NFL free agency bold predictions for 11 of the biggest names available

Sports news nfl March 7, 2026

NFL free agency begins in earnest next Monday, with the start of the league’s official tampering period.

But with moves already happening — such as Tyler Biadasz signing with the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams — the landscape is taking shape.

Still, expect a frenetic start to free agency, with pass rushers perhaps moving the needle. To help you get ready, we have you covered here at SB Nation with a look at the top free agents, secret superstars on offense and defense, and one move each team should make.

And this look at 11 bold predictions for when free agency begins.

C Tyler Linderbaum to the Ravens

Tyler Linderbaum is not just the top center on the market, but one of the top players overall. Several teams have a need at the position, including the Chicago Bears due to Drew Dalman’s unexpected retirement. Another team to watch here is the New York Giants, given John Harbaugh’s presence in the NFC East.

Many also thought that John’s brother, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, would make a run at Linderbaum, but on Friday the Chargers agreed to a deal with center Tyler Biadasz.

Still, there could lead to a bidding war for Linderbaum’s services, and according to Ravens beat writer Jeff Zrebiec at The Athletic, should Linderbaum reach the open market “he’s probably as good as gone.”

But we do not think he hits the open market. Linderbaum has fit right in with the Ravens and wants to be on a contender, and playing in front of Lamar Jackson feels like a way to keep contending.

CB Riq Woolen to the Jets

Quarterbacks playing against the New York Jets last season posted a combined 8.1 Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt, the worst number for a defense last year. For reference, a quarterback with an ANY/A of 8.1 last year would have ranked third in the NFL, behind MVP candidates Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford.

And this hypothetical quarterback also did not throw an interceptions, as the Jets became the first defense in league history to finish a 17-game season without a pick.

Basically the Jets turned opposing quarterbacks into an MVP candidate a year ago.

That is why many believe the Jets could look to replace Sauce Gardner with one of their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. But given their several needs, New York could look to free agency to find a new cornerback, and Riq Woolen might be an ideal fit. Aaron Glenn wants to play man coverage, and that is where Woolen shines.

RB Travis Etienne Jr. to the Chiefs

In just about every single mock draft I have done so far this season, I have slide Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love to the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 9 pick.

But one of the rumors coming out of Indianapolis during the NFL Scouting Combine is that, while the Chiefs do like Love, they do not anticipate he will be there at No. 9 when they are on the clock.

The way I read that? The Chiefs do want to bolster their run game, and free agency might be how they do it.

Andy Reid will find lots of ways to generate touches for Travis Etienne Jr., both in the running game and in the passing attack.

QB Malik Willis to the Cardinals

Three teams that need quarterbacks sit at the top of the first round.

In a year where there might be two quarterbacks taken in the first round.

That puts the Arizona Cardinals in a difficult spot, as they hold the third-overall selection on opening night. Arizona likely looks to free agency to address the quarterback position, and Malik Willis stands out as the top option this offseason. Arizona could kick the quarterback decision to 2027, rolling into this season with Jacoby Brissett as a bridge to their next QB, and hope that the expectations for next year’s rookie class materialize.

Or they could take a shot with Willis, and hope that new head coach Mike LaFleur can help the young quarterback take the next step.

WR Mike Evans to the 49ers

Two teams are certainly options for Mike Evans: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tennessee Titans. Evans could decide to return to Tampa Bay for the stretch run of his career, but the Titans have both the need for a trusted veteran receiver — and ball-winner — for Cam Ward and the cap space to lure Evans to Nashville.

But Evans probably wants to make another run at a title, and the San Francisco 49ers need to stabilize their wide receiver room given the expected release of Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings’ own free agency. Adding Evans gives Brock Purdy another target in the passing game, and will help San Francisco make another run at a division title.

WR Alec Pierce to the Titans

The decision to use the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones only decreased the odds that general manager Chris Ballard will be able to bring Alec Pierce back to the Indianapolis Colts.

When you factor in the fact that a division rival has a substantial amount of cap space, and a need at wide receiver, those odds drop even more.

Pairing Pierce with Cam Ward and this Tennessee Titans offense seems nearly ideal. Pierce can continue to be the downfield, vertical threat he has become in the NFL, and help create space underneath for some of Tennessee’s other wide receivers.

LB Quay Walker to the Cowboys

With a pair of picks in the first round, and several needs on the defensive side of the football, pass rusher and linebacker are the two positions many believe the Dallas Cowboys would address on the opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft. Many mock drafts ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine had Dallas drafting an EDGE with their first pick — at No. 12 — and then linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 20.

