2026 NFL offseason moves: ESPN puts Myles Garrett to Rams at No. 1

ESPN’s 2026 NFL offseason moves ranking has Myles Garrett’s trade to the Los Angeles Rams sitting at the very top, with Matt Bowen calling the star edge rusher the most impactful newcomer of the year.

Bowen’s July 28 list measures expected first-season on-field impact only. He wrote that contract size, trade price and draft cost were left out, putting the focus on what each new arrival can do once games start.

The ranking covers additions through trades, free agency and the draft across 27 teams, according to ESPN. For the second year in a row, Bowen put a Rams pickup at No. 1.

What are the top 2026 NFL offseason moves?

Garrett leads the board after joining a Rams defense run by coordinator Chris Shula. ESPN noted Garrett was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season and set the single-season sack record with 23.

Bowen wrote that Garrett’s edge-setting and pass-rushing tools should lift the Rams’ defense as a whole, including the secondary. Los Angeles also landed cornerback Trent McDuffie, who came in at No. 3 on the list after the Rams added him following a season of uneven cornerback play.

Between Garrett and McDuffie, the New England Patriots’ trade for wide receiver A.J. Brown landed at No. 2. Bowen said Brown gives quarterback Drake Maye a true No. 1 receiver and helps New England create more one-on-one throws outside.

Brown cleared 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN. Bowen paired that move with New England’s signing of Romeo Doubs as a major reset for a receiver room he said lacked impact last season.

• No. 1: Myles Garrett, edge, traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
• No. 2: A.J. Brown, wide receiver, traded to the New England Patriots.
• No. 3: Trent McDuffie, cornerback, traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
• No. 4: Dexter Lawrence II, defensive tackle, traded to the Cincinnati Bengals.
• No. 5: Trey Hendrickson, edge, signed by the Baltimore Ravens.

Cincinnati’s move for Dexter Lawrence II ranked fourth. Bowen described Lawrence as an elite interior defender whose power can force protection plans to change, while also calling him a high-level run defender despite a career-low 28 tackles on designed rushes in 2025.

Baltimore’s signing of Trey Hendrickson rounded out the top five. ESPN said a failed physical sent Maxx Crosby back to Las Vegas, but the Ravens still improved their pass rush by adding Hendrickson. Bowen pointed to Hendrickson’s 17.5 sacks and 65 pressures in 2024, while noting injuries limited him to seven games in 2025.

Which quarterback and rookies made the list?

Kyler Murray was the first quarterback named, ranked sixth after signing with the Minnesota Vikings. Bowen said Murray is likely to start in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, which can use play-action throws and designed concepts while also featuring Murray’s running ability.

The first rookie on the list was Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs at No. 7. Bowen projected Downs for a slot safety role in nickel packages under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Other notable names in ESPN’s top section included center Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 8, Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos at No. 9, DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills at No. 10 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 11.

Bowen also highlighted Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans, Carolina Panthers edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor and Cleveland Browns edge rusher Jared Verse among the next wave of impact newcomers.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.