverage.
In 2025, he showed more capability in intermediate areas, setting a career high with 441 receiving yards between the numbers. Pierce’s speed and vertical ability can create sizable cushions both pre-snap and during the down. He takes advantage of these cushions by snapping off intermediate routes, though he is not always a deceptive route runner in these areas.
Contract projection: 4 years, $88 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-5 Weight: 265
Oweh, a 2021 first-round pick, entered 2025 with the Ravens, playing on his fifth-year option. He did not have a sack through five games. Ahead of a Week 6 matchup with the Dolphins, the Chargers traded for Oweh. He had a sack in his Chargers debut and finished the regular season with 7.5. He added three sacks in the Chargers’ playoff loss to the Patriots. He benefited from playing in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s scheme alongside rushers Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu.
Oweh is an ascending player who started to show more variety in his pass-rush arsenal after joining the Chargers, including an inside spin move that is a changeup off his cross-chop to the edge. The change-of-scenery created a robust market for Oweh, as his traits coalesced into consistent production.
Contract projection: 4 years, $82 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-6 Weight: 325
Walker is an athletic big man with good movement skills. He has quick lateral feet to shut down wide angles and steer rushers wide. His active hands in pass protection make up for a less-than-ideal anchor. He relies on his upper-body strength in this phase. Walker fires off the ball in the run game and is a powerful player when he gets his momentum moving forward. A seventh-round pick in 2022, Walker has made 48 starts at left tackle over the past three seasons. He is the best tackle in this year’s free-agent class.
Pressure rate allowed
6.4%
Contract projection: 1 year, $18 million
Age: 35 Height: 6-3 Weight: 269
Mack returned to the Chargers on a one-year, $18 million deal last offseason, and he is now set to hit free agency for the second consecutive year. He missed four games early in the season with a dislocated elbow, and that affected his overall production as he worked his way back. Mack is still a high-quality edge rusher who can impact the game by getting after the quarterback and dominating in the run game. Even as he enters his age 35 season, Mack still possesses one of the most ferocious bull rushes in football. Retirement is a possibility.
Contract projection: 4 years, $70 million
Age: 25 Height: 6-6 Weight: 250
Pitts was the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft. After a 1,000-yard season as a rookie, his production waned over the next three years. But he rediscovered his receiving form in 2025, finishing with 928 yards on a career-high 88 catches. Pitts is a special athlete who is big, long, fast and explosive. He has a receiver skill set and is a mismatch in the passing game against corners, safeties and linebackers.
Pitts has field-stretching speed on the perimeter, down the seams and across the field on deep overs. He is a very polished, twitchy route runner for his size, and he is dangerous after the catch. He lacks power, technique, pad level and leg drive as a run blocker. He suffers from poor hand placement and is pretty limited in this phase. But teams will not be pursuing Pitts for his blocking. They will be pursuing his unique pass-catching skills.
Contract projection: 2 years, $42 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-4 Weight: 338
Eluemunor had a career season in 2025, finishing with a 98 percent pass blocking efficiency, tied for sixth among all tackles. He is undersized with short arms, but his core strength is his superpower. He can sink onto his heels and withstand bull rushes in pass protection. He can drive run defenders laterally with abdominal torque. He is a crafty run blocker who uses a one-arm strike to stun defenders and move them out of gaps. He has bowling-ball energy as a run blocker. Eluemunor is an unorthodox but very effective player.
Pressure rate allowed
3.3%
Contract projection: 3 years, $54 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-4 Weight: 288
Franklin-Myers is an elite interior rusher with alignment versatility. He tied for ninth in pass-rush efficiency among interior defensive lineman with at least 250 pass-rush snaps. He has a blend of power and quick twitch. He uses violent hands to shed linemen with a go-to swim move, and he makes linemen look silly because he is so sudden. Franklin-Myers has an acute sense for when quarterbacks are trying to climb the pocket, and he can shut down scramble escape lanes through the A and B gaps.
Contract projection: 4 years, $77 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-1 Weight: 199
Taylor is a tall, long, fast corner with inside-outside flexibility and a press-man skill set. He is a physical, tenacious run defender, which allowed him to fill the star/nickel role in coordinator Brandon Staley’s Saints defense. In 2025, he played 52.3 percent of his snaps in the slot, but Taylor also has considerable experience on the outside. He was an outside corner in base packages this past season.
Taylor has loose hips. He is a fluid athlete with the speed to mirror routes down the field. He has elite acceleration to close gaps when receivers create initial separation at the top of routes. Taylor has 52 passes defended since he joined the league in 2022, fourth-most over that span.
Contract projection: 3 years, $53.5 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-6 Weight: 312
Smith has been the Colts’ starting right tackle since he was drafted in the second round in 2018. He is a short-armed tackle who wins in pass protection as a polished technician. Smith plays with outstanding posture, balance and leverage. He smothers momentum once he gets his hands on a rusher and has impressive upper-body strength. Smith has some limitations as a run blocker, lacking consistency when working downhill. But he is a solid mover who can be effective on outside-zone runs.
Pressure rate allowed
6.0%
Contract projection: 2 years, $28 million
Age: 32 Height: 6-4 Weight: 303
Seumalo has started at left and right guard in his career. He has been the Steelers’ starting left guard the past three seasons after starting at right guard for the Eagles in 2022. Seumalo is a dense, compact, powerful guard with a sturdy base and heavy hands. He has experienced eyes and instincts to identify blitzes, stunts and free runners. He is a smooth short-area mover who is effective as a puller.
Pressure rate allowed
3.4%
Contract projection: 2 years, $25 million
Age: 33 Height: 5-11 Weight: 218
Byard is one of the premier ball hawks in the NFL. He led the league in interceptions this past season with seven. No player has more interceptions than Byard since he joined the league in 2018. He is an experienced free safety with good eyes, instincts, reactions and ball skills in the deep part of the field. He is able to read the quarterback’s eyes without getting out of position.
Byard is at his best playing deep, but he can still run the alley and hit when necessary, and he can shoot gaps when he is rotated into the box. Byard is functional in space, and he is a reliable last line of defense.
Contract projection: 3 years, $48 million
Age: 25 Height: 5-8 Weight: 185
Robinson is a small, fast, twitchy receiver who fits best in the slot. He played 55.7 percent of his snaps in the slot for the Giants last season. He plays with immediate speed into the defense early in downs, and he can threaten vertically from inside alignments. He is a polished route runner with quick feet in and out of breaks, and he has short-area burst after the catch.
Robinson finished with 386 yards after the catch in 2025, 13th among receivers. Robinson regularly forces illegal grabs from defensive backs with sudden movements late in his routes. He set a career high with 1,014 receiving yards last season.
Contract projection: 3 years, $42 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-3 Weight: 212
Jennings is a big, physical receiver who can win through contact. He was a red zone weapon in 2025, finishing with seven touchdowns inside the 20, tied for the third-most in the NFL. Jennings is an asset as a blocker in the run game, the best blocking receiver in this free-agent class. Jennings plays with urgency and edge, and he is explosive in his releases off the line of scrimmage.
Contract projection: 2 years, $22 million
Age: 28 Height: 6-6 Weight: 318
McGovern has played both guard spots and center in his NFL career, starting the past two seasons at center for the Bills. Considering how thin center is in this year’s free-agent class, McGovern should project as a well-above-average starter at that position. He has the foot speed to reach difficult blocks in the run game, play in space and mirror rushers.
McGovern has firm, reliable hands in pass protection. He is not an overly powerful player, and his anchor can let him down sometimes, but he wins consistently, both as a run blocker and pass protector, with technique, quick reactions and athleticism.
Pressure rate allowed
2.5%
Contract projection: 4 years, $65 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-2 Weight: 205
Curl is capable at all three levels of the field, and he can fit into a multitude of schemes and roles. He is an elite run defender when rotated into the box, especially when playing off the edge. Curl plays bigger than his frame. He is aggressive and physical. As a coverage player, Curl drives on routes in front of him and finishes well on targeted receivers, particularly on screens and underneath passes. He brings the same mentality to ball carriers in the run game, and he is a dangerous blitzer.
