DraftIQ Contract Board — 2027 NFL Free Agents & Extensions

SAMPLE CLIENT BRIEF · FREE

George Pickens: tag, extend, or test the market?

The full agent brief we'd build for a client: what each path is worth over the next three years, how much of it is guaranteed, the comps that set his price, and the talking points.

Read the Pickens brief

$38.0MDraftIQ target AAV

$32.8MCost of a second tag

$33–43MProjected range

The board · sorted by projected AAV

Who's still unsigned

The bar shows the projected floor-to-ceiling range per year; the mark is DraftIQ's target. "Path" is where each negotiation stands today, from current reporting.

1Puka NacuaWR · LAR$38.7M – $47.4M · 12.0–14.7% of cap$43.8M13.6% of capExtension expectedUnsigned; rookie deal ends after 2026. Hired WIN Sports Group (JSN's agency) in August; back from a two-game injury absence on Oct 4.

2George PickensWR · DAL · Read the brief →$32.9M – $42.9M · 10.2–13.3% of cap$38.0M11.8% of capSecond tag or extensionPlaying 2026 on a $27.3M franchise tag; July 15 deadline passed with no deal.

3Kobie TurnerDT · LAR$27.4M – $34.8M · 8.5–10.8% of cap$30.0M9.3% of capExtension expectedUnsigned; Rams expected to revisit after the season.

4Joey Porter Jr.CB · DAL$26.8M – $34.5M · 8.3–10.7% of cap$29.0M9.0% of capExtension or tag (Dallas)Traded PIT → DAL on Oct 1 with no extension; talks in Pittsburgh stalled on guarantees.

5Byron YoungEDGE · LAR$25.8M – $33.8M · 8.0–10.5% of cap$29.0M9.0% of capLikely to test marketUnsigned; Rams' Myles Garrett deal makes paying both unlikely.

6Tuli TuipulotuEDGE · LAC$25.1M – $33.8M · 7.8–10.5% of cap$28.4M8.8% of capExtension talksUnsigned; sat out camp team drills over his deal. Named a possible deadline trade piece (Oct 8). 13 sacks in 2025.

7DJ Turner IICB · CIN$20.9M – $27.4M · 6.5–8.5% of cap$24.2M7.5% of capTag candidateNot close to an extension (Sept). Ranked a top-10 CB in 2025 by NFL.com.

8Steve AvilaG · LAR$17.7M – $24.2M · 5.5–7.5% of cap$20.9M6.5% of capContract yearUnsigned; playing out his rookie deal.

9YaYa DiabyEDGE · TB$17.7M – $24.2M · 5.5–7.5% of cap$20.9M6.5% of capProve-it yearUnsigned; Bucs want more production before committing (Sept).

10Brian BranchS · DET$17.7M – $24.2M · 5.5–7.5% of cap$20.3M6.3% of capExtension talksUnsigned; Lions opened his practice window in October after a torn Achilles.

11Quenton NelsonG · IND$16.1M – $22.6M · 5.0–7.0% of cap$20.0M6.2% of capTalks stalledExtension talks described as stagnant (Sept). Age 31 in 2027.

12Kayvon ThibodeauxEDGE · NYG$16.1M – $23.5M · 5.0–7.3% of cap$19.3M6.0% of capOption yearPlaying on the fifth-year option; no extension for 2026.

13Sam LaPortaTE · DET$16.1M – $21.9M · 5.0–6.8% of cap$19.0M5.9% of capTag candidateLions ended extension talks Oct 4; back injury. TE tag ≈ $17.5M.

14Riley MossCB · DEN$14.5M – $20.9M · 4.5–6.5% of cap$17.7M5.5% of capLikely to test marketNot expecting an extension (July); contract year.

15Daron PayneDT · WAS$14.5M – $20.9M · 4.5–6.5% of cap$17.7M5.5% of capLikely to test marketReported in March that Washington won't extend him; trade buzz ahead of the Nov 10 deadline. Age 29.

16Josh DownsWR · IND$14.5M – $20.9M · 4.5–6.5% of cap$17.7M5.5% of capContract yearFinal year of rookie deal; expanded role in 2026.

