Free Agency Fun

Post-Combine is when the action begins.

Author

Ian Hartitz
March 02, 2026

The NFL Scouting Combine has come to an end. Plenty of players helped their draft stock thanks to their efforts in Indianapolis, but let's face it: THE most fantasy-relevant findings from the combine often come from rumors and reports courtesy of putting so many of the league's top decision-makers together for a boozy week in the Midwest.

Accordingly, our friends over at ESPN, Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, put together a great combine buzz article highlighting their top intel on free agency, trades, QBs and more. The following notes could really have a big impact in fantasy land if there happens to be a level of truth to them.

The biggest note here is that it seems inevitable that Minnesota adds some serious competition to its QB room in 2026. Graziano writes, "If and when someone such as Geno Smith or Kyler Murray gets cut, I could see Minnesota pursuing that kind of passer on a low-cost, one-year prove-it deal."

Graziano added that failure to land someone like Geno or Kyler could force them into the older free agent tier with guys like Joe Flacco, Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers. There's also the unproven backups group headlined by Tanner McKee, Davis Mills and KOC's old friend Anthony Richardson. Either way, the artist known as "Nine" will certainly have some heightened competition in 2026—which is good news for the fantasy stock of Mr. Justin Jefferson!

  • "Miami is definitely in (on Malik Willis) … Arizona is combing the market, too, but it doesn't seem likely that Willis will end up in Cleveland." It seems inevitable that Willis will be your favorite fantasy nerd's favorite late-round QB in 2026.

  • Graziano expects Miami to release Tua Tagovailoa by the third day of the league year, and also believes odds favor a release for Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. Fowler mentioned an NFL head coach said to him, "Watch for Tua in Atlanta."

"If the Colts can't get a deal done with (Daniel) Jones by Tuesday's tag deadline, it sounds like they'll put the transition tag on him."

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Fantasy

Reading The WR Tea Leaves 

The biggest note related to pass catchers has to be that Indianapolis has "made it clear to (Alec) Pierce that he will be a Colt, either through a tag or a long-term deal." The reigning, defending, back-to-back NFL leader in yards per reception and target has widely been considered the top available player at the position, but now seems unlikely to spend even a second on the open market.

That reality could make longtime Buccaneers stud Mike Evans free agency's most sought-after WR. It's not a guarantee Evans signs elsewhere, but he at least seems open to the idea. In fact, Evans has a Chris Jericho-length list of demands if he is to leave Tampa, including:

  • QB he believes in

  • Chance at a Super Bowl

  • Top-shelf offensive coordinator

  • The original briefcase from Pulp Fiction

  • Promise of high-volume touches

I only made one of those up. But, yeah: Clearly, Evans has no interest in linking up with a lower-class franchise. My personal favorite potential match: The 49ers.

More WR nuggets:

  • Buffalo is expected to strongly address wide receiver, and multiple league executives are linking them to Rashid Shaheed or Romeo Doubs. Others around the league have linked Shaheed to the Raiders. Either way, it looks like Cooterdoodle will need another new jersey.

  • The Ravens seem inclined to give Rashod Bateman another shot in their new offense despite his disappointing 2025.

  • One of the top "sleeper" free agents listed was former Vikings WR Jalen Nailor, who low-key made some plays last year!

  • WR Jalen Coker could receive a contract extension in Carolina. I believe I speak for all the cokeheads out there when I say this: Hell, yeah!

The Best RB available Might Not Actually Be Available

Specifically, Jets RB Breece Hall is expected to either reach a long-term deal with the Jets or receive a franchise or transition tag. Annoying because, you know, it's the Jets, but then again, the offense does have a pair of hopeful longtime stud tackles and could surprise if they manage to find a capable QB. Is that last hope particularly likely? Probably not, but it's March, dammit! This is the time for glass-half-full optimism!

Three more RB notes:

  • Kenneth Walker and Travis Etienne are both expected to receive plenty of attention, and Graziano believes the Chiefs, Texans, and Giants, among others, will be key players in the free agent RB market.

  • Fowler reported Lions RB David Montgomery "wants out," although Montgomery himself disagrees!

  • The Vikings have informed Aaron Jones that, barring a trade, he'll be released. They'll assuredly make a push to bring in a major competition and/or a complement for Jordan Mason.

NFL

More WR Depth Needed For The Steelers

We know, we know. We’re already tired of the year “will he, or won’t he” retirement drama from Aaron Rodgers. We’re told it won’t take as long as it did last year. We’ll believe it when we see it. But QB isn’t the only area of need for the Steelers, as Ian Hartitz pointed to the pass catchers as a group that has to get an upgrade in Steeltown:

DK Metcalf is locked in as the Steelers' No. 1 WR of the present and future, but far more work needs to be done: Calvin Austin is an unrestricted free agent, 2024 third-rounder Roman Wilson hasn't managed to get anything going through two seasons, and it's safe to say Marquez Valdes-Scantling shouldn't be relied upon as a legit contributor in the year 2026.

Only the Giants, Browns, and Jets received a worse PFF team receiving grade than the Steelers in 2025. The team's once-formidable draft history at the position has fizzled in recent years, with George Pickens and Diontae Johnson being the only meaningful "hits" since JuJu Smith-Schuster back in 2017.

Adding one of free agency's top-tier field-stretchers like Alec Pierce or Rashid Shaheed in addition to a Day 1 or 2 pick at the position could quickly help turn around what currently looks like one of the most depressing depth charts in the league.

With a loaded WR class in the draft—and less so on the free agency front—the upgrades may have to be on the younger side. That is always interesting when it comes to Rodgers, who prefers working with veterans. ⬇️

Fantasy

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from our merry band of football nerds …

🎧 Matthew’s hearing some rumors on Kyler Murray. Is staying in Arizona an option?

🔮 Minnesota’s options for QBs to sign to compete with J.J. McCarthy. The fans want to be entertained.

👀 Carnell Tate ran a 4.52 40-yard dash … but some teams disagree? 40-gate is upon us.

🏈 Being a backup QB is the best job in sports. Just ask Jimmy Garoppolo.

🤷🏼‍♂️ When you try to make a comeback and nobody is interested. This is awkward.

💪 Can we figure out how to measure arms in the year 2026? These discrepancies are wild.

🤝 Some (bad) QBs are reportedly on the trade market. But it could work for us.

🏃🏽‍♂️ The simulcams for Run, Rich, Run are hilarious. Even with a head start.

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