The NFL’s new league year started on March 11 at 4:00 p.m., giving teams the green light to make free agent contracts official. A few offensive players have signed with new teams in this free agency cycle.
Some teams brought in offensive impact talent, but others brought in depth on the roster. Either way, this NFL free agency cycle could shake up fantasy drafts going into next season. There were a lot of competitions that were more than likely solved through free agency, and some players are worse off for it.
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Trey Benson
Trey Benson was drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft to eventually be the lead back for the Arizona Cardinals. The FSU product showed the speed and elusiveness to be an elite running back, and with James Conner a popular cut candidate, people thought that Benson would get his chance.
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Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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That’s not how the Cardinals proceeded with free agency. They negotiated a new deal with Conner to keep him around until 2027, and they also signed Atlanta Falcons power back Tyler Allgeier.
At 25 years old, Allgeier is young enough to be considered the running back of the future, and with the money Arizona invested in Allgeier, he’ll get the first crack at it. That means Trey Benson has little chance to be relevant in a Cardinals uniform.
Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara has been a New Orleans Saint through thick and thin. He’s never been close to leaving the team, to the point where he basically threatened to retire if the New Orleans Saints traded him away.
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Alvin Kamara play for the New Orleans Saints against Tennessee TItans | Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
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However, the Saints are ready to move on. They’ve signed Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne to lead the backfield. Etienne had a monster season of 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, along with an extra 292 yards and six touchdowns on 36 receptions.
Whether or not Kamara decides to stay, his value diminishes a lot. There’s a chance the Saints trade him to a good spot, but his pathway to fantasy relevance is no longer in his control.
D.K. Metcalf
Metcalf’s move to the Steelers was already a negative to his production, and it showed last season. He went down from 66 receptions and 992 yards in the 2024-25 season to 59 receptions for 850 yards this past season. This is despite the fact that he was the undisputed No. 1 receiver in Pittsburgh.
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Dec 21, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
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Now, he’s got superstar talent to compete with for carries. The Steelers traded for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. He had a down year, but he still earned 80 receptions and seven touchdowns, so he’ll take a lot from Metcalf’s workload.
The Steelers quarterback situation is also up in the air, with Aaron Rodgers’ retirement status uncertain. Pittsburgh has missed out on a ton of other quarterback options in the free agency market, so the best-case scenario would be getting back Aaron Rodgers. Still, the acquisition of Pittman doesn’t bode well for Metcalf’s fantasy relevance.
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