The highlight of this year’s NFL free agency has been the massive contracts given out. Players took advantage of a relatively weak free agency class with very few household names switching teams to make record-breaking contract extensions. After requesting a trade, Myles Garrett broke the record for the most money given to a non-quarterback with a 4-year, $160 million contract. Less than a month later, Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase surpassed this contract with a 4-year, $161 million contract. Chase’s teammate, Tee Higgins, also earned a 4-year, 114-million-dollar contract, the highest contract ever for a number two wide receiver.
While none of the best players in the league left via free agency, there were still a lot of quality players who switched teams this year. The Seahawks retooled much of their offense, including trading wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Steelers for a 2nd-round pick, trading quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders for a 2027 3rd-round pick, and cutting long-time wide receiver Tyler Lockett. In return, they signed a former offensive player of the year, Cooper Kupp, and breakout quarterback Sam Darnold. The New England Patriots made multiple moves, including bringing in the most expensive player in franchise history, defensive tackle Milton Williams, from the reigning champion Eagles, former Lions cornerback Carlton Davis, former Texan Stephon Diggs, and multiple linebackers, including former Titan Harold Landry. Other key players that changed teams this year include Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil going to the Washington Commanders, Devante Adams to the Rams, and Joe Thuney to the Bears. According to John O’Brien ’26, “I think the weak free agency class leaves room for teams to make more trades and focus on drafting well.”
Since this year’s free agency class was relatively flat, many teams will look to address their needs through the draft. Last year’s draft saw an abundance of high-end talent, especially at the quarterback position, but this year looks very different. There are no quarterback prospects who are clear-cut talents similar to one of the six first-round quarterbacks of 2024, or indeed many players who are considered true ‘blue-chip’ talents. The top QB this year is Cam Ward of the University of Miami, a player who has a lot of talent and ability but lacks the polished game of a more experienced signal-caller. Despite this, his strong arm and athleticism have led many to predict that the Titans will use the number one overall choice to select him as their quarterback of the future.
Many feel that one blue-chip player in this draft is edge rusher Abdul Carter out of Penn State. He is explosive and already draws some comparisons to high-level NFL players. Another player who has earned this tag is running back Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State rusher was electric this year and racked up 2,601 rushing yards, only 28 shy of legend Barry Sanders’s all-time season record. Despite the recent decrease in top picks being spent on running backs, he is projected to be picked within the first round, with some projecting him to go as high as a top 10 pick.
Those who say, however, that this draft class is shallow are not entirely accurate. Despite the lack of obvious high-end talent, this draft features an impressive amount of players with some high-end potential, including players who will likely be picked well beyond the first and second rounds. This adds an element of excitement to the draft this year, as it feels like almost any draftee could make an immediate impact on their team. This offseason has been full of excitement, and this is sure to continue through the draft.
