The NCAA will require player availability reports for the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, a move the organization announced on Wednesday, March 4.

The NCAA said it will serve as a pilot program and won’t be used for other NCAA championships during the 2025-26 academic year.

Teams could be penalized for failing to cooperate with the initiative, with up to a $10,000 institution penalty for the first offense, up to a $20,000 fine for the second, and up to a $30,000 fine and up to a $10,000 penalty for the head coach for the third.

The move comes as player availability reports have become common in the sport’s five major conferences over the past few seasons. The ACC, Big 12 and SEC post their initial injury reports for intra-conference games the night before a matchup, while the SEC and Big East post them the morning of league games.

In theory, the updates put athletes and coaches at less of a risk of getting hounded by gamblers looking for injury updates.

“Player availability reports are intended in part to reduce betting-related pressure, solicitations and harassment student-athletes and other team personnel receive from bettors connected to playing status,” the NCAA said in a release. “The NCAA runs the largest integrity monitoring service program in the world and provides college athletes with online threat detection services as part of its comprehensive strategy to respond to the rise of sports betting.”

Under the new system, athletes will be designated as (more than a 75% chance to play), questionable (up to a 75% chance to play) or out (will not play). Teams must submit their initial reports by 9 p.m. local time the night before a game and provide an update by two hours prior to tipoff the following day.

Nikola Jokic is considered by many to be the best player in the NBA today. He’s even earned some top-ten all-time chatter in recent years. So, when Jokic’s Denver Nuggets face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, defensive specialist Lu Dort’s job is simple: make Jokic’s life a living hell for 48 minutes.

On Friday, Feb. 27, Dort tried to do just that, but went overboard, hip-checking Jokic as he was coming up the court.

Tempers flared. A fight broke out. And Dort was ejected.

Following Tuesday’s win over the Chicago Bulls though, Dort was asked about the scuffle, to which he is now saying he crossed a line.

Dort said, ‘That’s a physical game and there’s limits to it. And I went over the limit.’ He continued, ‘That was an unnecessary move by me, something I shouldn’t have done.’

What else did Dort say?

While Dort did admit he went too far, he also noted that any game between the Thunder and Nuggets turns into a physical affair.

‘Every time we play against each other, it’s always a battle,’ he said. ‘It was a physical game throughout the whole game.’

Dort continued, noting that his job of guarding the opposing team’s best player every night can be taxing. ‘It’s not easy. Obviously, I play hard. I’m a physical player. It’s what I do for my team, and sometimes people think it’s too much, but it’s always [within] the rules of the game.’

When asked if Dort considered himself a dirty player, Dort said no.

‘I don’t think I’m dirty,’ he said. ‘I can’t control media. Media always wants to have some type of attention or anything. They want that buzz. I can’t control that. I’ve been doing well with this organization for years now.
I’m happy with how I play and what I do with my teammates. I go out there, compete every night. So I’m gonna keep doing what I do on the court.’

Is Dort considered a dirty player?

Throughout his seven years in the NBA, Dort’s ejection on Friday was just the fourth of his career. He has nine technical fouls and six flagrant fouls to his name as well.

Those are actually small figures compared to some of the more notable enforcers around the league, like Draymond Green. However, Dort’s reputation is that of someone willing to get physical, and although many of his tactics have not resulted in ejections, many players around the league believe he has earned the ‘dirty’ moniker.

The NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on March 6, but teams like to get deals done early, too.

Already this season, the Minnesota Wild have acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, and the Los Angeles Kings have traded for high-scoring New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin.

In the latest deal, the Dallas Stars acquired defenseman Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, March 6.

Plenty of players remain, and the Rangers, Canucks, St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames are expected to be sellers. Other teams could be, too, depending on how they fare this week.

Here are some of the more notable trades this season. Follow along for analysis on deals as the NHL trade deadline approaches:

March 4: Maple Leafs sit out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 2 others

Analysis: Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton won’t play for roster management reasons, the team said. All three players have been mentioned in trade rumors. Laughton and McMann are pending unrestricted free agents and Ekman-Larsson is signed through 2028.

March 4: Sharks re-sign Kiefer Sherwood

The details: He gets a five-year, $28.75 million contract extension, a cap hit of $5.75 million.

Analysis: The Sharks dealt two draft picks and a minor leaguer to land Sherwood, who has 18 goals and is second in the league in hits. The extension means they won’t have to flip him.

