NFL · 1 month ago

ESPN Projects One Free Agent Signing for All 32 Teams in 2026 NFL Free Agency

John Canady

Host · Writer

Seattle Seahawks: WR Jauan Jennings (San Francisco 49ers)
Seattle could replace Rashid Shaheed and add a physical presence with Jauan Jennings. He’s a strong run blocker and scored nine touchdowns last season, with a 2024 campaign ranking 12th in ESPN’s receiver scores.

"Jennings can impact both the passing and running game while taking a weapon away from a rival." - Schatz

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Buffalo Bills: WR Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
This would be a clear win-now swing for Buffalo. Mike Evans still brings rare size at 6-foot-5, 231 pounds, giving Josh Allen a true boundary target — especially in big moments, where his 220 third-down yards in 2024 show his reliability.

He’ll be 33 in August and missed 10 games in 2025, but he’s only a year removed from a 1,000-yard, 11-touchdown season. If the Bills want a proven No. 1 option, this fits.

"He has the size -- standing at 6-foot-5, 231 pounds -- and ball skills to win contested catches." - Schatz
Miami Dolphins: TE Isaiah Likely (Baltimore Ravens)
Miami’s tight end room is wide open, and Isaiah Likely feels ready for a bigger role. He posted 400 yards in both 2023 and 2024, ranking third and sixth among tight ends in ESPN receiver scores those seasons. With fewer mouths to feed offensively, this could be his chance to break out as a true TE1.

"He should be able to shine in a Miami offense that doesn't need to feed a lot of other receivers after it released Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine." - Schatz
New York Jets: QB Malik Willis (Green Bay Packers)
The Jets need a reset under center, and Malik Willis might be this year’s upside play. In limited action, he posted a 93.1 QBR in 2025 and a 77.3 QBR the year prior in spot starts. Small sample size or not, that kind of efficiency will earn him a real shot somewhere.

"Willis is going to sign somewhere to start, and the Jets need a new quarterback." - Schatz
Baltimore Ravens: C Connor McGovern (Buffalo Bills)
If Baltimore needs a new anchor in the middle, Connor McGovern is coming off a quietly dominant year. His 97.2% pass block win rate tied for second among centers, and his 72.6% run block win rate ranked third. That’s high-level consistency at just 28 years old.

"His 97.2% pass block win rate last season matched Linderbaum for second place behind Kansas City's Creed Humphrey." - Schatz
Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE Odafe Oweh (Los Angeles Chargers)
If Cincinnati is retooling its pass rush, Odafe Oweh fits the timeline. He closed last season with 7.5 sacks in his final 12 games and added two forced fumbles in the playoffs. At 27, he’s entering his prime and trending up at the right time.

"Oweh finally broke out after the Ravens traded him to the Chargers last season, with 7.5 sacks in the final 12 games." - Schatz
Cleveland Browns: WR Rashid Shaheed (Seattle Seahawks)
Cleveland needs explosiveness, and Rashid Shaheed brings it both on offense and special teams. He totaled 687 receiving yards in 2025 and had seven games with at least 50 yards, something no Browns receiver matched. That kind of vertical juice would be a welcome change.

"No Browns receiver eclipsed Shaheed's 687 receiving yards in 2025." - Schatz
Pittsburgh Steelers: S Jaquan Brisker (Chicago Bears)
The Steelers could use stability on the back end, and Jaquan Brisker offers versatility and production. He’s recorded at least 90 tackles in each of his three healthy seasons, along with seven sacks, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles in his career. Physical and proven fits Pittsburgh’s style.

"Brisker can play both deep or in the box, and he's a hard-hitting safety who will fit the Steelers' defensive personality." - Schatz
Houston Texans: C Tyler Linderbaum (Baltimore Ravens)
Houston has to get better at center, and Tyler Linderbaum would be a major upgrade. He posted a 97.2% pass block win rate, second among centers, giving the Texans the kind of interior stability contenders need.

