How Free Agency Turned the Top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft Upside Down

Follow the money, because it's the best indicator of future endeavors.

NFL free agency should be used to supplement a roster, thus freeing an organization from becoming beholden to a specific need once the league's draft begins. The two are complementary pieces as team's flesh out their personnel for another seasons. As a result, the first week of free agency, the 2026 edition, had a profound effect on expectations for this year's top-10 draft picks.

Nothing has changed with the No. 1 overall slot, beyond the Las Vegas Raiders trading former starter Geno Smith to the New York Jets, which further cements the expectation of Indiana's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, becoming the first selection.

From there, significant change occurred based on how those picking between the second to ninth spots operated when signing free agents. (The Cincinnati Bengals, who pick 10th, desperately need more defensive help, which hasn't changed.) Those deals should provide a glimpse into the direction each team is leaning when they're on the clock, starting with the Jets.

Defensive Front Becomes New York Jets' No. 1 Target

AP Photo/Danny Karnik, file

Linebacker Demario Davis returns to the New York Jets after eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Once Fernando Mendoza is officially off the board, the New Yok Jets will be on the clock without an opportunity to address the quarterback position. Based on how the franchise has built its roster in the past week—with the addition of veteran signal-caller Geno Smith and a massive emphasis on rebuilding the defense—the Jets should be narrowed down to two options: Ohio State's Arvell Reese or Texas Tech's David Bailey.

To be fair, both have been favored and projected as the second overall pick for some time. But other options are now far less likely.

Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love shouldn't be seriously considered after the team placed the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall. The acquisitions of safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton to go along with Malachi Moore takes the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's No. 1 overall prospect, Ohio State's Caleb Downs, off the board. The return of four-time second-team All-Pro Demario Davis lessens the possibility of adding Ohio State's Sonny Styles if New York projects him primarily as a Mike 'backer.

Granted, the Jets also signed free-agent defensive ends Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare to play alongside Will McDonald IV. A team can never have too many good pass-rushers, which is exactly why Bailey remains a strong possibility.

Although, Reese's flexibility to play off-ball linebacker, as well as work off the edge, may be exactly what the Jets want with the second overall pick.

Arizona Cardinals Rule Out Running Back At Least

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Running back James Conner is coming back for another season with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals could go in multiple directions based on how poorly their roster is constructed. The new coaching staff must place its stamp on this team, while working in conjunction with general manager Monti Ossenfort. Running back should be the one possibility that isn't on the table.

Jeremiyah Love is the No. 2 overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's draft board. He is an elite talent and a potential difference-maker. However, the Cardinals re-signed veteran starter James Conner, then brought in free agents Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight. Trey Benson remains on the roster as well. Running back isn't a need whatsoever, at least in the short term.

With Love out of the way, two strong possibilities remain. Either the Cardinals continue their offseason concentration on building the offensive line or acquire a defensive centerpiece in Sonny Styles.

Four-fifths of Arizona's offensive line appears complete after Isaac Seumalo's free-agent signing to start at left guard. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., center Hjalte Froholdt and right guard Isaiah Adams remain in place. However, right tackle has no clear solution. Elijah Wilkinson is more of a veteran utility option, though he started every game for the Atlanta Falcons in 2025.

Depending on Arizona's internal belief regarding Wilkinson, the team can invest in Utah's Spencer Fano, Miami's Francis Mauigoa or Alabama's Kadyn Proctor to be the long-term option at right tackle. Otherwise, the Cardinals may concentrate on the defense with the third overall pick.

Styles is an immediate upgrade over current starting linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., both athletically and particularly in coverage. He can also wear the green dot and call plays as a rookie. Alongside former Ohio State teammate Cody Simon, Styles' potential selection gives the Cardinals an exciting pair of young off-ball linebackers.

Do Tennessee Titans Have Sights set on RB Jeremiyah Love?

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh saw how a successful franchise operates in the San Francisco 49ers, which should sway his new team's draft approach.

The biggest indicator of the Tennessee Titans' possible draft plans had nothing do with what the team accomplished in free agency—which was a lot.

The New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs immediately agreeing to terms with new feature backs at the onset of free agency's legal tampering period became a telltale sign they don't expect running back Jeremiyah Love to be on the board with the eighth and ninth overall picks, respectively. Instead, they chose to sign Travis Etienne Jr. and Kenneth Walker III.