March 4: Stars acquire Tyler Myers

The trade: The Dallas Stars acquire defenseman Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-rounder.

Analysis: The Stars have won 10 in a row and Houston native Myers gives them veteran depth on their blue line. The right shot defenseman has another year left on his contract, and the Canucks are retaining 50 percent of his salary. The Stars have 6-8 Myers and 6-7 Liam Bischel on their defense corps.

March 3: Golden Knights acquire Cole Smith

The trade: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire forward Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators for defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a third-round pick in the 2028 draft.

Analysis: That’s two trades in one day for the Predators. Just like Michael McCarron, who was dealt to the Wild, Smith kills penalties. He was tied for second in hits in Nashville (behind McCarron) with 119. Sedoff has spent the last three seasons in the American Hockey League.

March 3: Wild acquire Michael McCarron

The trade: The Minnesota Wild acquire forward Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick in the 2028 draft.

Analysis: Minnesota adds to its depth as it eyes a deep playoff run, importing the hulking McCarron, who stands 6-foot-6. He has 12 points, 73 penalty minutes and 165 hits in 59 games this season for Nashville, kills penalties and has a 52.8 faceoff winning percentage.

March 2: Oilers acquire Connor Murphy

The trade: The Edmonton Oilers acquire defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick.

Analysis: The Blackhawks retain 50 percent of the $4.4 million cap hit for the pending unrestricted free agent. The Oilers have been leaking goals, and the 6-foot-4 Murphy is a solid defensive defenseman. He played on the No. 1 unit of the league’s best penalty kill, led the Blackhawks in blocked shots and was third in hits.

Feb. 24: Penguins, Avalanche swap defensemen

The trade: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche for defenseman Brett Kulak.

Analysis: The Avalanche pick up salary cap space and add a defenseman who has been to the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. The Penguins had acquired pending unrestricted free agent Kulak in the Stuart Skinner trade, Girard is also a pending UFA, and Pittsburgh gets a draft pick in the deal by flipping Kulak.

Feb. 4: Kings acquire Artemi Panarin

The trade: The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

Analysis: The Kings are hurting for offense and Panarin can provide plenty. He also signed a two-year extension with an $11 million cap hit, ensuring he’ll be around after Anze Kopitar retires at season’s end. It didn’t help the team, though, that Kevin Fiala broke his leg at the Olympics before Panarin suited up. Panarin had a full no-movement clause, so the Rangers were limited in their return, but Greentree was the Kings’ top prospect and the third-round pick could become a second-rounder.

Feb. 4: Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad

The trade: The New Jersey Devils acquire forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.

Analysis: This is the third time Bjugstad has been moved near the trade deadline because the 6-6 forward is a good fit in the bottom six. He has another year left on his contract.

Jan. 27: Islanders acquire Ondrej Palat

The trade: The New York Islanders acquire left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

Analysis: That’s two trades in two days with a division rival. Palat is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (with the Lightning) and kills penalties. Tsyplakov didn’t get a lot of ice time with the Islanders but has potential.

Jan. 26: Islanders acquire Carson Soucy

The trade: The New York Islanders acquire defenseman Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Analysis: Soucy was the first player moved after the Rangers informed fans that the team would retool. It’s a rare deal completed between the Islanders and Rangers.

Jan. 20: Sharks acquire Kiefer Sherwood

The trade: The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

Analysis: Sherwood had been mentioned as a trade candidate since the Canucks started slowly. The pending free agent is among the leader in hits and had 17 goals at the time of the deal. The Sharks are playing better than expected and this deal shows they are trying to push for a playoff spot.

Jan. 19: Golden Knights acquire Rasmus Andersson

The trade: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028.

Analysis: The Golden Knights had been without Alex Pietrangelo all season and Andersson gives Vegas another puck-moving defenseman. The Flames get a good return for a pending unrestricted free agent. Andersson is the second defenseman Vegas had acquired from Calgary recently after the 2024 trade for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin eventually signed an extension and the Golden Knights will seek the same from Andersson.

Dec. 29: Penguins acquire Yegor Chinakhov

The trade: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

Analysis: Chinakhov had requested a trade last season. He’s a pending restricted free agent so the Penguins have control over his future. Heinen is a pending UFA.

Dec. 19: Canadiens acquire Phillip Danault

The trade: The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick.