"Bringing over Linderbaum, who ranked second at center with a 97.2% pass block win rate, would really help solidify the offense." - Schatz
Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Bradley Chubb (Miami Dolphins)
Indianapolis needs proven production off the edge, and Bradley Chubb still delivers it. He finished last season with 8.5 sacks and 36 pressures, solid numbers for a 30-year-old veteran who can raise the floor of a struggling rush.

"The Colts ranked just 30th in pass rush win rate (29.1%) last season." - Schatz
Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Riq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks)
Jacksonville could use another outside presence, and Riq Woolen brings size at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds with strong underlying numbers. Despite some bumps last year, he still ranked 12th in coverage DVOA, showing he can hold up against top targets.

"But he still ranked 12th in the league in my coverage DVOA metric." - Schatz
Tennessee Titans: EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson (New England Patriots)
Tennessee can keep building its front with K'Lavon Chaisson, who turned in 7.5 sacks and 32 pressures in 2025 with a 12.9% pass rush win rate. With free agents departing, adding a steady edge threat makes sense.

"In 2025, he had 7.5 sacks, 32 pressures, and an above-average pass rush win rate of 12.9%." - Schatz
Denver Broncos: TE Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Denver needs balance at tight end, and Cade Otton gives them that. He’s totaled 1,172 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons, while also offering value as a blocker — a clean complement to their current room.

"He's also useful as a receiver when needed, with 1,172 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons." - Schatz
Kansas City Chiefs: RB Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks)
Kansas City adding Kenneth Walker III would inject explosiveness into the backfield. He rushed for 1,000+ yards last season and added 31 catches for 282 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per reception — production that fits perfectly alongside Patrick Mahomes.

"Walker had more than 1,000 rushing yards last season and added 31 catches for 282 yards." - Schatz
Las Vegas Raiders: LB Quay Walker (Green Bay Packers)
Las Vegas could use a sideline-to-sideline playmaker, and Quay Walker fits the bill. He totaled 128 tackles last season and can attack as a blitzer, giving the Raiders versatility in their linebacker corps.

"Walker brings the speed and instincts to make plays all over the field." - Schatz
Los Angeles Chargers: G Isaac Seumalo (Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Chargers need help inside, and Isaac Seumalo is a reliable anchor. With a 97.3% pass block win rate and 76.9% run block win rate, he can stabilize the line and open lanes for big plays.

"Seumalo gives you consistency you can count on every snap." - Schatz
Dallas Cowboys: LB Devin Lloyd (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Dallas needs playmakers after a rough 2025. Devin Lloyd can create turnovers, shown by his five interceptions last season, giving the Cowboys a linebacker who can swing momentum.

"Lloyd has a nose for the ball and can flip a game in a moment." - Schatz
New York Giants: CB Eric Stokes (Las Vegas Raiders)
The Giants could gamble on upside with Eric Stokes, who bounced back with 53 tackles and five passes defensed in 2025. If that version shows up again, New York gets a needed boost on the outside.

"It's safe to say that we don't know what version of Stokes we'll see in 2026." - Schatz
Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Boye Mafe (Seattle Seahawks)
Philadelphia could rotate in Boye Mafe to add consistent pressure. He had 33 pressures with an 18.7% pass rush win rate, showing quickness and burst that can disrupt quarterbacks.

"Mafe is a fast-twitch edge who can collapse pockets in a hurry." - Schatz
Washington Commanders: EDGE Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals)
Washington has cap space and needs a proven edge. Trey Hendrickson fits both, bringing veteran savvy and the ability to lift a struggling pass rush.

"Hendrickson can lead a young group and set the tone off the edge." - Schatz
Chicago Bears: S Kam Curl (Los Angeles Rams)
Chicago needs flexibility in the secondary. Kam Curl can play deep or in the box, logging 79 solo tackles, two interceptions, and five passes defensed in 2025.

"Curl is the kind of safety who adapts to whatever the defense needs." - Schatz
Detroit Lions: EDGE Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers)
Detroit needs a proven pass rusher, and Khalil Mack still delivers. Even with missed games, he notched 5.5 sacks and 28 pressures, providing a disruptive veteran presence.

