NFL free agents: Projecting landing spots for best players still available

With the2026 NFL Draftcomplete, free agency takes center stage once again.

Teams across the league still have roster needs to address. Some were unable to filltheir gapsthrough the draft, while others are looking to add depth. This is where the second and third waves of free agency become crucial.

Tyreek Hill,Stefon Diggs,Joey BosaandJadeveon Clowneyare some of the big-name free agents who remain unsigned.

NFL FREE AGENTS:Jauan Jennings leads best players available

Organized Team Activities (OTAs) ramp up in May, and mandatory minicamps kick off in June. Will some of the best remaining free agents find new homes before OTAs or minicamp? USA TODAY Sports analyzes the best fits for some of thetop free agents still available.

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

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CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

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RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

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WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

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2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)

NFL free agent best fits

QB Aaron Rodgers (2025 team: Steelers)

Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers

New Steelers wide receiverMichael Pittman Jr.told USA TODAY Sports thathe’s talked to Rodgers this offseason. It’s one of many signs that Rodgers intends to play for Pittsburgh this year. The Steelers placed therare UFA tenderon Rodgers this week. The tender preserves the Steelers' right to receive a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers signs with another club. It also gives Pittsburgh exclusive negotiating rights for the 42-year-old quarterback.

Rodgers will be reunited with Mike McCarthy if he returns for a 22nd season. The four-time MVP isn’t the QB he once was, but he’s still a capable starter who helped lead the Steelers to the playoffs. TheSteelers drafted Drew Allarin the third round. He can compete withWill HowardandMason Rudolphfor Pittsburgh’s backup QB gig.

Aaron Rodgers played football at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California from 1998 to 2001. During his junior and senior seasons as starting quarterback, Rodgers amassed 4,419 passing yards while helping the Vikings to a 17-7 mark.

California Golden Bears quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to throw against USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Oct. 9, 2004.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers, poses with family and friends during the 2005 NFL draft at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on April 23, 2005.

Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers' first round pick in the 2005 NFL draft, is introduced by GM Ted Thompson on April 24, 2005.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on Nov. 29, 2007.

Aaron Rodgers reacts after he threw a 7-yard touchdown to John Kuhn in the third quarter of the 2010 NFC divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Jan. 15, 2011. Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and ran for a third in the Packers' 48-21 win.

Aaron Rodgers pumps his fist in the air celebrating the 2010 NFC championship game victory over the Chicago Bears on Jan. 23, 2011 at Soldier Field.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell presents the Super Bowl MVP trophy to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at a news conference on Feb. 7, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win Super Bowl XLV.

Aaron Rodgers celebrates the Super Bowl XLV title with Green Bay Packer fans during a Return to Titletown Celebration on Feb. 8, 2011 at Lambeau Field.

President Barack Obama receives a jersey from quarterback Aaron Rodgers (L) of the Green Bay Packers during a reception for the National Football League Super Bowl XLV champions on the south lawn of the White House on Aug. 12, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The Packers, lead by head coach Mike McCarthy, finished the 2010 season with a winning record of 10-6, and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win the championship.

Aaron Rodgers plays during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Feb. 8, 2018.

Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers look on during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the first round of the 2019 NBA playoffs between the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 17, 2019. Rodgers has an ownership stake in the NBA team.

Aaron Rodgers is shown with back up quarterbacks Tim Boyle (left) and Jordan Love during the team's training camp in Green Bay, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020.

Aaron Rodgers served as guest host of "Jeopardy!" for two weeks from April 6-15, 2021.

Aaron Rodgers celebrates his rushing touchdown during a 24-14 win against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 17, 2021.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers stand arm in arm late in the fourth quarter of a 24-10 win against the Washington Football Team on Oct. 24, 2021, at Lambeau Field

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is lifted up by guard Lucas Patrick after breaking Brett Favre's franchise record for touchdown passes during a Christmas Day 2021 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Aaron Rodgers walks off the field with teammate Randall Cobb following a season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions on Jan, 8, 2023 at Lambeau Field.

Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets prior to the 2023 season after spending the first 18 years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is injured after a sack by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd during his first drive with the Jets on Sept. 11, 2023.

Aaron Rodgers looks on from the sideline during the New York Jets' 30-0 loss against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) signs a fan’s helmet before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 15, 2024.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) high-five each other as they walks off the field after a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 15, 2024.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates his touchdown pass to New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.

The ball used by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for his 500th touchdown pass is seen on the sideline during the second quarter of the Jets game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field with wide receiver Davante Adams (17) after a win against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles as he is hit by the Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. The Texans' Sheldon Rankins (90) returned the fumble for a touchdown as Houston went on to a 30-6 wild-card playoff win at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026.

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See Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he nears retirement

WR Tyreek Hill (2025 team: Dolphins)

Best fit: Kansas City Chiefs

Get the band back together in Kansas City.Chris Jonesis already publicly recruiting Hill. A reunion makes a ton of sense for the 32-year-old speedster and the Chiefs. Kansas City has not adequately filled Hill’s void since they traded him to the Miami Dolphins in 2022. The Chiefs would provide Hill with a comfortable, familiar place to rehab his knee injury and revitalize the back half of his career. The Chiefs lostHollywood Brownin free agency and didn’t draft a WR until the fifth round.

WR Stefon Diggs (2025: Patriots)

Best fit:Baltimore Ravens

Wide receiversJa'Kobi LaneandElijah Sarrattwere good mid-round draft picks, but the Ravens don’t have a wideout that opponents have to seriously gameplan for outside ofZay Flowers. Diggs led the AFC-champion Patriots in catches and receiving yards, a sign the mercurial receiverstill has juice left in the tank. It’s best if Diggs plays with an established QB on a contending team.

