8 Under-the-Radar Players Who Could Sign Big Extensions in 2026 NFL Free Agency

One way or another, the NFL's marquee free agents will get paid, either by their current teams through extensions or on the open market. But what about the non-household names?

Every year, we're surprised by unheralded veterans earning massive pay raises.

So, let's focus on the second- and third-tier impending free agents who could sign big-money extensions before free agency starts on March 11.

The eight players listed below are considered under-the-radar impending free agents because they don't have All-Pro or Pro Bowl accolades and aren't recent first-rounders (on expiring rookie deals) who garnered high expectations coming into the league.

RB Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Ben VanHouten

Most NFL teams feature two or more running backs in the backfield. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet could be one of the league's top tandems for the foreseeable future, though the latter has filled in adequately for the former when called upon to take on a bigger load.

In 2024, Walker battled injuries that sidelined him for six games. In his absence, Charbonnet looked the part of a lead running back, which raised questions about his running mate's long-term outlook with the team, but that changed this year. 

Walker racked up a career-high 1,309 scrimmage yards, and he's rushed for 97 or more yards in three of his last four outings. In the Seattle Seahawks' divisional-round playoff victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Charbonnet tore his ACL, which leaves him on a long path to recovery.

Out of necessity, Seattle needs Walker back, while Charbonnet rehabs his knee. Kenny McIntosh will be the only healthy running back under contract for the upcoming term. He's logged 31 carries for 172 yards in 20 outings.

After scoring three touchdowns against the 49ers last week, Walker hired Aura Sports Group to represent him ahead of free agency. The 25-year-old ball-carrier knows he can command a lucrative salary, and the Seahawks will have a need at running back with the cap space ($71.9 million) to re-sign him.

RB Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

As one of the surprise breakout stars of the 2025 season, Javonte Williams emerged as a workhorse ball-carrier, recording 287 touches for a career-high 1,338 scrimmage yards.

During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talked about the possibility of retaining Williams.

"I love the way that he brings the wood, so to speak, when he runs," Jones said. "So I'm looking forward, hopefully, to him being a Cowboy for a time to come."

If Williams signs elsewhere in free agency, it wouldn't be the first time Jones has lost a player after expressing interest in keeping him. Also, remember the Cowboys owner wants to sign Pro Bowl wideout George Pickens to an extension.

Williams may be No. 2 on Jones' free-agent priority list, and if the Cowboys re-sign him, it'll be at a hefty cost relative to running backs. He could command in the region of $10 million annually, which would put his contract in the top 10 in average annual value at his position, one spot above Joe Mixon, who missed the entire 2025 campaign because of a foot injury.

At 25, as an intricate part of the Cowboys' seventh-ranked scoring offense, Williams has earned a significant salary increase. Perhaps Dallas clears cap space by releasing veterans and restructuring deals to pay him. 

WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Alec Pierce is arguably the NFL's most underrated big-play receiver. He's averaging 18.7 yards per reception across 64 outings and led the league in yards per reception in back-to-back campaigns. 

This past season, Pierce topped Indianapolis Colts pass-catchers with a career-high 1,003 receiving yards and finished second on the team in touchdown receptions (six).

Two years ago, general manager Chris Ballard rewarded wideout Michael Pittman Jr. with a three-year, $70 million extension. Without owing any guaranteed money to him on the final term of his deal, the Colts may reinvest in the receiver position by inking Pierce to a new contract.

Pierce could be a hot commodity within a weak free-agent receiver class, but with $26.9 million in cap space, Indianapolis can compete with other suitors to re-sign him.

WR Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Wan'Dale Robinson is a high-volume inside-outside receiver who developed a strong rapport with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart this past season. He hauled in 92 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.

Assuming Pro Bowl wideout Malik Nabers makes a full recovery from a torn ACL, Robinson would likely see a drop-off in production if he stays in New York.

However, Nabers isn't guaranteed to perform at an optimal level after missing a year of action with a significant knee injury. Even if he does, Robinson could be a solid No. 2 option in the passing game as a chain-mover.

The New York Giants hired head coach John Harbaugh, though they retained general manager Joe Schoen, who selected Robinson in the second round of the 2022 draft.

Big Blue will have a projected $1.8 million in cap space entering the 2026 offseason. Under Harbaugh, its roster will undergo changes, likely leading to cuts and trades. That said, don't be surprised if Schoen wants to re-sign one of his recent early-round draft picks who can aid Dart's development. 

C Cade Mays, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

The Carolina Panthers may have found their long-term starting center in Cade Mays.

Over the last two years, he's taken the majority of snaps at the pivot. In 2025, the 26-year-old played 726 snaps without giving up a sack and committed just two penalties, per Pro Football Focus.

With Austin Corbett moving to right guard, Mays found a home in the middle of the offensive line, snapping the ball to quarterback Bryce Young.

In four seasons, 52 appearances, Mays has started in 27 contests, so there's room for him to grow with more experience. As suggested for the Panthers, their biggest priority should be building around Young—keeping the quarterback-center exchange intact makes sense.

While three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum and Pro Bowler Connor McGovern will garner most of the attention among centers set to test free agency, Carolina can lock in a budding, unheralded player in Mays, though it could come at a steep price after his standout year.

Edge K'Lavon Chaisson, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

K'Lavon Chaisson has shown steady improvement after an underwhelming career start with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over the last two seasons, he's registered 12.5 sacks and 33 pressures. 

He flashed improvement with the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half of the 2024 campaign and carried that momentum into this season with the New England Patriots. 

On the field for 67 percent of the defensive snaps, Chaisson tied Harold Landry for a team-leading 23 pressures and 10 tackles for loss and finished second on the team in sacks. 

Entering his age-27 term in his prime, Chaisson could finally ink a long-term deal after signing modest one-year contracts with the Raiders and Patriots.

S Coby Bryant, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Quietly, without All-Pro or Pro Bowl accolades, Coby Bryant is developing into a bona fide ball hawk. Over the last two seasons, he's registered seven interceptions and 13 pass breakups. 

Bryant has also demonstrated consistency in coverage, giving up just three touchdowns since 2024, while allowing passer ratings below 78 (out of a possible 158.3) in consecutive terms.

As a versatile defender, Bryant can line up at free safety and in the slot to take on tough matchups against all types of receivers. Though he's had issues with tackling, with a 21.4 percent miss rate last season, the 26-year-old will get a massive pay raise because of his recent ball production.

Safety isn't a premium position, but if head coach Mike Macdonald wants to keep his stifling defense intact, he should be pounding the table in general manager John Schneider's office to re-sign Bryant.

S Kamren Curl, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl

Kamren Curl can handle a variety of responsibilities in the secondary. He's a clean tackler in the open field, brings a strong presence out of the box to supplement the run defense and showed reliable coverage ability this past season.

In 2025, Curl recorded 122 tackles, leading the team with 79 solo tackles, two sacks, five pass breakups and two interceptions, while allowing one touchdown and an 89.5 passer rating in coverage.

The Rams signed Curl to a team-friendly two-year, $9 million contract in 2024 after the Washington Commanders' incoming regime let him walk in free agency. 

Though the versatile defensive back will likely command a high-end salary relative to others at his position, he's earned a pay raise as a game-changing playmaker in Los Angeles' secondary. The Rams are set to enter the offseason with $46.5 million in cap space, which is more than enough to reward the starting safety.

Player contract and team salary cap details are provided by Over the Cap.