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NFL Nation
Multiple Authors
As is the case in every NFL season, a handful of offseason additions are making splashes with their new teams. In Week 7, rookie second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez helped the Dolphins to their first win as the defense’s signal-caller. Meanwhile, Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Chiefs in free agency, leads all running backs in yards per carry (5.8). Also, coaches Todd Monken and John Harbaugh have the Browns and Giants at the top of their respective divisions.
So which additions have had the most impact so far? Along with the weekly 1-32 rankings, our NFL Nation reporters picked the best offseason addition from each roster. They chose from 2026 draft picks, free agent signings, trade acquisitions or coach hirings.
To form the list, our power panel of more than a dozen NFL analysts evaluates how all 32 teams stack up against one another. Here are a few highlights from this week’s rankings:
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The Bengals-Ravens matchup caused a big stir in our rankings, sending the Ravens down five spots and the Bengals up four. Baltimore led at the halftime despite being without quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) but blew a double-digit advantage. It is just the sixth team in NFL history to do that three times in the first seven weeks of a season, per ESPN Research — and the first since the 2022 Ravens. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was nearly perfect in the second half, completing 16 of 18 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns.
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All four AFC North and all four NFC North teams are over .500 through seven weeks. It’s the fifth and sixth times under the current division format (since 2002) that all teams in a division are .500 or better at this point of the season, per Elias Sports Bureau. In our rankings, the lowest-ranked NFC North team is the Packers (No. 15) and the lowest-ranked AFC North team is the Browns (No. 16).
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The Buccaneers are getting back on track after a dominant win over the Panthers brought them to 2-1 over the past three weeks. Sunday’s victory also marked the return of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who missed the past three games because of a dislocated right thumb. Tampa Bay has been as low as No. 30 in our rankings this season, but the Bucs are now in the top 25 ahead of a divisional matchup against the Falcons.
Let’s get into the full list, starting with the same No. 1 team from last week.
Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 7 result: Lost to the Falcons 29-20
Week 7 ranking: 1
Best offseason addition: WR Mike Evans
The 49ers signed Evans in free agency to be their primary “X” receiver and produce against man coverage. Through the first six weeks, that’s exactly what he did. In a Week 5 win over Seattle, quarterback Brock Purdy had a QBR of 90 when Evans was on the field versus 56 when he wasn’t. Achilles tendinitis kept Evans out of San Francisco’s only loss, driving home his value to the team. — Nick Wagoner
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 7 ranking: 3
Best offseason addition: WR D.J. Moore
The Bills’ offense has survived while Moore rehabs a shoulder injury, but it’s clear how much smoother the team’s passing attack works when he’s involved. Moore’s field-stretching talents lead to explosive plays and lighten boxes to create bigger alleys for rushing attempts by running back James Cook III and QB Josh Allen. No player this season is averaging more yards per route run (2.47) with as deep of an average depth of target (15.9 yards) as Moore. He was acquired from the Bears for a 2026 second-round pick this offseason. — Nick Suss
Week 7 result: Beat the Colts 16-10
Week 7 ranking: 4
Best offseason addition: QB Kyler Murray
In reality, the Vikings’ offseason was more about subtractions than additions. But Murray remains the most significant acquisition they made despite his individual performance being uneven in five games. The Vikings have won all of his starts, and there are some signs that he is settling in. His QBR since Week 5 (75.1) ranks sixth in the NFL, powered in part by nine scrambles that gained 94 yards and converted four third downs. — Kevin Seifert
Week 7 result: Lost to the Seahawks 20-3
Week 7 ranking: 2
Best offseason addition: RB Kenneth Walker III
