Best Fits for NFL's Most Intriguing Available Free Agents in 2026

We're about a week into free agency, and while boatloads of players have already signed boatloads of deals worth boatloads of money (including over $2 billion on Monday alone), there are still quite a few notable players who have yet to land work in 2026.

Some are aging players nearing the end of the line. Others are coming off seasons marred by injury or poor performance. More than a few failed to meet their salaries last year and were released recently to clear cap space.

There are no sure things at this point. But the reality is that in free agency, there very rarely are.

The blockbuster long-term deals aren't where free agency is "won." It's the second and third-tier deals. The low-risk, short-term deals for veterans who then go on to play major roles for their new teams and exceed financial expectations.

And every vet listed here has the potential to do so—especially in the ideal landing spot.

QB Kirk Cousins

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders

"Intriguing" can be a relative term. But with most of the biggest names available under center already on new teams, Kirk Cousins is the best of what's left.

Last year with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins started eight games, completing just under 62 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. Those aren't especially impressive numbers, but we are talking about a player in Cousins who has started 167 games and made it to four Pro Bowls.

There's little question that the Raiders are going to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in April's draft. But ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum said that the Raiders would be wise to exercise a measure of patience with the young signal-caller.

"I would sign Kirk Cousins. I think he is the ideal bridge quarterback for Fernando Mendoza," he said. "We know they got Tyler Linderbaum, but their offensive line gave up more sacks than any team last year. Why not go out and get a veteran like Kirk Cousins to stabilize the position? Bring Mendoza along slowly. Don't play him from day one, because, remember, often quarterbacks are ruined before they ever get going."

The man has a point. Drafting Medoza won't instantly make the Raiders contenders anymore than signing Linderbaum instantly made a bad offensive line a good one. If Mendoza truly is ready to lead the team from Day 1, Cousins could serve as a veteran mentor. If he isn't, the team can roll out Cousins to begin the season as a veteran stopgap.

WR Jauan Jennings

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Best Fit: Tennessee Titans

Jauan Jennings entered free agency as one of the top wide receivers available on many boards—a big-bodied, sure-handed wideout still the right side of 30. But Jennings has also never had a 1,000-yard season, and the market for his services has been quieter than expected.

However, just because no team has put pen to paper with Jennings yet doesn't mean that there aren't any who should, and Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports sees a fit for him with a Tennessee Titans that entered free agency with a boatload of cap space and needs galore on both sides of the ball.

"The Tennessee Titans are already a top spender in free agency," he wrote, "but I don't think they are done. The Friday release of cornerback L'Jarius Sneed freed up $11.4 million in cap space, and the Titans also gained $24.3 million in space thanks to an NFL cap adjustment. Tennessee signed slot weapon Wan'Dale Robinson to a four-year, $70 million deal, but the work at wideout is not done."

Robinson is absolutely an upgrade for the Titans in the slot, but if young quarterback Cam Ward is going to take a step forward in his second season, the team needs to improve the weapons available to him on the outside as well--especially with Calvin Ridley an aging player coming off another lost season.

Jennings would accomplish that goal, and given how soft his market has apparently been, he'd likely be available at a reasonable cost.

WR Deebo Samuel

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Best Fit: Denver Broncos

There was a time when the list of veteran wide receivers still available in free agency was a veritable who's who at the position. Tyreek Hill. Stefon Diggs. Deebo Samuel. All were once bona fide stars at the position.

Of course, it has been a while since Samuel was a star. The lone 1,000-yard receiving season of his career came back in 2021, when also made the only Pro Bowl of his career. Last year with the Washington Commanders. Samuel caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns.

However, while the 30-year-old's best days may be in the rearview mirror, his versatility should still appeal to NFL teams, especially those in "win-now" mode. As Bill Barnwell wrote for ESPN, the Denver Broncos fit that bill.

"Samuel is a dream fit for the Broncos' offense, where Bo Nix wants to get the ball out quickly when he has a numbers advantage or throw the ball on digs and deep crossers off play-action," Barnwell said. "The Broncos have a crowded receiver room with Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr. and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but Samuel would be a rugged addition who offers more physicality than just about anybody in that mix. He could also be a useful runner for coach Sean Payton as a changeup in short yardage or near the goal line, where Nix is often used on sneaks and designed runs."

Tight end Evan Engram flopped last year in the "Joker" role in Sean Payton's offense—and the Broncos still came a game away from the Super Bowl.

If Samuel is a better fit in that role, he could be the final piece that puts Denver over the top in the AFC.

TE David Njoku

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Best Fit: New England Patriots

The Patriots were champions of the AFC in 2025 and entered free agency well-positioned to add veteran talent to the roster. The team has been busy in that regard, but mostly with second-tier signings—the team still has over $51 million in cap space per Over the Cap.

Per Sara Marshall of Musket Fire, the Patriots would be well-advised to continue on that path by signing tight end David Njoku, who remains a free agent after a disappointing 2025 campaign.

"In free agency so far, Mike Vrabel and Co. have signed a fullback to help on the offensive line, along with a blocking tight end, which creates an opportunity to pursue more of a pass-catcher, and that could mean David Njoku becomes an option now," she said. "The almost 30-year-old has proven to be a versatile weapon at the position, as he has served predominantly as a blocker for the Browns one year, and more of a receiver the next. That's the kind of player the Patriots could benefit from, especially now that they have added some reinforcements to help on the line."

