Nearly 20 former Ohio State players are hitting the open market as NFL free agency begins this week.
The first deal for a former Ohio State player came just minutes into the start of free agency as the New England Patriots agreed to a three-year, $39.5 million contract with Dre’Mont Jones.
Joey Bosa, J.K. Dobbins and Taylor Decker are among the other notable former Buckeyes who became free agents this week as the NFL’s free agency negotiation window opened at noon. In total, 19 NFL players who finished their college careers at Ohio State that were under contract with NFL teams at the end of last season are now free agents as their contracts are expiring or they were released by their previous teams. (Note: The following list does not include players who were released before the end of last season and did not sign with new teams, nor does it include players who did not play in the NFL last season.)
| Pos | Player | 2026 Team | Contract | 2025 Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB | J.K. DOBBINS | BRONCOS | ||
| RB | TREY SERMON | STEELERS | ||
| WR | NOAH BROWN | COMMANDERS | ||
| WR | CURTIS SAMUEL | BILLS | ||
| TE | NICK VANNETT | RAMS | ||
| OT | TAYLOR DECKER | LIONS | ||
| OT | THAYER MUNFORD JR. | PATRIOTS | ||
| G | MICHAEL JORDAN | BUCCANEERS | ||
| DE | JOEY BOSA | BILLS | ||
| DE | JALYN HOLMES | COMMANDERS | ||
| DE | DRE’MONT JONES | PATRIOTS | 3 YEARS, $39.5 MILLION | RAVENS |
| DE | TYQUAN LEWIS | COLTS | ||
| LB | JEROME BAKER | BROWNS | ||
| CB | MARSHON LATTIMORE | COMMANDERS | ||
| CB | JEFF OKUDAH | VIKINGS | ||
| CB | KENDALL SHEFFIELD | DOLPHINS | ||
| S | JORDAN FULLER | FALCONS | ||
| S | RONNIE HICKMAN (RFA) | BROWNS | ||
| LS | JAKE MCQUAIDE | RAMS |
This year’s NFL free agents will be able to begin negotiating with teams at noon Monday, while they’ll be able to officially sign with teams starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, when the NFL’s new league year begins.
As Ohio State’s NFL free agents strike new deals, we’ll be keeping you updated on all of the contracts here at Eleven Warriors.
Updates
March 9, 2026
Patriots Sign Dre’Mont Jones
Former Ohio State defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones came off the market less than 20 minutes into the start of the NFL’s free agency negotiation period, agreeing to a three-year, $39.5 million deal with the New England Patriots, where he’ll be coached by fellow former Patriots defensive lineman Mike Vrabel.
The #Patriots are signing DreMont Jones to a 3-year, $39.5M deal, sources say. He gets $14.5M in year one. pic.twitter.com/ytk8Hu0iwV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026
March 8, 2026
Decker, Bosa, Jones Ranked As Ohio State’s Top Free Agents
Taylor Decker, who started 140 games at left tackle for the Detroit Lions over the last 10 years, is ranked by ESPN as the 32nd-best player available on the NFL free agent market this year.
Joey Bosa is ranked just three spots behind him as the 35th-best player on this year’s free-agent market. The former Ohio State defensive end led the NFL with five forced fumbles last season for the Buffalo Bills.
Dre’Mont Jones is ranked by ESPN as the 60th-best free agent after a career year in 2025 in which he recorded a career-high seven sacks.
March 6, 2026
Browns Place Second-Round Tender on Ronnie Hickman
The Cleveland Browns are placing a second-round tender worth $5.8 million on restricted free agent Ronnie Hickman, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Friday. That means any team interested in signing Hickman away from the Browns would have to give Cleveland a second-round draft pick.
If Hickman signs the tender, he’ll make $5.8 million on a one-year contract in 2026 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027. The Browns and Hickman could also still agree to a long-term contract.
March 6, 2026
Decker, Lattimore and Samuel Released
After 10 years with the Detroit Lions, Taylor Decker requested his release from the team last week, stating in an Instagram post that he and the team were “unable to find common ground” after discussions with the team about his future.
Curtis Samuel was released by the Buffalo Bills after two years with the team. He was set to make $9.5 million with the team in 2026, but the Bills opted to release him after trading for Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore.
Marshon Lattimore was released by the Washington Commanders, who acquired him in a trade with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. Lattimore’s release had long been expected, as he tore his ACL last season and was due to make $18.5 million in 2026 on a contract that carried no dead money.
