2026 NFL Free Agency: Top 10 Players Available

The deadline for NFL teams to use the franchise or transition tag came yesterday at 4:00 PM EST and as expected, there wasn't much action as George Pickens (Cowboys), Breece Hall (Jets), Kyle Pitts (Falcons) and Daniel Jones (Colts) were the only players to receive this increasingly unpopular designation that prevents players from hitting the opening market. With the 2026 free agency class locked in, it's now time to take a look at what players will be the most coveted when the legal tampering period opens on Monday at noon EST. Here are the 10 players that I believe are the best available in this not overly flashy but still intriguing free agent class. 

(Note: Kyler Murray was excluded from this list as he's currently still on the Cardinals roster and could still get traded before the new league year begins next Wednesday-which is when they're set to cut him if no trade materializes)

10.Malik Willis, quarterback (2025 team: Green Bay Packers)

After being traded to the Packers right before the start of the 2024 regular season, Willis went from a guy who was on the cusp of not being able to make an NFL roster to arguably the most trusted backup quarterback in the league. How sharp Willis looked every time he was asked to step in for Jordan Love paired with the thinness of this year's draft class means a number of QB-desperate teams will be vying for his services despite his relative lack of action (6 career starts, 155 career passing attempts). Given the plethora of options he'll have, Willis would be wise to prioritize going somewhere with an established offensive coach like the Vikings or Steelers that will give him the best chance of making the most of his first true crack at being a starter in the league.

Possible Destinations: New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals

9.Jaelan Phillips, edge rusher (2025 teams: Miami Dolphins/Philadelphia Eagles)

After appearing in just 12 combined games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Phillips was able to play a full 17-game slate in 2025 and looked like every bit of the player he was during his first 2 years in the league. While he wasn't always able to get home (he only logged 5 sacks last season in his 9 games with the Dolphins and 8 with the Eagles), Phillips is outstanding at generating pressure on QB's (73 last year-which ranked 9th in the league) and would be a great addition to any team that's looking for a top-tier #2 edge rushing option.

Possible Destinations: Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals

8.Isaac Seumalo, guard (2025 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Seumalo has been one of the best guards in football since he became a full-time starter with the Eagles back in 2019. Coming off a campaign where he graded out as the 12th best guard in the league according to PFF, he's got plenty of gas left in the tank heading into his age 33 season and should be able to land a nice 3-or-4-year deal come next week.

Possible Destinations: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns

7.Alec Pierce, wide receiver (2025 team: Indianapolis Colts)

A vertical passing attack is a key part of most NFL offenses and no pure deep threat in the league right now is more lethal than Pierce. The University of Cincinnati product has averaged over 20 YDS per reception and scored 6+ TD's in back-to-back seasons and cleared 1,000 YDS for the first time in his career in 2025. If the Colts can't find a way to bring him back, he'll have a massive market in this very shallow pool of free agent wideouts.

Possible Destinations: Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins

6.Kenneth Walker III, running back (2025 team: Seattle Seahawks)

It was a bit surprising that the Seahawks didn't elect to franchise tag the reigning Super Bowl MVP given how important running the ball is to their offense's identity (that's not expected to change with the departure of OC Klint Kubiak) and that their 1B running back Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in their Divisional Round matchup with the 49ers. While durability and play-by-play consistency certainly aren't among Walker's strong suits, the huge runs that his rare burst and power allow him to rip off make him the kind of backfield weapon that is capable of transforming an entire offense. 

Possible Destinations: Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars

5.Odafe Oweh, edge rusher (2025 teams: Baltimore Ravens/Los Angeles Chargers)

Landing with the Chargers after being dealt away by the Ravens in mid-October made Oweh a lot of money as he raised his game to a whole new level (7.5 sacks, 8 TFL's, 13 QB hits in 12 games) playing in Jesse Minter's blitz-happy system. Not everybody looking for edge help will have the stomach to pay a guy who only plays in sub packages, but those who do will be getting a tenacious, unrelenting pass-rushing specialist who just so happens to be in the middle of his prime.

