Ranking the Top 10 NFL Free Agents: Where Jaelan Phillips and the Eagles Fit

With free agency approaching on March 11th and the combine setting the stage for deals, the 2026 NFL free agent class is starting to crystallize. Several of these players have direct Eagles implications — either as potential targets or as players walking out the door. Here's how the top 10 shakes out heading into the combine.

Number one: George Pickens, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys. Yes, Pickens is currently with Dallas, and yes, there are rumors they'll franchise tag him. But if he hits the open market, he's the best receiver available by a significant margin. The Cowboys' dysfunction could work in everyone else's favor here.

Number two: Tyler Linderbaum, center, Baltimore Ravens. Elite centers don't hit free agency often. Linderbaum is one of the best in football, and his departure from Baltimore would reshape the interior line market. The Eagles are set at center with Cam Jurgens, but Linderbaum's landing spot could create a domino effect for other positions.

Number three: Jaelan Phillips, edge, Philadelphia Eagles. And here's where it gets uncomfortable for Philly. Phillips is going to command north of $20 million per year on the open market. He's talented, young, and plays a premium position. But his sack production — while promising — isn't dramatically different from players available at half the price. The Eagles will let him walk if the number doesn't make sense.

Number four: Daniel Jones, quarterback, Indianapolis Colts. Shane Steichen resurrected Jones' career in Indianapolis, and now he's looking at a three-year deal reportedly in the $110 million range. Steichen has a track record of getting quarterbacks paid — he did it with Hurts, and he'll do it with Jones. Smart teams will take notice.

Number five: Malik Willis, quarterback, Green Bay Packers. Willis showed flashes in a system that maximized his athleticism. The quarterback market is thin, and Willis could command starter money from a QB-needy team despite limited starting experience.

Number six: Kyle Pitts, tight end, Atlanta Falcons. Here's an intriguing one for the Eagles. Pitts finally put together the season everyone expected — 88 catches, 928 yards — after being a ghost for three years. The concern is obvious: it was a contract year, and he can't block. But in the Eagles' new offensive system, a receiving tight end who can create mismatches might be exactly what Sean Mannion needs.

Pitts grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Archbishop Wood. There's a homecoming narrative there. But the Eagles would need to be cautious about paying premium money for a one-year breakout performance from a player with significant durability and effort concerns.

Number seven: Breece Hall, running back, New York Jets. Hall is talented but coming off a down year. Number eight: Devin Lloyd, outside linebacker, Jacksonville. Lloyd paired with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith as the Eagles' edge rotation is a legitimate possibility — and a cost-effective one. Number nine: Kenneth Walker, running back, Seattle. Expect the Seahawks to try to retain him. Number ten: Trey Hendrickson, edge, begrudgingly included because the production demands it even if the age concerns are real.

The Eagles' free agency approach will likely focus on strategic, mid-tier signings rather than one blockbuster move. That's how Roseman has always operated — spread the money, maintain flexibility, and build depth rather than star-chasing.

The combine is where the conversations start. By March 11th, the picture will be much clearer. But one thing seems certain: the Eagles' roster is going to look significantly different by the time training camp opens.