NFL free agency kicks off this week, with the “legal tampering” window beginning Monday afternoon, and signings permitted to commence Wednesday afternoon when the new league year opens at 4 p.m. ET.
The wheeling and dealing has already begun, with a handful of veterans either re-signing with their current teams, or finding work shortly after getting cut by their previous organizations.
To set the table for this week, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper took a deep dive into this year’s free agency class, ranking the top 150 players on the market.
This is your home for the next couple of weeks as we keep track of all of the comings and goings across the league, and explain how these players do (or don’t) fit with their new destinations.
Panthers pay up for edge Jaelan Phillips
Top 150 ranking: 2
Reported deal: 4 years, $120 million
Grade: B-
Young, ascending edge rushers who hit the open market get paid. That is a truism of NFL free agency. And that is what happened with Phillips, one of the best players in this year’s class. Phillips is still on the rise as a player, and the Panthers likely think he will turn into a top-10 edge rusher over the length of this deal. He does have an injury history, so this comes with some risk. Still, Phillips is an explosive athlete who can set the edge in the run game and create pressure with his short-area burst, especially when driving inside on swim moves. He also has real coverage ability, a valuable extra part of his skill set for a creative defensive coordinator in Ejiro Evero. The Panthers had to pay a premium, but they got a really good player in Phillips. — Popper
Panthers add another big piece in LB Devin Lloyd
Top 150 ranking: 3
Reported deal: 3 years, $45 million
Grade: A
Lloyd comes in pretty far under our projection of $19 million per year. He is tied for the fourth-highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the league, according to Over the Cap. He played like one of the best off-ball linebackers in football in 2025, and he will still only be 27 when the 2026 season begins. Lloyd is an explosive playmaker with a well-rounded skill set for the position. He is excellent in coverage. He is physical in run defense. He can blitz. He can run sideline to sideline. He had the production last season with 28 pressures and five interceptions. This had all the makings of a deal closer to the top of the market, which is held by the 49ers’ Fred Warner at $21 million APY. Lloyd slots in well below that number. This is a great deal for the Panthers. — Popper
Raiders land top center Tyler Linderbaum
Top 150 ranking: 5
Reported deal: 3 years, $81 million
Grade: A
The Raiders opened up the checkbook for the three-time Pro Bowl center and will charge him with the task of anchoring the line that’s expected to protect No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza and open lanes for second-year back Ashton Jeanty. Linderbaum is powerful, athletic and durable, having started all 17 games in three of his four seasons in Baltimore. His leadership will prove extremely valuable in coach Klint Kubiak’s system and will help ease pressure on a young quarterback. — Jones
WR Mike Evans exits Tampa Bay for San Francisco
Top 150 ranking: 6
Reported deal: 3 years, $60.4 million
Grade: B-
The 49ers add the career Buccaneer in Evans, who until last year’s injury-plagued campaign (hamstring, broken clavicle) had recorded 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Evans, 32, showed late last season that he remains a handful, recording six catches for 132 yards against Atlanta. If that Week 15 showing is any indication of Evans’ capabilities this season, he’ll give Brock Purdy another big target and red zone threat. — Jones
Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker joins Chiefs
Top 150 ranking: 7
Reported deal: 3 years, $43.05 million
Grade: B+
This deal effectively comes out to the running back franchise tag over three years. The tag for running backs was a shade under $14.3 million. That would have been a fully guaranteed one-year deal. The Chiefs needed running back help. Their tandem of Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco formed one of the least-explosive backfields in football. The two backs combined for just one designed rush of more than 20 yards all season in 2025. Walker had two such runs in the Super Bowl. Walker is a complete back with speed, vision, patience, quickness and contact balance. He will change the Chiefs’ rushing attack. They had to pay near the top of the market to get it done. — Popper
Dolphins land QB Malik Willis
Top 150 ranking: 8
Reported deal: 3 years, $67.5 million
Grade: B
New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan tapped into his Green Bay roots, hiring former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to be his head coach, and now Sullivan has landed Willis as his quarterback. The 2022 third-round pick enjoyed a career reset under Matt LaFleur’s tutelage in Green Bay, where he backed up Jordan Love the last two seasons after struggling in limited action in Tennessee. Willis posted a 2-1 record as a starter while completing 78.7 percent of his passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns. He also averaged 6.2 yards per carry and scored three rushing touchdowns as a starter for Green Bay. He has parlayed that production into a deal that includes $45 million in guaranteed money and the opportunity to start for the rebuilding Dolphins, whose offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is a Mike and Kyle Shanahan disciple like LaFleur. — Jones
RB Travis Etienne heads home, agreeing with Saints
Top 150 ranking: 9
Reported deal: 4 years, $52 million
Grade: A
The 27-year-old Etienne had his suitors with the Jaguars wanting to retain him and the Broncos also showing interest. But ultimately, he decides to go to his native Louisiana to play for the Saints and Kellen Moore, who helped position Saquon Barkley for a career year two seasons ago in Philadelphia. Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns and also recorded 36 catches for 292 yards and six touchdowns for the Jaguars. It was his third 1,000-yard campaign in four seasons. Etienne’s deal makes him the sixth-highest-paid running back in the league in APY. — Jones
