NFL free agency won’t officially begin until next Wednesday, and the legal-contact window won’t even open until noon ET on Monday. However, teams aren’t waiting until next week to take big offseason swings.
Trades are already being made around the league, and with notable players getting released, signings should soon follow. Bleacher Report’s team of NFL analysts— Brent Sobleski, Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, and Maurice Moton—is tracking all the action and weighing in on the early deals.
Grades are based on factors such as player upside, positional value, trade compensation, contract value and how deals fit into each team’s trajectory.
Jets and Titans Swap Young Defenders
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Tennessee Titans Receive: Edge Jermaine Johnson II
New York Jets Receive: DT T’Vondre Sweat
Titans: B
T’Vondre Sweat has been a capable starter for the Tennessee Titans since they drafted him with a second-round pick in 2024. However, the 24-year-old nose tackle is best-suited for a 3-4 base alignment, and Tennessee is likely to transition to an even front under new head coach Robert Saleh.
Instead of trying to force Sweat into a new role, the Titans flipped him for New York Jets edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson II. It’s a sensible deal for Tennessee, even if Johnson comes with question marks.
The 27-year-old missed most of the 2024 season with a torn Achilles and underwhelmed in 2025, but he was a Pro Bowler in 2023. Saleh’s defense will call for a strong edge-rushing rotation, and Johnson still has a lot of long-term potential.
Jets: C+
Sweat should be a natural fit for Aaron Glenn’s 3-4 base defense, and he gives the Jets a relatively proven starter with two years of contract control. That’s a solid return for Johnson, even if New York might have gotten more value a few months ago.
SNY’s Connor Hughes reported the Jets weren’t “particularly interested” in dealing Johnson for a second-round pick at last year’s trade deadline.
Johnson is entering a contract year, and the Jets may soon have a younger defender in their edge rotation. There’s a real chance that New York takes a pass-rushing prospect like Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. or Ohio State’s Arvell Reese with the second overall pick in April’s draft.
Browns Acquire Tytus Howard, Extend Him on 3-Year Deal
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Cleveland Browns Receive: OL Tytus Howard
Houston Texans Receive: 2026 5th-round pick
Browns: A
With no reliable left tackle, offensive linemen Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic and Joel Bitonio all set to be free agents and right tackle Jack Conklin looming as a potential cap casualty, the Cleveland Browns may have to overhaul their entire offensive line this offseason. Unfortunately, Cleveland is projected to be over the cap and may struggle to lure top offensive linemen in free agency.
That’s why acquiring Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans for a Day 3 pick and extending him on a three-year, $63 million deal was a savvy move.
Howard was ranked 17th among tackles in pass-blocking this past season by Pro Football Focus, and he’s capable of playing both right tackle and guard. The 29-year-old will give the Browns some flexibility in rebuilding the rest of their line this offseason.
Texans: D+
Howard was arguably Houston’s most reliable lineman in 2025, but he was set to carry a cap hit of nearly $28 million this season. The Texans are also slated to be over the cap, so this wasn’t a stunning move.
“I kind of knew it was going to happen,” Howard said, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV Houston.
While the compensation is underwhelming, the Texans at least got something in return for a pricey player on an expiring contract. Of course, the deal leaves Houston in need of another dependable starter heading into free agency.
Texans Add David Montgomery, Lions Cash In on Their RB2
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Houston Texans Receive: RB David Montgomery
Detroit Lions Receive: 2026 4th-round pick, 2027 7th-round pick, OL Juice Scruggs
Texans: B-
The Texans need to better support quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has regressed since his impressive rookie season. Bolstering a rushing attack that ranked 29th in yards per carry last season would be a start.
On paper, David Montgomery should be a strong complement to second-year back Woody Marks. His role with the Detroit Lions decreased over the past two years, but he averaged 4.5 yards per carry in 2025 while rushing for eight touchdowns.
The Texans did surrender a lot for a running back who will turn 29 this offseason, but acquiring Montgomery should allow them to bypass the running back position in free agency.
Lions: B
Trading Montgomery won’t make the Lions’ offense better in a vacuum. While Jahmyr Gibbs has shown he can handle a high-volume workload, Montgomery is still one of the league’s better change-of-pace and short-yardage backs.
Still, Detroit should be able to find a solid complement to Gibbs in free agency or the draft. The backfield may not be as potent with a new RB2, but with Gibbs leading the rotation, it should remain functional.
The Lions are getting solid compensation in return for Montgomery, plus a young lineman in Juice Scruggs. The 2023 second-round pick has 20 starts on his resume and should compete for playing time along the interior.
