The first wave of free agency has teams either celebrating or scrambling. With the draft still weeks away and training camp months off, rosters remain fluid—but here's the verdict on all 32 franchises heading into 2026.

AFC East

New England Patriots

BETTER

The Patriots traded away their biggest name in Stefon Diggs, but they're positioned better for the future. Alijah Vera-Tucker addresses a critical offensive line weakness that made life miserable for Drake Maye. Romeo Doubs, seven years younger than Diggs, offers genuine upside as a long-term receiver alongside the promising young quarterback.

Buffalo Bills

BETTER

Paying a second-round pick for DJ Moore stings, but acquiring a No. 1-caliber receiver gives Josh Allen his best offensive weapon since Stefon Diggs' final season in Buffalo. The addition of Geno Stone and C.J. Gardner-Johnson strengthens a secondary that needed reinforcement.

Miami Dolphins

WORSE

Miami officially announced a rebuild by trading Jaylen Waddle to Denver. The Dolphins axed the entire core: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Bradley Chubb all out. If the season started today, new starting QB Malik Willis would be throwing to 5-foot-8 Tutu Atwell as his WR1—a receiver who's never topped 600 yards in a season.

New York Jets

BETTER

The moves cancel each other in some ways, but the quarterback situation decisively favors New York. Geno Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler drafted by the Jets in 2013, is a significant upgrade over Justin Fields. Add the acquisition of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Jets have a defensible starting point.

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers

WORSE

Michael Pittman Jr. gives the offense a receiving upgrade and Rico Dowdle is better than Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield. But Pittsburgh remains stuck in quarterback limbo with no clarity on Aaron Rodgers and uninspiring options otherwise.

Baltimore Ravens

BETTER

The offensive losses hurt—center Tyler Linderbaum, fullback Patrick Ricard, tight end Isaiah Likely all departed. But defensively, the Ravens took a massive step forward. Trey Hendrickson gives Baltimore the pass rush it desperately needed, and safety Jaylinn Hawkins provides playmaking on the back end with four interceptions in 2025. John Simpson slots in as a starting guard.

Cincinnati Bengals

WORSE

Boye Mafe's three-year, $60 million contract can't make up for losing Trey Hendrickson's production. Mafe managed just two sacks last season with Seattle—a downgrade the Bengals can't afford.

Cleveland Browns

BETTER

The Browns remade their offensive line through free agency and trade. Right tackle Tytus Howard, interior linemen Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson, and linebacker Quincy Williams strengthen both sides of the ball. The investment shows commitment to protecting the quarterback.

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars

WORSE

Jacksonville signed one free agent (Chris Rodriguez Jr.) while letting four starters walk, including three on defense. The Jaguars are clearly hunting compensatory picks for 2027, but that leaves the 2026 roster dangerously thin. They're betting heavily on the draft and player development.

Houston Texans

BETTER

David Montgomery's acquisition solves the running back void created by Joe Mixon's absence. Montgomery has 33 rushing touchdowns over three years. Braden Smith suffices at right tackle, and Wyatt Teller—a three-time Pro Bowler—bolsters the interior line. Adding safety Reed Blankenship is a luxury for an already feared defense.

Indianapolis Colts

WORSE

The Colts have a gaping void at edge rusher opposite Laiatu Latu. They've lost three defensive starters (Zaire Franklin, Kwity Paye, Nick Cross) and picked up only depth replacements. Indianapolis will need the draft to be a home run to stay competitive.

Tennessee Titans

BETTER

Tennessee significantly raised its floor with a flurry of trades and free agent signings. The defense has been entirely remade for new coach Robert Saleh. Second-year QB Cam Ward gets crucial help with proven slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

BETTER

Losing John Franklin-Myers (7.5 sacks) stings defensively, but acquiring Jaylen Waddle transforms the offense. Paired with Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin, Denver now has one of the NFL's best receiver trios on paper—a crucial upgrade for a team that reached the AFC Championship Game.

Los Angeles Chargers

BETTER

The Chargers addressed pass protection with former Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz and 2022 first-rounder Cole Strange. Alec Ingold, one of football's best fullbacks, provides a massive boost for new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's system.