Contract projection: 4 years, $76 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-4 Weight: 210
Woolen is one of several pending free agents from the Seahawks’ Super Bowl defense. He has a rare combination of size and speed at outside corner. He has the size to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage and the speed to run with anybody on the field. Woolen is explosive when closing on routes, especially across the field or to the flat.
He can get caught with his eyes on the backfield, which, at times, makes him late to trigger on routes. But he can recover because he is so fast and explosive. Woolen has 30 penalties since he was drafted in 2022, the most in the league in that span among DBs. He had nine penalties in 2025, including the playoffs.
Contract projection: 3 years, $47 million
Age: 28 Height: 5-11 Weight: 234
A top-10 pick in 2019, Bush has outstanding athletic traits and put his game fully together in 2025 in Jim Schwartz’s Browns defense. Bush’s ball production ticked up. He finished with three interceptions, two off deflections, and two forced fumbles. Bush has sideline-to-sideline speed, good eyes in zone coverage and a lightning-quick trigger in pursuit.
Contract projection: 4 years, $73 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-4 Weight: 261
Mafe was a rotational piece on Seattle’s loaded Super Bowl defensive front in 2025. He played 50 percent of the defense’s snaps under coach Mike Macdonald, but he has upside in more of a full-time starter role. Mafe is an elite athlete with a high motor and closing speed in space. He is also disruptive against the run. He needs to refine his pass-rushing moves to take the next step in his career.
Contract projection: 3 years, $36 million
Age: 27 Height: 5-11 Weight: 199
Nailor’s production does not jump off the screen. The 2022 sixth-round pick had a career-high 444 receiving yards in 2025. But Nailor was playing behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and he dealt with poor quarterback play last season. More importantly, the tape shows a player who is ready to take a big jump in the right environment.
Nailor has the spatial awareness to weave through zones and find soft spots. He was predominantly a slot player in Minnesota but has inside-outside flexibility. He flashes late hands to prevent defensive backs from turning and locating the ball. Nailor is not a burner, but he can push vertically out of the slot on fades, wheels and corners. He is compact ball carrier who is capable after the catch, and he is also a quality run blocker for his size. Nailor can get bogged down at the line of scrimmage against bigger, more physical corners. He is not a household name right now, but he could be in the future.
Contract projection: 4 years, $61 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-2 Weight: 204
Doubs understands leverage and spacing, and he has great feel and instincts on possession routes like slants, shallow digs and hitches. He has sturdy hands through contact, especially in the short area of the field. Doubs was almost exclusively an outside receiver for coach Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, but he has the route running and skills to play more inside as a power slot. Doubs is particularly deceptive on outs, creating regular separation at the top of these routes. He is also a very willing blocker.
Contract projection: 2 years, $25.5 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-5 Weight: 256
Goedert is a big target in the passing game over the middle and down the seam. He has good instincts to create lanes for the quarterback, especially against zone coverage. He is entering his age 31 season, but he is still a smooth athlete. He has more linear athleticism than short-area burst.
Goedert is not overly sudden coming out of breaks. He is functional enough as a blocker. He has the size and length to match up with edge rushers, though this is not necessarily a strength of his game. He can lose off the ball and struggles to sustain blocks at times.
Contract projection: 4 years, $68 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-3 Weight: 316
From Weeks 13 to 17 this past season, Johnson played the best football of his career. He is a weapon as a run blocker, and he showed more consistency as a pass protector during this stretch, especially in how he saw and identified stunts and blitzes up front. Johnson did not play well in the playoff loss to the Patriots, and that was an unfortunate finish after what he put on tape to close out the regular season.
Still, his performance after the Week 12 bye was enough to show he has taken a step forward as a player. Though he played right guard as a rookie in 2022, Johnson’s natural and preferred position is left guard.
Pressure rate allowed
4.1%
Contract projection: 4 years, $73 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-2 Weight: 197
Watson is a sticky press corner who is excellent at the line of scrimmage, mirroring releases and taking away space from receivers. He has outstanding route recognition and reactions. He is very rarely out of phase early in downs. Watson is also physical in run support. He lacks the long speed of the truly elite corners.
Contract projection: 3 years, $39 million
Age: 28 Height: 6-0 Weight: 180
Seattle general manager John Schneider traded for Shaheed at the deadline, sending fourth- and fifth-round picks to New Orleans, and it turned out to be one of the best personnel moves of the season. Shaheed made several huge plays for the Seahawks down the stretch of the regular season and into the postseason. He is one of the league’s most electric returners. He had a punt-return touchdown in a key Week 16 overtime win over the Rams. He had a game-opening kick-return touchdown in the divisional round against the 49ers. And he had a 51-yard reception in the conference championship game against the Rams.
Shaheed is a true burner who commands attention in the deep part of the field. His speed creates air in the coverage and opportunities for his teammates. He is not always friendly to the quarterback on non-deep routes, and he needs to do a better job working back to the ball.
Contract projection: 3 years, $42 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-4 Weight: 245
Likely is a move tight end with alignment versatility. He can play inline, on the outside and in the slot. He can also be used in motion at the snap. Likely is a polished route runner who uses a low center of gravity and short, choppy steps to set up defenders. He is a ball-winner in 50-50 opportunities and has great instincts in scramble-drill situations. Likely is also a yards-after-the-catch weapon who can break tackles. He has the burst to separate from defenders both during routes and after the catch.
Contract projection: 2 years, $22 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-6 Weight: 308
Edwards was the Bills’ starting left guard in 2025. That is where he has the most NFL experience, though he did play some right guard as a rookie with the Rams in 2019. A college tackle, Edwards is a tall, long guard who leverages his length well to get early hands on rushers, corral penetrating run defenders and bench press run defenders out of gaps. Edwards is a little tight in his lower half, which limits his foot quickness and leads to some losses against twitchier interior players. He shows good timing on combo blocks and is effective climbing to the second level in the run game.
Pressure rate allowed
4.9%
Contract projection: 3 years, $40 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-1 Weight: 206
Cook is a two-way safety who can play in the deep part of the field and closer to the line of scrimmage. He has a complete skill set: consistent eyes in zone, a deep-field presence, run-and-hit ability in the alley, physicality and a quick trigger on screens and swings. Cook will deliver the boom on tight-window throws over the middle. Though he played mostly as a deep-field safety in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s Chiefs defense, he has the potential to do more, particularly as a blitzer.
Contract projection: 3 years, $22.5 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-6 Weight: 325
Mays took over the Panthers’ center job in Week 3 after an injury to Austin Corbett and proved to be a very capable starter. He is a huge for the position at 6-6, 325 pounds, and he uses that size well in pass protection, creating a wall on the interior with a sturdy, balanced base. He can match up with big nose tackles. Mays is a bit limited as an athlete, which affects his ability as a move blocker in the run and screen games. But he should be a viable option for any teams looking to solidify their interior pass protection.
Pressure rate allowed
2.8%
Contract projection: 1 year, $11.5 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-5 Weight: 280
After nine seasons with the Chargers, Bosa signed a one-year deal with the Bills last offseason, and he produced his best single-season pressure rate since 2022. Bosa remains explosive off the ball, and he creates consistent commotion as a rusher and run defender. He still has some of the best pass-rush hands in the game.
Bosa is a slippery run defender who can penetrate, but he missed a third of his tackle attempts this past season. He does not separate late in rushes like he used to, and he does not have quite the same burst after dealing with numerous injuries in his career. But he can contribute as a No. 2 rusher.
Contract projection: 3 years, $33 million
Age: 27 Height: 5-9 Weight: 162
Austin is a small receiver with elite speed, quickness and explosiveness. Despite his size, Austin can play on the outside because of his speed and release package. He has sudden change of direction in his releases and route running. Austin is dangerous after the catch, and he can create on engineered touches. He did not get enough of those in coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense. Austin has a ton of upside in an offensive system that uses him more creatively.
Contract projection: 2 years, $16 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-6 Weight: 310
Wilkinson started 17 games at right tackle after starter Kaleb McGary suffered a season-ending injury in training camp. He is not a plus athlete, but he makes up for it with timing and instincts. His hand usage is very consistent. He times his initial punch well to get into the chest of rushers and establish extension.
