Top Predictions for 2023 NFL Free Agency: Kyler Murray & Devin Lloyd Shine Brightly!

NFL free agency never really stops once it begins, but the first wave of it came and went rapidly in 2026. While a handful of top talents still remain on the board, many of the best available free agents agreed to new contracts during the NFL's "legal tampering" period and during the first days of the new league year. The edge rusher, quarterback and receiver markets all moved rapidly while Tyler Linderbaum was quickly able to reset the center market.

A few top-of-market skill position players – George Pickens , Breece Hall and Kyle Pitts – were slapped with the franchise tag. That worked to further thin the ranks of the top available players. As a result, 21 of the top 25 free agents in USA TODAY Sports' free agent rankings are under contract for the 2026 NFL season.

Below are the grades for those signings – excluding those playing on the franchise tag – based on the value of each player's deal and their fit with their club. NFL free agent signing grades Tyler Linderbaum , C, Las Vegas Raiders Grade : B Contract : Three years, $81 million ($80 million guaranteed) Linderbaum has graded as one of Pro Football Focus ' top-seven centers in each of his first four NFL seasons and reset the market accordingly in free agency. His $27 million average annual value (AAV) blew by the previous highest-paid center, Creed Humphrey , by $9 million.

Linderbaum was no bargain, but the soon-to-be 26-year-old should provide a massive upgrade for a Raiders squad drastically needing to improve its blocking in front of presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Jaelan Phillips , edge, Carolina Panthers Grade : B+ Contract : Three years, $120 million ($80 million guaranteed) Nic Scourton led the Panthers in pressures last season with 31.