Every NFL team's offseason goal is to improve. Depending on an individual team's timeline, that might mean getting better now, getting better later or simply setting itself up for the chance to get better down the road. But no matter where an organization is, the offseason requires a flurry of team-building decisions that will have a lasting impact on their franchise for years to come. With that, we're taking a leap and grading every team's 2024 offseason.
The grades you see below are about only this offseason, and they are focused on the choices each team made based on the situation it was in at the start of the offseason. For example, the Bears won't get much consideration for drafting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No.1 pick -- he was almost certainly going to be a Bear from the day the offseason began. But trading for wide receiver Keenan Allen? That was a decision and move that took effort.
Everything is fair game in this exercise -- free agency, trades, draft picks, extensions and coaching changes. We'll start with the best grades and go to the worst. Teams that have identical grades are listed in alphabetical order. Let's dive in and grade all 32 teams, starting with the Eagles.
Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Philadelphia Eagles: A
Biggest move: Extending WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith
Move I liked: Swapping edge rusher Haason Reddick for edge rusher Bryce Huff and getting a third-round pick
Move I disliked: Signing RB Saquon Barkley for $26 million fully guaranteed
The Eagles' 2023 season ended with a whimper and future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce retired, but their 2024 offseason set them up to be Super Bowl contenders once again. The team turned its offense and defense over to coordinators Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio, respectively, who both appear to be upgrades. That's critical because the roster is still really good.
Philadelphia engineered a pass-rusher swap of sorts with the Jets, signing Huff in free agency, then dealing Reddick back to New York. Philadelphia came out ahead. Even though Reddick is the more proven pass-rusher, Huff's metrics -- he ranked eighth in pass rush win rate at edge rusher in 2023, one spot behind Reddick -- suggest he's a similar player (and four years younger). The Eagles also got a conditional third-round pick (which could become a second). Toss in defensive end Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, and this team will be able to get after the quarterback.
The secondary was a weakness, but they threw resources at it, drafting cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean and bringing back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. And they still have corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry, who could easily bounce back.
I wouldn't have paid Barkley real money like they did ($26 million fully guaranteed), but he should be an upgrade at running back, adding to the team's plethora of skill position riches along with Brown, Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert.
Philadelphia was aggressive about signing its own, too, inking Brown, Smith, guard Landon Dickerson and offensive tackle Jordan Mailata to new deals. While the wide receiver contracts were expensive -- $32 million (Brown) and $25 million (Smith) APYs -- they are stellar players in their prime. Dickerson's deal was well-timed, just ahead of a very expensive guard market. Though he now has the highest APY of any guard, win rates suggest he's an elite player and might have cost more if the team had waited until after the free agency rush to extend him.
The Eagles also maneuvered the draft well, reaping expensive prices when trading down and only trading up when the moves were cheaper.
Kansas City Chiefs: A-
Biggest move: Trading CB L'Jarius Sneed to the Titans
Move I liked: Signing WR Marquise Brown for $7 million
Move I disliked: The rolling guarantee in DT Chris Jones' contract
The Chiefs won the Super Bowl with a major weakness at wide receiver but were smart enough to not try to repeat such a thing. They added Brown -- not a superstar but certainly a major upgrade -- in free agency on a one-year, $7 million deal. And while I normally criticize draft-day trade-ups, the Chiefs' move for Xavier Worthy was worthwhile because it was a cheap move and Worthy brings a level of speed the Chiefs need.
The team recommitted to Jones with a new five-year, $158.75 million contract. Jones has certainly earned it -- he finished first or second in pass rush win rate among defensive tackles in each of the past four seasons -- but this was a huge contract for a player who turns 30 in July. While it starts with $60 million fully guaranteed, $35 million more is guaranteed for 2026 if he is on the roster in 2025, per ESPN Roster Management.
Kansas City dealt Sneed for a third-round pick rather than pay him on the franchise tag or sign him to an extension. While the compensation was a bit less than I'd have expected, I don't fault the Chiefs for making the move. They have to decide where to put their resources, and they have another very good corner in Trent McDuffie and at least received some compensation for Sneed.
