The Underdog NFL news team will have you covered by the second with the latest NFL free agency news, and then we will cover the biggest signings on YouTube here. Of course, there will be a couple of franchise tags to remove some of these names (I made some predictions), and then some others will join the list after being released for cap purposes (I also made some predictions). I have the offensive version of this column here.

To keep the content going, support us by making picks on Underdog. We're live in more states than ever.

2026 NFL Free Agent EDGE Rankings

1. Trey Hendrickson (CIN): 17.5 and 17.5 sacks, then 7 games (hip).

2. Jaelan Phillips (PHI): EDGE8 in true pressure rate. 27yo. Freak.

   

3. Odafe Oweh (LAC): EDGE10 in Pass Rush Win. 10.5 sacks in 13 games.

4. Boye Mafe (SEA): Speed. EDGE8 in Pass Rush Win. 2nd rounder. 27yo.

   

5. Kwity Paye (IND): EDGE10 in Run Stop Win Rate. 27yo former 1st rounder.

6. Dre'Mont Jones (BAL): Career-high 7.0 sacks. Speed at 280lb. 29yo.

7. Malcolm Koonce (LV): EDGE20 in Pass Rush Win Rate off torn ACL. 28yo.

8. Joey Bosa (BUF): 31yo. Played 17 games. Only 5.0 sacks. Rotational piece.

9. Khalil Mack (LAC): 35yo with 6.0 and 5.5 sacks in latest years. Elbow.

10. Al-Quadin Muhammad (DET): 11.0 sacks in age-30 breakout. Dog!

11. K’Lavon Chaisson (NE): Standup OLB. 7.5 sacks with Vrabel. 1st rounder.

12. Jadeveon Clowney (DAL): Another 8.5 sacks. 33yo is a 1-year deal God.

13. Joseph Ossai (CIN): 26yo. 2-straight 5.0 sack seasons. 69th overall pick.

14. Samson Ebukam (IND): 2.0 sacks returning from Achilles. 9.5 in 2023.

15. Arden Key (TEN): 4.0 to 6.5 sacks in 5-straight years. 30yo.

16. Arnold Ebiketie (ATL): 2.0 to 6.0 sacks in 4 rookie contract years. 2nd rounder.

17. Jacob Martin (WAS): Career-high 5.5 sacks in age-30 season.

18. Haason Reddick (TB): 2.5 sacks after sitting out half of 2024. 32yo.

Trade candidates: Maxx Crosby ($30.7M saved), T.J. Watt ($12M), Kayvon Thibodeaux ($14.7M).

2026 NFL Free Agent DT Rankings

1. John Franklin-Myers (DEN): DT8 in pass rush win rate. 7.5 sacks. 29yo.

   

