Realistic Top 25 2026 Free Agents

Last week, we launched the first look at our Top 100 2026 NFL Free Agents list, providing the first glimpse of which veterans could be available as teams reshuffle their rosters this coming offseason. However, this list of players is not going to be the same list teams are working off of in March. Some guys will be franchise tagged, others will sign extensions, a few will even retire.

So here’s a more realistic look at the potential top 25 players who could be available this coming offseason, one that gives a better sense of just how strong this free agent class really is. Lots can change in the next few months but enough of the season is in the books to start making some educated guesses about who will be available and who won’t.

First off, the players who have been removed:

Colts QB Daniel Jones

The resurgence of Jones has been one of the most surprising developments of the 2025 season. He’s been at the controls for the league’s No. 1 offense, both in scoring and total yardage, and is on pace for a career year. Jones is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes and has 20 total touchdowns through 10 games. Indianapolis signed him to a one-year deal worth around $14 million this past offseason. It’ll cost dramatically more to keep him in the fold going forward, either on a long-term deal or the franchise tag. There’s no way the Colts are letting him go, though, not after trading two first-round picks and their ability to replace Jones in the deal for CB Sauce Gardner.

Cowboys WR George Pickens

Dallas sent a third-round pick after this past draft to the Steelers for Pickens, who had worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh and was entering the final year of his contract. So far, it’s been a home run for the Cowboys. Pickens hasn’t just been a quality No. 2 to take away attention from WR CeeDee Lamb — he’s run as the Cowboys’ top option with Lamb missing time to injury and has excelled. In 10 games, Pickens has 58 catches on 83 targets for 908 yards and seven touchdowns. Contract talks have been a minefield for the Cowboys in recent years but they can’t let Pickens leave for nothing after this kind of season, which means at minimum a franchise tag is coming in the offseason for Pickens.

Jets RB Breece Hall

Hall was one of the buzziest names in the league around the midseason trade deadline as the Jets sold off pieces. They didn’t get the offers they wanted to move on from the fourth-year back, though, and that suggests they might not be done with him after his rookie contract is up this year. He’s been by far the best thing about the Jets’ offense this year and is still just 24 years old. If the Jets let him reach free agency, there would be a strong market for his services from contending teams...