The bulk of NFL roster building for 2026 is now complete. Nearly all the marquee free agents from this year’s window have either re-signed or found new teams. The draft is over.
There will be a signing here and there over the coming weeks as teams tinker with the final spots on their rosters. But the options are limited. As of Wednesday, only two players remained in our initial top 50 free agents from earlier this offseason: receiver Jauan Jennings (No. 21) and edge rusher Joey Bosa (37).
Now we will turn the page to next offseason and take an early look at the 2027 free-agent class.
You will see a pretty exciting collection of talent below. It’s important to remember, however, that a number of these players will never hit the open market. Among last year’s top 30, only six players actually made it to free agency, and 23 players signed extensions at some point after our list was published. One player, Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein, retired before free agency.
So keep that in mind. This is nonetheless a worthwhile exercise to take stock of the potential class. Two players in last year’s top 10 — receiver Mike Evans and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson — did make it to free agency. Hendrickson ended up being our top-ranked player in the final 150 for 2026.
Here is your very early 2027 top 30, with some honorable mentions included at the end.
All statistics courtesy of TruMedia unless otherwise noted. All contract figures courtesy of Over the Cap.
A little over two weeks ago, Rams general manager Les Snead said the team and Stafford were making “progress” on a contract extension. Stafford is entering the final year of his deal in 2026. Snead added he did not “expect any drama” in the negotiations. That, of course, was before the Rams drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 in the first round.
The Rams added Simpson to be Stafford’s long-term successor. As coach Sean McVay said after the pick, Simpson’s “opportunity to be Matthew’s successor will be on Matthew’s terms.” Still, as of now, Stafford is not under contract for 2027, and he is coming off perhaps the best season of his career. Stafford set a career high in passing touchdowns (46), led the league in passing yards (4,707) and won the MVP. Stafford will be entering his age-39 season in 2027.
Taylor is one of the best running backs in football. He finished third in the league in rushing last season and led all players in scrimmage touchdowns with 20. Taylor signed a three-year, $42 million extension during the 2023 season. He has lived up to that contract, especially over the past two seasons. Among running backs, only Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs and Saquon Barkley have more scrimmage yards than Taylor since the start of the 2024 season. Taylor will be entering his age-28 season in 2027. He should continue producing on his third contract, whether in Indianapolis or elsewhere.
A 2023 third-round pick, Achane continued ascending in his third NFL season, setting career highs in rushing yards (1,350) and scrimmage yards (1,838) in 2025. He has scored at least 11 scrimmage touchdowns in each of his three NFL seasons. The Dolphins have a new regime in place between coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Achane was an ideal fit in former coach Mike McDaniel’s offensive scheme. Sullivan, however, told reporters in March that extending Achane will be a “priority” this offseason.
“Achane is a very, very, very important piece of what we’re going to do moving forward,” Sullivan said then. “He’s a building block for us.”
Achane is one of the most explosive skill positions players in the league. Since 2023, no back with at least 200 touches has produced a higher rate of explosive plays.
The Dolphins say they want to extend De’Von Achane but he’ll be a hot commodity if he becomes a free agent. (Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
Nelson has been one of the best left guards in the league since he was drafted in the first round in 2018. He is coming off another stellar season, and he remains on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Nelson’s combination of movement skills and power makes him a weapon in the run game. Taylor’s production is evidence of that. Nelson will be entering his age-31 season in 2027, but he has had only one season (2021) in which he’s missed games due to injury. He is durable, and he will be a very attractive player if he hits the open market.
5. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Nacua is coming off the best season of his career. He set highs in receiving yards (1,715) and receiving touchdowns (10) and led the NFL in receiving first downs with 80. He is one of the most dangerous yards-after-the-catch weapons in the league, leading the NFL with 666 yards after the catch in 2025. Nacua is in line for a massive extension with the Rams. The market was just reset in March when the Seattle Seahawks signed Jaxson Smith-Njigba to a four-year deal averaging $42.15 million per year. Nacua should be in that range. For now, he is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The Falcons exercised London’s fifth-year option in April 2025. London is slated to make $18.817 million in guaranteed salary on that option for 2026. He is not under contract for 2027. London suffered a sprained PCL in Week 11 last season that kept him out for four weeks. That missed time affected his final production. Through Week 11, London was fifth in the league in receiving yards. He is an elite ball winner on the outside. Even with the injury, London finished second in the NFL with nine contested catches, according to Pro Football Focus. Only Nacua had more.
Mayfield signed a cheap one-year deal with the Bucs in 2023. That season, he proved himself as Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback of the future and Tom Brady’s replacement. Mayfield threw for over 4,000 yards in 2023. He led the Bucs to a division title. He signed a three-year extension that offseason. After an excellent 2024 season, Mayfield took a step back in 2025. His production diminished, and the Bucs missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. Mayfield has one year remaining on that three-year extension. The Bucs do not have a replacement plan on the roster, and Mayfield will still be entering only his age-32 season in 2027.