Then Styles turned in a legendary performance in Indianapolis, and now it is hard to think he will even be there at No. 12 when the Cowboys are first on the clock.

To guard against that, and fill a big need on defense, Dallas turns to former Green Bay Packer Quay Walker. He would bring some athleticism to the second level of the Cowboys’ defense, something that unit truly needs.

TE Chig Okonkwo to the Patriots

Looking at the New England Patriots, wide receiver does stand out as a need for the team, particularly in the wake of the Stefon Diggs news.

But tight end is a need as well, with Hunter Henry in the final year of his contract and Austin Hooper hitting free agency. Josh McDaniels would love Okonkwo’s versatility, and Drake Maye would love his athleticism. Pairing Okonkwo with Henry in two-TE packages would give the New England offense some explosive play-making ability out of bigger personnel groupings.

EDGE Trey Hendrickson to the Colts

The dots are not too difficult to connect here. Trey Hendrickson grew into one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers under former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Who is now the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.

Not only that, but the Colts have hired a new defensive line coach for the 2026 season in Marion Hobby.

Prior to spending last season as a defensive analyst for the Titans, Hobby was the defensive line coach for the … Cincinnati Bengals.

Again, the dots are pretty easy to connect with this one.

RB Kenneth Walker III to the Broncos

The Denver Broncos are “poised to make a splash at running back” when free agency opens, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.

There is perhaps no bigger splash than adding a Super Bowl MVP.

According to Jones, the Broncos’ pursuit of a running back was a driving factor in the New York Jets’ decision to place the franchise tag on Breece Hall, as the AFC East organization believed that Denver was going to make a strong run at Hall should he hit free agency, or the team used the transition tag.

With Hall off the table, expect the Broncos to make a strong push for running back Kenneth Walker III. Adding him to Denver’s rushing attack would give the Broncos one more way of creating explosive plays, and take even more pressure off young quarterback Bo Nix as he works his way back from a broken ankle suffered in the team’s Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills.

LT Rasheed Walker to the Browns

Maybe this is not the “boldest” prediction during this free agency cycle, given the growing expectations that the Cleveland Browns will sign Rasheed Walker, but it makes a lot of sense.

The Browns need to rebuild their offensive line, and are expected to take a tackle with one of their two first-round selections. Adding Walker to bolster the left tackle spot gives Cleveland some flexibility in the first round, given the fact that two of the top tackle options — Francis Mauigoa from Miami and Spencer Fano from Utah — have seen significant time at right tackle. Walker, plus one of those two at No. 6, and the Browns suddenly have a much better group up front.

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Wordle today: The answer and hints for March 7, 2026

WGA Members Approve Bargaining Agenda Focused on Health Care, Pay, AI

Earlier this week, Argentina’s Lionel Messi added the new title of World Cup Goals King to his CV.

By the end of the tournament, it could be Kylian Mbappe holding that honor. Down the line, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are young enough to get in the mix. And if everything goes right, the teenage Lamine Yamal has the time and talent to obliterate them all.

This is an amazing era for elite international goal-scorers. But maybe even more exciting, the convergence of those talents could be symbolic of a World Cup that is ushering in a new era of international competition, one that comes closer to the increasingly attack-oriented model that defines the modern club game.

Under the influence of rapidly improving data, modern soccer at the highest levels has become predicated on pressure and transition.

For sure, it’s not the aesthetic preference of every soccer critic.

Listen closely enough, and you’ll hear the cries of someone in Brazil whining that Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao rejected the Jogo Bonito in favor of a modern devotion to backpressing that proved critical in their emphatic 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday night.

But for the average neutral, it’s hard to deny how much more compelling the club game has become as a result of data that shows the benefits of a higher octane approach.

You can see this in the UEFA Champions League, where goals per game have risen from 2.65 in 2015-16 to 3.45 in 2025-26.

Or you can see it in which teams are and aren’t succeeding at the international level.

Arguably, no side has fallen further than Italy, a nation whose footballing identity is most irrationally opposed to the ongoing tactical revolution.

Similarly, teams like Ecuador and Paraguay, who rode cynical tactics to success in South American qualifying, have so far been exposed by teams with more time to build attacking chemistry.

Yes, some teams have still succeeded out of a low block. But the Ghanas and Cape Verdes of the world have only done so when they could muster at least some threat of a vertical counterattack.

And now, with many of the same managers who orchestrated that rise in attacking play now coaching at this World Cup, goals are up here as well. If the rate of roughly 3.0 goals per game continues, it would be the highest scoring edition since 17-year-old Pele and Brazil dazzled their way to their first championship in Sweden in 1958.