Kansas City Chiefs

WORSE

Kansas City's dominant defense—the team's greatest strength—took a punishing blow. Two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie is gone. Jaylen Watson departed. The secondary collapsed. Kenneth Walker III is an elite upgrade at running back, but it can't offset the defensive deterioration.

Las Vegas Raiders

BETTER

Like the Titans, Las Vegas raised its floor substantially with aggressive free agency. They've added legitimate starters across both sides of the ball. How expected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza performs will ultimately determine if this rebuild pays off.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles

WORSE

The Eagles lost three defensive starters—Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, and Reed Blankenship. GM Howie Roseman is playing the compensatory pick game (three incoming for 2027), but the defense is objectively weaker right now.

Dallas Cowboys

BETTER

Dallas' pass rush ranked among the league's worst. Rashan Gary's acquisition—via trade with Green Bay—changes that narrative. The former first-rounder has 24 sacks over three years. It's not enough to call the Cowboys fixed, but it's directional improvement on a critical weakness.

Washington Commanders

BETTER

A defense that ranked last in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed needed a complete overhaul. Washington delivered, adding several starters: edges Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, linebacker Leo Chenal, defensive lineman Tim Settle, safety Nick Cross. The defensive transformation is real.

New York Giants

BETTER

The Giants strengthened the offense around second-year QB Jaxson Dart. Isaiah Likely is a proven tight end, Patrick Ricard is an All-Pro fullback, and Calvin Austin III replaces Wan'Dale Robinson at slot receiver. This isn't transformational, but it's tangible improvement.

Chicago Bears

WORSE

Chicago dismantled its secondary, letting most key players walk. The uncertainty about whether replacements will match that production level creates genuine concern. Losing DJ Moore to Buffalo and Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman to retirement both sting the offense.

Green Bay Packers

WORSE

The Packers traded away elite edge rusher Rashan Gary. Even if Zaire Franklin adequately replaces Quay Walker at linebacker, questions linger about whether the defense can rebound with Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt recovering from season-ending December injuries.

Minnesota Vikings

BETTER

Kyler Murray is technically competing with 2024 No. 10 pick J.J. McCarthy, but the two-time Pro Bowler gives Minnesota a better shot at maximizing a roster that remains strong. It's a win-now move for a team capable of contending.

Detroit Lions

WORSE

The Lions' offensive line remains under construction. Isiah Pacheco is a downgrade from David Montgomery at the RB2 spot behind Jahmyr Gibbs. Those moves don't swing the needle much.

NFC South

Carolina Panthers

BETTER

The Panthers' defense is positioned for a significant leap. Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips ranked 10th in pressures last season. Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd had five interceptions in 2025. Rasheed Walker gives fourth-year QB Bryce Young a proven blindside protector.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WORSE

Tampa lost Mike Evans, a franchise icon, to San Francisco. The Bucs added defensive depth in A'Shawn Robinson, Alex Anzalone, and Al-Quadin Muhammad, but all three are at least 30 years old. The offense took a meaningful step backward.

Atlanta Falcons

WORSE

Jahan Dotson is a downgrade from Darnell Mooney as a starting receiver. The defense is under construction with the exits of starter linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive tackle David Onyemata.

New Orleans Saints

BETTER

Travis Etienne fills the long-term running back need as Alvin Kamara's time winds down. David Edwards strengthens the line protecting second-year QB Tyler Shough. Kaden Elliss is seven years younger than Demario Davis, adding youth to the linebacker room.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks

WORSE

Seattle will collect four compensatory picks in 2027, but the current roster—having shed running back Kenneth Walker III, edge rusher Boye Mafe, and cornerback Tariq Woolen—is weaker than the Super Bowl LX-winning team.

Los Angeles Rams

BETTER

As long as reigning MVP Matthew Stafford keeps playing, the Rams are all-in. Acquiring two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and adding Jaylen Watson significantly strengthens a secondary that needed reinforcement.

San Francisco 49ers

BETTER

Mike Evans and Christian Kirk add firepower to the receiver room, though both are aging weapons. Osa Odighizuwa's acquisition via trade provides a massive upgrade at defensive tackle.

Arizona Cardinals

WORSE

Kyler Murray's departure ended an era. The Cardinals' quarterback room—headlined by Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew—is objectively weaker. That's a critical setback for a franchise in transition.