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 \u2014 making cuts, re-signing players, using the tag on key names, and possibly pulling off a trade or two.<\/p>\n
Below is one impending free agent from each of the 32 teams who would be smart to keep for 2026.<\/p>\n
NFC East
\n– Cowboys \u2014 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.
\n– Giants \u2014 WR Wan\u2019Dale 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\u2019s development, especially while Malik Nabors recovers from a serious injury.
\n– Eagles \u2014 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.
\n– Commanders \u2014 WR Treylon Burks: The 2022 first-rounder showed flashes in a difficult season for Washington, providing youth and athleticism the roster sorely needs.<\/p>\n
NFC North
\n– Bears \u2014 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\u2019s defense.
\n– Lions \u2014 EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad: Muhammad\u2019s career revived in Detroit \u2014 he reached double-digit sacks (11) on a one-year deal in 2025 after earlier setbacks. At 30, he\u2019s a cost-effective pass-rush piece worth retaining.
\n– Packers \u2014 LB Quay Walker: Walker (listed here as \u201cKey Walker\u201d 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\u2019s defensive profile alongside Edgerrin Cooper.
\n– Vikings \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
NFC South
\n– Falcons \u2014 LB Kaden Ellis: Ellis started every game and was effective as both a blitzer and run defender. At 30, he won\u2019t command a huge salary and is a steady veteran to keep in Atlanta\u2019s front seven.
\n– Panthers \u2014 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.
\n– Saints \u2014 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.
\n– Buccaneers \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
NFC West
\n– Cardinals \u2014 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.
\n– Rams \u2014 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.
\n– 49ers \u2014 K Eddie Pi\u00f1eiro: Pi\u00f1eiro was a revelation, converting 28 of 29 field goals (97%), solving a persistent kicking issue for San Francisco.
\n– Seahawks \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
AFC East
\n– Bills \u2014 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.
\n– Dolphins \u2014 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.
\n– Patriots \u2014 EDGE K\u2019Lavon 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.
\n– Jets \u2014 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\u2019s rebuilding offensive line.<\/p>\n
AFC North
\n– Ravens \u2014 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\u2019s line.
\n– Bengals \u2014 QB Joe Flacco: With key departures and uncertainty elsewhere, Flacco \u2014 who provided a capable backup when needed \u2014 remains a valuable veteran QB option in Cincinnati.
\n– Browns \u2014 LB Devin Bush: Bush was a pleasant surprise in Cleveland, posting 125 tackles and three interceptions (two pick-sixes) in 2025; at 28 he\u2019s a productive, ascending linebacker.
\n– Steelers \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
AFC South
\n– Texans \u2014 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.
\n– Colts \u2014 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.
\n– Jaguars \u2014 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.
\n– Titans \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
AFC West
\n– Broncos \u2014 CB Jaquan McMillian: A restricted free agent, McMillian broke out with two interceptions and four sacks in 2025 \u2014 rare production for a defensive back \u2014 and is a versatile playmaker worth keeping in Denver.
\n– Chiefs \u2014 LB Leo Chenal: Chenal didn\u2019t match his best seasons but remains a young, hometown contributor who should be affordable and useful as Kansas City manages its cap.
\n– Raiders \u2014 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\u2019s a bright spot to retain under a new coaching staff.
\n– Chargers \u2014 CB Benjamin St-Juste: On a low-cost one-year deal, St-Juste rose into PFF\u2019s top-15 corners with a physical style that \u2014 if refined \u2014 would make him worth bringing back in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Fan Take: This stretch between the Super Bowl and free agency often reshapes rosters just as much as draft night does \u2014 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 \u2014 making cuts, re-signing players, using the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42990,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[859],"tags":[860],"class_list":{"0":"post-42989","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-nfl"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42989"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42989\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}