WRJauan Jennings(2025 team: 49ers)

Best fit: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles appear poised to tradeA.J. Brownto the New England Patriots on or after June 1, when Brown's $40 million salary cap charge splits into two years.DeVonta Smithis more than capable of being Philly’s primary wideout, but he’s best as a Z receiver. First-round pick Makai Lemon is an ideal fit in the slot. Jennings could be inserted as the Eagles' X receiver.

Jennings led all San Francisco wideouts in catches (55) and receiving yards (643) a season ago. He’s also a threat in the red zone. His nine touchdown receptions last year led San Francisco and were a career-high.

Edge Joey Bosa (2025 team:Bills)

Best fit: San Francisco 49ers

A tag team with his younger brother,Nick, in San Francisco is a perfect landing spot for Joey to finish out his career. Joey tallied five sacks and 47 pressures for the Bills last season. He was Buffalo's best edge rusher during stretches of the 2025 season.

At this point in his career, Joey’s better suited to be the second or third-best edge rusher on a team. He’d be that in San Francisco alongside his brother and second-year proMykel Williams.

DT D.J. Reader (2025 team: Lions)

Best fit: New York Giants

Reader isn’t as disruptive as he was in previous years, but he started 17 games for the Lions last season. His 20 pressures were second on the team among interior defensive linemen. The Giants traded defensive tackleDexter Lawrenceto the Bengals and are rumored to be interested in Reader’s services.

TE David Njoku (2025 team: Browns)

Best fit: Carolina Panthers

The Panthers made a couple of splashes in free agency on defense with the acquisitions of edgeJaelan Phillipsand linebackerDevin Lloyd. However, Carolina needs more firepower on offense. The Panthers didn’t have a tight end produce more than 30 catches in 2025. Njoku has had at least 11 starts and 33 catches for five straight seasons. He’d immediately become the Panthers' top tight end. He will be 30 years old at the start of the 2026 season and could provide a veteran presence in a room of young pass catchers.

WR Deebo Samuel (2025 team: Commanders)

Best fit: Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins surprisingly didn’t address wide receiver until the third round of the draft.Malik Washington,Tutu AtwellandJalen Tolbertare Miami’s top wide receivers. Neither of the three has produced a single season with 50 catches or over 610 receiving yards. Samuel is a little beyond his prime and isn’t the yards after catch specialist he once was, but he’d at least giveMalik Willisanother much-needed threat on offense.

Edge Haason Reddick (2025 team:Bucs)

Best fit: Chicago Bears

Reddick’s production has taken a precipitous decline since four straight double-digit sack seasons from 2020 to 2023. He’ll turn 32 in September but his 34 pressures last year would’ve ranked fourth on the Bears in 2025. Chicago needs another edge rusher oppositeMontez Sweatand didn’t address their pass rush need in the draft. Chicago had the NFC’s worst pass rush win rate in 2025, per ESPN and can use a vet like Reddick to provide a boost.

WR Keenan Allen (2025 team: Chargers)

Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers

Allen made it clear about his desire to return to Los Angeles. The Chargers’ all-time receptions leader proved last season he’s still a savvy route runner and has an established rapport withJustin Herbert. He led the Chargers with 81 catches - 49 of which resulted in a first down. The Chargers have a young receiving corps that they should continue to prioritize but they can use Allen’s veteran presence.

Edge Cameron Jordan (2025 team: Saints)

Best fit: New Orleans Saints

Are the Saints really ready to play without Jordan for the first time in 15 years? New Orleanstraded for Tyree Wilson during this year’s draftafter the former first-round pick didn’t live up to expectations in Las Vegas. Jordan remains more productive and established than Wilson, despite being past his prime. Perhaps the two sides can spin the block so Jordan can finish his career in New Orleans. Jordan will turn 37 years old in July, so a short-term deal seems right for both sides.

TE Darren Waller (2025 team: Dolphins)

Best fit: San Francisco 49ers

Waller exceeded expectations in Mike McDaniel’s systems after the tight end came out of retirement. His six touchdown receptions were tied for a team-high in Miami last season. McDaniel comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, which would make the transition for Waller easier.

George Kittleruptured his Achilles during the 2025 playoffs andthere’s uncertainty about the tight end’s availabilityat the start of the regular season. When Kittle is active, the 49ers can utilize both pass-catching threats on the field in 12 personnel packages.

Edge Jadeveon Clowney (2025 team: Cowboys)

Best fit:Cleveland Browns

The 33-year-old veteran can still set the edge and has some pass-rush juice left. He’s produced at least 5.5 sacks and 41 tackles the past three seasons. Clowney played for the Cleveland Browns in 2021 and 2022. He’s proven he can hold his own and play opposite star edge rusherMyles Garrett. He compiled nine sacks for the Browns in 2021, which was his second-best mark over the last six seasons.

OG Kevin Zeitler (2025 team: Titans)

Best fit:Detroit Lions

The 36-year-old veteran is still a steady blocker. Zeitler has registered at least 15 starts in 11 straight seasons. He allowed five sacks and 18 pressures during 1,047 snaps at left guard with the Lions in 2024. He played with the Titans in 2025, where his PFF pass-blocking grade of 75.4 ranked 9th among 81 qualified guards. The Lions ranked 31st in pass-block win rate without Zeitler in 2025, per ESPN.

Edge Kyle Van Noy

Best fit: Indianapolis Colts

Van Noy, 35, might not provide a lot of firepower off the edge, especially at this point in his career, but he has a good football IQ and a solid locker room voice. The veteran could be a good complement to Indy’s young edge rush duo inLaiatu LatuandJT Tuimoloau. He’s not too far removed from a breakout career-best 12.5 sack season in 2024.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL free agency: Best team fits for remaining top free agents available