Best Landing Spots for Top NFL Free Agents Ahead of the 2026 Preseason

As the NFL gears up for Week 1 of the preseason, teams should look to tie up loose ends on the roster. 

Within the first two weeks of training camp, some clubs have lost starters due to injuries and need to fill holes on the depth chart. 

The Washington Commanders signed wide receiver Stefon Diggs. They could take another look at the free-agent pool after losing one of their star players to injury.

Veterans who preferred to skip the early heat at training camp may be ready to make a decision on where to sign for the upcoming season.

Let's take a look at the top 10 free agents and the best landing spots for them based on roster need, potential playing time and schematic fit.

WR Keenan Allen: Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Wide receiver Keenan Allen

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Miami Dolphins "reached out to" Stefon Diggs before he signed with the Washington Commanders. If the Dolphins had some level of interest in Diggs, they could also be in contact with Keenan Allen.

In his second stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, Allen hauled in a team-leading 81 passes for 777 yards and four touchdowns. At 34, he's still a reliable inside-outside target who can be a safety blanket for an inexperienced starting quarterback.

Dolphins signal-caller Malik Willis is a first-time full-time starter without an established go-to target. Miami doesn't have a wide receiver or tight end who's finished with more than 49 catches in a season. Allen could help Willis' development as the top target in the club's passing attack.

Even if rookie third-round wideout Chris Bell is ready to play in Week 1, the Dolphins need another set of veteran hands to help pace their aerial attack.

G Mekhi Becton: Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Guard Mekhi Becton

The Detroit Lions have an open battle at left guard. Christian Mahogany is the front-runner in the competition; he's taken first-team reps over Ben Bartch and Juice Scruggs at training camp.

If Mahogany is in the lead spot, Detroit should consider an upgrade at the position. In 2025, he allowed six sacks over 407 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. On the interior, the third-year pro could be a liability on passing downs, which would put quarterback Jared Goff in harm's way.

The Lions can re-establish their physical identity on the offensive side of the ball with the addition of Mekhi Becton, a 6'7", 363-pounder who's transitioned from offensive tackle to guard.

Becton struggled with injuries in the previous season with the Los Angeles Chargers, but when healthy, he can be an asset to the ground game. In 2024, he helped clear lanes for Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who racked up a league-leading 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

OT Taylor Decker: Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

Offensive tackle Taylor Decker

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Steve Wyche, left tackle Laremy Tunsil tore his triceps during one-on-one pass-rushing drills and will miss "at least a significant portion" of the upcoming season.

Tunsil's absence is a big blow to the team's pass protection. Remember, quarterback Jayden Daniels has been dinged up and missed 10 games in the previous term. Washington can prepare third-year pro Brandon Coleman to start in the five-time Pro Bowler's place, but it would be a major drop-off in talent. 

Washington should sign Taylor Decker, who earned his first Pro Bowl selection following the 2024 season. He's made 140 starts in 10 seasons. In 2025, the 32-year-old only allowed two sacks over 551 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

Still one of the league's top pass-blocking tackles, Decker can fill a void on Washington's offensive line. The Commanders wouldn't need to rush Tunsil back to action.

Edge Leonard Floyd: Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Defensive end Leonard Floyd

The Atlanta Falcons should re-sign Leonard Floyd for another year. Last season, he only played 49 percent of the defensive snaps, logging 19 tackles (five for loss), 3.5 sacks and 19 pressures. 

Although Floyd saw a significant decline in production between 2024 and 2025, he could see more playing time in Atlanta this year. 

James Pearce Jr. entered a pretrial-intervention program after being charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence. The NFL has not announced discipline, though the matter remains under review under the league's personal-conduct policy.

Jalon Walker will miss the 2026 season after tearing his ACL; he recorded 5.5 sacks last year.

Floyd can make a return as the Falcons' top pass-rusher and provide much-needed juice off the edge. Before the 2025 campaign, he recorded at least 8.5 sacks in five consecutive seasons.

RB Najee Harris: Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Running back Najee Harris (22)

The Indianapolis Colts signed star running back Jonathan Taylor to a two-year, $44 million extension. He'll continue to handle the lion's share of touches out of the backfield. 

Still, the coaching staff believes Taylor could do more with fewer carries. 

"If I can find another guy or two that can take some of those carries off, he's just going to be that much better," said Colts running backs coach DeAndre Smith via ESPN's Stephen Holder. 

Second-year pro DJ Giddens and rookie seventh-rounder Seth McGowan are battling for the backup role. Indianapolis can bring in a ball-carrier suited for short-yardage duties.

At 6'1", 242 pounds, Najee Harris has the size, and he would also provide quality experience to the Colts' running back room behind Taylor. Before the 28-year-old's injury-riddled 2025 campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers, he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in four consecutive terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

If Harris has fully recovered from a torn Achilles tendon, he could be a solid complement to Taylor in the run game.