The greatest attacking players are also staying great longer.

At 41, Ronaldo may come with baggage, but he’s still the best finisher on his Portugal team. At 32, Harry Kane’s career is only middle-aged when it would’ve been considered in its twilight era a generation ago.

And the engrossing all-time scoring chase is only possible because Messi is still playing at age 39, and arguably better at a World Cup than he ever has before.

There’s still a lot of time for this World Cup to go sideways. The knockout stages have a way of bringing out the worst conservative instincts in coaches. Oppressive summer weather could become more of a factor as June turns to July, and as more of the kickoffs fall before sunset to appease European TV audiences.

And there’s always the danger for off-the-field controversies to grow louder once the competitive field shrinks.

But on the evidence so far, this tournament has shown that the future of the game on the field is arguably the brightest it’s ever been. And whether it’s Messi or Mbappe who finishes on top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart this summer, you get the sense neither one will stay there for all that long.

#Lionel #Messi #Kylian #Mbappe #Headline #Era #World #Cup #Scoring #Deadspin.com">

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe Headline a New Era of World Cup Scoring | Deadspin.com Earlier this week, Argentina’s Lionel Messi added the new title of World Cup Goals King to his CV.By the end of the tournament, it could be Kylian Mbappe holding that honor. Down the line, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are young enough to get in the mix. And if everything goes right, the teenage Lamine Yamal has the time and talent to obliterate them all.This is an amazing era for elite international goal-scorers. But maybe even more exciting, the convergence of those talents could be symbolic of a World Cup that is ushering in a new era of international competition, one that comes closer to the increasingly attack-oriented model that defines the modern club game.Under the influence of rapidly improving data, modern soccer at the highest levels has become predicated on pressure and transition.For sure, it’s not the aesthetic preference of every soccer critic.Listen closely enough, and you’ll hear the cries of someone in Brazil whining that Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao rejected the Jogo Bonito in favor of a modern devotion to backpressing that proved critical in their emphatic 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday night.But for the average neutral, it’s hard to deny how much more compelling the club game has become as a result of data that shows the benefits of a higher octane approach.You can see this in the UEFA Champions League, where goals per game have risen from 2.65 in 2015-16 to 3.45 in 2025-26.Or you can see it in which teams are and aren’t succeeding at the international level.Arguably, no side has fallen further than Italy, a nation whose footballing identity is most irrationally opposed to the ongoing tactical revolution.Similarly, teams like Ecuador and Paraguay, who rode cynical tactics to success in South American qualifying, have so far been exposed by teams with more time to build attacking chemistry.Yes, some teams have still succeeded out of a low block. But the Ghanas and Cape Verdes of the world have only done so when they could muster at least some threat of a vertical counterattack.And now, with many of the same managers who orchestrated that rise in attacking play now coaching at this World Cup, goals are up here as well. If the rate of roughly 3.0 goals per game continues, it would be the highest scoring edition since 17-year-old Pele and Brazil dazzled their way to their first championship in Sweden in 1958.The greatest attacking players are also staying great longer.At 41, Ronaldo may come with baggage, but he’s still the best finisher on his Portugal team. At 32, Harry Kane’s career is only middle-aged when it would’ve been considered in its twilight era a generation ago.And the engrossing all-time scoring chase is only possible because Messi is still playing at age 39, and arguably better at a World Cup than he ever has before.There’s still a lot of time for this World Cup to go sideways. The knockout stages have a way of bringing out the worst conservative instincts in coaches. Oppressive summer weather could become more of a factor as June turns to July, and as more of the kickoffs fall before sunset to appease European TV audiences.And there’s always the danger for off-the-field controversies to grow louder once the competitive field shrinks.But on the evidence so far, this tournament has shown that the future of the game on the field is arguably the brightest it’s ever been. And whether it’s Messi or Mbappe who finishes on top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart this summer, you get the sense neither one will stay there for all that long. #Lionel #Messi #Kylian #Mbappe #Headline #Era #World #Cup #Scoring #Deadspin.com

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Earlier this week, Argentina’s Lionel Messi added the new title of World Cup Goals King to his CV.
By the end of the tournament, it could be Kylian Mbappe holding that honor. Down the line, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are young enough to get in the mix. And if everything goes right, the teenage Lamine Yamal has the time and talent to obliterate them all.
This is an amazing era for elite international goal-scorers. But maybe even more exciting, the convergence of those talents could be symbolic of a World Cup that is ushering in a new era of international competition, one that comes closer to the increasingly attack-oriented model that defines the modern club game.
Under the influence of rapidly improving data, modern soccer at the highest levels has become predicated on pressure and transition.