Month: March 2026

2026 NFL Mock Draft

stevenlourie 2016 NFL Mock Draft

Updated 3/29/26

1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)

It seems likely that the intrigue in this draft won’t start until the second pick, as the Raiders need a quarterback and Fernando Mendoza is by far the best quarterback available.

2. New York Jets – DE Arvell Reese (Ohio State)

The Jets might have hinted at their intentions with this pick by trading Jermaine Johnson instead of extending him ahead of the final year of his contract, freeing up a spot for a premium edge rusher. The free agent signings of Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare probably don’t preclude the Jets from using this pick on an edge defender because they are rotational players. The Jets have several good options here, but Arvell Reese has the highest upside of their options.

3. Arizona Cardinals – DE David Bailey (Texas Tech)

The Cardinals’ biggest need is right tackle and Francis Mauigoa is a strong candidate here, but the Cardinals may prefer to add talent at a more premium position and take David Bailey instead, and then address the right tackle position at the top of the second round. This pick would become more likely if the rebuilding Cardinals trade veteran edge defender Josh Sweat before the draft, but even if he remains on the roster, Bailey would still be an upgrade opposite him.

4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)

The Titans’ biggest need is edge defender, but if both Arvell Reese and David Bailey are off the board, the Titans may just take the best available player, which could easily be Jeremiyah Love. He would be a significant upgrade over Tony Pollard, whose release would save the Titans 7.25 million.

5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)

The Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds to replace Bobby Okereke in free agency, but I don’t think that precludes the Giants from using this pick on Sonny Styles, who can start next to Edmunds and has a much higher upside than Edmunds.

6. Cleveland Browns – WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)

The Browns did a lot of work to improve their offensive line this off-season, but they didn’t address their receiving corps at all. Carnell Tate would immediately be their #1 receiver. They still need a left tackle, but there isn’t one available worthy of being drafted this high, with Mauigoa and Fano both being collegiate right tackles with short arms.

7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)

This would probably be the dream scenario for the Commanders, who have one of the worst safety rooms in the league. Downs is arguably the best player in the draft, but safeties are rarely selected high and, as a result, he could be available for the Commanders at 7.

8. New Orleans Saints – DE Rueben Bain (Miami)

The Saints are in a good position because their biggest needs are edge defender and wide receiver and they will likely have either Carnell Tate or one of the top-3 edge defenders available to them when they draft. In this case, it is Rueben Bain who is available and the obvious choice. He would be a big upgrade for a Saints team that is thin at the edge defender position because they did not retain veteran Cameron Jordan this off-season.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami)

The Chiefs released Jawaan Taylor, who was a massive disappointment. Jaylon Moore is currently penciled in as the starting right tackle and he wouldn’t be a bad option, but he’s also a career reserve with 18 starts in five seasons in the league and he is in the final year of his contract, so he is probably not the long-term solution. Mauigoa could slip a little bit because he doesn’t have left tackle experience or adequate arm length, but the Chiefs are looking for a right tackle anyway, so they would be thrilled to have the best blocker in the draft.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)

Cam Taylor-Britt left as a free agent and the Bengals should take this opportunity to find an upgrade at the outside cornerback spot for a defense that has consistently been one of the worst in the league over the past few seasons.

11. Miami Dolphins – OT Spencer Fano (Utah)

Right tackle Austin Jackson misses a lot of time with injury, missing 38 games over the past four seasons combined, and even when he is on the field he could be upgraded. He could also move to guard and be an upgrade there if the Dolphins take an early round tackle.

12. Dallas Cowboys – S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)

The Cowboys upgraded one safety spot in free agency with Jalen Thompson, but could still use an upgrade over the aging, injury prone Malik Hooker, whose play has slipped in recent years.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE) – G Vega Ioane (Penn State)

The Chargers’ biggest need is guard and Vega Ioane is by far the best guard in the draft, but, in order to draft him, the Chargers will probably have to move up ahead of the Ravens. It would likely cost the Chargers a second round pick to move up, but if Ioane is as good as advertised, it would be worth it, given how big of an upgrade he would be at a position of need.

14. Baltimore Ravens – WR Makai Lemon (USC)

Zay Flowers was the only player on the Ravens with more than 422 receiving yards last season. Their #2 wide receiver in terms of receiving yards was DeAndre Hopkins, who had 330 yards and is now a free agent going into his age 34 season. Makai Lemon would be an instant upgrade.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn)

The Buccaneers signed Haason Reddick to a one-year deal in free agency last off-season to upgrade their edge rush, but he didn’t do much and is now a free agent who is going into his age 32 season. The Buccaneers will need to find another option this off-season. They signed Al-Quadin Muhammad, who had a good season last year, but he is going into his age 31 season with an inconsistent history.

16. New York Jets – WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)

The Jets were led in receiving last season by Garrett Wilson, who missed most of the season with injury and totalled just 395 receiving yards. The Jets need to invest in a better second option in the passing game.

17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling (Georgia)

The Lions surprisingly released left tackle Taylor Decker after being unable to come to an agreement on a reworked contract with him. They may be targeting his replacement at 17. Freeling is the best true left tackle in the draft and this is probably his floor, even though he was a one-year starter in college.

18. Minnesota Vikings – DT Peter Woods (Clemson)

The Vikings released both of their aging defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, in a cost saving move and now are thin at the defensive tackle position. Woods would fill that need if still available at 18.

19. Carolina Panthers – TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)

The Panthers somehow haven’t had a tight end with over 400 receiving yards since Greg Olsen in 2016. They could look for one early in the draft to give Bryce Young a much needed weapon over the middle.

20. Dallas Cowboys – DE Akheem Mesidor (Miami)

The Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary and re-signed Sam Williams to go with 2025 2nd round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, who had a promising rookie year, but they could still use another edge defender.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)

It will be interesting to see where Jermod McCoy gets drafted because he has top-10 talent, but is coming off of a torn ACL that wiped out his entire 2025 season. The Steelers signed Jamel Dean and re-signed Asante Samuel in free agency to go with Joey Porter at cornerback, but Dean and Samuel have significant injury histories and Dean is going into his age 30 season, so they still need additional help at the cornerback position. McCoy could give them insurance as a rookie and develop into a high end starter long-term.

22. Los Angeles Rams (TRADE) – QB Ty Simpson (Alabama)

When the Rams traded their first round pick last season to get the Falcons’ first round pick this year, it was probably because they wanted to get a pick high enough to draft a quarterback of the future without having to have a bad season. This year’s quarterback class didn’t end up being as good as expected, but rumors are that the Rams like Ty Simpson, so they could take him to secure a long-term option at the quarterback position. This would be more likely after a trade down.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)

The Eagles lost Reed Blankenship in free agency and currently have Michael Carter penciled in as one of their starters at safety. Carter would likely be a liability and McNeil-Warren would give them an immediate upgrade over both Brown and Blankenship, who was a liability last season.

24. Cleveland Browns – OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)

The Browns addressed their wide receiver need with their early first round pick and now they get their long-term left tackle with their later first round pick. 

25. Chicago Bears – DE TJ Parker (Clemson)

The Bears edge rusher room is pretty thin after Montez Sweat. No one else had more than 4.5 sacks in 2025. The Bears tried to trade for Maxx Crosby and, if a trade does not materialize before the draft, expect them to use an early pick on the position.

26. Buffalo Bills – CB Avieon Terrell (Clemson)

The Bills used their first round pick on Maxwell Hairston last year, but they are very thin at the position behind Hairston and Christian Benford. They should be looking for a better third cornerback early in the draft.

27. San Francisco 49ers – OT Caleb Lomu (Utah)

It sounds like Trent Williams will be back with the 49ers in 2026, but they have to be thinking about the future of the left tackle position, with Williams going into his age 38 season. Lomu could be their long-term left tackle of the future and, in the short-term, he could fill a hole at left guard.

28. Houston Texans – LB CJ Allen (Georgia)

The Texans have a great defense, but linebacker Henry To’oTo’o could be upgraded, so the Texans could add a young linebacker with one of their three picks in the first two rounds.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – WR Denzel Boston (Washington)

The Chiefs top-3 wide receivers right now are Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton, but Rice is a significant injury and off-the-field risk, Worthy has yet to live up to the billing as a 2024 1st round pick, and Thornton would be best as a reserve/insurance option. Denzel Boston would be a good value at this point in the draft and would give the Chiefs another much needed pass catcher.

30. Miami Dolphins – WR Omar Cooper (Indiana)

The Dolphins had a desperate need at wide receiver even before trading Jaylen Waddle. Now it’s their biggest need, despite massive needs across the roster. I expect them to use one of their two first round picks on the position.

31. New England Patriots – DE Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)

The Patriots made the Super Bowl, but they had a below average 35 sacks this season, despite playing with a lot of leads and facing a weak schedule of opposing offenses. They figure to look for edge rush help early in the draft.

32. Seattle Seahawks – DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)

Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed are going into their age 32 and age 34 seasons respectively, so the Seahawks could use another defensive tackle to go with 2024 1st round pick Byron Murphy long-term.

33. New York Jets – CB Colton Hood (Tennessee)

The Jets’ cornerbacks really struggled last season after trading Sauce Gardner. They added Nahshon Wright in free agency, but he isn’t a huge upgrade and he was only signed to a one-year deal.

34. Arizona Cardinals – OT Blake Miller (Clemson)

If the Cardinals pass on Francis Mauigoa at 3, they will need to find a right tackle in the second round, because right tackle is a huge weakness for them right now.

35. Tennessee Titans – DE Zion Young (Missouri)

The Titans traded for Jermaine Johnson this off-season, but they needed to add at least two new edge defenders this off-season, so they will probably add another one early in the draft.

36. Las Vegas Raiders – WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)

Most teams that take a quarterback in the first round use their next pick on another offensive player and the Raiders badly need a potential #1 wide receiver.

37. New York Giants – DT Caleb Banks (Florida)

Defensive tackle is arguably the Giants’ biggest need, but there isn’t one worth taking at 5. Instead, they can target defensive tackle help in the second round.

38. Houston Texans – G Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon)

The Texans added Wyatt Teller, Braden Smith, and Evan Brown in free agency to try to improve their offensive line, which has been a liability for years, but those three are all on the wrong side of 30 so the Texans will still likely add a young offensive lineman at some point in the draft.

39. Cleveland Browns – CB Brandon Cisse (South Carolina)

The Browns really lacked depth at cornerback last season after Martin Emerson got hurt. Emerson is unlikely to be retained as a free agent, so the Browns could target a cornerback early in the draft to give them a better third option behind Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell.

40. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Chris Johnson (San Diego State)

The Chiefs lost both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this off-season, so they will need to add a young cornerback at some point relatively early in the draft.

41. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Malachi Lawrence (Central Florida)

The Bengals basically need help at every defensive position. The Bengals used their first round pick on Shemar Stewart last year, but he was a disaster as a rookie. Even if he is better going forward, the Bengals will need more depth behind him and free agent addition Kwity Paye.

42. New Orleans Saints – WR Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)

The Saints were left pretty thin at wide receiver this season after trading Rashid Shaheed. They need to find a long-term 2nd option opposite the injury prone Chris Olave.

43. Miami Dolphins – DE R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma)

Edge defender is another big need for the Dolphins, who have little on the depth chart behind Chop Robinson and the injury prone Josh Uche, who was only signed to a cheap one-year deal this off-season.

44. New York Jets – RB Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)

The Jets franchise tagged Breece Hall, but they might not be able to reach a long-term agreement with him. With four picks in the first two rounds, they could look to the draft for insurance and another running back to pair with Hall in the short-term.

45. Baltimore Ravens – TE Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)

The Ravens love running two tight end sets and are now thin at the position after losing Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency. They could look for a new #2 tight end in free agency and a potential long-term successor to Mark Andrews, who is going into his age 31 season and had a down year in 2025.

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – G Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M)

The Buccaneers should have better health on the offensive line next season, but, even when fully healthy, they have a weakness at left guard, where Ben Bredeson is an underwhelming starter. They could look to upgrade on him early in the draft.

47. Indianapolis Colts – LB Anthony Hill (Texas)

The Colts have one of the thinnest linebacking corps in the league after trading away Zaire Franklin. They don’t have a first round pick, but they could still find an every down starting option in the second round.

48. Atlanta Falcons – LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

The Falcons lost Kaden Elliss in free agency and replaced him with Christian Harris, which is a big downgrade. They could look for a new starting linebacker on day 2 of the draft.

49. Minnesota Vikings – S AJ Haulcy (LSU)

The Vikings like to use three safeties on the field at the same time in sub packages, but they are thin at the position with Harrison Smith expected to retire.

50. Detroit Lions – DT Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)

Alim McNeill and Tyliek Williams are a solid starting duo at defensive tackle, but Levi Onwuzurike is their only reserve of note and he has had a lot of injuries in his career, including a lost 2025 season to a torn ACL.

51. Carolina Panthers – DT Christen Miller (Georgia)

The Panthers moved on from veteran A’Shawn Robinson this off-season and now are pretty thin at defensive tackle, so they will likely look to the draft to replenish depth.

52. Green Bay Packers – OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State)

The Packers lost a pair of starters on the offensive line this off-season. They have a pair of recent high draft picks in line to take those starters’ roles, but they are thin on depth now. They could use another relatively early pick on an offensive lineman.

53. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Chris Bell (Louisville)

Michael Pittman is a huge upgrade as the Steelers’ new #2 receiver, but the Steelers are still very thin behind Pittman and DK Metcalf, so they could still use a relatively early draft pick on another receiver.

54. Philadelphia Eagles – DE Gabe Jacas (Illinois)

The Eagles signed Arnold Ebeketie in free agency to replace Jaelan Phillips, but he was only signed to a one-year deal and they could still use more depth at the position.

55. Los Angeles Rams (TRADE)  – WR Germie Bernard (Alabama)

Davante Adams had a great season in 2025, but he’s going into his age 34 season and a contract year in 2026. Bernard would give them a better #3 wide receiver in the short-term and a potential long-term replacement for Adams as the #2 receiver.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Derrick Moore (Michigan)

The Jaguars really lack depth on the edge behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker, the latter of whom is going into a contract year. They could address this need early in the draft.

57. Chicago Bears – CB D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana)

The Bears should get better cornerback play in 2026 if Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are healthy, but if either one misses time, they won’t have any reasonable insurance options after letting Nahshon Wright and CJ Gardner-Johnson leave in free agency.

58. San Francisco 49ers – WR Zachariah Branch (Georgia)

The 49ers added Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency, but both are on the wrong side of 30. Including DeMarcus Robinson, three of their top-4 wide receivers are 30 or older, so they could add another young wide receiver through the draft.

59. Houston Texans – DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)

Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson are arguably the best edge defender duo in the league, but they lack depth behind them, which is especially a concern with Hunter going into his age 32 season.

60. Chicago Bears – DT Domonique Orange (Iowa State)

The Bears signed Grady Jarrett in free agency last year, but he was a disappointment and he is now going into his age 33 season. He has too much guaranteed money left on his contract for the Bears to move on from him this off-season, but they need a long-term replacement who can reduce Jarrett’s role in the short-term.

61. Los Angeles Rams – CB Keionte Scott (Miami)

The Rams added two big upgrades at cornerback this off-season in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, but they could add a new third cornerback to their overhauled cornerback room.

62. Denver Broncos – LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati)

The Broncos kept Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad in free agency this off-season, but they released the injury prone Dre Greenlaw, so they could still be targeting a linebacker early in the draft. Both Singleton and Strnad are on the wrong side of 30 and Golday has the upside to be much better than both of them.

63. New England Patriots – OT Gennings Dunker (Iowa)

The Patriots need a long-term right tackle, with Morgan Moses set to go into his age 35 season.

64. Seattle Seahawks – CB Keith Abney (Arizona State)

The Seahawks don’t have a lot of needs, but Tariq Woolen left as a free agent this off-season. They did re-sign Josh Jobe, but he is better as depth than as a starter.

2026 Top-30 Unrestricted Free Agents

stevenlourie Uncategorized

1. LB Devin Lloyd

A first round pick in 2022, Lloyd has developed into one of the best all-around off ball linebackers in the league. The franchise tag value for linebackers includes rush linebackers and, as a result, is cost prohibitive for off ball linebackers (around 26.9 million), but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Lloyd surpass Fred Warner’s 21 million annually and become the highest paid off ball linebacker in the league.

Prediction: 4 years, 80 million, 45 million guaranteed with Las Vegas Raiders

2. RB Kenneth Walker

One of the most elusive and hard to tackle running backs in the league, Walker has a career missed tackle rate of 27.0%, while averaging 3.03 yards per carry after contact. He has been held back by poor run blocking for much of his four years in Seattle, but, unsurprisingly, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in each of his two seasons with adequate blocking (2022 and 2025). His pass protection leaves something to be desired, but he can make plays as a receiver as well, averaging 1.16 yards per route run for his career, including a career best 1.44 in 2025. 

He has had some durability issues and the Seahawks have preferred to use him in a heavy rotation with Zach Charbonnet, so he has just 821 regular season carries in four seasons in the league, but he showed his feature back potential in the post-season this year after Charbonnet got hurt, averaging 4.82 YPC on 65 carries in three games, en route to winning Super Bowl MVP, so he figures to get paid heavily by a team that envisions him as a true feature back. The Seahawks could have franchise tagged him for about 14.3 million, but probably don’t value him as much as other running back needy teams will.

Prediction: 3 years, 42 million, 30 million guaranteed with Kansas City Chiefs

3. WR Alec Pierce

A workout wonder in the pre-draft process, Pierce entered the league as a raw prospect, but has improved in every season in the league, culminating in his first 1000+ yard season in 2025. Capable of drawing double teams deep and still making plays, Pierce has averaged over 20 yards per catch in each of the past two seasons and has still managed a 54.9% catch rate, despite inconsistent quarterback play and his high average depth of target. Only going into his age 26 season, Pierce’s best years may still be ahead of him and he figures to get paid heavily by someone who bets on continued development.

Prediction: 4 years, 110 million, 60 million guaranteed with New England Patriots

4. DE Trey Hendrickson

Based on his 2025 salary, Hendrickson would have made 30.2 million on the franchise tag this year, making him the 8th highest paid edge defender in terms of annual salary, which the Bengals saw as cost prohibitive. Hendrickson would be worth that kind of contract if he was still in his prime, but he heads into his age 32 season in 2026. Hendrickson hasn’t really showed signs of slowing down yet and is one of the most productive edge rushers in the league over the past several seasons, totaling the 3rd most sacks in the league since 2020 at 74.5, while adding 79 quarterback hits and a 15.7% pressure rate in 88 games over that stretch, but his age is a complicating factor when determining long-term guarantees. It’s also worth noting that he leaves something to be desired as a run defender and that he missed 10 games with injury last season.

Prediction: 3 years, 84 million, 40 million guaranteed with Dallas Cowboys

5. CB Eric Stokes

A first round pick in 2021, Stokes has always flashed talent, but injuries limited him to 587 snaps total in 2022 and 2023 combined and, upon his return in 2024, he had lost his starting job and played just 587 snaps, despite being healthy enough to play all 17 games. Stokes played pretty well in 2024 though and, after signing a one-year prove it deal with the Raiders last off-season, he took things to another level in 2025, starting all 16 games he played and leading the league in coverage snaps per completion, allowing just 28 completions for 261 yards all season. Still only going into his age 27 season, Stokes’ injury history will likely be priced into his next contract, but if he can continue staying healthy, he could be a steal for a team that needs cornerback help.

Prediction: 3 years, 48 million, 30 million guaranteed with Pittsburgh Steelers

6. C Tyler Linderbaum

Linderbaum is an elite center, but hits the open market because the franchise tag for offensive linemen is based on the top salaries of offensive tackles, making it cost prohibitive for teams to tag interior linemen. Linderbaum isn’t worth the franchise tag value of around 25.8 million, but figures to exceed the 18 million annually that Creed Humphrey makes as the highest paid center in the league.

Prediction: 4 years, 84 million, 46 million guaranteed with Las Vegas Raiders

7. CB Jaylen Watson

Despite only being a 7th round pick in 2022, Watson showed promise across 440 snaps as a reserve in 2023 and in six games as a starter in an injury shortened season in 2024, before breaking out as a season-long starter in 2025, allowing 59.3% completion and no touchdowns on 59 pass attempts. Despite only one full season as a starter, Watson figures to be highly valued on the open market, given the positional value of cornerbacks.

Prediction: 3 years, 54 million, 40 million guaranteed with Las Vegas Raiders

8. DE Jaelan Phillips

A first round pick in 2021, Phillips looked on his way to stardom early in his career, totaling 22 sacks, 32 quarterback hits, and a 12.5% pressure rate in 42 games in his first three seasons in the league, but he tore his achilles late in the 2023 season, subsequently suffered another knee injury in 2024 that cost him most of the season, and did not seem to be the same player upon his return in 2025, leading to the Dolphins trading him to the Eagles for a third round pick at the trade deadline, rather than extending him ahead of his pending free agency this off-season. 

Phillips started to show his old form down the stretch with the Eagles though and, despite a slow start, finished the 2025 season with 5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and a 17.7% pressure rate, while playing all 17 games. Phillips’ injury history will probably be priced into his next contract, but he’s still only going into his age 27 season and could prove to be a steal for a pass rush needy team if he can prove his injury history is a fluke rather than a long-term concern.

Prediction: 4 years, 90 million, 50 million guaranteed with Tennessee Titans

9. QB Malik Willis

A third round pick in 2022, Willis entered the league raw and struggled early in his career as a spot starter in Tennessee, leading to him being traded to the Packers for next to nothing two off-seasons ago, but Willis has seemingly come into his own in Green Bay, only making three starts as a backup over the past two seasons, but making the most of his opportunities, completing 78.7% of his passes for 10.92 YPA, 6 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, while rushing for 6.21 YPC and 3 touchdowns on 42 carries. With limited quarterback options available to teams this off-season, Willis will likely get a shot to start somewhere in 2026. He’s still pretty unproven, but comes with a lot of upside.

Prediction: 3 years, 75 million, 30 million guaranteed with Miami Dolphins

10. DT John Franklin-Myers

An underrated part of dominant defenses with the Jets and Broncos in recent years, Franklin-Myers is a versatile defensive lineman capable of rushing the passer from the inside and the edge and he is a solid run defender as well. He has a career pressure rate of 12.9% in four seasons in which he was primarily used as an edge rusher and a career 13.0% pressure rate in three seasons in which he was primarily used as an interior rusher. He’s going into his age 30 season, which will likely affect his long-term guarantees a little, but he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet and could easily have at least another couple solid seasons left in the tank.

Prediction: 3 years, 45 million, 20 million guaranteed with Tennessee Titans

11. OT Rasheed Walker

Walker leaves something to be desired as a run blocker, but he is an effective pass protector who is responsible for allowing just 14 sacks and 4 quarterback hits in 48 games over the past three seasons. Given how valuable pass protectors who can play the blindside are, Walker likely would have been franchise tagged this off-season if not for the Packers’ cap issues. He figures to be paid highly on the open market, given how difficult it is to find left tackles of Walker’s caliber.

Prediction: 4 years, 100 million, 55 million guaranteed with Pittsburgh Steelers

12. LB Demario Davis

Davis has had a borderline Hall of Fame caliber career, with five All-Pro team appearances, and, despite going into his age 37 season, he hasn’t really shown many signs of decline and was still one of the best off ball linebackers in the league last season. There is obviously a risk of a significant drop off in 2026, but that will be priced into his contract value and, if he doesn’t drop off significantly, he could prove to be a steal for a team in need of linebacker help. He figures to get a similar deal to the 1-year, 9 million dollar deal Bobby Wagner got from the Commanders last off-season.

Prediction: 1 year, 10 million, 8 million guaranteed with Buffalo Bills

13. CB Jamel Dean

Dean has been a consistently above average cornerback throughout his 7-year career. The concerns are that he is going into his age 30 season and consistently misses time with injury, maxing out at 884 snaps and 15 games in a season in his career.

Prediction: 3 years, 48 million, 30 million guaranteed with Tennessee Titans

14. DE Odafe Oweh

A first round pick in 2021, Oweh got off to a somewhat slow start to his career, but he has developed into an above average pass rusher, with 22.5 sacks, 31 quarterback hits, and a 13.0% pressure rate in 47 games over the past three seasons. After a slow start to the 2025 season, Oweh was traded from the Ravens to the Chargers rather than being extended ahead of his pending free agency, but he quickly bounced back with his new team. He’s not a true top tier edge defender, but he’s an above average player who could help a lot of teams and, given the constant demand for edge rush talent in the NFL, Oweh could be paid pretty highly this off-season.

Prediction: 3 years, 72 million, 45 million guaranteed with Los Angeles Chargers

15. S Bryan Cook

A second round pick in 2022, Cook took a big step forward in his fourth year in the league in 2025, after previously being a marginal starter. He’s only a one-year wonder in terms of playing at that level, but he’s also only going into his age 27 season and will likely be paid well by a team that believes he has permanently turned a corner and, as a result, will remain an above average starter going forward.

Prediction: 4 years, 68 million, 35 million guaranteed with Cincinnati Bengals

16. LB Leo Chenal 

One of the best run stopping linebackers in the league, Chenal isn’t bad in coverage either. He has never played more than 31.4 snaps per game in a season since being selected by the Chiefs in the 3rd round in 2022, but that is largely due to having two good every down linebackers on the roster with him in Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill. Only going into his age 26 season, Chenal will likely be paid by a team who views him as having the upside to be an above average every down linebacker.

Prediction: 3 years, 33 million, 23 million guaranteed with Dallas Cowboys

17. DT Sheldon Rankins

Rankins has been a consistently above average interior defender throughout his career. He’s now going into his age 32 season, but he hasn’t shown any signs of decline yet, as his 2025 season was in line with how he’s played throughout his career. He finished last season with 3 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, and a 9.2% pressure rate, while playing the run at a high level and playing 623 snaps total. 

Prediction: 3 years, 36 million, 20 million guaranteed with Houston Texans

18. DT Tim Settle

A 5th round pick in 2018, Settle has developed into an above average interior defender who excels as a pass rusher and holds his own as a run defender as well. In 2024, he played a career high 625 snaps and totaled 5 sacks, 4 hits, and a 9.4% pressure rate, all of which set or tied his career high, and he was on his way to a similar season in 2025 before missing the final five games of the season with a foot injury. If he is healthy, he should be paid well on the open market, still only going into his age 29 season.

Prediction: 3 years, 36 million, 25 million guaranteed with Cincinnati Bengals

19. DE Khalil Mack

A future Hall of Famer, Mack is going into his age 35 season, but he hasn’t really dropped off much, totaling 5.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, and a 14.8% pressure rate in 12 games last season, while playing at a high level against the run. There is a risk that he drops off significantly in 2026, but he is still a worthwhile addition on a short-term deal for teams in need of edge help.

Prediction: 1 year, 20 million, 15 million guaranteed with Los Angeles Chargers

20. WR Jauan Jennings

A sparingly used wide receiver over the first four seasons of his career, Jennings was forced into a larger role in 2024 when the 49ers had many wide receiver injuries and, in his first significant role, he finished with a 77/975/6 slash line and 2.26 yards per route run, more than doubling his yardage total from his first four seasons combined (963). Jennings was not as good in 2025, with a 55/643/9 slash line and 1.39 yards per route run, but he played through a lot of injuries early in the season and got better as the year went on. He’s not a true #1 wide receiver, but he would upgrade a lot of receiving corps and figures to be in high demand this off-season.

Prediction: 3 years, 60 million, 42 million guaranteed with Washington Commanders

21. WR Romeo Doubs

Doubs has never surpassed 724 receiving yards in a season, but that came on just 85 targets last season and he ranked 25th among wide receivers who had at least 75 targets with an average of 1.73 yards per route run and 8th with an average depth of target of 13.2. Still only going into his age 26 season, it’s conceivable he could be much more productive in a larger role elsewhere, instead of playing on a Packers offense that spreads the ball around a lot.

Prediction: 4 years, 80 million, 45 million guaranteed with Baltimore Ravens

22. WR Wan’Dale Robinson

Robinson is a former second round pick, surpassed 1000 yards receiving last season, and is only going into his age 25 season, but his lack of size at 5-8 185 could prevent teams from viewing him as a true #1 receiver. He still figures to be in high demand this off-season though. 

Prediction: 3 years, 63 million, 45 million guaranteed with Tennessee Titans

23. WR Rashid Shaheed

Shaheed has always flashed talent, but has never put it together for a full season, missing 15 games with injury and totaling just 242 targets in four seasons in the league. The deep threat has averaged 9.27 yards per target, 1.75 yards per route run, 14.7 yards per catch, and an average depth of target of 13.5 in his career, while also adding four return touchdowns on special teams. He figures to be paid significantly based on his upside.

Prediction: 3 years, 48 million, 35 million guaranteed with Las Vegas Raiders

24. LB Kaden Elliss

A hybrid reserve edge rusher/linebacker early in his career, Elliss became an every down off ball linebacker in 2022 and has been an above average starter ever since, excelling against the run and as a blitzer, while also holding his own in coverage. The problem is he is going into his age 31 season in 2026, which will affect his market, even if he hasn’t shown real signs of decline yet.

Prediction: 3 years, 42 million, 24 million guaranteed with Denver Broncos

25. LB Devin Bush

Bush was a disappointment early in his career, after being selected in the first round in 2019, but injuries were a big part of the reason for his early career struggles and he has broken out as an above average starter over the past two seasons, playing well both in coverage and against the run, while only missing one game between the two seasons. Still only going into his age 28 season, Bush is young enough to earn a significant payday in free agency this off-season.

Prediction: 3 years, 36 million, 20 million guaranteed with Atlanta Falcons

26. CB Roger McCreary

McCreary was a solid starting cornerback for the Titans from his rookie season in 2022 through the middle of last season when he was traded to the Rams, rather than being extended ahead of his pending free agency. McCreary was more of an insurance policy for the Rams than anything and played very little for them, but it can be tough for a player to get traded mid-season and make an impact on his new team, so I don’t hold it against him much. Still only in his age 26 season, he’s a solid, if unspectacular starting cornerback option for teams in need this off-season.

Prediction: 3 years, 45 million, 31 million guaranteed with Washington Commanders

27. C Connor McGovern

Miscast as a guard earlier in his career, McGovern made the move to center for the Bills two seasons ago and has been an above average starter there since making the switch. Relatively young in his age 29 season, McGovern should remain an above average starting center for at least another couple seasons.

Prediction: 4 years, 48 million, 25 million guaranteed with Chicago Bears

28. CB Martin Emerson

Emerson had a solid rookie year in 2022 and then an even better second season in the league in 2023, when he allowed 47.1% completion and no touchdowns on 70 targets. However, he regressed significantly in 2024, allowing 62.7% completion and 6 touchdowns with no interceptions and then he tore his achilles and missed the entire 2025 season. The injury and his inconsistency obviously make him a risky signing, but he will be more than a full year removed from the injury by the start of the season and, given the top-end ability he has shown and that he is only going into his age 26 season, he could prove to be worth the risk.

Prediction: 3 years, 45 million, 20 million guaranteed with Atlanta Falcons

29. S Jalen Thompson

Thompson is an experienced starting safety with 87 career starts and is still only going into his age 28 season. He doesn’t have a huge upside, but he should remain a solid starting safety for at least another couple seasons.

Prediction: 3 years, 36 million, 24 million guaranteed with Chicago Bears

30. RB Travis Etienne

A first round pick in 2021, Etienne has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in a season three times and is a decent pass catcher as well, with 1.07 yards per route run in his career, but injuries have significantly affected his other two seasons, as he missed all of his rookie season in 2021 and was limited to 3.72 YPC and 150 carries by injuries in 2024. The Jaguars seem willing to move on from him unless he comes at a discount, in favor of 2025 4th round pick Bhayshul Tuten, but he still figures to be paid as a starter somewhere this off-season.

Prediction: 3 years, 33 million, 22 million guaranteed with New Orleans Saints