Bargain Free-Agent Contracts for Teams to Fill Needs Before 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL draft may be the main avenue teams still have to improve their rosters for the upcoming season, but it isn't the only one. Free agency remains a viable option for these clubs, even after most of the top-rated veterans on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board were quickly snapped up at the onset of the new league year.

While many of the remaining unsigned players are largely flawed in some manner—advancing age, serious injuries and significant regressions are some of the factors at play—there are still capable options available on the open market. These players may not be at their most impactful during this stage of their respective careers, but they can still make meaningful contributions in the right situation.

Perhaps most importantly, these free agents tend to come cheap.

With no bidding wars or league-wide interest in their services, these down-on-their-luck or past-their-prime veterans won't be generating cap-clogging contracts. Despite this, they can still play valuable rotational snaps or even patch a hole in the starting lineup for a Super Bowl hopeful.

With that in mind, let's take a look at five bargain-bin free agents—defined as players projected to make far less than their star-caliber peers on a short-term contract—who can fill some glaring roster holes before the 2026 draft kicks off.

QB Aaron Rodgers

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Despite speculation that last season might be his last in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers hasn't shut the door on a return in 2026. He proved he still had something left in the tank last year by throwing for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns against seven interceptions while leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to an AFC North title.

While Rodgers doesn't have much of a market going into an age-43 campaign due to the lack of potential contenders in need of a stopgap signal-caller, the Steelers remain open to bringing the future Hall of Famer back aboard.

Despite a regime change that saw Mike McCarthy assume the head coaching position that Mike Tomlin vacated, the Steelers still lack a starting-caliber QB for 2026. The front office hasn't made any moves to address the position either, leaving only longtime backup Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard under contract for next season.

That could change in the coming weeks. According to Steelers owner Art Rooney II, the organization believes Rodgers will decide on his future before the 2026 draft gets underway.

Yahoo! Sports' Jori Epstein reported that McCarthy has had "very positive" discussions with Rodgers—who he coached between 2006-18, winning Super Bowl XLV together with the Green Bay Packers—and noted that the head coach is "confident" the four-time NFL MVP will be back in the fold this offseason.

Rodgers should only take up a small portion of the $30.3 million the Steelers currently have in cap space. He earned a modest $14.15 million on his one-year deal with the club in 2025 and has a market value of just $10.6 million right now.

While the Steelers may be desperate and could give Rodgers an above-market deal for a chance to compete in 2026, it's unlikely the future Hall of Famer will exercise that leverage. It's far more likely he'll accept another budget deal that affords Pittsburgh more flexibility to craft a contender around him.

Contract Projection: One-year, $10 million

TE Jonnu Smith

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Jonnu Smith is back on the market following a disappointing showing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. The club released him in a cap-saving maneuver, one that will allow him a chance to return to form elsewhere this coming season.

Smith shined during his lone season with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, securing a team-high 88 catches and eight receiving touchdowns along with 884 receiving yards. He broke out as an unexpected Pro Bowler during that age-29 campaign, although a trade to the Steelers following that performance wound up being detrimental to his career.

Smith failed to move the needle in a crowded tight end room while playing within a conservative offense, regressing to catch just 38 balls for 222 yards and a pair of scores last year.

While Pittsburgh failed to capitalize on the athletic pass-catcher's unique traits, Smith still has the tools to assume a larger role in another system.

If he signs with a club that emphasizes his versatility and movement skills, Smith could get back to putting up big numbers quickly. The 6'3", 248-pounder has the size and athleticism to create alignment mismatches and excels at picking up yardage after the catch.

A reunion with Mike McDaniel—his head coach in Miami who is now serving as the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh—could be exactly what Smith needs to have another Pro Bowl-caliber season.

Contract Projection: One-year, $6 million

OL Mekhi Becton

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Despite signing a two-year, $20 million contract last offseason, Mekhi Becton lasted just one season with the Los Angeles Chargers. It quickly became apparent that the pairing wouldn't be a successful one, with Becton dealing with injuries and publicly growing frustrated with his role.

It was a far cry from the success Becton found with the Philadelphia Eagles, a club that helped the 2020 first-round pick rehabilitate his career after four largely disappointing seasons with the New York Jets. Becton thrived following a conversion to guard in the City of Brotherly Love, helping Saquon Barkley rush for over 2,000 yards and winning a Super Bowl during his lone campaign with the Eagles.

Although he was a quality starter for Philly just two seasons ago, Becton's market has cooled again. He's shown he has the size and ability to realize the potential of his first-round draft status, but injuries, inconsistency and moving on from two teams in a short span will leave suitors understandably leery about committing to the 26-year-old.

If Becton is motivated and lands in the right system this offseason, the 6'7", 363-pounder will be a major asset. He's immensely powerful and surprisingly deft for a guard of his stature, giving him a chance to be a solid option for one of the many clubs still desperate for help in the offensive trenches.

Contract Projection: One-year, $5 million

LB Bobby Wagner

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Bobby Wagner will go down as one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game, but he's no longer contributing at the same level he was during his extensive prime. The Washington Commanders brought in Wagner ahead of the 2024 campaign and got strong early results, but a regression in 2025 led to a split this offseason.

Going into an age-36 season—Wagner's 15th in the NFL—it remains to be seen what the six-time All-Pro still has left in the tank. He earned a 10th Pro Bowl nod as recently as the 2024 season but has become a major liability in coverage due to slipping athleticism.

While Wagner racked up 162 tackles—the fourth-highest tally of his career—last season, he struggled to keep pace with opposing pass-catchers. The legendary linebacker conceded 436 yards and three touchdowns in coverage in 2025.

Teams in need of a hard-hitting run-stuffer should still be able to get some mileage out of Wagner. He leads all active players with 2,000 career tackles—nearly 300 more than Lavonte David and almost 500 more than Demario Davis, two other Pro Bowl linebackers from the 2012 draft class—and has the instincts and football IQ to amass plenty more in 2026.

Wagner is worth taking a flier on solely for his leadership in the locker room and on the field. Even if he can't play every snap and needs to be hidden in pass coverage, Wagner's ability to organize a defense and ensure his unit is never out of position can add plenty of value to a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Contract Projection: One-year, $6 million

CB Trevon Diggs

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Trevon Diggs went from being one of the league's most exciting, dynamic up-and-coming cornerbacks to out of a job in the span of a few short seasons.

Despite exploding for 11 interceptions during a breakout sophomore campaign in 2021, things went downhill quickly for Diggs shortly after inking a blockbuster five-year, $97 million deal in 2023. A litany of injuries and poor production culminated in his release this past December and he failed to move the needle for the Green Bay Packers after they claimed the corner off waivers.

Diggs is now seeking a chance to revitalize a career that was once so promising. He has little leverage on his side after flaming out in Dallas, however, and will likely need to settle for a budget "prove-it" style contract this offseason.

If Diggs can stay healthy and get close to the peak form he displayed during his first three NFL seasons, the 27-year-old could go down as one of the better value signings in recent history.

The ballhawking corner has shown all the traits necessary to be an elite playmaker and could offer immense return on a modest investment for any team willing to roll the dice this offseason.

Contract Projection: One-year, $7.5 million