NFL free agency predictions: Where will these 10 players sign?
Malik Willis celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown at Lambeau Field on Dec. 27, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Credit: Getty Images/Patrick McDermott
Oh, the places they'll go!
A look at 10 of the top NFL free agents in this year’s market and where they could end up by next week.
Malik Willis, QB
Prediction: Dolphins
Could Willis be on the Sam Darnold Trajectory: A failed first-round pick who becomes a solid backup and then evolves into a premier starter? That’s what the teams bidding on him will be hoping for. Most of them only got the rare glimpses of Willis as the Packers’ backup but Miami’s new head coach and general manager, Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan, just arrived from Green Bay. They got to watch Willis every day the last two years. They might get to do that again this season too.
Kyler Murray, QB
Prediction: Falcons
The Cardinals will still be paying Murray $36.8 million in 2026 even after they release him so the quarterback won’t necessarily be looking for a big payday, just a chance to prove himself. He’d walk into a starting role with the Dolphins or Jets but going to Atlanta will surround him with the most talent — Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts — not to mention two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski.
Kenneth Walker III, RB
Prediction: Commanders
The reigning Super Bowl MVP will have plenty of suitors — including the Giants — but Big Blue may end up having to face him twice a season rather than have him on their side. Washington has plenty of cap space money to spend and pairing Walker with Jacory Croskey-Merritt would give them the solid 1-2 backfield punch they need, not to mention giving quarterback Jayden Daniels a game-breaker.
Mike Evans, WR
Prediction: Bills
Evans may no longer be a true No. 1 receiver by NFL standards but given Buffalo’s lack of production at the position — despite having Josh Allen as quarterback it had just one receiver with more than 420 receiving yards in 2025 — he’d be an excellent threat alongside DJ Moore, whom they are acquiring in a trade with the Bears. Even if he can’t make the big explosive plays as a 33-year-old when the 2026 season starts, his big body will allow him to give Allen a red-zone threat. Bills ownership publicly bemoaned the decision-making regarding unproductive picks at the receiver position in a postseason news conference; landing one of the most consistent pass-catchers of the century in free agency is a good way to address that flaw.
Alec Pierce, WR
Prediction: Patriots
New England will need to find a new top target for Drake Maye once they release Stefon Diggs and Pierce will fill that role neatly. There is still a chance he returns to the Colts and the Jets may make a push for him — new offensive coordinator Frank Reich was the head coach in Indianapolis when Pierce was drafted there — but getting the chance to team up with one of the top young quarterbacks in the league will be an appealing draw that the Patriots can use along with what could wind up being a nine-figure contract offer.
Isaiah Likely, TE
Prediction: Panthers
After spending his early career with the run-heavy Ravens and sharing time with Mark Andrews, Likely has made it known he is looking for a situation where he can blossom as a passing target. There will be options for him, including a flirtation with Kansas City where he could replace Travis Kelce, but the Panthers would be a cozy fit for both sides. Carolina has done a nice job building around Bryce Young with receivers and running backs but hasn’t yet found a good tight end match for the quarterback. Likely could be that player.
Tyler Linderbaum, C
Prediction: Bears
The obvious link is to assume the center follows John Harbaugh from the Ravens to the Giants, and that may be explored, but Chicago is a team much closer to a championship and more in need of a final nudge to get them there than New York is right now. They also have the resources to make Linderbaum the highest-paid center in the league. Staying in Baltimore may also happen.
Trey Hendrickson, Edge
Prediction: Colts
The 31-year-old coming off an injury-shortened season had his best production as a Bengal under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, including a league-leading 17.5 sacks in 2024. A reunion with Anarumo, now in Indianapolis, seems like the best move for the player and a team that needs to improve its pass rush.
Jaelan Phillips, DE
Prediction: Lions
The Eagles traded for Phillips in the middle of the 2025 season and he did so well for them that he may have priced himself out of a long-term stay in Philly. In Detroit, he would be paired with Aidan Hutchinson, a situation that would help both players and let the Lions continue to build their menacing pass rush.
Devin Lloyd, LB
Prediction: Cowboys
Dallas focused on its defensive front but still had one of the worst defenses in the league because it had so few playmakers behind those talented guys up front. Lloyd fixes that immediately. The 27-year-old is coming off a second-team All-Pro season in Jacksonville in which he had 81 tackles and five interceptions. He’d also lend the Cowboys a strong voice in the middle of the unit.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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