2026 NFL Offseason: Free Agency, Draft, and Team Outlooks

The 2026 NFL Offseason: A Comprehensive Report

The 2026 NFL offseason has been marked by significant player movement through free agency and trades, the completion of the NFL Draft, and ongoing roster evaluations across the league.

The following report synthesizes key developments, including team-by-team analysis of draft classes, free agency acquisitions, and projections for the upcoming season.

NFL Draft 2026

Overview

The 2026 NFL Draft concluded with 257 selections and a record 805,000 fans in attendance. The draft focused on defensive and offensive line selections in the first round, with teams with quarterback needs largely avoiding reaching for the position. Notable picks included a running back at No. 3, a middle linebacker at No. 7, and nine offensive linemen in the first round.

Quarterback Selections

• Fernando Mendoza (Indiana): Selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Klint Kubiak indicated plans for Mendoza to sit behind veteran Kirk Cousins for the 2026 season.
• Ty Simpson (Alabama): Selected by the Los Angeles Rams at No. 13. The Rams' evaluation relied on film study by Sean McVay, input from former QB coaches, and background checks confirming Simpson's conscientious nature.

First-Round Highlights

• Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame): Selected No. 3 by the Arizona Cardinals, who viewed him as the best player in the draft.
• Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State): Selected No. 5 by the New York Giants, praised for his versatility.
• Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU): The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to No. 6 to select him, viewing him as a potential No. 1 corner.
• Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State): Selected by the Dallas Cowboys at No. 11 after a trade-up.
• Rueben Bain Jr. (Edge, Miami): Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 15. Concerns about his arm length (30 7/8 inches) may have contributed to his draft position.
• Caleb Banks (DT, Florida): Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round; considered a potential game-wrecker but has injury and motivation concerns.

Complete Post-Draft Analysis

• Cleveland Browns (GPA 3.79): Addressed needs at receiver and tackle, adding value picks including safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Traded down to select tackle Spencer Fano and added receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.
• Las Vegas Raiders (GPA 3.62): Selected QB Fernando Mendoza first overall and added defensive back Treydan Stukes.
• New York Giants (GPA 3.59): Used two top-10 picks on pass rusher Arvell Reese and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.
• New York Jets (GPA 3.58): Acquired three first-round talents: pass rusher David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
• Dallas Cowboys (GPA 3.55): Focused on defense with five defensive picks, including safety Caleb Downs.

• Jacksonville Jaguars (GPA 1.35): No first-round pick; first selection was considered a major reach.
• Los Angeles Rams (GPA 1.76): Draft centered on QB Ty Simpson at pick 13, seen by most as a reach.
• San Francisco 49ers (GPA 2.07): Reached for players multiple times.
• Minnesota Vikings (GPA 2.31): Concerns about DT Caleb Banks' injury history.
• Arizona Cardinals (GPA 2.34): Widely divergent grades due to drafting RB Jeremiyah Love third overall and QB Carson Beck in the third round.

Key Prospect Evaluations

• Fernando Mendoza: Coaches and scouts noted his work ethic, footwork discipline, and three-level accuracy. Some analysts suggested he could be a fit for the Las Vegas Raiders' offense.
• Rueben Bain Jr.: The Miami defensive end was projected to be selected just inside or outside the top 10. Some teams raised concerns about his arm length and how he fits into a base defense. A March 2024 car accident was known to NFL teams; the incident is not expected to significantly impact his draft position.
• Dillon Thieneman: The Oregon safety is considered by some analysts to be the second-best safety in the draft class, with a projected selection range between picks 18 and 20.
• David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Arvell Reese (Ohio State): Projected as top edge rusher selections within the first four picks.
• Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): The running back drew interest from the Arizona Cardinals' new coaching staff.
• Quarterback Class: Scouts expressed concerns about the overall depth and quality of the 2026 quarterback class, with some anticipating a stronger class in 2027.

Key Draft Trades

• Kansas City Chiefs: Traded up with the Cleveland Browns to select CB Mansoor Delane.
• Dallas Cowboys: Traded up to select S Caleb Downs.
• Houston Texans: Traded up to select DT Kayden McDonald.
• Cleveland Browns: Made six trades in the first five rounds.

"The draft focused on defensive and offensive line selections in the first round, with teams with quarterback needs largely avoiding reaching for the position."

NFL Free Agency 2026

Major Quarterback Movements

Key Trades

Key Free Agent Signings (Non-Quarterback)

Team-by-Team Free Agency Assessments

• Carolina Panthers: Signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, addressing significant defensive needs.
• Las Vegas Raiders: Acquired center Tyler Linderbaum, and signed linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker.
• Miami Dolphins: Acquired quarterback Malik Willis and released Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Bradley Chubb.
• New England Patriots: Signed wide receiver Romeo Doubs, offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, and defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones.
• Pittsburgh Steelers: Signed cornerback Jamel Dean, running back Rico Dowdle, and acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

• Cincinnati Bengals: Signed Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook but lost Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai without significantly addressing needs.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lost Jamel Dean and Mike Evans; acquisitions did not fully replace departed talent.
• Tennessee Titans: Spent over $250 million on multiple players, focusing on quantity over high-tier talent.
• New Orleans Saints: Lost two defensive starters; signed Kaden Elliss, David Edwards, and Travis Etienne.

"The Las Vegas Raiders acquired center Tyler Linderbaum and signed linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, marking one of the most aggressive offseasons in the league."

2026 Season Projections

Super Bowl Odds (DraftKings)

• Tier 1 (Front-runners): Los Angeles Rams (+600), Seattle Seahawks (+1100), Denver Broncos (+2000)
• Tier 2 (Title contenders): New England Patriots (+1600), Buffalo Bills (+1000), Baltimore Ravens (+1000), Philadelphia Eagles (+1600)
• Tier 3 (Playoff locks): Cincinnati Bengals (+2000), Houston Texans (+1800), Chicago Bears (+2500), Jacksonville Jaguars (+3000)

Win Total Projections (Analyst Consensus)

2027 NFL Draft Outlook

Top 10 Mock Projections

1. New York Jets: Arch Manning (QB, Texas)
2. Arizona Cardinals: Dante Moore (QB, Oregon)
3. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State)
4. Cleveland Browns: Colin Simmons (EDGE, Texas)
5. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Moore (CB, Notre Dame)
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Coleman (WR, Texas)
7. New Orleans Saints: Dylan Stewart (EDGE, South Carolina)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brendan Sorsby (QB, Texas Tech)
9. Carolina Panthers: Trey'Dez (TE, LSU)
10. Atlanta Falcons: Trevor Goosby (OT, Texas)

Other Notable Developments

NFL Schedule & International Games

• The NFL will hold 9 international games in 2026, with stops in London, Madrid, Mexico City, Munich, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, and Melbourne.
• The league aims to expand league-run international games from 8 to 10 starting in 2027.
• Sixteen teams will play internationally; only three of those teams will have a bye week immediately following their game.

Super Bowl LXIV Host

• Nashville, Tennessee, is expected to be awarded Super Bowl LXIV (February 2030), pending a vote at the NFL owner meetings.

Coaching Changes

• Las Vegas Raiders: Hired Klint Kubiak as head coach.
• Buffalo Bills: Named Joe Brady as head coach.
• Cleveland Browns: Hired Todd Monken as head coach.
• Atlanta Falcons: Hired Ian Cunningham as general manager.
• Minnesota Vikings: Dismissed GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah; conducting a search for replacement.

Key Player Contract Extensions

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Seahawks): 4 years, $168.6M extension.
• De'Von Achane (RB, Dolphins): 4 years, $64M extension.
• Travis Kelce (TE, Chiefs): 1 year, up to $15M (re-signed).
• J.K. Dobbins (RB, Broncos): 2 years, $16M (re-signed).
• Connor McGovern (C, Bills): 4 years, $52M (re-signed).

League Developments

• NFL and NFL Referees Association reached a seven-year collective bargaining agreement through 2032.
• NFL is reinstating its Accelerator Program for minority coaching and GM candidates.
• The league is considering Japan and Italy as next frontiers for international expansion; a Middle Eastern city like Dubai is also possible.