As the NFL regular season comes to a close this week, we will look at the news through a longer-term lens. In today's "Dynasty News," we examine the potential free agent players from a dynasty perspective. This is the time of year savvy dynasty managers can add value at a discount.
This year's free agent class will disrupt many dynasty managers' long-term plans. We researched the available unrestricted free agents, the cost of franchise tagging each player, and each team's projected salary cap. Dynasty leagues are won in the offseason.
Below are the top unrestricted free agents, according to overthecap.com.
Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones – Jones was a viable fantasy starter before fracturing his fibula. We expect Indianapolis to try to sign him to a multi-year deal before free agency opens. The Colts have the cap room and have not had continuity at the position since Andrew Luck. This is a team that led the division until Jones was injured and will be hopeful for 2026 with him under contract. While it seems like he has been around for a long time, the veteran quarterback is still only 28 years old. Jones will be both a dynasty and NFL starter next year, likely in Indianapolis.
Malik Willis – Willis has played well in limited opportunities with the Packers. Maybe his developmental issues reside with the Titans. We expect him to sign with another team on a prove-it deal, competing with a youngster. One team to watch is Miami, where he would compete with a rookie after Tua Tagovailoa is released. Still just 26 years of age, Willis has plenty of room for development and makes a solid dynasty stash. Dynasty managers should try to buy Willis on the cheap, as he has upside if he lands in a good situation.
Joe Flacco – The ageless Flacco played well in Cincinnati and could re-sign to be Joe Burrow's backup, with Jake Browning a free agent this offseason. But with the dearth of quality starting quarterbacks, Flacco will have a chance to start for a team, like Minnesota, in 2026. He is a strong dynasty buy for dynasty managers seeking a short-term quarterback with upside.
Russell Wilson – While Wilson is a free agent this coming offseason, we do not expect him to have much of a market for his services. Between his middling play as a starter and being passed over as the backup when Jaxson Dart took over, the Giants are signaling that they do not want him back. Sure, he might sign on a veteran minimum deal to be a backup, but he is not roster-worthy.
Aaron Rodgers – Rodgers has played well this season in Pittsburgh, leading the Steelers to a division title and another playoff berth for coach Mike Tomlin. We fully expect the team to re-sign the veteran quarterback in the offseason. While he may have other options, Pittsburgh will not. A low draft pick and veteran journeymen are the only options outside of Rodgers.
Marcus Mariota – Mariota was the second-overall pick a decade ago and still shows flashes of excellence. He is 32 years old and has lost some of his mobility. We expect him to re-sign with Washington to back up Jayden Daniels once again. Given Daniels' injury history, Mariota makes a great stash for dynasty managers in SuperFlex or two-quarterback leagues.
Carson Wentz – Wentz played well before injuring his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He was not on a roster before signing with the Vikings. He makes a solid complement to J.J. McCarthy in 2026. Minnesota is in a poor salary-cap situation and will need to add a cost-effective option, if possible.
Tyrod Taylor – Taylor is at the end of his career, zapped of much of his mobility. Sure, he outplayed Justin Fields, but neither is the 2026 Jets starter. We expect Taylor to either retire or sign as a backup on a contending team.
Jimmy Garoppolo – the 34-year-old Garoppolo has been a steady backup the past few years and will probably be one again in 2026. Given his experience in the McVay System, we expect there to be a market for him to serve as a veteran backup for one of the coaches who worked under Sean McVay.
Running Backs
Breece Hall – The former second-round pick has accumulated almost 5,000 total yards, including rushing and receiving. It took him until late this season to finally reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season. Many may chalk it up to being on the inept Jets. We expect him to enter free agency and the Jets to add a complement to Braelon Allen, a talented second-year player. Several teams will make sizable offers for his services.
Ken Walker III – Walker has been an enigma for the Seahawks. He is another former second-round pick who has flashed great upside. But Walker has not hit 1,000 rushing yards so far in his young career. He, too, should reach free agency and will have a decent market … even if just on a one-year prove-it deal. Seattle will go into 2026 with Zach Charbonnet and a rookie at the tailback position.
Travis Etienne Jr. – Etienne was left for scraps in dynasty leagues after Jacksonville drafted Tuten. While the Jaguars declined his fifth-year option, we expect the team to re-sign Etienne after a strong 2025 campaign. The trading away of Tank Bigsby made Etienne a vital part of the offense. He is a player to trade for while there is doubt about his future.
