The legal grace period in the National Football League allows clubs to talk to certain players and negotiate with agents, so big news is imminent. It's a known fact that handshake deals are often struck between teams and players, so before it's all over, we're making one last prediction about what could happen.
Let's take a look at our NFL free agency predictions for the NFC, with one player projected to be signed by each club.
Washington Commander: Kenneth Walker II, RB
With the New York Giants reportedly out of the mix for Super Bowl MVP, we now think Kenneth Walker III will sign with the Washington Commanders. General manager Adam Peters is under pressure to build a better supporting cast around quarterback Jayden Daniels after what happened last season. Walker's up-and-down nature makes it risky, but his explosiveness and ability to help as a third-down back mitigates that risk somewhat. This is going to be an expensive addition, possibly upwards of $14 million per season, but Washington can reduce the long-term risk a bit by using Zackary Croskey-Merritt as a complementary back to avoid overworking Walker.
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New York Giants: Isaiah possibly, TE
A new regime for the New York Giants means tight end Theo Johnson may face a lot more competition in 2026. John Harbaugh saw the improvements Isaiah made after entering the league as a fourth-round pick in 2022, but he never got a big role in Baltimore because of Mark Andrews. Harbaugh is now the head coach of the Giants, so there is a possibility that he could look to the New York offense as a potential threat to back up Jackson Dart.
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Dallas Cowboys: Nakobe Dean, LB
After the Rashaan Gary trade, the Dallas Cowboys can now put more of their money into other positions in NFL free agency. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker saw what an impact Nakobe Dean can make when healthy, and the off-ball linebacker is a glaring hole in the Cowboys defense. Dean would provide excellent juice as an instant blitzer, and there have been reports that Parker believes Dean could thrive in the Mike linebacker role in his system.
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Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Phillips, EDGE
Jaylen Phillips is the second-best edge rusher available this offseason, and it's hard to imagine Howie Roseman letting him go. After being acquired before the NFL trade deadline, Phillips generated 17 pressures with seven QB hits in eight games with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he held his own as an edge protector against the run. While durability may always be an issue for him, he'll only be 27 in May, and he's proven to be a perfect fit for Vic Fangio's system.
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Arizona Cardinals: Malik Willis, QB
After spending two years in development under Matt LaFleur, which was a career-changing time for Malik Willis, we believe he belongs within the LaFleur family. Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur can provide Willis with a system he is familiar with, and it's a landing spot with lower stakes. Plus, he'll be landing to start behind an offensive line with three excellent pass-catchers (Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson), including what could be the third overall pick at right tackle. This is an ideal landing spot for Willis.
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San Francisco 49ers: Romeo Doubs, WR
While the San Francisco 49ers are increasingly being linked to Alec Pierce, we think Romeo Doubs falls more into their price range. He's not as deep a threat as Pierce, but he's a willing blocker who can make contested catches and work in different areas of the field. It would also be a return to California, where Dobbs grew up, and he could serve as the No. 2 receiver in Kyle Shanahan's offense for the next three-plus years.
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Seattle Seahawks: Jaun Jennings, WR
The Seattle Seahawks will be lacking a No. 2 receiver to fill with Rasheed Shahid likely heading elsewhere. Jauan Jennings comes from a system where receivers are asked to block, and he has a good familiarity with Seattle's new offensive coordinator, Brian Fleury. While the Seahawks have obviously lost something in their return game with Shaheed's departure, Jennings will probably prove to be a better complementary receiving option for Jackson Smith-Njigba than Shaheed.
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Los Angeles Rams: Zach Wilson, QB
Signing Zach Wilson wouldn't be the kind of move fans like to see from the Los Angeles Rams, but the team has spent a lot of money on Quentin Lake, Kam Curl and Trent McDuffie. With Jimmy Garoppolo potentially headed elsewhere, head coach Sean McVay could bring in Wilson as a developmental backup behind Matthew Stafford. Maybe Wilson will prove himself enough to the Rams coaching staff during the summer to at least have a chance to remain with the team long-term.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trey Hendrickson, EDGE
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to upgrade their pass rush this offseason, even if it means letting Mike Evans finish his career with another team. There is little room for contention for Tampa Bay with Baker Mayfield and this defense desperately needs a step forward. Trey Hendrickson could still be one of the league's best pass rushers, and a three-year deal worth more than $35 million per season would give him what he wants without eating up a ton of cap space beyond the 2027 season.
New Orleans Saints: Dallas Goedert, TE
Taysom Hill could be retired, and Kellen Moore likes to use two tight ends on the field. While the New Orleans Saints may not have a ton of cap space this offseason, they stand as a viable landing spot for Dallas Goedert. The 31-year-old will enter an offensive system he knows well and can serve as a secondary receiving option behind Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson. Additionally, he can spend a year living in New Orleans.
Atlanta Falcons: Marcus Mariota, QB
The Atlanta Falcons need to find a viable bridge starter in 2026 who can step in while Michael Penix Jr. recovers from ACL surgery. Because the former first-round pick will still be given a real chance to reclaim the starting job, one of the top quarterbacks is unlikely to come to Atlanta. However, it is a prime landing spot for Marcus Mariota. He posted a 93.4 passer rating with a 14-7 TD-INT line in 14 games over the past two seasons and added a little something to the run game with his legs, getting the football to Kyle Pitts and Drake London with accuracy.
Carolina Panthers: Odafe Oweh, EDGE
The Carolina Panthers pass rush needs a lot of juice next season to take this defense a step forward. Enter edge rusher Odafe Oweh. He flourished after being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers, recording 19 pressures with 13 QB hits and 7.5 sacks in 12 games and then recording 3 sacks, 3 QB hits and 2 forced fumbles in the Wild Card round. Heading into his age-27 season, Oweh Ejiro could be a very good No. 2 pass rusher in Avro's defense.
Minnesota Vikings: Kyler Murray, QB
It seems inevitable to have Kyler Murray as the Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback in 2026. He's easily the best proven starter on the market and, unlike other options, Minnesota can afford to pay him the minimum salary as Arizona is set to make up the majority of his salary this season. It's a perfect storm, giving Murray a chance to revive his career like Sam Darnold in the same situation.
Chicago Bears: David Onyemata, DT
Connections matter in NFL free agency, and there's a strong connection here. The Chicago Bears need help on the defensive interior, and veteran David Onyemata is very familiar with Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. While Allen served as the defensive play-caller for the Saints from 2015-2024, Onyemata was there for almost the entire time (2016-2022). While he's not as strong an interior pass rusher as he used to be, he still has some juice left in him and is good against the run.
Detroit Lions: JK Dobbins, RB
The Detroit Lions will need to find a 1B running back after David Montgomery left, as Zion Walke is not a viable option for that role. JK Dobbins is an obvious durability risk, but he's averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 348 attempts (1,677 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns) over the past two seasons. Detroit could bring him in as a replacement to pair with Jahmir Gibbs and hope the reduced workload keeps him healthy.
Green Bay Packers: Jevon Hargrave, DT
Set to be released by the Vikings, the signing of Javon Hargrave will have no impact on the projected compensatory selection the Green Bay Packers are expected to receive in the 2027 NFL Draft. The veteran defensive tackle also played with the Eagles for two seasons (2021-22) under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Hargrave fills a glaring need on the defensive interior for Green Bay and should be relatively inexpensive to sign. Additionally, general manager Brian Gutekunst may still try a cornerback to add depth to the secondary.
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