David Njoku and Other Underrated NFL Moves That Could Play Key Role in 2026 Season

There have been plenty of headline-grabbing transactions throughout the 2026 NFL offseason, but a few moves that have flown under the radar could end up being the most impactful of the bunch.

While a budget veteran pickup won't always move the needle, these savvy low-risk, high-reward additions can fill glaring roster holes and provide a massive return on investment for cash-strapped contenders.

With that in mind, let's highlight five underrated moves set to play a key role during the 2026 NFL season.

QB Tua Tagovailoa to Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

No deal agreed to during the 2026 offseason—or any other offseason in recent memory—offers a better cost-to-upside ratio than the one-year, $1.2 million contract that Tua Tagovailoa signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

While Tagovailoa has struggled in recent seasons, he has all the tools to succeed following his release from the Miami Dolphins. His second act will begin behind Michael Penix Jr. on the depth chart, but it may not be long before Tagovailoa claims Atlanta's QB1 job.

With Penix coming off yet another knee injury and having a career-long history of health concerns, the Falcons can't feel confident that their 2024 first-round pick is a long-term solution under center. Even if he does manage to stay healthy, his on-field performances have left much to be desired over his first two NFL seasons.

Although Tagovailoa was brought in as an insurance option, his impressive pedigree and proven ability to run a high-octane offense may be the key to unlocking the vast untapped potential of the Falcons' offense.

Atlanta boasts one of the best supporting casts in the league, a group headlined by a trio of Round 1 skill-position stars in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. This triumvirate's missing link is a competent signal-caller capable of syncing up the offense, a piece the team hopes it has found in Tagovailoa.

While Tagovailoa has struggled with injury and inconsistency over the last two years, he was a Pro Bowler as recently as the 2023 campaign. He completed nearly 70 percent of his throws for 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns that season, helping Miami emerge as the league's No. 1 offense and earn a playoff berth.

It remains to be seen if Tagovailoa can get back to that level after a pair of trying seasons and worrying concussion issues, but working alongside Pitts, London and Robinson under a brilliant offensive mind in new head coach Kevin Stefanski will be his best chance at redemption.

If Tagovailoa takes control of the offense and returns to form, the Falcons will be well-positioned to snap the league's second-longest playoff drought.

RB Rico Dowdle to Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

The Pittsburgh Steelers got one of the steals of the 2026 offseason with their signing of Rico Dowdle. Despite coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, Dowdle agreed to a modest two-year, $12.3 million deal to take over the team's backfield.

Although Dowdle was a late bloomer in the NFL—he entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020 but didn't rush for more than 361 yards until 2024—he's now firmly established as one of the game's most consistent backs.

Despite taking another below-market deal, Dowdle isn't at risk of falling off in 2026. He'll be a focal point for a Steelers offense that is in a state of uncertainty under new head coach Mike McCarthy. With Aaron Rodgers on the fence about returning for another run, Pittsburgh can at least feel confident the ground game will be a strength with Dowdle headlining a platoon that also features fellow UDFA standout Jaylen Warren and 2025 third-rounder Kaleb Johnson.

Dowdle has a history of thriving in a McCarthy offense, tallying 1,328 yards and five scores on 274 touches from scrimmage for the Dallas Cowboys two years ago. The head coach recently spoke about Dowdle's journey and praised his unique style of rushing:

Dowdle showed his breakout campaign with the Cowboys was no fluke, vastly outperforming the budget contract the Carolina Panthers offered in 2025 by tallying 1,373 yards and seven touchdowns from scrimmage.

With his blend of physicality, explosiveness and consistency, Dowdle will be the perfect do-it-all back for the Steelers in 2026.

TE David Njoku to Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Jeff Lewis

David Njoku's one-year, $8 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers isn't generating a ton of buzz, but the shrewd pickup could end up massively moving the needle for a team on the cusp of Super Bowl contention.

L.A. was able to scoop up Njoku on the cheap due to an unfortunate stretch of injuries that forced him to miss 11 total games over the past two seasons. He's coming off a career-worst campaign, one in which he only contributed 293 yards and four touchdowns on 33 catches while losing snaps to rookie Harold Fannin Jr.

