NFL Post-Free Agency Top 10
After a 2025 NFL season filled with surprises, the league’s 32 teams are now shifting their focus on how to improve for next season. As the draft nears and most of free agency’s biggest moves have taken place, let’s take a look at the top ten teams in the league heading into 2026.
1. Los Angeles Rams
Key additions: CB Trent McDuffie, CB Jaylen Watson
Key Losses: CB Roger McCreary, CB Cobie Durant
At times, the Rams looked like the best team in the league last season, and the argument could be made that they were almost the Super Bowl champions.
If it weren’t for a weird, fluky two-point conversion by Zach Charbonnet, the Rams, not the Seahawks, would’ve been the NFC’s number one seed and the NFC Championship Game would’ve been in Los Angeles instead of Seattle.
With Seattle being one of the toughest, if not the toughest, road environments to play in in the NFL, who knows if the outcome would’ve been different had the game been in LA.
Also, if it wasn’t for a third-quarter muffed punt by Xavier Smith that set the Seahawks up in the red zone, maybe the Rams are the NFC and Super Bowl champs.
Unfortunately for Rams fans, those things didn’t happen, and Los Angeles’ two major flaws ended their season.
The continued woes on special teams throughout the season were killer, but their real Achilles heel was their extremely leaky secondary.
The Rams addressed the latter very early in free agency, letting Roger McCreary and Cobie Durant walk and acquiring former Chiefs stars Trent McDuffie (via trade) and Jaylen Watson (via free agency).
As for special teams, many mock drafts link Los Angeles to Makai Lemon, who’s not only 2025’s Biletnikoff Award winner, but a great punt returner as well. Even if Lemon doesn’t end up in LA, expect the special teams issue to be resolved come Week 1.
With a fortified defense, offensive guru Sean McVay and reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford returning to lead the offense after retirement rumors, the Rams are the clear Super Bowl favorites.
2. Denver Broncos
Key additions: WR Jaylen Waddle
Key Losses: DL John Franklin-Myers
The Broncos finished one game away from a Super Bowl appearance last season, and if it weren’t for Bo Nix’s fractured ankle suffered in the AFC Divisional Round against the Bills, they probably would’ve made the Super Bowl.
Nix is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery, and it’s looking like he’ll be ready for Week 1. When he returns, he’ll have a new weapon at his disposal in Jaylen Waddle, who steps in as Denver’s clear number one receiver after being acquired from the Dolphins.
With Courtland Sutton opposite Waddle, J.K. Dobbins back from an ankle injury of his own and RJ Harvey coming off a solid rookie campaign, Sean Payton’s offense should significantly improve.
On defense, while the loss of John Franklin-Myers hurts, Denver still has one of the top units in the league led by Pat Surtain II, Alex Singleton, and Nik Bonitto.
In a strong AFC, the Broncos should be viewed as the favorite to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.
3. Buffalo Bills
Key additions: WR DJ Moore, EDGE Bradley Chubb, CB Dee Alford, S Geno Stone, S C.J.
Key Losses: CB Taron Johnson, C David Andrews
After a brutal (controversial if you ask Buffalo fans) loss to the Broncos in the playoffs, the Bills were clearly determined to fill every hole they had on their roster, and they did just that.
Deficiencies in the secondary were addressed by bringing in Dee Alford, C.J. Gardner-Johnosn and Geno Stone, and much needed pass rush help was added with the signing of Bradley Chubb.
Most importantly, the Bills finally got Josh Allen a number one receiver, acquiring DJ Moore from the Bears. They may have overpaid to get him, but giving Allen a high-volume receiver he’s been missing since Stefon Diggs was traded in 2024 could take the offense to the next level.
Don’t be surprised if Buffalo and Denver meet again for a trip to the Super Bowl come January.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Key additions: WR Mike Evans, LB Dre Greenlaw, DT Osa Odighizuwa, WR Christian Kirk, CB Nate Hobbs
Key Losses: WR Kendrick Bourne, RB Brian Robinson Jr.
After dealing with a myriad of injuries to key players (Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Ricky Pearsall to name a few), the 49ers still shockingly found a way to make the playoffs. While the playoff appearance resulted in a 41-6 drubbing by San Francisco’s rival and eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, there’s a lot to be optimistic about as the Niners head into the 2026 season.
Not only will the 49ers get the players they dearly missed back from injury, but they also made some great additions in free agency.
San Francisco’s wide receiver room was like a box of chocolates in 2025, you never knew what, or who, you were going to get. While Kendrick Bourne left for the Cardinals and it seems like Jauan Jennings is also out the door, replacing them with Mike Evans and Christian Kirk offers a huge upgrade for 2026.
Reuniting Warner with his former running mate Dre Greenlaw undoubtedly improves San Francisco’s linebacker situation, especially after every linebacker that made their initial 53 man roster was injured by the end of the year. Adding Osa Odighizuwa and Nate Hobbs also bolster a defense that’s now stacked with talent.
Although there are still some questions about San Francisco for 2026, like when George Kittle will return from his achilles injury and if Trent Williams’ contract situation will be sorted out, they will be a dangerous team as long as they stay healthy.
5. Chicago Bears
Key additions: C Garrett Bradbury, S Coby Bryant, LB Devin Bush
Key Losses: WR DJ Moore, LB Tremaine Edmunds, S Kevin Byard, CB Nahshon Wright, C Drew Dalman, S Jaquan Brisker, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
The Bears finished 5-12 in 2024, but nearly flipped that record on its head in the first year of the Ben Johnson era. With an 11-6 record, Chicago won the NFC North for the first time since 2018, and went on to win their first playoff game since 2011.
