The Dynasty Implication - 2026 NFL Free Agents
Chew breaks down the 2026 NFL free agent class and how it affects the dynasty landscape. Because of the implication.
Dynasty degenerates are not made in the NFL offseason; they are revealed. No weekly lineups to set, just countless rookie mock drafts filled with deeper and deeper sleepers. But my favorite part is what helps bridge the gap from one season to the next, and that is free agency. Preparing for free agency as a dynasty manager begins now, if not earlier, and that requires a knowledge of the upcoming free agents.
*The only free agents mentioned are unrestricted free agents, per Spotrac.
The Quarterbacks
The free agency pool ahead of the 2026 season has a few intriguing names at the top, but only one that could find themselves in a new jersey, Malik Willis. Otherwise, this is a fairly underwhelming free agent class for the quarterback-needy teams. Here are the Top-15 free agent quarterbacks:
Tier 1
Daniel Jones
Malik Willis
Tier 2
Aaron Rodgers
Marcus Mariota
Tier 3
Zach Wilson
Tyrod Taylor
Joe Flacco
Trey Lance
Carson Wentz
Gardner Minshew
Tier 4
Kenny Pickett
Mitchell Trubisky
Sam Howell
Tier 5
Russell Wilson
Jimmy Garoppolo
Tier 1 and Tier 2 include the four free agent quarterbacks that I think have the best chance to be starters in 2026. Unfortunately, Daniel Jones’ season ended due to injury, but the expectation is for him to remain in Indianapolis. Aaron Rodgers ends the season healthy, but at his age, there is a wonder as to when he hangs it up. Marcus Mariota showed why he is a high-end backup in relief of Jayden Daniels, which is where he will likely stay. The most intriguing name on this list is Malik Willis, who raised his stock tremendously with his late-season heroics in place of Jordan Love.
Tier 3 and Tier 4 are the backup quarterbacks that could also serve as bridge quarterbacks. Some on this list have had multiple opportunities (Tyrod Taylor, Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz, Gardner Minshew). Among the rest of the list are younger quarterbacks who are intriguing. Trey Lance comes to mind as an interesting dynasty option. I am not so sure about a starting opportunity, but he has rushing upside and a big arm.
Tier 5 is a duo of backups that are likely to stay that way. Russell Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo look to be near the end of their NFL road. They will likely be on rosters, but for their veteran experience more than their production.
2026 Offseason Quarterback Class:
Best Available - Daniel Jones
My Guy - Malik Willis
Sleeper - Trey Lance
The Running Backs
The running backs are, in my opinion, the best fantasy-relevant position group in the 2026 free agent class. Some are players who have successfully led backfields, backups who could be in line for a larger role, and complementary players who find relevance when injuries mount. Here are the Top-20 free agent running backs:
Tier 1
Breece Hall
Kenneth Walker
Rico Dowdle
Javonte Williams
Travis Etienne
Tier 2
J.K. Dobbins
Rachaad White
Kenneth Gainwell
Brian Robinson
Tyler Allgeier
Tier 3
Isiah Pacheco
Kareem Hunt
Jerome Ford
Nick Chubb
Austin Ekeler
Najee Harris
Tier 4
Jeremy McNichols
Hassan Haskins
Miles Sanders
A.J. Dillon
Tier 1 has five backs who have led backfields at various points in their careers and are young and productive enough to warrant starter money in 2026. This tier all finished 2025 with double-digit fantasy points per game, and I could see a path where all are in different jerseys next season. However, I think it is most likely that at least one will return to their current team, Javonte Williams. Breece Hall was a big surprise that he wasn’t moved at the trade deadline, and the expectation is that he is gone in 2026. Kenneth Walker played in an underwhelming Seahawks’ rushing attack and ceded valuable red zone touches to Zach Charbonnet. Rico Dowdle went to Carolina on a prove-it deal after being slighted by the Cowboys and earned himself a nice pay raise next season. Travis Etienne entered 2025 with a lot of talk about who was going to take his job, but Etienne showed why he warranted a first-round draft pick in 2021.
Tier 2 consists of committee backs who have seen ample workloads at various points in their careers, whether it be through injury or gameflow. Unfortunately, J.K. Dobbins’ injury was cut short yet again by injury, and that is likely to affect his value as a 27-year old back. Rachaad White and Kenneth Gainwell have both an ability to withstand additional volume with their backfield leaders injured, with the latter sustaining that volume throughout the season. Brian Robinson and Tyler Allgeier both have had success as backfield leaders, but found themselves behind arguably two of the best running backs, Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson, respectively. Look for Robinson and Allgeier to test the market with a chance for both a raise and an increase in opportunities.
Tier 3 is primarily older and/or injured backs that lose leverage in free agency as a new crop of rookies enters the league. Najee Harris and Austin Ekeler both lost their 2025 seasons to Achilles tendon injuries. Isiah Pacheco, Jerome Ford, and Nick Chubb were outplayed by their backfield counterparts in 2025, leading to what will likely be a lukewarm free agency reception. Kareem Hunt is another older running back, but he just will not quit, after outplaying Pacheco in 2025. Hunt is likely relegated to a handful of one-year deals at this point in his career, but he continues to serve as an at least average ball carrier.
Tier 4 is a group of backs that will likely only find fantasy relevance for one week per season following a slew of injuries. But that scenario is their upside, unfortunately.
