2026 NFL Free Agency & Trade Predictions: Malik Willis, Maxx Crosby, and More Landing Spots

Malik Willis to the Arizona Cardinals

 

Willis has been one of the hottest names in the FA pool since he filled in admirably for Jordan Love late in the season for the Packers. There were reports that he would command 35M+ in free agency, but even after he played so well down the stretch I feel like that’s a bit too rich for someone with just six NFL starts under his belt. Jeremy Fowler reported that he would likely receive something similar to the 2-40M deal we saw Justin Fields get from the Jets but I think there is room for that to rise a bit to the 25M range. Overall, the Browns have been linked heavily to him but I don’t see that happening. With the reports that both Arizona and Miami will be moving on from their QB’s I think it’s a race between the two and Willis has ties to both teams. Miami hired Green Bay’s DC Jeff Hafley while Arizona hired his former HC Matt LaFleur’s brother Mike. My prediction is he signs with the Cardinals right now. 

 

Anthony Richardson to the Cleveland Browns 

 

This one is a trade prediction, but this just feels like a natural fit. Indianapolis has given Richardson permission to seek out a trade and that should tell you what you need to know about Daniel Jones returning to the team in 2026 as well. Richardson has dealt with a ton of injuries during his NFL career and has never had a full season under his belt to try and deliver on the chance the Colts took on him when they drafted him inside the top-5. He’s still just 23 years old, and I could see the Browns taking on a reclamation project in what’s likely to be a rebuilding season. It won’t cost them much, and new HC Todd Monken loves to feature a vertical passing game in his offense while Richardson has shown the ability to throw the deep ball in the limited sample we’ve seen from him. 

 

Romeo Doubs to the Buffalo Bills 

 

This one just feels so Buffalo Bills. I’m a Romeo Doubs fan, I think he is a solid NFL WR, but the Bills always seem to underwhelm in every move they make despite their championship window closing more and more by the day. They always seem to pick off the second-level of talent with these moves ever since they got “burned” on the Stefon Diggs trade even though I think that was pretty much a success, it just didn’t end up how they planned. Doubs has shown the ability to get open at the NFL level, but I feel like the Bills could do better with acquiring a WR. 

 

Trey Hendrickson to the Washington Commanders 

 

This one feels like a natural fit, checking all the boxes. Washington has plenty of cap space while Jayden Daniels remains on his rookie deal, we know they have a huge hole to fill at edge rusher and you can easily paint the picture that this team can compete in the NFC despite their down year due to injuries in 2025. Hendrickson is finally going to get paid after a few years of turmoil surrounding that in Cincinnati and if he wants to win right now this is one of the better spots to accomplish both things. If he’s less interested in the win right now scenario, I could see the Titans working themselves into this mix. 

 

Joey Bosa to the San Francisco 49ers 

 

This is a smaller scale prediction, but we know the 49ers are looking for more pass rush help and it would only make sense for Joey to link up with his brother Nick and play alongside each other for the first time since their days at Ohio State. This is one I feel pretty confident on the potential of it happening. 

 

Maxx Crosby to the Dallas Cowboys

 

Another trade prediction, this one just screams Jerry Jones. Trading away Michah Parsons because he didn’t want to pay him what he’s worth only to then trade the draft capital you received for Parsons for the right to pay Maxx Crosby just feels like something the Dallas Cowboys would do. Either way, it sounds like Crosby’s time in Vegas is nearing its end as the team brought in a new HC, will be drafting a new QB number one overall and focusing on a full rebuild. I don’t have any idea who the real frontrunner for Crosby would be, but another team I would keep an eye on is the Los Angeles Rams.