April 9, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player
Travis Hunter (knee) should be a full participant by training camp, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Hunter suffered a torn LCL during practice in October and missed the entire second half of the 2025 campaign. When he returns to the field, he'll be a full-time cornerback and part-time receiver. While Hunter was heavily involved as a receiver before getting injured in his rookie season, this latest update falls in line with the general consensus from before the 2025 NFL Draft that Hunter offered the most value on defense. It seems highly unlikely that Hunter will match last year's average of 6.4 targets per game. Not only is he going to play fewer offensive snaps, but he also faces plenty of competition for targets with
Brian Thomas Jr.,
Jakobi Meyers, and
Parker Washington all in the mix. Hunter currently ranks #74 overall in RotoBaller's early fantasy football rankings for the 2026 season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
April 5, 2026
Veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore has officially announced his retirement from the NFL. Gilmore crafted a thoughtful Instagram post in which he thanked his family, coaches, and fans for their continuous support throughout his 13-year career. He spent his first nine seasons in the AFC East with the Bills and Patriots before embarking on one-year stints with the Panthers, Colts, Cowboys, and Vikings. Gilmore expressed a desire to play football in 2025 but ultimately sat out last season. The former first-round pick finishes his career with 32 interceptions and 149 passes defended. He led the league in both categories with the Patriots in 2019, when he was also named Defensive Player of the Year. While not a Hall of Fame lock, Gilmore was as good as anyone during the peak of his career.
--Andersen PickardSource: Stephon Gilmore
April 5, 2026
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese appears to be "the best fit" for the New York Jets at No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. General manager Darren Mougey recently said the Jets haven't identified who they'll select with the pick, but Cimini drew the conclusion that New York is leaning toward Reese based on comments made by head coach Aaron Glenn at last week's annual league meetings. He cited the Jets' plans to use multiple different defensive fronts, since Reese displayed scheme versatility in college. Glenn also said that he compared Reese to Danielle Hunter in the sense that both players have a rare blend of football traits and character. Reese is coming off a terrific junior season in which he logged 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
--Andersen PickardSource: Rich Cimini
March 22, 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs are a potential landing spot for free-agent defensive end Cameron Jordan, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. Defensive lineman Chris Jones recently posted on social media, floating the idea of the Chiefs signing Jordan, and Taylor confirms Kansas City is indeed a "possible destination." Jordan is nearing the end of his career at 37 years old, but he remained highly productive last season with 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 47 tackles. The 15-year NFL veteran has spent his entire career so far in New Orleans, so a shift to the Chiefs would be quite significant. He'd give Kansas City a clear upgrade on the defensive line, opposite George Karlaftis, especially as the Chiefs look to get back into the NFL playoffs after finishing below .500 last year.
--Andersen PickardSource: Nate Taylor
March 22, 2026
The Philadelphia Eagles are showing interest in Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. Berman notes that the team is monitoring his availability even after signing edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie. Greenard is coming off his sixth season in the NFL, during which he appeared in 12 games with three sacks, one forced fumble, and 59 tackles. It was a step backward for the veteran defender, who had combined for 24.5 total sacks between 2023 and 2024. Adding a player of his caliber would be huge for an Eagles defense that lost Jaelan Phillips and Joshua Uche in free agency. As Berman notes, any sort of Greenard trade would have its complications. Not only do the Eagles and Vikings need to agree on trade compensation, but a deal could also require Philadelphia to replace the pass rusher's existing contract with a new, long-term extension.
--Andersen PickardSource: Zach Berman
March 15, 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars could pursue several defensive linemen and a tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to John Shipley of Jaguars OnSI. Shipley's story acknowledged that the Jaguars want more players who can get after the quarterback. He wrote that the defensive line "is where the Jaguars can take the biggest leap as a team" and explained that pairing a young pass-rusher with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker would take this unit to the next level. Meanwhile, Shipley noted that the Jaguars view
Brenton Strange as one of the most underrated tight ends in football, so they're not looking to replace him. Rather, they'd like to add a second tight end who can complement Strange's skill set and truly elevate the position group. Beyond Strange on the depth chart, the Jaguars have uninspiring tight end options in Quinton Morris and
Hunter Long. It's too early to tell which players the Jaguars could target, especially since they don't currently have a first-round pick in 2026. However, we can't rule out the possibility of general manager James Gladstone getting creative and pulling off draft-day trades to make a splash at these two areas of need.
--Andersen PickardSource: John Shipley
March 12, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed free-agent safety Jaquan Brisker, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. Terms and duration of the contract were not immediately reported. Brisker, a former second-round pick, impressed while playing out his four-year rookie deal in Chicago. Now, the Pittsburgh native is heading home. It's a bit unclear what his role will be, as the Steelers already have a capable strong safety in Deshon Elliott. With that said, this is still an encouraging addition for Pittsburgh. Brisker started every game he played across four seasons in Chicago, including all 17 contests in 2025. He finished the season with one sack, one interception, eight passes defended, and 93 total tackles.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mike Garafolo
March 12, 2026
The Buffalo Bills are signing free agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Gardner-Johnson, a seven-year NFL veteran, spent last season with the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears. Across 13 games (10 starts), he tallied one forced fumble, two interceptions, four passes defended, three sacks, and 66 tackles. He has never made a Pro Bowl, but he led the NFL in interceptions in 2022 and was a Comeback Player of the Year finalist in 2024. The former fourth-round pick currently projects as the Bills' primary strong safety, operating alongside free safety Cole Bishop.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
March 12, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings have released safety Harrison Smith, according to an announcement on the team's official website. Smith's release will be categorized as the post-June 1 variety, which allows the Vikings to release him immediately while still spreading his cap hit over two seasons. A defensive legend in Minnesota, Smith has spent his entire 14-year career with the Vikings, amassing 207 appearances, 203 starts, and six Pro Bowl nods. He remained effective at 36 years old last season, producing two interceptions, 10 passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one sack, and 54 tackles. The Vikings' announcement describes Smith's release as procedural and leaves the door open for him to sign a different contract that would bring him back to Minnesota for a 15th season. If he does choose to continue his NFL career, he'll have the option to explore opportunities with all 32 NFL teams. However, it's difficult to envision him wearing anything other than purple and gold.
--Andersen PickardSource: Craig Peters
March 11, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts have signed free agent defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Terms and duration of the contract weren't disclosed, but it's likely a short-term deal, especially since Nnadi has signed a one-year contract in each of the previous four offseasons. That strategy paid off for him last year, as he initially signed with the Jets but then was traded to Kansas City, where he had spent his first seven NFL campaigns. With the Chiefs last year, he made 15 appearances (11 starts) while amassing 16 tackles and one quarterback hit. He's not a major pass-rush threat, tallying just one sack over the last four years. However, he still offers solid depth in the Colts' defense behind dependable veteran DeForest Buckner.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aaron Wilson
March 11, 2026
The Washington Commanders have signed free agent defensive lineman Charles Omenihu to a one-year, $4 million deal that has a maximum value of $7 million, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. A former fifth-round pick out of Texas, Omenihu has spent time in the NFL with the Texans, 49ers, and Chiefs. Across 17 games (zero starts) in Kansas City last year, he amassed 3.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 28 tackles. The Commanders and defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn had been in search of pass-rush reinforcements on the defensive line, so the Omenihu signing makes plenty of sense. He projects as a rotational piece alongside fellow free agent additions K'Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh.
--Andersen PickardSource: Cameron Wolfe
March 11, 2026
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signing defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson to a one-year deal worth $10 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The deal is fully guaranteed and represents a raise from the
$8.5 million he was projected to earn in 2026 before he was released by the Carolina Panthers. Not only will the veteran lineman get a salary bump, but he'll also remain in an NFC South division that has served him well to this point. Through 33 games (32 starts) with the Panthers over two seasons, he amassed one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, eight sacks, 16 quarterback hits, and 145 tackles. In Tampa Bay, he projects to earn a starting spot along a Bucs defensive line that already features Calijah Kancey.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
March 11, 2026
The Green Bay Packers have signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $23 million contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Hargrave, a two-time Pro Bowler, now stays in the NFC North after spending 2025 with the Minnesota Vikings. In the purple and gold, he amassed one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 3.5 sacks, and 52 total tackles across 16 games (15 starts). Even at 33 years old, Hargrave has remained a very productive staple among NFL defensive lines, and he'll cash in with a new deal that pays him eight figures annually. He projects to earn a starting spot alongside Devonte Wyatt in new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon's system. It's worth noting that this is a reunion of sorts between coach and player, as Gannon was Hargrave's defensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 2021 through 2022.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
March 10, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers could make linebacker Patrick Queen available for trade this offseason, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Harris explains that a "handful of teams," including the Philadelphia Eagles, have inquired about trading for Queen. At this point, Pittsburgh isn't actively shopping the defender, but it appears that they're at least interested in making a deal. Specifically, Harris reports that the Steelers would like to acquire a mid-round draft pick in any trade for Queen. The former first-round pick has spent six seasons in the AFC North -- four with Baltimore and two with Pittsburgh. He's a two-time Pro Bowler and has recorded at least 117 tackles in each of the last four years. While the Eagles have already been linked to Queen, Harris also raises the idea of a potential trade with the Dallas Cowboys, who are actively seeking linebacker upgrades despite already adding Rashan Gary.
--Andersen PickardSource: Nick Harris
March 10, 2026
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa could be available for trade this offseason, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Jones wrote that teams are reportedly "keeping an eye" on the defender's status, and many of those organizations "believe he can now be traded for." The rumors are one thing, but whether a trade will actually come to fruition remains to be seen. Odighizuwa's contract is a key factor for a potential trade partner to consider. Entering Year 2 of a four-year, $80 million contract, Odighizuwa is controllable for another few seasons, but he's also a bit pricey. The 27-year-old has appeared in 17 games for four consecutive years, starting 13 of those 17 contests in 2025. He amassed 44 tackles, 23 quarterback hits, and 3.5 sacks throughout the course of the season. If he does get dealt, the Cowboys could look for a little more production out of fellow veteran defensive end Solomon Thomas.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jonathan Jones
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