Analysis: Danault is coming back to Montreal. He was a key shutdown player during the Canadiens’ 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Dec. 19: Blue Jackets acquire Mason Marchment

The trade: The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

Analysis: Marchment had been off to a slow start after an offseason trade in which Seattle gave up a third- and a fourth-round pick. But he scored 22 goals in each of his last two seasons in Dallas.

Dec. 12: Wild acquire Quinn Hughes

The trade: The Minnesota Wild acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

Analysis: This is a sign that the Wild are going for it and it gives them a dynamic former Norris Trophy winner to match Cale Makar if they face the Avalanche in the playoffs. The Wild gave up a lot – Buium was great at Denver and for the USA at the world junior championships – and Hughes acknowledged that and appreciated it. That could help sway Hughes when he’s eligible to sign a contract extension in July.

Dec. 12: Oilers, Penguins swap goalies

The trade: The Edmonton Oilers acquire Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Analysis: The Oilers pull the plug on Skinner, who was either spectacular or bad during back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final. But they land another inconsistent goalie in Jarry, who has had injury troubles. Skinner and Kulak are pending free agents, so the Penguins could flip them at the deadline. If Skinner works out, it would allow the Penguins to continue developing goalie Sergei Murashov in the American Hockey League.

The Dallas Cowboys managed to limbo underneath the NFL’s 2026 salary cap with one week to spare.

Dallas restructured the contracts of three key players – quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and offensive lineman Tyler Smith – to free up roughly $66 million, according to ESPN, making the team cap-compliant.

ESPN reported that the Cowboys were roughly $55 million over the cap prior to restructuring the three contracts. OverTheCap lists Dallas’ current available cap space at $8.5 million as of the afternoon on March 4, still one week out from the start of the 2026-27 league year and NFL free agency on March 11.

According to ESPN, all three players’ contracts were restructured by turning a significant portion of their base salaries into signing bonuses for cap purposes. Prescott’s 2026 base salary is now $1.8 million, down from $40 million. Lamb and Smith’s base salaries ‘drop to the $1.7 million range,’ per ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Prescott’s cap hit in 2026 drops to $43.7 million as a result of the restructure, according to OverTheCap. Lamb’s drops to $20 million and Smith’s to $11.2 million. However, all three players’ cap hits inflate significantly in 2027: Prescott’s 2027 cap hit is nearly $76 million, Lamb’s is $46.2 million and Smith’s is $19.5 million.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said at the NFL combine that Dallas will also work to restructure at least three more contracts – those of defensive tackles Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa and Quinnen Williams – to create extra salary cap room.

‘I would bet that we will spend more money in free agency than we have,’ Jones said at the scouting combine.

‘I want you to know that the only way to push more is for me to go borrow some of my future, OK? Expect me to go borrow some of my future.’

George Pickens, on whom the Cowboys placed their franchise tag this offseason, currently counts $27.3 million against the team’s 2026 cap. That number could also deflate with a long-term extension.

Cowboys cap space

Cap space: $8.5 million

Dallas’ cap space is still under $10 million as of March 4, according to OverTheCap. They rank 18th in the NFL in salary cap space one week before the start of the new league year and five days before the start of the league’s free agency negotiating period.

Dak Prescott cap hit by year

Here’s how much the remainder of Prescott’s contract is worth in salary cap hits over the next six seasons, per OverTheCap:

2026: $43.7 million
2027: $76.0 million
2028: $86.0 million
2029: $24.4 million (void year)

Prescott signed a four-year, $240 million extension in 2024, with $129 million guaranteed.

Four prominent English clubs have announced they will play preseason games in the United States this summer.

Liverpool, Leeds, Sunderland and Wrexham will each play three matches stateside, with a total of six games on the schedule.

The headline fixture will see defending Premier League champion Liverpool face Wrexham at Yankee Stadium on July 29.

Liverpool, Leeds and Sunderland are all in the Premier League currently, while Wrexham is fighting for an incredible fourth consecutive promotion that would put it in the Premier League next season.

The games will begin on July 25, just six days after the World Cup concludes with the final in New Jersey.

“Wrexham in the USA 2026 takes us back to the United States for the first time since 2024 and in the same year the FIFA World Cup is being held in the States,’ said Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson.

“The tour provides a fantastic opportunity for our growing fan base, especially those living in the U.S., to follow the team in action across three high-profile matches.’

Pre-sale tickets will be available on Tuesday, March 10, with general on-sale taking place on Thursday, March 12. Fans can register for the pre-sale here.

