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Free agency isn’t what it once was in the NBA, as these days, players are almost always choosing to sign contract extensions rather than test the open market. That’s because the new CBA has given players much more financial incentive not to switch …
Free agency isn’t what it once was in the NBA, as these days, players are almost always choosing to sign contract extensions rather than test the open market. That’s because the new CBA has given players much more financial incentive not to switch teams.
Either way, some good players could end up hitting free agency next year anyway, as they always do.
Below, check out the projected top 2026 NBA free agents (for now).
The Chargers could be a possible landing spot for a three-time All-Pro wide receiver.
The Chargers will be in the market for a wide receiver this offseason. There will be plenty of intriguing options in free agency, and one wideout still under contract could be among the crop.
Davante Adams is a candidate to be released by the Jets. Should he become available, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that he is “intrigued” by the idea of returning to play on the West Coast and “open” to teams like the Chargers.
Adams also mentioned the Rams and 49ers as teams he’d be interested in playing for.
Adams finished the 2024 season with 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns during his time with the Raiders and Jets. This marked his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season.
The 32-year-old Adams would provide Los Angeles’ offense with a reliable receiver for Justin Herbert on one-on-one balls, something they haven’t had since losing Mike Williams.
Adams would only open things for rookie sensation Ladd McConkey, who led the team with 1,149 yards this past season. The veteran wideout’s presence could also aid Quentin Johnston, who had a team-high eight touchdowns.
Up next in our Jaguars’ free agency predictions is tight end Luke Farrell. Will he return for the 2025 season?
Over the coming weeks with the NFL’s free agency period on the horizon, I will be taking a closer look at each of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pending free agents and predicting whether or not each player will return or sign elsewhere.
Up next is tight end Luke Farrell. If you missed our first preview of quarterback Mac Jones, you can find that here.
Farrell was a fifth-round pick by the Jaguars in the 2021 NFL draft and he’s played a fairly big role within the offense, particularly the last two seasons, playing over 800 snaps during that span.
As a pass-catcher, Farrell has only 36 receptions in his career, including just 12 in 2024. He’s totaled 318 yards at 8.8 yards per catch with no touchdowns.
Instead, where Farrell’s biggest impact comes on offense is as a blocker. According to PFF’s metrics, 72% of Farrell’s snaps have been as a blocker over the last two seasons. And for what it’s worth, by PFF’s metrics, Farrell took a major step forward in that regard this past season.
He’s also been a regular contributor on special teams, specifically on the punt coverage and kick return units.
While the emphasis for Liam Coen is on helping Trevor Lawrence bounce back, a key part of that equation will be the Jaguars being much more consistent in the run game. A factor in that is having a tight end who is capable and can hold their own as a blocker–which Farrell can help provide.
In addition to that, the Jaguars have only three tight ends under contract for the 2025 season, so depth is very much a need as well.
Re-signing Farrell isn’t going to break the salary cap bank by any means and it won’t impact whether or not the Jaguars’ further address the position in free agency or do so in the draft.
Bringing him back sure feels like a low risk move that helps provide some stability at a position that needs more depth and in the run game, which is going to have to play a key role in the Jaguars’ success on offense.
Prediction: Jaguars’ re-sign Luke Farrell.
With help from PFF, here are the top three free agent safeties for the Colts to look into adding to their roster.
Among the biggest positional needs that the Indianapolis Colts have to address this offseason is at safety.
The need for the Colts at this position is two-fold. For one, they just need more depth with only Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, and Marcel Dabo under contract for the 2025 season.
But in addition to that, improved play is very much needed as well, which GM Chris Ballard pointed out during his season-ending press conference–again.
“We’ve got to get better,” said general manager Chris Ballard about the Colts’ secondary as a whole during his end of season press conference.
While we did see Nick Cross take a step forward as the team’s strong safety in 2024, the overall production from the secondary just wasn’t there for the Colts. Indianapolis would rank in the bottom third of the NFL in completion rate, yards per pass attempt, passer rating, and pass deflections.
Lou Anarumo’s disguise-heavy defensive scheme can hopefully lead to improved play on the back end, but Ballard needs to infuse competition and added talent on to the roster as well this offseason.
From a salary cap perspective, the Colts have just over $28 million in available space. This likely won’t be enough to get through an entire offseason, but they do have the ability to create more room.