Pickens was our No. 2-ranked free agent in February before the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on him. That took Pickens off the market. Pickens signed his franchise tag in late April. He is on a one-year deal that will pay him $27.3 million fully guaranteed. Pickens has elite size, speed and length. He is dangerous at all three levels of the field. He finished fourth among receivers in explosive receptions in 2025, after landing in Dallas via trade. At the same time, Pickens has only one year of upper-echelon production. It makes sense that the Cowboys would want to see him produce for a second season before paying him at the top of the market.
Brewer was one of the few bright spots in an ugly Dolphins season. He is now entering the final season of a three-year, $21 million deal he signed with Miami during 2024 free agency. Brewer has outperformed that contract. He was one of the best centers in football in 2025, finishing second-team All-Pro. He is tremendous as a mover, especially in space. Brewer will be entering his age-30 season in 2027.
Olave was limited to eight games in 2024 because of multiple concussions, but he bounced back in 2025 under new Saints coach Kellen Moore. Olave set career highs in catches (100), receiving yards (1,163) and receiving touchdowns (nine). Olave is one of the smoother route runners in the game. He has topped 1,000 yards in three of his four NFL seasons. When Olave is on the field, he is a versatile inside-outside No. 1 receiver. The Saints should pay him accordingly. New Orleans picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. Olave is due to make $15.439 million fully guaranteed on that option in 2026.
Hall was our No. 2-ranked free agent in the March version of the top 150 this past offseason. The Jets then placed the franchise tag on Hall, who will be paid $14.293 million fully guaranteed in 2026 on a one-year deal. The Jets and Hall have until July to negotiate a long-term extension. If that extension does not get done, Hall will be headed for free agency again in 2027. Hall is a home run threat every time he touches the ball, and he can impact the game as a runner and pass catcher.
Tuipulotu set a career high with 13 sacks in 2025. The 2023 second-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Chargers are interested in extending Tuipulotu. That extension could happen this offseason, though negotiations are still in the early stages. Tuipulotu is a physical rusher and run defender who took a huge step in his third season. Among players with at least 200 pass-rush snaps in 2025, Tuipulotu finished ninth in pressure rate.
Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu is coming off a career-high 13-sack season. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
Campbell had a breakout season in 2025, emerging as one of the best off-ball linebackers in the league. He finished fifth among defensive players in splash plays with 51, including a league-leading 16 run tackles for zero or negative yards. Campbell was a first-team All-Pro. As a first-round pick, he was eligible for a fifth-year option. But the NFL’s archaic rule of pooling outside linebackers and inside linebackers pushed his prospective option salary over $21 million. It would have made him the highest-paid inside linebacker in the league, ahead of Fred Warner. The Lions did not pick up the option, but they should be very interested in a long-term extension.
A fifth-round pick in 2023, Brown is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Brown went from a rotational piece as a rookie in 2023 to a productive starter over the past two seasons. Browns topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in 2025. He had 1,350 scrimmage yards and 11 scrimmage touchdowns in 2024. He followed that up with 1,456 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025. Brown is one of 10 backs to have at least 2,800 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He is fourth among running backs in receiving yards over that span, and he will be entering his age-27 season in 2027.
15. Byron Young, edge, Los Angeles Rams
Young was a third-round pick by the Rams in 2023. He has finished with at least 7 1/2 sacks in each of his three pro seasons. He had a career-high 12 sacks in 2025. The Rams have built a physically dominant defensive front, and Young is a big piece of that group on the edge. Young was an older prospect coming out of Tennessee, and he will be entering his age-29 season in 2027.
16. Derwin James Jr., S, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers signed James to a market-setting four-year extension in August 2022. He remains the fourth-highest-paid safety in the league by average annual value. James did not live up to that contract over the first two years, in part because he was being misused by previous coach Brandon Staley. Over the past two seasons under former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, James has played more nickel, and he has returned to form as one of the most disruptive defensive backs in football. James is an important leader for coach Jim Harbaugh’s team. The Chargers and James will likely get an extension done before James is set to hit free agency in 2027.
Adams signed a two-year contract with the Rams during free agency in 2024, and he has been a touchdown machine over his past two seasons. Only two receivers — Ja’Marr Chase and Amon-Ra St. Brown — have more touchdowns than Adams’ 22 since the start of 2024. Adams has scored 18 of his 22 touchdowns in the red zone. Adams will be entering his age-35 season in 2027. His game, however, is aging well. He still has some of the most devastating releases in football. Adams is a technician as a route runner. If he moves on from the Rams after this coming season, Adams should still have a market as long as the production continues.
If this list is any indication, the tackle market is looking barren for 2027. O’Neill is by far the most capable of the group — at least as it stands right now. O’Neill has been a mainstay at right tackle for the Vikings since he was drafted in the second round in 2018. He missed time in 2025 with a sprained MCL, and he will be entering his age-32 season in 2027. In 2026, O’Neill will be in the final year of a five-year extension he signed in 2021. The veteran tackle market depreciated considerably during the 2025 free-agent cycle. It was one of the biggest surprises of the window. How will that affect O’Neill — either on an extension with the Vikings or the open market?