Below is the full schedule for the six matches. Kickoff times and broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Saturday, July 25

Wrexham vs Leeds — Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Liverpool vs Sunderland — GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee

Wednesday, July 29

Liverpool vs Wrexham — Yankee Stadium, New York, New York

Thursday, July 30

Leeds vs Sunderland — Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey

Sunday, August 2

Leeds vs Liverpool — Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Sunderland vs Wrexham — Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

The back-to-back Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers could sell pending free agents by the NHL trade deadline.

With Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Panthers sit last in the Atlantic Division and are 10 points out of a playoff spot. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said it’s his understanding the Panthers will be sellers at this point.

With that, the NHL insider reported Panthers GM Bill Zito is willing to listen to offers for the team’s pending unrestricted free agents. Those UFAs include left wing A.J. Greer and two-time Vezina Trophy winner, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Panthers and any clubs interested in Bobrovsky would have to navigate some obstacles before trading him.

First, the 37-year-old has a 16-team no-trade clause, meaning he has trade control for half of the NHL. He also has a $10 million salary cap hit in the seventh and final year of his contract.

‘Doesn’t mean he will be dealt for sure, just means Florida is listening,’ LeBrun said regarding Bobrovsky.

In terms of Bobrovsky’s influence on the ice, this has been statistically one of the worst seasons of his 16-year career. In 43 games, the Russian has a 3.13 goals-against average and a .873 save percentage. 

Among goaltenders who have played at least 30 games this season, Bobrovsky has the second-worst save percentage in the NHL. Only St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington has a lower save percentage at .867, and he could also be traded by Friday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline.

That said, he’s backstopped the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, and in the last two seasons, he had a combined goals-against average of 2.40 and a .911 save percentage.

Greer would be an easy asset to move for a team looking for some bottom-six grit or depth. The 29-year-old was a part of Florida’s Cup-winning team last season, and this year, he’s putting up his best campaign yet.

In his ninth NHL season, he has 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points. In 61 games, Greer already surpassed his previous career highs of six goals and 17 points, set last year in 81 games.

Greer has also accumulated more than 100 penalty minutes in two of the last three seasons. He’s about to do so again this season, with 92 penalty minutes so far.

Greer is in the final year of a two-year contract with an $850,000 cap hit. 

Along with Bobrovsky and Greer, Florida has four more pending UFAs on its active roster. 

Goaltender Daniil Tarasov, center Tomas Nosek and defenseman Jeff Petry are all on expiring deals. They all signed one-year contracts last off-season.

Right wing Cole Schwindt is also eligible to become a Group 6 UFA.

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ — It may have been a mere spring-training game, one that will be forgotten by morning with statistics that will never appear on the back of bubble-gum cards, but don’t try telling that to defending National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.

This is a game he’ll never forget.

Skenes stood on the field Tuesday, standing at full attention during the national anthem, staring at the American flag on the scoreboard, watching and listening to the military fly-over, and trying to keep his emotions in check.

Here he was, less than four years from leaving the Air Force Academy, where he planned to be a pilot serving his country, pitching for Team USA, with his parents driving over from Southern California to see him in action.

“I was going in treating it as a spring training game a little bit,’’ Skenes said, “but it’s tough when you wear a USA across your chest. It means more.’’

Skenes was still in full uniform when he spoke on the field after the game — one of two exhibitions for Team USA before they depart to Houston for the World Baseball Classic — still not ready to take it off.

Skenes and the rest of his teammates say they still were pumped up after listening to 23-time gold medal-winning swimmer Michael Phelps address them at their private team dinner Monday at the Global Ambassador. He dominated the San Francisco Giants in USA’s 15-1 rout Tuesday, giving up just one hit and one run while striking out four batters at Scottsdale Stadium.

He showed off his dominance while facing Giants All-Star shortstop Willy Adames for his final hitter. Adames, who doubled off Skenes on a slider to lead off the first inning, saw nothing but fastballs. Skenes blew 98-mph fastballs past him, with Adames swinging and missing on a 98.5-mph pitch for the third strike.

It was vintage Skenes, who was so efficient during his 40-pitch outing that he went back to the bullpen for more work. He will start Game 3 against Mexico on March 9 at Daikin Park in Houston, and then, providing the USA advances, will start in its semifinal game.