With help from Pro Football Focus’ free agent rankings, here are the top available options at safety:
Playing alongside of Cross, Holland could fill the free safety role. Throughout his career, he’s been a reliable tackler and run defender, and has had solid ball production with six interceptions and 13 pass breakups in his first three NFL seasons from 2021-2023.
PFF’s projected contract: 4 years, $98 million
Injuries have limited Hufanga to just 17 games over the last two seasons. Over his career, Hufanga has been stout against the run and has limited pass catchers to only 10.1 yards per reception. He would total seven interceptions between the 2022 and 2023 seasons as well.
PFF’s projected contract: 2 years, $25 million
Bynum could slide right into that deep safety role with the Colts. During his first four seasons in Minnesota, Bynum has produced eight interceptions and 14 pass breakups. He’s also routinely graded out as a very good run defender and tackler as well. Opposing quarterbacks have a below-average passer rating when targeting him.
PFF’s projected contract: 3 years – $42.75 million
Juwan Johnson’s best option in free agency? It may be rejoining Sean Payton with the Denver Broncos, if he leaves the New Orleans Saints:
Juwan Johnson will be a free agent this upcoming offseason, and there should be serious conversation on whether or not the New Orleans Saints should look to retain Johnson.
If Johnson looks to go elsewhere in free agency, there is one destination in particular that could feel just like home.
The 33rd Team’s Tyler Brooke sees Johnson’s “best fit” with the Denver Broncos. This would entail Johnson following the footsteps of former teammates Wil Lutz, Adam Trautman, Tre’Quan Smith, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Lucas Krull and others by joining former head coach Sean Payton.
Familiarity in the system would benefit Johnson by removing the need to learn a new system. Johnson and Payton were paired for two seasons, followed by another two seasons with Pete Carmichael after Payton’s retirement. Until this past year, this was the only professional offense Johnson played in.
Outside of familiarity, Brooke also sees Johnson as the potential middle of the field target Denver is missing. His ability to become the Broncos’ middle of the field target would come down to utilization versus ability.
New Orleans didn’t have a great middle of the field presence in the passing game. Spencer Rattler used the tight ends more than Derek Carr, so maybe Carr’s preference for targeting wide receivers was the biggest reason Johnson was limited over the middle.
Johnson has flashed that ability at times in New Orleans to be a threat on crossing routes and running up the seams. He is a former wide receiver whose skillset would allow him to provide that to Denver. It’s just about the frequency.
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Broncos fans should keep an eye on Eagles LB Zack Baun and Chiefs LB Nick Bolton during the Super Bowl as both are pending free agents.
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday and the Denver Broncos — like everyone else — will be watching.
There are two players, in particular, that could catch the attention of Broncos general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton on Sunday.
Eagles linebacker Zack Baun and Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton are both scheduled to become free agents in March, and ILB is one of Denver’s key positions of need this offseason.
Baun, 28, was picked by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft while Payton was still coaching in New Orleans. After spending the first four years of his career with the Saints, Baun landed in Philadelphia and he had a breakout season in 2024.
Baun earned first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod after totaling 151 tackles, five forced fumbles, four pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery in 16 starts. He was a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, which was won by Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain.
Bolton, 24, was picked by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. He recorded 106 tackles, seven quarterback hits, six pass breakups, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one forced fumble in 16 starts last fall.
Baun and Bolton will be names to monitor as we approach NFL free agency following the Super Bowl on Sunday.
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The Colts were named a landing spot for this former first-round pick and current free agent quarterback.
General manager Chris Ballard mentioned that the Indianapolis Colts need to bring in competition for Anthony Richardson this offseason. Could free agent Justin Fields be an option for the Colts?
Tyler Brooke of the 33rd Football Team recently selected four top landing spots for Fields if he doesn’t return to Pittsburgh, which according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, is still in play.
Among the teams that Brooke mentioned with the Colts were the Ravens, Raiders, and Rams.
“Fields could come to Indianapolis and bring a similar skill set to Richardson, utilizing his legs and arm talent to run the scheme that Shane Steichen has been building out during the last couple of seasons,” wrote Brooke. “It also might be Fields’ best chance of playing as a preferred backup, either due to injury or performance.”
Fields was the Steelers’ starting quarterback for the first six games of the 2024 season while Russell Wilson was injured.
