The legal tampering period began at noon on Monday, and with so many deals being verbally agreed to, teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders are among the biggest winners from day one.
5 Biggest Winners from Day 1 of 2026 NFL Free Agency
5. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints continue to build out the foundation of their team after signing running back Travis Etienne and offensive lineman David Edwards. With a top ten pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Saints have the flexibility to continue to build out their roster. Etienne, with playmakers like Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson, will make for a solid offense.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs went out and added a huge playmaker to their offense by signing Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III. Running back had been a huge need for improvement for the Chiefs, as they had ranked near the bottom in rushing efficiency in the past. Walker was one of the best players, period, in the playoffs this past season, and if he can build on his postseason and Super Bowl LXÂ performances, the Chiefs will have had a significant upgrade.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams solidified their cornerback room Monday after agreeing to terms with Kansas City Chiefs free agent Jaylen Watson to a three-year $51 million deal. The deal with Watson comes after a weekend trade that saw the Rams trade for Watson’s teammate, Trent McDuffie. As both teammates reunite, the Rams’ defense has a stabilized cornerback group that seemed to be one of the downfalls in the team’s playoff loss in 2025.
The Rams are the current favorite to win the Super Bowl in 2026, and with the team having the number one offense from last season and an improved defense this season, it’s easy to see why.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers were able to lure longtime Buccaneer Mike Evans from Tampa Bay to come out west to compete for a Super Bowl. Evans is as solid a receiver as they come, as prior to the 2025 season, he had 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Evans already has a Super Bowl ring with Tampa Bay but could be the missing piece the 49ers need to get over the hump this season.
The NFC West division is as tough as it’s ever been, with the reigning champion Seahawks and an NFC championship team in the Rams, all looking to be among the best in the league in 2026. The 49ers will have multiple players returning from injury, including Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and George Kittle. That group of playmakers will be tough to stop in 2026.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders went out and spent a ton of cash on the first day of free agency, but smart cash. The biggest deal of the day for any team came from LV signing Tyler Linderbaum to a record-breaking three-year $81 million deal, making Linderbaum far and away the highest-paid center in the NFL. It is a good investment for a Raiders team that has plans to draft Fernando Mendoza with their top pick.
On defense, they added linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker and also traded for cornerback Taron Johnson. After being a laughing stock for much of 2025, the Raiders seem to be pushing to be at least viable in 2026 under new coach Klint Kubiak.
Main Image: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