“Winning gold is the biggest thing,” Skenes said. “Whichever game I’m pitching in, it doesn’t really matter. Just want to win gold.”

It was the message that Phelps, who sat on the bench Tuesday wearing a USA uniform, sent to the team at its team dinner. He reminded the team that he won 28 medals, but 23 of those are the ones that mean everything to him. Those are the gold medals.

“He pretty much said there’s noting better than winning gold for USA,’’ Skenes said. “It’s a brotherhood, you know, a fraternity of men and women, who compete for our country and won the gold.’’

That fraternity was on full display when every single player on Team USA not only stayed for the entire game, but remained in uniform. Even the pitchers who didn’t pitch in the game stayed in uniform. No one rushed out to beat the traffic. No one dressed early to hang out in popular Old Town Scottsdale. Everyone stayed for the duration of the 3-hour, 5-minute game, even with the game lasting 10 innings simply for USA reliever Gabe Speier to get in some work.

“I turned to Judgey (Aaron Judge) and I turned to all of the coaches and said this has got a different feel than (2023),’’ said USA manager Mark DeRosa, whose team won the silver medal in the last WBC. “It just did. Not a single guy left.

“It’s impressive, it speaks to the testament of guys wanting to be here, and the character of them. … You’re looking down the line, and you see Alex Bregman talking to Roman Anthony. You’re seeing (Tarik) Skubal and Skenes (standing) top step. You’re seeing Judge and (Cal) Raleigh talk.

“I mean, that’s what everybody wanted to create, an environment where these guys didn’t want to leave.’’

Said Bregman, who homered: “I feel like there’s a certain excitement that you could feel the minute that you walk into the clubhouse. The focus level is at an all-time high.’’

Still, as much as Tuesday’s exhibition game meant to Team USA on its quest for a gold medal, it was moving, and even emotional for reliever Griffin Jax and Skenes. Jax graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. Skenes went to the Academy for two years before transferring to LSU, but still wants to serve his country after his playing career ends.

“That’s why I wanted to serve, why I went to the Air Force Academy,’’ said Skenes, who wanted to be an F-16 pilot, and had two uncles who served in the Navy and one in the Coast Guard. “Those folks don’t get the recognition they deserve.’’

DeRosa couldn’t even get through his prepared speech to recruit Skenes to play in the WBC when Skenes told him to stop. There was no need.

“I had this big pitch laid out there,’’ DeRosa said. “He’s changed the game. But he was like, ‘I want to do this for every serviceman and woman that protects our freedom.

“At the end of the day, that’s all that needs to be said. There’s something very special about representing your country. …. I mean, they gave their life to kind of live in that process.’’

It was no different with Jax. He let his agent know during the summer that he badly wanted to play in the WBC, and spread the word. DeRosa finally called him, started a casual conversation, and Jax cut him off.

“He started the conversation slow and steady,’’ Jax said. “And I was like, ‘Just give it to me. Just say it. I need to hear it. OK?”

So there they were together Tuesday, pitching on the same team, in the same game, for the first time in their lives on a day that will be cherished in Air Force Academy lore.

“Today was just awesome,’’ said Jax, who’s on the Tampa Bay Rays staff. “It was the most amount of juice I’ve had in a long time. Just walking into the clubhouse, putting the uniform on with all of these guys, is different.’’

Their teammates also could sense the emotions by Skenes and Jax, knowing what this means to them, as two men who signed up with the Air Force Academy to serve their country, and are the only active players with military experience.

Who can blame the entire team for feeling patriotic during the national anthem and military fly-over with two former Academy cadets on their pitching staff?

“That was awesome,’’ USA first baseman Bryce Harper said. “I grew up right next to Nellis Air Force Base (in Las Vegas). So I always saw the bombers flying over, and the stealth jets, and everything else. It was a really cool experience. I saw the Blue Angels flying around there and doing that kind of stuff. We’d hear it like 6, 7 in the morning, and the bombers would fly over and be loud as crap.

“You know you represent something way bigger than yourself. You’re fighting and playing for the people that made this available to us, for our freedom and everything else. So, we owe a lot to the military and the service to what they’ve done for us.’’

And, yes, by the time the WBC is over, everyone on Team USA will know the stories of Jax and Skenes at the Air Force Academy, the sacrifices they made, and the commitment of still serving their country. Jax is a captain in the United States Air Force reserves and Skenes vows to serve in some capacity, even if it’s a coach at the Academy, when his baseball career ends.

