- Despite injury, Daniel Jones will be sought after: The Indianapolis Colts‘ choice to bring in Daniel Jones to compete for the starting quarterback job on a “prove it” deal appeared to be a massive success through the first half of the season. Jones’ 80.3 PFF grade ranked ninth among qualifying signal callers through Week 8, while the Colts’ offense led the NFL in EPA per play by a sizable margin.
- 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
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NFL free agency is never short on intrigue, and the 2026 cycle stands to have plenty of it. A time when money talks as teams search for the next key piece in their pursuit of a championship, and players reap the rewards of their talent and dedication to the game.
We’re a little over a month away from the beginning of the legal tampering period, beginning March 9th. With numerous impact players due to be available during free agency, lets discuss the ones who deserve to get paid this offseason.
All projected contract values (AAV) are courtesy of Spotrac
QB Daniel Jones
Projected AAV: $43.6 million
The Colts’ choice to bring in Daniel Jones to compete for the starting quarterback job on a “prove it” deal appeared to be a massive success through the first half of the season. Jones’ 80.3 PFF grade ranked ninth among qualifying signal callers through Week 8, while the Colts’ offense led the NFL in EPA per play by a sizable margin.
Injuries derailed that momentum in the latter half of the season, as Jones played through a fractured fibula before suffering a season-ending Achilles tear. Although his health and prognosis will play a role in his market value, as numerous teams look for quality play under center, Jones’ potential contract figures could place him among the top-20 quarterbacks in AAV.
Offensive EPA per play (Weeks 1-8)
WR George Pickens
Projected AAV: $30.6 million
While Pickens was a productive receiver in Pittsburgh, the trade sending him to Dallas paved the way to a massive payday this offseason. Pickens proved he can be a franchise’s WR1, setting a new career high in PFF receiving grade (87.2; seventh) and hauling in the 22 contested catches, tying for the second most among receivers.
Set to cash in for a projected four-year, $122 million contract — a contract figure that would place him inside the top-10 receivers in AAV — Dallas may opt to place the franchise tag on Pickens. At current projections just above $28 million, the move would keep the receiver in Dallas for another year at a lower annual value, while both sides try to reach an agreement on a new deal.
WR Alec Pierce
Projected AAV: $20.2 Million
Pierce has quietly made a name for himself around NFL circles as one of the most underrated pass-catchers in the NFL. This past season saw the 25-year-old receiver set a new career-best PFF receiving grade (81.0; 16th) and produce his first 1,000-yard season. Pierce’s ability as a lethal deep threat could transform any offense. Over the past two seasons, his 24 receptions on throws targeted 20-plus yards downfield tie for the third-most in the NFL.
Although Pierce isn’t recognized by casual fans as one of the game’s premier receiving weapons, he’s well worth the lucrative contract offers that he will surely field this offseason. At just above $20 million per year, Pierce’s projected annual contract value would be in line with Jakobi Meyers three-year, $60 million extension with the Jaguars.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson
Projected AAV: $18.0 Million
With Malik Nabers going down just four games into the season, Robinson was called upon to play a significant role for the New York Giants. Robinson responded with his first 1,000-yard season and his second consecutive season with over 90 receptions. Despite his size limitations, Robinson has proven to be a dynamic weapon out of the slot, generating the third-most yards per route run from a slot alignment (4.44) this season among qualifiers.
Still just 25 years old, Robinson will garner attention on the open market for a team looking to amplify the receiving corps. Robinson’s contract projections of roughly $17.5 – $18 million per year would place him in the range of the top-25 receivers in AAV, comparable to names like Christian Kirk and Deebo Samuel.
Receiving from slot alignments
C Tyler Linderbaum
Projected AAV: $17.7 Million
Since entering the NFL in 2022, Linderbaum has made a name for himself as a road-grading center with bad intentions in the run game. He excels in both gap and zone schemes, ranking in the 85th percentile or better in PFF run blocking grade in each. Over his four seasons as a starter, the 25-year-old center has shown polish well beyond his years, posting top-10 marks in both impact block rate (14.3%; eighth) and defeated block rate (10.7%; fifth).
With roughly two-thirds of NFL franchises in need of high-caliber interior offensive linemen, the former first-round pick could warrant over $17 million per season, placing him among the top-three highest-paid centers annually.
TE Kyle Pitts
Projected AAV: $14.6 Million
Mixed sentiment has clouded Pitt’s overall body of work to begin his career. While some believe he didn’t live up to his billing as a top-five pick, he quietly showed potential as a consistent presence in the passing game, earning above a 72.0 PFF receiving grade in four of his five seasons.
However, Pitts closed out the 2025 campaign about as strong as he could have, flashing that ability that made him a top draft pick. From Week 13 through the end of the regular season, Pitts acted as the Atlanta Falcons‘ primary option while Drake London was sidelined due to an injury, earning the third-highest PFF receiving grade (91.8) over that span.
While the sample of elite play is small, that stretch will likely earn Pitts more quality offers this offseason. Should he garner an offer on par with his projection, Pitts would stand among the top-five tight ends in AAV.
PFF receiving grade (Weeks 13-18)
WR Rashid Shaheed
Projected AAV: $14.1 Million
When the Seattle Seahawks decided to trade for Shaheed, they did so not only because they felt he would amplify the offense but also because they understood the value of having an electric kickoff and punt returner in the modern NFL. While Shaheed’s offensive output was modest in Seattle, he showcased his talents as one of the NFL’s elite returners, tallying three return touchdowns on his way to earning an 86.4 PFF return grade.
Having that level of talent that can turn a game on its head in a crucial moment will draw the attention of many franchises. Shaheed’s $14.1 million annual projection would put him on par with various WR2 options, but give his team even more value in the return game.
WR Romeo Doubs
Projected AAV: $12.0 Million
The market at receiver this free agent cycle projects to be one of the deepest in recent memory, and guys like Doubs are a big reason why. With the Green Bay Packers, Doubs has flown under the radar given his team’s depth at the position; yet, he continues to produce as one of the game’s most consistent targets, producing a 70.0-plus PFF receiving grade in each of his past three seasons.
At roughly $12 million per year, Doubs wouldn’t even rank inside the top-30 highest paid annually at the position. With Doubs’ Projecting as an immense value at a position that continues to rise in cost.
RB Breece Hall
Projected AAV: $10.4 Million
Despite frequently playing from behind on one of the most ineffective offenses of 2025, Hall managed to produce his best season yet. His 83.5 PFF grade set a new career-best for the 24-year-old back, while his 83.7 PFF rushing grade stood as the eighth-highest among qualifying backs this season.
The market value at the running back position continues to underwhelm compared to the on-field value a dynamic backfield weapon can provide. However, a solid class of free agent running backs may inadvertently drive down the contract potential of the group as a whole. Even still, Hall stands above the rest as the most worthy of a lucrative long-term deal. At his $10.4 million annual projection, Hall would squeeze into the top-10 at the position, just below the names like James Cook ($11.5 million AAV) and Kyren Williams ($11.0 million).
T Rasheed Walker
Projected AAV: $20.3 million
The former seventh-round pick has performed far above the expectations of his draft stock. As a starter for the past three seasons, Walker has excelled as a pass blocker, producing a 77.0 PFF pass-blocking grade, a mark that places him 17th among qualifying left tackles.
A $20 million annual price tag may seem a bit rich when compared to similar deals like Alaric Jackson’s three-year, $56.3 million extension last offseason. However, the cost at the tackle position continues to be one of the NFL’s highest, as Walker’s projection puts him just outside the top 20.
