8 best impending NFL free agents to watch on Championship Sunday

The offseason has already begun unless you’re a fan of one of the four NFL teams playing on Championship Sunday, which means looking ahead to free agency and the draft. When it comes to the NFC and AFC Championship game there are some key free agents set to hit the market this spring, all of whom could be difference makers for an organization in need.

This isn’t an exhausting list of every free agent playing on Sunday, but rather the guys who still have enough tread on the tires to help a needy team — making them the players to keep an eye on.

K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE — New England Patriots

When it comes to K’Lavon Chaisson he’s a bit of a one trick pony, but it’s a good trick. A below-average run stopper and sealer on the perimeter, one thing Chaisson can do really well is generate pressure. With 54 pressures and 9.0 sacks in 2025, he’s someone who can be an additive to a defense, rather than a focal point.

If you let him pin his ears back as a third down pass rusher or inside specific blitz packages you’ll get results, and when pass rush is always at a premium in the league.

Kamren Curl, S — Los Angeles Rams

A bit of a throwback safety, Kamren Curl really embodies his position by being an ever-reliable presence in the backfield. There’s nothing he can’t do from the position, even as an occasional blitzer, but his forte is really preventing explosive plays and being the heart of a bend-don’t-break defense.

We’re starting to see the safety position come back into vogue, especially with players who can be used in multiple ways. This makes Curl a really good bet in free agency for a team in need of reliable talent.

John Franklin-Myers, DT — Denver Broncos

Collapsing the pocket from the interior has become the NFL’s secret sauce to beating quarterbacks who are becoming more mobile when it comes to movement around the pocket. John Franklin-Myers isn’t a household name, but he should be.

While he’s not much of a run blocker on the interior, he is an extremely successful pass rusher who generated 39 pressures and 8 sacks this season. Franklin-Myers knows how to finish a play, which will make him an attractive free agent.

Jaylinn Hawkins, S — New England Patriots

One of the best ball hawking safeties in the NFL, Jaylinn Hawkins is in the middle of his peak and can be a difference maker to a secondary in need of turnovers. In 2025 he registered four interceptions and only allowed 19 catches in 501 coverage snaps.

Offenses around the NFL learned quickly that it wasn’t worth trying to challenge Hawkins in the air, which makes him a force multiplier in the secondary. While he isn’t as reliable a tackler as Curl, or as good against the run — Hawkins is the best safety hitting free agency this year because of his ability to play the pass.

Roger McCreary, CB — Los Angeles Rams

A high 2nd round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, it appeared that McCreary’s career was headed down the tubes after three horrible years in Tennessee. Now he’s revitalized his status inside the league with the Rams, where he’s shown enough talent to be a No. 2 corner in the NFL.

McCreary is good at shutting down routes, but decided less talented when it comes to playing the ball in the air. Still, at only 25-years-old there’s plenty of upside for a team needing secondary help.

Ja’Quan McMillan, CB — Denver Broncos

The prize of free agency at the cornerback position, McMillan is an instant No. 1 starter on a vast number of teams in the NFL who don’t already have an established superstar in the secondary. Not only is he close to a shutdown corner with incredible footwork and great vision, but an incredibly underrated weapon as a pass rusher off the blitz — which is surprising considering his smaller frame.

The key word when it comes to McMillan is “tenacious.” This is a guy who never gives up on a play, which was typified in the game-winning interception against the Bills in the divisional playoffs. The nature of that play might be questionable, but McMillan isn’t — because he’s a stud.

Rashid Shaheed, WR — Seattle Seahawks

Rashid Shaheed was part of a mid-season trade designed to get put Seattle into Super Bowl contention after a promising start to the season, and he did just that. Predominantly working as a slot receiver, Shaheed has field-stretching speed and became an ideal piece of the puzzle alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.

The upcoming free agent class is heavy in talent, but far too many of the players are up in age. Shaheed represents a guy who could truly be an offense’s starting outside receiver, and at age 27 there’s enough tread left on the tires for a team to have faith in him as a deep threat.

Kenneth Walker III, RB — Seattle Seahawks

We close things out with the No. 1 free agent in the upcoming class. It isn’t often that a 25-year-old, 1,000 yard running back hits free agency — and truthfully this was a contract the Seahawks probably should have locked up to prevent things reaching this point.

Walker’s motor and muscular, compact frame make him an excellent runner between the tackles, while also being a chain mover. He hits free agency at a time where half the teams in the NFL are looking for an upgrade at the running back position, which means there will be no shortage of interest when he enters the market.

If your team doesn’t have the cap space to make a big offer, then this signing is a pipe dream.