“Just hearing the pride they have for this country and to be able to wear this uniform and have the flag on their arm,’’ Judge said, “it’s pretty cool. Really cool.’’

Follow Nightengale on X: @BNightengale

The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be unpredictable. There figures to be a great deal of quarterback movement around the league, as NFL teams chase the next Sam Darnold and players like Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa are facing uncertain futures.

But there are plenty of non-quarterbacks in whom teams will have an interest. Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III could garner robust interest after starring in the playoffs while top defensive players like Devin Lloyd, Jaelan Phillips and Jamel Dean will be coveted.

There are also questions about whether Mike Evans will return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or take his talents elsewhere to finish his career.

Salary cap constraints will also play a role in all negotiations. A total of 10 NFL teams entered March still over the league’s $301.2 million salary cap for 2026. They will need to become cap-compliant before being allowed to chase some of the available free-agent stars.

With all that in mind, here’s a look at which external free agents could be the perfect fits for each of the NFL’s 32 teams.

NFL free agency predictions

Note: For the purposes of this exercise, each team’s target is a player not currently on their roster.

Arizona Cardinals: OT Braden Smith

The Cardinals need more talent in their front seven, but filling the hole they have at right tackle in free agency could allow them to use the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on someone like David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr. or Sonny Styles. Smith has been rock-solid across 105 career starts, mostly at right tackle. The soon-to-be 30-year-old would be a plug-and-play replacement for veteran free agents Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum.

Atlanta Falcons: WR Jauan Jennings

Kevin Stefanski and the Falcons appear committed to starting Michael Penix Jr., so adding to the 2024 first-round pick’s stable of weapons would be smart. Jennings is a rugged receiver and a willing blocker who totaled 55 catches for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns with the 49ers last season. He would fit well as a No. 2 wide-out across from Drake London and give Atlanta one of the NFL’s most physically imposing receiver rooms.

Baltimore Ravens: Edge Odafe Oweh

Could Oweh return to Baltimore in free agency? It sure seems possible. He spent the first four-plus seasons with the Ravens before being dealt to the Chargers ahead of last year’s trade deadline. Oweh proceeded to break out, posting 7.5 sacks across 12 games in Jesse Minter’s defense. Now, Minter is Baltimore’s head coach and is in need of a top-end pass rusher, making Oweh a sensible and familiar target for the Ravens.

Buffalo Bills: WR Mike Evans

Evans has spent the entirety of his 12-year NFL career to date in Tampa Bay. Should he leave, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler outlined the veteran receiver would be seeking a team with ‘a quarterback he believes in, a chance at a Super Bowl, a top-shelf offensive coordinator and the promise of high-volume touches.’

With that in mind, joining the Bills and becoming Josh Allen’s No. 1 receiver could greatly appeal to Evans. The only question is whether a deal would be possible, as Buffalo is $6.3 million over the cap ahead of free agency, per OverTheCap.com.

Carolina Panthers: LB Quay Walker

The Panthers could mimic their approach to 2025 free agency – during which they addressed a position of need, defensive line, by signing a few young, high-upside players to mid-tier contracts – at linebacker in 2026. Walker would fit that model, as he has generated at least 102 tackles across his four NFL seasons to date and is only entering his age-26 season.

Chicago Bears: Edge Boye Mafe

Only one Bears edge rusher, Montez Sweat, logged more than 30 pressures and 4.5 sacks last season, per the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. Mafe – a hyper-athletic rusher who posted 41 pressures and two sacks while playing 50% of the snaps for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks last year – would take away attention from Sweat with his blazing speed off the edge.

Cincinnati Bengals: S Bryan Cook

Signing Geno Stone after his seven-interception season never quite worked out for the Bengals. Stone graded 76th among 91 qualified safeties in 2025, per Pro Football Focus, and allowed 14.5 yards per reception. Comparatively, Cook graded as PFF’s No. 4 overall safety, racking up 85 tackles and six pass defenses. He would go a long way toward stabilizing a Bengals secondary that has struggled immensely since its run to Super Bowl 56.

Cleveland Browns: OT Rasheed Walker

Incredibly, the Browns’ entire starting offensive line will be unrestricted free agents in 2026. Todd Monken will need to quickly rebuild the unit and could lock down Walker – a solid left tackle who graded 11th-best among offensive tackles in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric – to begin that process.