Compared to his time in Chicago, Fields was much more efficient, completing 65% of his passes at a modest 6.8 yards per attempt with five touchdowns to one interception in Pittsburgh’s run first offense. Fields would rank 25th in average depth of target out of 44 eligible quarterbacks in 2024.
With Richardson navigating injuries during his first two seasons along with inconsistent play when on the field, Ballard said during his season-ending press conference that bringing in competition would be on the Colts’ to-do list this offseason.
“We knew when we took him it was going to be a roller coaster,” Ballard said of Richardson. “The number one thing we have to figure out and have to work through is he’s got to stay healthy. That, to me, is the biggest question.
“We have to have competition at the position because competition makes you better and because he’s not proven he can stay healthy for 17 games.”
Now, how the Colts plan to go about doing that we don’t have that answer. Will they look to free agency? Would Ballard spend an early or mid-round pick on a quarterback?
This is a massive decision, not only because the need to win now for the Colts and Ballard is extremely high and improved quarterback play is required to do that, but if Richardson loses the competition and is the backup, that’s a sign that his time with Indianapolis could be winding down.
Up next in our Colts’ 2025 free agency predictions is offensive lineman Mark Glowinski. Will he return for the upcoming season?
In the coming weeks, we will be taking a closer look at each of the Indianapolis Colts’ unrestricted free agents and making a prediction as to whether or not they will return for the 2025 season.
Up next, let’s take a look at offensive lineman Mark Glowinski. If you’ve missed any of our other free agency predictions, you can find them below.
Will Fries
Julian Blackmon
Grant Stuard
Ryan Kelly
Dayo Odeyingbo
Mo Alie-Cox
Trey Sermon
Ashton Dulin
Glowinski was a late addition to the Colts’ 2024 roster, joining the team in Week 13 just before the bye and taking over as the starting right guard with Will Fries on injured reserve and rookie Dalton Tucker struggling.
The addition of Glowinski to the starting lineup did help provide some needed stability up front for the Colts, particularly in the run game. From Weeks 9-12, if we take out Jonathan Taylor’s 58 yard run against the Bills, he averaged just 2.9 yards per rush during that span.
But from Week 13 on, Taylor rushed for 96 yards, 107 yards, 218 yards, 125 yards, and 177 yards at over 5.0 yards per attempt. That isn’t to say Glowinski was the sole reason for that production, but the numbers show he was a factor.
As a pass protector, however, Glowinski was much more up-and-down, allowing 13 pressures and three sacks in five games.
Also a free agent this offseason is Fries and whether or not he returns will dictate how big of a need the offensive line is for the Colts. If Fries were to end up elsewhere, finding a right guard becomes one of Indianapolis’ top priorities with Tucker being the only viable option currently under contract for the 2025 season.
However, even if Fries is back, bolstering the interior offensive line depth will be on the to-do list. In addition to Glowinski being a free agent, so are Danny Pinter and Ryan Kelly.
Glowinski showed that he can still step in if needed and he’s not a player that is going to break the salary cap bank by any means.
So my prediction is that he returns to provide some experienced depth on the offensive line and does so on what will be a relatively inexpensive deal. This is a low risk move for the Colts that can help raise the floor of this unit.
Prediction: Mark Glowinski is re-signed.
On an appearance on the Jim Rome Show, LB Zaire Franklin made his pitch for why free agents should join the Colts.
On an appearance recently on the Jim Rome Show, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin was asked this question:
Why is Indianapolis a destination where other guys should want to be?
Why Indy?@ZiggySmalls_ makes his pitch to free agents to join him with the Colts. pic.twitter.com/1lvEnuerx0
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 8, 2025
Franklin then provided a few reasons why free agents should be looking to join the Colts.
“First of all, Lou is a well-respected DC in this league. From the Pro Bowl, every single player that I met that played against him, was on the same team as him, even offensive guys from (Joe) Mixon to Ja’Marr (Chase), to all those guys, had extreme respect for Lou and talked about his defensive mind and his ability to put players in positions to succeed.
Anarumo comes to Indianapolis after six seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator, where he was dubbed the “Mad Scientist.”
Anarumo earned that nickname for operating a versatile and quick to adapt defensive scheme that emphasizes disguising coverages to keep offenses and quarterbacks guessing.
The next point that Franklin made was that each level of the Colts defense, they have Pro Bowl caliber players.
