NFL Free Agents 2026 Predictions for Biggest Names Left on Market

The preseason is coming to an end, and the NFL regular season will begin in just two weeks. While many teams are now focused on trimming rosters ahead of the August 30 cutdown day, some are still looking for fresh talent.

The scramble to plug roster holes has led to a late surge of free-agent activity. The list of players signed over the last month includes Jadevon Clowney, Von Miller, Stefon Diggs, Za'Darius Smith, Keenan Allen, and Derek Barnett.

While most of the top free agents are now off the market, a few notable names still linger in the available player pool. Let's take a look at some of the biggest, examine the latest buzz, and make a few predictions.

LB Bobby Wagner

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

When it comes to big names left on the market, there is none bigger than Bobby Wagner. The future Hall of Famer is a six-time first-team All-Pro who has racked up 2,000 tackles over 14 seasons. He also remains a starting-caliber off-ball linebacker.

Wagner, who is the reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year, started all 17 games for the Washington Commanders last season and finished with 162 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and two interceptions.

There is no shortage of teams that could use a defensive leader of Wagner's caliber, but the Dallas Cowboys might make the most sense. Dallas has taken an aggressive approach to rebuilding its defense this offseason—one that has included adding Miller—and head coach Brian Schottenheimer spent time with Wagner with the Seattle Seahawks.

"You're looking at one of the biggest Bobby Wagner fans in the world," Schottenheimer told Kay Adams of Up & Adams in March. "...I love that guy."

Wagner may want to skip the rigors of training camp and land with a team after roster cuts, but the 36-year-old is likely to play again in 2026. The prediction here is that he jumps from one NFC East team to another.

Prediction: Wagner signs with Dallas.

OT Taylor Decker

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Offensive tackle Taylor Decker decided he'd rather walk away from the Detroit Lions than take a pay cut this offseason, and he was granted his release. He remains available and is the clear-cut top option for teams that need a starting-caliber left tackle.

While Decker has made just one Pro Bowl, he has started all 140 regular-season games in which he has appeared.

The Commanders seemed a logical landing spot for Decker, as they lost Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps. However, Washington is hoping to replace Tunsil with an in-house option, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The Commanders have also agreed to sign D.J. Humphries, according to John Keim.

The Chicago Bears remain a sensible destination for a couple of reasons. For one, Decker played under Bears head coach Ben Johnson when Johnson was Detroit's offensive coordinator. Secondly, Chicago is still searching for a viable left tackle as Ozzy Trapilo continues to recover from a torn patellar tendon.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Braxton Jones is looking like the "clear leader" in the Bears' tackle competition, though that doesn't necessarily mean he's a quality option. Jones has not looked particularly good in limited preseason action.

Johnson is looking to craft the "highest-scoring offense ever," according to The Athletic's Dan Pompei. Don't be surprised if he turns to a familiar face to help anchor it.

Prediction: Decker signs with Chicago.

WR Tyreek Hill

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Though not as much of a lock for the Hall of Fame as Wagner, wide receiver Tyreek Hill could also be Canton-bound. A four-time first-team All-Pro at wide receiver, the 32-year-old also has one Super Bowl ring and one league receiving-yardage crown.

Hill is undoubtedly a big name, but he's also coming off of a very significant knee injury that he suffered last September. The injury involved multiple torn ligaments, and Hill is still in the recovery process.

While Wagner and Decker may both be looking to sign with teams somewhere between now and Week 1, Hill may wait. According to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, Hill is making progress but isn't in playing shape yet.

"I don't expect Tyreek to sign before the season," Rosenhaus told The Pat McAfee Show (h/t ProFootballTalk's Charean Williams). "...He said to me, 'I still have some work to do. I'm not ready yet.'"

Hill had 21 catches for 265 yards and a touchdown in four games before the injury last season. While he may lack some of his trademark speed upon his return, he could help a contender as a complementary receiver.

Just don't expect Hill to sign until he's healthier and has a good idea of which teams are legitimate contenders.

Prediction: Hill remains unsigned through the early regular season.