Early projections rank the top 50 NFL free agents who could hit market in 2026

Cbssports has published an early ranking of the top 50 NFL free agents who could hit the market after the 2026 Super Bowl, now set between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.

The list is driven by players' current impact and factors such as age, positional value, production and injury history, and notes teams may still release veterans or extend key players before free agency. Top-ranked players include Dallas' George Pickens, who earned his first Pro Bowl and an All-Pro second-team nod in 2025 after a midseason trade; Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson, coming off core muscle surgery but with consecutive 17.5-sack seasons in 2023-24; Indianapolis' Daniel Jones, who played his best football through Week 14 before suffering a torn Achilles and could be ready in six to eight months; and Baltimore center Tyler Linderbaum, whose fifth-year option was declined and who drew a strong Pro Football Focus grade.

Cbssports' piece also highlights that some listed players could re-sign with their teams or be franchise-tagged, and that additional moves may alter the market. The outlet notes the 2026 free agency signing period begins March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, with teams allowed to start negotiations on March 9 at noon ET.

Key Topics

Sports, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, George Pickens, Trey Hendrickson, Daniel Jones