With Austin Hooper gone, the Patriots have a need for a pass-catching tight end. And New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels favored "12" personnel (two tight end) groupings long before they became the hip new thing in the NFL of late.

Given his injury history, Njoku is likely looking at one-year deals from here on out. And given how that mitigates the risk of signing him, he become all the more attractive to a Patriots team that can certainly afford him.

OG Wyatt Teller

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Best Fit: Houston Texans

The offensive line has seemingly been an issue for years with the Houston Texans—in part because in each of the past two seasons the team has shipped arguably their best offensive lineman out of town. In 2025, it was left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was dealt to the Washington Commanders. This year, Houston traded right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns.

The Texans addressed Howard's departure with the addition of Braden Smith, but there is still a rather glaring hole at left guard—a hole that Clayton Anderson of Toro Times believes veteran Wyatt Teller would fill nicely.

 "There is chatter that Houston looks like a destination for former All-Pro Browns guard Wyatt Teller, who has finally officially come available as a result of a March 12th contract voiding date via his former team. With that knowledge, and the fact that Teller has a projected value of roughly $10.2 million, it's very reasonable to guess that he's the kind of candidate that Caserio would be holding out for at this late of a stage in early free agency."

Teller has historically played right guard, but a transition to the left side shouldn't be too daunting. As recently as 2023 Teller was a Pro Bowler, and he was at least decent a year ago, allowing three sacks in 765 snaps per Pro Football Focus.

This is a critical season for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Completing their overhaul of the line in front of him is a big part of making it a successful one.

EDGE Joey Bosa

AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Best Fit: San Francisco 49ers

As the old saying goes, where there's smoke, there's fire. And as Heavy's Nick Anderson wrote, of late there has been no shortage of "smoke" connecting veteran edge-rusher Joey Bosa to the San Francisco 49ers.

"The Joey Bosa to 49ers rumors have real momentum now, not just because the idea of pairing him with Nick Bosa is fun, but because multiple outlets have pointed to San Francisco as a logical free-agency landing spot," he said. "San Francisco has fresh cap room, a clear need for edge depth and a chance to buy low on a recognizable veteran while free agency moves into its slower phase. That is exactly the kind of spot where a short-term, upside-driven deal can materialize. There is also a football fit here. If the 49ers want to protect their younger front-seven pieces and avoid overloading one player opposite Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa is the kind of veteran bridge addition who makes sense."

Granted, Bosa is no longer the player who won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, has been named to five Pro Bowls and logged double-digit sacks on four separate occasions. He had five sacks in 562 snaps with the Buffalo Bills in 2025.

But the 49ers needed to bolster the pass rush even before edge-rusher Bryce Huff abruptly retired after finishing with three fewer sacks as a team last year than Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns had by himself.

The reunion with his younger brother would be a nice story, but bringing in Bosa is more about facts than feelings.

The fact is, the 49ers need him.

LB Bobby Okereke

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Best Fit: Dallas Cowboys

It was no secret entering free agency that the Dallas Cowboys needed to strengthen the linebacker room. Youngster DeMarvion Overshown has had problems staying on the field, and while Shemar James showed flashes in 2025 he's by no means a sure thing.

The Cowboys need some veteran stability in the middle of a defense that was mostly atrocious in 2025. And as SI's Randy Gurzi pointed out, Bobby Okereke fits the mold of what the Cowboys need.

"Okereke, who turns 30 in July, can not only give them (stability), but he's still a quality player," he said. "During his final season with the Giants, he had 143 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. What really stands out as a fit for Dallas is his ability to play in coverage. The Cowboys couldn't make key stops on third downs throughout the 2025 season and Okereke could help change that."

Okereke has been a consistently productive linebacker, eclipsing 130 tackles in four of the past five seasons. He has also acquitted himself well in coverage, posting a passer rating against of less than 85 in each of the past two seasons with three campaigns with multiple interceptions.

The Cowboys allowed the third-most yards per game last year and were the only team in the NFL that surrendered 30 points per game. If the Cowboys are going to get back to the postseason, the team needs a steadying hand at just about every level of the defense.

Okereke would provide one.

CB L'Jarius Sneed

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Best Fit: Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have already taken a buzzsaw to the secondary in the offseason, adding a pair of former Chiefs cornerbacks in Trent McDuffie (via trade) and Jaylen Watson. Now, Watson is lobbying another former Chief to join the party—L'Jarius Sneed, who was released recently by the Tennessee Titans.

As Steven Ridings wrote at Yahoo, Watson's social media sales pitch actually makes some sense.

"Throughout his career, Sneed has shown a rare blend of physicality and versatility that makes him particularly appealing in modern defensive schemes," he said. "During his time with Kansas City and Tennessee, he routinely lined up both outside and in the slot, covering top receivers one week and shifting inside to defend quicker route-runners the next. That flexibility is something the Rams could greatly benefit from as they continue adjusting personnel around their young defensive core. With offenses constantly creating mismatches through motion and formations, having a defensive back who can travel with receivers or rotate between roles is an invaluable asset."

Sneed didn't live up to the fat contract he got from Tennessee, largely because of injuries. But in his last healthy season in Kansas City, he logged 78 total tackles and posted an outstanding passer rating against of just 56.2.

Adding Sneed to the Rams remodeled CB corps would turn the team's biggest weakness in 2025 into a strength. And given Sneed's disappointing tenure in Nashville, the 29-year-old could potentially be had on a relatively modest, short-term contract.