Top Signing for NFL Teams With the Most Cap Space in 2026

The NFL informed teams that the 2026 salary cap is projected to be between $301.2 and $305.7 million, giving several teams enough flexibility to splurge in free agency.

Based on Over the Cap's latest projections, a fourth of the league's teams will have more than $45 million in cap space. Among those clubs, the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, and Los Angeles Rams can make splashy moves to build on playoff rosters. 

Based on roster needs, we identified the top signing priority for eight teams with the most projected cap space, starting with the club with over $100 million in salary cap dollars.

Each team's target doesn't necessarily address its biggest need; it's the player who will likely be at the top of the club's free-agent priority list.

Tennessee Titans: WR Alec Pierce

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce

Cap Space: $104.8 million

General manager Mike Borgonzi must take swings at offensive playmakers this offseason. He should load up on talent while quarterback Cam Ward is on a rookie deal. The Titans executive can start with an aggressive move for a top impending free-agent wide receiver.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes the Dallas Cowboys will franchise-tag George Pickens and possibly trade him for a Day 2 pick, which would keep him off the free-agent market.

The Titans can still land a big-play receiver in free agency.

According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, the Indianapolis Colts will designate the franchise tag for either quarterback Daniel Jones or wideout Alec Pierce. If they use it on the former, Tennessee should target the latter. 

In addition to the allure of playing with Ward, the Titans have $104.8 million in projected cap space, which would allow them to make an aggressive offer to Pierce, who racked up a career-high 1,003 receiving yards in 2025.

The Titans need an explosive perimeter offensive playmaker. No one on Tennessee's roster racked up more than 56 catches or 560 receiving yards last season. When healthy, Calvin Ridley didn't click with Ward. He registered a career-low 47.2 percent catch rate.

The Titans would see how well Ward airs it out downfield with a true deep threat. In back-to-back seasons, Pierce led the league in yards per catch, gaining more than 21 yards per grab. 

 

Las Vegas Raiders: C Tyler Linderbaum

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum

Cap Space: $91.5 million

The Las Vegas Raiders will likely take quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Based on head coach Klint Kubiak's recent history with running backs, he'll maximize Ashton Jeanty's skill set.

Based on those factors, the Raiders should be locked in on offensive linemen in free agency. They need their young assets to perform at optimal levels.

If Kubiak and his staff see Jackson Powers-Johnson as a guard, Tyler Linderbaum should be the top target on the Raiders' free-agent wish list. The three-time Pro Bowler would solidify a shaky offensive line with multiple question marks on the interior.

In addition to Powers-Johnson's position uncertainty, Jordan Meredith, who has started at guard and center, and guard Dylan Parham have expiring contracts.

One way to help a rookie quarterback is to pair him with a high-football-IQ center who can identify defensive coverages and pass protect against a growing number of disruptive defensive tackles.

Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Jaelan Phillips

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Philadelphia Eagles' Jaelan Phillips

Cap Space: $83.5 million

The Los Angeles Chargers' defense has lost its play-caller, Jesse Minter. Although new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary is familiar with the roster from his time as the team's safety coach in 2024, he will need some reinforcements on the edge.

Khalil Mack is contemplating retirement. Odafe Oweh will be a free agent and could follow Minter back to Baltimore. Coming off a Pro Bowl 13-sack campaign, Tuli Tuipulotu is set to be the Chargers' lead edge-rusher, and he needs a pass-rushing partner. Bud Dupree played a career-low 41 percent of the defensive snaps last season.

When healthy, Jaelan Phillips has shown Pro Bowl potential. He's registered at least five sacks in four out of five seasons. Last year, the 26-year-old played nine games with the Miami Dolphins before they traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded five sacks, 35 pressures, and seven tackles for loss in 17 games.

In Los Angeles, Phillips wouldn't need to be the team's top pass-rusher, though he and Tuipulotu would be an ascending edge-rusher duo if they stay healthy. 

New York Jets: QB Malik Willis

AP Photo

Cap Space: $83.3 million

Last season, the New York Jets had one of the worst quarterback rooms. Head coach Aaron Glenn benched Justin Fields for Tyrod Taylor in Week 12, and then he suffered a knee injury, which allowed Brady Cook, an undrafted rookie, to see the field.

Because of an impulsive team owner, Glenn may not have much more time to turn around the Jets' fortunes. Over the last few weeks, he fired several of his assistants, which may indicate pressure from the club's top decision-makers. 

