March in the NFL is always a frenzy. Every year, it feels like half the league hits the reset button, throwing around nine-figure contracts and making blockbuster trades. But when the dust settles, who actually improved? Not just who spent the most, but who made moves that genuinely elevate their roster for 2026 and beyond.
Look, a lot of teams made noise. The Atlanta Falcons, for example, dropped a cool $180 million on Kirk Cousins, with $100 million guaranteed. That's a massive investment for a quarterback who’ll be 36 next season and is coming off an Achilles tear. They also brought in Darnell Mooney, a solid receiver who averaged 500 yards over the last two seasons with Chicago. But did they improve enough to truly contend in the NFC South, especially after missing the playoffs at 7-10 last year? I'm not so sure. They needed more than a veteran QB to fix that offense.
Then you have teams like the Philadelphia Eagles. They didn't go for the flashiest names, but they made incredibly shrewd moves. Bringing back Brandon Graham on a one-year, $4 million deal was huge for locker room presence and pass rush depth. But the real genius was signing Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million contract. Huff, who had 10 sacks for the Jets last year, immediately upgrades their edge rush. They also locked up Landon Dickerson to a four-year, $84 million extension, keeping their dominant offensive line intact. The Eagles finished 11-6 last season, but collapsed late. These moves are about reinforcing their identity.
The Houston Texans deserve a ton of credit too. After a surprise 10-7 season and a playoff win, GM Nick Caserio didn't rest. They traded for Joe Mixon, giving up just a seventh-round pick for a running back who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2023. Then they signed Danielle Hunter to a two-year, $49 million deal. Hunter is coming off a 16.5-sack season with the Vikings. Adding that kind of pass-rushing talent opposite Will Anderson Jr. is terrifying for opposing offenses. They also brought in Jeff Okudah to bolster the secondary. The Texans are building something real around C.J. Stroud.
Not every team can be a winner. The Carolina Panthers, despite having the No. 1 pick last year, are still in a tough spot. They spent big on Robert Hunt, giving the guard a five-year, $100 million deal. That's a lot of money for an interior lineman, even a good one. They also traded for Diontae Johnson, a receiver who caught 51 passes for 717 yards last season. These are improvements, yes, but they still feel like pieces without a clear picture. After a dismal 2-15 record in 2023, they needed more foundational shifts, not just expensive upgrades at specific positions. Bryce Young needs weapons, but he also needs time in the pocket, and while Hunt helps, it’s not enough.
Real talk: The biggest winner of March has to be the Baltimore Ravens. They lost some key players like Patrick Queen and Gus Edwards, but they reloaded brilliantly. They signed Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16 million deal. Henry, even at 30, rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Pairing him with Lamar Jackson is going to be an absolute nightmare for defenses. They also brought in cornerback Ronald Darby on a two-year, $8.5 million contract, adding veteran depth to their secondary. The Ravens were 13-4 last year and now they’re even scarier.
My bold prediction? The Houston Texans, fueled by their aggressive and smart off-season, will win the AFC South by at least two games and make a deep playoff run, potentially even reaching the AFC Championship game.