Wilkinson is very calm in pass protection. He trusts his hands, allowing him to recover mid-rep when his movement skills let him down. He is a better pass protector than run blocker. Wilkinson should be viewed as a functional, capable starter at right tackle.
Pressure rate allowed
7.9%
Contract projection: 3 years, $30 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-1 Weight: 193
Bryant made a full-time switch from corner to safety in 2024. He got his career back on track that season and was a key starter on the Seahawks’ Super Bowl defense. Bryant has reliable eyes and positioning in the deep part of the field. He can support the run. His corner traits show up when he is carrying vertical routes and driving on routes underneath.
Contract projection: 3 years, $21 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-6 Weight: 265
Kolar is an elite run-blocking tight end with untapped potential as a pass catcher. He has great sense and timing on double-team combo blocks. He delivers a shot and then climbs to the second level, and he is a bona fide weapon in those specific blocking schemes. He has outstanding movement skills and athleticism in space. He did not get a lot of chances in the passing game, playing behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. But he has the speed to stretch the seams and good hands, and he is slippery after the catch.
Contract projection: 2 years, $14 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-5 Weight: 312
Risner is an established veteran with experience starting at left guard and right guard. He is a violent puncher and striker in the run game and pass protection. He is particularly sound and reliable as a pass protector. His 98 percent pass blocking efficiency was tied for eighth among guards. Risner is also sudden off the ball as a run blocker. He is a plug-and-play above-average starter on either side of the line.
Pressure rate allowed
3.6%
Contract projection: 3 years, $48 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-3 Weight: 255
Chaisson signed a cheap one-year deal with the Patriots last season, and he had a career year during New England’s run to the Super Bowl. He set career highs in sacks (7.5) and pressures (54), then added three sacks and 20 pressures in four playoff games. His previous career high in pressures was 29. He is a smaller speed rusher with explosiveness and twitch. He is not effective or willing as a run defender. As a result, he is more of a known-passing-down player than an every-down edge defender.
Contract projection: 3 years, $40.5 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-4 Weight: 199
Wright is an extremely tall corner at over 6-4. His five interceptions were tied for second-most in the league last season. Wright excels from an off alignment. He is patient, has good eyes and uses his big frame to slow receivers’ momentum. He turns to find the ball down the field and has receiver-like ball skills in 50-50 situations.
Wright is not a sudden athlete and does not have the burst to stop, plant and accelerate consistently against sharp route runners. He can lag behind on in-breaking routes and give up separation on those reps. Despite his size, Wright is not as good from press alignments, where his change-of-direction skills can get exposed. He is solid in run support and can shed pullers and set an edge.
Contract projection: 2 years, $20 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-0 Weight: 194
A 2021 first-round pick with the Packers, Stokes hit free agency last offseason and had to settle for a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Raiders. He played well in coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme, and now he is positioned for a more lucrative free-agent deal. Stokes has length and speed. He is sticky in man coverage and can press at the line of scrimmage with his frame. He is an athletic dropper in zone who is able to keep vision on the quarterback while maintaining positioning within the coverage. Stokes could be more physical in run support, but he is not a liability in this phase.
Contract projection: 4 years, $46 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-3 Weight: 238
Okonkwo is very undersized for the position, but he has elite speed and athleticism. He has real yards-after-the-catch ability and contact balance, and he is a vertical threat in the passing game. Okonkwo shows off light, quick feet in and out of his breaks as a route runner. He is a move tight end. His size precludes him from impacting the game as an inline blocker. He is more effective when aligned in the backfield as a fullback, when he can function as a lead blocker and fit up linebackers with some momentum.
Contract projection: 2 years, $21 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-3 Weight: 234
Anzalone is a fast, flexible, fluid off-ball linebacker who is slippery when evading blockers in the run game and as a pass rusher. He is a sticky, versatile player in coverage. He wins with speed and athleticism but lacks some physicality as a run defender. Anzalone is a very effective blitzer, and his 29 percent pressure rate was second among all off-ball linebackers.
Contract projection: 1 year, $9.5 million
Age: 33 Height: 6-4 Weight: 310
Onyemata turned 33 in November, but he looks like a much younger player on film. He has a mean, nasty, physical and violent play style. He is a you-better-come-ready kind of interior defender. He can play out of multiple alignments, from a 0 technique over the center out to a 4i technique on the inside shoulder of the tackle. Onyemata is a very solid all-around interior lineman. He is impactful as a penetrator in the run game and rushes with a high motor.
Contract projection: 3 years, $30 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-4 Weight: 330
Simpson is predominantly a left guard, where he started for the Jets for the past two seasons. He is a technically sound pass protector with a sturdy base and quick hands. He has an attacking play style. He fires off the ball in the run game and packs a punch at contact. He is always hunting for extra work as a pass protector. He is a better downhill run blocker than lateral blocker. His best fit is in a run scheme that lives between the tackles on inside zone and gap schemes, which will let him attack north.
Pressure rate allowed
4.9%
Contract projection: 4 years, $61 million
Age: 28 Height: 5-11 Weight: 190
Thompson is a rangy free safety with some man coverage ability against running backs, tight ends and receivers. He has the eyes and burst to bait quarterbacks into throws and make plays on the ball. He has not had an interception since 2023, and you would love more recent ball production out of a true centerfield safety. But he is capable of impacting the game in this way. He had eight interceptions from 2021 to ‘23.
Contract projection: 2 years, $14 million
Age: 28 Height: 6-0 Weight: 215
Dowdle is a big, physical, decisive runner who is urgent upfield with short-area burst. He is explosive through holes and threatening to the edge, both on designed rushes and bounces. Dowdle regularly falls forward through tackles, especially amid congestion at the line of scrimmage. He runs through arm tackles and maintains leg drive through contract. He lacks upper-level long speed in the open field.
Contract projection: 1 year, $10 million
Age: 36 Height: 6-5 Weight: 250
Kelce ranked 24th in yards per route among tight ends with at least 20 targets last season. He is no longer the kind of player who can carry a passing offense as a No. 1 option, but he could still be a productive complementary move tight end. He remains very savvy in short areas, with a rare sense of when to turn back for the ball against off and zone coverages. He takes direct angles after the catch to eat up yardage.
Kelce tied for the lead among tight ends with eight drops, a single-season career worst. He is not as deceptive at the top of routes as he once was. He is not an advantage player as a run blocker, and he is a liability as a chipper in pass protection.
Contract projection: 1 year, $9 million
Age: 34 Height: 6-2 Weight: 211
The Chargers and Allen reunited in August 2025, and Allen had a fine season. His rapport with quarterback Justin Herbert resumed immediately. Allen led the NFL with 29 conversion receptions on third down. His spatial awareness and route running make him extremely productive in these clutch moments. Even when defenses know the ball is going to Allen, he can win. And that part of his game will continue to age well. Allen can still play. That much is clear.
Contract projection: 1 year, $12 million
Age: 33 Height: 6-5 Weight: 266
Clowney had a 19.1 percent pressure rate in 2025, which ranked fourth among all players with at least 200 pass-rush snaps. He is still a physically dominant player as a pass rusher and run defender. Clowney has played for six teams in the past seven seasons. He remains a viable plug-and-play starter on the edge for any defense looking for a one-year No. 2.
Contract projection: 1 year, $12.5 million
Age: 42 Height: 6-2 Weight: 223
Rodgers quarterbacked the Steelers to a 10-7 finish and a playoff berth. He still has the arm strength and talent to make most NFL throws. What is evident is that Rodgers wants to get the ball out quickly and avoid hits. He had the lowest time-to-throw in the NFL at 2.52 seconds. He was hit on 10.8 percent of his dropbacks, the fifth-lowest rate in the league.
If there is even a hint of pressure, Rodgers moves to his checkdown. His 119 attempts to running backs ranked second among all quarterbacks. He is skittish in the pocket at this stage of his career. Quick game, checkdowns and go balls make up the bulk of how he wants to play.
Contract projection: 1 year, $9 million
Age: 37 Height: 6-2 Weight: 248
Entering his age-37 season, Davis remains one of the better off-ball linebackers in the league. He is a fluid mover in coverage, and he is smart as a zone dropper. Davis is an elite run defender. He ranked second among off-ball linebackers last season in run tackles for a loss and no gain.
