Best free agent option from every AFC team, including Jaguars, in 2026

The Jacksonville Jaguars, along with the rest of the NFL, are primed to enter free agency on March 11th, and there are a lot of decisions that will need to be made: who to keep, who to let walk, and who to sign.

There are plenty of talent-rich teams, but there is undoubtedly a star free agent for each that the rest of the league will be gunning for. Here are the top free agents for teams in the AFC.

Baltimore Ravens: TE Isaiah Likely

Likely is a young tight end whose career is only now starting to surge, meaning he will have lots of potential to offer his new team. He has been a huge playmaker for the Ravens, so there is a lot he can do when given the TE1 position. Likely has incredible athleticism, excels as a run blocker, and is a great receiver, too.

Buffalo Bills: DE Joey Bosa

Though Bosa is a little bit older, he's still a reliable edge rusher with proven leadership on the defense. Even with diminished performance in 2025, he still had a strong season, particularly with forced fumbles. He would be an asset to a team needing help with the pass rush, and offers experience and leadership in the locker room.

Cincinnati Bengals: DE Trey Hendrickson

The saga of Hendrickson and the Bengals has captivated the league for the past year, and while Cincinnati managed to keep him around for 2025, he might finally be able to sign with another team in 2026. He's set to be an unrestricted free agent, and considering he's an elite pass rusher, there will be no shortage of teams looking to take advantage of his availability.

Cleveland Browns: LB Devin Bush

Bush had a revival season in 2025, proving that he is a versatile linebacker with a lot to offer a defense. At 27, he's old enough to have experience and be a leader in the locker room, but young enough that his best years are still likely ahead of him. He's a talented and dynamic player, and if the Browns let him walk, there will be plenty of teams interested.

Denver Broncos: DT John Franklin-Myers

Franklin-Myers is one of the highest-rated pass rushers in the league and is primed to have a big payday in free agency. He's huge, athletic, versatile, and in addition to the pass rush, has proven that he can help in the run game, too. A defensive lineman that's consistent and powerful will be in demand across the league.

Houston Texans: OG Ed Ingram

Ingram had a breakout season in 2025 and especially stood out for his run blocking. He was one of the Texans' best offensive linemen, and he might be too expensive for Houston to keep around. He struggled with pass protection, but was good enough with the run and has enough talent that he will likely only keep growing with the right program.

Indianapolis Colts: WR Alec Pierce

One of the most in-demand free agents in the entire league, Pierce is a talented wide receiver capable of making huge, explosive plays. He's known as a deep threat, but has been steadily growing to be a well-rounded receiver. All eyes will be on Indianapolis to see if he becomes available.

Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Devin Lloyd

Lloyd flourished under Anthony Campanile and showed the league what he's capable of. He's great in coverage, pressuring the quarterback, and against the run. With his age and high level of production, there are already a lot of teams interested, and he might be too expensive for Jacksonville to keep around.

Kansas City Chiefs: TE Travis Kelce

Technically speaking, Kelce is set to be a free agent. And being that he's the greatest tight end in NFL history, there is no shortage of teams who would like to sign him. Yet realistically speaking, Kelce is probably not going anywhere; he will want to stay in Kansas City, and the Chiefs surely won't be willing to let him go.

Las Vegas Raiders: CB Eric Stokes

Despite being plagued with injuries earlier in his career, Stokes had a comeback season in 2025, and the league might be sleeping on his potential. He has the size and speed, and was great in coverage. He's also affordable, which makes him attractive to plenty of cash-strapped teams.

Los Angeles Chargers: LB Odafeh Oweh

Oweh had a breakout performance in 2025, thriving in Los Angeles after being traded from Baltimore. He's versatile and has great speed and athleticism. He's one of the top-rated pass rushers available, but the Chargers might not be able to afford to keep him.

Miami Dolphins: TE Darren Waller

Some might be surprised to see Bradley Chubb not appear on this list, but his production took a step back in 2025 after suffering a torn ACL the year prior. Waller, meanwhile, has elite-level talent as a receiver, especially in the red zone. He is a little bit older, but for a team looking to sign an immediate playmaker on a short-term contract, Waller fits the bill.

New England Patriots: LB K'Lavon Chaisson

The Patriots signed Chaisson to a fairly modest contract in 2025, and he responded with a breakout season. He was incredible as a pass rusher, racking up multiple sacks and QB hits. New England will surely want to keep him around, but wherever he ends up, that once tiny $3 million salary will likely explode into something much bigger.

New York Jets: G Alijah Vera-Tucker

Breece Hall would have been the entry for the Jets, but he's been tagged, and that leaves Vera-Tucker. He's a versatile offensive lineman and has excelled both at pass protection and run blocking. While he has struggled with some injuries, he's also still young, and multiple teams are eager to see what he can do in a better program.

Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Kenneth Gainwell

The Steelers named him the MVP of their roster for 2025 after he had a breakout season. He proved to be a versatile dual-threat running back, able to make explosive plays no matter how he got the ball. Gainwell was one of the best running backs in the league for both rushing and receiving yards, and he'll certainly attract a lot of interest.

Tennessee Titans: TE Chig Okonkwo

Okonkwo is known for being able to rack up yards after the catch, consistently rating among the best tight ends in the league. He's managed to excel despite an otherwise-lackluster Titans offense, and he has a lethal combination of size and speed to make him dangerous to a defense.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL free agency: Best free agent from every AFC team