Kraft was breaking out in a huge way before tearing his ACL in Week 9 of last season. He was third among tight ends with 489 receiving yards through the first nine weeks of the season. That included a league-leading 344 yards after the catch. Kraft also had six receiving touchdowns, in addition to providing impactful run blocking. A third-round pick in 2023, Kraft is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2026. How he returns from the injury will affect his contract. If not for the torn ACL, Kraft would have been higher on this list.
20. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
Like Kraft, LaPorta had his 2025 season cut short by injury. LaPorta hurt his back in Week 10 and later required surgery. He finished with 489 yards and three touchdowns on 40 catches. LaPorta set the rookie tight end record for receptions in 2023 with 86 (the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers shattered it a year later with 112). His production has waned in each of the past two seasons. When he is healthy and rolling, LaPorta is a difference-making weapon in the passing game, both down the field and after the catch. LaPorta is ninth among tight ends with 975 yards after the catch since he joined the league in 2023.
Williams is fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks. He had 11 pressures in three playoff games during the run. The Giants traded Williams to Seattle in October 2023. That offseason, Williams signed a three-year extension with the Seahawks. He is entering the final year of that extension. Williams remains one of the best interior pass rushers in the league. His 69 pressures last season were tied for second among interior defensive linemen. He will be entering his age-33 season in 2027.
Leonard Williams helped the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title last offseason and could be in line to cash in in 2027. (Josh Edelson / AFP via Getty Images)
22. Kevin Dotson, G, Los Angeles Rams
Dotson is one of the most powerful and effective interior run blockers in football. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Dotson to the Rams in August 2023. That next offseason, Dotson signed a three-year, $48 million extension that made him one of the highest-paid guards in the league. Over the past three seasons at right guard, Dotson has lived up to that investment, particularly in the run game. He will be entering his age-31 season in 2027.
Swift signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Bears during free agency in 2024. He has topped 1,300 scrimmage yards in each of his first two seasons on that deal. He tied his career high with 10 scrimmage touchdowns last season. Swift is entering the final year of his Bears deal. He will be entering his age-28 season in 2027.
Onwenu has played right guard, right tackle and left guard. In 2025, the Patriots drafted left tackle Will Campbell in the first round and signed right tackle Morgan Moses in free agency. That allowed Onwenu to play a full season at right guard as New England made the Super Bowl. Onwenu’s size and power are maximized on the interior. He was arguably the Patriots’ best offensive lineman last season. Onwenu signed a three-year extension with the Patriots in 2024. He is entering the final year of that deal. He will be entering his age-30 season in 2027.
25. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Pitts was a top-20 player on our initial top 150 in February. The Falcons franchise-tagged him before he could hit the open market. The 2021 No. 4 pick is due to make $15.045 million on the tag. Like the Jets and Hall, the Falcons and Pitts have until July to negotiate a long-term extension. If Pitts plays on the tag, he will be slated to hit free agency in 2027. And he should be in a very similar range among the 2027 class as he was initially in the 2026 class.
26. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Porter was a second-round pick by the Steelers in 2023. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Porter has developed into a quality outside man-coverage corner. He is comfortable in isolation. He has good ball instincts. He can press bigger receivers at the line of scrimmage. This is a very alluring skill set in free agency. The Steelers would be smart to ink Porter to an extension.
27. Kobie Turner, IDL, Los Angeles Rams
Turner is another young, ascending piece along the Rams’ imposing defensive front. The Rams ranked No. 4 last season in pressure rate at over 41 percent. Turner was integral in that along the interior. Turner finished with 69 pressures, tied for second with the Seahawks’ Williams. He’s had at least 50 pressures in all three of his NFL seasons. Turner was a third-round pick in 2023. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He will be in his age-28 season in 2027.
28. Steve Avila, G, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams drafted Avila in the second round in 2023. He won the starting left guard job as a rookie and has stayed there throughout his first three seasons. Avila is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He was tied for fourth among guards in pass blocking efficiency in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus.
29. Vita Vea, IDL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
At 6-foot-4, 347 pounds, Vea has been one of the premier nose tackles in football for most of his career. Vea signed a four-year extension in 2022. He is entering the final year of that deal. Vea is coming off back-to-back 50 pressure seasons. He is tough to handle as a run defender because of his size and power. Vea will be entering his age-32 season in 2027.
Van Ginkel’s hybrid skill set has been supercharged in Brian Flores’ defense over the past two seasons. The Vikings signed Van Ginkel to a two-year, $20 million contract during free agency in 2024 and tacked on a one-year, $23 million extension last offseason. It has been an extreme value deal. Van Ginkel has 18 1/2 sacks in 29 games over the past two seasons. He missed time in 2025 with a neck injury. He will be entering his age-32 season in 2027.
Honorable mentions: New York Jets edge Will McDonald IV; Denver Broncos CB Riley Moss; Atlanta Falcons S Jessie Bates III; Indianapolis Colts CB Kenny Moore II; New York Jets G/C Joe Tippmann; Washington Commanders IDL Daron Payne; Indianapolis Colts IDL DeForest Buckner; Los Angeles Chargers LB Daiyan Henley; Detroit Lions S Brian Branch; Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey; Cleveland Browns S Grant Delpit; Pittsburgh Steelers IDL Keeanu Benton; New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry.
Leave a Reply