Rico Dowdle – This year has proven that Dowdle is a legitimate NFL starting running back. After a strong 2024 season in Dallas, he signed a one-year deal in Carolina. Dowdle is expected to sign with a team like Washington or Minnesota. We expect him to sign a multi-year, $10 million total deal. The dynasty community has consistently underrated Dowdle. He is a solid starter in most dynasty leagues.
Kenneth Gainwell – Gainwell played well in Philadelphia before signing in Pittsburgh early in the offseason. He has been a tremendous complement to Jaylen Warren, to the point that we expect the Steelers to re-sign Gainwell for 2026. He is a strong inside runner and receiver. Dynasty managers should monitor the team's running back moves as it may signal confidence – or a lack thereof – in rookie Kaleb Johnson.
Javonte Williams – Williams signed in Dallas after Denver cut ties, as Williams was recovering from a gruesome knee injury. Still just 25, Williams has looked great this season. Jerry Jones has indicated his desire to extend Williams. The Cowboys need low-cost running backs, as the team has the worst salary-cap situation in the league (see below).
Najee Harris – Harris tore his Achilles tendon in Week 3 and will struggle to get back on the field by training camp. He will be 28 by season's start and is likely to re-sign with the Chargers for tailback depth behind Hampton. Harris is difficult to recommend in dynasty leagues as he will have limited usage in the passing game.
Austin Ekeler – Ekeler tore his right Achilles tendon in September and is working hard in rehab to get back on the field. He will turn 31 next May, but could still have a small free agent market as a passing-game specialist. He makes a great waiver pick-up as the season comes to a close. Ekeler is available on many dynasty waiver wires.
Nick Chubb – Chubb signed in Houston after Cleveland released their former second-round pick. He turned 30 years old last week and has lost more than a step. We expect him to sign a low-end deal to compete for a roster spot with a team like Minnesota, Seattle, or Kansas City.
J.K. Dobbins – Like Dowdle and Williams above, Dobbins signed a one-year, $3 million contract. Still just 27 years of age, he should be healed by the time the offseason calendar resets. We expect him back in Denver as coach Sean Payton had a specific role for Dobbins, paired with the rookie Harvey. Even in a shared role, Dobbins is a solid dynasty stash in most leagues.
Wide Receivers
Deebo Samuel Sr. – Samuel was traded to Washington after not getting the contract he wanted in San Francisco. We expect him to leave the Commanders and the team to sign Brandon Aiyuk after he departs the 49ers. Aiyuk is friends with Jayden Daniels and has worn out his welcome in San Francisco. Samuel's versatility would be a good fit in Pittsburgh and Atlanta, though he could take the bigger payday from the Giants or Jets. Samuel is past his prime in dynasty leagues. He has never been a target hog, and that is unlikely to change. Sell, if you can, in dynasty.
Mike Evans – The knee injury derailed Evans' 11-year string of 1,000-yard seasons. It was great to see him back on the field, showing teams he can still play. A one-year deal with either Buffalo or Kansas City looks to be the best option for the 32-year-old big-play receiver. He still can make plays down the field, and each of those offenses could use his down-the-field ability. It will take the right situation for Evans to have a late-career surge like Davante Adams. In dynasty leagues, he is a player to sell given the uncertainty.
Christian Kirk – Kirk has failed to make plays in Houston. He has lost a step … or three. Sure, Kirk will sign as a depth receiver this offseason, but he is a player to let someone else pursue. He is not the same player we saw in Arizona and Jacksonville. Kirk's average yards per catch has dropped more than 4 yards (from 14.0 to 9.6) in just one year. He could be a depth option for the Vikings or Seahawks.
Dyami Brown – Brown was underutilized in Washington before being buried on the Jacksonville depth chart. He will find a solid role this offseason. A team like Atlanta makes sense as Brown's speed could create big plays on the turf. He is a player dynasty managers should monitor as he could be a solid depth receiver on many dynasty rosters.
Marquise Brown – Brown signed in Kansas City with the hopes of becoming the Chiefs' big-play receiver. He has lost some speed over the years and is just a depth player for both the NFL and dynasty rosters. We expect him to sign a cheap, one-year contract with a contender, possibly re-signing in Kansas City as the Chiefs pursue another Super Bowl.
Jauan Jennings – Jennings is the physical type of receiver that many teams will covet, assuming he makes it to free agency. With the Aiyuk departure, San Francisco may decide to pay Jennings. He has pined to be paid like the team's top receiver, but General Manager John Lynch has not wanted to make that type of investment in Jennings. Dynasty managers should seek to acquire Jennings, as his dynasty value remains relatively low due to nagging injuries over the past two seasons.
