NFL’s best remaining free agents at every position after the 2026 Draft

We’re about to embark on a second, smaller wave of NFL free agency — the post-draft signings. This is the time teams look to fill holes they weren’t able to patch during the draft, predominantly grabbing aging veterans to round out the roster entering training camp. Notably, any signings moving forward will not count against the 2027 NFL Draft comp pick formula.

These won’t be mammoth, multi-year deals, but rather one-year agreements and incentive-laden contracts. Let’s dive into the players who are available right now at every position, ranking the best five players who could fill those final gaps in 2026.

Quarterback

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Tyrod Taylor
3. Russell Wilson
4. Jimmy Garoppolo
5. Cooper Rush

If your team still needs a quarterback, then God help you, because the guys left all stink. Aaron Rodgers is having another diva offseason where he hems and haws over retirement, or returning to the Steelers — so he’s not really on this list. Everyone else is washed at this point.

Running Back

1. Joe Mixon
2. Najee Harris
3. Nick Chubb
4. Kareem Hunt
5. Antonio Gibson

Both Mixon and Harris missed all of 2025 with season-ending injuries, so they’re total dice rolls at this point — but still have the potential to be good if they are healthy. The other three in the top five can only give a few carries a game at this point in their careers, but they can’t handle a starting load.

Wide Receiver

1. Stefon Diggs
2. Deebo Samuel
3. Jauan Jennings
4. Tyreek Hill
5. Keenan Allen

Stefon Diggs has outstanding legal issues, which probably takes him off almost every team’s list. Tyreek Hill is the most eye-catching name, but he’s lost a step and doesn’t appear dominant anymore. The best bet might be Deebo Samuel, which at this point in his career is saying something.

Tight End

1. David Njoku
2. Zach Ertz
3. Jonnu Smith
4. Darren Waller
5. John FitzPatrick

The best bet at TE is to already have a plan, because the remaining available players is a sorry list.

Offensive Tackle

1. Taylor Decker
2. Yosh Niman
3. Jack Conklin
4. Jonah Williams
5. Cam Robinson

Taylor Decker would be a legitimate upgrade for several teams. He was a low-tier left tackle in 2025 who was released by the Lions when they couldn’t agree to contract terms. Still, he’s a proven player with something left in the tank. Yosh Niman is an intriguing rotational tackle who played for the Panthers last season and looked good in limited time.

Offensive Guards

1. Joel Bitonio
2. Kevin Zeitler
3. Brady Christensen
4. Dylan Parham
5. Alex Cappa

The first three guys offer something here, but really outside of Bitonio and Zeitler you’re getting rotational players who can’t be relied on as starters.

Center

1. Ethan Pocic
2. James Daniels
3. Graham Glasgow
4. Andre James
5. Sam Mustipher

Ethan Pocic has some value, but the rest of the available centers are very poor.

EDGE

1. Joey Bosa
2. Cameron Jordan
3. Yetur Gross-Matos
4. Kyle Van Noy
5. Leonard Floyd

Joey Bosa and Cameron Jordan still have ability as fringe starters, but likely more effective as rotational pass rushers. Everyone else available might as well be a coin toss whether they have anything left in the tank or not.

Interior Defensive Linemen

1. David Onyemata
2. DaQuan Jones
3. DJ Reader
4. Calais Campbell
5. Shelby Harris

Out of the interior linemen Onyemata and Jones would be talent upgrades for several teams. The rest of the position grouping are depth talents or veteran mentors.

Linebacker

1. Bobby Wagner
2. Chris Board
3. Germaine Pratt
4. Shaq Thompson
5. Matt Milano

Bobby Wagner is an ageless wonder who remains a tackling machine, while Chris Board also represents starting value.

Cornerback

1. Rasul Douglas
2. Tre’Davious White
3. Adoree Jackson
4. Trevon Diggs
5. Marshon Lattimore

There simply aren’t enough good corners in the NFL right now, and this list shows how deep the position has been plundered. Good luck if you still need a starter, because the cupboards are bare.

Safety

1. Xavier Woods
2. Chuck Clark
3. Terrell Edmunds
4. Jordan Poyer
5. Mike Edwards

Nobody here is a starter. Backup or rotational guys only at this point.

Kicker

1. Graham Gano
2. Matt Prater
3. Daniel Carlson

There are only three free agent kickers who were with other teams in 2025. These are your guys.

Punter

1. Thomas Morestead
2. Matt Haack
3. Jamie Gillan

There are also only three free agents at punter who were with teams last season. These are those guys.