NFL free agency has wound down and the draft is quickly approaching. It’s widely believed around the league that free agency lays the foundation for the draft. If a team makes strong signings to fill positions of need, it doesn’t have to force a pick at that position. Instead, it gives teams the flexibility to take the best player available. While every team tries to address needs in free agency, some have done a much better job than others.
Winners
Los Angeles Rams:
The Rams are arguably the biggest winners of free agency. They entered the offseason with one glaring need on defense at cornerback. During the regular season, Los Angeles managed to get by with a below average cornerback room, ranking top 11 in EPA per pass, interception percentage and passing success rate.
That weakness became a major issue in the playoffs. In the wild card round, they allowed Jalen Coker and Tetairoa McMillan to combine for 215 receiving yards. In the NFC championship, Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.
General manager Les Snead addressed the problem in a major way. The Rams traded for elite nickel cornerback Trent McDuffie, who also has the versatility to play outside at a high level.
They also added former Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson. While Watson profiles as an average to above average outside cornerback, he is still a clear upgrade over what the Rams had last season.
Los Angeles made these moves while keeping the No. 13 overall pick acquired from the Falcons in last year’s draft. That allows them to approach the draft by selecting the best player available.
That could mean targeting another cornerback like Jermod McCoy or Mansoor Delane, or adding a receiver such as Makai Lemon or Jordan Tyson as a long term Davante Adams succession plan.
The Rams already had a Super Bowl caliber roster. They addressed their biggest need and still hold a premium draft asset to add another impact player.
Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings were not the most active team in free agency, but they made one of the most impactful moves by signing Kyler Murray to a one year, $1.3 million deal.
JJ McCarthy, who Minnesota hoped would show flashes of becoming their franchise quarterback, struggled. The rookie ranked in the bottom third of the league in EPA per play, success rate and completion percentage. Despite that, the Vikings still finished 9-8.
That success was largely driven by an elite defense led by Brian Flores. Minnesota ranked top seven in EPA per play, success rate, EPA per pass, EPA per rush and sack rate.
Murray provides a significant upgrade at quarterback. Over the past two seasons, the former No. 1 overall pick ranks in the top 17 in EPA per play. He has also shown MVP level ability, most notably in 2021.
Outside of quarterback, Minnesota’s roster already had the foundation of an 11 to 13 win team. Now they add Murray, whose floor is that of a top 16 quarterback and whose ceiling is top 10 production.
Getting that level of play at the league minimum is tremendous value.
Carolina Panthers:
Carolina exceeded expectations last season, winning the NFC South and pushing the Rams to the brink in the wild card round despite a below average defense.
The Panthers ranked in the bottom third of the league in EPA per play, EPA per pass, EPA per rush and sack rate. They also entered free agency needing help at left tackle after Ickey Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon that could sideline him for the entire 2026 season.
General manager Dan Morgan aggressively addressed these issues. Carolina signed former Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four year, $120 million deal with $80 million guaranteed.
Phillips immediately becomes the team’s top pass rusher. While he has only 28 career sacks and some injury concerns, he has recorded at least 6.5 sacks in three seasons and posted more than 61 pressures with a pressure rate above 15 percent in two seasons.
He also offers scheme versatility in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses. At 26, Phillips is entering his prime and could still reach another level.
The Panthers also signed linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three year, $45 million deal with $25 million guaranteed. Lloyd is coming off the best season of his career, recording five interceptions, 81 tackles, six tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and 25 pressures, earning second team All Pro honors.
He gives Carolina a complete linebacker who can defend the run, cover and blitz.
To address left tackle, Morgan signed Rasheed Walker to a one year deal worth up to $10 million. Walker struggled last season, finishing with a 63.0 overall grade and 69.3 pass blocking grade. However, in 2024 he showed he can be a starting caliber tackle with grades of 68.7 and 80.1.
Carolina addressed three major needs. Phillips and Lloyd are high quality starters entering their primes, and Walker provides solid value with upside.
Losers
Pittsburgh Steelers:
On paper, it is surprising to label the Pittsburgh Steelers as losers in free agency. They added solid contributors in Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean and Rico Dowdle.
However, their overall direction raises concerns. With these moves and the hiring of Mike McCarthy as head coach, the Steelers appear stuck in the same cycle.
They remain competitive, finish around 8-9 or 10-7 and make the playoffs, only to be eliminated in the wild card round. That path likely includes bringing back Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback.
Pittsburgh had an opportunity to reset after Mike Tomlin stepped down, but instead appears committed to mediocrity. Rodgers is no longer the player he once was, ranking in the bottom third of the league in EPA per play, success rate and yards per attempt last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Tampa Bay is another loser after failing to retain wide receiver Mike Evans, who signed a three year, $42.5 million deal with the 49ers. The Buccaneers have yet to find a replacement capable of replicating his production.
They also lost longtime leader Lavonte David to retirement. While he had declined physically, he remained a starting caliber linebacker and the emotional leader of the defense.
Now Tampa Bay is in a position where it must address edge rusher, outside receiver or off ball linebacker early in the draft.
Bringing back Todd Bowles while changing offensive coordinators again, replacing Josh Grizzard with Zach Robinson, adds further uncertainty.
The NFC South race should once again be tight between the Panthers and Buccaneers, but Carolina improved its roster while Tampa Bay took a step back.