Despite his disappointing return to Seattle on Sunday, Walker has perhaps been the biggest reason the Chiefs are atop the AFC standings. He is second in the league with 701 rushing yards; his production has made life easier for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has excelled at play-action passes. At this point last season, the Chiefs realized they didn’t have any explosion in their running attack. Now the Chiefs’ biggest strength on offense has been when Mahomes hands the ball off to his new teammate. — Nate Taylor
Week 7 result: Beat the Chiefs 20-3
Week 7 ranking: 6
Best offseason addition: RB Emanuel Wilson
With the Seahawks reserving all their big offseason deals for in-house extensions, they made a few bargain signings in free agency, including Wilson on a one-year, $1.6 million deal. Their run game has not been a strength, with rookie first-round pick Jadarian Price missing the past four games and Zach Charbonnet having yet to make his 2026 debut, but Wilson has helped keep it afloat. He has rushed for 403 yards (3.6-yard average) and three touchdowns, with another touchdown through the air. Much of that has come in a leading role since Price, who is now eligible to return, went on IR (chest). — Brady Henderson
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 7 ranking: 5
Best offseason addition: LG Emmanuel Pregnon
A back injury to right guard Patrick Mekari forced the Jaguars to shuffle the offensive line in training camp. Left guard Ezra Cleveland moved over to right guard, which gave Pregnon the opportunity to earn first-team reps. The third-round rookie has a 71.6% run block win rate (fourth highest among Jaguars starting linemen), but he has helped them be much better in short-yardage runs — a priority for coach Liam Coen in 2026. The Jaguars averaged 1.3 yards per carry on runs in third-and-short (2 or fewer yards) in 2025, which ranked last in the NFL. They’re averaging 3.1 yards in that situation in 2026 (eighth-best mark). — Michael DiRocco
Week 7 result: Beat the Patriots 30-24
Week 7 ranking: 9
Best offseason addition: S Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman and fellow rookie DB Malik Muhammad II have nearly identical stat lines this season, but the No. 25 pick gets the nod here for how he has handled the highest snap percentage of any Bears defender (97.58%). Thieneman is No. 1 or tied for the team lead in total tackles (47), passes defensed (five) and interceptions (one). He also has 1.5 sacks and three QB hits. Thieneman has had his share of learning moments, but the stability he has provided can’t be overstated for a secondary that has dealt with moving parts since the start of training camp. — Courtney Cronin
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Week 7 result: Beat the Cardinals 30-16
Week 7 ranking: 10
Best offseason addition: WR Jaylen Waddle
Rookie running back Jonah Coleman has played in only three games because of an ankle injury, and he might win the impact-per-snap-played quotient, but Waddle leads the Broncos in receptions (26) and receiving yards (276). His numbers would likely look better if he had not been caught up in the swirl of Denver’s passing struggles. Waddle left Sunday’s game because of an apparent shoulder injury, but if it’s not serious and the Broncos can simply get him the ball more, his output will improve along with their offense. — Jeff Legwold
Week 7 result: Beat the Ravens 35-13
Week 7 ranking: 13
Best offseason addition: DT Dexter Lawrence II
Is there any question? Lawrence has been the game changer the Bengals were hoping for when they traded a first-round pick for him this offseason. Whether it has been his ability to be an elite run defender, command double-teams to free up others in one-on-one situations or win as a pass rusher, Lawrence has been effective in every area. According to ESPN Research, he ranks fourth in pressure rate among defensive tackles (10%). He’s also tied for first among DTs with four sacks. — Ben Baby
Week 7 result: Lost to the Bears 30-24
Week 7 ranking: 7
Best offseason addition: Edge Gabe Jacas
A second-round pick out of Illinois, Jacas has played 58% of the defensive snaps and provided juice for the pass rush with his high motor. He has totaled 20 tackles, six QB hits and 1.5 sacks while also contributing on the punt protection/punt coverage unit. Jacas has been a quick study, considering he was away from the team in the spring because of a knee procedure and had a contract stalemate that lasted into the early days of training camp. — Mike Reiss
Week 7 result: Beat the Packers 20-17
Week 7 ranking: 12
Best offseason addition: OT Blake Miller
