NEW YORK — The 2026 NFL league year is officially 48 hours old, and the initial $1 billion frenzy has cooled into a high-stakes game of poker. While the “big fish” like George Pickens found homes early, several icons and elite starters remain up for grabs. Teams are now hunting for value, but the board still features a four-time MVP and a left tackle who has started 145 games.
1. Rasheed Walker, OT (Green Bay Packers)
Walker enters 2026 as the premier blindside protector left on the board. At just 26, he’s hitting his prime after a dominant 2025 campaign where he posted a 93.8% pass block win rate. He isn’t a mauler in the run game yet, but his feet are elite. In a league desperate for tackle depth, Walker is the only “plug-and-play” starter under 30 left. Expect a massive deal by the weekend.
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB (Pittsburgh Steelers)
He’s 42, but he’s still Aaron Rodgers. Last year in Pittsburgh, he proved the doubters wrong by throwing 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. He looked more mobile than he did during his final days in New York, and his recognition of pre-snap blitzes remains the gold standard. He’s taking his time, likely waiting to see which contender blinks first after missing out on the draft’s top arms.
3. Taylor Decker, OT (Detroit Lions)
The shock of the offseason came when Decker requested his release after a decade in Detroit. Even at 32, he’s a massive upgrade for 20 teams. He struggled with minor injuries in 2025, but he still brings that “Motor City” grit. He’s a veteran leader who can stabilize a young locker room overnight.
4. Stefon Diggs, WR (New England Patriots)
Diggs turned in a quiet but effective 1,013-yard season for the Patriots last year. He’s lost a step of top-end speed, but his route running is still a clinic. He’s a “chain-mover” now rather than a deep threat, but for a team with a young quarterback, Diggs is the ultimate security blanket.
5. Joey Bosa, Edge (Buffalo Bills)
Bosa played 14 games last year—a victory in itself given his history. He isn’t a 15-sack guy anymore, but his 42 pressures in a rotational role for Buffalo show he still wins with technique. He’s the perfect “closer” for a team that already has a primary speed rusher.
“Ten years carrying the shield in Detroit… I fully intended to do it once again, but we could not find common ground. I’m looking for a clean close and a new challenge.”
— Taylor Decker, Offensive Tackle
6. Joel Bitonio, G (Cleveland Browns)
The 12-year pro is the best interior lineman available. He allowed only two sacks in 2025 and finished with the third-best pass block win rate among guards. If he doesn’t retire, he’s a Day 1 starter for any contender.
7. Kirk Cousins, QB (Atlanta Falcons)
Cousins is the “break glass in case of emergency” option. He’s 38 and coming off a year where he mostly backed up Michael Penix Jr., though he did go 5-3 as a starter after Penix went down. He’s a timing-based thrower who needs a clean pocket to survive.
8. Deebo Samuel, WR (Washington Commanders)
Samuel’s 2025 season in D.C. proved he’s still the king of YAC. Over 63% of his yards came after the catch. He’s 30 now, so the “wide-back” carries might be over, but he remains a mismatch nightmare in the slot.
9. Bobby Wagner, LB (Washington Commanders)
Death, taxes, and Bobby Wagner recording 150 tackles. He ranked sixth in the league last year with 9.5 stops per game. He’s a liability in deep coverage at 36, but he’ll still stone a 230-pound running back in the gap without flinching.
10. Trevon Diggs, CB (Green Bay Packers)
This is the ultimate reclamation project. Diggs was released by two teams last year and has only played 22 games in three seasons. But you can’t teach 20 career interceptions. If a defensive coordinator thinks they can fix his discipline, he’s a low-risk, All-Pro ceiling gamble.
What’s Next: The Second Wave
As the “Compensatory Pick” deadline approaches, expect these veterans to move quickly. The Lions’ vacancy at left tackle after Decker’s exit has created a vacuum that could pull Rasheed Walker or Jonah Williams into a bidding war. Meanwhile, the Rodgers watch continues—if he doesn’t return to the Steelers, keep an eye on a dark horse like the Raiders or Dolphins.
