{"id":849029,"date":"2026-04-02T10:43:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T10:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849029\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T10:43:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T10:43:18","slug":"ranking-the-top-50-nfl-free-agent-signings-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849029\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking the Top 50 NFL Free-Agent Signings of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been almost four weeks since the start of NFL free agency, and a majority of the top targets have already signed<\/a> with their next team. While there are still some good players on the market<\/a>, such as Jauan Jennings, Aaron Rodgers and Taylor Decker\u2014among others\u2014for the most part, the best players available are already locked up through at least the 2026 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s rank them.<\/p>\n

These rankings factor in the player\u2019s quality, the team\u2019s need at the position and the value of the deal. Sports Illustrated\u2019s Eva Geitheim, Mike Kadlick and Karl Rasmussen each put together their own lists, which were then combined into the top 50 free-agent signings of the 2026 offseason.<\/p>\n

50. Jalen Nailor, WR, Raiders<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $35.03 million; $23 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Nailor joins a Raiders offense in need of depth at wide receiver after trading Jakobi Meyers to the Jaguars. Nailor had a career-high 444 yards and four touchdowns in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

49. Jaquan Brisker, S, Steelers<\/p>\n

Contract: one year, $5.5 million; $4.285 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

A bargain for the Steelers, Pittsburgh managed to shore up its secondary with a one-year deal for Brisker, who has four interceptions, 21 passes defensed and seven sacks in 52 career games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

48. Demario Davis, LB, Jets<\/p>\n

Contract: two years, $22 million; $15 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Davis returns to the Jets 14 years after the team selected him in the third round of the 2012 draft. Davis is remarkably durable, having started 131 of 133 games during his eight-year tenure in New Orleans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

47. Reed Blankenship, S, Texans<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $24.75 million; $16.5 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Blankenship spent his first four NFL seasons in Philadelphia, racking up 204 tackles and nine interceptions while helping the Eagles to a Super Bowl LIX. He\u2019ll now join a Texans secondary that allowed a league-low 277.2 yards per game last season.<\/p>\n

46. Jalen Thompson, S, Cowboys<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $33 million; $22 guaranteed<\/p>\n

Defensive upgrades were nothing short of a requirement for the Cowboys this offseason. Thompson has started 62 games over the past four seasons, all with the Cardinals, and has logged five interceptions.<\/p>\n

45. Wyatt Teller, OG, Texans<\/p>\n

Contract: two years, $16 million; $8.5 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Teller is the latest addition to the Texans\u2019 reworked offensive line. A two-time second-team All-Pro, the 31-year-old will bring a quality veteran presence in front of C.J. Stroud.<\/p>\n

44. Cordale Flott, CB, Titans<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $45 million; $32 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Another former Giant is following Brian Daboll to Tennessee. Flott landed himself a three-year deal with the Titans after starting 14 games last season. The former third-round pick had an interception and 11 pass defenses in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

43. Rico Dowdle, RB, Steelers<\/p>\n

Contract: two years, $12.3 million; $5 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Steelers have \u201cbuckled up\u201d by adding Dowdle to the running back room. Pittsburgh parted ways with Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, but managed to sign Dowdle, who\u2019s coming off back-to-back 1,000-plus yard seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

42. Kwity Paye, edge, Raiders<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $48 million; $32 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Paye signed with the Raiders before knowing that Maxx Crosby would end up back in Las Vegas. The two edge rushers have the opportunity to wreak havoc on opposing offenses in 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n

41. Chig Okonkwo, TE, Commanders<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $27 million; $16.7 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Commanders found a replacement for Zach Ertz in Okonkwo, who is an excellent pass catcher despite having just eight touchdowns in his first four seasons. Jayden Daniels will be the best quarterback Okonkwo has played with as a pro. <\/p>\n

40. Dre\u2019Mont Jones, edge, Patriots<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $36.5 million; $23.1 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The signing of Jones marks the second consecutive offseason in which the Patriots have added a former Titan to their edge rusher room on a three-year deal. Jones, 29, tallied a career-high seven sacks in 2025\u20142.5 of which came after he was dealt to the Ravens at the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Jets will get some much-needed help on defense with Nahshon Wright. | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

39. Nahshon Wright, CB, Jets<\/p>\n

Contract: one year, $3.5 million; fully guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Jets have a good chance to end their no-interception streak after signing Wright, who picked off five passes last season.<\/p>\n

38. Joseph Ossai, edge, Jets<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $34.5 million; $22.5 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Ossai is headed to the Jets after spending his first five NFL seasons in Cincinnati with the Bengals. Just 25, he brings 73 career tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles with him to Aaron Glenn\u2019s New York defense.<\/p>\n

37. Cade Mays, C, Lions<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $25 million; $14 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Lions weren\u2019t super active in free agency, but they shored up one of their biggest needs by signing Mays at center.<\/p>\n

36. Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Giants<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $36 million; $23.7 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Giants added Edmunds to a new-look defense under coordinator Dennard Wilson and coach John Harbaugh. The 27-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler and tallied 14 interceptions and 8.5 sacks throughout his career with both the Bills and Bears.<\/p>\n

35. K\u2019Lavon Chaisson, edge, Commanders<\/p>\n

Contract: one year, $11 million; $10.3 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Chaisson is heading to Washington after one season with the Patriots, during which he had a career-high 7.5 sacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

34. John Simpson, G, Ravens<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $30 million; $17.5 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

After losing center Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders, Baltimore added a veteran guard in Simpson to help shore up the interior of its offensive line. The 28-year-old had previously spent 2022 and \u201923 with the Ravens before signing with the Jets in \u201924.<\/p>\n

33. Riq Woolen, CB, Eagles<\/p>\n

Contract: one year, $12 million; fully guaranteed<\/p>\n

Woolen had a sensational rookie season but hasn\u2019t lived up to expectations since then. He\u2019ll have a great bounce-back opportunity with the Eagles, joining a cornerbacks group that includes Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.\u00a0<\/p>\n

32. Alontae Taylor, CB, Titans<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $58 million; $42 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Overlooked for much of his four years in New Orleans, Taylor is a sneaky good addition for the Titans, who were in need of help at cornerback after finishing the 2025 season 23rd in passing yards allowed per game.<\/p>\n

31. Kaden Elliss, LB, Saints<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $33 million; $23 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Elliss took full advantage of his increased snap count over the past three seasons in Atlanta, becoming an integral part of the defense. He\u2019ll now bring that to a Saints unit that just saw DeMario Davis leave for the Jets.<\/p>\n

30. Leo Chenal, LB, Commanders<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $24.75 million; $12.4 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Chenal tallied 218 total tackles over four seasons in Kansas City and will now give the Commanders a Bobby Wagner replacement in the middle of their defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

29. Tyler Biadasz, C, Chargers<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $30 million; $20 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Biadasz joined the Chargers in 2026 after being cut by the Commanders this past February. He\u2019ll give Justin Herbert & Co. a steady presence in the middle of their offensive line.<\/p>\n

28. Braden Smith, OT, Texans<\/p>\n

Contract: two years, $25 million; $13.5 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Texans have revamped their offensive line this offseason, and their best addition has been Smith. The veteran spent the past eight seasons with the Colts, helping form one of the league\u2019s top lines during his tenure in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

27. Nick Cross, S, Commanders<\/p>\n

Contract: two years, $14 million; $6.05 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Commanders plugged a hole in their defense with the signing of Cross, who is only 24. It was important for the Commanders to get younger and better on defense this offseason, and Cross matches that criteria.\u00a0<\/p>\n

26. Kevin Byard, S, Patriots<\/p>\n

Contract: one year, $9 million; $6.17 million guaranteed\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel will reunite with one of his former players as the Patriots sign Byard, who\u2019s aged like a fine wine, playing well as he prepares to enter his age-33 season.<\/p>\n

25. Coby Bryant, S, Bears<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $40 million; $25.75 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The second-highest paid safety this offseason, Bryant joins the Bears fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks. Bryant had seven interceptions over the past two seasons and will join a Chicago secondary that paced the league in that category in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

24. Bryan Cook, S, Bengals<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $40.25 million; $14 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Bengals made defense a priority in free agency, and they fortified the secondary by bringing in Cook, who has two interceptions and 11 pass defenses over his past two seasons, both of which were spent with the Chiefs.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Patriots\u2019 offense got a boost with the signing of Romeo Doubs. | Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

23. Romeo Doubs, WR, Patriots<\/p>\n

Contract: four years, $68 million; $35 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Patriots got Drake Maye a solid weapon to funnel the offense through. Will they pair him with A.J. Brown?\u00a0<\/p>\n

22. Quay Walker, LB, Raiders<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $40.5 million; $28 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Operating under the assumption that Maxx Crosby was headed to Baltimore, the Raiders made some splash moves on defense. Walker, a former Packers\u2019 first-round pick, has recorded 2.5 sacks in each of the past three seasons.<\/p>\n

21. Isaac Seumalo, OG, Cardinals<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $31.5 million; $19 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Cardinals might not have a franchise quarterback, but they do have better protection for whoever is in the backfield by signing one of the best guards on the market.\u00a0<\/p>\n

20. Nakobe Dean, LB, Raiders<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $36 million; $20 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

In addition to the Walker signing, the Raiders also brought in former Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean. Injuries limited him to just 10 games last season, but he impressed when healthy, racking up four sacks, 55 tackles and seven tackles for loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n

19. Isaiah Likely, TE, Giants<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $40 million; $20.5 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a Ravens reunion in New York as John Harbaugh improves his offense by bringing his former tight end to the Giants.<\/p>\n