Possible Destinations: Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

4.Jamel Dean, cornerback (2025 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 

Dean being a constantly dinged-up player (he's missed somewhere between 2 and 5 games in all 7 of his NFL seasons thus far) about to enter his age 30 season gives him a level of risk that isn't attached to other corners in this free agency class such as Cobie Durant, Alontae Taylor and Jaylen Watson. However, unlike his aforementioned peers, Dean has displayed a consistently high level of play while drawing tough assignments and should be able to remain a #1 corner for at least another 2-3 years if he's able to stay at least relatively healthy.

Possible Destinations: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals

3.Trey Hendrickson, edge rusher (2025 team: Cincinnati Bengals)

After a couple years of unfilled trade requests and contract disputes, Hendrickson has finally been liberated from the Bengals organization. The timing isn't exactly ideal for the 4x Pro Bowler to hit the open market as he's coming off a 2025 campaign that ended with him getting hip/pelvis surgery after appearing in just 7 games and will turn 32 in December. While there's certainly a real chance Hendrickson's best football is behind him, a guy who has a whopping 74.5 sacks over the last 6 seasons is worth rolling the dice on.

Possible Destinations: Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2.Devin Lloyd, inside linebacker (2025 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)

Over the past couple of seasons, Lloyd has turned into the elite sideline-to-sideline linebacker that he was projected to be when the Jaguars took him in the 1st round back in 2022. Getting the chance to bring in a linebacker this complete as he's about to enter his prime is incredibly rare and the payday he'll receive will likely reflect that.

Possible Destinations: Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos

1.Tyler Linderbaum, center (2025 team: Baltimore Ravens)

It would be flat out irresponsible for a Ravens team whose offensive line took a huge step back in 2025 to let the most reliable member of that group walk. However, they may not be able to afford Linderbaum's services as center is one of the thinnest positions in the league and he's been among the few consistently great ones since he came into the league in 2021. Given how many teams are desperate for interior line help right now, Linderbaum has an excellent chance of becoming the new highest paid center in the league and that type of contract may be too much to ask of a team that also has to imminently hand out serious $$$ to Kyle Hamilton and Lamar Jackson.

Possible Destinations: Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears

Other Notable Free Agents:

A.J. Epenesa, edge rusher (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

Aaron Rodgers, quarterback (2025 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Al-Quadin Muhammad, edge rusher (2025 team: Detroit Lions)

Alex Anzalone, inside linebacker (2025 team: Detroit Lions)

Alex Singleton, inside linebacker (2025 team: Denver Broncos)

Alijah Vera-Tucker, guard (2025 team: New York Jets)

Alohi Gilman, safety (2025 teams: Los Angeles Chargers/Baltimore Ravens)

Alontae Taylor, cornerback (2025 team: New Orleans Saints)

Andre Cisco, safety (2025 team: New York Jets)

Andrew Wingard, safety (2025 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)

Ar'Darius Washington, safety (2025 team: Baltimore Ravens)

Arnold Ebiketie, edge rusher (2025 team: Atlanta Falcons)

Austin Hooper, tight end (2025 team: New England Patriots)

Bobby Wagner, inside linebacker (2025 team: Washington Commanders)

Boye Mafe, edge rusher (2025 team: Seattle Seahawks)

Braden Smith, tackle (2025 team: Indianapolis Colts)

Bradley Chubb, edge rusher (2025 team: Miami Dolphins)

Brady Christensen, guard (2025 team: Carolina Panthers)

Braxton Jones, tackle (2025 team: Chicago Bears)

Brian Robinson Jr., running back (2025 team: San Francisco 49ers)

Bryan Cook, safety (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, safety/cornerback (2025 teams: Houston Texans/Chicago Bears)

Cade Mays, center (2025 team: Carolina Panthers)

Cade Otton, tight end (2025 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Calais Campbell, defensive tackle/defensive end (2025 team: Arizona Cardinals)

Calvin Austin III, wide receiver (2025 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Cam Taylor-Britt, cornerback (2025 team: Cincinnati Bengals)

Cameron Jordan, edge rusher (2025 team: New Orleans Saints)

Charlie Kolar, tight end (2025 team: Baltimore Ravens)

Chidobe Awuzie, cornerback (2025 team: Baltimore Ravens)