WR Alec Pierce stays with Colts on huge deal
Top 150 ranking: 10
Reported deal: 4 years, $114 million
Grade: A
The 26-year-old Pierce last season shined as an explosive threat for the Colts, leading the NFL with 21.3 yards per catch. He finished the year with 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. He also displayed great versatility as a route runner and cashed that production in for a handsome payday. Now, he’ll look to build on last season and continue to ascend for Indianapolis, which hopes to also retain quarterback Daniel Jones (they placed the transition tag on him) and make another run at the AFC South title after injury (Jones ranking among the key losses) derailed a promising 2025 campaign. — Jones
Edge Odafe Oweh gets payday with Commanders
Top 150 ranking: 11
Reported deal: 4 years, $100 million
Grade: D+
The Ravens traded Oweh to the Chargers after Week 5 this past season. At that point, Oweh had zero sacks. By the end of the year, Oweh had 10.5 sacks in 13 games, including a three-sack performance in the playoffs against the Patriots. Oweh is a solid rusher. But this feels like a cardinal sin of free agency: paying a good player like a great player. Oweh benefited from playing in packages with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. He can be a capable No. 2 rusher. He is at his best as a high-quality third rusher, as evidenced from this past season. He is not a No. 1 rusher. The Commanders are paying him to be that player. Oweh has to ascend further as a player to make good on this deal. — Popper
Chargers re-sign edge Khalil Mack for 1 year
Top 150 ranking: 13
Reported deal: 1 year, $18 million
Grade: B+
Mack signed the same deal with the Chargers last offseason. Though he is entering his age-35 season, Mack is still impactful as a run defender and pass rusher. He missed most of the first half of last season with a dislocated elbow, and that affected his production. Fully guaranteed one-year deals are not ideal from a cap standpoint. Spreading money over multiple seasons provides more flexibility. But Mack is absolutely worth this money. He enters 2026 with one missing item from his Hall of Fame resume: a playoff win. He believes he can get it done with Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert in L.A. — Popper
Khalil Mack returned to the Chargers on another one-year deal. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)
OT Jermaine Eluemunor re-signs with Giants
Top 150 ranking: 14
Reported deal: 3 years, $39 million
Grade: A+
Eluemunor is a well-above-average right tackle, and the Giants got him back on one of the best value deals of free agency. His 98 percent pass blocking efficiency ranked sixth among all tackles last season, according to PFF. He uses his core strength, his superpower, to sink onto his heels and smother bull rushers. Eluemunor is also a very crafty run blocker. It was a thin tackle group in this year’s free agent class. As a result, I figured Eluemunor would approach the $20 million range. This feels like a potential hometown discount. — Popper
Titans land DL John Franklin-Myers
Top 150 ranking: 15
Reported deal: 3 years, $63 million
Grade: B
After two years in Denver, Franklin-Myers reunites with former Jets head coach Robert Saleh in Tennessee, where he’ll be asked to deliver the same kind of impactful performances that he provided in Denver when he averaged 7.25 sacks and 32.5 tackles per season. Before that, Franklin-Myers averaged just more than four sacks and 31 tackles during four seasons with the Jets. Franklin-Myers, who remains in search of his first Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection, lands a deal that features $42 million in guaranteed money. — Jones
CB Alontae Taylor heading to Nashville
Top 150 ranking: 16
Reported deal: 3 years, $60 million
Grade: A
After four seasons in New Orleans, where the Saints drafted him in the second round in 2022, Taylor is headed to Tennessee, where he’ll contribute in an overhauled secondary. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound Taylor has good versatility with the ability to cover from the slot or on the outside. His 52 pass breakups rank fourth in the NFL since 2022. — Jones
Guard Isaac Seumalo joins Cardinals
Top 150 ranking: 18
Reported deal: 3 years, $31.5 million
Grade: A-
New Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur made a smart investment on the interior of his offensive line by signing Seumalo to a very reasonable deal. Seumalo has played left and right guard in his career. He has spent the past three seasons at left guard in Pittsburgh. Seumalo is 32, and he has battled injuries in his career. Those two factors probably affected his market. But he is a dense, compact, powerful technician both as a pass protector and run blocker. When Seumalo is on the field, he can elevate an offensive line. — Popper
WR Wan’Dale Robinson finds familiarity with Titans
Top 150 ranking: 20
Reported deal: 4 years, $70 million
Grade: B-
Robinson reunites with Brian Daboll, his head coach with the Giants. Robinson was the Giants’ second-round pick in Daboll’s first draft in New York. Daboll was fired during the 2025 season. He is now the Titans offensive coordinator under new coach Robert Saleh. Robinson is a twitchy slot receiver with refined routes and quick feet in and out of his breaks. He can stretch the field vertically from inside alignments. He has short-area burst after the catch. And there will be no guessing involved in projecting how he fits into the Titans new offense. At the same time, this is expensive for a slot-only player with one season of high-quality production. — Popper
Bills hang onto C Connor McGovern
Top 150 ranking: 22
Reported deal: 4 years, $52 million