Detroit drafted Miller as the No. 17 pick to be a Day 1 starter, and the 22-year-old has lived up to the hype. He took on star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson during training camp, and he hasn’t allowed a sack in five games this season (primarily at right tackle). Meanwhile, Detroit’s offense is producing the second-most points in the league (30.67 per game) behind the Bills (32.83). Miller still has room to grow, as he has committed five penalties this season. — Eric Woodyard
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Week 7 result: Beat the Raiders 35-21
Week 7 ranking: 14
Best offseason addition: CB Trent McDuffie
The Rams traded four picks for McDuffie and made him — at the time — the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. He made an immediate impact for a team that struggled at the position last season. Although McDuffie has missed the Rams’ past two games because of a groin injury, he has allowed a 28.6% completion percentage in coverage this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That is the best of any player to be targeted at least 20 times. — Sarah Barshop
Week 7 result: Lost to the Bengals 35-13
Week 7 ranking: 8
Best offseason addition: G Olaivavega Ioane
Ioane, the No. 14 pick, was selected to upgrade the Ravens’ right guard spot, but he impressed the team by how he came to its rescue. After three centers were placed on IR, Ioane started three games at the position, where he played at a high level. “I do not know who votes for Rookie of the Year and all that stuff, but he is a very impactful rookie for our team that has done things that I do not know that any rookies have ever done,” coach Jesse Minter said earlier this month. There is some injury concern with Ioane, who hurt his knee in the first quarter Sunday and did not return. — Jamison Hensley
Week 7 result: Beat the Saints 16-10
Week 7 ranking: 17
Best offseason addition: CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Both of the Steelers’ starting cornerbacks, Samuel and Jamel Dean, have made big plays this season. But Samuel has turned a modest one-year, $4 million deal into a solidified role. Part of the reason Pittsburgh was comfortable trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas was because of Samuel, who has parlayed a stellar offseason into seven pass deflections through seven games. He has successfully rebuilt his career after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April 2025. — Jeremy Fowler
Week 7 result: Lost to the Lions 20-17
Week 7 ranking: 11
Best offseason addition: DC Jonathan Gannon
Gannon, who took over after Jeff Hafley got the Dolphins’ coaching job, has the Packers back to taking the ball away. They lead the NFL in forced turnovers (13) and interceptions (nine). They’ve already topped their interception total from all of last season (seven) and nearly matched their takeaway total (14). Two years ago, the Packers had the fourth-most takeaways with 31, including 17 interceptions. But they slipped in Hafley’s final season. Gannon has also used disguises and blitzes to manufacture pressure without injured edge rusher Micah Parsons. — Rob Demovsky
Week 7 result: Beat the Titans 27-24
Week 7 ranking: 19
Best offseason addition: HC Todd Monken
The first-year coach has the Browns at 5-2 for the second time since the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is playing his best football with the Browns, and the NFL’s second-youngest team has taken on Monken’s ethos as a tough, resilient bunch with a league-high five winning drives. “Coach Monk has put us in these situations in practice time after time … so whenever we get into the game and whenever we get into these situations, we already have the confidence to go down there and set up a game-winning drive,” rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion said. — Daniel Oyefusi
Week 7 result: Beat the Texans 27-21 (OT)
Week 7 ranking: 23
Best offseason addition: HC John Harbaugh
Tight end Isaiah Likely, edge rusher Arvell Reese and defensive tackle DJ Reader are all really good options. But it has to be Harbaugh and the coaching staff he assembled in New York. He has taken a team that won seven games combined the past two seasons to matching its 2025 win total before the midway point of the season. And Harbaugh has done the majority of it without starting quarterback Jaxson Dart (left knee surgery). Most importantly, the Giants seem to have developed a new culture and identity under Harbaugh. His influence has been immeasurable. — Jordan Raanan
Week 7 result: Lost to the Buccaneers 43-13
Week 7 ranking: 15
Best offseason addition: LB Devin Lloyd
