Jhelum Mehta
It was a busy Monday in the NFL. With the free agency in full swing, every team was scrambling, running the numbers, making the calls, basically doing everything they can to build their locker room ahead of the NFL Draft and by extension the 2026 season.
So where are the biggest names landing? Which veterans are still sitting on the open market? And how much are teams paying to lock in this year’s top talent?
We’ve got it all covered. Here’s a team-by-team breakdown of every major move made during NFL free agency.
Major Deals in the NFL Free Agency
Mike Evans signs with the 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers made a big addition to their receiving corps in NFL free agency, signing veteran wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal worth up to $60.4 million, with $16.3 million guaranteed. Not long ago, the 49ers looked loaded at wide receiver. But after some offseason roster changes, San Francisco suddenly found itself needing a reliable playmaker on the outside. Their solution? Go grab one of the most consistent wideouts of the past decade. Evans brings size, red-zone dominance, and big-play ability, giving the 49ers a proven weapon who can stretch the field and win contested catches. Even at this stage of his career, he remains one of the NFL’s most dependable receivers. For a 49ers offense looking to reload for another playoff push, Evans adds a veteran presence and touchdown production that could make a major difference heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Devin Lloyd signs with the Panthers
The Carolina Panthers kept adding defensive firepower in NFL free agency, signing linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million deal to anchor the middle of their defense. Carolina had a clear need at inside linebacker, and they filled it by landing the top off-ball linebacker available on the market. Lloyd is coming off a monster season that earned him Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro recognition, making him one of the most impactful defenders in this year’s free agent class. While his run stop win rate ranked in the 58th percentile, Lloyd’s real value shows up in the splash plays. For the Panthers, Lloyd brings sideline-to-sideline speed, playmaking instincts, and big-play ability, exactly the kind of defensive tone-setter teams look for in NFL free agency heading into the 2026 NFL season.
David Edwards signs with the Saints
The New Orleans Saints took care of business in the trenches during NFL free agency, signing guard David Edwards to a four-year, $61 million deal to solidify the interior offensive line. New Orleans had a clear hole at guard, and they filled it by landing arguably the top guard available on the free agent market. And at a contract that looks pretty reasonable given the production. Edwards is coming off a dominant season with the Buffalo Bills, where he ranked in the 83rd percentile in pass block win rate and 86th percentile in run block win rate among guards. Simply put, he was winning his matchups all over the field. And the consistency is there too.
Tyler Linderbaum signs with the Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders made one of the biggest offensive line splashes in NFL free agency, signing Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million deal — a contract that completely reset the center market. Las Vegas desperately needed to reinforce the trenches, especially with Fernando Mendoza expected to step in under center. Protecting the quarterback and stabilizing the interior offensive line quickly became a top offseason priority. In Linderbaum, the Raiders land exactly that. The Pro Bowl center, who turns 26 next month, arrives in Las Vegas squarely in the prime of his career. Players of his caliber rarely even hit NFL free agency, making this a massive win for the Raiders’ front office. Known for his elite run blocking, quick feet, and ability to anchor the pocket, Linderbaum immediately upgrades the Raiders’ offensive line and gives the offense a reliable centerpiece in the middle heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Jaylen Watson signs with the Rams
The Los Angeles Rams continued their aggressive overhaul of the secondary in NFL free agency, signing cornerback Jaylen Watson to a three-year, $51 million deal. After their cornerback unit struggled throughout last season, the Rams made it clear, fixing the secondary was priority No. 1 this offseason. They first traded for Trent McDuffie and handed him a massive contract, and now they’ve doubled down by bringing in Watson. The move reunites two former Kansas City Chiefs cornerbacks, giving the Rams a familiar duo that already knows how to operate in the same secondary. Watson brings physical coverage, ball skills, and big-game experience, traits the Rams badly needed after getting burned through the air last season. With McDuffie and Watson now locking down the outside, Los Angeles is hoping its rebuilt secondary can flip a major weakness into a defensive strength heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Jaelan Phillips signs with the Panthers
The Carolina Panthers made a big investment in their pass rush during NFL free agency, signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal to upgrade the defensive front heading into the 2026 season. Carolina badly needed more juice off the edge. The Panthers’ defensive line struggled last year, finishing 24th in pass rush win rate and dead last (32nd) in run stop win rate, making edge rusher a top offseason priority. So they opened the checkbook. Phillips brings size, explosiveness, and consistent pressure off the edge, traits the Panthers defense has been missing. The former Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher hasn’t yet posted a double-digit sack season, but his impact goes beyond the box score.