Dallas Cowboys: S Jaquan Brisker

It might be hard for the Cowboys to make a significant splash in free agency, as they are currently a league-worst $56.1 million over the cap, per OverTheCap.com. Still, some creative restructures with Dak Prescott and the like could open the door for Dallas to sign a quality playmaker.

Brisker is a hard-hitting safety who has averaged just under 112 tackles per 17 games played across his career. He would be a big-time upgrade for a Cowboys defense that needs help at all levels of the defense and could desperately use a back-end enforcer.

Denver Broncos: TE Cade Otton

Starting tight end Adam Trautman will be a free agent in 2026. The Broncos could re-sign him, or rely on heralded 2025 signing Evan Engram to serve as the team’s top tight end, but Otton’s well-rounded game could appeal to Sean Payton. Otton, 27 in April, is a rock-solid blocker who averaged just under 52 receptions per year across his four seasons in Tampa Bay.

Detroit Lions: CB Alontae Taylor

The Lions sport one of the league’s best safety tandems, but their cornerback room has yet to fully reach its potential. Adding Taylor – a lanky, ironman cornerback with 52 career pass defenses across 64 games – to man the slot could help plug some of the leaks in Detroit’s defense.

Green Bay Packers: CB Nahshon Wright

Wright came out of nowhere to post a Pro Bowl season with the Bears, as he generated five interceptions and two forced fumbles as a full-time starter. NFL talent evaluators may worry about Wright being a one-year wonder, but Green Bay and new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon could relish an opportunity to steal the 6-4, 199-pound ballhawk from their division rival.

Houston Texans: G Zion Johnson

Kenneth Walker III was penciled in here until the Texans traded for David Montgomery. Now, Houston should look to continue its offensive line rebuild, which was furthered by Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs exiting the team via trade. Johnson was a road-grader who finished second in ESPN’s run blocking win rate metric last season. He and Montgomery will help create a more imposing run game in Houston.

Indianapolis Colts: Edge K’Lavon Chaisson

Laiatu Latu and JT Tuimoloau are the only edge rushers under contract for the Colts next season. Chaisson logged a career-best 7.5 sacks and had 52 pressures with the Patriots last season. The 2020 first-round pick could start across from Latu and would be a quality replacement for pending free agent Kwity Paye.

Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Jaylen Watson

The Jaguars traded for Greg Newsome II last season to be the team’s top cornerback. That didn’t quite go as planned, as Newsome surrendered a 107.2 passer rating during the campaign. Watson found much more success with the Chiefs, allowing just a 69 passer rating while grading as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-best run defender.

Kansas City Chiefs: RB Travis Etienne Jr.

The Chiefs’ top two running backs from the 2025 NFL season – Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt – are both set to be free agents. The duo averaged 3.9 and 3.7 yards per carry respectively last season, so Kansas City may seek an upgrade. Etienne is an explosive running back with top-tier receiving abilities, making him an ideal fit next to Patrick Mahomes.

Las Vegas Raiders: WR Rashid Shaheed

The Raiders presently have $89.1 million in cap space for 2026, per OverTheCap.com, so they are positioned to make multiple splashes. They will likely look to build around presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, and adding him a speedster like Shaheed – who has thrived under the tutelage of Klint Kubiak – would give the team much-needed veteran help at the receiver position.

Los Angeles Chargers: C Tyler Linderbaum

Justin Herbert was pressured an NFL-high 288 times during the 2025 season. Linderbaum – who has graded as one of Pro Football Focus’ top-seven centers in each of his first four seasons and has connections to Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz from their time together in Baltimore – would help make sure that doesn’t happen again.

Los Angeles Rams: CB Riq Woolen

Les Snead admirably rebuilt the Rams’ defensive line in wake of Aaron Donald’s retirement. Now, the back end of the unit needs attention, as Los Angeles could use a higher-end outside starter. Woolen hasn’t always been consistent, but his rare size (6-4, 210 pounds), length and athleticism have allowed him to produce 53 pass defenses and 12 interceptions across four seasons.

Miami Dolphins: QB Malik Willis

The Dolphins are preparing to move on from Tua Tagovailoa. Could they land Willis as a replacement? It might be difficult, as Miami has less than $1 million in cap space and will take on an enormous dead-cap hit once Tagovailoa is released. Still, Willis would be a great fit in Miami as a young, accurate, mobile quarterback who is familiar with coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan from their time together with the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings: RB Kenneth Walker III

Will the Vikings be able to afford Walker? Maybe not, as they are currently a whopping $45.5 million over the NFL’s salary cap for 2026. However, if they can clear space, Walker – the Super Bowl 60 MVP who has recorded 1,000-plus scrimmage yards in three of his four seasons – would give J.J. McCarthy a trusty, three-down back and physical, downhill runner on whom to rely as he continues to develop.

