NFL free agency 2026: an ideal signing for all 32 teams

Every fan base has the same thought about their favorite team before NFL free agency begins next week, wondering how many high-profile free agents they can sign and try to become a contender overnight. Well, we had a similar thought: Who should be the ideal free agent for each team? It would certainly be a fun offseason if every team could make an impact by signing in the coming weeks. So we tried to find the answer to this question. We should note that we have a few players who are the ideal signing for a few teams on this list. Obviously, a player can only sign with one team, but this exercise shows how valuable a few pending free agents will be. So let’s take a look at the ideal free agent signing for all 32 teams. [2026 NFL Free Agency: The Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits] Arizona Cardinals Eric D. Williams: QB Jimmy Garoppolo As expected, Arizona released Kyler Murray. Jacoby Brissett remains on the roster, but new head coach Mike LaFleur will want someone familiar with his offense to run the show and set an example of what he wants in terms of culture for the rest of the locker room. Garoppolo served as Matthew Stafford’s backup and is highly regarded by Rams head coach Sean McVay, but signing with the Cardinals gives him a chance to start over in a division he’s familiar with from his time in the NFC West. Garoppolo has played in one Super Bowl and is 43-21 as a starter. Atlanta Falcons Greg Auman: WR Wan’Dale Robinson You’d be hard-pressed to find a team that got less receiver depth than the Falcons in 2025. Even with Kyle Pitts back on the franchise tag at tight end, they need a speed complement the size of Drake London. Robinson is a high-volume receiver, with 140 targets in each of the last two seasons. Let’s say $15 million a year, and he can become a 1,000-yard receiver for barely more than Darnell Mooney was taking. Also take a receiver later in the draft, and with an offensive head coach in Kevin Stefanski, their passing game can take a big step forward. Baltimore Ravens Henry McKenna: DE Trey Hendrickson Baltimore should, first and foremost, focus on not losing center Tyler Linderbaum, which is why they extended him to a “market release” deal, according to general manager Eric DeCosta. The Ravens, however, appear to have enough money to make a splash on an outside player. And I think Hendrickson would be as compelling as any player on Jesse Minter’s defense. Other tempting names to make a splash: ahead of Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Buffalo Bills Ralph Vacchiano: Edge Rusher Bradley Chubb The Bills got the No. 1 receiver they desperately needed when they traded for DJ Moore. They can now focus on increasing their pass rush. Chubb, 28, proved he was healthy and capable of dominating again last season, with 8.5 sacks in Miami after missing a year with a torn ACL. He could be even better, one more year after his injury. Additionally, he might be available on a shorter deal as he hopes to reset his market. The Bills only had one player with more than 5 sacks last season (Gregory Rousseau, 7). Since Joey Bosa is unlikely to return, they need a bookend, and preferably one a little younger too. Carolina Panthers Auman: Edge rusher Leonard Floyd That’s ideal, as in “ideal and reasonably within their budget.” These aren’t all $20 million signings, and Carolina is barely under the cap heading into free agency. Edge Rusher is arguably the biggest need at the position, and Floyd played well with the Rams in 2020-21 when Evero Eijro was there. Last season was a rough year, but he had at least eight sacks in five straight years before that and could bounce back as a solid impact for an improved Panthers defense. Only two teams in the NFL had fewer sacks than Carolina’s 30 last year, with no Panthers player having more than five. Chicago Bears McKenna: DT Khyiris Tonga The Patriots quietly unlocked a Tonga team that few people knew existed. And that’s something a team like the Bears should try to build on. Tonga is a gigantic interior disruptor who should get a discount over someone who has played as well as he has in 2025. And that’s what the Bears need: a value signing. They are currently over the cap by $11 million, according to Spotrac. Cincinnati Bengals’ Ben Arthur: Jaelan Phillips, the edge rusher The Bengals’ porous defense desperately needs pass help, and Trey Hendrickson’s time in Cincinnati is almost over, with the veteran defensive end set to hit free agency. Phillips had just five sacks last season, but recorded 76 pressures, which ranked 10th among all defenders, according to Pro Football Focus. Cleveland Browns McKenna: OT Jamaree Salyer I’m not sure how to match a free agent with the Browns, who are currently $25.7 million over the cap and are a year away from just starting their rebuild. But they really need help at tackle, and I think they should double down on it — with a high draft pick and a decent free agency signing. Salyer replaced Rashawn Slater for the Chargers, and he was competent enough for the Browns to give him a chance. Dallas Cowboys Arthur: Edge Rusher Odafe Oweh Trading Micah Parsons has had a devastating impact on the Cowboys defense. Jadeveon Clowney and Dante Fowler are also expected to hit free agency. With at least 7.5 sacks in consecutive seasons, Oweh would give new Dallas defensive coordinator Christian Parker some juice. Money could be a concern for the Cowboys, who are not typically major players in free agency, but restructuring some contracts could give the team some financial flexibility to pursue a more expensive free agent like Oweh. [NFL Free Agent