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Quincy Milton III provides his 2026 free-agency grades for every NFL team. From Arizona to Washington, how did your favorite team fare during free agency?
2026 NFL free agency was not filled with as many fireworks as it tends to be, but there was still a lot of excitement to be had. Players such as edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson and running back Kenneth Walker III switched teams. We expect huge impacts from both players on their new teams. Of course, this year's free agency would not be complete without the fiasco that was the Raiders-Ravens deal for Maxx Crosby. Both sides will feel reverberations from the fallout of that deal for years to come.
NFL team strategies vary throughout free agency. Some teams stand pat and plug a few holes. Others go all in on a flurry of splash signings. Fan bases love to watch their team make a splash signing, but sometimes holding tight is the way to go. In the case of a team like the Seahawks, they just won the Super Bowl and made sure to hold onto the majority of what got them there. Other teams, like the Raiders, needed to swing for the fences to leap into contention.
With the heaviest portion of free agency in the rearview mirror, let's jump into each team's grade. Some teams did great, others failed. Hopefully, your team did what you wanted it to do this March.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) rankings
- Quarterback (QB) rankings
- Tight end (TE) rankings
- Defense (D/ST) rankings
- Kicker (K) rankings
- FLEX rankings
- Dynasty rankings
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona lost a plethora of players this offseason, including none other than quarterback Kyler Murray. Arizona's biggest addition was running back Tyler Allgeier in a move that seemed lateral. The Cardinals will look to the draft to build up their arsenal in a new regime.
Final Grade: D+
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta lost several key defensive players, including Leonard Floyd and Kaden Elliss. However, the signings of players such as wide receiver Jahan Dotson and edge-rusher Azeez Ojulari could end up being underrated. Atlanta's biggest signing was of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who will compete for the starting job with Michael Penix Jr.
Final Grade: C
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens sat out the beginning of free agency while they waited for their trade for Crosby to clear. The deal infamously fell through, but Baltimore was able to pivot to Hendrickson. Baltimore watched a lot of key players walk as a result, including stud center Tyler Linderbaum. Signing Hendrickson is a great backup option, but Baltimore better make good use of the picks it wound up not trading to the Raiders for Crosby.
Final Grade: B
3.5 sacks tonight. 17.5 sacks on the season.
Trey Hendrickson was a BEAST for the @Bengals 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ul2vloeM85
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo finally feels like it has had a nice free agency. It began the new year by trading for wide receiver DJ Moore, who will stabilize the wide receiver room. Bradley Chubb was also a massive signing for a team that has been struggling to get right on defense for a few years. Buffalo should be right back in the mix this season.
Final Grade: A-
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers spent big money in free agency in the hopes of repeating as NFC South champions. The crown jewel of the Panthers' signings was edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips, who will have a chance to be a star in Carolina. Secondary signings such as linebacker Devin Lloyd and offensive tackle Rasheed Walker will also do well to carry the Panthers into the new year.
Final Grade: A
Chicago Bears
The Bears flew under the radar with their signings this offseason. Signing Seahawks safety Coby Bryant was massive for this team. The Bears also signed linebacker Devin Bush and shored up their offensive line following surprise departures. This team absolutely got better this offseason.
Final Grade: A-
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals always seemed predisposed to lose Hendrickson this offseason, but they made a couple of plug-ins throughout the roster as the front office finally seemed willing to spend some money. Edge-rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook were great additions for a team that needs all the help it can get on defense. The AFC North is ripe for the taking if these signings hit.
Final Grade: B
Cleveland Browns
The Browns did not do much to improve their roster, while also letting several veteran players walk. This team is going to have to build through the draft. The situation is simply not very enticing for prospective free agents to step into.
Final Grade: C-
Dallas Cowboys
What was a terrible defense in 2025 should be vastly improved in 2026. Edge-rusher Rashan Gary was a major addition. The Cowboys were also in on the Crosby sweepstakes, but losing Crosby allowed them to allocate funds elsewhere to evenly distribute the load.