Obviously, the Titans have put in a significant amount of work already to upgrade their roster's overall talent level.

Defensively, Tennessee quickly reshaped the unit to fit Robert Saleh's vision by acquiring defensive linemen Jonathan Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson II, Jacob Martin, Jordan Elliott and Solomon Thomas, as well as cornerbacks Alontae Taylor, Cor'Dale Flott and Joshua Williams.

Interestingly, off-ball linebacker has yet to be addressed—which keeps Sonny Styles in play if he's even available.

Offensively, general manager Mike Borgonzi hasn't done as much to improve the unit around last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Cam Ward. Wan'Dale Robison gives the Titans a volume pass-catcher to go along with Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. Tight end Chig Okonkwo left to sign with the Washington Commanders. Running back Tony Pollard is coming off a fourth-straight 1,000-yard capaign, but he turns 29 next month.

With the fourth overall pick, Jeremiyah Love can immediately provide the Titans with an offensive focal point and take pressure off of Ward. He has the ability to be on the field as the same time as Pollard since either can line up wide in certain personnel groupings.

The franchise has a history of great ball-carries, from Earl Campbell to Derrick Henry. Furthermore, Saleh just came from the San Francisco 49ers, where he saw how Christian McCaffrey shaped their offense. Love may be the perfect fit for what could be an vastly improved squad.

New York Giants Are Ideal Trade-Down Candidate

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New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen (left) and head coach John Harbaugh (right) should be ready to move out of the fifth overall draft pick if an opportunity arises.

The New York Giants still have areas to address, but they're no longer in a position where they need to force anything with the fifth overall pick.

Thanks to an offense that already includes the additions of tight end Isaiah Likely, wide receiver Calvin Austin III, fullback Patrick Ricard, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerback Greg Newsome II, the Giants don't have any glaring needs that's worth spending that high in the draft.

Furthermore, the squad should benefit greatly from wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo being healthy. Also, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor re-signed to take offensive tackle off the board.

Granted, the Giants can stand pat and see if Sonny Styles or Arvell Reese slide to them. Maybe John Harbaugh is intrigued by having Jeremiyah Love in his backfield. Another pass-rusher doesn't seem like much of a possibility unless Kayvon Thibodeaux is traded.

As such, New York is primed to trade out of the top five if another team wants to jump ahead of the Cleveland Browns, likely to choose from the available offensive tackles or target Caleb Downs.

The Giants own only two draft selection inside this year's Top 100. If the team can add an extra Day 2 pick or two, it should jump at the opportunity to trade down and still address guard, linebacker or defensive line.

Offensive Tackle or Bust for Cleveland Browns

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Elgton Jenkins is the new starting center for the Cleveland Browns.

The Cleveland Browns entered the offseason without a single starting offensive lineman under contract. They've already addressed four of the five positions. Left tackle remains a glaring omission, though.

Cleveland's defense is mostly complete, particularly after adding Quincy Williams to play linebacker next to Carson Schwesinger. Whereas, plenty of uncertainty exists to properly build Todd Monken's new-look offense.

Quarterback remains a significant concern, likely with Shedeur Sanders getting a chance to prove whether he can be a legitimate NFL starter. But Sanders biggest issues has been how he deals with pressure, particularly the bad habits he slips into when defenders are bearing down on him. Proper protection will help tremendously in Sanders' development or anyone who takes snaps during the upcoming season.

The Browns already acquired three starting blockers in left guard Zion Johnson, center Elgton Jenkins and right tackle Tytus Howard. Teven Jenkins also re-signed.

Maybe, Dawand Jones shows up this year in great shape and finally secures Cleveland's blind side. However, he's been anything but reliable over the last two seasons. Instead of hoping something changes, the Browns should be heavily invested in finding a long-term solution.

Spencer Fano, Kadyn Proctor and Georgia's Monroe Freeling are legitimate options capable of securing the left tackle spot.

A wide receiver needs to be in the conversation as well, but the positional class is deep yet again. Instead, an opportunity to address a premium position with the class' top prospect at a major area of need should be Cleveland's primary plan.

