The Top 10 NFL Free Agents the Eagles Should Be Watching — From Pickens to Pitts

The Free Agent Class Is Loaded — And the Eagles Need to Be Aggressive

The 2026 NFL free agent class has the potential to completely reshape the Philadelphia Eagles. With cap space opening up — especially if they move AJ Brown — and legitimate holes to fill at edge rusher, linebacker, and tight end, Howie Roseman needs to be surgical with how he attacks this market.

Here's the definitive top 10 ranking of the best free agents available, with an Eagles lens on every single one.

1. George Pickens, WR (Dallas Cowboys)

The top free agent in this class, and it's not close. Pickens proved in Dallas what everyone suspected in Pittsburgh — give him a real quarterback and he's a monster. With Dak Prescott, he posted 93 catches for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. In Pittsburgh with Russell Wilson and Mason Rudolph? He was putting up 59 catches and 900 yards. He's 25, he's electric, and he'd fit the new Eagles offense like a glove. Will Dallas franchise tag him? Possibly. But this is the one to watch.

2. Tyler Linderbaum, C (Baltimore Ravens)

One of the best centers in football hitting the open market. At just 24, Linderbaum anchors an offensive line and could be a decade-long starter. With the Eagles losing Jeff Stoutland and facing questions about the interior line, adding a blue-chip center would be a statement move.

3. Jalen Phillips, EDGE (Philadelphia Eagles)

Here's the uncomfortable truth — the Eagles probably aren't re-signing Phillips. Drew Rosenhaus represents him, and the market will push his price to $24-25 million annually. That's real money for a guy the Eagles may not want to match when they just gave Milton Williams $26 million. He's heading to Tennessee or whoever ponies up edge rusher money.

4. Daniel Jones, QB (Indianapolis Colts)

The Shane Steichen reclamation project is about to pay Jones $110 million over three years. From the Giants' practice squad to the Colts' franchise quarterback. This doesn't directly affect the Eagles, but it's a reminder of what great coaching does for quarterbacks — and what bad coaching destroys.

5. Malik Willis, QB (Green Bay Packers)

Willis showed legitimate growth in Green Bay and will command starter-level money somewhere. Another signal that the quarterback carousel is spinning — and a reminder that the Eagles need a contingency plan behind Hurts.

6. Kyle Pitts, TE (Atlanta Falcons)

Here's where it gets interesting for Eagles fans. Pitts put up 108 catches for 961 yards last season — a massive bounce-back in a contract year. He's from the area — Archbishop Wood kid, grew up near Philly. In a West Coast-style offense that features tight ends, Pitts could be a game-changer. The concern? He was invisible for three years before his contract year. But the talent is undeniable.

7. Breece Hall, RB (New York Jets)

Hall ran for nearly 1,100 yards with Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook taking snaps behind a Jets offensive line. He also caught 36 passes for 350 yards. The question is fit — does he complement Saquon Barkley, or is it redundant? If the Eagles want a true two-back approach, Hall is the best available.

8. Devin Lloyd, OLB (Jacksonville Jaguars)

An outside linebacker who could step in on the edge opposite Jalyx Hunt with Nolan Smith as the swing guy. Lloyd, Hunt, and Smith as your three edge rushers isn't sexy, but it's productive and young. This is the Phillips insurance plan.

9. Nakobe Dean, LB (Philadelphia Eagles)

Dean's a free agent and the Eagles may let him walk. On a rookie deal, he's a no-brainer. On a second contract with his injury history? That's where it gets complicated. More on this below.

10. Trey Hendrickson, EDGE (Cincinnati Bengals)

The sack machine nobody wants to deal with personally. Hendrickson is productive — there's no denying that — but every time he makes headlines, he's complaining about something. If you can get past the attitude, the production is elite. But he's going to command $30+ million, and at that price, you might rather pay $25 million for Phillips and get the same production with less headache.