Contract projection: 2 years, $17 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-4 Weight: 240
A first-round pick in 2022, Walker has premium athletic traits, with the speed to carry vertical routes in coverage, particularly as a middle-of-the-field runner in Cover 2. He has good instincts and reactions as an underneath zone defender when he can drive on checkdowns. Overall, though, Walker has not yet lived up to his draft slot.
He is sometimes late to diagnose against the run, which allows interior offensive lineman to climb up to him at the second level. He can get swallowed up as a blitzer — he ranked 35th in pass-rush efficiency among off-ball linebackers with at least 50 pass-rush snaps. The potential is there. When Walker diagnoses against the run and triggers, he can fire downhill and be disruptive in that phase.
Contract projection: 1 year, $7 million
Age: 33 Height: 6-6 Weight: 255
Higbee has battled injuries over the past two seasons. He missed nearly all of 2024 after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee in the 2023 playoffs. He landed on injured reserve in 2025 with an ankle injury and was limited to 10 regular-season games. The Rams have also added multiple tight ends to the roster, including Colby Parkinson in free agency and Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen in the draft.
But Higbee still has urgent speed into the defense off the line of scrimmage. He is a nuanced route runner with wiggle, polish and deception. Higbee has long levers, natural hands and a big catch radius. He can make contested catches down the field through contact. Higbee is a serviceable blocker but should be targeted as more of a pass-catching option.
Contract projection: 3 years, $18.5 million
Age: 26 Height: 5-10 Weight: 220
Williams signed a cheap one-year deal with the Cowboys last offseason and had a career year, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time. He benefited from a really good run-blocking offensive line and an elite passing game in Dallas. Williams faced the 12th-highest rate of boxes with six or fewer defenders. He led the NFL with 550 rushing yards against light boxes.
Williams is a quality doubles hitter. He will get what’s blocked for him. He is a physical finisher in the open field. He has patient vision between the tackles to find creases. He also has great eyes and feel in pass protection. Williams is not always sudden as a cutter and change-of-direction runner, and he is not explosive to the edges. He can be hesitant when the blocking in front of him is muddy.
Contract projection: 1 year, $12.5 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-0 Weight: 215
Samuel is a dangerous ball carrier and yards-after-the-catch player who can provide a lift on shallow crossers, screens, jet sweeps and handoffs. He is savvy against zone coverage, with a sense for finding vacated holes in the middle of the field. He is not a consistent separator against tight coverage. He is not as explosive as he once was, and he is coming off his worst scrimmage yards output since 2020. Samuel is limited as a true receiver, but he can be productive in the right offense with the right play caller.
Contract projection: 1 year, $6.5 million
Age: 34 Height: 6-4 Weight: 320
Bitonio has been a mainstay at left guard for the Browns for over a decade. He has missed just two starts in the past five years. He turns 35 in October, and he is mulling retirement. His age understandably shows up in his movement skills at times. But he still has above-average play strength, and he has well-rounded functionality as a run blocker and pass protector. He is not at the top of his position anymore, but he could elevate an offensive line with good pieces around him.
Pressure rate allowed
4.9%
Contract projection: 1 year, $5 million
Age: 36 Height: 6-4 Weight: 332
Zeitler continues to be a high-quality, reliable, effective, consistent run blocker, as he has been throughout his career. He turns 36 in March, and as such, he is limited as a mover. He will allow some breakdowns in pass protection, and he had a quad injury in the Titans’ season finale. If he continues playing, Zeitler remains a good option for a team searching for run-blocking juice.
Pressure rate allowed
2.9%
Contract projection: 4 years, $42 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-1 Weight: 204
Brisker is a solid blitzer and run defender from depth. His 12 pressures ranked seventh among safeties in 2025. He will be attractive for defenses that major in two-high pre-snap shells. He can play in the deep part of the field, and he has the burst to impact the run game from an out-of-the-box alignment.
Brisker is not a physically imposing run defender when you get a hat on him. He lacks some pop against bigger blockers, and there was some up-and-down tackling on film. Offenses can also pick on Brisker in coverage at times by flooding zones and running rub routes.
Contract projection: 2 years, $15 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-3 Weight: 302
Hand signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Chargers in free agency last offseason. He was their most consistent interior run defender, and he considerably outperformed this deal. Hand is more of a pocket pusher as a pass rusher, but he can withstand double-teams as a run defender. He should be an attractive piece for schemes that play with light boxes and, therefore, require stout, physical interior defensive linemen.
Contract projection: 1 year, $8 million
Age: 37 Height: 6-4 Weight: 287
Jordan is still a disruptive and productive run defender on the edge. Last season, he posted his best pressure rate (11.2 percent) since 2020 and highest sack total (10.5) since 2021. He clearly still has gas in the tank, but he turns 37 in July, and retirement could be on the table.
Contract projection: 3 years, $21 million
Age: 24 Height: 6-0 Weight: 212
Cross is a box safety who can defend the run and blitz. He ranked third among safeties with 16 pressures last season. He also led all free-agent safeties in splash plays with 30. He is functional as a deep-half and post safety. He has decent ball skills. But Cross is less instinctive as a coverage player than as a run defender and blitzer.
Contract projection: 3 years, $18 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-7 Weight: 326
Johnson started eight games last season at right tackle in place of Lane Johnson, who landed on IR with a Lisfranc injury. Fred Johnson is a physical run blocker who creates movement with relentless leg drive. He plays with good pad level despite being 6-7, sinking his hips to lower his center of gravity. Sometimes that can lead to him leaning over his toes. Johnson uses long strides in his pass protection sets to take wide angles away from rushers. He could get a chance to start somewhere full-time in 2026.
Pressure rate allowed
5.6%
Contract projection: 2 years, $11 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-0 Weight: 214
White is a tall, upright runner with quick feet. He is more finesse than physicality as a runner. He is patient, but that patience is a blessing and a curse. Sometimes he finds a crease. Sometimes he is not urgent enough and allows defenders into the play. He is a smooth athlete for his size.
Contract projection: 1 year, $5.25 million
Age: 26 Height: 5-11 Weight: 225
Allgeier has spent the past three seasons playing behind top-10 pick Bijan Robinson. After a 1,000-yard season as a rookie in 2022, Allgeier’s total production has waned in a second-fiddle role. However, he is a big, imposing back who runs with physicality, leg drive and a high motor. He would be a logical fit in a downhill running game, where he can get north. He is not explosive as a lateral mover. Allgeier could produce in a more sizable role outside of Atlanta.
Contract projection: 2 years, $17 million
Age: 28 Height: 6-4 Weight: 249
Fant is a long, fast athlete who can push vertically in the passing game. His ability down the field is the best part of his game. He lacks power as a run blocker. He is a little stiff on shorter routes coming in and out of his breaks. He has alignment versatility inline, in the slot or outside.
Contract projection: 3 years, $19.5 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-1 Weight: 230
Wilson is a downhill off-ball linebacker who can blitz and defend the run. He is more limited as a coverage player. He has sideline-to-sideline speed and attacks plays in front of him. Wilson also got some edge work in coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme. Wilson is undersized, which limits him when he is asked to take on climbing guards and centers in the run game.
Contract projection: 3 years, $33 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-4 Weight: 263
Ossai is an undersized edge rusher with some length. He has elite pursuit speed, especially from the backside of runs. Ossai utilizes an effective inside long arm to get into a tackle’s chest. He has the ankle flexion to dip and bend around the corner, and he shows timing and instinct on stunts. His lack of size shows up in the run game at times, and he can get stuck when his initial rush move is shut down. He needs to develop counters and secondary moves within rushes to become a more consistent player.
Contract projection: 3 years, $18 million
Age: 28 Height: 6-4 Weight: 307
The Saints traded for Fortner in August. He got a chance to start after Erik McCoy went down with a season-ending injury and performed well. He is a natural pass protector with sound eyes and instincts. He leverages his length well and can anchor down when he needs to. He also pulls the chair on occasion to take advantage of overaggressive rushers. Fortner is not a physically imposing run blocker, but he gets the job done primarily with athleticism. He can move laterally, climb to the second level, pull and play in space.