2026 Offseason Running Back Class:
Best Available - Travis Etienne
My Guy - Kenneth Gainwell
Sleeper - Jerome Ford
The Wide Receivers
There is one receiver who earned himself a sizeable salary boost, if he can avoid the franchise tag, and that is George Pickens. Outside of Pickens, the middle tiers of the 2026 free agent receivers are vast and filled with varied skillsets. Here are the Top-30 free agent wide receivers:
Tier 1
George Pickens
Tier 2
Deebo Samuel
Jauan Jennings
Zay Flowers
Mike Evans
Tier 3
Alec Pierce
Rashid Shaheed
Wan’Dale Robinson
Romeo Doubs
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
Jalen Nailor
Keenan Allen
Tier 4
Kendrick Bourne
Olamide Zaccheaus
Calvin Austin
Jahan Dotson
Jalen Tolbert
Tyquan Thornton
Greg Dortch
Christian Kirk
Tutu Atwell
Dyami Brown
Tier 5
Josh Reynolds
Kalif Raymond
DeAndre Hopkins
Noah Brown
Van Jefferson
Skyy Moore
Juju Smith-Schuster
Tyler Lockett
Tier 1 is a list of one, George Pickens. It was not just when CeeDee Lamb missed time with injury, Pickens thrived in the Cowboys’ offense en route to his first top-12 fantasy season. The Cowboys have plenty of work to do on the defensive side of the ball, but the duo has formed one of the most fearsome receiver pairings in football.
Tier 2 is a group of four veterans at different points in their careers. Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans are closer to their last contract than their first, with both players still producing. Jauan Jennings nearly left the 49ers before the 2025 season after demanding a trade, so this is likely his chance to wear a new jersey in 2026. Zay Flowers is the last of this group that has improved year-over-year, and I expect he will return to Baltimore on a second contract.
Tier 3 is an interesting mix of players who have shown flashes in at least one season. Alec Pierce, Rashid Shaheed, and Wan’Dale Robinson should be priorities for their current teams, but should garner interest on the free agent market. Keenan Allen looks like he is not quite done, and I anticipate Hollywood Brown will continue his string of one-year deals into 2026. Romeo Doubs and Jalen Nailor both are best as complementary receivers; however, they could find more opportunities on their second teams.
Tier 4 & Tier 5 are a mishmash of receivers that are varied levels of sleepers from a fantasy perspective. Younger receivers that, theoretically, still have room for growth include: Jahan Dotson, Jalen Tolbert, Tyquan Thornton, and Dyami Brown. Kendrick Bourne, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Greg Dortch have had spike weeks in the past two seasons, but do not necessarily represent trade targets for dynasty.
2026 Offseason Wide Receiver Class:
Best Available - George Pickens
My Guy - Alec Pierce
Sleeper - Jalen Nailor
The Tight Ends
This offseason’s crop of tight ends is better than last years’, so there’s that. To be fair, I will always be searching for tight end value as someone who enjoys stashing tight ends in dynasty (the real Baby Gronk, Adam Shaheen, anyone?). After the trip down dynasty memory lane, here are the Top-15 free agent tight ends:
Tier 1
Kyle Pitts
Travis Kelce
David Njoku
Darren Waller
Dallas Goedert
Tier 2
Isaiah Likely
Cade Otton
Chig Okonkwo
Tier 3
Tyler Conklin
Austin Hooper
Taysom Hill
Tyler Higbee
Noah Fant
Tier 4
Charlie Kolar
Grant Calcaterra
Tier 1 includes four tight ends that finished inside the top-24, and three of whom finished inside the top-12 for fantasy. Travis Kelce will play for as long as he wants to as a member of the Chiefs, and I would guess Darren Waller came out of retirement exclusively for the Dolphins. David Njoku had a down year in terms of production, as he was usurped by rookie Harold Fannin; however, he still offers a big, athletic frame for a position where that is highly valued. Kyle Pitts and Dallas Goedert should garner the most lucrative tight end free agent contracts, with the latter likely remaining in Philadelphia. I could see Pitts going elsewhere, as Atlanta needs to figure out a number of roster spots, and using the franchise tag on Pitts would be head-scratching.
Tier 2 is a trio of tight ends who have been productive and are young enough to warrant longer contracts. Of this tier, Isaiah Likely is the most appealing name from a fantasy perspective. After the Ravens re-signed Mark Andrews, I would expect the Ravens to let Likley test free agency. If the coaching staff stays intact in Tampa Bay, I presume Cade Otton would re-sign as a pivotal blocker and receiver. Chig Okonkwo is an interesting name, as I don’t know that Tennessee makes him a priority re-signing, but I am equally uncertain of his value on the free agent market.
Tier 3 consists of “the old heads”. There is not much fantasy appeal with these names outside of random streaming weeks.
Tier 4 is a pair of younger tight ends who have not necessarily produced eye-popping fantasy numbers but offer their own upside. If the Eagles did indeed move on from Goedert, as they did with Ertz once upon a time, Grant Calcaterra has shown in spurts to be at least serviceable at the tight end position. For Charlie Kolar, he went to the tight end factory in Baltimore, and I was high on him coming out of Iowa State as a red zone threat, standing 6’7” tall.
2026 Offseason Tight End Class:
Best Available - Kyle Pitts
My Guy - Isaiah Likely
Sleeper - Charlie Kolar
The 2026 NFL offseason will be here before you know it. The window to franchise/transition tag players opens February 17th, a mere nine days after the Super Bowl! So, dynasty managers would be wise to start making those roster moves now!
So you made it this far, and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow fantasy football degenerates, I would greatly appreciate it!
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Great read! Those tier 1 RBs will have a big impact on fantasy. Both for the guys that maybe get new homes but also the backups waiting in the wings because of what sounds like a not super strong rookie RB class. Guys like Davis/Allen in New York, Charbonnet, Tuten, Hubbard could have big opportunities.