Chigoziem Okonkwo, tight end (2025 team: Tennessee Titans)

Christian Kirk, wide receiver (2025 team: Houston Texans)

Chuck Clark, safety (2025 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Cobie Durant, cornerback (2025 team: Los Angeles Rams)

Coby Bryant, safety (2025 team: Seattle Seahawks)

Connor McGovern, guard (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

Cordale Flott, cornerback (2025 team: New York Giants)

D.J. Reader, defensive tackle (2025 team: Detroit Lions)

Dallas Goedert, tight end (2025 team: Philadelphia Eagles)

Dane Belton, safety (2025 team: New York Giants)

Daniel Faalele, guard (2025 team: Baltimore Ravens)

Dante Fowler Jr., edge rusher (2025 team: Dallas Cowboys)

DaQuan Jones, defensive tackle (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

Darren Waller, tight end (2025 team: Miami Dolphins)

David Edwards, guard (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

David Njoku, tight end (2025 team: Cleveland Browns)

David Onyemata, defensive tackle (2025 team: Atlanta Falcons)

DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver (2025 team: Baltimore Ravens)

Deebo Samuel, wide receiver (2025 team: Washington Commanders)

Demario Davis, inside linebacker (2025 team: New Orleans Saints)

Dennis Gardeck, edge rusher (2025 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)

Derek Barnett, edge rusher (2025 team: Houston Texans)

Devin Bush, inside linebacker (2025 team: Cleveland Browns)

Donovan Wilson, safety (2025 team: Dallas Cowboys)

Dre'Mont Jones, edge rusher (2025 teams: Tennessee Titans/Baltimore Ravens)

Dylan Parham, guard (2025 team: Las Vegas Raiders)

E.J. Speed, inside linebacker (2025 team: Houston Texans)

Ed Ingram, guard (2025 team: Houston Texans)

Elandon Roberts, inside linebacker (2025 team: Las Vegas Raiders)

Elijah Wilkinson, tackle (2025 team: Atlanta Falcons)

Eric Stokes, cornerback (2025 team: Las Vegas Raiders)

Eric Wilson, inside linebacker (2025 team: Minnesota Vikings)

Ethan Pocic, center (2025 team: Cleveland Browns)

Fabian Moreau, cornerback (2025 team: Minnesota Vikings)

Geno Stone, safety (2025 team: Cincinnati Bengals)

Germaine Pratt, inside linebacker (2025 teams: Las Vegas Raiders/Indianapolis Colts)

Graham Glasgow, guard/center (2025 team: Detroit Lions)

Greg Newsome II, cornerback (2025 teams: Cleveland Browns/Jacksonville Jaguars)

Greg Van Roten, guard (2025 team: New York Giants)

Haason Reddick, edge rusher (2025 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Harrison Smith, safety (2025 team: Minnesota Vikings)

Hollywood Brown, wide receiver (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Isaiah Likely, tight end (2025 team: Baltimore Ravens)

Isiah Pacheco, running back (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

J.K. Dobbins, running back (2025 team: Denver Broncos)

Jabrill Peppers, safety (2025 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jack Jones, cornerback (2025 team: Miami Dolphins)

Jadeveon Clowney, edge rusher (2025 team: Dallas Cowboys)

Jalen Nailor, wide receiver (2025 team: Minnesota Vikings)

Jalen Thompson, safety (2025 team: Arizona Cardinals)

Jamal Adams, inside linebacker (2025 team: Las Vegas Raiders)

Jamaree Salyer, tackle/guard (2025 team: Los Angeles Chargers)

James Pierre, cornerback (2025 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jaquan Brisker, safety (2025 team: Chicago Bears)

Jauan Jennings, wide receiver (2025 team: San Francisco 49ers)

Jawaan Taylor, tackle (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Jaylen Watson, cornerback (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Jaylinn Hawkins, safety (2025 team: New England Patriots)

Jermaine Eluemunor, tackle/guard (2025 team: New York Giants)

Joel Bitonio, guard (2025 team: Cleveland Browns)

Joey Bosa, edge rusher (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

John Franklin-Myers, defensive end/tackle (2025 team: Denver Broncos)

