6 Super Bowl players worth joining MVP Matthew Stafford for SB run next year

Ah, yes. There is a Super Bowl LX event on the horizon. After the news of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford's decision to return for 2026, it's easy for such trivial details to slip past. The Los Angeles Rams may have missed out on the opportunity to compete in Super Bowl LX, but that does not stop fans from doing a little window shopping in the upcoming 2026 NFL free agency market.

Yes, the stars will shine in this game. But it's the salary cap carnage that makes life so difficult for teams that compete in a Super Bowl. Invariably, some other NFL team shows up with a sack of cash to disassemble a Super Bowl roster. Could that ATM be general manager Les Snead in 2026?

He has already admitted that should Matthew Stafford return for his 18th season, he would be more aggressive in the offseason. Well, the secret is out. Matthew Stafford will be back. And with that news, it's time to compile a shopping list for potential free agents worthy of competing with an MVP quarterback.

And Super Bowl LX is the best first stop on this shopping spree.

Les Snead may target these 6 projected free agents in the offseason

3. Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young

While not exactly a significant contributor to the Seahawks offense, wide receiver Dareke Young has some compelling reasons to attract general manager Les Snead. For starters, he is a robust size at 6-foot-2 and 224 pounds, ensuring he has the build to enhance a physical role on offense.

He is also a special teams savant. He not only returned kickoffs in 2025, but he is a vital part of the Seahawks coverage unit. Los Angeles needs gunners. Young is very attractive for that reason alone.

2. Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen

While it's unlikely that the team will let cornerback Tariq Woolen walk to a more lucrative contract in free agency, the Seahawks front office will be scrambling to meet the contract demands of all of its projected free agents. Five defensive backs are up for new contracts. Perhaps Tariq Woolen becomes the odd man out.

Woolen is exactly the type of defensive back Los Angeles needs. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 210 pounds, he is the stuff that allows a secondary to stay in nickel packages because he is as physical as a linebacker.

Yes, he got burned by wide receiver Puka Nacua for a touchdown. Many defensive backs do.

1. Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Raheed

Perhaps the likelihood of poaching special teams superstar Rashid Raheed is a pipe dream, but you never know until you try, right? While the 6-foot-0, 180-pound receiver has limited impact in the offense, he is a very dangerous special teams player. In fact, he has scored at least one touchdown on special teams in each of the past three seasons.

He was the difference maker on a Seahawks roster that needed an extra oomph for the latter half of the 2025 NFL season. He could make a similar difference in Horns in 2026.

3. Patriots tight end Austin Hooper

The likelihood of tight end Tyler Higbee returning for 2026 is about 50/50 right now. While tight end Austin Hooper's best years are behind him, he could be a key veteran addition to the tight end room if Higbee retires. He's played 10 NFL seasons for five different NFL teams. Most known for his time with the Atlanta Falcons, Hooper can be that veteran mentor needed to ensure consistent production out of the tight end room.

2. Patriots backup OT Thayer Munford Jr.

At 6-foot-6 and tipping the scales at 315 pounds, young backup offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. is the type of player Snead loves to sign. In four seasons with the Patriots, he's appeared in 51 games with 20 starts. While much of the body of work was with the Las Vegas Raiders, he appeared in five games with two starts for the Pats.

With the likelihood of swing tackle Warren McClendon Jr. stepping into a starting role next season, the Horns will need experienced veteran depth. Munford brings that, and he is young enough to be a long-term depth solution.

1. Patriots backup OT Vederian Lowe

Poaching any offensive lineman from Coach Mike Vrabel always leads to good things, but backup offensive tackle Vederian Lowe seems like a solid get. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 315 pounds, this veteran has appeared in 46 games for the Patriots and started 25 of those contests. He even has a four-yard touchdown reception to his credit.

Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson is solid. But a medical condition has impacted his availability in two of five NFL seasons. The team cannot go cheap or inexperienced at backing up its left tackle. Lowe is a backup who is always ready to start.

As always, thanks for reading.