Each offseason, the NFL free agency period shakes up depth charts and dynasty teams alike, casting shadows of uncertainty and ambiguity over position groups that result in rash decisions being made by dynasty managers.
Let’s go through four players who signed with new teams in free agency and could outperform their current expectations while residing in new locations in 2026!
Kenneth Walker III (RB, KC)
One of the biggest signings of the early free-agency period occurred when the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to terms with Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III on a three-year, $43.05M contract. This is not only a long-term agreement, but it also makes Walker the fourth-highest paid running back in football based on AAV (average annual value).
Walker was absolutely worth this payday, and I think that the Chiefs are going to get an incredible amount of value out of this signing. Kansas City has never really had an elite bellcow running back in the backfield since Patrick Mahomes has been the starter. In fact, the Chiefs have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2017.
Kenneth Walker III will instantly improve a Chiefs offense that struggled to find its identity last season. Mahomes was by no means bad, but the team finished in the bottom half of the league in total yards per game, rushing yards per game, and points per game, albeit without their starting quarterback for the final three games of the year.
With who is still perhaps the best signal-caller in football returning from a season-ending knee injury this year, the Chiefs are set to rebound strongly with Walker leading the rushing attack. The Michigan State product has been one of the most talented running backs in football for quite some time, despite sharing touches over the past few seasons with Zach Charbonnet. In 2025, Kenneth Walker posted 1,027 rushing yards while maintaining an exceptional 4.65 yards per carry. He reached a new level in the playoffs, recording 417 yards from scrimmage across three games.
Overall, I believe Walker can elevate Kansas City’s offense while giving it a new identity. If all goes well, he’ll end up as one of the best signings in this cycle of free agency.
Mike Evans (WR, SF)
Veteran wideout Mike Evans certainly has a strong case to become a Hall of Famer upon retirement, but that doesn’t change the fact that he struggled mightily in 2025 with injuries, only playing in eight games and recording less than 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. Coming into the season, I was extremely low on Evans, not expecting a strong year whatsoever. However, I believe there is optimism heading into 2026 after the 32-year-old receiver signed a three-year, $42.5M contract with San Francisco in free agency.
Firstly, I like the offense he’s joining. The 49ers needed a physical, veteran presence at the wide receiver position, and Evans brings exactly that. While I wouldn’t call the quarterback situation a direct upgrade, I would say that Brock Purdy has the chance to make Evans as fantasy-relevant as he was with Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay if things go well. Evans also will have less competition in the Bay Area, competing with Ricky Pearsall, who has struggled with injuries so far in his career, and Christian Kirk for targets. That is a significant change from running routes alongside rookie phenom Emeka Egbuka and fellow veteran Chris Godwin on the Buccaneers.
It’s also a possibility that 49ers superstar tight end George Kittle will not be ready to begin the 2026 regular season after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs, potentially leaving even more targets for Evans to absorb.
In the end, I like Evans’ landing spot in San Francisco, and I think he’ll have the opportunity to seriously contribute in a Kyle Shanahan-led offense with Brock Purdy under center. That sounds like a great situation for a veteran wide receiver to walk into, so I think that Evans will have a productive year, and maybe even cross the 1,000-yard mark once again.
Tyler Allgeier (RB, ARI)
After signing a two-year, $12.25M contract with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, former Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier enters the 2026 NFL season as one of the most underrated players in football in terms of value.
Allgeier spent the past four years in Atlanta, where he recorded nearly 3,000 rushing yards while never registering a single fumble on 676 career professional carries. Arizona had a major need at running back heading into this offseason after former third-round pick Trey Benson turned in an uninspiring, injury-riddled campaign, and veteran James Conner suffered a season-ending ankle injury early in the year.
Initially, this backfield seems crowded, but upon further inspection, there should be no doubt in Allgeier’s ability to take over this running back room with ease. Benson has been disappointing thus far, and Conner is nearing the end of his career, so it makes the most sense for Arizona to plug and play the back they just paid over six million dollars annually to. Allgeier never really got a chance to start after his rookie season due to the Falcons drafting superstar back Bijan Robinson.
However, Allgeier logged 1,035 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry during his last full season as a starter, so there’s absolutely room for optimism that he can be productive as a starter once more with the Cardinals.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, TEN)
The last player on this list is someone who could be accurately described as a boom-or-bust signing. Former Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency on a four-year, $78M contract. After recording his first 1,000+ yard season in 2025, Robinson earned a sizable paycheck in a contract year and opted to sign with Tennessee, who is currently rolling with 2025 top-overall pick Cam Ward at quarterback.
I think that this presents some upside for Robinson because a Cam Ward second-year breakout is worth buying into. Even if Ward doesn’t make a huge leap, steady improvement from the former Miami Hurricane could give Robinson the chance to be productive once again, this time as the highest-paid receiver on his team.
Robinson is an athletic receiver who excels after the catch, so he could be a big-play threat for the Titans if used correctly. Time will tell if this signing was a steal or not, but I’m willing to bet that Tennessee gets some decent production out of their new slot receiver.