Pass-Rusher No Longer Atop Washington Commanders' Wishlist

AP Photo/Bart Young

Odafe Owen joined the Washington Commanders after signing a $100 million free-agent contract.

Between the free-agent signings of Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, the Washington Commanders spent a combined $111 million in total contractual value to improve their pass-rush. The franchise has no reason to spend this year's seventh overall pick on the same position.

Granted, Oweh's contract alone accounts for $100 million, but Chaisson is only 26 and coming off his best season as a professional. When linebacker Leo Chenal and safety Nick Cross are added to the mix after signing as free agents, the Commanders may not look to address defense in the first round.

Cornerback could still be a possibility since Mike Sainristil is not a natural outside corner, but the team also signed Amik Robertson, who has primarily played nickel throughout his career. Those two likely become interchangeable pieces depending on the defensive call.

Offensively, Washington could go in a couple different directions, specifically at the skill positions to help quarterback Jayden Daniels.

If Jeremiyah Love happens to be available, the running back needs to be strongly considered despite Bill Croskey-Merritt's promising rookie campaign. Otherwise, the Commanders should look to add another dynamic weapon in the passing game since things really didn't work out with Deebo Samuel. Washington may be in a position to draft the class' top wide receiver, whether it be Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson or Ohio State's Carnell Tate to play alongside Terry McLaurin.

New Orleans Saints Shift From Offense to Defense

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Travis Etienne Jr. is the new lead back for the New Orleans Saints.

Prior to the start of free agency, the New Orleans Saints became the regular landing spot for running back Jeremiyah Love in many draft projections. Travis Etienne Jr.'s signing certainly changed that approach. Though the organization could still make building around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough its No. 1 priority.

Another wide receiver to play alongside Chris Olave is a strong possibility. However, the team's secondary deserves another look after losing top cornerback Alontae Taylor to the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

New Orleans' pass defense proved to be a strength throughout the 2025 campaign, finishing among the league's top four units. Still, both cornerback and safety should be in the conversation.

Among the incoming cornerbacks, the Saints could realistically have their choice among the top prospects, with LSU's Mansoor Delane or Tennessee's Jermod McCoy as the likely candidates. McCoy might be the runaway favorite for the designation if he hadn't missed the entire 2025 campaign due to a torn ACL. How medical staffs view his recovery will determine just how high he goes in this year's draft.

Caleb Downs is the wild card. To reiterate, Downs is the No. 1 overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's draft board. He is an elite talent potentially available at a discounted price. Since veteran safety Julian Blackmon is operating under a one-year deal in 2026, Downs can be added, used in multiple personnel packages and become a defensive leader in the near future.

Kansas City Chiefs Ready to Invest in Defensive Front

AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Khyiris Tonga is a nice addition along the Kansas City Chiefs' defensive front, but he doesn't solve the unit's biggest issue.

Outside of signing the reigning Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, the Kansas City Chiefs haven't accomplished much in free agency. If anything, the organization has created more holes to fill along the way.

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor, defensive linemen Charles Omenihu, linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Bryan Cook and cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are gone. Kansas City also traded former first-team All-Pro Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Chiefs did offset a couple of those departures by signing defensive back Alohi Gilman and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga.

Based on what the team lost compared to what it brought back, the defensive backfield seems like the obvious target area. But the Chiefs have done extremely well drafting the position group in the mid-to-late rounds and developing those prospects under the supervision of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. For example, Nohl Williams, whom the Chiefs drafted in last year's third round, should expect a much bigger role in his second season.

Right tackle could easily come into play with the ninth overall pick. The same can be said about wide receiver. Though both of those positions can be addressed on Day 2 of the draft.

Whereas, a potential opportunity exits to provide the team's defensive front with legitimate juice after finishing among the league's bottom 10 in sacks. Tonga is a nice addition, but he's a space-eater and doesn't regularly collapse the pocket. Chris Jones turns 32 this summer. Felix Anudike-Uzomah is on the precipice of being a full-blown first-round bust.

The Chiefs defense can benefit greatly by drafting a David Bailey or Rueben Bain Jr. in this year's first round, depending on who might be available when Kansas City is on the clock. They're legitimate top-10 talents and easily the class' two best edge-rushers, albeit they present very different skill sets. Kansas City should worry about this premium position before going elsewhere in the draft.