8 Under-the-Radar NFL Players Primed to Boost Their Market Value for 2027 Free Agency

As contract extensions trickle into the NFL news cycle, some players will have to wait until next offseason for a pay raise. 

Fortunately for productive players, their market value increases over time.

Most of the star players with non-guaranteed or expiring contracts will get new deals before Week 1 of the upcoming season. So, let's focus on seven under-the-radar veterans who could generate buzz ahead of their 2027 free-agent bids.

With the highlight on unheralded players, we've excluded veterans who are in active negotiations for an extension, Pro Bowlers, All-Pros and former first-round picks in the list below.

DL Gervon Dexter Sr., Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr.

The Chicago Bears should get ahead of Gervon Dexter Sr.'s 2027 market with an early extension, but that may not be in the works this offseason. They haven't engaged in contract talks with him, and he'll likely play out the final year of his rookie deal.

Dexter's pass-rushing strides will make him much richer next year. Over the last two seasons, he's registered 45 pressures and 11 sacks while on the field for more than 61 percent of the defensive snaps.

Currently, the top six interior defensive linemen are earning at least $25.5 million per year (h/t Over the Cap). Even if Dexter just maintains that production in a prominent role on the defensive line, he could command a deal north of $25 million annually when teams tend to overpay in free agency.

As the second-best pass-rusher behind Montez Sweat on Chicago's roster in the previous two years, Dexter will cash in on an extension or a lucrative new deal elsewhere in 2027.

WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs

This offseason, the Indianapolis Colts traded wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a move that will open up more opportunities for Alec Pierce and Josh Downs.

In 2025, Pierce registered 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. Indianapolis rewarded him with a four-year, $114 million extension. Downs could be next if he breaks out this year.

Despite subpar quarterback play, Downs has shown promise as a reliable slot receiver. He's tied for fourth among 2023 draftees in catches (198) and fifth in receiving yards (2,140). The former third-rounder led the Colts with 72 receptions in 2024. So, they know he can be a primary target in the aerial attack.

In 2025, Downs saw a drop-off in production, hauling in 58 of 88 targets for 566 yards and four touchdowns. But as the Colts' clear-cut No. 2 receiver, he could post career numbers if quarterback Daniel Jones picks up where he left off before tearing his ACL.

TE Greg Dulcich, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich

Going back to his college years at UCLA, Greg Dulcich has showcased sticky hands in the passing game. He caught 77 passes for 1,353 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Bruins. In his 2022 rookie year with the Denver Broncos, the pass-catching tight end registered 33 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns.

Dulcich has struggled to stay healthy, though. He's yet to suit up for more than 10 games in a single season. The four-year pro has played less than 47 percent of his team's offensive snaps over the last three campaigns.

Nonetheless, Dulcich emerged as a playmaker late in the previous season, and the Miami Dolphins' new regime re-signed him to a one-year, $3.3 million deal.

According to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques, Dulcich emerged as "one of the primary targets" in the Dolphins' passing game during the spring. 

Miami doesn't have a dominant No. 1 wideout. Dulcich could be the team leader in multiple receiving categories, which would significantly boost his market value next offseason.

CB Cobie Durant, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Cobie Durant

As a fourth-round pick out of South Carolina State, Cobie Durant worked his way up the Los Angeles Rams depth chart. He earned a full-time starting role in 2024.

In his first year as a starter, Durant only allowed one touchdown and a 71.2 passer rating in coverage. Last season, he gave up four scores but recorded three interceptions and allowed a 79.2 passer rating.

Even with those solid numbers, Durant had to settle for a one-year, $4 million prove-it deal with the Dallas Cowboys, but he's made a strong early impression.

According to The Athletic's Jon Machota, Durant "stood out" among the Cowboys' cornerbacks, and the team will utilize his versatility.

"Durant is expected to have a significant role with his ability to play multiple cornerback spots," Machota wrote. 

