- Devin Lloyd has earned himself a big contract: The Jaguars declined to pick up Lloyd’s fifth-year option last offseason, and now his career-best 2025 season has him in line to secure a large contract in free agency.
- Trey Hendrickson is the crown jewel of the defensive free-agent class: Hendrickson is 31 years old but will be in line for a payday this offseason, as he has shown no signs of slowing down. He is one of six edge rushers to record a pass-rush win rate above 20% over the past three seasons.
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NFL free agency is never short on intrigue, and the 2026 cycle stands to have plenty of it. Money talks as teams search for the next key piece in their pursuit of a championship, and players reap the rewards of their talent and dedication to the game.
We’re a little over a month away from the beginning of the legal tampering period, which opens March 9. For now, we’re diving into 10 defensive free agents who deserve to get paid.
Editor’s note: All projected contract values (AAV) are sourced from Spotrac
EDGE Trey Hendrickson
Projected AAV: $25.4 million
Hendrickson is in the upper echelon of NFL pass rushers. Despite missing the majority of the 2025 season with an injury, he ranks among the NFL’s best pass rushers in numerous categories since joining the Bengals in 2021, including PFF pass-rush grade (92.4, eighth) and sacks (61.0, third).
Let’s not overthink this. Even at 31 years old, Hendrickson hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He is one of six edge rushers to record a pass-rush win rate above 20% over the past three seasons, and he also places in the 96th percentile in PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets.
Hendrickson was seeking contract security with a long-term deal last offseason, and that will likely be the angle again this cycle. With many teams in need of pass-rush help, he will be the prize of free agency on the defensive side of the ball.
NFL Sack Leaders (2023-2025)
LB Devin Lloyd
Projected AAV: $20.1 million
The Jaguars declined to pick up Lloyd’s fifth-year option last offseason, paving the way for the 27-year-old linebacker to test free agency this offseason. Lloyd’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of excellent. He posted the highest PFF overall grade of his career, powered by 80.0-plus marks in each major defensive facet. He capped his season with second-team All-Pro honors.
Jacksonville missed its opportunity to keep Lloyd in the building at a cost-effective price and now will be forced to bid against several NFL franchises in need of a difference-maker at linebacker. Lloyd’s projection of just over $20 million per year would place him as the second-highest-paid linebacker in terms of average annual value, behind only the 49ers’ Fred Warner.
EDGE Odafe Oweh
Projected AAV: $19.3 million
Oweh has quietly been one of the most consistent and well-rounded edge defenders in the NFL over the past three seasons. Since the start of 2023, he has earned a 71.0-plus PFF overall grade in each season while ranking above the 80th percentile in all of PFF’s stable metrics for edge defenders, headlined by the second-highest run-stop percentage at the position (9.9%).
On a projected three-year, $57.9 million deal, Oweh would be one of the best values in free agency. His projected average annual value of just over $19 million per year would put him just outside the 15 highest-paid edge defenders, just below names like the Bills’ Greg Rousseau and the Chiefs’ George Karlaftis.
Odafe Oweh Stable Metrics (2023-2025)
EDGE Jaelan Phillips
Projected AAV: $17.3 million
Although Phillips didn’t amass massive sack production following his trade to Philadelphia, he was quietly the Eagles’ most effective pass rusher. From Week 10 through the wild-card round, Phillips led the Eagles in pressures (43) and pass-rush win rate (17.6%) — a continuation of what he put on display early in the year with Miami. Overall, he excelled at attacking offenses on true pass sets this season, where he graded out in the 85th percentile (80.7).
Potentially standing between Phillips and a massive payday is his injury history. He suffered a torn Achilles in 2023 and a torn ACL in 2024. While he missed no time due to injury this season, his prior injuries will play a factor in his market value. Nevertheless, Phillips’ play when he’s healthy speaks for itself.
S Bryan Cook
Projected AAV: $14.2 million
Although the Chiefs underperformed this past season, Cook made massive strides, earning a career-best 83.5 PFF overall grade, the fifth-highest mark among qualifying safeties. The 26-year-old stood as the only safety to earn above an 80.0-plus PFF grade in both run defense (80.1) and coverage (83.2). He also ranked above the 90th percentile in missed tackle rate among safeties.
While Cook’s grading profile in previous seasons doesn’t jump off the page, he brings experience as a starter in a complex defensive scheme. His talent is undeniable, and at just over $14 million annually, Cook would rank just inside the 12 highest-paid safeties.
Highest-Graded Safeties (2025)
CB Jaylen Watson
Projected AAV: $12.5 million
Joining teammate Bryan Cook on this list, Watson is another standout member of the Chiefs’ secondary in line for a lucrative payday. Watson has been one of the most consistent performers in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, earning a 68.0-plus PFF overall grade in each of the past three seasons. Over that span, he notched a 74.9 PFF coverage grade at outside cornerback, placing him in the 85th percentile.
Watson brings high-percentile length at cornerback to make him an enticing option this free agency cycle. At $12.5 million annually, Watson’s projected value would be in line with Brandon Stephens’ three-year, $36 million deal last offseason with the Jets.
S Kamren Curl
Projected AAV: $10.0 million
Since entering the league as a seventh-round pick in 2020, Curl has showcased a high floor and a very high ceiling. Across his six seasons, he has never earned a PFF overall grade below 65.0. That includes two years with a 75.0-plus mark, headlined by a 77.8 PFF grade this past season. Curl flies around the field in coverage and plays the run with authority, with his 87.9 PFF run-defense grade ranking second among qualifying safeties.
With plenty of experience under his belt, Curl will be a hot commodity on the open market as he enters his age-27 season. On a projected four-year, $40.1 million deal, he profiles as one of the biggest value signings this offseason.
CB Montaric Brown
Projected AAV: $9.2 million
The Jaguars made a big trade in October that moved Tyson Campbell to Cleveland. While that stemmed from a hope to get out from under Campbell’s hefty contract, it also came with the belief that Brown was trending upward. Since coming into the NFL as a seventh-round pick in 2022, Brown has improved grade-wise each season, culminating in his career-high 72.0 PFF overall grade in 2025.
Brown excelled in the Jaguars’ zone coverages, with his 82.6 zone PFF coverage grade ranking in the top 10 among qualifying cornerbacks. That will put Brown on the radars of numerous zone-heavy defenses. He projects to be a value at $9.2 million annually.
LB Devin Bush
Projected AAV: $8.9 million
Bush revitalized his career in Cleveland. He took on an increased role in 2025 and posted a career-best 87.6 PFF overall grade, third best among qualifying linebackers. Since joining the Browns in 2024, Bush has produced top-five marks among qualifying linebackers in PFF coverage grade in the box (75.7) and PFF run-defense grade (90.6).
While his subpar performance over his first five NFL seasons may leave some general managers hesitant to invest in him as a proven playmaker, he can flourish in the right scheme, making him worth the $8.9 million per year price tag he’s projected to command this offseason.
S Jaylinn Hawkins
Projected AAV: $8.2 million
Hawkins enjoyed a breakout year for the Patriots, proving to be an integral piece of a defense that helped propel a Super Bowl appearance. The 28-year-old safety showcased his range and logged an 85.7 PFF coverage grade at free safety with four interceptions.
Without an established track record of success, Hawkins may aim to re-sign with New England, as he has proven himself with the Patriots‘ staff. Should he ride the momentum he found in 2025, he may profile as one of the biggest values this free agency cycle.
