The 2026 NFL free agency period has been a whirlwind of activity, with teams making bold moves to strengthen their rosters. Among the notable signings and trades, several stand out as either smart or risky investments. Here's a deep dive into some of the most intriguing deals, along with personal commentary and analysis.
Smart Moves
Atlanta Falcons sign Tua Tagovailoa for one year, veteran's minimum
In my opinion, this is the smartest move of the entire offseason. With Miami releasing Tagovailoa and carrying all of his dead money, the Falcons were able to land the veteran starter for the minimum. This is a no-risk, high-reward move. Tagovailoa has a specific skill set that could thrive in Kevin Stefanski's offense, and the Falcons have essentially acquired a potential part-time starter in 2026, and maybe even a longer-term answer, if things go well.
Cincinnati Bengals sign Bryan Cook for three years, $40.25 million
This move directly addresses the Bengals' safety debacle, which was highlighted in my February column. Cook was PFF's fourth-highest-graded safety in 2025 and should do wonders to shore up the back end of the Bengals' defense. The deal is extremely reasonable, coming in at just 13th in average annual value at the position.
Risky Moves
Miami Dolphins sign Malik Willis for three years, $67.5 million
On the one hand, the Dolphins landed Gregg Rosenthal's No. 1 overall free agent for just $22.5 million per year, which ranks 17th among QBs. However, they're still going to have $99.2 million of dead money locked up in Tua Tagovailoa and have now committed tens of millions more over the next three years to an unproven player. This move raises a deeper question about the team's financial strategy and the potential risks associated with investing in an unproven quarterback.
Indianapolis Colts re-sign Alec Pierce for four years, $114 million
The Colts clearly like Alec Pierce quite a lot, but my concern is that he might not be able to match up with an opponent's top corner, rack up triple-digit targets, or maintain his efficiency with legitimate volume. In terms of pay, he's now a top-15 wide receiver, but Higgins had arguably proven quite a bit more when he signed his similar deal last March. This move could be a slam dunk if Pierce takes the leap into elite territory, but it could also be a big miss if he doesn't meet expectations.
Las Vegas Raiders sign Roquan Smith for three years, $81 million
The Raiders had a ton of cap space to work with this offseason, but they also had a whole lot of holes to fill. The three-year, $81 million deal for Roquan Smith is absolutely mind-boggling. It's the biggest market reset at a position in recent memory, and while the move could pay dividends if the Raiders can efficiently construct the balance of a competitive roster, it's also a financially astonishing move that raises questions about the team's long-term strategy.
In conclusion, the 2026 NFL free agency period has been a mix of smart and risky moves. Teams have made bold investments to strengthen their rosters, but it remains to be seen whether these moves will pay off in the long run. As an expert commentator, I find these deals fascinating and am eager to see how they play out in the coming seasons.
