2026 NFL free agency: Five most improved teams, best signings

Did we all enjoy the first week of NFL free agency? Deals were made quickly once the negotiating period began Monday, with many of the top free agents being linked to new teams in the early hours. On Wednesday, when free agency officially began, many of the players listed in our top 100 2026 free agent pool were already held.

Some teams have signed more top players than others. And now that a few frenzied days have passed, we thought it would be a good time to crown the first free agency winners. We named five teams that improved the most and selected the best and most underrated signings from each team.

Which teams could be different in 2026 because of their early success in free agency? Let’s start with a franchise that has made its biggest strides on defense. (Teams are listed in alphabetical order.)

Best signature: Jaelan Phillips, LB

There has been some debate over whether Phillips or Trey Hendrickson is the better edge player in this free agent class, but Phillips, at 26, is the younger of the two and still has some room for growth. The Eagles’ defense improved on film once they added Phillips midseason, and although he only had two sacks for Philadelphia, he had 27 pressures.

Edge Rusher was a huge need for a Panthers team that ranked just 28th in sacks (30) and 24th in win rate (34.4%) last season. Signing Phillips was very expensive, with a four-year, $120 million contract, but the Panthers had the cap space to make the move.

Most Underrated Signature: Devin Lloyd, L.B.

Lloyd has become one of the best linebackers over the past two seasons with the Jaguars. Since 2024, he has recorded 3.5 sacks, 194 total tackles and 11 passes defended. The “underrated” part here is the price of adding it. The Panthers offered Lloyd a three-year, $45 million contract, a real discount from the expected cost. A contract forecast model from ESPN’s Seth Walder listed Lloyd at a likely $22.5 million per year.

Other movements: Signed OT Rasheed Walker (Packers), QB Kenny Pickett (Raiders), C Luke Fortner (Saints) and WR John Metchie III (Jets); lost C Cade Mays (to Lions) and RB Rico Dowdle (to Steelers).

Best signature: Kenneth Walker III, R.B.

The Chiefs offense needed $43.05 million in Walker, even after three years. Last season, Chiefs running backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco combined for just one run of 20+ yards. Walker made 12 such runs, including the playoffs.

A good running back – and more importantly, an explosive running back – is important when you have an offensive line that can create running lanes. And led by Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, the Chiefs have a line that can do it.

Most Underrated Signature: Khyiris Tonga, DT

He was a player the Patriots wanted to bring back, but they couldn’t complete an extension during the regular season. Tonga was an important part of New England’s run defense as a nose tackle in 2025. He had an 83% stop rate; in other words, 83% of his ground tackles prevented a successful play for the offense. The league average for interior linemen was about 71 percent last season. He agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract. Oh, and he can also play fullback if the Chiefs need him to.

Other movements: Re-signed TE Travis Kelce; signed S Alohi Gilman; lost QB Gardner Minshew (vs. Cardinals), LB Leo Chenal (vs. Commanders), RB Isiah Pacheco (vs. Lions), CB Jaylen Watson (vs. Rams) and S Bryan Cook (vs. Bengals).

Best signature: Romeo Doubs, WR

Doubs gives the Patriots a powerful receiver who can replace Stefon Diggs and run all kinds of routes: intermediate, up the middle, outs and even occasionally deep. Doubs ranked 20th among wide receivers in ESPN Receiver Ratings last season and also ranked 20th in my DVOA (defense adjusted value over average) metric. He could become the Patriots’ best option if they can’t complete an AJ Brown trade, so don’t be surprised if he surpasses 1,000 yards for the first time.

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What Romeo Doubs to Patriots Means for AJ Brown

Adam Schefter tells Pat McAfee that Romeo Doubs is headed to the Patriots and explains what that now means for AJ Brown’s chances of making it to New England.

Most Underrated Signature: Reggie Gilliam, Facebook

Coordinator Josh McDaniels’ New England offense has always relied on a fullback, from Heath Evans to James Develin. Last season, the Patriots were forced to try using converted tight end Jack Westover. Gilliam gives them one of the best fullbacks in the league to lead the way in blocking the I formation. He won’t catch passes — he’s had three receptions in the last three seasons — but that’s not what they need him for in Foxborough anyway.

Other movements: Signed Edge Dre’Mont Jones, S Kevin Byard III and G Alijah Vera-Tucker; lost Edge K’Lavon Chaisson (to Commanders), DT Khyiris Tonga (to Chiefs), TE Austin Hooper (to Falcons) and OT Vederian Lowe (to 49ers).

Best signing (or trade, actually): Michael Pittman Jr., WR

The Steelers got a solid WR2 here for just a late-round pick swap, giving up a sixth-rounder and picking up a seventh-rounder. Then the Steelers signed Pittman to a three-year, $59 million extension. I’m a fan of the trade but not really of the extension. However, in the short term, he is a good player and an important addition to the Steelers wide receiver room.

Pittman still had positive receiving DVOA last season in what otherwise seemed like a down year, as he went from 11.7 to 9.8 yards per reception. But he’s only 28, so there’s room for a rebound. He will be more of a mid-range target, while DK Metcalf expands the field.

Most Underrated Signature: Jamel Dean, CB

Dean led the NFL in my cornerback coverage DVOA metric last season, ahead of superstars such as Derek Stingley Jr. and Quinyon Mitchell. Cornerback stats are notoriously inconsistent from season to season, so you can’t count on Dean to have another stellar season in 2026. But he was also above average in 2024 and will turn 30 in October. The Steelers signed him to a three-year, $36.75 million contract.

Other movements: Signed RB Rico Dowdle (Panthers), S Jaquan Brisker (Bears) and S Darnell Savage (Bills); lost G Isaac Seumalo (to the Cardinals), CB James Pierre (to the Vikings) and RB Kenneth Gainwell (to the Buccaneers).

Best signature: Mike Evans, WR

The 49ers only made one major signing, but it was a Really Good. Evans is exactly the type of receiver the 49ers lacked in many ways. He’s a big perimeter threat (6-foot-5, 231 pounds) who can win on 50-50 balls, and he’s an experienced veteran who can be an important presence in the locker room. The injury-riddled 49ers must be hoping to get the Evans of most of his career (11 straight 1,000-yard seasons) instead of the Evans of last year (who struggled with hamstring and collarbone injuries and only played in eight games).

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Schefter: Mike Evans is the veteran presence the 49ers were looking for

Adam Schefter tells Pat McAfee how Mike Evans ended up signing with the 49ers.

Most Underrated Signature: Vederian Lowe, OT

Lowe is not the best player in the world; his pass block win rate was 89.2% last season, which is below average, although his run block win rate was above average at 75.7%. However, he fits in well in San Francisco as a tackle in case something happens with Trent Williams’ contract situation or in case the 37-year-old Williams returns but gets injured during the 2026 season.

Other movements: Traded for DT Osa Odighizuwa (from Cowboys); signed LB Dre Greenlaw (Broncos); lost WR Kendrick Bourne (vs. Cardinals) and DT Jordan Elliott (vs. Titans).