ESPN published a list of their projected top-50 free agents available for the 2026 offseason, which includes many Green Bay Packers at the top of the rankings. As we’ve written about before, the volume of free agents that the Packers are expected to lose this offseason is the reason why they’ll likely receive the maximum four compensatory draft picks (in 2027), and a reason why they’ll want to stay out of unrestricted free agents (to not offset those losses and lose those compensatory picks).
Left
tackle Rasheed Walker is eighth on the list, linebacker Quay Walker is 13th, quarterback Malik Willis is 17th and receiver Romeo Doubs is 21st. Rasheed Walker is likely to net the Packers a fourth-round pick in 2027, while the other three will probably earn Green Bay a fifth-round pick apiece.
On a positional level, here’s how their rankings shook out:
Quarterback
- #4 Daniel Jones, Colts
- #17 Malik Willis, Packers
Running Back
- #7 Breece Hall, Jets
- #18 Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars
- #24 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks
- #29 Javonte Williams, Cowboys
- #46 Rico Dowdle, Panthers
- #49 Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers
Receiver
- #2 George Pickens, Cowboys
- #6 Alec Pierce, Colts
- #15 Mike Evans, Buccaneers
- #21 Romeo Doubs, Packers
- #26 Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks
- #28 Jauan Jennings, 49ers
Tight End
- #20 Isaiah Likely, Ravens
- #23 Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons
- #39 Chig Okonkwo, Titans
Tackle
- #8 Rasheed Walker, Packers
- #10 Braden Smith, Colts
Guard
- #31 Isaac Seumalo, Steelers
- #33 Zion Johnson, Chargers
- #36 David Edwards, Bills
- #42 Joel Bitonio, Browns
Center
- #3 Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens
- #35 Connor McGovern, Bills
- #43 Cade Mays, Panthers
Interior Defensive Line
- #11 John Franklin-Myers, Broncos
Edge Rusher
- #1 Trey Hendrickson, Bengals
- #5 Jaelan Phillips, Eagles
- #9 Odafe Oweh, Chargers
- #22 Khalil Mack, Chargers
- #27 K’Lavon Chaisson, Patriots
- #30 Boye Mafe, Seahawks
- #38 Joey Bosa, Bills
Off-Ball Linebacker
- #13 Quay Walker, Packers
- #19 Devin Lloyd, Jaguars
- #45 Leo Chenal, Chiefs
- #48 Nakobe Dean, Eagles
- #50 Alex Anzalone, Lions
Cornerback
- #12 Alontae Taylor, Saints
- #14 Riq Woolen, Seahawks
- #16 Jaylen Watson, Chiefs
- #34 Greg Newsome II, Jaguars
- #37 Nahshon Wright, Bears
Safety
- #25 Bryan Cook, Chiefs
- #32 Reed Blankenship, Eagles
- #41 Kam Curl, Rams
- #44 Jaquan Brisker, Bears
- #47 Coby Bryant, Seahawks
Here are a couple of thoughts on this FA class:
- Green Bay did a pretty good job of getting ahead of the Rasheed Walker and Romeo Doubs contracts (or lack of) by drafting Jordan Morgan and Matthew Golden in the first rounds of the last two seasons.
- There are some centers and cornerbacks this year, but the interior defensive line is not strong this class (just like last year). John Franklin-Myers, who is under 290 pounds, is the only player who made the top-50 at the position.
- I forgot about Alontae Taylor’s contract coming up. If there’s anyone on this list to watch, I think it’s him. Green Bay called the Saints about his availability near the trade deadline.
- Both linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship were rookies in Jonathan Gannon’s last year with the Philadelphia Eagles. Blankenship started four games as an undrafted player, though I don’t think the Packers will be in the safety market. Dean only played 34 snaps compared to 340 special teams snaps in 2022 as a third-round selection.
With teams borrowing more and more from future cap situations to pay for their current rosters, fewer talented players are hitting free agency. For example, last year, the New England Patriots had a bunch of cap space, but ended up not using more than $50 million of it. There’s just not a lot of smart ways to use money in the free agent market, with the way things are set up right now.