The Panthers’ defense has been up and down this season, but it has been hard to question Lloyd’s role as the alpha linebacker in the middle of the unit. He missed the team’s Week 3 loss to the Browns, but he has made an impact as a playmaker and blitzer with 39 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown in his five appearances. Lloyd has been well worth the three-year, $45 million deal he received in free agency. — Mike Kaye
Week 7 result: Beat the 49ers 29-20
Week 7 ranking: 22
Best offseason addition: Edge Za’Darius Smith
Smith has missed two games (concussion, neck), but his presence in the locker room alone has been a major boon for the Falcons. After joining the team during training camp, the 34-year-old took on a leadership role right away, even hosting a lamb chop and lobster tail dinner for the defensive line at his new home. Meanwhile, in the five games he has played, Smith has a team-leading 4.5 sacks. He is 15th in quarterback pressure rate (17.4%) among defenders with at least 85 pass-rush snaps. — Marc Raimondi
Week 7 result: Beat the Eagles 38-21
Week 7 ranking: 20
Best offseason addition: DT Otito Ogbonnia
It wasn’t supposed to be this way when the Cowboys put together their roster in the offseason. Their biggest free agent signing in a decade, safety Jalen Thompson, has missed the past four games because of a hamstring injury and hasn’t made game-changing plays. First-round pick Caleb Downs has been OK at safety. The other first-round pick, edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, moved into the starting lineup in Week 6. Ogbonnia, who signed a modest one-year, $2.75 million deal, has been the Cowboys’ best run defender up front over Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. — Todd Archer
Week 7 result: Lost to the Giants 27-21 (OT)
Week 7 ranking: 16
Best offseason addition: TE Foster Moreau
The Texans didn’t have many big offseason acquisitions, but Moreau has provided help in the run game. And he has been a good red zone threat with three total touchdowns. Moreau has played 43% of the snaps, eating into the playing time of tight end Dalton Schultz, who is down from 70% in 2025 to 57% this season. Moreau helps Houston’s offense not be predictable when he’s in the game. Even though Houston has just two wins, its offense is averaging 24 points per game. And Moreau is a noteworthy part of the unit. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 7 result: Lost to the Rams 35-21
Week 7 ranking: 18
Best offseason addition: QB Kirk Cousins
While the masses are eager to see Fernando Mendoza take over the offense, Cousins has played surprisingly well to the point that the No. 1 pick has had to wait longer than expected to be the starter. Cousins, 38, ranks third in passing yards (1,877) and first in touchdown passes (16). Sure, the limitations at his age, such as arm strength and mobility, have been prevalent. But Las Vegas’ four-game losing streak is not solely on him. Coach Klint Kubiak confirmed that Cousins will start in Week 8 against the Jets. — Ryan McFadden
Week 7 result: Lost to the Cowboys 38-21
Week 7 ranking: 21
Best offseason addition: WR Dontayvion Wicks
The Eagles acquired Wicks in April from the Packers in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder, then signed him to a one-year, $12.5 million extension. He quickly established himself as the No. 2 wideout behind DeVonta Smith, ranked second on the team in receiving yards (284), first in catches that resulted in a first down (16) and tied for first in receptions of 20-plus yards (three). An ankle injury sidelined him for Monday night’s game against the Cowboys. — Tim McManus
Week 7 result: Beat the Panthers 43-13
Week 7 ranking: 28
Best offseason addition: LB Josiah Trotter
DT A’Shawn Robinson and edge Al-Quadin Muhammad were also in consideration because of the impact plays they’ve made up front, but Trotter has produced a 42.5% run stop win rate — the highest on the team and 10th best of any position in the league. The second-round pick’s 9.5 tackles per game is the ninth most in the league, too. His 17.2% tackle percentage is fourth highest in the league. And of course, he had one of the most memorable rookie debuts in Week 1, with a sack, two tackles for a loss, a pick-six and 10 combined tackles. — Jenna Laine
Week 7 result: Lost to the Steelers 16-10
Week 7 ranking: 24
