Exclusive: NFL insider names 3 Free Agency winners - anonymous Execs rave about Rams, Giants and Raiders
- One NFL executive said: “I like what they did, and I never like what the Raiders do.”
- A GM, talking about the Rams, explained: “People talk about F them picks, they go all-in when it’s time to go all in.”
- On the New York Giants, a personnel executive familiar with Jim Harbaugh’s approach said: “I’m not going to say that was a soft offense before, but they are plenty physical, now.”
*Sean McVay communicates with LA Rams staff during an NFL game in 2019. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The 2026 NFL free-agent class was short on star-power. In a league where trying to stockpile your roster in March tends to come with considerable caveats, attempting to overhaul your Super Bowl chances this month was particularly difficult.
Of course, players got more money than most expected them to – that’s the free-market economy at work, with teams guaranteed over $400M in revenue a year from their domestic television contracts alone, and with a spending floor in place and with no shortage of bad teams amassing far more salary-cap space than they could ever fill in any one offseason. There were fewer true mega contracts handed out this offseason, because, well there were fewer players worthy of such rewards available at the positions in which players make the most money (quarterback, left tackle, pass rusher, cornerback).
There were teams, however, that stood out from the pack when it came to juggling the free agent and trade markets and various means of accruing football assets. Among their peers, some NFL decision makers were earning kudos for navigating the opening weeks of the 2026 League Year (start of the official transaction period), when considering where those franchises were positioned vis a vie the rest of the league in terms of likelihood they will be competing for a Super Bowl this year, or in the next few years. Some operated with more volume than others, and some leaned more heavily into true blue-chip options.
During conversations with general managers and current and former NFL executives, three teams continually earned high marks for how they operated in March:
Los Angeles Rams
This is a team in Super-Bowl-or-bust mode and they stayed on brand, with MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford perhaps in his final season continuing to show a willingness to deal future picks for proven NFL commodities at priority positions. The defense made major strides in recent years, but that was mostly in the front seven; the secondary has remained a weak link and was particularly exposed in ceding the NFC West to Seattle. Landing elite corner Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs, and parting with a first-round pick in the process, was lauded and the addition of defensive Jaylen Watson (also from KC) in free agency provides immediate chemistry on the back end.
“You have to appreciate what they did,” one NFL general manager said. “People talk about ‘F them picks,’ but it works for them, and people don’t talk enough about what they’d done in the mid-rounds to build a top roster with the picks they keep. They know who they are, and they go all-in when it’s time to go all in.”
Another top personnel executive said: “(Head coach) Sean (McVay) is at the top of his game. Everyone there is aligned – coaching staff and front office. They have a consistent direction … I think it’s the best roster in the league.”
More than one person implied the same thing, suggesting the Rams should have the best odds to win the Super Bowl this season.
New York Giants
The Giants have a proven, winning NFL head coach for the first time since Tom Coughlin was pushed out 10 years ago. John Harbaugh’s message will help get through to a new locker room after nearly 20 years in Baltimore, bringing a core of veterans with him in free agency. All Pro fullback Pat Ricard’s presence connotes ferocity and physical intensity in one of the more unique body types in the NFL. “The fullback is the tone setter,” said one personnel executive very familiar with Harbaugh’s approach. “I’m not going to say that was a ‘soft’ offense before, but they are plenty physical, now.”
Quarterback Jaxson Dart should benefit greatly from twitchy tight end Isaiah Likely (also from Baltimore) and downfield threat Darnell Moody. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has uncanny reach and range, the Giants added depth to the secondary and defensive line and also significantly upgraded at kicker and punter (punter Jordan Stout also came from Baltimore after a career year).
“Honestly, the special teams moves are pretty big for them,” another GM said. “That’s Harbaugh’s background, and the kicking game can lose you games … They didn’t reset the market for anybody, they didn’t (screw) up their (future) salary cap, and they added quality starters who already understand what the coach is looking for.”
Another personnel executive said: “They didn’t sell-out their future to get better in the present. They made reasonable and logical decisions. The familiarity with Harbaugh certainly doesn’t hurt. I don’t totally believe in the quarterback, but if they can keep him healthy that’s a much better football team.”
Las Vegas Raiders
This franchise is still years from competing, and, some would argue, could be better positioned to that end if they still had the two first-round picks (including 14th overall this year) that Baltimore offered for top pass rusher Maxx Crosby before balking on the trade. And, yeah, they went a little extreme with a contract or two, particularly for center Tyler Linderbaum, but that’s what bad teams have to do in free agency to land best-available players. “It’s a big overpay, but one they have to make to get the player,” the first GM said. “They had more than enough cap and cash, and they got the best offensive lineman available for (presumptive first-overall pick, quarterback Fernando) Mendoza … Overall, I really like what they did. And I never like what the Raiders do.”
The Raiders also rebuilt their linebacker room, and in keeping Crosby, have a potential Defensive Player of the Year who is the premier run stuffing edge presence in the game and also provides world-class pass rush. Oh, and after the Ravens debacle, he seems more motivated than ever.
“I’m not saying it’ll be a good defense, it’s probably not going to be average,” the second GM said. “The front seven will be better … They have a chance to build a solid offensive line for Mendoza. I think the worst is over there.”