Happy new year – meaning theNFL's 2026 league year, the glitzy pigskin finally dropping at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.
What does that mean?Transactions, baby. Previously agreed-upon trades –but not the Maxx Crosby one– can now be executed and players on now-expired contracts may sign new ones at any point, whether negotiated over the past two days or at any point moving forward.
But as free agencyofficiallystarts, the majority of this year's best available talent is already spoken for. But there are a few gems fromUSA TODAY Sports' list of top 100 free agents in 2026still awaiting their next team. Here are the 26 best who are still available in 2026, those with agreed-upon deals or franchise/transition tags no longer listed (*expected to be released at start of new league year):
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)
1. OT Rasheed Walker
He's been a solid, if unspectacular, starter for the Packers since 2023. But serviceable, 26-year-old left tackles don't grow on trees and tend to get paid outrageously well − maybe especially so in a year when there aren't any blue-chip incomers in the draft.
2. QB Kyler Murray*
Heoffered a digital goodbye on Xamid reports on March 3 that the Arizona Cardinals would officially release the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 draft. An Offensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler, Murray's talent has never been in question. But his durability and work ethic have been at issue during his career, and his play plateaued even though former coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense was supposed to optimize Murray's abilities. Murray will be 29 when Week 1 rolls around and maybe he becomes the league's latest successful franchise QB turnaround project if he lands in the right spot. If he doesn't? His days as a starter could be numbered.
3. WR Jauan Jennings
A 6-3, 212-pounder, the 28-year-old caught 132 balls (15 for TDs) over the past two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers. Jennings' roots as a quarterback also make him quite a threat on trick plays. He's also the proverbial dog that some locker rooms covet ... and others won't.
4. QB Aaron Rodgers
Last season was his best since 2021, his most recent MVP effort. Hard to imagine the 42-year-old legend playing anywhere besides the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just hired Mike McCarthy,formerly Rodgers' coach in Green Bay.
5. QB Kirk Cousins*
Given the structure of his reworked deal, the Falcons basically had to let him go. More than a year removed from Achilles surgery, Cousins, 37, looked more like himself last season – after replacing injured Michael Penix Jr. – than he did in 2024. He could be a valued for stopgap for several teams.
6. DE/OLB Joey Bosa
He'll be 31 this season and has a checkered injury history. But Bosa's 2025 campaign with the Buffalo Bills was his best since 2021. He had five sacks and 43 pressures in 15 games and led the league with five forced fumbles. He'd be wise to find a home where his snaps can be maximized but limited.
7. LB Bobby Wagner
He doesn't play a premium position, and he's 35 – not that you'd know it. A great leader and great guy who should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he's done, championship-aspiring teams should be lining up to sign him.
8. OLB/DE Bradley Chubb*
After missing the entire 2024 season while recovering from a torn ACL, the 29-year-old had 8½ sacks and 54 pressures for the Miami Dolphins in 2025. The two-time Pro Bowler should be even better in 2026.
Update −signing with Bills:3 years, $43.5 million ($29M guaranteed)
9. WR Stefon Diggs*
He was a big reason the New England Patriots reached the Super Bowl, finishing with 85 catches and more than 1,000 yards the season after he suffered a torn ACL. However Diggs will turn 33 next season, and his pending legal issues will give any team some level of pause.
10. DL Calais Campbell
Even at 39, he continues to be a phenomenal player and leader – one who remarkably hasn't missed a game since 2022.
11. CB Cobie Durant
The 28-year-old has allowed a 54% completion rate on passes thrown in his direction the past two years as a full-time starter for the Rams.
12. S Jaquan Brisker
Not a lot of flash, but a 26-year-old who started in Chicago for four years can stabilize the back end of a defense.
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13. DE-OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad
He's nearly 31 but picked the right time to have a career season – registering 11 sacks and 59 pressures for the Detroit Lions in 2025, by far personal bests. TBD how much his outlier season and age will allow Muhammad to cash in.
14. WR Deebo Samuel
He's a big name. He's also 30, isn't a polished receiver and has averaged fewer than 900 yards from scrimmage over the past four years in what's largely a play-making role. He has handled kickoffs the past two years, a factor that boosts his value.
15. RB Rachaad White
He had more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage for the Bucs in 2023 but was overtaken on the depth chart by Bucky Irving in 2024. But White, 27, who's also averaged more than 50 receptions during his four-year career, should find a significant role elsewhere.
16. TE Dallas Goedert
He's 31 but also coming off one of his best seasons, his 11 TDs and 60 catches in 2025 both career highs. Blocking isn't the longtime Eagle's forte …the "Tush Push" notwithstanding.
17. DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney
Something of a mercenary at age 33, the No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft had 8½ sacks and 38 pressures for the Cowboys last season despite playing about half of his typical snap count. He can also still set a nice edge.
18. DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
He's 28, versatile and knows how to get underneath an opponent's skin … though that's also sometimes true of his own teams, too.
19. LT Taylor Decker*
He'll be 33 at the start of the 2026 season but good luckfinding a better stopgap guyto man the blind side.
20. G Kevin Zeitler
He'll be 36 next month. Otherwise? Still plug and play – at a very high level.
21. CB Rasul Douglas
He bounced back nicely after a rough 2024 campaign in Buffalo. A big (6-2, 209) corner with 21 career picks shouldn't be unemployed for long, even at 30.
22. TE David Njoku
He's still a physical marvel at 29, good for around 50 grabs, 600 yards and a handful of TDs annually. And unlike a lot of tight ends nowadays, he's also effective in-line as a blocker.
23. DT DJ Reader
Even at 31, the 6-3, 330-pounder can still crush a pocket – especially if his snaps are used judiciously.
24. TE Jonnu Smith
He had a career year for Miami in 2024, but his numbers plummeted in Pittsburgh's tight end-heavy offense in 2025. But Smith is only 30 and should find a soft landing somewhere.
25. WR Brandon Aiyuk*
He was a 1,300-yard receiver in 2023. He tore up his knee in 2024. He didn't play in 2025 and basically ghosted the 49ers, leading the team to void $27 million of Aiyuk's guaranteed money. His talent and behavior will make for quite the cost-benefit analysis for potentially interested teams.
26. OLB/DE Arnold Ebiketie
He's 27 and has shown the ability to get to the quarterback (130 total pressures) during his four-year career. But he hasn't proven he can be any more than rotational defender with only 12 starts to his credit.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL free agency: Best available players as 2026 market officially opens
