The NFL calendar is entering its brief offseason quiet: the Super Bowl is behind us, the Seahawks are celebrating, and free agency isn’t set to begin until the negotiation period opens on March 9. Still, teams will be active between now and the franchise-tag deadline and the combine — making cuts, re-signing players, using the tag on key names, and possibly pulling off a trade or two.
Below is one impending free agent from each of the 32 teams who would be smart to keep for 2026.
NFC East
– Cowboys — WR George Pickens: It would be surprising if Dallas let Pickens walk after his breakout 2025 (93 catches, 1,429 yards, nine TDs). The Cowboys could use the franchise tag or work toward a long-term deal; trading him would be a major gamble given his production.
– Giants — WR Wan’Dale Robinson: Robinson posted a career-best 1,014 yards on 92 catches in 2025 and showed improved downfield ability and chemistry with Jackson Dart. Keeping him would help Dart’s development, especially while Malik Nabors recovers from a serious injury.
– Eagles — LB Nakobe Dean: Still only 25, Dean has shown high-level play when healthy. Injury history may cap his market, but Philadelphia would benefit from retaining this young linebacker.
– Commanders — WR Treylon Burks: The 2022 first-rounder showed flashes in a difficult season for Washington, providing youth and athleticism the roster sorely needs.
NFC North
– Bears — S Jaquan Brisker: Despite ups and downs in 2025, Brisker flashed playoff form and remains a versatile 26-year-old who can blitz, support the run, and cover; he should be a priority for Chicago’s defense.
– Lions — EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad: Muhammad’s career revived in Detroit — he reached double-digit sacks (11) on a one-year deal in 2025 after earlier setbacks. At 30, he’s a cost-effective pass-rush piece worth retaining.
– Packers — LB Quay Walker: Walker (listed here as “Key Walker” in the original) finished with 128 tackles, 2.5 sacks and eight TFLs in 2025. At 25, his speed and athleticism fit well with Green Bay’s defensive profile alongside Edgerrin Cooper.
– Vikings — DL Jalen Redmond: As an exclusive free agent, Minnesota can easily keep Redmond. He jumped from one sack in 2024 to six sacks and 62 tackles in 2025 and looks like a developing interior force.
NFC South
– Falcons — LB Kaden Ellis: Ellis started every game and was effective as both a blitzer and run defender. At 30, he won’t command a huge salary and is a steady veteran to keep in Atlanta’s front seven.
– Panthers — WR Jalen Coker: An exclusive free agent and undrafted 2024 rookie, Coker offers size and upside as a potential complement to emerging star Tetairoa McMillan.
– Saints — DL Cameron Jordan: A longtime leader and eight-time Pro Bowler, Jordan produced 10.5 sacks in 2025 and remains a foundational veteran for New Orleans.
– Buccaneers — WR Mike Evans: Evans may have snapped his 1,000-yard streak, but he continued to be a deep and red-zone threat in 2025; retaining him feels like an obvious fit for Tampa Bay.
NFC West
– Cardinals — DL Calais Campbell: After 18 seasons Campbell still contributes, posting 6.5 sacks and appearing in all 17 games in his first season in Arizona. His leadership will be useful as the Cardinals undergo coaching and roster changes.
– Rams — S Camryn Karl: Karl has outplayed his modest contract and is a reliable run-support safety at 26. Los Angeles should consider extending him for stability in the secondary.
– 49ers — K Eddie Piñeiro: Piñeiro was a revelation, converting 28 of 29 field goals (97%), solving a persistent kicking issue for San Francisco.
– Seahawks — RB Kenneth Walker III: Coming off a huge postseason and a Super Bowl MVP-level impact, Walker (25) should be a top retention priority, especially with Zach Charbonnet sidelined by a torn ACL.
AFC East
– Bills — C Connor McGovern: McGovern had a strong 2025, showing versatility and building a solid rapport with Josh Allen; PFF ranked him among the top centers.
– Dolphins — CB Rasul Douglas: Signed late to shore up the secondary, Douglas delivered one of his best pro seasons and would be a veteran asset for Miami under incoming coach Jeff Hafley.
– Patriots — EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson: On a one-year, $3 million deal, Chaisson produced a career-best 7.5 sacks (plus three in the postseason) and should draw solid interest on the open market.
– Jets — G Alijah Vera-Tucker: Despite missing 2025 with a triceps tear, Vera-Tucker had shown steady improvement and, when healthy, projects as an important part of New York’s rebuilding offensive line.
AFC North
– Ravens — C Tyler Linderbaum: A three-time Pro Bowl center who has been durable, Linderbaum will be one of the most sought-after interior linemen this offseason and is central to Baltimore’s line.
– Bengals — QB Joe Flacco: With key departures and uncertainty elsewhere, Flacco — who provided a capable backup when needed — remains a valuable veteran QB option in Cincinnati.
– Browns — LB Devin Bush: Bush was a pleasant surprise in Cleveland, posting 125 tackles and three interceptions (two pick-sixes) in 2025; at 28 he’s a productive, ascending linebacker.
– Steelers — RB Kenneth Gainwell: Gainwell surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards (1,023) in 2025 and caught 73 passes, proving he can handle an increased role when called upon.
AFC South
– Texans — DL Sheldon Rankins: Rankins remains a reliable interior disruptor who can complement elite edge rushers like Will Anderson Jr.; his 2025 included three sacks and some timely plays.
– Colts — QB Daniel Jones: Even rehabbing from a torn Achilles, Jones deserves consideration: he gave the Colts a legitimate shot early in 2025, and Indianapolis lacks an obvious long-term alternative at quarterback.
– Jaguars — LB Devin Lloyd: Lloyd emerged as a premier off-ball linebacker (81 tackles, six TFLs, five INTs) and earned second-team All-Pro honors; at 27 he should be rewarded as a core defensive piece.
– Titans — TE Chigoziem Okonkwo: Okonkwo continues to be one of the best after-the-catch tight ends in the league and would be a valuable complement as Tennessee reshapes its supporting cast for the offense.
AFC West
– Broncos — CB Jaquan McMillian: A restricted free agent, McMillian broke out with two interceptions and four sacks in 2025 — rare production for a defensive back — and is a versatile playmaker worth keeping in Denver.
– Chiefs — LB Leo Chenal: Chenal didn’t match his best seasons but remains a young, hometown contributor who should be affordable and useful as Kansas City manages its cap.
– Raiders — CB Eric Stokes: Amid a tough 2025 for Las Vegas, Stokes stood out, allowing just 4.8 yards per target as a primary defender; he’s a bright spot to retain under a new coaching staff.
– Chargers — CB Benjamin St-Juste: On a low-cost one-year deal, St-Juste rose into PFF’s top-15 corners with a physical style that — if refined — would make him worth bringing back in Los Angeles.
Fan Take: This stretch between the Super Bowl and free agency often reshapes rosters just as much as draft night does — teams will decide who to tag, who to re-sign, and who to move on from, and those choices set the tone for 2026. For fans, watching familiar faces either return or walk away offers an early glimpse at which teams are building for contention now versus rebuilding, and those moves can quickly change the competitive balance around the league.
