2026 Offseason Depth Chart & Primer

It's only a little over a month until the new league season commences, and free agency officially begins - March 11 @ 4PM. Six weeks later we've got the draft, from April 23-25.

Below is a loose, season-ending depth chart for each squad.

Key
* - player 30 or over
Red font - 2026 UFA
Orange font - player entering final year of contract
Green font - 2025 rookie

OFFENSE (28)

QB: Aaron Rodgers*..............Mason Rudolph* | Will Howard
RB: Jaylen Warren.................Kenneth Gainwell | Kaleb Johnson
FB: Connor Heyward

LT: Broderick Jones...............Dylan Cook
LG: Isaac Seumalo*..............Andrus Peat* | Max Scharping
C : Zach Frazier....................Ryan McCollum
RG: Mason McCormick..........Spencer Anderson
RT: Troy Fautanu..................Calvin Anderson | Jack Driscoll

TE: Pat Freiermuth...............Darnell Washington | Jonnu Smith
WRx: DK Metcalf..................Roman Wilson
WRz: M. Valdes-Scantling*....Scotty Miller
WRy: Calvin Austin III..........Ben Skowronek

DEFENSE (32)

DT: Derrick Harmon..............Isaiahh Loudermilk | Logan Lee
NT: Keanu Benton................Yahya Black | Daniel Ekuale*
DT: Cameron Heyward*........Esezi Otomewo | Dean Lowry*

LOLB: TJ Watt*....................Jack Sawyer | Jeremiah Moon
LILB: Patrick Queen.............Malik Harrison | Carson Bruener
RILB: Payton Wilson............Cole Holcomb
ROLB: Alex Highsmith...........Nick Herbig

LCB: James Pierre...............Asante Samuel Jr.
RCB: Joey Porter Jr..............Cory Trice Jr
NCB: Jalen Ramsey*............Brandin Echols | Donte Kent

SS: DeShon Elliot................Jabrill Peppers* | Miles Killebrew*
FS: Kyle Dugger..................Chuck Clark* | Sebastian Castro

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

PT: Corliss Waitman*
PK: Chris Boswell*
LS: Christian Kuntz*


Notable 2026 free agents [news/reports/updates in blue]

QB
Malik Willis
Daniel Jones [3/3 - Colts use Transition Tag on Jones]
Aaron Rodgers*
Kirk Cousins* [2/7 - reports Atlanta will release prior to Roster bonus date of 3/14]
Marcus Mariota
Joe Flacco*
Sam Howell
Carson Wentz*
Kyler Murray [3/3 - Cardinals reportedly inform Murray he will be released next week]

RB
Kenneth Gainwell - IMO, the best combo of talent and cost
Breece Hall
Kenneth Walker III
Rico Dowdle
Javonte Williams
Travis Etienne
JK Dobbins

WR
George Pickens [2/7 - reports Dallas will use Franchise Tag]
Alec Pierce
Mike Evans*
Jalen Coker - UDFA with good upside, but is an ERFA
Wandale Robinson
Deebo Samuel*
Jauan Jennings
Romeo Doubs - solid complimentary receiver
Greg Dortch - under the radar, always shined when given the chance in Arizona, but overall stats are underwhelming

ILB
Devin Lloyd - star player, high $
Alex Anzalone - a little older (31), a little cheaper
Matt Milano
Quincy Williams
Leo Chenal - a more physical option
Nakobe Dean

CB
Jaylen Watson
Greg Newsome
Alontae Taylor
Chidobe Awuzie
Eric Stokes
Roger McCreary - solid player, fits the mold as Steeler FA offseason signing

S
ArDarius Washington - phenomenal coverage ability and plays for a rival
Geno Stone - ditto
Donovan Wilson
Andre Cisco - good range, playmaker

 

• If they want to drop some coin FS is the way to go.
• They'll need to secure depth in both trenches, but I don't see them going after a top-line FA over drafting and developing one on their own.
• They need to retain at least one of Pierre/Samuel, and be on the lookout for more talent early at corner.
• The market has a number of RBs available; could help them resign Gainwell at a reasonable price.
• Depending on how the draft class looks, there are some good sleeper options at WR: Doubs, Coker, and Dortch have all flashed when given the opportunity.

 

Updated the FA pool with a couple of reports today on Pickens (will be tagged) and Cousins (will be released at start of new league year).

 

De nada - just wanted to give everyone a bird's eye view of our roster heading into free agency.

 

I haven't seen it, and neither has Spotrac - they've still got him listed under their free agents.

 

My bad - didn't know I'd skipped him. Got him in there now.

 

Steelers Nation, not a source whose articles I take too seriously, cited Dulac (another source I don't take too seriously) as saying the Steelers aim to target DT, CB, and G in free agency.

DT and G are no-brainers for depth. At corner I think they need to retain Pierre or Samuel, then depth (corners are expensive and fickle; look to the draft). How he left safety off the list I don't know.

 

List updated with news that the Colts used the Transition Tag on Jones, and reports that Arizona has informed Murray of his impending release next week.