Odafe Oweh signs with the Commanders
The Washington Commanders made a major splash in NFL free agency, signing edge rusher Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $100 million deal to supercharge their pass rush heading into the 2026 season. Washington desperately needed more heat off the edge. After taking a short-term swing on Von Miller last year, the front office clearly wanted a younger, prime-age pass rusher who could anchor the defensive front for the long haul. Oweh checks every box. The former Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher was widely viewed as one of the top defensive players available in the 2026 free agent class, and the Commanders paid premium money to land him. Known for his elite burst, closing speed, and disruptive pass-rush ability, Oweh brings exactly the kind of juice Washington’s defense has been missing. If he hits his ceiling, the Commanders may have just landed their next franchise pass-rushing centerpiece.
John Franklin-Myers signs with the Titans
The Tennessee Titans kept the free agency spending spree going, signing defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers to a three-year, $63 million deal to beef up the defensive front. At this point, Tennessee is starting to look like a reunion tour. With Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll now running the show, several former Jets and Giants players are finding their way to Nashville, hoping the second go-around works even better. Franklin-Myers is a particularly interesting addition. His career took a major leap after Saleh and the Jets traded him to the Denver Broncos two years ago. In Denver, the Broncos reshaped his role, moving him from a traditional edge rusher who could slide inside to a full-time defensive tackle who can kick outside in pass-rush situations. The move paid off. Franklin-Myers’ pressure rates, disruption numbers, and overall production stacked up extremely well compared to other defensive tackles, giving the Titans a versatile trench weapon who can collapse the pocket from multiple spots. For a Titans defense that’s clearly trying to get bigger, nastier, and more disruptive up front, Franklin-Myers fits the bill perfectly heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Boye Mafe signs with the Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals addressed a major need on the defensive front in NFL free agency, signing edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million deal to juice up their pass rush heading into the 2026 season. With Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai both walking in free agency, Cincinnati was desperate for help off the edge. Enter Mafe — one of the most intriguing pass rushers on the 2026 free agent market. Around league circles, Mafe has long been considered a pressure-rate darling, consistently winning his matchups even when the sack numbers didn’t always tell the full story. His ability to generate pressure, win off the edge, and disrupt quarterbacks makes him a perfect addition to a Bengals defense looking for a new tone-setter up front.
Alontae Taylor signs with the Titans
The Tennessee Titans kept their spending spree rolling in NFL free agency, signing cornerback Alontae Taylor to a three-year, $60 million deal as they continue rebuilding the roster around quarterback Cam Ward. Tennessee entered free agency with a mountain of cap space, and the front office is clearly putting it to work. As the franchise heads into Year 2 of the Cam Ward era, the priority has been stacking talent across the roster — especially on defense. New head coach Robert Saleh made it clear he wanted the secondary upgraded, and the Titans responded by adding Taylor along with Cor’Dale Flott to reinforce the cornerback room. Taylor brings physical coverage skills, versatility in the slot and outside, and aggressive play in zone schemes, making him a strong fit for Saleh’s defense as the Titans try to build a tougher, more competitive unit for the 2026 NFL season.
Kenneth Walker III signs with the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs finally found their answer at running back in NFL free agency, signing Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $43.05 million deal. After getting inconsistent production out of the backfield last season, Kansas City wasted no time going after the top running back on the market — who also happens to be the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Walker brings a completely different gear to the Chiefs’ offense. His burst, home-run speed, and tackle-breaking ability give Kansas City the kind of explosive run threat they simply didn’t have a year ago. For Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense, this move adds a dynamic playmaker who can flip the field in an instant. Every touch carries big-play potential — exactly the kind of juice Kansas City wanted to add heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Malik Willis signs with the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins rolled the dice on upside in NFL free agency, signing quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal to bolster their QB room heading into the 2026 season. This move had been gaining steam for weeks. Ever since Miami hired Jeff Hafley as head coach and Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager — both coming over from the Green Bay Packers — the Dolphins had been heavily linked to Willis. The connection made plenty of sense given their familiarity with the young quarterback. For Miami, the signing checks a lot of boxes. The Dolphins were in the market for help under center, and Willis brings exactly what teams look for during NFL free agency: raw quarterback talent, mobility, and long-term upside. While he’s still developing as a passer, Willis’ dual-threat ability, arm strength, and playmaking outside the pocket give Miami a high-ceiling option who could grow into a much bigger role in the offense.
Wan’Dale Robinson signs with the Titans
The Tennessee Titans made a splash in NFL free agency by locking up wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson on a four-year, $78 million deal, giving their offense another dynamic playmaker heading into the 2026 season. The move reunites Robinson with head coach Brian Daboll, who previously coached him with the New York Giants, making this signing one of the most expected wide receiver moves on the market. Robinson’s breakout in 2025 made him one of the most intriguing receivers available in free agency. For the Titans, Robinson brings speed, versatility, and explosive yards-after-catch ability, exactly the kind of weapon teams hunt for during NFL free agency.
