3 NFL Futures Worth Evaluating After Free Agency Start

The NFL’s legal tampering period began on March 10, and teams spent money in a hurry. 

Las Vegas handed out $281.5 million in total contractual value, including $81 million to center Tyler Linderbaum. 

Other notable spenders included Tennessee, Washington and Cincinnati. But which teams did the most to boost their futures stock in the initial wave? 

Below, I’ve outlined three NFL odds markets earning my attention based on early transactions. 

3 NFL Futures to Evaluate Following Early Signings

Kansas City Chiefs: AFC West Division Winner

The Chiefs were always going to earn consideration after going from 15 to six wins year over year. 

Somehow, Kansas City attracted key free agents with minimal money to spend. 

Losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson is not ideal. However, Brett Veach went out and signed Khyiris Tonga from New England and Alohi Gilman from the Ravens. 

On offense, Kenneth Walker III fits perfectly in the offense. Kansas City lacked a true rushing threat before Walker and subsequently faced tons of light boxes. 

Walker’s presence should lead to a more balanced Chiefs offense, assuming Patrick Mahomes returns by the start of the regular season. 

Not since the 2022 regular season has Kansas City ranked 10th or better in both pass and rush offense DVOA. 

Walker’s addition leads me to take a closer look at the Chiefs to outpace the Chargers in the AFC West. 

Cincinnati Bengals: AFC North Winner & AFC Winner

I cannot express to you, dear reader, how big an upgrade Bryan Cook is compared to Geno Stone. 

Only three safeties outpaced Cook in PFF grades last season. Cook also ranked eighth in tackling amongst safeties last season after ranking ninth in 2024. 

By tackling grades, Stone ranked 122nd in 2024 and 153rd in 2025. 

Cincinnati also added edge rusher Boye Mafe from the Seahawks. He’ll naturally replace Trey Hendrickson on a defense that gets a favorable draw next season. 

By 2025 offensive DVOA ratings, Cincinnati projects to face the easiest set of opposing offenses in 2026. 

If Joe Burrow stays healthy, this team has one of the highest ceilings within the AFC. 

Arizona Cardinals: Season Win Total Over 4.5 Wins

Maybe I’m completely off with this team, but I like how Arizona handled free agency. 

Straight off the top, Kyler Murray to Jacoby Brissett is not a four-win difference (Arizona’s win total last year was 8.5). 

Brissett looks primed to start next season for the Cardinals. Arizona helped him immensely by adding former Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo. 

Per ESPN, Seumalo ranked fourth or better in both pass-block win rate and run-block win rate amongst interior linemen last year. 

Tyler Allgeier also arrives from Atlanta for backfield depth. Kendrick Bourne also moves to Arizona from San Francisco for wide receiver depth. 

Last season, Arizona finished 3-14 while suffering the most injuries in the NFL. Mike LaFleur’s arrival should help the offense flourish, especially against a last-place schedule. 

Arizona still has cap space left, too, so there could be further additions. Maybe they still finish last in a loaded division, but it’s my belief that Arizona’s stock rose after the early wave.