NFL teams are currently in one of the most active trading periods in the league calendar. On Sunday, teams cut their rosters down to 53 players. Then came the claim period and the building of practice groups. The dust is starting to settle as teams turn their attention to Week 1.
Roster hype, however, doesn’t really end in the NFL. There are plenty of veterans left on the open market who could help teams in 2026. Now that active rosters are more complete, these players are more likely to find a home in the near future.
As for the time limit, teams have a financial incentive to stay after Week 1 to sign veterans to the active roster. A veteran is defined as any player with four or more accumulated seasons. If a seasoned veteran is signed before the start of the regular season and remains on the active roster through Week 1, his base salary is fully guaranteed. If a veteran is signed to the active roster after Week 1, his base salary is not fully guaranteed. So it could be another couple of weeks before we see some available veterans sign.
What does the term “dead money” mean?
Daniel Popper and Lauren Morales-Jones
However, there is a gap. Veterans signed to the practice squad prior to Week 1 – as of 2018 The Minnesota Vikings added edge rusher Kyle Van Noy This week – their full-season contracts are not guaranteed unless they are signed to the 53-man roster before the first game.
To prepare for the next phase of roster construction, 10 veterans who could make an impact in 2026 are still on the market.
CB Kenny Moore II
The Indianapolis Colts cut Moore in early May. He spent the first nine years of his career in Indianapolis. It’s surprising that Moore still hasn’t found a team for the 2026 season. Despite turning 31 in August, Moore is one of the better nickel corners in the NFL. He is healthy in the cover. He can defend the run. He can flash. Nickels should be viewed as starters in the modern NFL. Last season, according to TruMedia, defenses were in nickel or dime packages — five or six defensive backs — on nearly 70 percent of snaps. Teams in need of a starting nickel player should target Moore.
Edge Leonard Floyd
In the late spring and summer, some of the remaining veteran players signed with teams. Cameron Jordan returned to the New Orleans Saints. Jadeveon Clowney signed with the Houston Texans. Von Miller signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Floyd is one of the last players on this team. Joey Bosa is also still unsigned, but it’s unclear whether Bosa wants to play in 2026.
Floyd He had 36 tackles while playing for the Atlanta Falcons in 2025, according to TruMedia. His 13 percent pressure rate ranks in the top 50 among players with at least 200 pass rushers. He’s still pretty explosive and could fit as a third edge for a team in need of depth.
DL Denico Autry
Autry spent the past two seasons with the Texans. Playing inside linebacker between Houston’s star edge duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Daniel Hunter fits nicely. Autry turned 36 in July. He is more of a player at this stage of life. Autry is still a handful when matched up one-on-one with guards. He is an option for any team looking for some extra interior pass rush on the defensive line. It is more effective to run inside than on the edge.
OT Taylor Decker
Decker underwent right shoulder surgery after the 2024 season As our Colton Pouncey reportsIn 2025, the cornerstone of the Detroit Lions franchise never recovered from the surgery. Decker has missed three games and sat out Wednesday’s practice regularly while managing the injury. He requested his release from the Lions in March after contract negotiations broke down. By the end of the year, Decker was playing left tackle with one arm. He used his right hand only when it was necessary. Decker was still very effective, which says a lot about the player he is. Decker’s ability to help a team in 2026 will come down to his health.
OT Jonas Williams
Williams’ two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals were hampered by injuries. He was limited to six games in 2024 due to a right knee problem. In the year He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 10 of 2025. When Williams was on the field, he was still a serviceable starter at right tackle, primarily because he was adept in pass protection. Like Decker, Williams’ health is a concern. It will be the 29th anniversary of November.
CB Marshawn Lattimore
Lattimore suffered a torn ACL in Week 9 of last season against the Washington Chiefs. He turned 30 in May. Before the injury, Lattimore still looked pretty good as a press corner. He has the size and style of play to be physical at the line of scrimmage. He was still showing the speed to carry straight lines in a panicked, running manner. A defense looking to get high in man coverage may be interested in Lattimore, depending on the progress of his injury recovery.
LB Bobby Wagner
Wagner turns 36 in June, and last season with the Chiefs, his declining athleticism hurt him as a coverage player. Earning All-Pro recognition six times, he can’t make as many sideline plays as he can. Wagner can still make an impact as a downhill run defender and blitzer. He could work his way into the off-ball linebacker rotation as an early down player.
G Kevin Zeitler
Zeitler has been a reliable run blocker in his one season with the Tennessee Titans in 2025. He turned 36 in March and was very strong at work. Zeitler has played at least 15 games per season since 2015. He had some breakdowns in pass protection on film last season, but is still a quality NFL starter. Any team in need of a veteran run stopper should be interested in Zeitler.
WR Brandin Cooks
The recipient marketLike the fringe market, it thins out in late spring and summer. Stefon Diggs signed with the Chiefs. Keenan Allen signed with the Colts. Deebo Samuel Sr. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Cooks is the best remaining player on this team.
Tyreek Hill It’s still available, of course. But his injury status is too uncertain to make a list at this stage. Hill may not be an option until much later in the season.
Cookies can threaten vertical defenses. He is a refined and deceptive road runner. I like the Miami Dolphins fit here. Their offense is very thin at receiver. New quarterback Malik Willis will need some veteran help.
OT Cam Robinson
Robinson has bounced around from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Vikings to Texas to the Cleveland Browns in recent times. Teams have been targeted if they need a starting replacement at left tackle due to injury. The Vikings traded for Robinson after starter Christian Darrisau suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2024. The Browns traded for Robinson after rookie Daund Jones suffered a knee injury that could end his 2025 season. Robinson is an imperfect player, but he works as a run blocker and pass defender. The experience – 114 career starts – is fascinating. Robinson turns 31 in October.
