Ahead of NFL free agency, there is a lot of buzz about top starters like Kyler Murray, Kenneth Walker and Alec Pierce. All three players are ready to make money on the open market and have several high-level players behind them. However, there are some lesser names that deserve more attention.
Let's dive into our list of the most underrated NFL free agents in 2026 on the offensive side of the football, highlighting one player at each position.
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QB:Marcus Mariota
We definitely understand the buzz surrounding Malik Willis. NFL teams liked his physical tools entering the league and while things didn't work out with the Tennessee Titans, he looked remarkable in his limited playing time with the Green Bay Packers. Entering the end of his 20th year, Willis completed 78.7 percent of his pass attempts with a 6-0 TD-INT line, an average of 10.9 yards per attempt and a 134.6 passer rating on 89 attempts in 11 games. Additionally, he is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the NFL. However, that would cost more than $20 to $25 million in terms of the average annual value of land.
Marcus Mariota is certainly not in that tier of dual-threat quarterbacks and no franchise will expect answers from the 32-year-old quarterback in the near future. However, it's worth noting that Mariota put up a 14-7 TD-INT ratio with a 63.8 percent completion rate, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt with a 93.4 passer rating over the past two seasons on 271 attempts. He would come in at a fraction of the cost and we think clubs like the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets should seriously consider him as a cost-effective bridge starter.
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RB: Kenneth Gainwell
If reports come out that it would cost more than $10 million to sign Travis Etienne, we'll go ahead and say Kenneth Gainwell is the second-best option among running backs in NFL free agency. He is coming off an age-26 season where he actually averaged more actual yards per carry (4.4 vs. 3.9) than Etienne, while also ranking higher in yards per route run (1.59 vs. 1.14), yards per touch (5.5 vs. 4.7) and breakaway run rate (5.3 percent vs. 3.5 percent). Gainwell is one of the best pass-catchers at his position in the NFL, and while he may not be able to handle the same workload, more teams are taking a committee approach. Whichever team signs Gainwell is getting an impact player and better value.
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WR: Jalen Naylor
Working behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, wide receiver Jalen Naylor has had limited opportunities to produce since coming into the league. He still has 69 receptions for 1,066 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 144 targets over the last four seasons. There's a reason, as The Athletic's Alec Lewis reports, that at least 10 teams are keeping an eye on Naylor in NFL free agency. He'll be a signing that flies under the radar if that happens, but Neller could put up good WR2 numbers depending on where he lands and he'll make a positive impact regardless of position.
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TE: Darren Waller
There were plenty of reasons to be skeptical about what Darren Waller had left in the tank before last season when he decided to retire. To his credit, after a year away from football, the 33-year-old tight end averaged 11.8 yards per reception and posted his highest touchdown total (six) since his 2020 Pro Bowl selection with the Raiders. At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Waller has still proven that he can be very effective in accepting danger in difficult times. Given that he would only have to sign a one-year deal at a low cost, Waller could prove to be an underappreciated addition to an offense.
Official Language: Isaac Zumalo
Isaac Seumalo is one of the best offensive linemen available in all of NFL free agency. The reason the former Pittsburgh Steelers guard is included on our list is because to the average fan, he is not a big name and will not make headlines when he gets a deal this offseason. That said, he ranks fourth among interior linemen in ESPN's run-block win rate (77 percent) and third in pass-block win rate (97 percent). He is one of the best guards in football; This has been proven over the past two seasons, and he will be a valuable contribution to both supporting the run game and protecting the quarterback for whichever team fields him.