18. Wan\u2019Dale Robinson, WR, Titans<\/p>\n

Contract: four years, $70 million; $36.98 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Cam Ward gets a much-needed weapon as Robinson reunites with Brian Daboll in Tennessee.<\/p>\n

17. Jamel Dean, CB, Steelers<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $36.75 million; $12 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Dean had three interceptions and nine pass defenses in 2025, his final season with the Buccaneers. He\u2019ll join Jaquan Brisker as a newcomer in Pittsburgh\u2019s new-look secondary for the \u201926 season.<\/p>\n

16. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, Patriots<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $42 million; $21 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Patriots found an upgrade for their offensive line after Drake Maye was sacked 21 times in the playoffs. Now the question is if Vera-Tucker can stay healthy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

15. Jaylen Watson, CB, Rams<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $51 million; $25.99 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Rams snatched the Chiefs\u2019 corner duo as they shore up their secondary to better their Super Bowl odds.<\/p>\n

14. Rasheed Walker, LT, Panthers<\/p>\n

Contract: one year, $4 million; $3.215 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Panthers found a replacement for the injured Ikem Ekwonu at an incredible price, ensuring Bryce Young\u2019s blind side is protected heading into his fourth NFL season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

13. Boye Mafe, edge, Bengals<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $60 million; $19 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Another marquee defensive addition for Cincinnati, Mafe enjoyed four productive seasons with the Seahawks before signing with the Bengals in the offseason. He had 20 sacks and 36 QB hits in four years, despite a somewhat reduced role in 2025.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

12. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Saints<\/p>\n

Contract: four years, $48 million; $24 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Saints\u2019 addition of Etienne is meant to be. Etienne is from Louisiana, has a son named Saint and looks to take over for Alvin Kamara as the Saints\u2019 lead back.<\/p>\n

11. Odafe Oweh, edge, Commanders<\/p>\n

Contract: four years, $100 million; $68 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Commanders may have overpaid for Oweh, but at least they managed to improve their pass rush in the first wave of free agency.<\/p>\n

10. John Franklin-Myers, DT, Titans<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $63 million; $42 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Robert Saleh will reunite with one of his former Jets as the Titans landed the best interior defender available in free agency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

9. David Edwards, OG, Saints<\/p>\n

Contract: four years, $61 million; $45 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Saints\u2019 offensive line got an upgrade with the signing of Edwards, who has spent the past three seasons on one of the best offensive lines in Buffalo.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The 49ers are early Super Bowl contenders with the addition of Mike Evans. | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

8. Mike Evans, WR, 49ers<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $42.5 million; $14.3 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Kyle Shanahan has a new weapon to scheme for as the 49er \u00a0lured the great Evans<\/a> from Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

7. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Chiefs<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $43.1 million; $28.7 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Chiefs didn\u2019t make the Super Bowl for the first time in three seasons, but they still landed the Super Bowl MVP to ignite their rushing attack.<\/p>\n

6. Trey Hendrickson, edge, Ravens<\/p>\n

Contract: four years, $112 million; $60 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Ravens had to pay a pretty penny to sign Hendrickson, but they no longer have to cough up two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby.\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. Malik Willis, QB, Dolphins<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $67.5 million; $45 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Dolphins secured a high-upside quarterback in Willis while they begin their rebuild. The only question is if he has anyone reliable to throw to.<\/p>\n

4. Jaelan Phillips, LB, Panthers<\/p>\n

Contract: four years, $120 million; $80 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

Along with linebacker, the Panthers addressed their need in the front seven by signing one of the best available pass rushers in Phillips.<\/p>\n

3. Kyler Murray, QB, Vikings<\/p>\n

Contract: one year, $1.3 million; fully guaranteed<\/p>\n

What a bargain for Minnesota, which gets a potential top-10 quarterback on clearance.<\/p>\n

2. Devin Lloyd, LB, Panthers<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $45 million; $25 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

The Panthers filled their pressing need at linebacker with a breakout star on a team-friendly deal. Lloyd earned second-team All-Pro honors for the first time in 2025 after racking up 81 total tackles and five picks for the Jaguars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Raiders<\/p>\n

Contract: three years, $81 million; $60 million guaranteed<\/p>\n

At an exorbitant price, the Raiders landed the best center available to start the Fernando Mendoza era.<\/p>\n

More NFL from Sports Illustrated\"\"Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s been almost four weeks since the start of NFL free agency, and a majority of the top…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":849030,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2056],"tags":[7,221,253,2368,6,222],"class_list":{"0":"post-849029","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-houston-texans","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-houston","10":"tag-houston-texans","11":"tag-houstontexans","12":"tag-nfl","13":"tag-texans"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116334706423249201","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/849029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=849029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/849029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/849030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=849029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=849029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=849029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}