Grade: A
Josh Allen had to be thrilled by this development. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane got the deal done to keep the Bills’ starting center under contract before he had the ability to talk to other teams. The signing means Buffalo hangs onto one of the best pass-protecting centers in the league, and also one of its strongest leaders. The 28-year-old McGovern’s communication and recognition along the line is viewed as a massive help to Allen and the offense. — Jones
Rams bring back S Kam Curl
Top 150 ranking: 23
Reported deal: 3 years, $36 million
Grade: A
A steadily ascending player, Curl made a huge leap forward last season when he recorded a career-high 122 tackles and two interceptions in his second campaign with the Rams. He helps anchor a secondary that now features the newly-acquired All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. Curl is extremely versatile and provides strong support against the run and is also viewed as a valuable leader for the defense. — Jones
Bears find LB replacement in Devin Bush
Top 150 ranking: 25
Reported deal: 3 years, $30 million
Grade: A
The Bears cut off-ball linebacker Tremaine Edmunds earlier this offseason to save $15 million in cap space. They then turned to free agency to find a better, cheaper option at the same age. Edmunds provided the spine of the Bears defense with athleticism and coverage ability. Bush can fill a similar role to Edmunds against the pass, though he is not quite as long as Edmunds. Bush was a top-10 pick in 2019, and he put his game fully together in 2025 in Jim Schwartz’s Brown defense. He has elite athletic traits, including sideline-to-sideline speed. And he has the eyes to fit into multiple zone coverage looks. This is smart team-building from the Bears. — Popper
Bengals add an edge in Boye Mafe
Top 150 ranking: 26
Reported deal: 3 years, $60 million
Grade: B-
This is partially a potential-based signing as Cincinnati awards Mafe a deal that will pay him $20 million per season on average, although he has served as a rotational player and is coming off a two-sack, 31-tackle season. Mafe has shown he’s capable of more, recording nine sacks and 52 tackles and 16 quarterback hits as a full-time starter in 2023. The Bengals are counting on similar production as they try to replace Trey Hendrickson. — Jones
WR Jalen Nailor joins Raiders
Top 150 ranking: 27
Reported deal: 3 years, $35 million
Grade: A
Nailor was one of my favorite players in this year’s class because of his upside. The 2022 sixth-round pick only caught 29 passes for 444 yards last season. But he was playing alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and he was dealing with subpar quarterback play. But the film showed a player who was open often. He has the traits to be a much more productive player in a bigger role, including inside-outside flexibility, yards-after-the-catch ability, play speed to push vertically and the spatial awareness to find holes against zone coverage. The Raiders are preparing to take Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. They were lacking at receiver after trading away Jakobi Meyers last season. This is a slam-dunk signing for Las Vegas. — Popper
Browns start rebuilding OL with guard Zion Johnson
Top 150 ranking: 30
Reported deal: 3 years, $49.5 million
Grade: C
Johnson had a robust market in free agency because of his age, athleticism and durability. He has flaws as a player, most notably his awareness identifying stunts and blitzes in front of his face. But he is a well-above-average run blocker with scheme versatility, power and movement skills. From Week 13 to Week 17 last year, Johnson played the best football of his career. He sat out Week 18 because the Chargers had already clinched a playoff spot. In a playoff loss to the Patriots, he reverted to some of his poor habits, particularly in pass protection. This is a sizable deal for a solid but inconsistent player. Starting-caliber offensive linemen get overpaid in free agency. — Popper
Rams add another former Chiefs CB in Jaylen Watson
Top 150 ranking: 31
Reported deal: 3 years, $51 million
Grade: B
After trading to acquire Trent McDuffie, the Rams continue their raid of the Chiefs’ secondary, signing the 27-year-old Watson to a three-year deal. Watson gives the Rams another well-rounded cornerback capable of making plays both against the pass and the run. He’s not as talented as McDuffie, but Watson is solid, recording 42 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions last season. — Jones
WR/RS Rashid Shaheed back with Seahawks
Top 150 ranking: 32
Reported deal: 3 years, $51 million
Grade: C
Shaheed proved his value after the Seahawks traded for him ahead of the deadline last season. He made key plays as a returner and receiver en route to Seattle’s Lombardi Trophy. This is a steep price for a player with his skills, however. Shaheed is one of the game’s most electric returners. As a receiver, he is a true burner who commands attention in the deep part of the field. This opens up opportunities for teammates like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. But he is not very friendly to the quarterback on non-deep routes. He does not do a good enough job working back to the quarterback on in- or out-breaking routes. Shaheed is a difference-maker. But $17 million per year is a lot of money for a speed element/returner. — Popper
TE Isaiah Likely follows John Harbaugh to Giants
Top 150 ranking: 33
Reported deal: 3 years, $40 million
Grade: B
The Ravens allowed Likely to depart after extending Mark Andrews, and they just might have parted with the younger, more effective tight end. John Harbaugh pounced, bringing the fifth-year pro to New York with him, hoping that Likely can build on the potential that he has displayed while averaging 11.6 yards per reception and 15 touchdown catches while serving as the No. 2 tight end in Baltimore. — Jones
Saints add beef up front with G David Edwards
Top 150 ranking: 34
Reported deal: 4 years, $61
Grade: B-
Badly in need of help along their offensive line, the Saints have landed Edwards, the former Bills guard. The 29-year-old has experience at both left and right guard, but started on the left for the Bills last season. He’ll help anchor a line charged with protecting second-year pro Tyler Shough and paving the way for newly-acquired running back Travis Etienne. — Jones
Bengals add safety Bryan Cook
Top 150 ranking: 35
Reported deal: 3 years, $40.5 million
Grade: A
After ranking among the worst in the league on defense, the Bengals have needed to add talent and they landed a quality and versatile safety in Cook. The 27-year-old can play deep centerfield, but also can make plays in the box, so it’ll be interesting to see how the Bengals use the 6-foot-1, 206-pounder. — Jones
Lions find new starting C in Cade Mays
Top 150 ranking: 36
Reported deal: 3 years, $25 million
Grade: A
Heading into last season, the Lions lost one of the league’s elite centers in Frank Ragnow, who retired in June 2025 at 29 years old. Graham Glasgow replaced Ragnow, and he struggled in 14 starts. This drop-off was a factor in the Lions missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Now, coach Dan Campbell and the Lions have hit the free-agent market to find a capable replacement for Ragnow. Considering how the center market exploded, getting Mays at this price is a great deal. Mays took over the Panthers’ starting job in Week 3 after an injury to Austin Corbett, and he played well, particularly in pass protection. Mays is a huge center at 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, and he uses that size to create a wall against rushers. He can match up with big nose tackles. Mays is a bit limited as an athlete, but he will improve the Lions’ interior pass protection. — Popper
S Coby Bryant bolts for the Bears
Top 150 ranking: 41
Reported deal: 3 years, $40 million
Grade: B
The Bears add a versatile safety to their secondary. Bryant, a fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2022, last season recorded four interceptions, 66 tackles and seven pass breakups. The newly-crowned Super Bowl champ also forced and recovered a fumble and should fit well with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. — Jones
Chargers add high upside TE Charlie Kolar
Top 150 ranking: 42
Reported deal: 3 years, $24.3 million
Grade: A+
The Chargers needed to add run blocking after moving on from veteran Will Dissly for cap savings. Kolar was the best blocker in this year’s free-agent class. He is also young and has upside as a pass catcher. Kolar was playing behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in Baltimore. As such, he did not get a lot of opportunities to affect the passing game. Kolar is a perfect fit in Mike McDaniel’s run scheme. He has the athleticism and movement skills to execute the difficult reach blocks and unique misdirection blocking concepts in McDaniel’s system. If Kolar stays healthy, I think the Chargers will get surplus value on this contract. — Popper
CB Eric Stokes returns to Raiders on 3-year deal
Top 150 ranking: 45
Reported deal: 3 years, $30 million
Grade: A
A year after having to settle for a one-year deal with Las Vegas, Stokes gets rewarded by the Raiders to the tune of a three-year deal with $20 million in guaranteed money. Stokes will play for a new defensive coordinator this season as Patrick Graham departed for the Steelers, and run game coordinator Rob Leonard received a promotion to DC. But the 2021 first-round pick will still use his length and athleticism to his advantage. — Jones
LB Alex Anzalone heads south to Bucs
Top 150 ranking: 47
Reported deal: 2 years, $17 million
Grade: A+
Longtime Bucs off-ball linebacker Lavonte David is a free agent, and he clearly took a step back last season. David turned 36 in January. The Bucs get younger at the position by bringing on Anzalone, who is a superior athlete as he enters his age-32 campaign. Anzalone is fast, flexible and fluid. He is slippery when evading blockers, especially as a blitzer. His 29 percent pressure rate ranked second among linebackers, according to TruMedia. Anzalone is also a versatile coverage player. The one knock on his game is a slight lack of physicality as a run defender. But this is an excellent value deal for the Bucs at a position of need. — Popper
DT David Onyemata headed to the Jets
Top 150 ranking: 48
Reported deal: 1 year, $10.5 million
Grade: B
Onyemata reunites with Aaron Glenn, who served as his defensive coordinator for his time in New Orleans. The 33-year-old has good versatility with an ability to line up at multiple spots across the defensive front. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder makes an impact both against the run and the pass and brings a strong veteran presence along with linebacker Demario Davis. — Jones
Ravens bolster IOL with John Simpson signings
Top 150 ranking: 49
Reported deal: 3 years, $30 million
Grade: A
Guard was a weak spot for the Ravens last season, and Simpson will elevate the team’s interior. Right guard Daniel Faalele is a free agent. Andrew Vorhees, a seventh-round pick in 2023, started at left guard. Simpson has been predominantly a left guard in his career. He is a technically sound pass protector with quick hands and a sturdy bass. He has a mean, violent, attacking play style and packs a punch at contact, including when moving north as a run blocker. New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is a Jim and John Harbaugh disciple. Simpson is the type of player that can set the tone for the physical brand of football Minter prioritizes. And the money is right based on Simpson’s 2025 tape with the New York Jets. — Popper
S Jalen Thompson joins Cowboys
Top 150 ranking: 50
Reported deal: 3 years, $33 million
Grade: B