John Simpson, guard (2025 team: New York Jets)

Jonah Williams, tackle (2025 team: Arizona Cardinals)

Jordan Poyer, safety (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

Joseph Ossai, edge rusher (2025 team: Cincinnati Bengals)

Josh Jobe, cornerback (2025 team: Seattle Seahawks)

Josh Uche, edge rusher (2025 team: Philadelphia Eagles)

Joshua Williams, cornerback (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Justin Strnad, inside linebacker (2025 team: Denver Broncos)

K'Lavon Chaisson, edge rusher (2025 team: New England Patriots)

Kaden Elliss, inside linebacker (2025 team: Atlanta Falcons)

Kader Kohou, cornerback (2025 team: Miami Dolphins)

Kamren Curl, safety (2025 team: Los Angeles Rams)

Kareem Hunt, running back (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Keenan Allen, wide receiver (2025 team: Los Angeles Chargers)

Kenneth Gainwell, running back (2025 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Kevin Byard, safety (2025 team: Chicago Bears)

Kevin Zeitler, guard (2025 team: Tennessee Titans)

Khalil Mack, edge rusher (2025 team: Los Angeles Chargers)

Khyris Tonga, defensive tackle (2025 team: New England Patriots)

Kingsley Enagbare, edge rusher (2025 team: Green Bay Packers)

Kirk Cousins, quarterback (2025 team: Atlanta Falcons)

Kwity Paye, edge rusher (2025 team: Indianapolis Colts)

Kyle Dugger, safety (2025 teams: New England Patriots/Pittsburgh Steelers)

Leo Chenal, inside linebacker (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Logan Hall, defensive tackle (2025 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Malcolm Koonce, edge rusher (2025 team: Las Vegas Raiders)

Marcus Mariota, quarterback (2025 team: Washington Commanders)

Matt Milano, inside linebacker (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

Mike Evans, wide receiver (2025 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Mike Hilton, cornerback (2025 team: Indianapolis Colts)

Montaric Brown, cornerback (2025 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)

Myles Bryant, cornerback (2025 team: Houston Texans)

Nahshon Wright, cornerback (2025 team: Chicago Bears)

Najee Harris, running back (2025 team: Los Angeles Chargers)

Nakobe Dean, inside linebacker (2025 team: Philadelphia Eagles)

Nick Chubb, running back (2025 team: Houston Texans)

Nick Cross, safety (2025 team: Indianapolis Colts)

Nick Scott, safety (2025 team: Carolina Panthers)

Quay Walker, inside linebacker (2025 team: Green Bay Packers)

Quincy Williams, inside linebacker (2025 team: New York Jets)

Rachaad White, running back (2025 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Rasheed Shaheed, wide receiver/return specialist (2025 teams: New Orleans Saints/Seattle Seahawks)

Rasheed Walker, tackle (2025 team: Green Bay Packers)

Rasul Douglas, cornerback (2025 team: Miami Dolphins)

Reed Blankenship, safety (2025 team: Philadelphia Eagles)

Reggie Gilliam, fullback (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

Rico Dowdle, running back (2025 team: Carolina Panthers)

Riq Woolen, cornerback (2025 team: Seattle Seahawks)

Rob Havenstein, tackle (2025 team: Los Angeles Rams)

Rock-Ya Sin, cornerback (2025 team: Detroit Lions)

Roger McCreary, cornerback (2025 teams: Tennessee Titans/Los Angeles Rams)

Romeo Doubs, wide receiver (2025 team: Green Bay Packers)

Roy Lopez, defensive tackle (2025 team: Detroit Lions)

Russell Wilson, quarterback (2025 team: New York Giants)

Samson Ebukam, edge rusher (2025 team: Indianapolis Colts)

Sean Rhyan, guard (2025 team: Green Bay Packers)

Sebastian Joseph-Day, defensive tackle (2025 team: Tennessee Titans)

Shaq Thompson, inside linebacker (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

Sheldon Rankins, defensive tackle (2025 team: Houston Texans)

Teven Jenkins, guard (2025 team: Cleveland Browns)

Tony Jefferson, safety (2025 team: Los Angeles Chargers)

