NFL free agency officially opens at 4 PM ET on Wednesday, March 11.
Perhaps the most important time of the year for GM's and coaches to build their roster is upon us. Free agency gives teams chances to greatly improve their team in areas of need.
Typically, teams that spend lots of money in free agency in the offseason do well in the next year.
The runner-up New England Patriots spend the most in 2025 - they paid a total of $364+ million on 19 player contracts in 2025 free agency, notably adding players such as Milton Williams, Stefon Diggs, Carlton Davis, K'Lavon Chaisson, and more.
The Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawks spent the fourth most money in free agency last year, adding Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, DeMarcus Lawrence and others.
Teams like the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Denver Broncos were all in the top-13 in money spent in free agency in 2025 and each over-performed preseason expectations.
Below, we'll focus on the wide receiver position and the top impending free agents for the position group.
Teams with wide receiver as a position of need include the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and more.
Top 5 Free Agent Wide Receivers - 2026
1. George Pickens
Dallas Cowboys' receiver George Pickens is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver available in this year's free agency class. He'll demand a contract in the high 30 millions per year, similar to CeeDee Lamb's four-year, $136 million deal he signed in 2024.
Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones has reiterated that Dallas will plan on franchise tagging ($28-29m) Pickens to not allow him to hit the open market. That doesn't mean he'll be a Cowboy through the offseason however, as a sign-and-trade is on the table.
Pickens has all the tools to become an immediate No. 1 receiver on any team - he's a 6'3 24-year-old who can torch defenses deep or in the middle of the field, and has tremendous hands, contested catch ability, and YAC ability.
Pickens finished the year with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025.
2. Alec Pierce
Indianapolis Colts deep threat Alec Pierce has led the NFL in yards per reception in each of the last two seasons, and he's ready for a larger workload with a different team.
The quarterback play in Indianapolis hasn't been great throughout his career, yet he's steadily improved. Last year he finished with 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns.
Pierce gained notoriety at the 2022 Combine when he ran a 4.41 40-yard-dash and recorded a 40.5 inch vertical leap. That athleticism has certainly translated to the NFL as he's developed into one of the best deep threats in the league.
Pierce will most likely garner a contract in the high 20-millions, similar to Jameson Williams' three-year $80 million contract.
Pierce has a chance of becoming a No. 1 option on a team like the Titans or Las Vegas Raiders - with each team projected to be very active in free agency.
3. Mike Evans
It's hard to image the 32-year-old Mike Evans playing anywhere other Tampa Bay, the Bucs will most likely sign the veteran to a short-term deal to keep him in Florida.
Evans dealt with a string of injuries last season, but he famously had 1,000+ yards in each of his first 10 seasons in the league before he played in just eight games last year.
Even with age and injuries being a concern, Evans is still an incredible redzone target and has great hands over the middle of the field.
4. Wan'Dale Robinson
Wan'Dale Robinson had a breakout 2025 campaign in which he recorded 1,014 yards and four touchdowns as a slot receiver with the New York Giants.
Robinson is a jitterbug type of receiver who has extremely quick feet to get open fast on routes in the middle of the field.
Robinson also makes sense for the Titans as former Giants head coach Brian Daboll selected him in the 2022 NFL Draft and would be a solid option for the rising Cam Ward at quarterback.
5. Jauan Jennings
The do-it-all receiver has had a solid career in San Francisco and will certainly have some interested teams in free agency.
Jennings is known for his blocking and toughness down the middle of the field, along with a couple clutch touchdown passes in the playoffs.
He would a terrific presence for a young team, or on a contending team as a player with a unique skillset to make everyone around him better.
Jennings had 643 yards and nine touchdown receptions in 2025, and nearly eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2024 when he finished with 975.
