As the 2025 NFL season is about to wrap up, almost every team in the NFL is looking towards the offseason. The two most important time periods in the offseason are free agency and the NFL draft. Free agency gives all 32 teams a chance to improve their roster from the previous season and improve their future. Every year, free agents sign large contracts and earn their spot with either the same organization they have been with or take their talents to another organization.
This year, the free agency period is not filled with notable top-tier talent; however, I believe this free agency will help teams fill specific, niche holes within their organizations. Over recent years, teams have shown that they are willing to pay top dollar for talent they believe can fill holes at an elite level, such as on the offensive and defensive lines.
Here are free agents that your team should be watching out for in 2026 free agency.
* Primary resources being used for this article are Pro Football Reference and PFF.
EDGE Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2017 and got off to a slow start to his career. However, his last season in New Orleans saw Hendrickson grow as a pass-rusher, finishing with 13.5 sacks, 12 TFLs, and 25 QB hits. This led Hendrickson to receiving a short-term contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He would proceed to have an outstanding tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals, recording 14 or more sacks in three of the last five seasons with the team.
However, things have boiled over and the relationship between Hendrickson and Cincinnati has come to a for sure end. They have had disagreements on contract negotiations and Hendrickson actually requested a trade, but never received the trade.
I believe Hendrickson’s contract is going to be interesting. Hendrickson was sidelined for the most of the 2025 after receiving core muscle surgery. He will be looking for a long-term contract, however, I do not know if teams will be willing to pay him long-term. At 31-years old, he may be in line for high AAV three-year deal.
Teams that I would like to see target Hendrickson are the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, and the Dallas Cowboys would be great fits for the star pass-rusher.
OG Wyatt Teller
Teller has become one of the best guards in football since becoming a Cleveland Brown. The 31-year old is the longest tenured Cleveland Brown and He has been named to 2nd-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021. After 2021, Teller and Cleveland agreed to a four-year, $56.8 million contract and he has been worth every penny. During this free agency cycle, he is one of the best interior lineman available on the market.
Offensive lineman continue to play well, even while aging, and Teller has shown this to be true. Teller still plays at a borderline elite level in pass protection, allowing just three sacks on 765 offensive snaps in 2025. He also allowed just one QB hit this season. Teller has consistently been one of the best run blockers in the NFL, even earning PFF Best Run-Blocker in 2020.
Teller’s name has been thrown in trade rumors for the past few seasons, as the Cleveland Browns have become uncompetitive. Even with an elite defense, Cleveland’s offense has been on the decline since Baker Mayfield departed from the team. Cleveland has struggled, but that has not stopped Teller from being one of the best free agents in 2026.
At 31-years old, Teller could receive a four-year deal. Looking at elite interior lineman, aging isn’t as big of a factor as it is for other positions. With his elite play in a horrible offense, he should be commanding top dollar during this offseason. Teams that would be a great fit are the Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
IDT D.J. Reader
D.J. Reader entered the league with the Houston Texans in 2016 and has been one of the best run defenders in the NFL. Reader peaked in his last season with the Houston Texans, hitting career-highs in tackles, TFLs, and QB hits.
He would sign a big-time contract with the Cincinnati Bengals and would continue his success with the team, even making a Super Bowl appearance in 2021. After his time in Cincinnati, Reader would continue his winning ways, making his way over to the Detroit Lions. He has be a part of some great teams and defenses throughout his time in the NFL, and he could potentially get paid during his time as a free agent in 2026.
Reader is a run stuffing nose tackle, however, he does not pressure the quarterback as much as teams would like for the current day defense. Saying that, Reader is consistently on the field, playing more than 50% of snaps and played all 17 games in 2025. In the modern day NFL, teams will pay top dollar for talent that has the ability to consistently be on the field, even if they are being over-paid.
When the 2026 season starts, Reader will be 32-year old and entering the back half of his NFL career. However, a short team deal with high AAV makes sense, especially for defenses that need a run-stuffing specialist. Potential fits that I like for Reader are the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, and Atlanta Falcons.
OT Braden Smith
Smith has quietly become one of the league’s best offensive tackles. He has spent his entire career to this point with the Indianapolis Colts after being drafted in 2nd round of the 2018 NFL draft. Indianapolis started off the 2025 season with one of the best offenses in the NFL and the offensive line became the vocal point of the offense. However, with Daniel Jones injured, the rest of the season crumbled with Phillip Rivers making his return to the NFL not going well for the Indianapolis Colts.
In July of 2021, Smith signed a lucrative four-year/$70 million deal to stay in Indianapolis. Luckily for Smith and Indianapolis, he has been worth every penny. Right tackle is a hard position to find elite talent, and Smith may just be one of the best Right Tackles in all of football.
Smith played every snap at Right Tackle and has become elite as pass protection, allowing just one sack in 2025. He also just allowed six QB hits and 26 total pressures. He has become a crucial piece to the Indianapolis rushing attack, consistently having one of the best rushing units throughout his career.
Indianapolis signed Smith to a bargain deal in 2021, but they will not get away with that during this offseason. Smith is considered one of the best free agents on the market and he should see a raise from his previous contract. I couldn’t imagine Indianapolis letting Smith walk, but other great fits for Smith are the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, and Dallas Cowboys.
Every year, fans try and predict who their team will try and acquire during free agency and it almost never happens. Almost every team in the NFL has a spot to improve in, and the players that are listed in this article can fill a need one almost every roster. Building your team through the trenches is proving to win games. Look at the Chicago Bears, they bolstered their offensive line in 2025 and they completely changed from the prior season. Wherever these free agents land, they will be paid top dollar and could become primary targets for teams in need.
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