It was a busy Monday in the NFL. With free agency in full swing, every team was scrambling, running numbers, making calls, basically doing everything they could to build their locker room ahead of the NFL Draft and the extended 2026 season.
So where are the biggest names landing? Which veterans are still sitting on the open market? And how much are teams paying to sign this year's top talent?
We've covered it all. Here's a team-by-team breakdown of every big move made during NFL free agency.
Major deals in NFL free agency
Mike Evans signs with 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers made a major addition to their receiving corps in NFL free agency, signing veteran wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal worth up to $60.4 million, with $16.3 million guaranteed. Not long ago, the 49ers looked loaded with wide receivers. But after a few off-season roster changes, San Francisco suddenly found itself in need of a reliable playmaker on the outside. Their solution? Catch one of the most consistent wideouts of the last decade. Evans brings size, red-zone dominance and big-play ability, giving the 49ers a proven weapon who can stretch the field and win contested catches. Even at this stage of his career, he remains one of the NFL's most reliable receivers. For a 49ers offense looking to reload for another playoff push, Evans adds a veteran presence and touchdown production that could make a big difference in the 2026 NFL season.
Devin Lloyd signs with Panthers
The Carolina Panthers continued to add defensive firepower in NFL free agency, signing linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million deal to anchor the middle of their defense. Carolina had a clear need at inside linebacker, and they filled it by landing the top off-ball linebacker available on the market. Lloyd is coming off a stellar season that earned him Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro recognition, making him one of the most impressive defenders in this year's free agent class. While his run stop win rate is in the 58th percentile, Lloyd's real value appears on splash plays. For the Panthers, Lloyd brings sideline-to-sideline speed, playmaking instincts and big-play ability, exactly the kind of defensive tone-setter teams are looking for in NFL free agency in the 2026 NFL season.
David Edwards signs with the Saints
The New Orleans Saints took care of business in the trenches during NFL free agency, signing guard David Edwards to a four-year, $61 million deal to strengthen the interior offensive line. New Orleans had a glaring hole at safety, and they filled it by landing the top guard available on the free agent market. And on a contract that seems quite reasonable considering the production. Edwards is coming off an impressive season with the Buffalo Bills, where he ranked in the 83rd percentile in pass block win rate and 86th percentile in run block win rate among guards. Simply put, he was winning his matches all over the field. And there is uniformity also.
Tyler Linderbaum signs with Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders made one of the biggest offensive line splashes in NFL free agency, signing Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million deal – a contract that completely reset the center market. Las Vegas was in desperate need of strengthening the trenches, especially with Fernando Mendoza expected to step up to center. Protecting the quarterback and quickly stabilizing the interior offensive line became the top priorities of the offseason. In Linderbaum, the Raiders land exactly the same. The Pro Bowl center, who turns 26 next month, comes to Las Vegas in the prime of his career. Players of his caliber rarely hit NFL free agency, making this a huge win for the Raiders front office. Known for his elite run blocking, quick feet and ability to anchor the pocket, Linderbaum immediately upgrades the Raiders offensive line and gives the offense a reliable focal point heading into the middle of the 2026 NFL season.
Jaylen Watson signs with Rams
The Los Angeles Rams continued their offensive overhaul of the secondary in NFL free agency, signing cornerback Jaylen Watson to a three-year, $51 million deal. After their cornerback unit struggled last season, the Rams made it clear that fixing the secondary is priority No. 1 this offseason. They first traded for Trent McDuffie and handed him a big contract, and now they've doubled it by bringing in Watson. The move reunites the two former Kansas City Chiefs running backs, giving the Rams a familiar duo who already know how to work in the same secondary. Watson brings physical coverage, ball skills and big-play experience, which the Rams desperately need after getting burned in the air last season. With McDuffie and Watson now locked in on the outside, Los Angeles is hoping its rebuilding secondary can turn a major weakness into a defensive strength in the 2026 NFL season.
Jalen Phillips signs with Panthers
The Carolina Panthers made a major investment in their pass rush during NFL free agency, signing edge rusher Jalen Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal to upgrade the defensive front through the 2026 season. Carolina desperately needed more juice from the sidelines. The Panthers' defensive line struggled last year, finishing 24th in pass rush win rate and last (32nd) in run stop win rate, making edge rusher the top offseason priority. So he opened the checkbook. Phillips brings size, explosiveness and consistent pressure to the edge, attributes the Panthers' defense has been missing. The former Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher has yet to post a double-digit sack season, but his impact goes beyond the box score.
Odafe Oweh signs with Commanders
The Washington Commanders made a major move in NFL free agency, signing edge rusher Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $100 million deal to supercharge their pass rush through the 2026 season. Washington desperately needed more heat from the sidelines. After taking a short-term swing at Von Miller last year, the front office clearly wanted a young, prime-age pass rusher who could take over the defensive front for the long term. Oweh checks every box. The former Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher was widely viewed as one of the top defensive players available in the 2026 free agent class, and the Commanders paid a premium amount to land him. Known for his elite explosiveness, closing speed and disruptive pass-rush ability, Oweh brings exactly the kind of juice that Washington's defense is missing. If he reaches his ceiling, the Commanders may have landed their next franchise pass-rushing centerpiece.
John Franklin-Myers signs with Titans
The Tennessee Titans continued their free agency spending spree, signing defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers to a three-year, $63 million deal to strengthen the defensive front. At this point, Tennessee is starting to look like a reunion tour. With Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll now running the show, several former Jets and Giants players are finding their way to Nashville, hoping the second round will be even better. Franklin-Myers is a particularly interesting addition. Saleh took a big leap in his career after the Jets traded him to the Denver Broncos two years ago. In Denver, the Broncos reshaped his role, moving him from a traditional edge rusher who could slide inside, into a full-time defensive tackle who could kick outside in pass-rush situations. This step bore fruit. Franklin-Myers' pressure rate, interception numbers and overall production are great compared to other defensive tackles, giving the Titans a versatile trench weapon who can collapse the pocket from multiple spots. For a Titans defense that is clearly trying to be bigger, bigger and more disruptive going forward, Franklin-Myers fits in perfectly in the 2026 NFL season.
Boye Mafe signs with Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals addressed a major need on the defensive front in NFL free agency, signing edge rusher Boy Maffei to a three-year, $60 million deal to boost their pass rush heading into the 2026 season. With Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai both walking in free agency, Cincinnati was desperate for help off the edge. Enter Mafe – one of the most interesting pass rushers on the 2026 free agent market. In league circles, Mafe has long been considered a pressure-rate darling, consistently winning his matchups, even when sack numbers don't always tell the whole story. His ability to generate pressure, win off the edge, and disrupt the quarterback makes him an ideal addition to a Bengals defense looking for a new tone-setter up front.
Alonte Taylor signs with Titans
The Tennessee Titans continued their spending spree in NFL free agency and signed cornerback Alonte Taylor to a three-year, $60 million deal while continuing to rebuild the roster around quarterback Cam Ward. Tennessee entered free agency with plenty of cap space, and the front office is clearly putting it to work. As the franchise enters the second year of the Cam Ward era, the priority has been adding talent to the roster – especially on defense. New head coach Robert Saleh made it clear that he wanted to upgrade the secondary, and the Titans responded by adding Taylor along with Cor'Dell Floate to strengthen the cornerback room. Taylor brings physical coverage skills, versatility in and out of the slot and aggressive play in zone schemes, making him a strong fit for Saleh's defense as the Titans try to build a tougher, more competitive unit for the 2026 NFL season.
Kenneth Walker III signs with the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs finally found their answer heading back into NFL free agency and signed running back Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $43.05 million deal. After getting inconsistent production from the backfield last season, Kansas City wasted no time in getting back on top of the market – which is also the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Walker brings a completely different gear to the Chiefs' offense. His burst, home-run speed and tackle-breaking ability give Kansas City the kind of explosive run threat they didn't have a year ago. For Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense, this move adds a dynamic playmaker who can turn the field in an instant. Every touch has the potential for a big play – exactly the kind of juice Kansas City wanted to add in the 2026 NFL season.
Malik Willis signs with the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins rolled the dice in NFL free agency, signing quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal to strengthen their QB room heading into the 2026 season. This move had been brewing for several weeks. Ever since Miami hired Jeff Hafley as head coach and John-Eric Sullivan as general manager – both of whom came from the Green Bay Packers – the Dolphins have been heavily linked to Willis. This relationship makes a lot of sense given his familiarity with the young quarterback. For Miami, the signing checks a lot of boxes. The Dolphins were in the market for help under center, and Willis brings exactly what teams look for during NFL free agency: raw quarterback talent, mobility and long-term upside. While he is still developing as a passer, Willis' dual-threat ability, arm strength and ability to make plays outside the pocket give Miami a high-ceiling option who can play a huge role in the offense.
Wan'Dale Robinson signs with Titans
The Tennessee Titans made a splash in NFL free agency by snagging wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson on a four-year, $78 million deal, giving their offense another dynamic playmaker heading into the 2026 season. The move reunites Robinson with head coach Brian Daboll, who previously coached him with the New York Giants, making this signing one of the most anticipated wide receiver moves on the market. Robinson's breakout in 2025 made him one of the most intriguing receivers available in free agency. For the Titans, Robinson brings speed, versatility and explosive yards-catching ability, exactly the kind of weapons teams hunt for during NFL free agency.
