The NFL’s new yr started Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET with no scarcity of signings across the league.
Let’s take a look at a number of the greatest winners and losers from the primary day of the league yr.
Winner: Denver Broncos passing offense
In response to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos signed tight finish Evan Engram to a two-year, $23M cope with $16.5M assured.
Engram missed eight video games with a torn labrum in his remaining season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024. If he rebounds from the harm in 2025, the two-time Professional Bowler may turn out to be a priceless weapon for Denver head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix.
Throughout the 2023 season, the 30-year-old had the league’s fourth-most receptions (114 in 17 video games) and completed with a profession excessive in receiving yards (963).
Loser: Broad receiver Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams confirmed they cut Kupp after they didn’t discover a commerce accomplice. ESPN’s Sarah Barshop reported Kupp’s launch will save the Rams $15M in cap area in 2025, however they’re going to incur dead-cap hits of $14.78M this season and $7.48M in 2026.
In eight seasons with the Rams, Kupp made one Professional Bowl, earned one first-team All-Professional nod and gained Tremendous Bowl LVI MVP. Nonetheless, L.A. appeared poised to maneuver on from him after signing WR Davante Adams to a two-year, $44M contract.
WR-needy groups, together with the New England Patriots and the Inexperienced Bay Packers, ought to be within the 31-year-old wideout. Nonetheless, Kupp has said he “all the time believed [his career] was going to start and finish in L.A.”
Winner: Edge-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence
Lawrence missed 13 video games in 2024 due to a foot harm. Regardless of that, the previous Dallas Cowboys star discovered a brand new crew in free company. Per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the Seattle Seahawks signed Lawrence to a three-year deal price as much as $42M with $18M assured.
When wholesome, the 32-year-old continues to be a premier playmaker. Throughout the 2023 season, Lawrence made his fourth Professional Bowl after recording 10 tackles for loss in 17 video games.
Lawrence and Seahawks defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed may kind a robust cross -rush, which might make a strong protection even higher. Seattle tied for eleventh within the league in factors allowed (21.6) in 2024.
Loser: Dallas Cowboys secondary
The Cowboys announced they dealt a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 seventh-rounder to the Buffalo Payments for cornerback Kaiir Elam and a 2025 sixth-rounder.
Dallas should exchange eight-year cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who signed a three-year, $30M cope with the Jaguars in free company. However can Elam do this?
Elam — decide No. 23 within the 2022 NFL Draft — had simply two interceptions and 6 passes defended in three seasons with the Payments. Final season, Lewis had one interception and eight passes defended in 16 video games.
Winner: Tennessee Titans O-line
In response to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Titans signed guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year, $9M deal.
Zeitler ought to be a difference-maker for Tennessee, which tied for fifth within the league in sacks allowed (52) final season. In 16 video games with the Detroit Lions final season, Pro Football Focus gave the one-time Professional Bowler an 86.8 grade, the fifth-best mark at his place.
The Titans have the No. 1 total decide within the 2025 NFL Draft and will take a QB, maybe Miami’s Cam Ward (6-foot-2, 219 kilos). If Tennessee does take Ward, an improved O-line would make his life a lot simpler.
