NFL Free Agency Starts With a Bang: Breaking Down the Biggest Early Moves

NFL free agency has started, and unsurprisingly, it's started with a bang.

Let's go over some of the more notable moves so far, hitting on real-world and fantasy football implications for each signing.

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Willis Lands in Miami

Quarterback Malik Willis signed a three-year deal worth $67.5 million with the Dolphins. The deal includes $45 million guaranteed.

The Dolphins are moving on from Tua Tagovailoa, and wasted little time getting their new QB. The 26-year-old Willis showcased his talents in limited playing time in Green Bay over the past couple seasons, but has more starting experience in his rookie year in 2022 with Tennessee.

The move is a great thing for the Dolphins, and Willis of course. The dual-threat quarterback will be a fun fantasy asset, and if he can keep playing well with his new team, he will have weekly fantasy upside.

Walker to the Chiefs

Kenneth Walker won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks this past season, and now is joining a hopeful Super Bowl contender in the AFC. He signed a three-year deal worth up to $45 million with the Chiefs, with $28.7 million of that guaranteed.

Walker mostly split the backfield with Zach Charbonnet while in Seattle, but he delivered big down the stretch without Charbonnet around. The move really hurts the Seattle backfield, and makes RB a position of need this offseason.

KC has been looking for more steady RB play, and hopes that Walker will provide it. He has a good fantasy outlook with the Chiefs, especially if the backfield completely belongs to him. We'll have to see if that actually happens, or if he's more the 1A guy again.

Walker has weekly starting upside regardless, and would be a no-brainer starter if he's the workhorse for that offense. KC is hoping to extend their title window, so this move makes all the sense in the world for them.

Saints Add Etienne

New Orleans is signing running back Travis Etienne. That might spell the end for Alvin Kamara in New Orleans, or the Saints could keep both and have a good 1-2 punch at RB.

Etienne is 27 years old and has 1,300 or more total yards in three of his four seasons. He's scored 32 total touchdowns.

Etienne's fantasy outlook in New Orleans will be determined by how the backfield looks at the start of the 2026 season. I doubt Etienne would be anything but the lead back, but if Kamara is still around, then Etienne's fantasy outlook could be hampered a bit.

Etienne gives the team a back to cover the next couple years as the team hopes to contend for division titles and playoff spots. Anytime a team can add impact players, it's a positive, but it remains to be seen just how good Etienne could be with the Saints.

Gainwell Heads to Tampa Bay

Running back Kenneth Gainwell is signing a two-year deal with the Buccaneers - it's worth $14 million.

The nearly 27-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, tallying over 1,000 total yards and scoring eight combined touchdowns. He was in a split backfield in Pittsburgh.

Gainwell is a great No. 2 back, which is what Tampa Bay needs after Bucky Irving was injured for a large portion of the most recent season. I expect Irving to still be the top back in Tampa Bay, but for Gainwell to be involved enough for weekly fantasy usage as a possible flex option in standard leagues and starting option in deeper leagues.

Gainwell won't be a big-time fantasy asset, but another injury-riddled season for Irving could help Gainwell deliver big again. This move makes more sense in the real world than it makes an impact in the fantasy football world.

Robinson Joins Titans

The Titans added a couple guys at the start of free agency, most notably wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. He signed a four-year deal worth $78 million - that includes $38 million guaranteed.

Robinson is 25 years old and turned in his best year with the Giants in 2025, when he led the way after Malik Nabers went down with an early-season injury. Robinson had 1,019 total yards and four scores.

Robinson could be the No. 1 wideout in Tennessee. It will be a more balanced approach though likely, with Elic Ayomanor, Calvin Ridley and Chimere Dike still around, for now. 

Tennessee is a team trying to build something, and Robinson could benefit in a big way from it. His outlook will be tied to the team's new direction, and the growth of quarterback Cameron Ward.

It's a good move for a team lacking big-time offensive playmakers, but Robinson will likely regress a bit now that he isn't the clear No. 1 wideout on his team. He could still lead the Titans, but his ceiling could be what he did last season.

We'll see how the Titans' offense looks at the start of the new year before offering up any final judgments on Robinson.

Pittman Traded to Steelers

The Colts are trading Michael Pittman to the Steelers for a late-round pick swap. Pittman is signing a new three-year deal worth $59 million with Pittsburgh.

Pittman is 28 years old and has played in the NFL for six seasons. He has reached 1,000 yards in a season twice. Pittman had 784 yards and seven scores over 17 games last season.

Pittman gives the Steelers another wideout opposite DK Metcalf. They needed another body in that room, so that's a good move, and not for a lot.

The Colts, on the other hand, are a bit thin at receiver, although they re-signed Alec Pierce. Indy is likely to add another wideout in free agency or through the draft this offseason now.

I like the addition of Pittman in Pittsburgh, but his fantasy outlook won't be clear until the Steelers finish their offseason moves, most notably finding a quarterback. We'll see how things look after that.

Cardinals Pick Up Allgeier

Arizona signed Tyler Allgeier on a two-year deal with $12.25 million.

The 25-year-old has been the backup to Bijan Robinson for most of his four-year NFL career. Allgeier still has produced 600 or more total yards in three straight seasons. He's scored 20 times, including eight this past season.

Arizona has James Conner and Trey Benson already, so this signing could spell the end for Conner, the veteran of the two. Teams rarely carry three legit running backs, and I doubt a rebuilding Arizona team would.

If Conner or Benson is moved before next season, then Allgeier's outlook will become a lot more clear. For now, I see him splitting the backfield, at best.

It's another somewhat puzzling move, as the Cardinals have much bigger needs than running back. They clearly like Allgeier though, so there's also a chance he's the lead back for Arizona, which would obviously be a huge fantasy boost for him.

We'll keep our eyes on things and see how Arizona pivots in its backfield from here. 

Likely Heads to the Giants

Isaiah Likely signed a three-year deal with the Giants, worth $40 million. He could earn up to $47.5 million in incentives.

Likely could get his first chance to start after a nice run as mostly the No. 2 tight end in Baltimore. He hasn't topped 500 yards in a season, but has 15 scores over his career.

Theo Johnson is also in New York, so it's kind of an interesting signing. I'd expect Likely to start, but Johnson also to be involved. That could limit Likely's fantasy outlook a little bit, so that'll be something to keep in mind going into 2026.

It adds an impact offensive player for young quarterback Jaxson Dart though, so it's a positive move for the Giants. They can spend their offseason going after other offensive talents now.