Heading into 2026, the offense should continue to flourish. The loss of DJ Moore shouldn’t affect them too much, as he relegated to Caleb Williams’ fourth receiving option after the breakouts of Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland. Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement hurt, but trading for Garrett Bradbury right after is a great replacement.
Defensively, there’s a lot of turnover for the Bears, particularly in the secondary. However, bringing in Coby Bryant and Devin Bush should help replenish some of their losses suffered in free agency.
Williams is primed to become the franchise’s first 4,000 yard passer this season, and the Bears look like serious contenders in the NFC.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Key additions: C Tyler Biadasz, TE Charlie Kolar, FB Alec Ingold, RB Keaton Mitchell, OL Cole Strange
Key Losses: EDGE Odafe Oweh, OL Zion Johnson, OL Mekhi Becton
Like the 49ers, Los Angeles dealt with many injuries to much needed players last season but still managed to find their way into the playoffs. While they were defeated by the Patriots on their way to a Super Bowl appearance, things are looking bright for the 2026 iteration of the Chargers.
The Bolts will get both their offensive tackles back, as Rashawn Slater will return after a leg injury in training camp cost him the entire 2025 season and Joe Alt returns from a midseason ankle injury.
Los Angeles further fortified their offensive line by bringing in Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange, blocking tight end Charlie Kolar and fullback Alec Ingold, adding a huge boost to the run game and keeping Justin Herbert upright.
Speaking of the run game, Omarion Hampton will look to have a healthier sophomore season after an ankle injury slowed down his rookie campaign just as he began to break out. He’ll be joined by former Ravens speedster Keaton Mitchell in the backfield, creating a potential dynamic duo that could take the offense to new heights.
With all the upgrades on offense and LA bringing in Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator, the Chargers have to be pinching themselves while preparing for 2026.
As long as the defense can overcome the loss of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the Chargers could turn out to be a team no one wants to face, especially in January.
7. Seattle Seahawks
Key additions: None
Key Losses: EDGE Boye Mafe, RB Kenneth Walker III, S Coby Bryant, CB Riq Woolen
While seventh may seem low for the reigning Super Bowl Champions, they lost several key components during the offseason that leaves their roster significantly worse heading into the 2026 season.
The losses of Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen and Coby Durant deliver a significant blow to a stacked defense from a year ago, but with Mike Macdonald at the helm it should remain a solid unit.
However, the blows to the offense are what’s most concerning.
Charbonnet is a decent back, but Kenneth Walker III was clearly the better of the two. That was on full display throughout the playoffs after Charbonnet’s end-of-season injury, capped off by a performance worthy of the Super Bowl MVP.
After losing Walker III to the Chiefs, the Seahawks didn’t make any other improvements to their offense, and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is headed out the door to become the Raiders’ head coach.
In a tough NFC where two teams in their own division now have better rosters than them, expect Seattle to take a step back this year.
8. New England Patriots
Key additions: OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, WR Romeo Doubs, S Kevin Byard, EDGE Dre’Mont Jones
Key Losses: WR Stefon Diggs, C Garrett Bradbury, EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, S Jaylinn Hawkins
After winning only four games in 2024, Drake Maye narrowly missed out on the NFL MVP award in his first full season as a starter and, along with New England’s stout defense, led them to the Super Bowl last year despite a shaky offensive line and a half-decent (at best) wide receiver room.
The addition of Alijah Vera-Tucker and Will Campbell getting healthy after a knee injury derailed his promising rookie season should help alleviate the offensive line issue, but losing leading receiver Stefon Diggs and replacing him with Romeo Doubs still has the receiving core in limbo.
On the defensive side of the ball, 2025 First-Team All-Pro and interception leader Kevin Byard is a huge improvement over Jaylinn Hawkins, and Dre’Mont Jones offers a solid replacement for K’Lavon Chaisson.
While there are certainly better teams in the AFC than the Patriots, they’re still a dangerous team, especially if they finally prevail in their pursuit of a star receiver like A.J. Brown.
9. Houston Texans
Key additions: RB David Montgomery, OL Wyatt Teller, OL Braden Smith, S Reed Blankenship
Key Losses: OL Tytus Howard, WR Christian Kirk
Houston’s defense absolutely suffocated opponents last season, so it’s scary news for the rest of the league that they not only didn’t lose any key pieces, but made it stronger by adding Reed Blankenship to an already stacked secondary.
While the defense dominated, the offense struggled most of the season. Losing Tytus Howard is a brutal blow, but bringing in Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith offer an overall improvement to the offensive line.
The addition of David Montgomery alongside Woody Marks should improve the run game, and a healthier season from Nico Collins and growth on solid rookie seasons by Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins could ascend Houston’s pass game.
With the Jaguars’ and Colts’ rosters taking steps back from 2025 and the Titans still going through a rebuild, pencil the Texans in as AFC South winners and a defense that no one wants to face in the playoffs.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Key additions: EDGE Boye Mafe, S Bryan Cook, DL Jonathan Allen
Key Losses: EDGE Trey Hendrickson, S Geno Stone
As long as Joe Burrow stays healthy, Cincinnati is a team to watch out for in the AFC.
With Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown, the offense has proven they’re capable of putting up 30, even 40 points any given week, and the Bengals finally gave them some help on defense.
The loss of Trey Hendrickson hurts, but they immediately went out and signed Mafe as his replacement, and further shored up the defensive line by bringing in Jonathan Allen.
Adding Bryan Cook fortifies their secondary, and the AFC North has seemingly opened up out of nowhere.
The Ravens lost half their team in free agency and now have a first time head coach after firing John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin and his yearly winning season stepped away from the Steelers and it still isn’t known if Aaron Rodgers is coming back, and of course, the Browns are still the Browns.
Heading into the 2026 campaign, Cincinnati has a great chance to win their division and make some serious noise in the playoffs.