Pressure rate allowed
2.6%
Contract projection: 1 year, $9.5 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-4 Weight: 246
Njoku is an explosive height-weight-speed athlete, particularly after the catch. He has contested-catch ability down the field. He has tremendous feet in and out of breaks. Njoku lost touches and snaps to rookie Harold Fannin Jr. over the second half of the season, which led to a more middling stat line. Njoku should be a better blocker, given his frame. He shows flashes in this phase but is not nearly consistent enough.
Contract projection: 2 years, $20 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-4 Weight: 315
Teller was an All-Pro at right guard with the Browns in 2020 and 2021. He is no longer that level of player, but he is still good enough to start somewhere in 2026. Teller has battled some injuries in recent years. His 2025 season ended because of a calf injury. He also had a knee injury in 2024. He was limited to 13 games in both seasons. Teller remains an effective, physical mauler in the run game. He was more up and down in pass protection in 2025.
Pressure rate allowed
5.3%
Contract projection: 4 years, $36 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-2 Weight: 332
Parham has quick feet to mirror rushers and get himself out of compromised positions as a pass protector. He lacks the pad level and power to generate consistent movement in the run game. The pad level issues also show up in pass protection against bull rushes. He loses balance and leverage too often, and he is susceptible on T-E stunts. He lacks some feel and awareness in these situations.
Pressure rate allowed
5.4%
Contract projection: 2 years, $18 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-4 Weight: 250
Muhammad set a career high with 11 sacks in 2025. He is undersized and does not have premium athletic traits for the position, but he has a real knack for how to get to the quarterback. He stays active through contact, particularly with his hands, to separate late in reps. He was one of the most efficient pass rushers in football last season, finishing 14th in pressure rate among all players with at least 250 pass-rush snaps. He projects as a high-level situational third edge rusher.
Contract projection: 2 years, $15 milion
Age: 30 Height: 6-2 Weight: 335
Tonga is a big, athletic nose tackle with ability as a run defender and pass rusher. He was an under-the-radar free-agent addition for coach Mike Vrabel, and he proved to be a key piece on a Super Bowl defense. Tonga had a career-high 17 pressures, including playoffs. He is difficult to handle in one-on-one situations. He plays with power and effort. He can stack and shed in the run game. He can penetrate, make plays in the backfield, push the pocket and eat up space along the front. The Patriots also used him as a short-yardage blocker on offense.
Contract projection: 2 years, $22 million
Age: 28 Height: 6-2 Weight: 243
Koonce is a disruptive pass rusher who uses unorthodox hesitation moves. He puts rushers to sleep and then explodes. He will flash as a run defender, but he is not consistent enough in this phase to be a true above-average starter. He projects best as a situational rusher who can come on for obvious passing downs.
Contract projection: 2 years, $19 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-2 Weight: 240
Elliss is a solid, all-around off-ball linebacker with well-rounded skills. He has good size and is a good athlete. The best part of his game is his feel as a zone dropper in coverage. Elliss had a career-high six passes defended in 2025, and he has 12 over the past three seasons with Atlanta.
Contract projection: 3 years, $28 million
Age: 28 Height: 5-10 Weight: 201
The Ravens acquired Gilman in the October trade that sent Odafe Oweh to the Chargers. Gilman is a reliable deep-field safety who has elite instincts. As an undersized player, he relies on those instincts to be starting caliber. Gilman’s football IQ allows him to anticipate plays and route combinations. He is always on the hunt for the football, ripping at it when making tackles down the field. He has five forced fumbles in his career.
Contract projection: 3 years, $54 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-1 Weight: 206
Dean is a big, thick cornerback with size and speed. He is an easy mover, but he has struggled with injuries in his career. Dean missed four games with a foot injury in 2023. He also suffered a back injury in the playoffs that season. In 2024, he landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He also missed time with a knee injury that season. In 2025, he missed three games with a hip flexor injury.
Contract projection: 1 year, $3 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-5 Weight: 308
Vera-Tucker was on pace to be very high in these rankings after the 2024 season. But he tore his triceps before the start of the 2025 regular season and missed the entire year. He has now suffered three season-ending injuries in five years in the NFL. He tore the triceps on his other arm in 2022 and was limited to five games. He tore his Achilles in 2023 and was limited to seven games.
The tape is really good when he is on the field. Vera-Tucker is super athletic and has excellent hands in pass protections. But can teams trust him to stay healthy? Vera-Tucker is worth a flier, but a contingency plan is needed.
Contract projection: 1 year, $2.6 million
Age: 27 Height: 5-10 Weight: 212
Dobbins has a very checkered injury history. He has played one healthy season in his entire NFL career, and that was as a rookie in 2020. He missed 2021 with a knee injury that lingered into 2022. He tore his Achilles in 2023. He missed four games with a knee injury in 2024. And he was limited to 10 games this past season in Denver with a Lisfranc injury.
Dobbins is a crafty runner with instincts, vision and patience. He has been one of the most efficient runners in the league when he has been able to stay on the field, ranking fifth in EPA per designed rush since 2020. He just has not been able to stay on the field.
Contract projection: 4 years, $40 million
Age: 25 Height: 5-11 Weight: 231
Dean is one of the best blitzing linebackers in the league, and he appears to be shot out of a cannon on those reps. He is a matchup advantage against running backs as a pass rusher, with a 35.7 percent pressure rate on 28 pass-rushing snaps. Dean is small and a limited athlete. His size prevents him from being an impactful run defender. He relies on instinct and anticipation as a zone-coverage defender.
Contract projection: 1 year, $7 million
Age: 33 Height: 6-6 Weight: 238
Waller came out of retirement and played nine games for the Dolphins last season after being traded there from the Giants. He does not have quite the same long speed as he used to, but he is still an effective pass catcher. He remains a ball winner in contested-catch situations. Waller ranked seventh in yards per route last season among tight ends with at least 100 routes.
Contract projection: 3 years, $25 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-6 Weight: 283
Hall is a tall interior defensive lineman with workable tools, athleticism and explosiveness. His flashes as a run defender and pass rusher are very intriguing, but he plays a little out of control at times. He can look clumsy and needs more refinement in all phases, but there is a ton of upside with the traits. Hall had a career-high 32 pressures in 2025.
Contract projection: 4 years, $42 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-1 Weight: 203
Blankenship had seven interceptions over two seasons from 2023 to ‘24, and he won a Super Bowl as a starting safety in 2024. But he took a step back in a contract year in 2025. His eyes were inconsistent, and he lacked agility in tighter coverage. Part of that could have been related to the unsettled spot next to him at safety. Rookie second-round pick Andrew Mukuba fractured his ankle in Week 12 and missed the rest of the season. The Eagles tried multiple starters next to Blankenship, including Sydney Brown and Marcus Epps.
Contract projection: 2 years, $20 million
Age: 28 Height: 5-11 Weight: 190
Jobe was undrafted coming out of Alabama in 2022, and he started just three games over his first two NFL seasons with the Eagles. He was waived on cutdown day in 2024 and later landed on the Seahawks’ practice squad. This past season, Jobe was a starting outside corner for the Seahawks’ Super Bowl defense. He is a natural zone coverage player and thrived in Macdonald’s various two-high looks. Jobe had a pass breakup and a tackle for loss in the Super Bowl.
Contract projection: 1 year, $6.25 million
Age: 41 Height: 6-6 Weight: 245
Flacco was traded from the Browns to the Bengals ahead of Week 6 to replace Jake Browning, who had replaced the injured Joe Burrow. In six starts from Week 6 to Week 12, Flacco completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 1,636 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. He was fifth in the league in passing yards over that span and ranked 15th in EPA per dropback. Flacco kept the Bengals competitive despite their horrific defense.
With Flacco starting, the Bengals beat the Steelers and suffered one-score losses to the Bears and Patriots. All three of those were playoff teams. Flacco’s mobility is a limiting factor at this stage of his career. But his arm is still live, and he can drive the ball to intermediate and deep areas of the field. He can throw with touch and play with timing in quick game. Flacco showed enough to be a bridge option in 2026.
