Early NFL Free Agency Winners and Moves That Stand Out

Jeff Reynolds|published: Tue 17th March, 10:09 2026

Nov 7, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric Decosta one the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Another day, another wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers.

Signing Christian Kirk one week into free agency — one year, $6 million — wasn't trumpeted as a huge win, but you better believe Brock Purdy did a dance move or two knowing what his new collection of receivers can do for a team challenged to keep multiple reliable sets of hands on the field last season.

Kirk joins Mike Evans as one-time No. 1 receivers outside of slot wideout Ricky Pearsall, a massive breakout candidate as the 49ers shuffle the decks and tight end George Kittle makes the slow recovery from Achilles surgery.

Is it enough to contend with Super Bowl champion Seattle? Or beat the well-armed Rams' secondary?

Perhaps not, but the 49ers have also fueled their offense well historically via the draft.

Who else made a positive early offseason impression?

Las Vegas Raiders

Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field after loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Raiders can't receive a perfect grade for their offseason to date given the outcome of the Maxx Crosby trade ... or can they?

Crosby still has value. A perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, he'll wind up helping the Raiders by staying put or eventually moving on to bring back draft or player compensation for the early stage rebuild. But the scrapped trade on the Ravens' end of the deal erased a clear plan to restock with draft picks.

Signing the top offensive lineman on the market was a power play for new coach Klint Kubiak's zone scheme, where running back Ashton Jeanty should thrive.

It cost $13 million to move Geno Smith — the portion of his 2026 salary Las Vegas is picking up with the Jets kicking in less than half of that amount — and the Raiders still need more playmakers to make presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza successful. But moving Smith is another deal that sets the course for a turnaround.

New England Patriots

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) runs after the catch for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Romeo Doubs was a fringe No. 1 receiver with the Packers but doesn't have the sustained production to fetch top dollar.

That's where the Patriots are winners in the four-year deal with Doubs, who essentially replaces Stefon Diggs in the wide receiver room. Doubs has No. 1 traits and won't need long to learn the trust of quarterback Drake Maye. Another score for New England was addressing the guard spot with Alijah Vera-Tucker. The 26-year-old is exactly the type of presence the Patriots lacked in the Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks.

Baltimore Ravens

Whether Crosby failed a physical or not, the Ravens lost reputation points across the league backing out of the deal with the Raiders. Maybe it was worth it.

Baltimore reclaimed a pick in the top half of the first round, didn't have to pay Linderbaum elite left tackle money ($81 million over three years) and signed 31-year-old edge rusher Trey Hendrickson after the deal turned into a debacle.

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