Free agency at wide receiver is about two things: timing and leverage. In 2026, a handful of pass-catchers hit the market right as the cap climbs and passing games keep expanding, which is why Spotrac’s projected numbers on this class have turned so many heads. The list blends young breakout stars, mid-prime role players, and veteran technicians, all graded against what similar receivers have signed for in recent years and what they just put on tape.

George Pickens sits among the top receivers after a genuine WR1 breakout in Dallas, where he cleared 1,400 receiving yards and nine touchdowns and was recognized as a second-team All-Pro, pushing his expected annual value over the 30 million dollar mark. Behind him, Alec Pierce’s downfield efficiency in Indianapolis and Deebo Samuel’s still-dangerous all-around game in Washington have positioned them as high-end starters who could anchor an offense if they actually reach the open market. Lower on the scale, Mike Evans and Keenan Allen don’t project to reset anything financially, but their track records as volume targets and red-zone answers mean they’ll stay on contender radars.

Spotrac’s projections don’t guarantee final contract figures, yet they do capture how teams, agents, and cap analysts currently view this group relative to the rest of the league. From a 25-year-old deep threat entering his prime to veteran route specialists trying to squeeze one more big deal out of their résumé, every name here represents a different kind of bet in a receiver market that rarely stays quiet for long.

10. Marquise Brown

Projected market value (Spotrac): 1-year, 5.5 million dollars (5.5 million AAV)

Brown remains a speed-based outside threat whose production has fluctuated with quarterback play and health, but teams still view him as a vertical option who can stretch the field. His modest projected number reflects recent inconsistency while leaving room for upside if he lands in a stable passing offense.

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9. Keenan Allen

Projected market value (Spotrac): 1-year, 6.8 million dollars (6.8 million AAV)

Allen’s projection bakes in age and durability concerns, yet he’s still regarded as one of the league’s most reliable route-runners and chain-movers from the slot. For a team needing a short-term, high-IQ target on money downs, this type of one-year figure aligns with his current market reality.

8. Romeo Doubs

Projected market value (Spotrac): 4-year, 48.0 million dollars (12.0 million AAV)

Doubs has profiled as a solid starter in Green Bay, showing the ability to play outside, handle contested catches and operate within a young receiver room. A mid-tier multi-year projection in this range signals teams see him as a dependable WR2 more than a true headliner.

7. Mike Evans

Projected market value (Spotrac): 2-year, 26.6 million dollars (13.31 million AAV)

Evans has seen his durability tested, but he remains a premier red-zone target and downfield mismatch when healthy. The projected figure reflects a short-term commitment to a 30-plus receiver who still offers size, experience and scoring production.

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6. Rashid Shaheed

Projected market value (Spotrac): 3-year, 42.4 million dollars (14.13 million AAV)

Shaheed’s market is boosted by his dual impact as a receiver and returner, with recent seasons highlighting both explosive plays on offense and value in the return game. Teams value his ability to add field-flipping speed while contributing on multiple units.

5. Deebo Samuel

Projected market value (Spotrac): 2-year, 31.5 million dollars (15.77 million AAV)

Samuel has continued to function as a featured weapon into his late twenties, combining receiving production with backfield and gadget usage. The shorter projected term reflects concern about how his physical, YAC-heavy style will age while still pricing in his versatility.

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4. Wan’Dale Robinson

Projected market value (Spotrac): 4-year, 70.6 million dollars (17.64 million AAV)

Robinson has developed into a high-volume slot option, with quickness and short-area separation that fit modern spread concepts. A valuation in this tier suggests teams expect his role and efficiency to scale in a more robust passing environment.

3. Alec Pierce

Projected market value (Spotrac): 4-year, 81.0 million dollars (20.25 million AAV)

Pierce broke through as a primary downfield target, pairing size and speed to create explosive plays on the perimeter. His ability to win vertically and threaten defenses deep is a key reason projections push him into the 20 million AAV range.

2. Jauan Jennings

Projected market value (Spotrac): 3-year, 67.8 million dollars (22.61 million AAV)

Jennings’ value has climbed after he emerged as a physical, reliable target, particularly in high-leverage spots and over the middle of the field. A larger role away from a crowded skill group could justify a WR2-level contract at this number.

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1. George Pickens

Projected market value (Spotrac): 4-year, 122.4 million dollars (30.61 million AAV)

Pickens’ breakout in Dallas, with true WR1 production and All-Pro recognition, has cemented him as the premier wideout in this free-agent class. His age and trajectory make a 30-plus million AAV estimate a reflection of how teams view his ability to anchor an offense for years.

Final whistle

Spotrac’s projections line up with how major outlets are framing this receiver market: Pickens and Pierce as big-ticket playmakers, Samuel and Jennings as high-end starters, and veterans like Evans and Allen as shorter-term solutions. For front offices, the question now is who actually reaches the open market and which of these numbers turn into real contracts once negotiations open.

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