One player every NFL team should sign should sign in free agency

If Week 1 is the NFL’s version of Christmas morning, than free agency is its New Year’s Day party.

Sam Darnold walks in and humbly thanks all who never lost faith in him. Josh Allen hands Brandin Cooks a plate of buffalo chicken dip that Cooks drops, but it’s caught by Patrick Surtain before it hits the ground. Cam Skattebo and the house cat are hissing at one another. And Aaron Rodgers is sitting alone in the corner with sunglasses and wired headphones making it clear he doesn’t want to talk to anyone, even though he willingly went to the party.

Free agency is the most fun time of the offseason because every team has needs, and every fan will talk themselves into the possibility of their team being good – even Browns fans, and isn’t that quaint? So, with that in mind, let’s dive head first into free agency and pick one player that every team should sign.

Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Romeo Doubs

The Steelers were one injury, and one more DK Metcalf punch away from calling me to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers in the waning weeks of the 2025 season. Outside of Metcalf, the Steelers have two receivers under contract for 2026 – Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek, who combined for 16 catches last season. Doubs would give the Steelers something they haven’t had in three years – a legitimate No. 2 receiver that can help elevate the offense.

Baltimore Ravens: WR Tyreek Hill

Death, taxes, and the Ravens signing a wide receiver well after their prime. They can’t stop doing it. DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham Jr, Dez Bryant, DeSean Jackson – and Tyreek Hill would be the final stone in the old receiver infinity gauntlet. That said, if he is even 80 percent of the player he was at his peak, the Ravens would get a massive boost offensively.

Cincinnati Bengals: CB Tariq Woolen

Cut to Duke Tobin making the case to sign Mike Evans for whatever reason, which would actually be fun because we could end up seeing the first team to average 34 points per game and still miss the postseason. The Bengals will certainly need to address their pass rush with Trey Hendrickson not doing the franchise tag song-and-dance with the organization for the third straight year, but their secondary is equally as messy, and Woolen is coming off a tremendous year in which he allowed an EPA per target of -5.2.

Cleveland Browns: G James Daniels

If you showed a before and after picture of the Browns offensive line from Week 18 to now, there would be a big empty space between [insert quarterback here] and the opposing pass rush, with the newly acquired Tytus Howard praying to whomever will listen. Daniels has suffered season-ending injuries in each of the last two seasons, but could be signed to a cheap prove-it deal.

Buffalo Bills: EDGE Trey Hendrickson

The Bills need a wide receiver that isn’t a Pro Bowler from 2016 or No. 7 on the depth chart for any of the 31 other NFL teams, but a top-caliber receiver would come via trade. Free agency wise, Hendrickson would give them a top-tier edge rusher. Should they sign him, maybe they could actually register a sack in a postseason game.

Miami Dolphins: QB Russell Wilson

Wilson showed that he still has his moon ball early in the 2025 season, throwing for about a mile and a half against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. Unfortunately for the Super Bowl champion, that performance was sandwiched between two games in which he threw for less than 200 yards and barely completed 50 percent of his passes. That said, pairing Wilson with Jaylen Waddle and having him in place to mentor a potential rookie quarterback would be a good situation for all involved.

New England Patriots: WR Alec Pierce

Alec Pierce’s ongoing bit of only catching passes that are at least 40 yards downfield is truly incredible. Considering how well Drake Maye is at throwing the deep ball, he and Pierce would be a fun connection to watch.

New York Jets: LB Bobby Okereke

The Jets have faults. A lot of faults. More than there are stars in the midnight sky. Yes, they need help at quarterback, but they are better suited going the path of a trade or the draft in that regard. Okereke is a respected leader that would bring a much-needed alpha into the locker room.

Jacksonville Jaguars: G Isaac Seumalo

I’d say what a good signing this would be for James Gladstone and Liam Coen, but the last time a media member publicly told the Jaguars and Coen they did a great job, everyone spent the next week complaining about it. Seumalo is a Pro Bowl guard that wouldn’t cost the Jaguars a ton of money and would give them stability on the interior of their offensive line.

Houston Texans: G Zion Johnson

The Texans’ offensive line did their best impression of a screen door that was stuck open in 2025, which has led to the Texans trading multiple offensive linemen. Johnson is one of the best guards in the league and would become a immediate long-term building block.

Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney has turned into Jaromir Jagr, albeit not to the legendary status of the hockey great, but the one-year deals with new teams every year combined with his longevity is on par. Quietly ranked third in the league in pressure rate in 2025 and could be a net positive as a situational pass rusher.

Tennessee Titans: WR Wan’Dale Robinson

Finding out that Wan’Dale Robinson has 90+ catches in each of the last two seasons would be like finding out your friend Earl is a multi-millionaire despite betting on Carson Hocevar every Sunday to win that week’s NASCAR Cup race (don’t worry, his time is coming). The Titans need a complete rehaul of their receiving corps, and Robinson would be a good place to start.

Kansas City Chiefs: CB Nashon Wright

The Chiefs just traded Trent McDuffie, and are now in need of a cornerback who can replace what the All-Pro brought to their defense. Wright led all cornerbacks with five interceptions in 2025, and could continue to build on what was a breakout season by joining Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

Los Angeles Chargers: G Wyatt Teller

Justin Herbert was pressured 290 times in 2025, and the Chargers had as many different offensive line combinations as they do years existing as a franchise. Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater returning will help a great deal, but a stronger interior presence is also needed.

Denver Broncos: RB Travis Etienne

The Broncos’ run game was about as intimidating as their pass game was with Jarrett Stidham. Getting a proven, versatile back like Etienne to put behind Bo Nix would add a missing element to Denver’s offense.

Las Vegas Raiders: WR Calvin Austin

I genuinely had to look up the Raiders’ depth chart to see what they are working with at the position, and it reads like a mid-2000s New York Knicks starting lineup. Austin would be a perfect slot receiver whose speed can flip field position. Plus, his former wide receivers coach from Pittsburgh, Zach Azzanni, is now in Vegas.

Green Bay Packers: DT Calais Campbell

Calais Campbell was drafted in 2008 – I was in third grade. And even while pushing 40, he was one of the most consistent and productive interior defensive linemen in the NFL, finishing with six sacks and 33 pressures in 2025.

Detroit Lions: CB Alontae Taylor

The Lions allowed the fifth-most touchdown passes in the NFL, and Amik Robertson is going to be a free agent. Replacing him with Taylor, one of the top nickels in the league, should help them get back to the postseason.

Chicago Bears: LB Devin Lloyd

Everyone and their mother are labeling the Bears as the landing spot for Maxx Crosby, so imagine if they pull that off and land Lloyd in free agency. The Jaguars linebacker had a career year, picking off five passes and 81 tackles en route to a Second-Team All-Pro selection.

Minnesota Vikings: QB Kyler Murray

If the Vikings trot J.J. McCarthy onto the field in 2026, their fans might burn U.S. Bank Stadium to the ground. Murray is being paid by the Cardinals this season, so a league minimum deal could get the job done. Getting a Pro Bowl quarterback basically for free is too good to pass up.

Philadelphia Eagles: TE David Njoku

With Dallas Goedert out the door, and A.J. Brown looking for another door to escape out of, the Eagles will need to replenish some reliable pass-catchers. There were murmurs about Njoku potentially being traded ahead of the deadline, but the Browns held onto him for reasons known only to God and Andrew Berry.

Dallas Cowboys: CB Jamel Dean

The Cowboys went to Matt Eberflus University in 2025 and majored in giving up massive pass plays. Their secondary was carved up on a weekly basis, and they lack a No. 1 cornerback. Dean was the third-highest graded cornerback in the NFL by PFF, and had a target EPA of -28.3.

New York Giants: WR Rashid Shaheed

The Giants’ receiving corps looks like an early LeBron James Cavaliers team. Outside of Malik Nabers, they lack a true difference-maker. Adding Shaheed to the offense, as well as to the return game, would be a big win for the Giants.

Washington Commanders: S Jalen Thompson

In 2024, the Commanders’ veteran-led defense was the “unc still got it” jumping rope meme. In 2025, the jump rope snapped and hit them in the face, and we all died a little bit inside watching Bobby Wagner trying to chase the Dolphins’ running backs in Spain. Washington needs help all over the defense, but the front seven in this draft class looks very good. Expect them to take an edge rusher with the No. 7 pick while signing Thompson, who allowed a negative catch rate over expected in 2025.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Dallas Goedert

Similar to the Commanders, I’d expect Tampa Bay to heavily address their defensive needs in the draft. With Cade Otton a free agent, and Mike Evans likely signing elsewhere, adding a receiving threat at tight end like Goedert would serve their offense well.

Carolina Panthers: LB Quay Walker

Three of the Panthers’ top four linebackers are set to hit the open market. Walker would immediately slot in as a starter in Carolina’s defense.

Atlanta Falcons: QB Joe Flacco

Flacco looks like he could be cast in a remake of Tombstone, and he plays like it, too. He threw 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions with the Cincinnati Bengals after being traded midseason. Reuniting Flacco with Kevin Stefanski and drafting a quarterback on Day Two could set Atlanta up for 2026 and beyond.

New Orleans Saints: RB Kenneth Walker

The Saints ended the season as hot as any team in the league, winning four of their last five games. Adding a proven veteran star behind the young Tyler Shough could give them a veteran leader, as well as a high-quality back.

Seattle Seahawks: WR Jauan Jennings

Jennings doesn’t do what Rashid Shaeed does, but he ha proven to be pivotal int he role he does play. He’s as reliable as chain-mover as there is in the NFL on third-and-medium, and he run blocks like Michael Oher in that scene from The Blind Side. Plus, you can bet John Schneider would get a kick out of taking Jennings away from the 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers: WR Mike Evans

The 49ers made it to the divisional round of the postseason with a combination of Brock Purdy and Mac Jones throwing to the likes of D’Marcus Williams, Kendrick Bourne, and Jake Tonges. Getting Evans on board as a veteran No. 1 who can open up things for Ricky Pearsall, who the 49ers are praying is actually good, would do wonders for an already-dangerous offense.

Los Angeles Rams: S Jaquan Brisker

I originally had a cornerback in place for the Rams, and then Les Snead flipped me two giant birds while laughing manically and chanting “F them picks” as he traded for Trent McDuffie. Adding a dual-threat safety like Brisker to that defensive backfield would be icing on the cake.

Arizona Cardinals: QB Malik Willis

With the Cardinals officially kicking Kyler Murray out of the house, they are in need of a new quarterback. Willis goes from one LaFleur brother to another like he’s Elaina Gilbert in The Vampire Diaries, and the Cardinals give him (probably) too much money to see if he can be the long-term answer.