Ranking the NFL's 8 Best WRs Available via Free Agency or Trade This Offseason

One of the first big dominoes of the 2026 NFL offseason dropped on Thursday, when the Chicago Bears agreed to trade D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills. While the deal takes one standout pass-catcher off the market, receiver-needy teams will still have some enticing options available.

Many teams will be able to find new top targets even before diving into a loaded 2026 draft class—seven wide receivers went in the first round of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's post-combine mock draft.

Between free agency and the trade market, several proven, high-level starters will be available. Here, we'll rank the best among those scheduled to be free agents or rumored to be available in a trade, based on factors such as skill set, upside, recent production, and injury history.

8. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File

Injury history is a significant concern with Brandon Aiyuk, who would have been near the top of this list a year ago. The 27-year-old requested a trade two offseasons ago before signing a four-year, $120 million extension and then tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus during the 2024 season.

Aiyuk didn't play at all in 2025, and the 49ers, unhappy with his approach to recovery, voided his 2026 guarantees, according to Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic. That set the stage for a split that may come within a matter of days.

"He'll be released on the first day of the league year, I think," ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said on the Pardon My Take podcast (h/t Patrick Holloway of Niners Nation).

If Aiyuk isn't immediately released, San Francisco will likely be looking to move him in a trade. Either way, he'll intrigue receiver-needy teams that aren't turned off by any injury or recovery concerns.

While Aiyuk isn't a truly elite receiver, he's a strong route-runner with breakaway ability who has topped 1,000 yards in two of his four complete campaigns.

7. Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

As a receiver, Rashid Shaheed's potential is far more impressive than his production. The 27-year-old has difference-making speed, as evidenced by an impressive 14.7 yards-per-catch career average. However, he's never been a high-volume pass-catcher, and he's never reached 750 receiving yards in a season.

Of course, Shaheed isn't just a receiver. He's also a Pro Bowl return specialist who had two return touchdowns during the 2025 regular season and another in the playoffs while helping the Seattle Seahawks on their Super Bowl run.

Shaheed can help virtually any team right away as a return ace, and creative offensive play-callers will find ways to get the ball in his hands on offense. At absolute worst, Shaheed can help stretch the field while being a game-changer on special teams.

Seattle acquired Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints at last year's trade deadline, and he has long felt like an extension candidate. According to Schefter, though, Shaheed is "said to not be close to an extension" and is expected to become a free agent next week.

6. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

When he's at his best, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans is still a dominant go-to receiver. The 6'5", 231-pound pass-catcher remains an elite possession receiver and red-zone mismatch who has topped 1,000 receiving yards in 11 of his 12 seasons.

Of course, Evans had his streak of 1,000-yard campaigns broken in 2025 by a collarbone injury, and he's set to turn 33 in August. He can still be a very good role player—Keenan Allen, who had 777 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, is probably a good comparison—but he probably isn't a true No. 1 at this stage of his career.

Evans had just one 100-yard receiving game this past season.

Teams are likely to view Evans as a high-end No. 2 receiver and a veritable red-zone cheat code. The big question is whether he's truly interested in finding a new home after spending his first 12 seasons in Tampa.

Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, recently told The Drive with TKras (h/t Bailey Adams of Pewter Report) that they plan "to look at all 32 teams," but he also added that "basically just want to do an analysis."

5. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Wan'Dale Robinson had a career year in 2025, taking advantage of Malik Nabers absence and emerging as the New York Giants' top target. The speedy, shifty slot receiver hauled in 92 passes and recorded the first 1,000-yard campaign of his career.

At just 5'8" and 185 pounds, Robinson isn't suited to regularly play on the perimeter. However, he has the potential to be one of the league's top slot specialists, and he just turned 25 in January.

The 2022 second-round pick is only now entering his playing prime, and his 2025 season may only be a glimpse of what's to come. However, it sounds like the next stage of Robinson's development won't take place in New York.

"It looks like Wan'Dale Robinson is going to end up elsewhere," ESPN's Jordan Raanan told the Giants Nation Show (h/t Logan VanDine of FanSided).

Robinson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next week.

4. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

49ers receiver Jauan Jennings spent his early career as an underrated chain-mover who regularly entered the game plan on third downs. Over the past two years, though, he's become one of San Francisco's go-to targets when healthy.

Jennings tallied 975 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games two seasons ago and had 643 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games this past season.

A strong route-runner with archetypal size (6'3", 212 lbs), great physicality, good after-the-catch ability, and inside-outside versatility, Jennings should fit a variety of schemes as a possession receiver. However, his lack of elite speed and agility makes him best-suited for a spacing-based Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay-style offense.

Jennings is an impending free agent and will likely look to maximize his earnings on the open market. After his breakout 2024 season, the 28-year-old demanded a new contract or a trade from the 49ers, though he ultimately agreed to play on a revised deal instead.

3. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown has topped 1,000 yards in four straight seasons and in six of his seven pro campaigns. The 6'1", 226-pound Mississippi product has a top-tier combination of size, physicality, and speed and has spent the bulk of his career as a legitimate No. 1.

At times, Brown has performed like one of the top receivers in the league. The three-time Pro Bowler has topped 1,400 receiving yards twice in his career and has also reached double-digit touchdowns twice. However, he has publicly voiced his frustrations with the Philly offense, and there's a non-zero chance that the Eagles will move on from him this offseason.

Philadelphia doesn't appear to be actively shopping the 28-year-old, but it isn't shutting down trade offers either. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Eagles are looking for a Quinnen Williams-type deal" in exchange for Brown.

The New York Jets got a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith back for Williams at the trade deadline. A similar offer might pry Brown out of Philadelphia.

2. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

With George Pickens getting the franchise tag, Indianapolis Colts receiver Alec Pierce becomes the top wideout headed to the free-agent market. The 25-year-old just finished his first 1,000-yard campaign and has established himself as one of the top deep threats in the league.

Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons.

While the 2022 second-round pick is known for his big-play ability, he's a fairly complete receiver with good body control, sure hands, and a 6'3", 211-pound frame. Naturally, the Colts aren't eager to let him test free agency, but they don't have much choice after using the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones.

"I've kind of earned the right to explore free agency, see what's out there and just make a decision that's best for my career and my family," Pierce told Kay Adams on Up & Adams (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook).

Pierce has all the tools to be a team's primary receiver, and he'll be paid accordingly in the coming days.

1. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

The Dallas Cowboys did give Pickens the franchise tag, and it appears the move was made as a precursor to a long-term extension.

"Very clearly the Cowboys want George Pickens to be a part of our future," franchise owner Jerry Jones said, per ESPN's Todd Archer.

However, Dallas has until July 15 to work out a long-term agreement, and if it doesn't, it may consider making Pickens available in a trade. He was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a third-round pick and a late pick swap, so getting more than that back in a trade could still be viewed as a win.

NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo reported in February that a tag-and-trade scenario would be a possibility for Dallas. And if Pickens can be had, every receiver-needy team should at least have interest.

Pickens did carry some maturity concerns in Pittsburgh, which is why the Steelers made him available in the first place. However, he has a combination of size (6'3", 200 lbs), speed, and ability that few other receivers can match. He showed that he can be a true No. 1 target this past season, which he finished with 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.

Having just turned 25 earlier this month, Pickens has a nearly ideal blend of proven production and upside.