The Super Bowl has wrapped up, and with the new league year on the horizon, NFL free agency for the 2026 season is just around the corner. Teams are busy strategizing for their players and scouting potential free agents heading into the offseason. In this article, we’ll explore projected specialists in the upcoming free-agent class and offer our estimations on how they might be ranked by teams.
Last season’s performance for special teams was challenging, to say the least. Many teams might be on the lookout for specialists, and there are some solid candidates in this offseason. Let’s take a closer look.
1. K Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
2025 Stats: 36-of-42 field goals (81%), 60 yards long, 21-of-22 XP
Aubrey stands out at the top of this list following another impressive season with the Cowboys. He nailed all his field goals from 49 yards and under, with all six misses coming from attempts over 50 yards. His longest kick this year was 64 yards, just shy of his personal best of 65 set in 2024.
Having kicked in the NFL for three seasons now, Aubrey has made the Pro Bowl each year and received a mix of first-team and second-team All-Pro honors. He’s certainly our standout specialist this offseason.
2. P Ryan Wright, Minnesota Vikings
2025 Stats: 49.0 average, 44.5 net average, 77 yards long, 38.5 completion percentage within the 20.
Wright has maintained remarkable consistency during his four seasons with the Vikings. At age 25, he achieved personal bests with an average of 44.5 net yards per punt and a long of 77 yards this year.
It would be surprising if the Vikings let him go, considering top special teams players aren’t easy to find. For now, he’s the leading punter on this list.
3. P Matt Araiza, Kansas City Chiefs
2025 Stats: 47.6 average, 41.3 net average, 69 yards long, 44.6 completion percentage within the 20.
Like Wright, Araiza is also just 25 and is making a name for himself as a punter in the NFL. He hasn’t played a ton in the last two seasons with the Chiefs but was reliable when needed. His 44.6 completion percentage within the 20-yard line indicates he could be a real asset in the third phase of the game.
4. P Mitch Wishnowski, Buffalo Bills
2025 Stats: 45.3 average, 41.8 net average, 62 yards long, 47.4 completion percentage within the 20.
While Wishnowski’s overall average doesn’t compete with the younger punters higher on this list, he boasts the best 9-of-20 completion rate at 47.4. Turning 34 during the 2026 season, he certainly still has the potential to perform well. If the Bills don’t choose to re-sign him, other teams will be eager for his skills.
5. K Nick Folk, New York Jets
2025 Stats: 28 of 29 field goals, 58 yards long, 22 of 22 XP
Even at 40, Folk remains an asset for his team, hitting every extra point and missing only once from 50 yards or more. He was one of the few shining lights in a tough season for the Jets. The Jets might think twice about keeping him around, but, you know, their decision-making can be unpredictable.
6. K Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders
2025 Stats: 22 of 27 field goals, 60 yards long, 21 of 22 XP
Due to the Raiders’ struggling offense, Carlson took several long attempts, with five successful out of eight tries from 50 yards or more. The 2025 season was notably less successful for him, returning an 81 percent success rate, the lowest since 2019. Still, his kick of 60 yards last season shows he still has plenty of leg strength left.
7. K Jake Bates, Detroit Lions
2025 Stats: 27 of 34 field goals, 64 yards long, 54 of 56 XP
After a standout first season with the Lions, Bates encountered some regression in 2025, completing only 79 percent of his kicks. He found the longer attempts particularly challenging, making just four out of nine. If the Lions can see potential in Bates’ minor flaws and recognize his age of 26, he could still turn into a valuable player for them.
8. LS Josh Harris, Los Angeles Chargers
Harris, a former All-Pro rarely mentioned, has performed consistently well over the past 15 seasons. If injuries don’t hinder him in 2025, he will likely find a place on another team if the Chargers decide not to re-sign him.
9. LS Andrew DePaolo, Minnesota Vikings
DePaolo, like Harris, is among the top long snappers in the league. Letting him go would be a poor decision for the Vikings, especially when having a reliable long snapper can alleviate potential worries during a season that could bring challenges.
10. K Eddie Pinero, San Francisco 49ers
2025 Stats: 28 of 29 field goals, 59 yards long, 24 of 38 XP
Pinero recently recorded a career-high 96.6 conversion percentage for field goals, notably surpassing an 8-of-8 achievement in 2021. His solitary miss came from beyond 50 yards, and he hit a career-best kick of 59 yards. His efficiency is commendable, though teams may still weigh his limitations, particularly regarding leg strength and overall performance consistency.
