NFL NationMar 18, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.Multiple Authors
play1:41What Romeo Doubs to Patriots means for A.J. BrownAdam Schefter tells Pat McAfee that Romeo Doubs is heading to the Patriots and explains what that now means for A.J. Brown’s chances of heading to New England.
play0:54Schefter: Houston fortifying its O-line with Braden SmithAdam Schefter reports that OT Braden Smith will join the Texans on a two-year, $25 million deal.
play0:48What is the impact of Riq Woolen signing with the Eagles?Tim McManus breaks down the impact of CB Riq Woolen signing with the Eagles will have.
play1:58Orlovsky on Tua in Atlanta: This is the best decision for both partiesDan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth discuss whether Tua Tagovailoa is a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
McAfee: Andy Reid can get the most out of Justin Fields (1:47)Pat McAfee is a fan of the Chiefs’ trade for QB Justin Fields. (1:47)
What Romeo Doubs to Patriots means for A.J. BrownAdam Schefter tells Pat McAfee that Romeo Doubs is heading to the Patriots and explains what that now means for A.J. Brown’s chances of heading to New England.
Adam Schefter tells Pat McAfee that Romeo Doubs is heading to the Patriots and explains what that now means for A.J. Brown’s chances of heading to New England.
Schefter: Houston fortifying its O-line with Braden SmithAdam Schefter reports that OT Braden Smith will join the Texans on a two-year, $25 million deal.
What is the impact of Riq Woolen signing with the Eagles?Tim McManus breaks down the impact of CB Riq Woolen signing with the Eagles will have.
Orlovsky on Tua in Atlanta: This is the best decision for both partiesDan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth discuss whether Tua Tagovailoa is a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
Dan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth discuss whether Tua Tagovailoa is a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
The first week of 2026 NFL free agency was flooded with shocking deals and moves (big and small) from all 32 teams.
Top players such as Tyler Linderbaum, Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips and Malik Willis, to name a few, flew off the market and are expected to make immediate impacts. We also saw a bit of drama with the Raiders taking back Maxx Crosby after a failed trade, Geno Smith returning to New York and Kyler Murray creating QB competition in Minnesota.
Which teams reached their goals? Which teams lost more than gained? And what questions have still yet to be answered? Our NFL Nation reporters sorted out the moves and broke down all 32 teams’ approaches.
Did the Bills hit their free agency goals? Some of them. Buffalo added most of its top positions of need by re-signing, trading and signing at center, receiver, pass rusher and safety to lock in starters. But there are lingering questions at linebacker, defensive line and receiver depth, while a solid portion of that will come in the draft, there’s still work to be done.
One thing we heard: It’s not new to hear that quarterback Josh Allen was involved in attracting or keeping a player, but center Connor McGovern praised his quarterback’s efforts. “It doesn’t hurt when you have No. 17 in your corner also trying to drive things through,” McGovern said. That only continues to reinforce the impact of Allen’s voice.
Biggest remaining roster hole: Inside linebacker. The shift in defensive philosophy has already resulted in significant change, both with players let go and new ones brought in thus far. The top players at the position currently are Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams. GM Brandon Beane did express that this draft has a good class of linebackers, which could be how the team addresses the position. — Alaina Getzenberg
Did the Dolphins hit their free agency goals? Miami landed its top target and the No. 1 free agent quarterback in Willis. That’s a win in its own right. First-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan also shed some of the team’s more expensive contracts and has loaded up on defensive back depth — although it’s still unclear whether there’s a starter among his additions.
One thing we heard: The Dolphins are excited to land Willis, especially considering Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley watched his development over the past two seasons. Even better for the team, Willis’ contract is structured in a way that allows Miami to continue building its roster. Sullivan was intent on not being “big spenders” in free agency this year, and managed to stay true to that all while landing a starting quarterback.
Biggest remaining roster hole: Edge rusher. Uche, Chop Robinson and David Ojabo is a relatively unproven group that still needs another starting-caliber player and more depth. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Did the Patriots hit their free agency goals? Coach Mike Vrabel made the point that the Patriots had built a foundation, and now they would be remodeling with the goal of creating more depth and competition across the roster. In that sense, the Patriots accomplished their free agency goals, spending some significant capital to do so. Their long-term goals are tied to drafting and developing those types of players, which would be more cost efficient.
