At this point in July, most NFL players are gearing up for training camp and the long season that lies ahead for their respective teams.
But that can’t be said for the NFL free agents who still haven’t landed with a team for the upcoming season, whether due to injuries, age, or other factors.
Instead of focusing on all of those unsigned free agents in this article, the focus will instead be on the top five unsigned skill position free agents (wide receiver, running back, and tight end) and teams in which they could make an impact for the upcoming season.
There are risks associated with all of these players that could explain why they are unsigned, but they all have track records of making an impact to varying degrees, which could make that risk worth it.
With that said, here’s a look at the top five unsigned skill position NFL free agents for the 2026 season.
The Best Remaining 2026 NFL Free Agents and Potential Fits
5. Curtis Samuel, WR
When Samuel signed a three-year, $30,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2024, it was never envisioned that it could go as badly as it did.
Over two years in Buffalo, he caught a total of 38 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns and played in only 20 games. Beyond that, for a guy who was supposed to have utility as a gadget-type player who could play all over the field, he ended up with only five rushing attempts and 14 yards over the two seasons.
So, as you would expect, it was no surprise when the Bills decided to save $6,000,000 in cap space and move on from Samuel in March of this year.
With that said, just three years ago in 2023 (which admittedly can be a lifetime in the NFL), Samuel amassed 62 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns over 16 games played.
The former 2017 second-round pick will play the 2026 season at age 30 if he lands with a team, but it could be interesting to see if any team is willing to take a flyer on Samuel.
One team that always comes to mind when thinking of needing receivers is the Baltimore Ravens.
NFL insider Ari Meirov reported Friday that the Ravens worked out several veteran receivers, including Sterling Shepard, but there was no mention of Samuel.
Other possible fits for Samuel could be receiver-needy teams like the Miami Dolphins, who currently project to have the worst receiving room in the NFL headlined by Tutu Atwell, Terrace Marshall Jr. and third round pick Caleb Douglas (among others).
A team like the Las Vegas Raiders could also be a fit for Samuel if they are looking for a trusted, veteran target for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendozna to throw to.
Samuel has a lot of different skills and ways to line up on the field, so it’ll be no surprise if he finds his way onto a roster come week one.
4. Deebo Samuel, WR
If Curtis Samuel is a player who can line up all over the field, then Deebo Samuel is the supercharged version of that.
Deebo Samuel in his career has eclipsed 406 receptions for 5,519 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing 219 times for 1,218 yards and 21 touchdowns.
In 2021 he was an All-Pro first team member and a Pro Bowler with the San Francisco 49ers and just last year in 2025 had 72 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games. Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded him as the 44th best receiver in football and even at age 30, it still looked like Deebo Samuel would have an NFL roster spot in 2026.
So, why doesn’t he?
Well, in the past injuries have been an issue for Deebo Samuel. He has never played a full 17 game season and has played less than 16 games in five different seasons since entering the league in 2019. As mentioned, he is also 30 years old.
Despite these questions, Deebo Samuel can definitely be an impactful player for a team in the 2026 season and just days ago did an interview with Around the NFL where he said he has three or four good years left.
The most obvious potential landing spot for him is his former team, the Niners. The Niners have a talented receiver room with the newly signed Mike Evans as well as Christian Kirk, Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson but Deebo Samuel could definitely find a role in that group and could also play a role in aiding the run game with Christian McCaffrey
Veteran teams like the Bengals, Chiefs, and Rams could also all be intriguing landing spots for him.
Deebo Samuel is very likely to land somewhere come week one whether it’s with the Niners or somewhere else. He’s just too good of a player still not to.
3. Jonnu Smith, TE
When it comes to remaining NFL free agents at this point in the offseason, this one is probably the hardest to explain.
Just two years ago, in 2024, Smith was a Pro Bowler for the Miami Dolphins as he caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.
His stats were way down last year in Pittsburgh with the Steelers, but they weren’t exactly the best passing offense in the league. It is worth noting, though, that PFF graded him as the worst tight end in the NFL among the 37 that qualified.
But Smith has also played in all 17 games over three straight seasons and is a reliable enough pass catcher that it would be reasonable to think he catches on as a backup tight end somewhere, right?
So, with that said, there are still some solid fits for Smith out there.
The first one that comes to mind is the Cleveland Browns.
The browns are basically one man deep at tight end with the talented Harold Fannin Jr. but beyond him there’s not much depth.
Smith could help a team like the Browns by taking some snaps off of Fannin’s hands and providing depth in case of injury.
Other potential fits could be tight end needy teams like the Denver Broncos who really only have Evan Engram as a legitimate pass catcher at that spot.
Smith could step in and be helpful for a team like them.
2025 was a major down year for Smith, but 2024 wasn’t that long ago and could give teams a hope that the now 30-year-old can find something close to that form again in 2026.
2. Tyreek Hill, WR
There’s one reason Hill isn’t signed yet and that’s health.
He suffered his dislocated knee injury in week four of last season with the Dolphins and just days ago revealed that he still has no power in his left leg.
Obviously, that’s more than concerning especially for Hill has he enters his age 32 season.
Hill needs no introduction but for a quick one he has five All-Pro first team appearances, eight Pro Bowl appearances and 819 receptions for 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns over his 10 NFL seasons.
Hill had 1,800 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in his legendary 2023 season and if he can get healthy again would possibly be one of the best free agents ever signed at this point in the offseason.
So, in the event that he can get his knee right and be able to play NFL football, who are some of the potential fits for Hill?
Well, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said that Hill is still “very fond” of the Chiefs and that they could be a natural fit for him when he gets healthy.
A receiver-hungry team like the Ravens could also be a fit for Hill.
It’s hard to see Hill signing anywhere that isn’t with a contender so as his recovery continues it’ll be interesting to see which teams show interest in signing one of the best receivers of this decade.
1. Stefon Diggs, WR
So, this one is kind of weird.
PFF graded Diggs as the sixth best receiver in football last season for the New England Patriots. He had 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and at the bare minimum would’ve been an elite wide receiver two for any team in the league.
Diggs has also played in at least 16 games in four of the past five seasons, so health hasn’t been an issue outside of his torn ACL in 2024.
But the Patriots chose to release the four-time Pro-Bowler and save $17,000,000 in cap space this offseason before eventually going out and acquiring A.J. Brown from the Eagles.
Now entering his age 32 season, Diggs is looking for a new contract with what will be his fifth NFL team.
The Washington Commanders have been linked to Diggs on a few occasions and could be a good fit in their receiver room opposite Terry McLaurin.
The Ravens would be an intriguing fit as well for Diggs as he could play with Zay Flowers as well as running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson.
No matter where Diggs ends up, he is definitely the best remaining of the NFL free agents. He is coming off a strong, healthy season and would bring veteran experience and one of the better receivers in the NFL to any team that he joins.
Main Image: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
