The Chargers have used free agency to stockpile players custom made for McDaniel’s Shanahan-style offense, including fullback Alex Ingold and tight end Charlie Kolar. Popper describes Kolar as “an elite run blocker who is an ideal fit in McDaniel’s movement offense” who “will allow Oronde Gadsden to play in a role that maximizes the 2025 fifth-round pick’s receiving skill set.” Gadsden was a welcome surprise in fantasy circles last season, totaling 664 yards and three touchdowns on 49 receptions. He ranked 14th among 50 qualifying tight ends in yards per route run, in line with Tyler Warren and Harold Fannin. If he runs 60 or 70 percent of the Chargers’ routes in 2026, Gadsden could be a tight end to target late in drafts.

Popper, like other observers and analysts, says Mitchell is a great fit for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s rushing offense. Mitchell last week signed a two-year contract with LA worth $9.3 million. The explosive Mitchell, who last season ran for 341 yards at a 5.8 yards per carry clip in Baltimore, compares favorably to De’Von Achane, who was one of the NFL’s most efficient backs in McDaniel’s system in Miami. Though Omarion Hampton is likely to remain the Chargers’ lead back in 2026, Mitchell could see a handful of designed touches that might make hum flex viable in what should be a run-first Bolts offense. Mitchell would have a shot at RB1 duties in 2026 if Hampton once again struggles with injuries.

The Dolphins said the same thing about Jaylen Waddle before trading him to the Broncos in exchange for draft picks. Schefter said teams had reached out about Achane and been rebuffed by a Dolphins organization entering what appears to be a multi-year rebuild. If he remains in Miami for 2026, Achane — who ran for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025 — will remain the centerpiece of the team’s offense. Entering his age-25 season, Achane could end up signing an extension with the Dolphins if they are intent on keeping him during a total franchise rebuild.

Likely followed former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to New York in free agency, as expected, and signed a three year deal worth up to $47.5 million — a hefty deal considering Likely’s 2025 struggles in Baltimore. With the signing, the Giants “essentially swapped Likely in for Wan’Dale Robinson, signaling the shift in their offensive approach,” Duggan said (Robinson signed with the Titans). Likely will be “paired often” with TE Theo Johnson in a New York offense that should be among the league leaders in two tight end usage, just like Harbaugh’s Ravens, Duggan added. Likely, who should operate as a big slot receiver for Jaxson Dart, could have volume-based upside in 2026.

This move could be interpreted one of two ways. Brown could be slotted into the distant WR3 role behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, or he could be a No. 2 option behind Smith if the Eagles eventually part ways this offseason with the mercurial Brown. Brown in 2025 was an afterthought in the Kansas City, totaling 587 yards and five touchdowns over 16 games. He was targeted on a ho-hum 20 percent of his pass routes last year as a part-time player in a dysfunctional Chiefs offense. Brown, entering his age-29 season, could have some WR3/4 value in deeper fantasy formats if the Eagles trade away Brown in the coming weeks or months.

The Dolphins had spent the past month halfheartedly denying Waddle was available via trade during the team’s tear-down rebuild. The Broncos had to part with premium draft picks to acquire Waddle in a move that boosts the otherwise ordinary Denver receiving room. Waddle, who frequently struggled with injuries, has just 122 receptions for 1,654 yards over the past two seasons in a run-first Miami offense. The trade leaves Tutu Atwell as the Dolphins’ top wideout for now. Last year Waddle, 27, averaged 56.9 receiving yards per game, leading the Dolphins with a 41 percent air yards share and a 22 percent target share. In Denver he’ll join an offense that last year ranked fourth in pass attempts and 11th in passing yards. While Waddle could emerge as the team’s de facto No. 1 wideout, Courtland Sutton could retain that role thanks to his chemistry with Bo Nix.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, other teams had interest in Fields, but his preference was to go to the Chiefs. It’s an interesting landing spot for the former No. 11 overall pick, who is now slated to join his third team in three seasons. With Patrick Mahomes (knee) still recovering from a torn ACL, Fields will be the presumed QB1 for the Chiefs throughout much of the offseason, and could draw the start in Week 1 if Mahomes is unable to start. Fields struggled during his lone season with the Jets, throwing for 1,259-7-1 in nine games while adding another 71-383-4 on the ground. One of the worst sack avoiders in the NFL, Fields was also sacked on 11.7 percent of his dropbacks and had an abysmal 23.3 percent pressure-to-sack rate. Going from one of the best sack avoiders in the league to one of the worst could present an interesting challenge for Andy Reid and the offense in the early portion of the season. That said, Fields’ rushing ability will also add another element to the offense that can be exploited in Mahomes’ offense. While he would be a risky short-term bit in 1QB leagues, Fields will have some later-round value in 2QB/Superflex leagues if Mahomes misses time. Jets beat writer Zack Rosenblatt reports the Jets are paying “all but $3 million of Fields’ $10 million guaranteed salary,” which saves them more money than what it would have cost to release him.

The two sides have been working hard to make this happen, having agreed to postpone the void date on Goedert’s expiring contract twice in the last week. Re-signing Goedert keeps him on board through the 2026 season and allows the Eagles to spread out the $20.5 million cap hit they were set to absorb. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo previously suggested that the Eagles can’t pay Goedert if they keep A.J. Brown, and they can’t take both salary cap hits. One domino has fallen. Only time will tell if Garafolo was correct. Stay tuned.

Financial investments at the wide receiver position could have been the Rams’ primary motivating factor, though having three high-end wide receivers can hardly be viewed as a negative, albeit a pricey one. Nacua is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will presumably sign “a significant second contract” soon. Adams is due $24 million this season and Brown is set to make $29 million. Florio believes today might have been the Rams’ self-imposed deadline for trading Adams away because his $6 million roster bonus just became fully guaranteed. It appears as though Adams will remain a Ram for 2026, but anything is possible. Stay tuned.

This one is a bit head-scratching. Mooney’s skillset seems to carry significant overlap with returning veteran Darius Slayton, the latter of whom recently signed a new three-year deal that ties him to the franchise through 2027. Mooney did play from the slot at a 41% frequency a season ago and the team saw Wan’Dale Robinson walk in free agency, although Mooney will have to compete with veteran holdover Isaiah Hodgins and recent signee Calvin Austin for snaps inside, if that is the vision from the team. The size of the contract seems to indicate he will have a legitimate role in the offense in 2026.