“And then we got Pro Bowlers at this point, playmakers at all three levels,” added Franklin. “You got myself, DeForest (Buckner), and Kenny Moore. So adding another dynamic playmaker to that mix, whether it’s secondary, D-line or linebacker room, it’s only going to add to that and help make this an all-time unit.”
There were stretches last season where this Colts’ defense played at a pretty high level. The defense’s performance in their must-win game against Denver is one example of that and there are others.
However, the season-long issue was a lack of consistency with many of the same problems, like missed tackles and explosive plays, plaguing this unit for much of the year.
Pressure-wise, the Colts didn’t get after quarterbacks often enough. Several opposing running backs had big days against Indianapolis and as GM Chris Ballard said after the season, the play in the secondary wasn’t good enough.
Lastly, Franklin brought up the offense, specifically Shane Steichen’s scheme, which included three Colts receivers all eclipsing the 800-yard receiving mark in 2024.
“Offensively, Shane, everybody that is going to play for him offensively loves his scheme, loves how he gets guys the ball,” Franklin said. “We got a lot of things going and JT of course.”
Anarumo’s more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme can hopefully help with some of the heavy lifting when it comes to the Colts defense improving. But Ballard is going to have to make additions as well, which from the sounds of it, he will be more willing to do as he attempts to bolster the competition on the roster this offseason.
As eluded to, the secondary play has to improve. At linebacker, the Colts need a stronger presence against the pass, which perhaps Jaylon Carlies can provide, and the depth behind Buckner and Grover Stewart has to improve.
On offense, meanwhile, running back depth, a greater presence in the passing game, and competition for Anthony Richardson are all items that could be on Ballard’s to-do list.
The Colts will enter the offseason with just over $28 million in available cap space. From a spending power standpoint, that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL at 18th–however, Indianapolis does have the means to create quite a bit more cap space for free agency if needed.
With the tight end position being a big need for the Colts, who are the top free agent options this offseason?
Who are some of the top free agent options available at the tight end position for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason?
As general manager Chris Ballard said after the season, the Colts need a much greater presence in the passing game from the tight end position.
The Colts’ tight end unit as a whole in 2024 would total just 467 receiving yards. Believe it or not, there were actually 25 individual tight ends last season who had more receiving yards than the Colts entire tight end room.
There is also something to be said for having a tight end who can impact both the running and passing games. When that element is present in an offense, there’s a layer of unpredictability that comes with that, and can help keep defenses off-balanced because there are a variety or roles that player can have on any given play.
However, when it comes to addressing this need, the draft may end being the Colts best avenue for doing so. This year’s free agent class at the tight end position isn’t very strong, which and either lead to contracts increasing or not finding the desired impact that’s needed.
But on the flip side of that, adding some sort of help in free agency can reduce the feeling of ‘we have to address this position’ in the draft. No team wants to feel like drafting a certain position group is a must because it can limit flexibility. And while everyone is fixated on the Colts landing Tyler Warren, that’s not a given either.
From a salary cap perspective, the Colts have just over $28 million in available space. This likely won’t be enough to get through an entire offseason, but they do have the ability to create more room.
With help from Pro Football Focus’ free agent rankings, here are three of the top available options at tight end:
Johnson had his most productive year as a pass-catcher in 2024, totaling 50 receptions on 64 targets (78%) for 548 yards with three scores. In two of the last three seasons, he’s eclipsed the 500 yard receiving mark.
For what it’s worth–and while not the be-all-end-all by any means–as a run-blocker in PFF’s grading system, he’s graded out as average to below-average in that category.
According to PFF’s metrics, Gesicki greatly improved as a run-blocker in 2024 compared to his grades in previous seasons–although his bread-and-butter is as a receiving threat. As a pass-catcher, he totaled 665 yards in 2024 with two touchdowns.
Of note, Gesicki was rarely asked to line up in-line, and instead spent his time in the slot or on the boundary. During the 2020 and 2021 season with Miami, Gesicki surpassed 700 receiving yards in each of those seasons.
Conklin’s production has been steady in the passing game over the last four seasons. He totaled 449 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024, while from 2021-2023, he totaled at least 550 receiving yards in each of those seasons.
Conklin lines up primarily in-line, although he can play from the slot, and by PFF’s grading system, he’s graded out as a so-so run-blocker.
