7 NFL signings that will be steals in free agency

The success of a free agency period is rarely defined by the record-setting deal, and often comes about through the unexpected fit, the missing piece, the guy that didn’t make huge waves when a deal was announced — but nevertheless contributed to changing everything.

Obviously those big-name talents with the $100M contracts still make noise, but here are some of the more under-the-radar signings that might have snuck through amidst all the other signings, and could have a profound impact on the 2026 NFL season.

Isiah Pacheco to the Detroit Lions

The Lions made a significant backfield shuffle by trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, then finding someone who could have an even bigger impact in their offense with Isiah Pacheco. We all know the DNA of this team is establishing the run with a two-headed monster and that Jahmyr Gibbs is the guy, but Montgomery has been a critical part of that Sonic-Knuckles tandem over the last three years.

In a lot of ways Pacheco feels like Montgomery when he was with the Bears. A talented RB stuck behind a line that was built for pass protection. In Detroit he’ll have an opportunity to be a major short-yardage back with change-of-pace potential, and when it comes to the red zone I think he uses his frame a little better to get under defenders and drive the pile.

It’s one of those moves that seems like gap filling, but I think there’s a possibility here for Pacheco to be a major threat.

Charlie Kolar to the Los Angeles Chargers

A lot has been made abou the fact Kolar isn’t a receiving weapon, which I think is vastly overblown when it comes to a Jim Harbaugh offense. Harbs could care less if his tight end can stretch the field, because he’s looking for a guy who can operate as a defacto offense lineman in his running game.

What I love about this fit is how the Chargers can now operate out of 12 personnel. It will put Oronde Gadsen in one TE spot, where he can make some big catches, and Kolar in the other — where he has extreme blocking potential. When you pair that with Mike McDaniel calling the plays it lends itself to a lot of pre-snap confusion when Omarion Hampton is a dual-threat running back and there’s no discernable tell whether the tight ends will be sent out in routes, or stay home in their blocks.

This is a really fun fit I think is being overlooked.

Reed Blankenship to the Houston Texans

It’s right to question whether or not the Texans should have spent so much on defense when their unit was already elite, but adding Reed Blankenship is a home run. He’s not great against the pass, but he’s a really solid tackler who can make a difference in the second level and prevent explosive plays on the ground.

What I like about this signing is that Houston already has a great pass defense, which should mask some of Blankenship’s deficiencies. Instead he will plug in as a high motor tackler and be a much-needed second line of defense to keep games close, like this team wants to do.

Luke Fortner to the Carolina Panthers

It’s an absolute mystery to me that Fortner didn’t get more attention in free agency during a market where Tyler Linderbaum set records. It’s a case of largely being overlooked in free agency because he played for a mediocre Saints team.

The Panthers were in dire need of offensive line flexibility after losing Cade Mays. Fortner can come in and play center for the team immediately, or move around the formation if the team addresses the position in the draft. In 2025 Fortner was one of the highest-graded pass-blocking centers by Pro Football Focus, and that will help in big ways for Bryce Young, who often struggles with interior pressure.

Nashon Wright to the New York Jets

I absolutely understand why more teams didn’t go in on Nashon Wright, but I still love this signing for the Jets. He’s very much a boom or bust secondary player who will flip a game with an interception, or give up an explosive play — without a lot of room in the middle. Teams don’t love that kind of inconsistency, but I think he could thrive in a Nickel or Dime corner role where he’s going to be out there on obvious passing downs covering a less-talented receiver where he can leverage his ball skills.

It was a low-risk signing by the Jets, and I think Aaron Glenn could teach him some things about playing the position. Sneaky good move by New York.

Cade Mays to the Detroit Lions

No shade on Tyler Linderbaum, because he’s fantastic — but I like the Lions’ signing if Cade Mays a lot more for the money. Detroit got Mays on a bargain three-year, $25M deal and he’s a really overlooked center in the league.

Mays is a solid, mistake-free center that doesn’t wow you with big blocks, but impresses with how quiet the opposition is against him. A better pass protecter than he is a run blocker, Mays will ensure the pocket is clean for Jared Goff to do work.

Rico Dowdle to the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are looking to make some major changes on offense and Rico Dowdle really snuck under the radar to give them a 1,000 yard back on a low-risk deal. I really like the pairing of Jaylen Warren with Dowdle as a speed backfield, and it will help keep both players fresh.

Dowdle operated behind a Panthers line last season that was wracked with injuries at both guard spots, but still managed to have a stretch where he was the best running back in the NFL. Even if he doesn’t reach that level in 2026 he can still be a valuable contributor to generate much-needed offense on a Steelers unit that was lacking last year.