Top 5 NFL Free Agents for 2025-26: Star Players to Watch

It’s never too early to look ahead to the impending free agent class.

A host of talented players will be available for teams to improve their squads. There are some starter-level athletes as well as those who can be real difference-makers. This piece will look at the top five free agents in the class of 2025-26:

Sam Darnold

Darnold had a great season for the Vikings this past year — throwing for 35 TDs and 4,319 yards. At only 27 years old, there’s plenty of meat left on the proverbial bone. For a QB-starved team, Darnold makes a ton of sense. He’s a well-liked guy, and is said to be a good leader.

It will be interesting to see whether Minnesota brings him back. It’s difficult to let a QB walk away considering Darnold led the Vikings to double-digit wins and a playoff appearance. On the other hand, what will bringing Darnold back do to this year’s first-round pick JJ McCarthy?

Osa Odighizuwa

The former UCLA Bruin has quietly been a very good player for Dallas. Odighizuwa — brother of former NFL player Owa — is the best interior defensive lineman in this class.

He’s not your classic run stuffer/plugger. Instead, Odighizuwa relies on quickness and hand placement. A decorated wrestler in high school, he plays with strong leverage — and this has resulted in Odighizuwa becoming one of the most elite defensive tackle rushers in the league today. He should garner plenty of interest from teams.

Ronnie Stanley

Stanley is in line for a nice payday. He’s proven to be an above-average offensive lineman for quite some time now. He’s particularly good as a pass blocker. Couple the fact he’s battle-tested as a playoff veteran and plenty of contending teams will be after his services.

If Baltimore doesn’t ink him to an extension, Stanley’s hometown Raiders could be an option. The same can be said for the San Francisco 49ers.

Trey Smith

At 26 years of age, you can make a real argument Smith is the best free agent in this class. He’s been an integral member of multiple Super Bowl-winning teams. In pass protection and run blocking, Smith is elite.

Kansas City may have to free up some cash to keep Smith in the fold. Any team with cap space will be hungry for help along the offensive line. Reports indicate the Bears potentially being one of those parties.

Tee Higgins

In the modern-day NFL, having a legit No. 1 receiver is imperative for high success.

Higgins is only 26 years old and is primed to break out as a lead receiver away from the shadow of Ja’Marr Chase. You’re looking at a guy with the talent to be one of the top-five pass catchers in the entire league. As he hits his prime, a plethora of teams (in addition to the Bengals) will want him. Some of those teams could include Las Vegas, Washington, New England, and Los Angeles (Chargers).