New England Patriots: Edge Trey Hendrickson

Only two Patriots players – Harold Landry (8.5) and K’Lavon Chaisson (7.5) – had more than four sacks last season. Hendrickson is on the older side, but he fits New England’s win-now timeline. The 31-year-old has generated 74.5 sacks across 87 games dating back to the 2020 NFL season.

New Orleans Saints: G David Edwards

The Saints have spent a lot of recent draft capital along the offensive line, but they still have a hole at left guard. Edwards has started at that position for the last two seasons with the Bills and ranked 10th among interior offensive linemen in ESPN’s run blocking win rate metric. The eight-year veteran is only entering his age-29 season and would complete a stalwart unit in front of Tyler Shough.

New York Giants: TE Isaiah Likely

Theo Johnson has shown some promise as the Giants’ top tight end, but that won’t stop John Harbaugh from bringing Likely over from Baltimore. A pairing of Johnson and Likely – who averaged 34 catches for 392 yards while logging 15 touchdowns across four seasons in Baltimore – would provide the 22-year-old Jaxson Dart a couple of younger weapons with whom he can grow.

New York Jets: CB Jamel Dean

Second-year coach Aaron Glenn is entering the 2026 NFL season on a hot seat and the Jets are armed with the third-most cap space in the NFL. That should position them to be active in free agency, and Dean would be an ideal Sauce Gardner replacement. Dean allowed just a 46.9 passer rating for the Buccaneers last season while totaling a career-best three interceptions. That’s three more than the Jets had overall in 2025.

Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Khalil Mack

This just feels like a Howie Roseman move, doesn’t it? The Eagles may not have the money needed to both retain Jaelan Phillips and extend Jalen Carter, so targeting a proven replacement on a short-term deal to replace the former would make sense. Mack had 32 pressures and 5.5 sacks in 12 games last season for the Chargers last season.

Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Wan’Dale Robinson

The Steelers have DK Metcalf at receiver and not much else. Robinson is undersized at 5-8, 185 pounds, but he generated 92 catches for a career-best 1,014 yards last season. The 25-year-old’s quick separation skills would make him an ideal short-area target for Aaron Rodgers, should the veteran quarterback return for a 22nd season.

San Francisco 49ers: WR Romeo Doubs

The 49ers are planning to part with Brandon Aiyuk and may also lose Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne in free agency. That will leave San Francisco searching for a proven receiving option across from Ricky Pearsall, and Doubs could fit the bill. The 6-2, 204-pound receiver generated 55 catches for 724 yards and six touchdowns last season while showing good contested-catch skills and physicality that Kyle Shanahan will value.

Seattle Seahawks: CB Greg Newsome II

Both Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are set to be free agents in 2026. If the Seahawks can’t retain either, they could target another veteran. Newsome has been up-and-down the last couple of seasons, but the Seahawks could take a short-term chance on the 25-year-old to see if he can regain his 2023 form, when he broke up 13 passes and allowed just a 76.3 passer rating.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Kwity Paye

The Buccaneers signed Haason Reddick to improve their edge rush last season. That never came to fruition, as he totaled just 2.5 sacks and 32 pressures for the team. Paye would represent a higher-upside partner for Tampa Bay’s top edge rusher, Yaya Diaby. The 27-year-old has generated at least four sacks in each of his five NFL seasons and a total of 30.5 across 75 games.

Tennessee Titans: LB Devin Lloyd

The Titans have an NFL-high $94.8 million in salary cap space for the 2026 offseason, so Robert Saleh could use that to fortify his defense. Lloyd is arguably the best free agent available and was named an All-Pro second-teamer in 2025 after generating 81 tackles and a career-high five interceptions.

Washington Commanders: Edge Jaelan Phillips

The Commanders are, once again, flush with cap space and will likely use it to get younger and quicker. Phillips won’t turn 27 until May and ranked 11th in the NFL with 63 pressures last season. Washington sorely needs to improve its edge rush unit, and stealing Phillips from the rival Eagles could pay major dividends.