Three weeks into the NFL season, early returns on offseason veteran additions are already shaping several teams’ starts. The undefeated Las Vegas Raiders have received a major lift from linebacker Nakobe Dean, while Washington, Atlanta and the New York Giants are getting important work from new defensive-line pieces. Elsewhere, Dallas’ defensive overhaul has yet to deliver, and injuries or uneven play have clouded the outlook for several high-profile acquisitions.
Raiders keep rolling behind Dean
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Las Vegas improved to 3-0 with a 35-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints, continuing a sharp turnaround after owning the first overall draft selection.
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Dean again made a case as one of free agency’s best early signings. The Raiders gave the linebacker a three-year contract worth $36.06 million, and he has become a central figure in their unbeaten start.
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Against New Orleans, Dean made an impact in man coverage and in zone looks over the middle. He also delivered a tackle for loss against Alvin Kamara, beat blocks consistently and ranged across the field against both the run and pass.
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His fourth-quarter forced fumble in the flat helped close out the game, while a third-down blitz pressure forced an incompletion. His ability to rush while matched with running backs has remained a notable part of his game.
Defensive fronts producing early returns
Cameron Thomas fills Atlanta need
Edge rusher Cameron Thomas signed a one-year, $3.095 million deal with the Falcons after moving around the league since Arizona drafted him in the third round in 2022. He turned in his strongest performance Thursday night in Atlanta’s upset of the Green Bay Packers, registering seven pressures.
Thomas used active hands on outside rushes, worked inside effectively and generated disruption on stunts. He has 12 pressures through three games, and his 17.4 percent pressure rate ranks 13th among defenders with at least 50 pass-rush snaps.
Atlanta needs that production. The club is without 2025 first-round picks Jalon Walker, who is on injured reserve, and James Pearce Jr., who is suspended.
Tim Settle helps Washington control the run
Tim Settle returned to Washington on a three-year, $24 million free-agent contract, rejoining the franchise that selected him in 2018. He has supplied a reliable interior presence for a Commanders defense that has excelled against the run under coordinator Daronte Jones.
Washington ranks third in defensive EPA per rush and has allowed only 110 rushing yards across its past two games. In Sunday’s upset of Seattle, the Commanders limited the Seahawks to 44 yards on the ground.
Settle was a key part of that performance, holding up against the run and deflecting a Sam Darnold pass that rookie linebacker Sonny Styles intercepted. Washington’s pass coverage remains a concern, but its ability to force opponents into passing situations has become a dependable foundation.
D.J. Reader fortifies Giants interior
The Giants signed D.J. Reader to a two-year, $12.5 million contract after trading former nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati. Reader has helped address a run defense that finished last in the league a year ago.
In a wet, low-scoring win over Tennessee, Reader absorbed double teams and held his ground at the line of scrimmage. Under coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, New York sits 11th in defensive EPA per rush through three weeks.
Dallas changes have not fixed the defense
The Cowboys rebuilt heavily after a poor 2025 defensive season undermined an elite year from Dak Prescott and the offense. Dallas hired Christian Parker as coordinator, acquired Rashan Gary and Dee Winters in trades, drafted Caleb Downs in the first round and signed Cobie Durant, Jalen Thompson and Von Miller.
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Through three games, Dallas ranks 30th in defensive EPA per play and is producing the same per-play EPA result it posted in 2025.
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The pass defense has declined, while Winters has struggled against the run. He also missed a critical tackle in coverage on third-and-6 late in the Cowboys’ loss to Baltimore in Brazil.
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Gary and Miller have combined for nine pressures, a modest total for two veteran edge additions.
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Injuries have further weakened the back end. Durant, Thompson and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown have hamstring injuries; Malik Hooker is sidelined by a wrist injury; and cornerback Shavon Revel hurt his knee against the Ravens.
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The depleted secondary left practice-squad promotion Reddy Steward in man coverage against Zay Flowers with seven seconds remaining Sunday. Flowers’ reception positioned Baltimore for the decisive field goal.
One positive has been defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia, who has provided solid run support after joining Dallas in free agency. Still, the larger vision for the defense has not taken hold.
Saints lose Etienne after limited opening role
New Orleans committed four years and $48 million to Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency, but his workload had been limited before Sunday. He has 41 touches, placing him 25th among NFL running backs through three games.
The contrast is stark with Kenneth Walker III, who signed a comparable deal with Kansas City and has already handled 76 touches. Etienne was more involved against the Raiders, receiving 15 touches before leaving with a hamstring injury with 6:33 left in the third quarter.
He had broken free on a run toward the right side and appeared headed for his first gain of at least 20 yards this season before pulling up in space. Etienne is expected to miss time, adding further concern to an expensive investment that has not yet yielded much production.
Murray’s uneven return leaves Vikings searching for answers
Minnesota has made its quarterback decision for the immediate future. The Vikings signed Kyler Murray in free agency and traded 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to the Giants this week.
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Murray played only 11 snaps in the opener before sustaining a concussion.
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He missed Minnesota’s Week 2 game.
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He returned in Week 3 and struggled despite a Vikings win over Tampa Bay, missing throws and taking sacks on more than one-quarter of his pressured dropbacks.
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He also threw an interception at the line of scrimmage on a pass that had little chance to clear the linemen in front of him.
Minnesota is still 3-0, largely because Brian Flores’ defense ranks first in EPA per play. But coach Kevin O’Connell needs more consistent quarterback play if the Vikings are to become genuine contenders rather than a team surviving on defensive dominance.
Pittman still trying to find rhythm in Pittsburgh
The Steelers acquired Michael Pittman from Indianapolis in March in a swap involving Day 3 draft selections, then committed to him with a two-year extension averaging $17.5 million annually.
Pittman had two catchable passes slip through his hands in Pittsburgh’s 30-27 win against Cincinnati. He finished with two receptions for 16 yards on five targets.
Training-camp time lost to injury may have contributed to the early rust. Pittsburgh is 2-1, and Aaron Rodgers has shown more life than he did in 2025, but the Steelers will need their newly paid receiver to become a steadier part of the passing game.