Travis Etienne Jr., running back (2025 team: Jacksonville Jaguars)

Travis Kelce, tight end (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Tre'Davious White, cornerback (2025 team: Buffalo Bills)

Trent Brown, tackle (2025 team: Houston Texans)

Trevon Diggs, cornerback (2025 teams: Dallas Cowboys/Green Bay Packers)

Tyler Allgeier, running back (2025 team: Atlanta Falcons)

Tyler Biadasz, center (2025 team: Washington Commanders)

Tyler Higbee, tight end (2025 team: Los Angeles Rams)

Tyler Huntley, quarterback (2025 team: Baltimore Ravens)

Tyquan Thornton, wide receiver (2025 team: Kansas City Chiefs)

Tyrod Taylor, quarterback (2025 team: New York Jets)

Wan'Dale Robinson, wide receiver (2025 team: New York Giants)

Wyatt Teller, guard (2025 team: Cleveland Browns)

Zion Johnson, guard (2025 team: Los Angeles Chargers)

Movie Review: The Bluff

In terms of movie monopolies, few have even been as dominant as the one Pirates of the Caribbean has had on pirate movies over the last 20+ years. Gore Verbinski's original trilogy that ran from 2003 to 2007 were such rollicking, well-conceived high seas adventures that other creatives in the industry figured they were better off staying on land. The two entries that weren't helmed by Verbinski that were released during the 2010's (2011's On Stranger Tides, 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales) proved that the brand had run its course and perhaps it was time for somebody else to try their hand at big budget swashbuckling. Nearly nine years after the release of the last Pirates of the Caribbean film, veteran screenwriter Frank E. Flowers has dared to launch a vessel into these rarely explored waters with Prime Video's The Bluff.

To be clear, The Bluff is more of an action/revenge movie about pirates than a full-bore pirate movie as most of it is set on the island of Cayman Brac during the late 1800's when the practice of piracy was on its last legs. As disappointing as it is to see the return to this largely dormant genre be so light on ocean-based action, The Bluff has enough firepower in its arsenal to overcome its relative lack of aquatic hijinks. Priyanka Chopra as a retired lethal pirate whose settled into a quiet life on a beautiful island vs. Karl Urban as her sadistic former partner who kidnaps her husband (Ismael Cruz Cordova) at sea hen forces him to sail to Cayman Brac in order to reclaim the considerable amount of gold she took from him a couple of decades earlier when she made her escape is a fun combative dynamic and the well-staged action sequences pack a brutal punch that nicely correlates with the nastiness of its revenge narrative. When the movie shifts focus to the dramatic elements involving Chopra's relationship with her son (Vedanten Nadoo) and sister-in-law (Safia Oakley-Green), the clunkiness of the script really starts to show, and it loses momentum. Fortunately, every time it threatens to really start dragging, there's a bloody fight scene or fiery exchange between Chopra and Urban that jolts it back to life. It won't be overly difficult to make a better pirate movie than The Bluff and hopefully somebody will in the near future, but for now, I'm just glad that somebody was willing to make one post-POTC and it ended up being pretty decent.

Grade: B-
 

2026 NFL Mock Draft (Post-Combine)

1.Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, quarterback (Indiana)

2.New York Jets: David Bailey, edge rusher (Texas Tech)

3.Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, edge rusher/inside linebacker (Ohio State)

4.Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, wide receiver (Ohio State)

5.New York Giants: Sonny Styles, inside linebacker (Ohio State)

6.Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, tackle (Miami)

7.Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, safety (Ohio State)

8.New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love, running back (Notre Dame)

9.Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, tackle (Utah)

10.Cincinnati Bengals: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher (Miami)

11.Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, cornerback (LSU)

12.Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, cornerback (Tennessee) 

13.Los Angeles Rams: Avieon Terrell, cornerback (Clemson)

14.Baltimore Ravens: Caleb Banks, defensive tackle (Florida)

15.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, tight end (Oregon)

16.New York Jets: Makai Lemon, wide receiver (USC)

17.Detroit Lions: Keldric Faulk, edge rusher (Auburn)

18.Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, safety (Toledo)

19.Carolina Panthers: T.J. Parker, edge rusher (Clemson)

