Plenty of NFL teams made offseason additions to their roster. A number of these players will be ready to make an impact on the field from day one. Here’s a reminder of where these playmakers are now and how they’ll boost their new teams after a long 2026 NFL Offseason.
2026 NFL Offseason Additions On Offense
AJ Brown was the biggest offensive star to switch teams this offseason, leaving the Philadelphia Eagles for the New England Patriots. The reigning AFC Champions gave up a 2027 5th-round pick and a 2028 1st-round pick to get the alpha receiver they’ve been missing for years. Brown has posted at least 1,00 yards and seven touchdowns in six of seven years during his career, and appears more motivated than ever to succeed in New England. He will play a huge part in the Patriots’ offense, and in getting his childhood team back to the Super Bowl.
Mike Evans left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers worth $42.5 million (but it’s essentially a one-year deal worth $14.3 million). He is coming off the only season in his career when he didn’t post at least 1,00 yards, as he dealt with a broken clavicle and concussion. The veteran remains one of the best red zone weapons in the league. He’ll look to bounce back as Brock Purdy’s top pass catcher, which should be a notable upgrade from the departed Jauan Jennings.
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is looking to become the first 1,000-yard rusher for the Kansas City Chiefs since Kareem Hunt in 2017. After spending four years as a Seattle Seahawk, he will be the lead back for Kansas City. With Patrick Mahomes coming off a torn ACL, a dangerous threat on the ground will help ease the pressure for the franchise QB. Walker signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal after eclipsing 1,300 total yards and five touchdowns last year.
Tyler Linderbaum became the highest-paid center in NFL history, leaving the Baltimore Ravens and signing a three-year, $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Klint Kubiak had the money and spent it on an All-Pro who will lead the offensive line protecting Kirk Cousins and No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza (when he gets the start). At just 26 years old, Linderbaum will be a staple as the Las Vegas center for years.
Another AFC West blockbuster move was the Denver Broncos trading a 2026 first-round pick, a third-round pick, and swapping their fourth-round pick in exchange for Jaylen Waddle. The former Miami Dolphins receiver has five years of NFL experience and will team up with Courtland Sutton as Denver’s top receivers. The two players complement each other perfectly, with Waddle using his elite speed to beat corners and Sutton playing the role of big-bodied pass catcher. The Broncos’ offense gets even more dangerous with Super Bowl aspirations.
DJ Moore goes from being a subpar receiver on the Chicago Bears the past two seasons to potentially being Josh Allen’s number one target on the Buffalo Bills. Allen has lacked a true playmaker at receiver since the departure of Stefon Diggs in 2024, and the Bills are hoping Moore will make the pick they gave up for him (60th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft) worth the investment.
A more unheralded offseason move was the New York Giants signing Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million contract. After spending the first four years of his career as a backup to Mark Andrews, the former Raven is now one of the top five highest-paid tight ends in the league. With Malik Nabers still struggling to recover from a torn ACL, Likely will be a huge part of an up-and-coming squad. His head coach in Baltimore, John Harbaugh, decided to bring Likely to New York, clearly showing trust that the 26-year-old will be featured in the Giants’ offense.
2026 NFL Offseason Additions On Defense
Some game-changers on the defensive side of the ball will also be rocking new colors, including the biggest switch in recent NFL history: Myles Garrett. The Cleveland Browns superstar is now a Los Angeles Ram after the organization stuck with their recent mentality of valuing talent over picks.
Los Angeles sent Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 conditional third-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Garrett, going all-in on another Super Bowl run. After breaking the single-season sack record in 2025, Garrett is now leading a lethal Rams defense that includes young phenoms like Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske.
Los Angeles also acquired Trent McDuffie, notably giving up a 2026 first-round pick (29th overall). The former Chiefs cornerback bolsters the one weakness the Rams had last season. The two-time Super Bowl champion is another massive boost to a defense that has elite talent at all three levels.
After a rollercoaster involving Maxx Crosby, the Ravens settled on signing Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal. The edge rusher stays in the division after playing at an All-Pro level for the Cincinnati Bengals despite contract disputes off the field. For a Baltimore team that didn’t have anyone with more than
five sacks in 2025, Hendrickson is a huge upgrade. He’s showcased his game-wrecking talent before, racking up 17.5 sacks in 2024.
Cincinnati replaced Hendrickson with former Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II. The 6’5, 350-pound menace was swapped for the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft (Francis Mauigoa), and has an elite ability to get after the quarterback. He put up nine sacks in 2024, but then 0.5 in 2025. The Bengals defense has been a problem for years, but Lawrence figures to be a focal point in a revamped lineup.
Philadelphia picked up two defensive playmakers in free agency. First, Jonathan Greenard got a four-year, $98 million contract. Then, Tariq Woolen was signed to a one-year, $12 million deal. The former is a standout edge linebacker coming from the Minnesota Vikings, whose skill set as a pass rusher and run stopper is extremely valuable.
The latter is a Super Bowl-winning cornerback who’s got all the tools to become a superstar corner, but tends to be a head case on and off the field. The Eagles fill two holes in their defense with players who will be key to a successful campaign.
The Carolina Panthers also made some big additions in the offseason, signing Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. Phillips is an edge rusher who got an extremely lucrative new deal, totaling four years for $120 million after playing for Philadelphia and Miami last year. Recently drafted pass rusher Nic Scourton discovered he tore his ACL on the first day of training camp, meaning that Phillips will be even more heavily relied on to create pressure on the quarterback.
Lloyd had a breakout season for the Jacksonville Jaguars, earning him a three-year, $45 million contract. After a shaky start to his career, he found his footing in coverage, collecting a career-high five interceptions. If he puts together all his athletic tools and proves last year was not a fluke, Carolina got a stud off-the-ball linebacker.