Matchmaker: Who Lands Kenneth Walker III, Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers?] Denver Broncos Auman: TE Cade Otton He’s not going to break the bank, but at maybe $8 million per year, Otton can play a ton of snaps and consistently give you 50 catches for 500 yards, younger and cheaper than Evan Engram last year. Drops have been a problem in Tampa, but less so in 2025. The Broncos have totaled 12 tight end touchdowns in Sean Payton’s three years there, so there’s plenty of room for improvement. Detroit Lions McKenna: C Cade Mays With Frank Ragnow retiring, the Lions scrambled to fill his shoes in 2025. Mays was a backup center for the Panthers and played at a starting level. After Lindenbaum, Mays could be the No. 1 center on the open market. Green Bay Packers McKenna: CB Nahshon Wright Not only do the Packers need help at the cornerback position, but they will also have huge insight into Wright, who played for the division rival Bears. It’s great to have a good player in a position where he needs it. It’s better when you can steal that player from a team you’ll play twice a year. Houston Texans Auman: C Connor McGovern Houston is revamping its offensive line and protecting CJ Stroud is a priority, which means an upgrade from Jake Andrews at center. The ring is Tyler Lindenbaum, but they don’t have the budget to recruit him. McGovern is three years older but should be closer to $15 million. He missed just two games in three years in Buffalo, earning him a Pro Bowl nomination in 2024. Indianapolis Colts Arthur: DE Trey Hendrickson The Colts need a big upside in Laiatu Latu. Indianapolis defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was also Hendrickson’s Bengals DC from 2021-24, when he had seasons of at least 14 sacks. At 31 years old and coming off a season-ending muscle injury, Hendrickson wouldn’t be able to break the bank for Indy either. Jacksonville Jaguars Auman: Jacksonville DL John Franklin-Myers’ priority will be keeping his own free agents from a stellar 2025 season, but if the price is too high for young stars like linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne, Franklin-Myers would be a big gain for their defensive front, and not too expensive at around $8 million per year. He began his NFL career with the Rams when general manager James Gladstone was there, and adds to the strength of what was the NFL’s best run defense last season. Kansas City Chiefs Arthur: RB Kenneth Walker Adding a dynamic running back should be a priority for the Chiefs, who had the NFL’s 25th-ranked rushing attack last season. Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are entering free agency, and it’s unclear how Patrick Mahomes’ scrambling ability will be affected by a torn ACL. The return of former running back Eric Bienemy as offensive coordinator also bodes well for a Walker pursuit. Las Vegas Raiders Williams: WR Rashid Shaheed The Weber State product was a great midseason trade addition for the Seahawks, helping Seattle win the Super Bowl with explosive return ability. However, Shaheed here follows former Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to Las Vegas, where he is expected to play a larger role in the offense. Shaheed also played for Kubiak in New Orleans and is very familiar with the offensive system set up in the desert. Los Angeles Chargers Williams: C Cade Mays The Bolts lost center Bradley Bozeman to retirement and need to do a better job protecting Justin Herbert. Signing the versatile Mays is a start. He didn’t allow a sack in 12 starts for the Carolina Panthers last season. Mays also played guard and tackle, providing some positional flexibility for Chargers offensive line coach Butch Barry as Los Angeles looks to build chemistry with the top five offensive linemen who can work together to provide better pass protection for Herbert. Los Angeles Rams Williams: CB Tariq Woolen Woolen has worn out his welcome in Seattle but is finding a new home with the Rams. Woolen trash-talked Sean McVay and the Rams sideline during the NFL championship, earning him an unsportsmanlike penalty that took his head off, so things may need to be ironed out at first. But with his speed, length and ball-handling skills, Woolen offers improvement as a cornerback on the perimeter and a defender accustomed to covering the top receivers in the NFC West. Miami Dolphins Auman: Edge Rusher Joey Bosa Bosa, 30, would fill a key need for Miami as an edge rusher. He has personal ties to the Dolphins, as he was born in Miami and his father, John, played three seasons with the Dolphins. He hasn’t had double-digit sacks in a season since 2021, but he led the NFL with five forced fumbles last season and would be a solid addition at a position that lost Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb over the past six months. A one-year contract worth $12 million is just a fraction of what he made in his prime, but it’s fitting for a contract reset as part of Jeff Hafley’s new defense. Minnesota Vikings McKenna: LB Kaden Elliss Even at 31, Elliss is quietly one of the most dynamic defensive players in this free agency class. He is an excellent tackle and run defender. But his value comes from his contributions as a passer r, where he’s sneakily effective — and a perfect fit for a smart mind like Vikings DC Brian Flores. The Vikings will need help getting sacks after likely trading Jonathan Greenard. Maybe they draft a rookie upside and bring in Elliss to fill the void. New England Patriots McKenna: WR Alec Pierce If the Colts thought they could hold Alec Pierce without marking him, they were foolishly mistaken. New England will be a much more attractive place, even if the offer (in dollars) is higher in Indy. The Patriots just released Stefon Diggs. They will likely remain involved in a potential AJ Brown trade. But Pierce — who can stretch the field with his speed and jumpball skills — is basically perfect for Drake Maye, who has established himself as one of the best throwers in the league. Whether the Patriots trade for Brown or not, they’ll want Pierce. New Orleans Saints McKenna: WR Jalen Nailor I don’t think the Saints are going to stretch themselves financially this offseason – not when they’re already $44 million over the cap. But a guy like Nailor is compelling, given what he could do with a bigger role in New Orleans. With Kellen Moore and Tyler Shough showing promise late last year, Nailor could see New Orleans as a place where he can fulfill his potential, perhaps even on a one-year deal to prove it. New York Giants Vacchiano: C Tyler Linderbaum It’s going to cost them, but it’s a no-brainer, and a move that many around the league expect to happen. The Giants have long needed an upgrade on their offensive line and new coach John Harbaugh is going to emphasize it. So why not bring in one of their best players from Baltimore? The 25-year-old is exactly the anchor they need in the middle. He’s durable and has made three straight Pro Bowls and will be a huge boost to the powerful running game Harbaugh wants to build. New York Jets Vacchiano: LB Alex Anzalone This would be a trivial and inexpensive signing, but it could be incredibly important. Aaron Glenn wants to swing, so he runs the defense his way, with his calls. What better way to do that than to bring in his former Detroit defensive QB, who already knows his schemes, his calls and his overall plan? They have a history dating back to their days together in New Orleans. It’s a perfect fit and Anzalone could be a steady veteran influence in the middle of a defense that’s going to be completely rebuilt. Philadelphia Eagles Vacchiano: TE Isaiah likely The Eagles could still bring back tight end Dallas Goedert, who is a free agent at 31 and frequently injured. But Likely is younger (25 years old), more dynamic and presents greater potential at this stage. Ideally, Philly could find a way to utilize both, but otherwise, Likely is a perfect replacement and just the kind of weapon that could add a little boost to the Eagles’ weakening offense. Their needs change if they trade wide receiver AJ Brown, but otherwise, he would likely be an exceptional complementary piece who should see an increase in production if he becomes a team’s No. 1 tight end. Pittsburgh Steelers Vacchiano: RB Rico Dowdle Their primary need changes if quarterback Aaron Rodgers retires, but assuming they return The Ancient One once again, it would be nice if they gave him some help. Yes, they need receivers, but a strong rushing attack would really help keep pressure on their 42-year-old quarterback. Kenneth Gainwell, their MVP last season, is a free agent and likely going elsewhere. Meanwhile, Dowdle had his breakout season in Dallas under new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy two years ago. He could be the top half of a solid 1-2 punch with Jaylen Warren that could power the Steelers while McCarthy organizes a passing attack. San Francisco 49ers Williams: Edge Rusher Joey Bosa The Ohio State product considered signing with San Francisco to play with his younger brother Nick Bosa last season, but instead accepted a better financial offer to play with the Buffalo Bills. This time, the elder Bosa finally gets his wish to play with his brother in the NFL, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Bosa family. Joey Bosa turns 31 in July and can be effective for San Francisco as a situational passer. Seattle Seahawks Williams: RB Tyler Allgeier With Kenneth Walker III likely moving on to greener pastures and finding a more lucrative deal elsewhere, Allgeier is a good fallback option for Seattle. The bruised BYU runner is a good fit for Seattle’s zone running scheme and should pair well with Zach Charbonnet in his return from season-ending knee surgery. The Seahawks may also look to add a pass catcher in the draft to add to the running back room. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Auman: LB Nakobe Dean Whether Lavonte David retires or not, linebacker is a priority need for the Bucs, who struggled to limit passes in the middle of the field last season. Dean has had injury issues, but he played well on his Super Bowl team in 2024, and the Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell last year, so there’s a good chance he moves on. Tampa Bay will also address linebacker in the draft, but that gives them a young starter whose best football should still be ahead of him. Tennessee Titans Arthur: WR Alec Pierce Pierce could be the long-term No. 1 receiver the Titans covet for Cam Ward. He has by far more potential than any other wideout on this year’s market. And with over $90 million in cap space, Tennessee is able to give the former second-round pick the mammoth deal he’s expected to command. Washington Vacchiano Commanders: DE Trey Hendrickson They have plenty of cap space and a dire need for an elite passer on a defense that could be completely rebuilt over the next few months. Hendrickson carries risks. He is 31 years old and has just undergone central muscle surgery. But if he’s healthy, he only has one year left after back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons. He’s the kind of play destroyer they haven’t had on defense in Washington in almost a decade. And if they pair it with an advantage they take with the No. 7 pick in the draft, consider that their defense is instantly transformed.