2. Sheldon Rankins (HOU): Productive 32yo. Bull rush TD vs. PIT on HOU.

3. Logan Hall (TB): Ex-33rd overall in TB. 26yo. Pass rush > the run.

4. David Onyemata (ATL): DT9 in run stuff rate. DT17 in pass rush. 33yo.

5. D.J. Reader (DET): Physical run stopper. 32yo. 10+ solos in 5-straight.

6. Khyiris Tonga (NE): Thiccccc. NT type. Strong finish. 4 teams in 4 yrs?

7. DaQuan Jones (BUF): 34yo with pass-rush history. Softer vs. run.

8. Sebastian Joseph-Day (TEN): 31+ tackles in all 7 NFL seasons. 31yo.

9. Calais Campbell (ARI): DT3 in pass rush win rate despite being 39yo.

10. Christian Wilkins (NA): Sat out 2025 after locker room allegation(s).

11. Rakeem Nunez-Roches (NYG): 3.0 sacks was a career high. 33yo.

2026 NFL Free Agent LB Rankings

1. Devin Lloyd (JAX): 2nd-team All Pro. Better coverage skills. 27yo.

2. Devin Bush (CLE): 125 tackles. Thumper. 2 Pick 6s. Late breakout. 28.

3. Nakobe Dean (PHI): Very small but full-time. Can blitz. Patella tear in '24.

4. Kaden Ellis (ATL): 31yo. 3-straight 100+ tackles. Some pass rush juice.

5. Leo Chenal (KC): Part-time versatile piece for Spags. Very physical.

6. Alex Anzalone (DET): Tackle machine for DET. 31yo culture setter.

7. Demario Davis (NO): Career-high 143 tackles in age-36 year. WHAT?!

8. Alex Singleton (DEN): Grinder! Canada, then peaking in age-31 season.

9. Quay Walker (GB): Rare athlete. Too boom-bust. Ex 1st-rounder. 26yo.

10. Christian Rozeboom (CAR): 133 and 125 tackles in last two. 29yo UDFA.

11. Bobby Wagner (WAS): Coverage liability. Run game destroyer. 35yo.

12. Quincy Williams (NYJ): 2023 All Pro. Benched by NYJ staff in 2025. 29yo.

13. Justin Strnad (DEN)

2026 NFL Free Agent CB Rankings

1. Jaylen Watson (KC): Spags' weapon. Physical. Run stop. Big on/off splits.

2. Jamel Dean (TB): 30yo. Physical at catch point. Advanced data darling.

   

3. Tariq Woolen (SEA): Rare athlete w/ length. Volatile in every way (see: CC).

4. James Pierre (PIT): 29yo breakout. Zone INTs. Step-for-step with Ja'Marr.

5. Alontae Taylor (NO): Slot major. Great athlete. Built. Blitz + TFLs. Inconsistent.

6. Nahshon Wright (CHI): 6'4" breakout. 5 INTs, 11 PDs, 2 FFs. Also cov busts!

7. Montaric Brown (JAX): Lengthy outside CB. Played LCB in aggressive scheme.

8. Cobie Durant (LAR): Tiny but fast off-coverage specialist on the outside.

9. Roger McCreary (LAR): Slot major. Traded for at deadline. Instincts.

10. Asante Samuel (PIT): Tiny outside CB. Only 10 games in last 2. 2nd-rounder.

11. Rasul Douglas (MIA): 32yo. Slow but great length and zone feel. Deflections.

12. Trevon Diggs (DAL/GB): ACL, then knee cartilage surgery. Released 2x.

13. Jack Jones (MIA): Small outside CB. Fights vs. run. Fiery character. Penalties.

Trade candidates: Ja'Quan McMillian (RFA).

2026 NFL Free Agent S Rankings

1. Kamren Curl (LAR): Trusted FS. Cover 2/4. 79 solo tackles led Ss. 27yo.

2. Jalen Thompson (ARI): Versatile SS. 121-tackle season previously. 28yo.

3. Nick Cross (IND): Hitting SS. 3rd in solo tackles. Blitzer. Athlete. 25yo.

4. Kevin Byard (CHI): 33yo FS. 7 INTs led NFL. Good eyes. Free-styled plays.

5. Bryan Cook (KC): Physical FS. Flies downhill. Deep safety eyes. 26yo.

6. Coby Bryant (SEA): FS with SS size. 7 INTs with Macdonald. Complex scheme.

7. Jaquan Brisker (CHI): 2nd-round SS. Blitzer. Hitter. Bad in coverage. 27yo.

8. Reed Blankenship (PHI): UDFA FS. Trusted communicator. Big. Tackler. 27yo.

9. Alohi Gilman (LAC/BAL): Versatile FS. 3-safety experience. Smart. 28yo.

10. Andre Cisco (NYJ): Torn pec. Played more box with Jets. Was deep FS. 26yo.

11. Kyle Dugger (NE/PIT): 30yo castaway. Physical SS. Gets lost in coverage.

12. Geno Stone (CIN): Bad run defense despite 65 solos. Limited athlete.

13. Ardarius Washington (BAL): Extremely small FS. Benched for Gilman, others.