One thing we heard: Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf left open the possibility of trading for Eagles WR A.J. Brown, saying there is no deadline on that type of transaction and the team is always looking for ways to improve.
Biggest remaining roster hole: Offensive line. The Patriots project to start LT Will Campbell, LG Alijah Vera-Tucker, C Jared Wilson, RG Mike Onwenu, RT Morgan Moses, with C/G Ben Brown as the top backup. Building depth behind that group is a necessity. — Mike Reiss
Did the Jets hit their free agency goals? The Jets found a bridge quarterback to replace the ineffective Justin Fields. Smith isn’t a great solution (a league-high 17 interceptions in 2025), but he was the best solution for them in a thin QB market. Fitzpatrick and Davis provide much-needed leadership and savvy for a defense that lacked both last season.
One thing we heard: The low-cost trade for Smith (only $3.3 million in salary) reinforces the belief that the Jets are waiting for the 2027 draft to find their long-term solution at QB. The one caveat: if they’re blown away by Ty Simpson (Alabama) during the predraft process.
Biggest remaining roster hole: No. 2 receiver. The Jets need someone to complement Garrett Wilson, but it’s hard to attract free agents because of their less-than-ideal QB situation. They’re monitoring the Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr., who could be available by trade. But look for the Jets to draft a receiver with one of their picks at No. 16, No. 33 or No. 44. — Rich Cimini
Did the Ravens hit their free agency goals? Not yet, but it was a good start. The Ravens addressed their biggest need at pass rusher by signing Hendrickson after they surprisingly rescinded the trade for Maxx Crosby. Baltimore had to upgrade at edge rusher after recording 30 sacks last season, which was tied for the second fewest in franchise history. The Ravens also added a starting right guard in Simpson, a starting safety in Hawkins and a blocking tight end in Durham Smythe.
Did the Bengals hit their free agency goals? The Bengals did a decent job. Landing Allen late in the week was the move that could be the difference for them. Cincinnati has lacked an interior pass rush in recent seasons. If Allen can be effective, then the combination of Mafe, along with growth from Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy, can give the Bengals a very strong front.
One thing we heard: Both Mafe and Cook each addressed a key theme for Cincinnati: adding defensive leadership. “Here I will be a leader, that vocal point and that anchor they can depend on to get guys lined up or just be a point of reference when the bullets are flying,” Cook said.
Biggest remaining roster hole: A veteran linebacker. Cincinnati still needs someone to help Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. The team invested time and resources at a pretty significant level in 2025. Adding a veteran can help the second-year players improve and help fix Cincinnati’s defense. The Bengals also still have voids at both inside and outside cornerback. — Ben Baby
Did the Browns hit their free agency goals? Nearly. Browns GM Andrew Berry was expected to pour significant resources into the offense and that started in the trenches, where Cleveland had four Week 1 offensive line starters and six linemen total hit free agency. Within days, the Browns added three linemen with a combined 252 career starts.
One thing we heard: Johnson spoke on why he went to the Browns: “The pitch for me was clear. Looking at the team from outside-in, for me, it looked like a team on the rise. There’s a lot of pieces. The front office is very hellbent on improving the offensive line, improving the team as a whole.”
Biggest remaining roster holes: Left tackle and wide receiver. The Browns eschewed heavily pursuing some of the top free agent quarterback options. So that leaves these two positions. The draft is the logical spot for the Browns to address those needs with their two first-round picks (No. 6 and No. 24). — Daniel Oyefusi
Did the Texans hit their free agency goals? Yes. They added depth on the offense in Smith and guards Evan Brown and Wyatt Teller — but there’s still more to be done. Houston has improved an already stout defense with the addition of Blankenship.
Schefter: Houston fortifying its O-line with Braden Smith
Adam Schefter reports that OT Braden Smith will join the Texans on a two-year, $25 million deal.
One thing we heard: The Texans plan to keep improving the offensive line through the draft. They have four picks in the first three rounds, so expect them to add young talent there.
Biggest remaining roster hole: Offensive line. This is still the priority after Houston finished the 2025 season ranked 30th in pass block win rate (55.5%) and last in run block win rate (68.4%). Howard was their best linemen last season who could play multiple spots, so until the Texans replace him, they shouldn’t be content. — DJ Bien-Aime