20.Dallas Cowboys: Cashius Howell, edge rusher (Texas A&M)

21.Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordyn Tyson, wide receiver (Arizona State)

22.Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, guard (Penn State)

23.Philadelphia Eagles: Monroe Freeling, tackle (Georgia)

24.Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, wide receiver (Washington)

25.Chicago Bears: Peter Woods, defensive tackle (Clemson)

26.Buffalo Bills: Omar Cooper Jr., wide receiver (Indiana)

27.San Francisco 49ers: Blake Miller, tackle (Clemson)

28.Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, tackle (Alabama)

29.Los Angeles Rams: C.J. Allen, inside linebacker (Georgia)

30.Denver Broncos: KC Concepcion, wide receiver (Texas A&M)

31.New England Patriots: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher (Miami)

32.Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, cornerback (Tennessee) 

Movie Review: GOAT

Sony Pictures Animation is starting to settle into a pattern as their filmography continues to slowly increase in size of letting their beautiful house style that blends together hand drawn and CG animation do the heavy lifting over the narrative. The Steph Curry-produced GOAT fits into this box as snuggly as anything SPA has ever made. The only thing that distinguishes GOAT from other sports underdog stories is that the hero (Caleb McLaughlin) that's told he's too small, weak, etc. to play professional sports is a talking goat who dreams of being a professional roarball player (it's basically basketball with all animal players, a more liberal foul system and courts that look like Super Smash Brothers stages). Beyond that, the adults in the audience will have no trouble predicting everything that happens to Will as he gets to live out his dream of playing in the pros, clashes with the team's selfish, insecure aging veteran star player (Gabrielle Union) and helps a previous dysfunctional group of players rediscover the power of teamwork and their love of the game through his infectious spirit. This adhering to a predictable genre formula ends up being perfectly excusable as it executes the classic sports movie tropes skillfully enough and delivers consistently impressive visuals (the roarball games look particularly great) throughout. Plus, it pulls off the magic trick of using modern slang in an organic, non-cringey way and has the courtesy of acknowledging who the real villains in sports are: greedy owners who value their bottom lines over the culture of their locker room or the quality of the product their team is putting out there. Any parent that wants to get their kids out of the house for a couple of hours could pick a far more torturous activity than taking them to see GOAT.

Grade: B-

Movie Review: How to Make a Killing

Has anyone noticed that "eat the rich" dark comedies are really en vogue right now? What could've caused this recent surge in anti-billionaire sentiments is anyone's guess, but I'm sure this trend will stop once trickle-down economics finally start paying off for the working class. The sweet trickle tree has yet to produce a single harvest, but boy oh boy when it finally starts to bear enough fruit for the bottom 99% to enjoy the feast they've been promised for 40+ years at this point, they'll never go hungry again and the creative community will surely show their appreciation by making dozens of lovely movies thanking them for them endless benevolence. 

How to Make a Killing, which is loosely based on the 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets, represents John Patton Ford's (Emily the Criminal) entry into one of this decade's most densely packed cinematic corners. While this film about New Jersey-based suit salesman Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) embarking on a mission to kill off his relatives in order to gain access to the hefty trust he's written into through his late mother (Nell Williams)-whose father (Ed Harris) cut her off after he she became pregnant with him at 19- after losing his job to his boss' son who just dropped out of college isn't overly scathing or clever in its takedown of the ultra-rich, it still manages to be an absorbing watch. Powell does a good job of weaponizing his signature magnetism to play a genuinely nice guy who slowly gets corrupted by his relentless pursuit of obtaining more wealth despite having a perfectly fine life before he started offing his estranged relatives, the terrific supporting cast (Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Harris, Zach Woods, Topher Grace) all give spirited performances that help shape Becket's ugly journey up the financial ladder and the ending wraps things up in a nice feel bad bow that communicates its messaging surrounding the moral rot that tends to come with obscene wealth better than anything else that precedes it. While I do think Patton Ford's filmmaking skill set is better suited for scuzzy, tense crime thrillers than the lightly satirical dark comedy that's on display here (case in point: the couple of sequences in the final act where he digs back into the pulse-pounding intensity that drove Emily the Criminal). this is still a very solid sophomore feature that has only further instilled my confidence in his future in the industry. 

Grade: B

Rashida Jones Ranked

Welcome to "Ranked", a weekly series where I rank a franchise or filmography from worst to best and hand out assorted related superlatives. This week, I'm profiling the work of Rashida Jones-whose latest project "In the Blink on Eye" begins streaming on Hulu on Friday.

Rashida Jones' Filmography Ranked:

14.The Big Year (C-)

13.Cuban Fury (C)

12.Celeste and Jesse Forever (C)

11.Cop Out (C)

10.Friends with Benefits (C)

9.Our Idiot Brother (B-)

8.The Grinch (B)

7.The Muppets (B)

6.Between Two Ferns: The Movie (B)

5.Spies in Disguise (B)

4.Tag (B+)

3.Klaus (B+)

2.I Love You, Man (B+)

1.The Social Network (A)

Top Dog: The Social Network (2010)

Remember when David Fincher used to put out movies in theaters? Good times! Anyways, The Social Network was really the first time somebody made a movie about a big tech shithead and it nailed the fragility, insecurity and God complexes that drive these men to such a degree that every other movie that's covered similar territory since has fallen well short of the bar that was set here. Excited to revisit this ahead of the release of Aaron Sorkin's companion film The Social Reckoning in October.

Bottom Feeder: The Big Year (2011)

The last thing a comedy led by Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson should be is completely forgettable, but that's precisely what The Big Year is. Going through the cast list and discovering that Jones, Rosamund Pike and Anthony Anderson (Jim Parsons was the only other actor I recalled being it outside of the leads) were also in it is the telltale sign of how little of this flat film has endured in my memory. 

Most Underrated: Tag (2018)

Assembling an ensemble cast that features everybody from Jeremy Renner to Jon Hamm to Isla Fisher for a movie about a group of lifelong friends who have been playing a game of tag that last for the entire month of May every year since 1983 is an act of mad genius. Everybody involved in this endeavor takes real pride in making something so silly and it allows this movie to be a total blast to watch. 

(Side note: It sucks that Hannibal Buress' acting career never really panned out because he is obscenely funny in this and Blockers.)

Most Overrated: Friends with Benefits (2011)

Friends with Benefits is a watchable enough R-rated romcom that has managed to hold onto a level of cultural relevancy that its fellow 2011 sex friends-to-lovers release No Strings Attached has failed to. That being said, I don't think it's all that funny or sweet in the grand scheme of things and would prefer to watch any of Will Gluck's other movies (Easy A, Fired Up!, Anyone But You) that occupied a similar genre space 100 times out of 100.

Movie Review: Solo Mio

Are you somebody who wants to see a romantic movie this Valentine's Day season, but aren't interested in laying eyes upon all of the bawdy fully clothed hanky panky of Wuthering Heights? Well, do I have some news for you: Kevin James is starring in a PG-rated romantic dramedy called Solo Mio where he goes on his Rome honeymoon alone after being left at the altar by his fiancé (Julie Ann Emery) and ends up finding love again with an Italian cafe owner (Nicole Grimaudo). It's the perfect movie for anyone who has treated NCIS as appointment television since it first started airing back in 1832 or believes they would enjoy a big belly laugh every time James butchers the pronunciation of an Italian word he's trying to read off his phone. Mama Mia! Mangi! Bonjourno! 

As good as James is and continues to be at playing likeable everyman characters, Solo Mio suffocates his natural charm by being completely devoid of personality or stakes. His character Matt Taylor glides through his evolution from sadsack tourist who just suffered the greatest embarrassment/heartbreak of his life to man who stumbles upon love when he needed the power of true human connection the most like he's a checked bag at the airport that needs to be put on the plane before it takes off. A movie that aspires to tell a nice, warm story about finding love where you least expect it being built around a relationship this emotionally sterile is the kind of puzzling failure that gets you to question if the people that made it were more interested in taking an extended vacation to Italy than the movie that they were there to make. Alas, Solo Mio just never lives up to its mission statement of being a heartfelt romantic movie and in the process, adds yet another stain to James' shaky post-The King of Queens resume. 

Grade: C-