DeAndre Hopkins – Hopkins has been a solid addition for the Ravens. His veteran leadership has helped Lamar Jackson. We expect Hopkins to either retire or re-sign in Baltimore. He should not be rostered in dynasty leagues. There is no fantasy upside.
Rashid Shaheed – Shaheed was traded to Seattle for 4th- and 5th-round picks. The Seahawks have used him primarily on special teams. Shaheed will want to be paid after his two-year, $6.185 million contract runs out this offseason. We expect Seattle to extend him before Shaheed can hit free agency. His kick returns have had a significant impact on the Seahawks' season, with two touchdowns and an average of more than 10 yards per punt return.
Wan'Dale Robinson – Robinson has quietly been a solid starter in many dynasty leagues. We expect him to get a larger contract than most expect. He would be an ideal receiver in either Atlanta, Los Angeles (Rams), or Seattle (as Kupp ages out).
John Metchie III – Metchie was traded twice this season and has played well with the Jets. He is a solid possession receiver who has lost some speed due to the injury that caused him to fall in the NFL Draft. Metchie severely tore his ACL in his final college game (December 2021) and then battled leukemia. He will be a cheap and solid third receiver for a team like the Lions, Chiefs, or Rams. We expect a one-year prove-it deal as Metchie works to return to pre-injury form.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce – The 2025 season unraveled for Kelce and the Chiefs. We expect this to be his final season in the NFL. It is a sad ending to a storied career. Kelce still put up solid numbers this year, even though he has lost some athleticism over the years.
Isaiah Likely – The Ravens tried to extend Likely, but he wanted more than the team wanted to pay, so Baltimore extended Mark Andrews instead. The uber-athletic Likely has been stashed on dynasty rosters for four long years and now tests free agency. We expect him to have a very strong market. Washington seems like the most likely – no pun intended – destination.
David Njoku – Njoku is finally a free agent after nine seasons in Cleveland. The Browns have their tight end of the future (Fannin) and a poor salary cap situation. Njoku will turn 30 in the offseason and will be a viable option for many teams seeking an upgrade at the position.
Taysom Hill – Hill turns 36 years old next August, but still could make an impact in his jack-of-all-trades role. A reunion with Sean Payton seems like the most likely destination for Hill. His presence would slightly impact the upside of tight end Evan Engram. His position versatility offers cheap depth in most dynasty leagues.
Dallas Goedert – Goedert has quietly had a solid career in Philadelphia. His injuries have taken a toll on his numbers and the upside of the team's offense. The Eagles' offense needs a solid player at the tight end position and will replace Goedert if he leaves. Njoku or a reunion with Zach Ertz would make a solid match of styles.
Tyler Higbee – With the Rams using several tight ends, Higbee has been dropped in many dynasty leagues. He makes a solid acquisition from the waiver wire, as Higbee is a low-end fantasy starter if he lands in a good situation like Washington or New York (Giants).
Kyle Pitts Sr. – The career of Kyle Pitts Sr. will elicit much discussion in future years. Drafted high in the first round of both the NFL and dynasty drafts, Pitts disappointed until this season. The Falcons declined his fifth-year option, and Pitts is set to hit free agency unless Atlanta tags him. With the eighth-worst cap situation, the $15 million tag might be too rich. A potential coaching change may also affect his return. We expect him to sign with a middling offense for big money.
Zach Ertz – Ertz is coming to the end of his career, but he is still a solid blocker and receiver. He will be an ideal complementary player in an offense that uses multiple tight ends, such as New England, Los Angeles, or Green Bay (given the Kraft injury).
Austin Hooper – Hooper is a very good blocking tight end with solid options. He is little more than waiver wire fodder in most leagues. If Goedert leaves Philadelphia, Hooper would be a good fit as a short-term stopgap.
Darren Waller – Waller was one of the larger surprises in dynasty leagues. He was a fantasy starter who could be a solid option next year, too. Depending on the coaching staff in Miami next season, we can see Waller re-signing with the Dolphins.
Projected Tags and Cap Space
For those wondering what the franchise tag may cost, here are the projected franchise tag values.
source: https://overthecap.com/franchise-transition-and-rfa-tenders
Here is the projected cap space available for each team.
Source: https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space
Thank you for reading the "Dynasty News" this season. We will be back in the offseason.
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