Final Grade: B+
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have spent free agency holding onto their own players while disregarding the open market. That seemed to be the long game play with the Broncos landing wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster trade. They gave up a lot to get him, but Waddle could be the difference-maker that the Broncos desperately needed. Still, standing pat overall is a dangerous game to play in a conference that could bounce back in a hurry with so many great quarterbacks in the fold.
Final Grade: C+
.@D1__JW is the first @MiamiDolphins player to lead the league in yards per catch in over two decades 👏 pic.twitter.com/P0K4RvFKcp
— NFL (@NFL) July 6, 2023
Detroit Lions
The Lions signed three offensive linemen to replace an offensive line that continues to degrade. Could those signings gel? Sure, but the high-end talent that was once on this offensive line simply is not there anymore. On a bright note, adding running back Isiah Pacheco was a solid addition to back up Jahmyr Gibbs in the wake of David Montgomery's departure.
Final Grade: C+
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay certainly lost free agency with the departure of several starters, and an important backup quarterback, Malik Willis. All Green Bay did was add mid-tier starting options to the defense. This is a franchise with notoriously good draft luck, so it may be ok come April. However, this is an inauspicious start to the new league year.
Final Grade: D
Houston Texans
Houston let several offensive linemen walk, and did little to replace them. That is this team's Achilles' heel. However, adding running back David Montgomery and edge-rusher Logan Hall will serve this team nicely. Now, if only quarterback C.J. Stroud can get right.
Final Grade: B-
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis made the head-scratching move to hand $29 million per year to wide receiver Alec Pierce. Pierce is a quality player, but that is big money for a player who has yet to demonstrate he is worthy of it. The Colts also held onto quarterback Daniel Jones on a relatively sizable contract. This team is hitching its wagon to the chemistry we observed during the first half of the 2025 season. It will either work miraculously or fail spectacularly.
Final Grade: B-
Philip Rivers hits Alec Pierce on the free play for a 20-yard touchdown!
SFvsIND on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/LkZfbV3umf— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville experienced several key departures, including running back Travis Etienne Jr., linebacker Lloyd, and cornerback Greg Newsome II. All three were massive parts of this team's playoff run in 2025. With very little brought in to replace them, Jacksonville will be counting on its own stable heading into the 2026 season.
Final Grade: D+
Kansas City Chiefs
Although the Chiefs are not the reigning Super Bowl champions, they will have the reigning Super Bowl MVP on their team in 2026. Walker received serious money to join this squad. Imagine the creativity head coach Andy Reid will have with this offense in 2026. The Chiefs also lost several key defensive players, but trading cornerback Trent McDuffie landed them the ammunition to replace them.
Final Grade: B-
This was nasty by Kenneth Walker III
LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9V7pJ3DQCd— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders did the best they could to attempt to be as prepared as possible for the arrival of quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Signing Linderbaum was a huge success in itself. Additionally, although the Raiders may have missed out on a couple of first-round picks in the Crosby trade, they still have Crosby in the fold as an elite player on defense.
Final Grade: A
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers made a handful of quality additions during free agency, but it was the subtractions that will sting the most. Notably, edge-rusher Odafe Oweh bolted after joining Los Angeles midseason. Still, this team's offseason priority was to get healthy along the offensive line. Everything hinges on that in 2026.
Final Grade: C
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams' largest additions came in the form of two former Chiefs cornerbacks in McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. If Los Angeles had one weakness in 2025, it was its defensive secondary. With few meaningful departures, the Rams could end up the favorites in the NFC, depending on what happens in the NFL Draft in April.
Final Grade: A-
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins let a lot of middling veterans walk this offseason, and they cut quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Miami's major addition was Malik Willis, who will attempt to hold down the quarterback fort for this team. Otherwise, the Dolphins made a handful of simply solid signings. This team likely won't compete in 2026, but it has a path toward competing in 2027.
Final Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings got their guy in the form of quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray will compete with incumbent J.J. McCarthy for the job, but this seems like a great setup for another quarterback reclamation project. If one of those two guys can hit this year, Minnesota will be dangerous. Let's not forget that this team ultimately went 9-8 in 2025.
Final Grade: B
New England Patriots
While not as active in 2026 as they were in 2025, the Patriots still made a couple of splash moves. Notably, New England signed wide receiver Romeo Doubs. Doubs is not a world beater, but he should be able to deliver comparable production to former Patriot Stefon Diggs' 2025 campaign.
Final Grade: B+
New Orleans Saints
Every year, the Saints seem to somehow subvert the salary cap. However, some of those tough contracts are coming off the books. New Orleans lost veteran defender Demario Davis this offseason, and it looks like edge-rusher Cameron Jordan also won't be back. However, the Saints added Etienne and Elliss. This team should improve in a weaker division in 2026.
Final Grade: B+
New York Giants
The Giants began the John Harbaugh era by adding a couple of weapons for quarterback Jaxson Dart. Tight end Isaiah Likely and wide receiver Darnell Mooney should play huge roles in New York this season. With no world-ending losses, New York should substantially improve its record in 2026.
Final Grade: B
New York Jets
New York added a handful of quality players in free agency, but it also watched several walk out the door. Some of the Jets' moves made sense, and several were head-scratchers. They held onto running back Breece Hall after seemingly making it known all season that they did not want him. Additionally, trading for quarterback Geno Smith felt ill-advised after the team he left won the Super Bowl and the team he joined earned the No. 1 pick in April's draft.
Final Grade: D+
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are typically the kings of the NFL Draft, but they made a couple of solid additions in free agency. Notably, cornerback Riq Woolen will be joining this team. If Woolen can return to the form he displayed early in his career, he will be a steal. However, the losses of Phillips and linebacker Nakobe Dean will sting.
Final Grade: B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have displayed this offseason that they are all in on trying to win in 2026. Adding running back Rico Dowdle, safety Jaquan Brisker, and cornerback Jamel Dean will substantially boost this team. The Steelers also acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Colts. Pittsburgh just needs to figure out its quarterback situation.
Final Grade: A-
183 rushing yards
56 receiving yards@ricodowdle's second week in a row with over 200 yards from scrimmage 👏 pic.twitter.com/RBJptWn0HI— NFL (@NFL) October 14, 2025
San Francisco 49ers
Wide receivers galore are headed to the 49ers. San Francisco added Mike Evans and Christian Kirk to its wide receiver room. Both will bolster a unit that was one of the league's worst in 2025. The 49ers also traded for talented defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. This team should be right back in the mix in 2026.
Final Grade: B+
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks' strategy this offseason was clearly to hold down the fort and rake in compensatory picks. Several talented players left Seattle, including Walker. However, this was a team with very few holes and several players in backfilling positions. Running back remains a question mark, but Seattle should be able to address several needs in the draft even with limited selections.
Final Grade: B-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay did little to inspire confidence in its fan base this free-agency period. It did not make any splash signings and added a handful of depth pieces and mid-tier free agents. Meanwhile, the rest of the NFC South got better. This is a bad spot for Tampa Bay to be in.
Final Grade: C
Tennessee Titans
The Titans were spendy once again this offseason in an attempt to make life easier on young quarterback Cameron Ward. They may very well have succeeded. Adding wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson will directly support Ward. However, the team also brought in several players handpicked by new head coach Robert Saleh. A good defense will always support a young quarterback.
Final Grade: A-
Washington Commanders
The Commanders did well to bolster their defensive line this offseason. Headlined by the addition of Oweh, Washington has a chance to drastically improve defensively in 2026. The offensive line still has question marks, but overall, Washington really only lost a handful of middling veterans, so this team should continue to grow together.
Final Grade: B+
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