In February of next year, Durant will turn 29, but he's an experienced starter who could garner strong interest after a standout year with the Cowboys. His ability to line up on the perimeter and in the slot may also bolster his market value if he makes more plays on the ball.

CB Ja'Quan McMillian, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian

You can take your pick between Ja'Quan McMillian and Riley Moss in the Denver Broncos secondary, but the former seems more like a priority who could earn a bigger pay raise for his well-rounded playmaking ability out of the slot.

In 2025, McMillian recorded 56 tackles (five for loss), four sacks, nine pass breakups and two interceptions (returning one for a touchdown) and two forced fumbles.

In March, the Broncos retained McMillian on a one-year, $5.8 million restricted free-agent tender. So, there's no rush to work on a new deal.

McMillian's agent, Deryk Gilmore, told the Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson that the team hasn't opened up contract negotiations but made it clear that his client wants to remain in Denver. 

If McMillian builds on his 2025 campaign, he could make a rise from an undrafted rookie in 2022 to the highest-paid slot cornerback in 2027.

DL Moro Ojomo, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Moro Ojomo

The Philadelphia Eagles signed Jordan Davis to an extension. According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, they're hesitant to do the same for Jalen Carter. Moro Ojomo is the defensive lineman who's flown under the radar and could make the big bucks next offseason.

Ojomo has seen a steady increase in his snap count and production over the last three years. In 2025, he logged 21 pressures and six sacks while on the field for 66 percent of the defensive snaps.

With more sacks and pressures than Davis and Carter in the previous season, Ojomo is a hidden gem on the Eagles' defensive front. Philadelphia has a strong trio of interior defensive linemen, but the front office may not want to pay all three, which could factor into the pause on a new contract for Carter.  

The Eagles can be patient with Carter's extension because he has two years left on his rookie deal. They must decide on Ojomo before his contract expires in 2027. As a 2023 seventh-rounder, he's starting to exceed expectations and could generate significant buzz on his way to free agency.

WR Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/John Locher

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker

The Las Vegas Raiders' aerial attack will undoubtedly run through All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers. Still, a wide receiver could emerge to complement him.

Las Vegas signed Jalen Nailor to a three-year, $35 million deal, which indicates he'll take on a significant role in the passing game, but Tre Tucker is earning the trust of the team's new regime.

According to ESPN's Ryan McFadden, Tucker will be in a leadership role within a young receiver unit. The Raiders beat reporter also noted that new head coach Klint Kubiak called the fourth-year wideout a "quiet leader."

"He's got to be a playmaker for us, and he has been," Kubiak said. "And now let's go see what else we can get out of him."

Tucker isn't a prominent extension candidate, but that could change during the upcoming season. Despite constant turnover within the Raiders' coaching staff, he's topped his receiving numbers every year. 

Last season, Tucker served as the team's lead target while Bowers battled a PCL injury. He recorded 57 receptions for a team-leading 696 yards and five touchdowns. Regardless of his short-term status in Las Vegas, the 25-year-old receiver could earn a significant pay raise if his numbers continue to trend up. 

DL Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner

For three years, Kobie Turner has been one of the league's top pass-rushing defensive tackles. He's registered at least seven sacks and 20 pressures in each of his seasons.

The disruptive defender also makes plays against the run with 27 career tackles for loss.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Los Angeles Rams are giving early impressions that they won't sign their impending 2027 free agents to new deals this summer. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Rams restructured star edge-rusher Myles Garrett's contract after they acquired him from the Cleveland Browns.

With Garrett's deal on the books through 2030, Los Angeles may not be able to retain all of its budding talent on expiring contracts. Turner fits into that group, but he should be a priority along with All-Pro wideout Puka Nacua.

Nonetheless, Turner has produced enough to command north of $30 million annually, which would be a steep cost for the Rams. Even in a rotational role alongside Aaron Donald, he could solidify himself as a top 2027 free agent with another highly productive season.

Player contract details are provided by Over the Cap.

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