Despite the downturn, Njoku is only two seasons removed from a Pro Bowl campaign. He amassed 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 81 catches. He worked as a focal point for the Cleveland Browns' offense that year, generating a career-most 123 targets while assisting the franchise in making a rare playoff appearance.

Although he now has nine years of NFL experience under his belt, Njoku won't turn 30 until July and should have plenty of tread left on his tires. At worst, the Chargers brought in a large, fast, athletic weapon who quarterback Justin Herbert can lean on in short-yardage and red-zone situations. Njoku has long thrived in those spots, evidenced by the four-plus touchdowns he's scored in each of the last five seasons.

Njoku will join Oronde Gadsden II—a surprisingly impactful fifth-round rookie who contributed 664 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 49 catches last year—and blocking specialist Charlie Kolar in an offense set to level up with Mike McDaniel now calling the shots under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

McDaniel can leverage this talent by deploying more 12 and 13 personnel (meaning two or three tight ends out on the field, respectively) as the Bolts seek to create mismatches across the field.

While Njoku may not put up Pro Bowl-caliber numbers in L.A., he's a legitimate playmaker who will have a positive impact on the franchise during its quest to break through and win a championship.

TE Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Chig Okonkwo teased his vast potential during his first four seasons in the NFL, but he was never able to reach his ceiling as part of a Tennessee Titans offense that was largely bereft of talent and creativity.

His decision to join the Washington Commanders in free agency didn't make many waves, but it won't be long before even the most casual fans notice the impact this fast, athletic tight end can have in the right system.

Okonkwo managed to scrap his way to three straight seasons with 50-plus catches, 475-plus yards and at least one touchdown, but his upside was largely unrealized in the Music City.

A revolving door of mediocre quarterbacks and underwhelming offensive playcalling capped his production, an issue that should be rectified now that he's paired with Jayden Daniels in the nation's capital under new offensive coordinator David Blough.

While Okonkwo is undersized, he's a stout, compact athlete with good balance who is extremely difficult for defenders to bring down. His defining trait has been the ability to churn consistent yardage after the catch, including in 2025 when he set a career-best with 342.

Okonkwo is the front-runner to take over the TE1 role recently vacated by Zach Ertz, who experienced a career revival after signing in Washington and put up some of his best numbers at the age of 35 during Daniels' rookie season.

Okonkwo should assume most of the targets Ertz was accounting for while also offering more versatility than his predecessor.

Okonkwo is best used as a move tight end, one capable of motioning around the formation and lining up almost anywhere. Blough will be able to keep Washington's offense humming by scheming up ways to spring the 26-year-old free, putting Okonkwo in position to rack up first downs thanks to his YAC skills.

By inking Okonkwo to a three-year, $27 million deal, the Commanders made one of the best under-the-radar signings of the 2026 offseason. He offers a rare combination of experience, upside and athleticism with his best football still ahead of him.

S Bryan Cook, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Jeff Lewis

The Cincinnati Bengals have been watching their Super Bowl window slowly close over the past three seasons. While injuries have taken their toll, the franchise has also been hamstrung by a myriad of defensive issues.

Cincinnati's front office finally displayed an intent to enact meaningful change on that side of the ball this offseason. Not only did the team execute a stunning trade for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence ahead of the 2026 draft, but it also pulled off one of the more quietly impactful free-agency acquisitions by signing safety Bryan Cook.

By luring Cook away from the Kansas City Chiefs with a three-year, $40.3 million deal, the Bengals both smoothed over one of the roughest areas of their roster and managed to deal a big blow to a key AFC rival.

Cook has had a strong four-year stretch to open his career, recording 238 tackles, 15 pass defenses and three interceptions in that span. He was a key contributor during an unparalleled run of success as well, helping the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII as a rotational rookie before emerging as a full-time starter in Steve Spagnuolo's defense in Year 2.

Cook's experience and versatility will be a massive asset in Cincinnati. He's just as comfortable dropping into coverage as he is coming up to support the run, making for a do-it-all safety who can hide deficiencies along the defense.

His run-stuffing skills will be especially key in 2026, as the Bengals look weak in the linebacking department after failing to sign or draft any impact players.

As a Cincinnati native who played collegiate ball for the Bearcats, Cook's homecoming could push the Bengals back into playoff contention following a painful three-year absence.