Top remaining NFL free agents: Jauan Jennings leads best players available
The 2026 NFL Draft is now in the rearview, but teams around the NFL will still be looking to improve their rosters in advance of the season.
Luckily, there are still plenty of veterans available on the open market who can rely on their experience to fill roles for NFL teams during the 2026 NFL season.
The most notable free agent available is quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is still considering his future after playing the 2025 campaign with the Steelers. The 42-year-old entered his first season in Pittsburgh opining it might be his last but has seemed open to a potential return after leading the Steelers to a divisional title.
But if Rodgers the best free agent remaining? There remains at least one strong receiving option on the open market that can challenge him. Numerous other former Pro Bowl talents are also looking for new homes and could find them as NFL teams establish how they want to fill the existing holes still on their rosters.
Here are the top 10 remaining players available in free agency among all positions, as the NFL calendar flips to May.
Top 10 remaining NFL free agents
1. WR Jauan Jennings (Previous team: 49ers) | Age at start of 2026 season: 29
Jennings entered free agency among the top wide receivers available. He's a do-it-all type of player. He's a willing blocker and finished in the top four with 18 contested catches in 2025. He's a big-bodied receiver standing at 6-3, and despite missing time with injuries, he led the 49ers in receiving touchdowns and was San Francisco's top wide receiver in targets (90), receptions (55) and yards (643).
Jennings has drawn some post-draft interest, as he met with the Vikings on April 29. The Vikings have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the receiver position but could be looking to replace Jalen Nailor, who signed with the Raiders in free agency after serving as Minnesota's No. 3 receiver in 2025.
2. QB Aaron Rodgers (Previous team: Steelers) | Age at start of 2026 season: 42
OK, so Rodgers is still technically a free agent. The Steelers slapped him with a rare, unrestricted free agent tender following the 2026 NFL Draft, but that won't preclude him from signing with another team.
So, what does the tender do? It gives Rodgers a one-year contract offer worth 110% of his previous year's salary and essentially guarantees that if he leaves the Steelers to sign with another team, Pittsburgh will recoup a compensatory draft pick for his services. And if another team doesn't sign Rodgers to a contract before July 22, the Steelers will retain his exclusive negotiating rights.
Last season, Rodgers – a four-time MVP – showed he can still sling it at a high level. He led the Steelers to an AFC North title but his lack of mobility at the age of 42 was evident. He threw 24 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. while ranking 16th in completion percentage (65.7%) and 23rd in QBR (44.4).
Any team acquiring Rodgers would be on a timeline with the 42-year-old signal-caller. Rodgers is the NFL's oldest player, but his vision, accuracy and arm talent remain – though he's no longer the MVP he once was. If Rodgers plays a 22nd season, the Steelers could benefit since his old coach, Mike McCarthy, was hired for the same role.
3. LT Taylor Decker (Previous team: Lions) | Age at start of 2026 season: 33
Decker requested and was granted his release after a decade in Detroit. He's been an anchor along the line since entering the league in 2016. Last season, he allowed two sacks in 551 pass-blocking snaps. Before the 2025 season, he considered retirement due to shoulder surgery, but he brings playoff experience and intangibles at a premium position.
4. DE/OLB Joey Bosa (Previous team: Bills) | Age at start of 2026 season: 31
The former third-overall pick has been selected to five Pro Bowls throughout his decade in the league and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016. Bosa spent the 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills, starting 15 games. He forced five fumbles, recorded five sacks, 54 QB pressures and 16 quarterback hits – the most since his 2021 season with the Chargers. The soon-to-be 31-year-old is a situational rusher who can still win at the line of scrimmage.
5. LB Bobby Wagner (Previous team: Commanders) | Age at start of 2026 season: 36
Wagner is in the latter stage of his career but remains a capable starter in the middle of any defense. Wagner will enter the 2026 season at 36 years old, and his pass coverage ability has dropped off in recent years, but he's still a tackling machine. In 2025, he was the only linebacker to exceed 90.0 grade in run defense (90.3), pass rushing (92.4), and tackling (90.5), per PFF. The future Hall of Famer would be a valuable addition to any locker room.
6. WR Stefon Diggs (Previous team: Patriots) | Age at start of 2026 season: 33
Diggs is a veteran and former All-Pro coming off a comeback season after tearing his ACL in Week 8 in 2024. He will turn 33 next season. He's been one of the most reliable receivers over the last decade, finishing with over 1,000 receiving yards in seven straight healthy seasons. He was released by New England before the start of free agency
He has finished in the top 25 in PFF overall grade in every season and led the Patriots with 85 receptions and 1,013 receiving yards. If not for his pending legal matter, teams may be more aggressive in pursuing the four-time Pro Bowler.
7. WR Deebo Samuel (Previous team: Commanders) | Age at start of 2026 season: 30
Samuel is a player some would consider at the top of the list, but the receiver will be 30 in June, and his role in Kliff Kingsbury's offense never gained traction. Washington traded for Samuel before the 2025 season, but the veteran wideout didn't have much impact. Samuel has made a career of using his physical tools to create after the catch, but Father Time is undefeated. Still, he offers a veteran presence, versatility and consistency for a team searching for a proven player to add to their receiving room.
8. DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney (Previous team: Cowboys) | Age at start of 2026 season: 33
The former No. 1 overall pick will be entering his 13th season. Clowney totaled 8.5 sacks and 32 pressures last season in 13 games with Dallas. In 2025, only Micah Parsons and Will Anderson Jr. had a higher pressure rate than his 19.1%. He ranked 15th in pass-rush win rate. Although he is no longer a game-wrecker, he will be a strong rotational pass-rusher for any contender.
9. CB Rasul Douglas (Previous team: Dolphins) | Age at start of 2026 season: 31
The veteran cornerback was a tertiary player in Buffalo in 2024 and then enjoyed a solid season with the Dolphins in 2025, signing a one-year deal in free agency. Douglas is an impact player who is physical on the perimeter. He posted the fifth-highest coverage grade among cornerbacks from 2021-2023, per PFF. He earned a 72.7 overall PFF defensive grade in 2025, ranking 21st among 114 qualified cornerbacks. He would bring a veteran presence and depth to any secondary.
10. TE David Njoku (Previous team: Browns) | Age at start of 2026 season: 30
Njoku is known for his size and athleticism during his nine seasons in Cleveland. He's dealt with injuries over the last two seasons, missing a total of 11 games. However, he is an elite red zone threat and a solid blocker.
More top NFL free agents available
- WR Keenan Allen (Previous team: Chargers) | Age at start of 2026 season: 34
- RB Nick Chubb (Previous team: Texans) | 30
- G Will Hernandez (Previous team: Cardinals) | 31
- DL Calais Campbell (Previous team: Cardinals | 40
- CB Mike Hilton (Previous team: Colts) | 32
- QB Russell Wilson (Previous team: Giants) | 37
- DT DJ Reader (Previous team: Lions) | 32
- DE AJ Epenesa (Previous team: Bills) | 27
- TE Jonnu Smith (Previous team: Steelers) | 31
- OLB Von Miller (Previous team: Commanders) | 37
- WR Tyreek Hill (Previous team: Dolphins) | 32
- G Mekhi Becton (Previous team: Chargers) | 27
- LT Cam Robinson (Previous team: Browns) | 30
- DE Cameron Jordan (Previous team: Saints) | 37
- CB Trevon Diggs (Previous team: Packers) | 27
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday