NFL: Reasons for Optimism for Every Team Post-Draft and Free Agency

One reason for optimism for every team after NFL Draft, free agency: Jets, Giants poised to turn corner?

New talent, bold roster decisions and emerging superstars give every team a reason to up the stakes in 2026

By Bryan DeArdo

May 6, 2026 at 11:29 am ET • 19 min read

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Hope is a byproduct of the NFL's quest for parity, which became a reality with the advent of free agency and the salary cap. While dynasties ruled the NFL for decades, the league is now more competitive than ever. Of the NFL's eight divisions, seven produced a new champion in 2025. The playoff field included six teams that missed the postseason in 2024, including the Seahawks and Patriots, who represented their respective conferences in the Super Bowl.

Seattle and New England's recent success should offer hope to fan bases that may otherwise be down on their luck. In fact, every fan base has at least one reason for optimism with free agency and the draft now in the rearview mirror.

Arizona Cardinals

Building a sound foundation for the QB of the future

Too often, teams set young quarterbacks up for failure by putting them in poor situations. To their credit, the Cardinals are taking a different approach.

While they don't appear to have their long-term quarterback yet, they are strengthening the rest of the roster. Arizona added notable offensive pieces, most notably former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and former Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis. The Cardinals also added another quarterback to the depth chart by drafting former Miami quarterback Carson Beck, who completed a staggering 72.4% of his passes last season.

Atlanta Falcons

The league's best running back in  Bijan Robinson

If nothing else, Falcons fans have the luxury of watching a generational talent every week. Robinson made a strong case last season to be regarded as the NFL's best running back.

In his third season, Robinson amassed 2,298 all-purpose yards, a franchise single-season record. In addition to rushing for nearly 1,500 yards, Robinson caught 79 passes for 820 yards while becoming the league's most versatile offensive player. His play down the stretch last season helped Atlanta finish the year on a four-game winning streak.

> 93 YARDS. Longest run of Bijan Robinson's career AND longest TD run in Falcons' franchise history 🔥 (via @NFL ) pic.twitter.com/cKu9lAQxyE — NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 30, 2025

Robinson's new coach, Kevin Stefanski, comes to Atlanta after a six-year tenure with the  Browns,  which included two playoff berths and the franchise's first playoff win since 1994.

Baltimore Ravens

More help for Lamar Jackson

After acquiring the free-agent pass rusher ( Trey Hendrickson ), the Ravens largely used the draft to enhance the situation surrounding Jackson, who hasn't always been flanked by the best supporting cast.

Baltimore hit a home run when they drafted Olaivavega Ioane , who was the first guard selected in the draft. The Ravens then used three of their next four picks on pass-catchers who should be able to make an immediate impact in 2026. Elijah Sarratt , the second wideout that Baltimore selected in the draft, led the entire FBS with 15 touchdown receptions in 2025.

> NOBODY'S STOPPING ELIJAH SARRATT 🔥 ALL the way down for an @IndianaFootball TD! pic.twitter.com/bJu9fxkT3r — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 1, 2024

Buffalo Bills

More help for  Josh Allen

In Allen, the Bills continue to have one of the league's best players. This offseason, the Bills helped Allen by acquiring veteran receiver DJ Moore from Chicago. Buffalo then spent a fourth-round draft pick on fellow wideout Skyler Bell , who caught a whopping 101 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns last season while playing for Connecticut. Buffalo embarks on its 2026 campaign with Joe Brady as its new coach. Can the offensive-minded Brady get Allen over the playoff hump?

> Skyler Bell is going to be the biggest steal in the 2026 NFL Draft 👀 pic.twitter.com/5GhIiPj0jp — SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) February 18, 2026

Buffalo also improved its defense during free agency and during the draft. Among their key free agent defensive additions were outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Dee Alford . The Bills then used their first draft pick to acquire pass rusher T.J. Parker , who forced a whopping six fumbles at Clemson in 2024.

Carolina Panthers

Monster offseason

While it somewhat went under the radar, the Panthers  nonetheless had one of the NFL's most successful offseasons. In free agency, they acquired several notable players, including  Devin Lloyd  and  Jaelan Phillips . During the draft, they acquired one of the top-ranked offensive tackle prospects in Monroe Freeling , a potential defensive anchor in defensive tackle Lee Hunter and another target for Bryce Young in Chris Brazzell II , whose nine touchdown receptions for Tennessee last season led the SEC.

> Best of Lee Hunter 🎥 pic.twitter.com/C2qV9U14yl — Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) April 22, 2026

One big question in Carolina, however, is whether or not Jonathan Brooks can fill the void left by former 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle's departure. Brooks, a 2024 second-round pick, missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his ACL in Week 14 of his rookie season.

Chicago Bears

Emerging duo of Caleb Williams/Ben Johnson

Chicago appears to have found its franchise quarterback in Williams. Chicago may also have its longterm coach in Johnson, who led the Bears to a surprising division title and a playoff win during his first season in the Windy City. Williams is coming off a breakout 2025 season that saw him orchestrate several game-winning drives that included throwing the game-winning touchdown pass in the Bears' wild-card playoff win over the Packers .

Caleb Williams CHI • QB • #18

CMP% 58.1 YDs 3942 TD 27 INT 7 YD/Att 6.94 View Profile

In an effort to build upon last year's success, the Bears added several notable pieces to a defense that finished just 23rd in the NFL in points allowed. Among those pieces were linebacker Devin Bush , safety Coby Bryant and fellow safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick. They also got Williams another pass-catcher in the draft in former Stanford tight end Sam Roush .

Cincinnati Bengals

Defensive help for  Joe Burrow

When healthy, Burrow has been everything the Bengals desired in a No. 1 overall pick. Burrow has led the Bengals to a Super Bowl , two AFC title games and two division titles. He's also won a passing title, led the NFL in touchdown passes and has twice won NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Injuries, however, have prevented Burrow and the Bengals from achieving more success in recent years. So has a defense that was one of the league's worst over the past two seasons.

Cincinnati went to great lengths to improve its defense. During free agency, the Bengals acquired four projected defensive starters in three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence , fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen , defensive end Boye Mafe and free safety Bryan Cook .

Cleveland Browns

Re-vamped offense

There's a lot to like about Cleveland's offseason. Cleveland hired coach Todd Monken, who comes to the Browns after two years of work with Lamar Jackson. Monken will now try to have similar success with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders .

The Browns helped that cause by acquiring three projected starting offensive linemen in free agency before selecting former Utah standout offensive tackle Spencer Fano with the 19th overall pick. The Browns then drafted two projected starting receivers in Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion .

An underrated facet of Cleveland's draft was the selection of former Toledo safety  Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second round , who was projected by some as a possible first-round pick. McNeil-Warren will join a defense that's led by reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett .

Dallas Cowboys

Promising defensive additions

The Cowboys used both free agency and the draft to bolster a defense that gave up the most points in the NFL in 2025. Dallas acquired five projected defensive starters in free agency before selecting a defensive player with its first three draft picks. The first player the Cowboys drafted, safety Caleb Downs , has the potential to be the team's best safety since Darren Woodson.

> "Let's not forget where he started. With Nick Saban." @CoachBrianKelly praises @OhioStateFB safety Caleb Downs' football IQ pic.twitter.com/GPNGbRebZO — CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) April 15, 2026

An improved defense should lead to very good things for the Cowboys, who boasted one of the league's top-scoring offenses a year ago.

Denver Broncos

A young QB and an elite defense

The Broncos probably would have reached the Super Bowl had it not been for the Bo Nix ankle injury in a playoff win over the Bills. Assuming Nix has a successful recovery, the Broncos should once again be in the running to win the AFC in 2026.

Following an impressive rookie season, Nix didn't quite make the leap that many expected him to make in 2025. Denver addressed that this offseason by acquiring former Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle .

The Broncos also possess one of the league's best defenses, led by pass rusher Nik Bonitto and 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II .

Detroit Lions

Defensive youth movement

Like the Cowboys, the Lions ' high-scoring offense struggled to make up for a lackluster defense in 2025. Also like Dallas, Detroit looked to remedy that issue this offseason.

The Lions added a slew of defensive depth during free agency, then used their second-round pick to acquire pass rusher Derrick Moore , a local product who tallied 10.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 10 tackles for loss during his final season at Michigan. Moore will look to pose a formidable duo with fellow defensive end Aidan Hutchinson .

Green Bay Packers

Promising rookie defenders

The Packers received stellar grades for their first three draft picks: former South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse , former Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan and former Penn State pass rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton . Green Bay also received high marks for the selection of former Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson in the sixth round.

Houston Texans

Help for C.J. Stroud

While he has helped the Texans win a playoff game each of the last three seasons, Stroud's inconsistency contributed to Houston's inability to reach the AFC title game.

In an effort to help Stroud, Houston acquired two projected starting offensive linemen in free agency: guard Wyatt Teller and tackle Braden Smith . They also gave Stroud a new running back in David Montgomery .

During the draft, the Texans further helped Stroud by selecting former Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge with the 26th overall pick. Rutledge, who is slated to be the Texans' new starting center, was the first Yellow Jacket to be named first-team all-America in consecutive years since Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson .

Indianapolis Colts

Defensive reinforcements

After an 8-3 start, the Colts six-game slide at the end of the 2025 was largely a byproduct of Daniel Jones ' season-ending injury and a defense that finished No. 21 in the league in points allowed. The Colts addressed their defense this offseason, both during free agency and the draft.

During free agency, the Colts acquired two projected defensive starters in defensive end Arden Key and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither . They acquired two more projected defensive starters during the draft in linebacker CJ Allen and safety AJ Haulcy .

On offense, Indianapolis is hoping that seventh-round pick Deion Burks can help fill the absence left by Michael Pittman Jr.'s departure.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Key depth added

Jacksonville's lack of movement in fre

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-offseason-optimism-season/)._