WR Tyreek Hill: Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill

The team that signs Tyreek Hill must be patient. So, he's a logical fit for a playoff contender who can allow him to fully recover from surgeries on his knee. 

Late in July, Hill provided an update on his recovery in a social media post.

"So it's about 10 months after doing two surgeries," Hill said. "My left leg is the one that I injured. I have no power in my left leg at all, so I'm trying to regain all the power back in my left leg. But it's one day at a time." 

In all likelihood, Hill won't be ready to play until late in the season, which wouldn't be a problem for the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams are heavy Super Bowl favorites. They're a perennial playoff contender and acquired two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The club may also welcome back retired three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who recently worked out at the team's facility. 

Los Angeles can sign Hill on a modest contract and keep him on the shelf until late in the campaign when it's time to make a title run. With his ability to line up in the slot, he would fill a need at the No. 3 wide receiver spot as a complement to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

If the Rams are interested, it should be appealing to Hill. He could compete in another Super Bowl before his career comes to an end. 

Edge Von Miller: Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Outside linebacker Von Miller

Von Miller is open to a second stint with the Denver Broncos, though he may have to consider other suitors.

Jonathon Cooper is facing felony assault charges, and the NFL could review the matter under its personal-conduct policy. If Cooper is unavailable, Denver could explore the free-agent edge-rusher market; otherwise, the Broncos probably will not make such calls.

Perhaps Miller would be interested in a reunion with his former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who coached him for two-and-a-half seasons in Denver.

The Philadelphia Eagles could add a designated pass-rusher to strengthen their stable of outside linebackers.

The Eagles placed Jonathan Greenard on the physically unable to perform list after he suffered a pectoral injury while weightlifting before training camp. Nolan Smith Jr. hasn't played up to first-round expectations, logging 10.5 sacks in three seasons. Last year, Jalyx Hunt showed promise, recording 6.5 sacks, but he's been a rotational player in two terms.

Miller can solidify the Eagles' pass-rushing group. In 2025, he led the Washington Commanders with nine sacks and tallied 19 pressures while on the field for 37 percent of the defensive snaps. The three-time All-Pro still has a lot left in his tank.

SCB Kenny Moore II: Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Cornerback Kenny Moore II

The Carolina Panthers should look for an upgrade at slot cornerback. Chau Smith-Wade has manned the position for two seasons, and undrafted second-year pro Corey Thornton is his only competition for that role.

Last season, Smith-Wade allowed a 105.8 passer rating in coverage and had a 9.7 percent missed tackle rate. Thornton only played 127 defensive snaps.

In his last two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Kenny Moore II's missed tackle rate rose above 12 percent, but he's been solid in pass coverage, allowing passer ratings below 88 over the last two campaigns. Since 2023, the nine-year pro has logged 19 pass breakups and seven interceptions.

Turning 31 in a couple of weeks, Moore should have at least one more optimal year left in his playing career. He's a Band-Aid option at a weak spot in the Panthers' secondary.  

ILB Bobby Wagner: Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Linebacker Bobby Wagner

In 2025, the Denver Broncos stifled opponents with their stingy defense. They allowed the third-fewest points and the second-fewest yards. The Broncos don't have a glaring weakness within their defensive unit, but they can upgrade at inside linebacker.

As a rotational defender, Justin Strnad has made strides over the last two seasons, recording 131 tackles (13 for loss), 7.5 sacks, six pass breakups and an interception. Yet he's only started in 21 out of 83 games in five campaigns. Alex Singleton is solid in run support, but he allowed four touchdowns and a 122.9 passer rating in coverage last year.  

Bobby Wagner would solidify the Broncos' front seven, particularly on passing downs. At 36, he can still cover a lot of ground in space. Last season, the six-time All-Pro recorded four pass breakups and two interceptions, while allowing an 89.5 passer rating in coverage.

The Broncos could pair Wagner alongside Strnad and bump Singleton into a backup role.

G Kevin Zeitler: Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Guard Kevin Zeitler

The Seattle Seahawks' rushing attack took a hit with the departure of running back Kenneth Walker in free agency. Zach Charbonnet is still recovering from a torn ACL.

Rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price, George Holani and Emanuel Wilson could open the season as a backfield platoon. Without a clear-cut lead ball-carrier, Seattle should look to bolster the interior of its offensive line to optimize the ground game.

The Seahawks could return all five of their starting offensive linemen, but Anthony Bradford is a backup-level guard. Last season, he allowed 28 pressures over 560 pass-blocking snaps and didn't fare well on run downs either, per Pro Football Focus.

At 36, with 213 career starts, Kevin Zeitler would be a decent plug-and-play option for the reigning Super Bowl champions. In 2025, he allowed just 16 pressures over 590 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The 14-year pro has played most of his snaps at right guard, which makes him a viable replacement for Bradford.

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