Best offseason addition: CB Martin Emerson Jr.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss and guard David Edwards were two of the Saints’ major free agent signings, but on Sunday, the team rushed for 18 yards and gave up 148 rushing yards despite Elliss returning from a calf injury. The pleasant surprise the past few weeks has been Emerson. The former Brown started the season as a backup but ranks second on the Saints in pass breakups (four), is tied for first with two interceptions and has one forced fumble. He earned a starting role in Paris after being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6. — Katherine Terrell
Week 7 result: Lost to the Vikings 16-10
Week 7 ranking: 26
Best offseason addition: RB Seth McGowan
The Colts had a quiet offseason when it came to outside acquisitions. They took a swing at landing edge rusher Trey Hendrickson but otherwise were not particularly aggressive in free agency. They also did not have a first-round draft choice. So, the contributions of McGowan stand out a bit more. He has provided nice depth behind star back Jonathan Taylor, and he has quickly become one of the top kickoff returners in the NFL. The seventh-round pick is averaging 28.3 yards per return, eighth most in the league this season. — Stephen Holder
Week 7 result: Lost to the Dolphins 28-25 Best offseason addition: Edge David Bailey Bailey, the No. 2 draft pick, leads the team in sacks (5.5), forced fumbles (three), tackles for loss (seven) and QB hits (nine). Bailey has delivered one huge game (three sacks versus Cleveland in Week 5) and a handful of solid ones. Everybody knew about his speed and explosiveness during the predraft process, but the most impressive part of his game is his relentless motor. He will be a foundational piece for the Jets moving forward. — Rich Cimini Week 7 result: Lost to the Broncos 30-16 Best offseason addition: WR Kendrick Bourne The veteran wide receiver, who signed a two-year deal this offseason, has been a reliable third or fourth option for quarterback Jacoby Brissett. That has been especially true after Marvin Harrison Jr. was traded away three weeks ago, as tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson have gotten a significant amount of attention from defenses. Bourne has 234 yards on 25 catches in seven games. He’s on pace for a career high in catches and the third-most receiving yards of his career. — Josh Weinfuss Week 7 result: Bye Best offseason addition: LB Sonny Styles Styles, the No. 7 pick, has been exactly what Washington had hoped. His speed has made a difference on numerous plays, including on a pass breakup versus San Francisco in Week 6 when he stripped receiver Mike Evans to cause an incompletion. Styles leads Washington with 46 tackles and is second with three for a loss. He has a sack, an interception and a forced fumble — one of three NFL linebackers to have each of those. His four pass breakups is tied for second most among all linebackers. — John Keim Week 7 result: Beat the Jets 28-25 Best offseason addition: LB Jacob Rodriguez The Dolphins were so impressed by their second-round pick this summer that they waived Tyrel Dodson, last season’s starter. And the rookie has repaid their faith. Rodriguez set the tone with 14 tackles in Week 1 and eventually set a franchise rookie record with 18 tackles in Week 4. He is second in the NFL in tackles per game (10.2) and 15th in run stop wins (49). General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said on draft night that Rodriguez would call the Dolphins’ defense at some point — and he was ready to do so in Week 1. — Marcel Louis-Jacques Week 7 result: Lost to the Browns 27-24 Best offseason addition: WR Carnell Tate Tate has quickly taken over as the Titans’ No. 1 receiver, leading them in targets (51), receptions (34) and receiving yards (413). The Titans originally had Tate working as an “X” receiver, but he recently started to move across the formation to create favorable matchups. He has drawn praise for how quickly he learned the playbook from all three receiver positions. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said Tate has been even-keeled despite the highs and lows of the team’s season. — Turron Davenport Week 7 result: Bye Best offseason addition: Edge Akheem Mesidor Mesidor, the No. 22 pick, has 2.5 sacks, five QB hits and a forced fumble in his first six games as a pro, one of the few bright spots on a Chargers team that has taken several steps back this season. He has played 53% of the team’s defensive snaps, but that number could increase if the team deals away veterans such as edge rusher Khalil Mack before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Mesidor is the first Ottawa-born first-round pick in NFL history. — ESPN
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