NFL free agency is in its second week, but clubs in the AFC West have already made splashes.
With that in mind, here’s a look at each team’s best and worst signing, plus a free agent to target in the second wave. (Contract figures from Spotrac.)
Best signing: CB Ja’Quan McMillian (one year, $5.767M) | The Broncos already feature a stingy secondary, headlined by corner Patrick Surtain II, 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. Re-signing McMillian ensures the unit remains intact. He tied for the most interceptions (two) on the team and ranked fourth in passes defended (nine) in 2025. And, surprisingly, he’s a key contributor to Denver’s pass-rush. Sports Info Solutions credited him with the most sacks (four) among DBs last season.
Worst signing: TE Adam Trautman (three years, $17M) | The Broncos clearly need more TE depth after Evan Engram logged just one touchdown catch in 16 games last season, but Trautman provides little upside in the passing game. He never had more than 22 receptions in his first three seasons in Denver. In 2025, the TE had 20 receptions for 195 yards and one TD catch.
Free agent to target: DE Cameron Jordan | Targeting eight-time Pro Bowler Jordan to replace DE John Franklin-Myers (who has signed a three-year, $63M deal with the Tennessee Titans) seems like a no-brainer. He played for Denver head coach Sean Payton for 11 seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2011-21). Jordan turns 37 on July 10, but he remains productive. Last season, he had more sacks (10.5 in 17 games with New Orleans) than Franklin-Myers (7.5 in 16 games), who turns 30 on Sept. 26.
Best signing: RB Kenneth Walker III (three years, $43.05M) | Spending big on a RB is risky, but the Chiefs had to find a feature back after ranking 24th in the league in rushing yards last season (106.6 yards per game). Plus, Walker is coming off a career year. He won Super Bowl LX MVP after rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries and ranked 16th in the league in rushing yards (1,027).
Worst signing: DT Khyiris Tonga (three years, $21M) | Tonga — who logged 24 tackles in 14 games for the Patriots last season — adds depth. But this is an overpay for a role player. Kansas City gave him $14M guaranteed, the second most among interior D-linemen in free agency behind Franklin-Myers ($42M).
Free agent to target: WR Tyreek Hill | Eight-time Pro Bowler Hill certainly wouldn’t mind reuniting with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whom he played with from 2017-21. The tandem won a Super Bowl during the 2019 season. Hill is recovering from a dislocated left knee/ACL tear suffered in 2025, but if he’s healthy at the start of this season, he should provide the firepower Kansas City needs. Per StatMuse, he ranked sixth in the NFL in receiving yards (4,733) over his past four seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
Best signing: Center Tyler Linderbaum (three years, $81M) | The Raiders are expected to take Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 pounds) with pick No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft. For him to succeed, Vegas must improve an O-line that allowed a league-leading 64 sacks last season. Adding three-time Pro Bowler Linderbaum should do just that. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed just five sacks in four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Worst signing: DE Kwity Paye (three years, $48M) | The Raiders can’t justify paying Paye this much. He’s now set to make more money annually ($16M per year) than Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper ($15M per year). Cooper had 49 pressures on 384 pass-rushes last season, via SIS. Paye, meanwhile, tallied 36 pressures on 387 pass-rushes for the Indianapolis Colts, per the site.
Free agent to target: WR Jauan Jennings | The Raiders could also sign a mentor for Mendoza (QB Kirk Cousins?), but grabbing another dependable pass-catcher wouldn’t hurt. Jennings tied for eighth in the league in touchdown catches (nine) last season. Just as importantly for Vegas is that he knows the system of new HC Klint Kubiak, a member of 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan’s coaching tree.
Best signing: Center Tyler Biadasz (three years, $30M) | One-time Pro Bowler Biadasz should improve a Chargers O-line that tied for the second-most sacks (60) surrendered in the league last season. Per SIS, the center allowed three sacks on 522 passing snaps for the Washington Commanders last season. He has never allowed more than four in six seasons with the Commanders and Dallas Cowboys.
Worst signing: TE Charlie Kolar (three years, $24.3M) | Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh values blocking TEs, but $8.1M per year for one who isn’t a pass-catching threat? Kolar had 30 receptions on 41 targets in four seasons with the Ravens. Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert — whom the club has re-signed to a one-year, $7M deal with the NFC East team — had 60 receptions in 15 games last season.
Free agent to target: DE Jadeveon Clowney | The Chargers re-signed LB Khalil Mack to a one-year, $18M deal, but he no longer dominates. He had 5.5 sacks in 12 games last season, the second-lowest mark of his 12-year career. Considering that, the Chargers should sign Clowney to solidify their pass-rush. The 2014 No. 1 pick led the Cowboys in sacks (8.5 in 13 games) last season.