Contract projection: 2 years, $10 million
Age: 34 Height: 5-11 Weight: 211
Jefferson was working as a scouting intern in the Ravens’ personnel department in 2023. He came out of retirement in 2024. In 2025, he rediscovered his pre-retirement form, setting a career high with four interceptions. He uses instincts and awareness to be around the ball frequently, and he has a quick trigger to fire downhill on screens and underneath throws.
Contract projection: 1 year, $7 million
Age: 28 Height: 6-5 Weight: 312
Williams signed a two-year, $30 million deal with the Cardinals in 2024. He played in just 15 games over two seasons in Arizona, battling a knee injury in 2024 and a shoulder injury in 2025. Williams is pretty savvy as a pass protector, though jumpy feet can get him out of position at times. He is not very violent at contact, and he loses the initial hand-fighting battle too often. Functional tackle play is hard to find in the NFL, and teams could do a lot worse than Williams as a starting right tackle — if he can stay on the field.
Pressure rate allowed
6.1%
Contract projection: 2 years, $8 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-4 Weight: 325
Multiple regimes in Los Angeles tried to move Salyer inside to guard. He has not performed well there. But when he has been given a chance at left tackle, he has played good football. Salyer made 14 starts at left tackle in 2022 in place of Rashawn Slater. He made five starts at left tackle in 2025, including in the playoffs. He is a below-average athlete for the position and has slow feet. But he understands leverage, angles, hand placement and timing. He is an effective pass protector, and he allowed only 11 pressures after taking over the starting job in Week 13. He should get a look as a starter at left tackle.
Pressure rate allowed
7.4%
Contract projection: 3 years, $21 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-4 Weight: 324
Paul is a heavy-set guard who uses his wide base to smother rushers. He lacks pop and physicality as a run blocker. He is elite in pass protection. He is well below average as a run blocker. He will be a fit in places with a more pass-happy offense. He will not be a fit in other places that are looking for run blocking.
Pressure rate allowed
3.5%
Contract projection: 1 year, $8 million
Age: 32 Height: 6-2 Weight: 222
Top-10-pick quarterbacks who initially failed but succeeded elsewhere are having their moment in the NFL. Sam Darnold just won a Super Bowl with his fifth team. Baker Mayfield found a home in Tampa Bay. Daniel Jones was leading one of the best offenses in football before his injury. Is Trubisky next up?
Trubisky, the No. 2 pick in 2017, played basically a full game in Week 18 after the Bills pulled starter Josh Allen. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 259 yards and four touchdowns against a very poor Jets defense. Trubisky made a bunch of high-quality NFL throws in this game. He still has some accuracy issues and makes some ill-advised decisions over the middle of the field. But he is worth a look as a bridge option.
Contract projection: 2 years, $19 million
Age: 32 Height: 6-2 Weight: 240
Singleton is a physical, violent off-ball linebacker who plays with an edge. He is at his best when moving downhill as a run defender and blitzer. He is willing and eager to take on climbing interior linemen, and the film shows he loves contact. Singleton ranked 12th in pass-rush win rate among off-ball linebackers with at least 80 pass-rush snaps. He is less instinctive as a coverage player, particularly in zone coverage.
Contract projection: 3 years, $18.75 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-5 Weight: 247
Otton is a solid all-around tight end who can contribute in all phases. He is a fine blocker and route runner. He has decent hands and can be a safety valve on leaks to the flat. The best part of his game might be his pass protection. Otton is not a plus athlete. He lacks burst and speed, and there is nothing overly special about his game.
Contract projection: 2 years, $13 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-0 Weight: 190
A 2022 seventh-round pick, Brown took over a starting role at outside cornerback in Week 6. He set a career high with 12 passes defended, including two interceptions, fitting well in coordinator Anthony Campanile’s diverse scheme. Brown has good size. He is comfortable and in control as a zone defender, both in tracking deep-developing routes and triggering on underneath routes.
Contract projection: 1 year, $4 million
Age: 36 Height: 6-4 Weight: 295
Van Roten has experience at right guard, left guard and center in his NFL career, but he has played predominantly right guard in recent seasons. That is where he started for the Giants for the past two seasons. He is a decent pass protector with a strong upper body to consistently win hand-fighting battles. Van Roten struggles to sustain blocks as a run blocker and gets shed too often later in reps. Entering his age-36 season, he is a limited athlete by NFL standards.
Pressure rate allowed
4.2%
Contract projection: 4 years, $50 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-3 Weight: 265
A 2021 first-round pick, Paye is a physical run defender and edge setter who lacks juice as a pass rusher. He is more of a pocket pusher. He does not have diversity in his moves and goes most often to a bull rush. Paye does not have the power as a pass rusher to win often in this way. In 2025, he ranked 54th in pass-rush efficiency among 64 edge rushers with at least 300 pass-rush snaps.
Contract projection: 2 years, $10 million
Age: 27 Height: 5-9 Weight: 200
Gainwell is a receiving back and a shifty, refined route runner from various alignments. He played 55 snaps in the slot in 2025, fourth-most among running backs. He ranked fourth in receptions and fifth in receiving yards among running backs. Gainwell has receiver-like ball tracking in the deep part of the field and is a mismatch against less-mobile linebackers. He has a great feel for finding space coming out of the backfield. Gainwell also set career highs in rushes (114) and rushing yards (537) last season. He is productive when bouncing runs to the outside. But his best fit is as a third-down back.
Contract projection: 1 year, $8.5 million
Age: 36 Height: 6-5 Weight: 285
Autry is an explosive, disruptive situational interior pass rusher. He tied for 16th in pass-rush efficiency among interior defensive linemen with at least 200 pass-rush snaps. Autry played 57 percent of his snaps on third down for Houston, and he was not asked to defend the run very often. That should be his role in 2026, in Houston or elsewhere.
Contract projection: 3 years, $24 million
Age: 25 Height: 6-3 Weight: 250
Chenal is a versatile chess piece who can wear a number of hats. He can play off the ball, on the edge and even on the interior in certain packages. He can rush the passer, defend the run and play in coverage. He has good closing speed in space as a tackler, and he is excellent moving sideline to sideline while defending stretch runs, flat routes and bootlegs. Fit and usage will be important to Chenal’s success.
Contract projection: 3 years, $36 million
Age: 26 Height: 5-11 Weight: 190
The Rams acquired McCreary from the Titans via trade in October. He got injured on the first snap of his Rams debut in Week 12 and did not return until Week 17. McCreary was primarily a nickel in Tennessee, but he played more on the outside in the playoffs for the Rams. He can play both spots and has inside-outside flexibility. McCreary has good eyes and instincts. He is physical both as a run defender and coverage player.
Contract projection: 2 years, $12 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-2 Weight: 312
Lopez is a stout run-stuffing nose tackle who has a strong lower half and quick feet. He has some pass-rush upside and stays moving to find lanes to the outside. Lopez is also a capable pocket pusher. Lopez can cover two gaps, stacking blockers before shedding and making tackles. He can also stand up double-teams in the run game.
Contract projection: 3 years, $18 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-7 Weight: 314
Nijman spot started at left and right tackle this past season for the Panthers. He is big, powerful and explosive as a people mover in the run game. Nijman needs to play with better pad level in pass protection. His upright posture can lead to losses outside and on bull rushes. He is also an inconsistent striker in pass protection. But when he does win the strike battle, he has a strong upper body to sustain and a workable base.
Pressure rate allowed
15.5%
Contract projection: 1 year, $8 million
Age: 36 Height: 6-0 Weight: 242
Wagner is not the athlete he once was, which affects him in man and zone coverage and as a sideline-to-sideline runner. But he still has the instincts, savvy and anticipation to make plays as a run defender and blitzer. Wagner ranked fifth among all off-ball linebackers with 47 splash plays in 2025.
Contract projection: 2 years, $14 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-5 Weight: 253
Trautman is one of the best blocking tight ends in free agency. He has patience in space to set up blocks on the move. He is a truly elite pass protector and can be trusted one-on-one against edge rushers. He gets great extension on these reps and plays with excellent posture and leverage. He is not a No. 1 tight end because of some limitations as a receiver, but he should be a very solid option if paired with a move tight end.