The Cowboys brought in a new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker, who worked under Vic Fangio for the past two seasons with the Eagles. Parker also got his first NFL position coach job under Fangio with the Broncos in 2021. Rangy safeties with good eyes can thrive in Fangio-style schemes, and Thompson fits that mold. Thompson had eight interceptions from 2021-23. His ball production waned over the last two seasons. But Thompson, who had spent his entire seven-year career with the Arizona Cardinals, should solidify the deep part of the field for Dallas, and he has some man coverage ability to match up with running backs, tight ends and receivers. — Popper
RB Rico Dowdle joins Steelers
Top 150 ranking: 51
Reported deal: 2 years, $12.25 million
Grade: A
Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Dowdle gives the Steelers a big, physical back that averaged 4.6 and 4.5 yards per carry in 2024 and 2025, respectively, and has recorded 39 catches in each of the last two seasons. Dowdle has good familiarity with new Pittsburgh coach Mike McCarthy, having played for him in Dallas in 2024. — Jones
TE Travis Kelce returning to Chiefs
Top 150 ranking: 52
Reported deal: 1 year, $12 million
Grade: B
The 36-year-old made it known he wanted to play a 14th NFL season, and the Chiefs ensured that it would take place in Kansas City and not elsewhere. Although no longer as explosive as he has been, Kelce remains crafty in his route running and picks up yards after the catch. Last season saw him record just 76 catches (his lowest total since 2015), but Andy Reid and Mahomes will continue to find ways to get Kelce involved. Adding a young tight end through the draft would be wise, however. — Jones
Travis Kelce will run it back with the Chiefs. (Jamie Schwaberow / Getty Images)
LB Demario Davis heads to the Jets
Top 150 ranking: 56
Reported deal: 2 years, $22 million
Grade: B-
Davis returns to the team that drafted him. He was a third-round pick by the Jets in 2012. He bounced around before becoming one of the best off-ball linebackers in the league with the Saints in his 30s. Davis is entering his age-37 season. He is still an excellent run defender. He is a fluid mover in coverage whose experience shows up as an underneath dropper in zone. The Jets paid a premium here to add some veteran reliability and leadership to a defense that ranked 30th in EPA per play last season, according to TruMedia. — Popper
LB Quay Walker joining Raiders
Top 150 ranking: 57
Reported deal: 3 years, $40.5 million
Grade: B-
A 2022 first-round pick of the Packers, Walker has the range to make tackles in the open field and also drop into zone coverage. He recorded 128 tackles (11 for a loss) last season. Although not as effective on blitzes, ranking 35th in pass-rush efficiency among off-ball linebackers with at least 50 pass-rush snaps, Walker does, however, prove explosive when coming downhill against the run. — Jones
Rams, TE Tyler Higbee run it back
Top 150 ranking: 58
Reported deal: 2 years, $8 million
Grade: B
Higbee might have been able to earn more money elsewhere. He now returns to the Rams for an 11th season as the team’s longest-tenured player. The Rams are deep at tight end. They drafted Davis Allen in 2023. They signed Colby Parkinson in 2024. They drafted Terrence Ferguson last year. There is a bit of a logjam. At the same time, the Rams used 13 personnel on 30.5 percent of their offensive snaps last season, the highest rate in the league, according to TruMedia. So if there is a team that needs four quality tight ends, it is the Rams. — Popper
RB Tyler Allgeier joins new staff with Cardinals
Top 150 ranking: 69
Reported deal: 2 years, $12.25 million
Grade: B+
Michael Carter is a free agent, and the Cardinals opted not to tender Emari Demercado. They needed another running back alongside veteran James Conner and 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson. Allgeier is a big, imposing back who runs with physicality, leg drive and motor. After a standout rookie season, Allgeier played second-fiddle to Bijan Robinson. But he has upside in a more prominent role. He spent the past two seasons playing for Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who came up with the Rams under Sean McVay. The Cardinals hired new coach Mike LaFleur from the Rams. So there will be some scheme familiarity for Allgeier. — Popper
LB Eric Wilson stays with Vikings
Top 150 ranking: 72
Reported deal: 3 years, $22.5 million
Grade: B
Wilson had a surprising career season at 31 in 2025. He set a career high in splash play rate, according to TruMedia, while starting more than 12 games for just the second time in nine seasons. Wilson parlayed this breakout into a long-term deal as a Vikings starter. He is a downhill linebacker who can impact the game as a blitzer and run defender, though he is more limited in coverage. Wilson was a versatile piece in Brian Flores’ Vikings defense, even playing on the edge at times. He has sideline-to-sideline speed and has an energetic play style that fits well into Flores’ scheme. This deal ended up slightly above what I expected, but it is a fine deal given Wilson’s fit and performance last season. — Popper
Edge Joseph Ossai joins the Jets
Top 150 ranking: 73
Reported deal: 3 years, $36 million
Grade: B-
The Jets needed edge help after trading Jermaine Johnson II away to the Titans earlier this offseason. Ossai is an undersized speed rusher with some length who uses an effective inside long-arm to get into tackles’ chests. He has the ankle flexion to bend and dip around the corner, and he has instincts and timing when twisting inside on stunts. Ossai’s size shows up sometimes as a run defender, and his best fit is as a rotational known-passing-down rusher. That’s a big price for a player who won’t be highly effective on early downs. But Ossai will give the Jets some rush juice. — Popper
Chargers add C Tyler Biadasz
Top 150 ranking: 75
Reported deal: 3 years, $30 million
Grade: A-
The Commanders cut Biadasz in February, and the Chargers jumped at the opportunity to bring in a reliable starting center. This was a smart move for a team that needed an upgrade in the middle of its offensive line. Bradley Bozeman, who retired earlier this offseason, was a weak point for the Chargers over the past two seasons. The Chargers could have shopped at the top of the center market and pursued Tyler Linderbaum. Instead, they signed a savvy, experienced player in Biadasz at a much lower price point, giving them additional flexibility moving further into free agency. — Popper
Chiefs bolster interior DL, adding Khyiris Tonga
Top 150 ranking: 80
Reported deal: 3 years, $21 million
Grade: B
Intent to fortify the heart of their defensive line and give Chris Jones some help, the Chiefs zeroed in on the former Patriot. Tonga had a strong 2025 season with New England after bouncing around from Chicago to Minnesota and then Arizona. He proved stout against the run and disruptive against the pass, recording a career-high 17 pressures. He commands double-teams and will help free up others along Steve Spagnuolo’s front. — Jones
Edge Malcolm Koonce returning to Las Vegas
Top 150 ranking: 81
Reported deal: 1 year, $11 million
Grade: A
A talented pass rusher with a nice bag of tricks, Koonce returns on a prove-it deal and will be counted on to help fill the void caused by Maxx Crosby’s departure. Koonce recorded a career-best eight sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 2023. Last season, he returned from the ACL tear that robbed him of the 2024 season and recorded four sacks and 30 tackles. The Raiders are hoping he can take another leap forward now two years removed from that injury. — Jones
Chiefs nab safety Alohi Gilman
Top 150 ranking: 83
Reported deal: 3 years, $24.75 million
Grade: B+
Gilman was drafted by the Chargers in 2020. He spent his first five seasons there. Midway through his sixth Chargers season, in 2025, he was traded to the Ravens. Now, Gilman signs a long-term deal with one of the Chargers’ biggest rivals. The AFC West revenge games in 2026 should be spicy. The Chiefs lost safety Bryan Cook to the Bengals in the early madness of the negotiating window Monday. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo used Cook primarily in the deep part of the field. Gilman has the instincts and football IQ to fill that role both in one-high and two-high looks. The Chiefs are very familiar with Gilman from years of divisional battles, and Kansas City gets a quality Cook replacement for a cheaper price. — Popper
Steelers add CB Jamel Dean
Top 150 ranking: 84
Reported deal: 3 years, $36.75 million
Grade: C
The Steelers got Dean for a reasonable price, but there are some legitimate injury concerns with the cornerback as he enters his age-30 season. Over the past three seasons, he has missed time with foot, back, hamstring, knee and hip flexor injuries. When healthy, Dean is a big and fast corner. He is an easy mover for his size. This is a risky contract given the checkered past. — Popper
Alijah Vera-Tucker cashes in with Pats
Top 150 ranking: 85
Reported deal: 3 years, $42 million
Grade: D
Vera-Tucker is a very good player when he is on the field. The problem is he cannot stay on the field. He played in five games in 2022 because of a torn triceps. He played in seven games in 2023 because of a torn Achilles. He missed all of last season because of a torn triceps on his other arm. He has been in the NFL for five seasons. He has suffered season-ending injuries in three of them. Sandwiched in between those three seasons was a standout 2024 at right guard. Still, this deal is a massive risk for the Patriots. If it works out, New England could get solid surplus value on this contract. If it does not, it could be a disaster. — Popper
JK Dobbins returning to Broncos
Top 150 ranking: 86
Reported deal: 2 years, $20 million
Grade: B-
Dobbins is indeed a talented back. He has a good feel, good vision and patience. But injuries have always limited his production. He has yet to play a full season, which means he’s not the most dependable. Last season, he recorded 809 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns and, despite playing in only 10 games, his 772 rushing yards also led the Broncos. — Jones
LB Nakobe Dean heads to Las Vegas
Top 150 ranking: 87
Reported deal: 3 years, $36 million
Grade: B
Although a bit undersized at 5-11, 231 pounds, Dean has a knack for getting after the quarterback. Last season, he recorded a career-high four sacks to go with 55 tackles in 10 games (eight starts). Dean isn’t viewed as a run stopper, but in 2024, he did rack up 128 tackles and three sacks. In Las Vegas, he reunites with linebackers coach Ronnell Williams, formerly an assistant in Philadelphia. — Jones
Safety Reed Blankenship agrees to deal with Texans
Top 150 ranking: 90
Reported deal: 3 years, $24.75 million
Grade: B
Blankenship delivered two outstanding seasons in 2023 and 2024, recording a combined 191 tackles and seven interceptions, but then had a bit of a down year in 2025. The Texans are hoping he can provide additional support for a secondary that includes Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre to help further elevate their already championship-caliber defense. — Jones
CB Josh Jobe stays in Seattle
Top 150 ranking: 91
Reported deal: 3 years, $24 million
Grade: B
After climbing all the way from practice squad member in 2024 to starter on the Super Bowl-winning defense, Jobe receives his reward in the form of a multiyear deal. Jobe excelled in zone coverage for Mike Macdonald’s defense and ranked among the stingiest corners in the league last season, recording the ninth-lowest completion percentage (49.5). — Jones
QB Mitchell Trubisky takes backup job in Tennessee
Top 150 ranking: 98
Reported deal: 2 years, $TBA
Grade: A
The Titans are all-in on second-year pro Cam Ward, but new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll now has a reliable veteran who has familiarity with his offense. Trubisky played one season under Daboll (2021) in Buffalo before Daboll departed for the Giants. That familiarity should help Trubisky serve as a mentor/teammate for the young Ward. Trubisky hasn’t started a game since 2023 in Pittsburgh, but he has appeared in 13 games in the last two seasons combined, and has completed 72.5 percent of his passes for 535 yards and six touchdowns and an interception during those appearances. — Jones
LB Alex Singleton back with Broncos
Top 150 ranking: 99
Reported deal: 2 years, $15.5 million
Grade: B+
The Broncos re-signed linebacker Justin Strnad ahead of free agency. They followed that up by re-signing Singleton. The Broncos then released Dre Greenlaw, a 2025 free-agent signing who was splitting snaps with Strnad. Singleton is a physical and violent linebacker who sets the tone in the middle of a Broncos defense that finished seventh in EPA per play last season, according to TruMedia. Singleton is at his best playing downhill as a run defender and blitzer. He is less instinctive in coverage. This is a fair deal for both sides. — Popper
TE Cade Otton sticks with the Bucs
Top 150 ranking: 100
Reported deal: 3 years, $30 million
Grade: B-
Tampa Bay retained the services of the steady Otton, who last season recorded 59 catches for 572 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot-5, 247-pounder is a solid run blocker and also reliable in pass protection. The Bucs value his all-around contributions. — Jones
Jaguars re-sign CB Montaric Brown
Top 150 ranking: 101
Reported deal: 3 years, $33 million
Grade: A
The fifth-year corner displayed significant growth for Jacksonville, going from a seventh-round pick in 2022 to a starter last season, recording a career high 12 passes defensed and two interceptions. He would’ve had suitors on the market, but he wanted to remain in Jacksonville and got a deal done before the negotiating window opened. — Jones
Raiders pay up for edge Kwity Paye
Top 150 ranking: 103
Reported deal: 3 years, $48 million
Grade: F
Paye is a physical run defender and can set the edge in that phase. He lacks juice as a pass rusher. Paye is more of a pocket-pusher. He does not have much diversity in his moves. Paye likes to bull rush, but he is not powerful enough to win consistently in this way. Among 64 edge rushers with at least 300 pass rush snaps last season, Paye ranked 54th in pass rush efficiency with the Indianapolis Colts, according to PFF. He is a useful player. But $16 million per year is an overpay for an edge rusher who is going to affect the run game far more than the quarterback. — Popper
RB Kenneth Gainwell heads to Tampa Bay
Top 150 ranking: 104
Reported deal: 2 years, $14 million
Grade: B
In Gainwell, the Bucs get a versatile backfield mate to go with Bucky Irving. Gainwell last season rushed for a career-high 537 yards and five touchdowns on 114 carries while serving as Pittsburgh’s No. 2 back. He also thrived as a pass catcher with 73 receptions for 486 yards and three touchdowns. Gainwell will have his best chance to make his presence felt on third downs as another option for quarterback Baker Mayfield. — Jones
Kenneth Gainwell will team up with Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay. (Joe Sargent / Getty Images)
Cardinals bolster interior DL with Roy Lopez
Top 150 ranking: 108
Reported deal: 2 years, $11.5 million
Grade: A
Lopez is a run-stuffing nose tackle with a stout, strong lower half and quick feet. He can take on double-teams. He can cover two gaps when taking on a lineman one-on-one, showing the ability to stack, read the running back and shed. Lopez also has some pass-rush upside because of a relentless motor and the vision to find lanes late in downs. The Cardinals defense struggled against the run last year, finishing 25th in EPA per designed rush and 24th in defensive success rate, according to TruMedia. Lopez will give the unit a lift in this phase, with Nick Rallis staying on as coordinator under new coach Mike LaFleur. — Popper
Commanders reunite with DL Tim Settle
Top 150 ranking: 109
Reported deal: 3 years, $24 million
Grade: B
The Commanders bring back their 2018 fifth-round pick five years after he departed via free agency, spending two years in Buffalo and the last two in Houston. Settle, 28, missed time with a foot injury in 2025, but when healthy is highly disruptive. The 6-foot-3, 313-pounder clogs lanes against the run and does a good job of getting into the backfield on passing downs. — Jones
Broncos keep TE Adam Trautman
Top 150 ranking: 112
Reported deal: 3 years, $17 million
Grade: B+
Trautman provides most of his value as a blocker. He is elite in pass protection and can be trusted one-on-one against edge rushers. He is also a high-quality run blocker with the patience in space to set up blocks on the move. Trautman slots in below some of the top-tier blocking-forward tight ends like the Vikings’ Josh Oliver ($7.75M APY) and the Commanders’ John Bates ($7M APY). This is a sensible deal for both sides. The Broncos keep their tight end group together, with Evan Engram offering more as a receiver and field-stretcher in the passing game. — Popper
TE Greg Dulcich staying with Dolphins
Top 150 ranking: 115
Reported deal: 1 year, $3.25 million
Grade: A
Added to the Dolphins’ practice squad and then activated midway through last season, Dulcich excelled, recording 26 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown in 10 games. He had five games with a 100-percent catch rate and proved himself as a dangerous downfield threat. Now he returns with hopes of building on that success following pass-game coordinator Bobby Slowik’s promotion to offensive coordinator. — Jones
T Trent Brown stays with Texans
Top 150 ranking: 116
Reported deal: 1 year, $7 million
Grade: B
A Pro Bowl selection in 2019, Brown remains a talented right tackle. The main problem with him involves durability. He hasn’t played a full season since 2022 with New England. Brown suited up for seven games with Houston last season, and the Texans won all seven, including the playoff matchup against Pittsburgh. He continues to rehab the ankle injury that hampered him much of the 2025 season. If healthy, he will help a still-evolving Texans line, and the one-year, $7 million deal will have been a bargain signing. — Jones
Patriots land edge Dre’Mont Jones
Top 150 ranking: 117
Reported deal: 3 years, $39 million
Grade: C+
The Patriots needed more physicality on the edge, and they found that player in Jones, a power rusher with some alignment versatility. Mike Vrabel got a career season out of speed rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, who totaled a career-high 74 pressures in 2025, including the playoffs. But Chaisson is not a capable or willing run defender. Jones brings more size and stoutness, and he can overpower guards when he moves inside. Jones lacks some variety in his pass-rush bag, and the Patriots went higher than I projected here. He fits the need, but the price was pretty hefty. — Popper
Edge Kingsley Enagbare gets 1-year deal with Jets
Top 150 ranking: 119
Reported deal: 1 year, $10 million
Grade: C+
Enagbare’s tools are more intriguing than what he has put on tape in his four NFL seasons. He is a long edge player, and that length shows up more in run defense. Enagbare lacks refinement as a pass rusher. He only has 11.5 career sacks, and his 10.6 percent pressure rate in 2025 ranked 96th among defensive linemen with at least 200 pass rush snaps, according to TruMedia. A one-year deal is a pretty low-risk move for the Jets. But $10 million is above what I thought Enagbare was worth in APY. With his edge-setting ability in the run game, Enagbare does pair well with Joseph Ossai, whom the Jets also agreed to terms with Monday. — Popper
TE Austin Hooper returns to roots with Falcons
Top 150 ranking: 121
Reported deal: 1 year, $3.3 million
Grade: A
Hooper is still a very effective run blocker who can control the C-gap against edge rushers. This past season, during a Super Bowl run with the Patriots, Hooper showed he can overwhelm defensive backs and linebackers in the run game as a one-on-one blocker. Hooper was drafted by Atlanta in 2016 and spent his first four seasons there. This is a great value deal for the Falcons as new coach Kevin Stefanski tries to establish his run game. — Popper
CB Cor’Dale Flott to agrees 3-year deal with Titans
Top 150 ranking: 122
Reported deal: 3 years, $45 million
Grade: B
Demonstrating a commitment to upgrading Robert Saleh’s defense, the Titans have awarded the former Giant a three-year contract that features $32 million in fully-guaranteed money. Flott has steadily improved each season for the Giants, and last season recorded a career-high pass deflections to go with 38 tackles and an interception. He’s not much of a contributor against the run, but does display strong anticipation skills in pass coverage. — Jones
Texans bring back DT Sheldon Rankins
Top 150 ranking: 124
Reported deal: 2 years, $12 million
Grade: B
Rankins returns to the Texans, where last season he served as a valuable contributor along the interior of their defensive front, recording 35 tackles (eight for a loss) and three sacks. His pressures up the middle help move the pocket and force quarterbacks in the direction of talented pass-rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson. — Jones
Colts add edge Arden Key
Top 150 ranking: 125
Reported deal: 2 years, $20 million
Grade: B-
Fast, physical and athletic, Key does a good job of generating pressure. He has averaged just 4.5 sacks per season, however, over the course of his eight-year career (he spent the past three seasons with the Tennessee Titans). He’s a necessary piece to the puzzle for the Colts, and he does come at an affordable rate, but Indianapolis likely needs additional pass rushers. — Jones
Falcons bring in QB Tua Tagovailoa
Top 150 ranking: NR
Reported deal: 1 years, $TBA
Grade: A
The Falcons are hoping that Michael Penix Jr. can make it back from a torn ACL in time for the season opener, but they have added Tagovailoa as an insurance policy, and possibly as competition. There are questions about Penix’s durability, but that’s also the case with Tagovailoa, who has had at least three documented concussions in his NFL career. Last season saw Tagovailoa experience a steep drop-off in effectiveness as he completed just 67.7 percent of his passes while throwing 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. But some talent evaluators still view Tagovailoa, who in 2023 led the league in passing yards (4,624) and also led the NFL in completion percentage in 2024 (72.9) as a capable starter. Kevin Stefanski will have a pair of lefties to work with in Penix and Tagovailoa, and Tua comes at an affordable rate with the Dolphins on the hook for the bulk of his contract. — Jones
CB Asante Samuel Jr. returns to Steelers
Top 150 ranking: 139
Reported deal: 1 year, $4 million
Grade: B
If healthy, Samuel is a talented corner who has a nose for the ball. Injuries have limited him to just 11 games (including one playoff appearance) the last two seasons. He comes at an affordable price for Pittsburgh, but has the potential to deliver difference-making production, both against the pass and the run, that would make his $4 million salary a steal. — Jones
T Vederian Lowe headed to 49ers
Top 150 ranking: 143
Reported deal: 2 years, $12 million
Grade: C
Lowe started four games at left tackle for New England last season and has good size, but has his limitations as well. His signing comes as the 49ers are rumored to be open to trading perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who wants a new deal. There’s a significant drop-off from Williams to Lowe, however. — Jones
QB Marcus Mariota returns as Commanders backup
Top 150 ranking: 146
Reported deal: 1 year, $11 million
Grade: B
The 32-year-old Mariota returns to Washington where he is viewed as a reliable backup and strong mentor to Jayden Daniels. The No. 2 pick in 2015 started eight games for Washington last season, completing 61.2 percent of his passes while also using his mobility to extend plays and pick up key chunks of yardage. Continuity in Washington’s quarterback room should benefit all parties involved. — Jones