Ranking The Biggest Signings From Day 1 of NFL Free Agency

March 10, 2026

Quincy breaks down the biggest signings from free agency Day 1 in the NFL. Which teams made the biggest impact signings or had the most notable departures?

NFL free agency is finally upon us. Several players are on the move as teams look to retool heading into the 2026 season. We have seen teams such as the Titans go on a spending spree early. Others, like the Seahawks and Chiefs, have experienced quite a few departures. This is always an interesting week in the NFL. Not every signing will work out, but it is still fun to get excited about each move.

Many of this year's biggest signings were on offense. Running back Kenneth Walker III bolted for the Chiefs, quarterback Malik Willis signed with the Dolphins, and wide receiver Alec Pierce stayed put in Indianapolis. Those were three of the biggest names, and their landing spots seemed relatively foregone. Time will tell if the money they earned will be worth it for their respective teams.

With Day 1 of free agency in the books, it is time that we rank the biggest signings. Splashy signings are not always the right move for NFL teams, but when they hit, they hit. Let's dive in and see who could make a huge impact on their new or existing team in 2026.

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No. 15 - Coby Bryant, S, Chicago Bears

Coby Bryant blossomed into a high-quality player in Seattle over the last four seasons. He became a key cog in the best defense in the league in 2025. Bryant should do well to replace Jaquan Brisker in Chicago. As usual, Chicago is off to a solid start on paper in free agency.

No. 14 - Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati Bengals

The first of two defensive Bengals signings on this list, Bryan Cook, is a great signing for a team that finished with a historically bad defense in 2025. Cook is a splash move for a franchise that rarely takes large swings in free agency. With a young and promising secondary already in place, Cook may end up being the piece that puts the whole puzzle together.

No. 13 - Isaiah Likely, TE, New York Giants

Isaiah Likely reunited with head coach John Harbaugh in New York. Likely to immediately become a top target for young quarterback Jaxson Dart. With wide receiver-esque range and athleticism, Likely should be a very explosive option as he looks to become a true offensive focal point.

No. 12 - Boye Mafe, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals

This is a very underrated signing. Boye Mafe turned into a rotational player in Seattle once Mike Macdonald took over in 2024. He only recorded two sacks in 2025. However, this is a player who, in 2023, recorded nine sacks and looked like he was on his way to stardom until a regime change.

Mafe's deal averages just $20 million per year, which is a relative bargain for his position. He could be a huge addition for this team.

No. 11 - Malik Willis, QB, Miami Dolphins

Willis' links to Miami all ended up being true. He signed a very much "prove it" deal with Miami. With Miami cutting Tua Tagovailoa and having no clear path to a replacement in the draft, Willis is a solid addition.

In a worst-case scenario, Willis is bad, and the Dolphins build through the draft. In a best-case scenario, Willis continues to ascend and shows true promise. This is a win-win for both sides.

Malik Willis picks up a first down on the QB keeper

GBvsNYG on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/9ziqtgwXfC

— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025

No. 10 - Travis Etienne Jr., RB, New Orleans Saints

The Saints seem to be moving on from Alvin Kamara after bringing in Travis Etienne Jr. Etienne could be in for a huge season in head coach Kellen Moore's system. He has a great blend of receiving chops and running prowess that should do well to support the Saints' burgeoning offense. Etienne is a bit on the older side at 27 years old, but he should have a couple of solid seasons left in him.

No. 9 - Jaylen Watson, CB, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams secondary might as well be the Chiefs secondary now that both Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie have arrived. The Rams have effectively turned around their secondary overnight. Watson will be a key cog in a secondary unit that was the Rams' downfall in 2025. With Watson in place in addition to McDuffie, this is a scary team heading into 2026.

No. 8 - Mike Evans, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Mike Evans should help bring stability to a 49ers wide receiving corps that is lacking in talent. Evans is not the same player he once was, but he is still capable of scoring a lot of touchdowns and racking up yards. He should also be a fantastic deep threat for quarterback Brock Purdy. Overall, this is a very solid signing.

Welcome back, Mike Evans 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/9bkg7L2pdg

— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025

No. 7 - Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Carolina Panthers

Jaelan Phillips has not experienced extreme production in the NFL yet, primarily due to injuries. However, Phillips is teeming with talent, and he helped uplift a struggling Eagles pass rush in 2025 after he was dealt from the Miami Dolphins. Phillips has a chance to be the star of the show in Carolina, where it is counting on him to begin producing double-digit sacks.

No. 6 - Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts

The only reason why Pierce did not make the top five ranking is because of the contract he received. He is being paid like a top wide receiver in the NFL, but he has never demonstrated himself to be anything more than a solid WR2.

He has also been boxed into a shallow route tree featuring a lot of deep shots. While not his fault, how versatile really is Pierce? However, there is something to be said for team chemistry, and Pierce developed a fantastic rapport with quarterback Daniel Jones in 2025.

FIRST DOWN ALEC PIERCE🤝

📺CBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/0CuO24KsUC

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 15, 2025

No. 5 - Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee Titans

This was a sneaky great signing for the Titans. Alontae Taylor has quietly been one of the more consistent corners in the league over the last three seasons. He now has a chance to thrive in Tennessee in head coach Robert Saleh's scheme.

No. 4 - Odafe Oweh, Edge, Washington Commanders

After a midseason trade to the Chargers, Odafe Oweh found himself a cushy four-year deal with the Washington Commanders. The Commanders are desperate for help all over their defense. Oweh brings a proven pass-rushing track record to the nation's capital. He should fit in well with head coach Dan Quinn running the show.

No. 3 - John Franklin-Myers, DL, Tennessee Titans

John Franklin-Myers has been a quiet, steady producer for the Broncos over the last two seasons. With 14.5 sacks since 2024, Franklin-Myers brings a great presence to a rebuilding Titans defensive line. Head coach Robert Saleh must be chomping at the bit after this signing.

No. 2 - Kenneth Walker III, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

In a relatively stacked free-agent running back class, the Chiefs got the belle of the ball in Walker. The reigning Super Bowl MVP priced himself out of Seattle. The Chiefs, desperate for a high-quality running back to support quarterback Patrick Mahomes, opened the money bags for Walker. Walker should shine in a very creative Andy Reid offense moving forward.

ALL EYES ON HIM. 55 yards to the house @Kenneth_Walker9 🗣️

📺: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/I5qAjTWtfi

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 19, 2025

No. 1 - Tyler Linderbaum, C, Las Vegas Raiders

It was long suspected that if the Ravens could not work out a deal with Tyler Linderbaum before the new league year, they would lose the veteran center. The Raiders kicked off free agency with a bang by shoring up their offensive line and landing Linderbaum.

This is a massive boost for a team that will be employing a serious run scheme under new head coach Klint Kubiak in 2026, but fielded one of the league's worst offensive lines in 2025.

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