"Mack still brings fear to the pocket every snap he’s on the field." - Schatz
Green Bay Packers: LB Nakobe Dean (Philadelphia Eagles)
Green Bay could replace departing talent with Nakobe Dean, a versatile linebacker. He recorded four sacks, two forced fumbles, and 55 tackles, showing strength in coverage and run support.

"Dean is quick, smart, and can make plays all over the field." - Schatz
Minnesota Vikings: S Bryan Cook (Kansas City Chiefs)
Minnesota needs help over the top, and Bryan Cook is a rangy safety. With a career-high 85 tackles in 2025, he can anchor deep coverage and clean up mistakes.

"Cook has the range to patrol the field and keep plays from breaking big." - Schatz
Atlanta Falcons: DL John Franklin-Myers (Denver Broncos)
Atlanta needs a 5-tech defensive end, and John Franklin-Myers can provide push inside. He had a 10.1% pass rush win rate, 7.5 sacks, and strong run defense, making him a dual threat.

"Franklin-Myers can collapse the pocket and hold the point of attack." - Schatz
Carolina Panthers: LB Kaden Elliss (Atlanta Falcons)
Carolina could add Kaden Elliss next to Trevin Wallace. He’s topped 100 tackles for three straight seasons and is one of the league’s best blitzing inside linebackers.

"Elliss can turn a normal play into a big defensive moment." - Schatz
New Orleans Saints: WR Alec Pierce (Indianapolis Colts)
New Orleans needs a vertical threat, and Alec Pierce is just that. He posted 1,000 yards on 47 catches, averaging 21.3 yards per reception, giving quarterback Tyler Shough a real deep option.

"Pierce stretches the field and opens up everything underneath." - Schatz
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Alex Anzalone (Detroit Lions)
Tampa Bay could be ready to move on from Lavonte David, and Alex Anzalone would bring veteran savvy to the middle. He’s strong against the run and contributed 2.5 sacks and eight passes defensed last season for Detroit.

"Anzalone has the experience and instincts to step in and lead the linebacker group." - Schatz
Arizona Cardinals: OT Braden Smith (Indianapolis Colts)
Arizona needs stability at right tackle, and Braden Smith has been consistent for Indianapolis. He ranked 34th out of 68 in pass block win rate last season at 90.6%, providing reliable protection on the edge.

"Smith can anchor the line and give the quarterback time to operate." - Schatz
Los Angeles Rams: CB Jaylen Watson (Kansas City Chiefs)
The Rams’ secondary is in flux, and Jaylen Watson brings size (6-foot-2, 197 pounds) and awareness. He’s capable in both press and zone, ranking above average in coverage in 2025 and showing big-play potential.

"Watson has the length and instincts to cover top receivers effectively." - Schatz
San Francisco 49ers: G Joel Bitonio (Cleveland Browns)
San Francisco could pair Joel Bitonio with Trent Williams to stabilize the line. He was third among guards with a 96.4% pass block win rate and an above-average 72.3% run block win rate, giving the 49ers a veteran anchor.

"Bitonio can protect the quarterback and open lanes, even late in his career." - Schatz
Seattle Seahawks: WR Jauan Jennings (San Francisco 49ers)
Seattle could replace Rashid Shaheed and add a physical presence with Jauan Jennings. He’s a strong run blocker and scored nine touchdowns last season, with a 2024 campaign ranking 12th in ESPN’s receiver scores.

"Jennings can impact both the passing and running game while taking a weapon away from a rival." - Schatz

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Buffalo Bills: WR Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
This would be a clear win-now swing for Buffalo. Mike Evans still brings rare size at 6-foot-5, 231 pounds, giving Josh Allen a true boundary target — especially in big moments, where his 220 third-down yards in 2024 show his reliability.

He’ll be 33 in August and missed 10 games in 2025, but he’s only a year removed from a 1,000-yard, 11-touchdown season. If the Bills want a proven No. 1 option, this fits.

"He has the size -- standing at 6-foot-5, 231 pounds -- and ball skills to win contested catches." - Schatz

‌

ESPN Projects One Free Agent Signing for All 32 Teams in 2026 NFL Free Agency

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES

EDITOR'S PICKS

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES