NFL free agency primer: Top five available offensive players by position

Free agency opens on March 11, giving every NFL franchise the opportunity to reshape its roster for 2026 and beyond.

This is the part of the offseason calendar where optimism spikes and mistakes get expensive; a shrewd signing or a costly miss can mean the difference between becoming a contender and a pretender.

As is the case every season, this year’s free agent pool is deeper at some positions and noticeably thinner at others.

With the franchise tag deadline behind us, here’s a position-by-position look at the best available talent at each offensive spot.

Quarterback

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Kyler Murray
3. Malik Willis
4. Russell Wilson
5. Marcus Mariota

This is a thin market at the top, but there are several bridge options beyond the top three. Such options include some who do not make the top five, like Kirk Cousins and Joe Flacco.

Rodgers has yet to decide whether he returns for another year. Even if he does, he seems likely to remain with the Steelers.

Willis is arguably the top option for a team looking to the future, but with only six career starts and considering he reportedly wants $30 million per year, he represents a major gamble.

Running back

1. Kenneth Walker III
2. Rico Dowdle
3. Travis Etienne Jr.
4. Tyler Allgeier
5. J.K. Dobbins

Walker is the cream of the RB crop, after producing a Super Bowl MVP-worthy performance during the Seahawks Super Bowl LX-winning campaign.

Allgeier is an intriguing option. He has excelled despite conceding carries to Bijan Robinson, suggesting he has the talent to handle a larger workload as a lead back elsewhere.

Wide receiver

1. Mike Evans
2. Alec Pierce
3. Juan Jennings
4. Rashid Shaheed
5. Wan'Dale Robinson

This is among the deeper groups, with players like Deebo Samuel, Romeo Doubs, Christian Kirk, and Keenan Allen narrowly missing out on the top five.

Has age caught up with Evans? Possibly, but it would not be surprising if he bounced back with a solid campaign, health permitting.

Shaheed offers not only the ability as a field-stretcher on offense, but also game-breaking talent in the return game.

Tight end

1. Dallas Goedert
2. Travis Kelce
3. David Njoku
4. Isaiah Likely
5. Chigoziem Okonkwo

If Kelce returns in 2026, he will surely remain with the Chiefs. The notion of him playing elsewhere seems bizarre.

Likely and Okonkwo represent exciting young options with major upside who should earn major multi-year deals with their future teams.

Offensive tackle

1. Rasheed Walker
2. Braxton Jones
3. Braden Smith
4. Jermaine Eluemanor
5. Trent Brown

Walker is undoubtedly the best pass blocker in this group, but he may not be a good fit for any team that places an emphasis on the ground game.

Jones and Smith have struggled with injuries and are unlikely to be stellar performers, but they would still represent an upgrade for several offensive tackle-needy teams.

Offensive guard

1. Isaac Seumalo
2. Alijah Vera-Tucker
3. Joel Bitonio
4. David Edwards
5. Ed Ingram

Vera-Tucker may be overlooked after missing 2025 with a tricep injury, but if he can return to his 2024 form, he'll be a major addition for wherever he lands.

Bitonio brings valuable experience and was the best performer in a terrible Browns offensive line this year.

Center

1. Tyler Linderbaum
2. Connor McGovern
3. Tyler Biadasz
4. Ethan Pocic
5. Cade Mays

One of the shallowest offensive position groups, there may be only four starting-calibre centers in this group.

Linderbaum is by far the top player available and should command a huge contract if he doesn't accept what the Ravens have said would reset the market at the position.

In addition to being a solid pass blocker, McGovern offers positional versatility, having also played guard in his career.