Contract projection: 1 year, $8.5 million
Age: 37 Height: 5-11 Weight: 206
Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Giants last offseason and started the first three games of the season before losing his job to rookie Jaxson Dart. Wilson is firmly a backup at this stage of his career. He can still move and scramble and throw on the run. But he is too quick to bail out of the pocket, and he runs into pressure at times. Wilson has arm talent, especially down the field, but he lacks consistent accuracy. And he does not see the field well enough, missing open receivers in the middle of the field specifically.
Contract projection: 1 year, $10.5 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-6 Weight: 335
Robinson was the Browns’ starting left tackle in 2025. He has 114 career starts at left tackle, and that experience is valuable. Robinson has a firm, violent initial punch, and his best pass-protection reps are when he is able to strike first into a rusher’s chest. But he gets caught off-balance and leaning over his toes too often in the run game and in pass protection. Despite his big frame, he does not have a consistently strong base, and he loses on bull rushes. Robinson is a solid lateral blocker on outside zone and crack tosses, but he is not an effective downhill run blocker.
Pressure rate allowed
9.1%
Contract projection: 2 years, $12 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-4 Weight: 245
Dulcich was waived by the Giants on cutdown day. He signed with the Dolphins’ practice squad and was activated in Week 8. Among tight ends with at least 100 routes, he finished second in yards per route behind only the Bills’ Dalton Kincaid. Dulcich has vertical speed and is aggressive and physical after the catch, particularly on screens.
Contract projection: 1 year, $7 million
Age: 33 Height: 6-8 Weight: 380
After tearing his patellar tendon in 2024, Brown started seven games for the Texans this past season at right tackle. He has a massive frame and is very capable when he is on the field. He is a brick wall in pass protection and a bulldozer in the running game. But it is tough to rely on Brown as a full-time starter given his injury history. He has played more than 11 games one time since 2019. In 2025, he missed the final two regular-season games and the divisional-round loss to the Patriots with an ankle injury.
Pressure rate allowed
4.1%
Contract projection: 3 years, $28.5 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-3 Weight: 281
The Ravens acquired Jones from the Titans ahead of the trade deadline. He is a power rusher with alignment versatility to rush from the interior. He can overpower guards. Jones does not have a ton of variety in his toolbox, but he has a consistent ability to collapse the pocket when rushing off the edge.
Contract projection: 2 years, $12 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-1 Weight: 208
Hawkins bounced around from the Falcons to the Chargers to the Patriots from 2023 to ‘24. But he found a home in New England under Vrabel, and he started 19 games at safety for the Patriots in 2025, including all four playoff games. Hawkins is a stable presence in the deep part of the field and has the instincts to drive from depth. He lacks an elite trait.
Contract projection: 3 years, $18.75 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-4 Weight: 258
Enagbare has intriguing tools as a long edge defender with explosiveness. Those tools show up most often as a run defender. He had eight run tackles for a loss or no gain in 2025, including the postseason. Enagbare lacks refinement as a pass rusher, and that has impacted his ability to take a production step in that phase. He has just 11.5 career sacks in four seasons, and his 10.6 percent pressure rate in 2025 ranked 96th among defensive linemen with at least 200 pass-rush snaps.
Contract projection: 4 years, $41 million
Age: 28 Height: 5-11 Weight: 182
Durant is an undersized corner who is able to function on the outside because of his speed and ball skills. He has 26 passes defended in four NFL seasons. Of his three interceptions in 2025, two came when he ripped the ball away from a targeted receiver. Durant is better in off-zone coverage. He can lose the physicality battle at the line of scrimmage because of his frame.
Contract projection: 1 year, $5 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-4 Weight: 254
Hooper is an effective run blocker who can control the C gap against edge defenders in the run game. He can overwhelm linebackers and defensive backs in one-on-one situations as a run blocker. Hooper is also capable as a chipper in pass protection. As a pass catcher, Hooper has the instincts and timing to be a safety valve to the flat on chip-and-leak concepts.
Contract projection: 3 years, $22.5 million
Age: 25 Height: 6-1 Weight: 175
Flott is at his best in off-coverage zone looks when he can read, react and play from depth. He is a wiry corner who is not a factor in run support. When Flott is asked to play press coverage and from tighter alignments, including man coverage, his reactions, mirroring skills and route recognition are more delayed. He is a good fit in a zone-heavy defense that leans into his strengths.
Contract projection: 2 years, $16 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-4 Weight: 310
Joseph-Day is a run-stuffing nose tackle. He has quietly performed well in Tennessee over the past two seasons after he was waived by the Chargers at the back end of a big free-agent contract. Joseph-Day finished fourth in stop rate among interior defensive lineman with at least 150 run snaps. He ranked in the top 20 in combined run tackles that went for a loss or no gain. Joseph-Day added 19 pressures as a pass rusher.
Contract projection: 1 year, $5.25 million
Age: 32 Height: 6-2 Weight: 305
Rankins is a physical interior rusher who delivers heavy punches to the chests of interior linemen, creating movement by either pushing the pocket or winning outright. He was a good fit in Houston’s defense with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter at edge rusher. Rankins is not particularly stout as a run defender, and he can get driven off the ball by double-teams. He fits best as a situational interior rusher.
Contract projection: 3 years, $22.5 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-5 Weight: 240
Key has at least 30 pressures in each of the past five seasons, including 112 over the past three seasons with the Titans. He is long and physical. He can win as a pass rusher with power or with speed around the edge, and he is a solid run defender. Key would fit well as a veteran third edge on a good defense.
Contract projection: 1 year, $5 million
Age: 32 Height: 5-10 Weight: 190
Cooks requested his release from the Saints in late November, and the Bills picked him up for the stretch run. Cooks caught four passes for 101 yards in a Week 17 loss to the Eagles. He was then an important player during the Bills’ two-game playoff run, playing 75 snaps and catching five passes for 78 yards. He is still a deceptive route runner, and he has the long speed to threaten defenses vertically.
Contract projection: 4 years, $48 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-0 Weight: 192
The Browns traded Newsome to the Jaguars in October in exchange for Tyson Campbell. He started 12 games for Jacksonville, including their playoff loss to the Bills. Newsome has the premium long speed to recover on deep routes, and he is at his best as a cloud corner in Cover 2, when he can get depth, fire downhill and finish on routes to the flat. But Newsome is late to recognize and anticipate in other areas. He gives up separation too easily in the short area of the field and gets turned around too often. His slender build also prevents him from impacting the run game.
Contract projection: 1 year, $3 million
Age: 27 Height: 5-8 Weight: 201
Carter is a small back with burst and wiggle. He can be overwhelmed at the contact point at times because of his size. He is at his best to the outside where he can run away from defenders, and he fits best in a run scheme that tries to attack the edges. Carter lacks some deception as a route runner out of the backfield.
Contract projection: 2 years, $15 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-2 Weight: 242
Martin had a career-high 45 pressures in 2025. He has an active motor as a pass rusher and run defender, with the quick twitch to find open lanes. Martin is small by NFL edge standards, which impacts his effectiveness. But he uses that limited frame well. He has compact power and can drive through tackles with a long arm.
Contract projection: 1 year, $4 million
Age: 40 Height: 6-8 Weight: 315
If Campbell decides to keep playing, he will be entering his 19th NFL season. He is still a handful to deal with at his size, but his age is showing up to a degree. He is not very explosive. He wins as a run defender and pass rusher with strength, power and quick hands. He is a rotational piece at this stage of his career.
Contract projection: 2 years, $11 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-8 Weight: 370
Faalele is a giant guard who can generate some movement in the run game. He started at right guard for the Ravens last season. Faalele is not coordinated in his lower half. He lacks balance, has slow feet, gets over his toes too often and has very limited change-of-direction skills. He can smother rushers when they try to play through his chest, but he struggles to move laterally and close down rushing lanes.
Pressure rate allowed
6.0%
Contract projection: 1 year, $8 million
Age: 34 Height: 6-3 Weight: 240
Floyd still has the juice to press tackles to the corner as a rotational rusher. He produced pressure on 13 percent of his pass-rush snaps, a rate that ranked in the top 50 among all players with at least 200 pass-rushing snaps. It topped his pressure rate from each of the previous three seasons.
