5 most overrated NFL free agents hitting the market in 2026

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3 March 2026 at 22:07

NFL free agency is often a siren song for desperate front offices. While a splashy signing feels like a quick fix, the history of the league is littered with bloated contracts that hamstrung franchises for years. Whether it’s the Seattle Seahawks finding a Super Bowl savior in Sam Darnold or a high-priced flop like Jawaan Taylor stalling an elite offense with penalties, the risk is immense. Often, teams overpay for past prestige while ignoring cheaper, younger draft options who offer more long-term stability and better scheme fits.

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Malik Willis, QB

Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Ravens defeated the Packers 41-24. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

The desperation for franchise signal-callers is set to make Malik Willis one of the most overpaid players in recent memory. Despite having only six career starts across four seasons, Willis is projected to command a contract in the $25–$30 million range.

There is potential there. The 2022 third-rounder has elite rushing upside, but his passing metrics remain a concern for a full-time starter. Willis’ 141 career passing yards per game rank 73rd out of 73 quarterbacks with at least five starts since 2022.

A team paying for the idea of a breakout star based on a few relief appearances in Green Bay is taking a massive financial risk on a player who hasn’t proven he can sustain success over a 17-game season.

Jawaan Taylor, OT

Following his release from the Chiefs, Jawaan Taylor enters the market as a primary buyer-beware candidate. Despite possessing elite physical traits, Taylor’s tenure in Kansas City was defined more by yellow flags than lockdown blocks.

He has consistently ranked among the most penalized players in the NFL, often killing drives with illegal formation or false start infractions. Furthermore, his Pro Football Focus grades have consistently hovered outside the top 40 for tackles.

Any team desperate for a bookend protector that offers him top-tier money is essentially overpaying for a veteran who has already hit his ceiling as a league-average starter.

Isaiah Likely, TE

Dec 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Isaiah Likely is the classic case of projection pricing gone wrong. After appearing to be the successor to Mark Andrews in Baltimore, Likely’s 2025 season was a statistical nightmare, marred by a dip in production and questions about his consistency as a primary target.

While his athletic profile is tantalizing, he has struggled to prove he can dominate without a secondary elite tight end drawing coverage away from him. In a market thin on receiving-first tight ends, a team will inevitably offer him a lucrative long-term deal based on his flashes of brilliance.

Paying for a TE1 who is coming off a down year is a gamble that rarely yields a positive return.

Joey Bosa, Edge

Joey Bosa’s name carries a weight that his recent availability simply doesn’t support. Once a perennial Pro Bowler, Bosa has become a part-time player due to a relentless string of injuries, appearing in only a fraction of his team’s games over the last three seasons.

His pressure rate has dipped significantly from his prime, and he has failed to reach double-digit sacks since 2021. Despite these red flags, his reputation as a game-changer will likely entice a contender to offer him a high-AAV contract.

At age 31, Bosa is a name-brand luxury whose body may no longer be able to handle a foundational role.

Alontae Taylor, CB

Dec 21, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) reacts to making a tackle against New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook (not pictured) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Alontae Taylor is the definition of a high-risk defensive back whose bust potential is being overlooked by teams in need of secondary help.

While he displays impressive ball skills and versatility in the slot, he has allowed more receiving yards than almost any other cornerback since entering the league. His aggressive style leads to frequent lapses in judgment, resulting in a missed-tackle rate that consistently hovers around 20%.

Suitors will be tempted by his seven career sacks and high motor, but his inconsistency in coverage is a liability. Paying him top-of-the-market slot corner money is an expensive way to invite big plays into your defense.