17Jermaine Johnson IIEDGE · TEN$12.9M – $19.3M · 4.0–6.0% of cap$16.1M5.0% of capContract yearTraded NYJ → TEN in Feb 2026; contract year.

18Chase BrownRB · CIN$12.9M – $19.3M · 4.0–6.0% of cap$16.1M5.0% of capLikely to test marketWants an extension; Bengals not expected to do big 2027 deals in-season.

19Kevin DotsonG · LAR$11.3M – $16.1M · 3.5–5.0% of cap$13.9M4.3% of capContract yearUnsigned; Rams may not keep both Avila and Dotson. Age 30.

Ranges are projections, not reported offers. Status sources are listed under "How we price it." Players who signed before Oct 11, 2026 (including Jonathan Taylor, Baker Mayfield, Tucker Kraft and Kyle Pitts) are not on the board.

Extension candidates · sorted by projected AAV

Who can be extended

Players still on their current deals whose teams can extend them now or in January. Same pricing as the free-agent board; the bar shows the projected floor-to-ceiling range per year and the mark is DraftIQ's target.

1Lamar JacksonQB · BAL · Veteran$62.8M – $70.9M · 19.5–22.0% of cap$67.7M21.0% of capOn hold until 2027Talks on hold until 2027 (Sept). $84.3M cap hit in 2027, no-tag and no-trade clauses; could be the first $70M-a-year player.

2Jayden DanielsQB · WAS · 2024 class$61.2M – $70.9M · 19.0–22.0% of cap$66.1M20.5% of capEligible Jan 2027Rookie deal runs through 2027, with a fifth-year option for 2028. ESPN expects the 2024 QB class to push the market toward $70M a year.

3Drake MayeQB · NE · 2024 class$61.2M – $70.9M · 19.0–22.0% of cap$66.1M20.5% of capEligible Jan 2027Rookie deal runs through 2027, with a fifth-year option for 2028.

4Caleb WilliamsQB · CHI · 2024 class$58.0M – $68.3M · 18.0–21.2% of cap$62.8M19.5% of capEligible Jan 2027GM Ryan Poles is planning for an eventual extension but wants him to “stack years” first (Feb).

5C.J. StroudQB · HOU · 2023 class$53.2M – $62.8M · 16.5–19.5% of cap$57.4M17.8% of capTalks pausedNo in-season talks after the Sept. 13 deadline passed; Houston's offer would have placed him among the 12 QBs at $50M+ a year. 2027 option: $25.9M.

6Bo NixQB · DEN · 2024 class$51.6M – $61.2M · 16.0–19.0% of cap$56.4M17.5% of capEligible Jan 2027Eligible when the 2027 league year opens; Denver has to weigh his deal against a rising QB market.

7Sam DarnoldQB · SEA · Veteran$48.3M – $58.0M · 15.0–18.0% of cap$53.2M16.5% of capExtension candidateSigned through 2027 on a 3-year, $100.5M deal (2025); Spotrac puts his market value near $52.5M.

8Daniel JonesQB · IND · Veteran$41.9M – $51.6M · 13.0–16.0% of cap$46.7M14.5% of capBridge dealTwo-year, $88M deal (2026) runs through 2027, so 2027 is his contract year.

9Bryce YoungQB · CAR · 2023 class$38.7M – $53.2M · 12.0–16.5% of cap$45.1M14.0% of capOption yearOption picked up ($25.9M for 2027); Carolina has given no timeline on an extension.

10Malik NabersWR · NYG · 2024 class$37.1M – $46.7M · 11.5–14.5% of cap$41.9M13.0% of capEligible Jan 2027Back from a 2025 torn ACL that limited him to four games; how 2026 goes sets his number.

11Brian Thomas Jr.WR · JAX · 2024 class$32.2M – $40.6M · 10.0–12.6% of cap$36.4M11.3% of capEligible Jan 2027Rookie deal runs through 2027, with a fifth-year option for 2028.

12Jared VerseEDGE · LAR · 2024 class$30.6M – $41.9M · 9.5–13.0% of cap$35.5M11.0% of capEligible Jan 2027Rookie deal runs through 2027, with a fifth-year option for 2028. Anderson's $50M deal resets the top of the EDGE market.