Contract projection: 1 year, $5 million
Age: 32 Height: 5-10 Weight: 191
The Dolphins’ new regime of coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan cut Hill as part of a roster purge that included other veterans like edge rusher Bradley Chubb and guard James Daniels. Hill suffered a devastating knee injury in Week 4 last season, which included a dislocation and multiple ligament tears. He relies on his speed, twitch and explosiveness. How will the injury affect those essential elements of Hill’s game, as he enters his age 32 season?
The unknown impacts his ranking here and his projected market. Before his injury, Hill ranked fourth in yards per route run among receivers with at least 50 routes. If he continues playing, Hill might have to sign a cheaper one-year deal with heavy incentives.
Contract projection: 1 year, $5.5 million
Age: 26 Height: 5-10 Weight: 180
Samuel suffered a career-threatening neck injury during practice with the Chargers in 2024. He played in only four games that season. In April, Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery. He signed with the Steelers’ practice squad in November, and he played in seven games down the stretch, including Pittsburgh’s playoff loss to the Texans.
Samuel looked like his old self. When he was at his best with the Chargers, he was a ball-hawking corner. He had nine interceptions over his first three seasons, including the postseason. With his play style, Samuel is prone to some breakdowns. But the upside is turnovers.
Contract projection: 2 years, $8 million
Age: 31 Height: 5-11 Weight: 200
Scott is a veteran, experienced free safety who is comfortable playing in the deep part of the field in two-high and single-high looks. He fits as a third safety for defenses that use one of their starting safeties as a big nickel or dime ‘backer in certain packages, an application that has become more common across the league in recent seasons.
Contract projection: 2 years, $12 million
Age: 27 Height: 6-5 Weight: 315
Lowe started four games at left tackle in place of Will Campbell late in the season. He is functional but limited as a pass protector and run blocker. Lowe is a decent athlete with light feet and violent, heavy hands on his initial strike. But he lacks some power in his lower half and gives up his outside shoulder too often to speed and bendy rushers.
Pressure rate allowed
9.0%
Contract projection: 1 year, $4.5 million
Age: 31 Height: 5-11 Weight: 216
Hunt is a physical between-the-tackles runner who led all running backs with at least 50 rushes in EPA per rush. He scored eight touchdowns in 2025, all in the red zone. Hunt lacks an explosive element to his game, ranking 62nd among RBs in explosive rush rate. Only two of his 163 designed rushes went for 15 yards or more. Hunt is a contact hitter: high batting average, no home run power.
Contract projection: 1 year, $8 million
Age: 32 Height: 6-4 Weight: 222
Mariota made eight starts in place of the injured Jayden Daniels last season, going 2-6 in those games. He is an effective scrambler and runner, but he lacks arm strength. With 82 career starts, Mariota is a solid backup option.
Contract projection: 2 years, $10.5 million
Age: 27 Height: 5-10 Weight: 216
Pacheco is a feisty runner with a violent play style. His best trait is how aggressively he takes on contact, but he is not a tackle-breaker or creator. He forced only 13 missed tackles on 139 rushing attempts.
Contract projection: 2 years, $14 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-6 Weight: 307
Pipkins has started at left tackle, right tackle and right guard over seven seasons with the Chargers. His best position, by far, is right tackle. When healthy, Pipkins is a mid-level starter at that spot. He has dramatically improved as a pass protector since he was a third-round pick out of Sioux Falls in 2019. Pipkins, however, struggles to stay healthy. In 2025, he missed time with ankle and knee injuries.
Pressure rate allowed
7.7%
Contract projection: 1 year, $6 million
Age: 29 Height: 5-9 Weight: 180
Brown is a viable third receiver in a good receiving group. He has some speed to stretch the field vertically. He has some wiggle and deception in his route running. But he does not have an elite trait. Brown ranked 57th among qualified receivers in yards per route in 2025.
Contract projection: 1 year, $5 million
Age: 37 Height: 6-1 Weight: 217
Taylor started four games for the Jets last season before he was knocked out of a Week 14 game against the Dolphins with a groin injury. He can give an offense a chance in a backup role because of his athleticism and scrambling ability. Taylor still has some zip on his passes to the outside. He has 62 career starts.
Contract projection: 1 year, $10 million
Age: 37 Height: 6-3 Weight: 250
Miller can still fill a role on an NFL roster as a situational pass rusher. His 13.2 percent pressure rate was just behind players like the Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper (13.3 percent) and the Seahawks’ Uchenna Nwosu (13.5). Miller can still press the outside shoulders of tackles and win around the edge. He still has a pretty sudden inside spin move, though obviously not as sudden as it was during his heyday.
Contract projection: 3 years, $24 million
Age: 29 Height: 5-11 Weight: 200
Even if the stats do not show it, Kirk can still separate in the short and intermediate areas of the field with sharp route running. He is at his best in the slot and should be able to carve out a role in that position in a good passing offense.
Contract projection: 1 year, $7 million
Age: 31 Height: 6-1 Weight: 205
The majority of Bourne’s 2025 production came during a two-game span in Weeks 5 and 6, showing chemistry with 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones. He fell off from Week 7 on, ranking 76th in yards per route run among receivers with at least 150 routes in that span. Bourne is a good short-area route runner, and he has some yards-after-the-catch ability when he has space.
Contract projection: 1 year, $4 million
Age: 28 Height: 6-1 Weight: 204
Huntley started for the Ravens in Week 17 against the Packers. He went 16-of-20 passing for 107 yards and a touchdown and added eight carries for 60 yards on the ground. Huntley is limited as a passer and largely functions in the short area of the field on quick routes and checkdowns. He is a plus scrambler. Huntley should get a chance to be a backup somewhere.
Contract projection: 2 years, $11.5 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-6 Weight: 315
Skule started nine games in 2025, including eight at left tackle in place of Christian Darrisaw. Skule lacks power and is not a smooth or explosive athlete. He struggles to sustain blocks as a run blocker and pass protector. But he has decent core strength and can re-anchor on bull rushes when defenders get into his chest. He is a viable swing tackle option.
Pressure rate allowed
8.8%
Contract projection: 1 year, $4.5 million
Age: 29 Height: 6-7 Weight: 339
Jones started the Seahawks’ final three regular-season games at left tackle in place of Charles Cross. A 2020 third-round pick, he has bounced around from the Texans to the Ravens to the Seahawks over the past three years. He is explosive off the ball in the run game and fits into an outside-zone-heavy scheme. Jones’ weak anchor in pass protection gets tested when rushers have a head of steam. He has an effective quick set, though, and functions better when he can get his hands on rushers early. He is a plus run blocker who is shaky in pass protection.
Pressure rate allowed
8.3%
Contract projection: 1 year, $3.5 million
Age: 35 Height: 6-2 Weight: 288
Harris is a veteran defensive tackle who is a solid run defender and pocket pusher. He can come off the ball and penetrate or hold up against double-teams, which makes him pretty versatile in terms of scheme fit. He is an early-down rotational player.
Contract projection: 1 year, $4.75 million
Age: 30 Height: 6-3 Weight: 259
Barnett has had back-to-back five-sack seasons as a rotational edge along the Houston front. He is a twitchy and powerful rusher with an inside spin move that smoked multiple tackles last season. An Eagles first-round pick in 2017, Barnett never fully lived up to his draft stock. But he is a capable rusher who could add to a front in a depth role.
Contract projection: 1 year, $6.5 million
Age: 36 Height: 6-1 Weight: 233
David lost a step (or two) in his age-35 season. He averaged 32.1 snaps per splash play, the highest of his career, and he is not an impact defender anymore. But his experience makes him a possible depth piece, if he chooses to keep playing.
Contract projection: 1 year, $10 million
Age: 26 Height: 6-2 Weight: 185
Thornton is a vertical field stretcher, and 48.6 percent of his routes were either gos or posts, which led the league. He can create separation on the outside with deceptive double moves, but there are not a lot of layers or nuance to his game. He will be an option for an offense looking for deep-field speed.
Feb 18, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle