By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Is free agency a quick fix for weak or depleted NFL rosters? Perhaps. At the very least it is a mechanism by which teams can make immediate roster improvement. It might even be a path to instant competitiveness, even more so than the NFL Draft of college players because more often than not free agents are veterans. They are proven commodities to one extent or another.
There are risks, of course, including future potential injuries of a “purchased” player. There are financial risks, too. Over-investing in free agency can put a strain on a team’s salary cap, even if paying perceived market value for a player’s services. Balancing payment of high salaries for aging players vs. extending contracts for deserving athletes already on the roster can be a delicate exercise. Sure, securing the services of a marquee name, especially at quarterback, running back or wide receiver might sell more tickets, but at what cost? And does the acquired player fit the team’s culture?
For fantasy football reasons, here are my thoughts on the most intriguing roster changes in free agency, money aside:
- San Francisco 49ers: Wide receiver Mike Evans may well be in the waning years of his professional football career, but he has been a proven performer these past several years in Tampa Bay. By adding Evans and a solid journeyman WR Christian Kirk, San Francisco answered a lot of questions about the position group given the departures of Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk over the course of the last three years. Of course, they still have star tight end George Kittle, but newcomers like Evans and Kirk give QB Brock Purdy additional offensive weapons while taking some of the load off of the team’s proverbial “Swiss Army Knife,” RB Christian McCaffrey. As long as the offensive line remains healthy, SFO could be an interesting NFC contender in 2026.
- Denver Broncos: Under head coach Sean Payton, the Broncos have become an AFC contender — and they resigned a host of their own players in free agency. One outsider they signed could have a huge impact on the offense and that is former Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Opposite WR Courtland Sutton, tight end Evan Engram and, to a lesser degree, WR Troy Franklin, Waddle comes to Denver with bona fide star power. I liked that they re-signed running back J.K. Dobbins, although his staying healthy is a concern. That said, I am not sure we have seen Dobbins’ full potential realized, yet.
- Minnesota Vikings: The headliner here is, of course, Kyler Murray’s signing at quarterback. If J.J. McCarthy is the future, he now has legitimate competition for the starting nod with Murray coming over from Arizona. We have to worry about whether Murray’s history of injury had much to do with the Cardinals’ schemes or vulnerabilities in the offensive line. In Minnesota, I fully expect Murray to earn the starting nod and excel behind arguably the best offensive line he has had protecting him. When you consider that he has prime and proven receiving targets in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, as well as a pair of good running backs in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, 2026 could be a good year for the Vikings.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Getting Michael Pittman, Jr. (wide receiver) from Indianapolis and Rico Dowdle (running back) from the Carolina Panthers by trade and free agency seems like an offensive win to me. Now, if they can just get their quarterback situation solidified. With the ageless (?) wonder Aaron Rodgers still not re-signed, the team’s depth chart lists Mason Rudolph and Will Howard as QB1 and QB2. Pittman didn’t really put up the consistent numbers at Indy that many expected but I attribute a lot of that too inconsistent play at quarterback, the resurgence of Daniel Jones notwithstanding. Dowdle has shown at Dallas and Carolina that he can be an attacking, punishing RB, so should be a nice complement for incumbents Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson. Personally, I would like the Steelers to select a young QB in the first or second round of the upcoming NFL Draft.
- Atlanta Falcons: One of the most important free agent signings for the Falcons was retaining the services of tight end Kyle Pitts, Jr. Although Pitts underwhelmed after a good rookie season, he seems to be finding himself of late. I thought Brian Robinson, Jr. was wasted, necessarily, last year in San Francisco by playing behind Christian McCaffery. He may face the same fate working behind Bijon Robinson, but maybe he will get more chances from a Falcons team that arguably platoons its running backs more, as it did with the departed Tyler Allgeier.
My most intriguing NFL Draft prospects:
- Fernando Mendoza may be all but locked in to go No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, but the recent signing of veteran Kirk Cousins begs the question of which one will be the backup? Everyone thinks Mendoza has the chops to be a Day 1 starter, but Cousins has been there before and looks to still have something left in the tank. Indianapolis rushed the uniquely athletic Anthony Richardson, Sr., a few years ago and may have cost him a career unless a team like Dallas (Dak Prescott, 32) or Los Angeles Rams (Matthew Stafford, 38) can craft a trade for a “next” QB in a backup and confidence-building role behind an aging starter.
- Wide receiver: I like Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, Denzel Boston, Omar Cooper, Jr., and KC Concepcion, in that order, but this is one of the strongest WR classes in recent memory and each of them have skillsets and athletic traits that could fit different teams (in a different order). Fascinating to see.
- Running back: Where will Jeremiyah Love go? All expectations are for Mendoza to go to the Raiders at No. 1 and the NY Jets already have Breece Hall and a number of other needs at No. 2. With James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson and Bam Knight already rostered, it is hard to see the Arizona Cardinals taking Love at No. 3 — but RB talents like Love don’t come along so often. If he doesn’t go to Arizona, I like him going to Tennessee at No. 4 to take some pressure off of Cam Ward and, if not, to the New York Giants at No. 5 for the same reason (another weapon for Jaxson Dart). If he falls to No. 9, could the Kansas City Chiefs scoop him up to create a powerful tandem with recently acquired Kenneth Walker?
- Tight End: Everyone seems to be focused on Kenyon Sadiq, but I really like the athleticism and, as a former QB, the football IQ of Eli Stowers. If either one falls to the Carolina Panthers at No. 19, I wouldn’t find that pick surprising.
Draft trade bait? Is Maxx Crosby still happy to be with the Raiders? Or could he be an asset to attract more draft picks?