13Nico CollinsWR · HOU · Veteran$30.6M – $37.4M · 9.5–11.6% of cap$33.8M10.5% of capRaise, no new yearsGot a $9M raise for 2026 and $8M for 2027 in May, but no added years: his deal still ends after 2027.

14Ladd McConkeyWR · LAC · 2024 class$29.0M – $37.4M · 9.0–11.6% of cap$33.2M10.3% of capEligible Jan 2027Second-round pick: no fifth-year option, so his deal ends after 2027 and Los Angeles has less control.

15Quinyon MitchellCB · PHI · 2024 class$29.0M – $36.1M · 9.0–11.2% of cap$33.2M10.3% of capEligible Jan 2027Rookie deal runs through 2027, with a fifth-year option for 2028. Five CBs now earn $30M+ a year.

16Joe AltOT · LAC · 2024 class$29.0M – $35.5M · 9.0–11.0% of cap$32.2M10.0% of capEligible Jan 2027Rookie deal runs through 2027, with a fifth-year option for 2028.

17Marvin Harrison Jr.WR · ARI · 2024 class$27.4M – $37.4M · 8.5–11.6% of cap$32.2M10.0% of capEligible Jan 2027Rookie deal runs through 2027, with a fifth-year option for 2028.

18Jordan AddisonWR · MIN · 2023 class$27.4M – $33.8M · 8.5–10.5% of cap$30.6M9.5% of capExtension talksVikings' top extension priority entering camp; reporting describes several hurdles in the talks. Option: $18M.

19Paris Johnson Jr.OT · ARI · 2023 class$25.8M – $33.8M · 8.0–10.5% of cap$30.0M9.3% of capInjured · seasonOut for the season with a torn biceps (Oct 5). Has said he's aiming for $40M a year; the injury makes that harder. Option: $19.1M.

20Calijah KanceyDT · TB · 2023 class$22.6M – $32.2M · 7.0–10.0% of cap$27.4M8.5% of capOption yearOption picked up ($15.5M for 2027); no extension reported. Five DTs signed for $30M+ a year since June.

21Brock BowersTE · LV · 2024 class$21.9M – $29.0M · 6.8–9.0% of cap$25.8M8.0% of capEligible Jan 2027Expected to reset the TE market (ESPN, Sept). Had a meniscus trim in September; Raiders gave Michael Mayer $15M a year.

22Anton HarrisonOT · JAX · 2023 class$20.9M – $29.0M · 6.5–9.0% of cap$25.1M7.8% of capOption yearMoved from right to left tackle this summer; option picked up ($19.1M); no extension reported.

23Quentin JohnstonWR · LAC · 2023 class$20.9M – $28.0M · 6.5–8.7% of cap$24.2M7.5% of capOption yearOption picked up ($18M); no extension reported. Playing for his next deal.

24Nnamdi MadubuikeDT · BAL · Veteran$20.9M – $27.4M · 6.5–8.5% of cap$24.2M7.5% of capContract runs through 2027Back from neck surgery for 2026; his 2024 deal ($24.5M a year) runs through 2027.

25Montez SweatEDGE · CHI · Veteran$20.9M – $27.4M · 6.5–8.5% of cap$24.2M7.5% of capContract runs through 2027The extension he signed after his 2023 trade to Chicago runs through 2027; he turns 31 in 2027.

26Nolan Smith Jr.EDGE · PHI · 2023 class$19.3M – $27.4M · 6.0–8.5% of cap$23.5M7.3% of capOption yearOption picked up ($13.8M); healthy and in line for an expanded role (Aug).

27Antoine Winfield Jr.S · TB · Veteran$19.3M – $25.8M · 6.0–8.0% of cap$22.6M7.0% of capContract runs through 2027Top-of-market safety deal ($21M a year, 2024) runs through 2027; Tampa Bay has restructured it once.

28Bryan BreseeDT · NO · 2023 class$17.7M – $25.8M · 5.5–8.0% of cap$21.9M6.8% of capInjured · seasonOut for the season with a torn ACL (late July). Option picked up ($13.4M) before the injury.

29Roquan SmithLB · BAL · Veteran$17.7M – $24.2M · 5.5–7.5% of cap$20.9M6.5% of capContract runs through 2027Five-year, $100M deal (2023) runs through 2027; he turns 30 during the 2027 season.