With a new offensive coordinator in Frank Reich, Glenn should push for another addition at quarterback who can beat Justin Fields for the starting job. Taylor will be a free agent ahead of his age-37 term.

Malik Willis improved during his two-year run with the Green Bay Packers. In 11 games, which included three starts, with the Tennessee Titans, he didn't throw a touchdown pass but tossed three interceptions. In Green Bay, the 2022 third-rounder filled in well for Jordan Love, throwing for six touchdowns in 11 outings (three starts).

In a full-time starting role, Willis could blossom into a dynamic playmaker. If he doesn't, Glenn may have to cross his fingers and hope to keep his job, but the 53-year-old lead skipper should gamble on the dual-threat signal-caller's upside. 

Washington Commanders: EDGE Trey Hendrickson

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson

Cap Space: $76 million

The Washington Commanders need a surefire closer on the edge. Last season, they finished 26th in pressure rate, and their sack leader, Von Miller, will be a free agent.

Miller will turn 37 in March, and he played only 37 percent of the defensive snaps this past year. The Commanders should target Trey Hendrickson to retain an established veteran presence at defensive end while getting slightly younger at the position.  

Hendrickson, 31, dealt with injuries that limited him to seven games in 2025, but if healthy, he could have a bounce-back year. Keep in mind that the All-Pro defensive end logged 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024 and registered 35 tackles for loss in that two-year span.

As Washington transitions to a new defensive system under Daronte Jones, the club should target a proven playmaker to bolster its pass rush and 30th-ranked run defense. Hendrickson can help in both areas.

Seattle Seahawks: RB Kenneth Walker III

AP Photo/Steve Luciano

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III

Cap Space: $72.3 million

Kenneth Walker III had a strong finish to the 2025 season, racking up more than 110 scrimmage yards in five of his last six outings and earning Super Bowl LX MVP. During that stretch, fellow running back Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL.

Given Charbonnet's recovery timeline, the Seahawks should focus on working out a deal with one of their own players. As the team's lead running back, Walker can pick up where he left off.

Entering the offseason, Kenny McIntosh is the Seahawks' only healthy tailback under contract. 

General manager John Schneider said he wants to re-sign Walker, who would like to stay in Seattle. 

"I've been here four years, so you know I've gotten to know a lot of stuff about Seattle, and you know a lot of the city, and I feel like they feel good about me as well," Walker said. "So if it was my choice, though, I'd definitely stay."

With $72.3 million in cap space, the Seahawks have more than enough financial resources to retain Walker on a long-term deal. That said, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted the team may franchise-tag him.

Cincinnati Bengals: DL John Franklin-Myers

AP Photo

Cap Space: $54.5 million

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has a strong supporting cast on the offensive side of the ball, with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, along with versatile running back Chase Brown. 

The Bengals can help Burrow by strengthening their defense. Cincinnati has ranked 25th or worse in total yards and 21st or worse in points allowed for three consecutive seasons. 

One could argue that the edge-rusher position is a more critical need because Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai have expiring contracts. Yet it's fair to be concerned about the entire defensive front after the Bengals gave up the most rushing yards last season.

At 6'4", 288 pounds, John Franklin-Myers has lined up in different spots across defensive lines, on the interior and on the end. In a three-down role, he's exactly what Cincinnati needs up front to help out the pass rush and run defense. Over the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos, the 29-year-old has recorded 65 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 44 pressures, and 14 tackles for loss.

Los Angeles Rams: CB Jamel Dean

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean

Cap Space: $48.2 million

The Los Angeles Rams need multiple reinforcements at cornerback. 

Cobie Durant, Roger McCreary, and Ahkello Witherspoon will be free agents. Emmanuel Forbes, a first-rounder from the 2023 draft who started his career with the Washington Commanders, recorded three interceptions, but he also gave up six touchdowns. Darious Williams saw a significant reduction in snap count, playing 54 percent of the defensive snaps.

The Rams can start the overhaul process at cornerback with a splashy free-agent signing. After a couple of inconsistent seasons, Jamel Dean played at a high level in 2025, logging three interceptions while allowing just two touchdowns and a 63.1 passer rating in coverage.

Dean would be the best cornerback on the Rams roster right now. At 29, with 77 career starts, he's an experienced cover man who can match up against the opposing team's top receiver.

Team cap space details are provided by Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.