30Lukas Van NessEDGE · GB · 2023 class$16.1M – $24.2M · 5.0–7.5% of cap$20.3M6.3% of capOption yearOption picked up ($13.8M, fully guaranteed); no extension reported.

31Will McDonald IVEDGE · NYJ · 2023 class$16.1M – $24.2M · 5.0–7.5% of cap$20.3M6.3% of capNo 2026 extensionOption picked up ($14.5M), but reporting says the Jets won't extend him in 2026.

32Jaylon JohnsonCB · CHI · Veteran$16.1M – $22.6M · 5.0–7.0% of cap$19.3M6.0% of capProve-it yearCalls 2026 “definitely a contract year”; four-year, $76M deal (2024) runs through 2027.

33Dalton KincaidTE · BUF · 2023 class$14.5M – $20.0M · 4.5–6.2% of cap$17.1M5.3% of capOption yearOption picked up ($8.2M); trending toward an expanded role (Aug).

34Christian McCaffreyRB · SF · Veteran$12.9M – $19.3M · 4.0–6.0% of cap$16.1M5.0% of capContract runs through 2027Two-year extension (2024) runs through 2027; turns 31 in 2027. Bijan and Gibbs reset the RB top at $22M+.

Ranges are projections, not reported offers. 2024-class ranges are positional tiers until the 2026 season settles; we re-price them in January when the class becomes eligible. Players who already extended in 2026 (Will Anderson Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jalen Carter, Zay Flowers, Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon, Darnell Wright, Peter Skoronski, Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson) are not on the board; they are the comps below.

The 2026 deals that set these prices

Each deal as a share of the 2026 cap ($301.2M). Our ranges apply the same shares to the projected 2027 cap.

Player	Pos · Team	Deal	AAV	% of cap
Patrick MahomesQB market top	QB · KC	—	$64.00M	21.2%
Baker MayfieldSep 8	QB · TB	3 / $165M	$55.00M	18.3%
Will Anderson Jr.2023 class · record for a non-QB	EDGE · HOU	3 / $150M	$50.00M	16.6%
Jaxon Smith-Njigba2023 class · Mar 23	WR · SEA	4 / $168.6M	$42.15M	14.0%
Jalen Carter2023 class · Jul 28	DT · PHI	4 / $152M	$38.00M	12.6%
Zay Flowers2023 class · Aug	WR · BAL	4 / $140M	$35.00M	11.6%
Christian Gonzalez2023 class · Sep 8	CB · NE	4 / $135M	$33.75M	11.2%
Devon Witherspoon2023 class · Aug 15	CB · SEA	4 / $132M	$33.00M	11.0%
Darnell Wright2023 class	OT · CHI	4 / $116M	$29.00M	9.6%
Peter Skoronski2023 class · Aug 7	G · TEN	4 / $100M	$25.00M	8.3%
Jahmyr Gibbs2023 class · Aug	RB · DET	3 / $67.5M	$22.50M	7.5%
Bijan Robinson2023 class · Aug	RB · ATL	3 / $66.75M	$22.25M	7.4%

Method

How we price it

Comps as a share of the cap. For each player we take recent deals by players at the same position, age and production tier, and record what each was worth as a share of the salary cap in the year it was signed.
Projected onto 2027. That share is multiplied by the projected 2027 cap ($322.3M base; $316–328M range), so a 2027 deal isn't priced in 2026 dollars.
Floor, target, ceiling. The floor is the low end of matched comps, the target where his profile fits, and the ceiling the top comp, never below it unless age or injury explains why.
Extensions, same rule. Extension candidates are priced from the 2026 extensions listed on that tab, as a share of the 2026 cap, applied to the projected 2027 cap: the year most of these deals would be signed.
Status, re-checked. Every player's status was checked against current reporting on Oct 11, 2026. Anyone who signs comes off the board at the next refresh.

Sources: Over the Cap and Spotrac contract records; team and league reporting (NFL.com, ESPN, CBS Sports, Pro Football Rumors, Yahoo Sports, SI, team sites), Aug–Oct 2026.

The 2027 Contract Board

George Pickens: tag, extend, or test the market?

Who's still unsigned

Who can be extended

The 2026 deals that set these prices

How we price it

Representing a 2027 free agent?