Offensive tackle remains a question, though Kansas City did add Kingsley Suamataia in the second round of the draft, who might be able to start. And finally, an underrated addition is backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who should be a strong insurance option should Patrick Mahomes go down with a short-term injury.
Mina Kimes calls Chris "Mad Dog" Russo's list of teams that can challenge the Chiefs next season "one of the worst things" she's ever seen.
Los Angeles Chargers: A-
Biggest move: Hiring head coach Jim Harbaugh
Move I liked: Hiring Harbaugh
Move I disliked: Not adding a higher-quality veteran WR
It's hard not to buy the Chargers long term with Harbaugh on board given his incredible track record and Justin Herbert under center. This is a team that should be a force in the future.
But what I liked most about the Chargers' offseason was their restraint. They entered the offseason with an aging, expensive roster and instead of trying to gain some short-term wins by borrowing resources from the future, the Chargers largely set up the roster to use this season as a steppingstone for 2025 and beyond. They made minor moves in free agency -- signing veteran players such as linebacker Denzel Perryman, running back Gus Edwards, center Bradley Bozeman and tight end Hayden Hurst -- released high-priced receiver Mike Williams and traded receiver Keenan Allen, another costly veteran. They retained their two veteran edge rushers, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack (a bit of a surprise), but got them to take pay cuts.
In offensive tackle Joe Alt and receiver Ladd McConkey, the Chargers selected two players at key positions early in the draft. Alt should pair up with 2021 Pro Bowler Rashawn Slater to set this team up at tackle for a long time.
After this offseason, the Chargers' roster is a bit diminished and likely can't support a title run ... yet. But they have cap space in 2025 and should be back in the Super Bowl mix soon given their quarterback and head coach.
Miami Dolphins: A-
Biggest move: Losing DT Christian Wilkins and G Robert Hunt in free agency
Move I liked: Signing CB Kendall Fuller
Move I disliked: Signing LB Jordyn Brooks
Miami was set up to lose some talent this offseason and it did. Wilkins and Hunt left in free agency for monster deals with the Raiders and Panthers, respectively. While the Dolphins would have been better on the field in 2024 with those players, it made sense not to match the offers they received. Miami is expected to receive a third-round compensatory pick for each of them, per OverTheCap. Safety Brandon Jones, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, linebacker Jerome Baker and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis all left, too.
Miami didn't stand pat in the face of those losses, adding Brooks, Fuller, center Aaron Brewer, edge rusher Shaquil Barrett, tight end Jonnu Smith and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The deal I really like is for Fuller, a reliable veteran corner who is costing the Dolphins only $15 million for two seasons with just $8 million fully guaranteed. He allowed 1.3 yards per coverage snap (average for a corner) or better in each of the past five seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats. I'm less excited about Brooks, considering his 35% run stop win rate was unspectacular and he struggled in coverage prior to 2023.
Miami signed receiver Jaylen Waddle to a long-term extension, and while the $28 million APY might produce initial shock, the deal only contains $36 million fully guaranteed and is buoyed by high salaries in 2027 and 2028, so it's less expensive than it seems.
It's notable that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has not been extended yet. While it's best to lock down elite talents, there are still questions about Tagovailoa's true talent level, so a long-term deal at this stage isn't a must -- the team can use the franchise tag on him next year if needed. Flexibility can be a good thing.
New England Patriots: A-
Biggest move: Drafting QB Drake Maye
Move I liked: Signing QB Jacoby Brissett
Move I disliked: Not signing a veteran guard
Sure, New England's offseason will hinge entirely on how Maye pans out. But the moves the Patriots made around drafting the rookie quarterback make sense for a team building toward reopening its contending window in 2025. The Patriots brought back offensive tackle Mike Onwenu, defensive tackle Christian Barmore and edge rusher Joshua Uche for cheaper prices than expected and added Brissett as a high-quality bridge and/or backup quarterback for $8 million -- also cheap.
The Patriots drafted two wideouts -- Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker -- from the strong wide receiver class, adding them to a group that includes Kendrick Bourne (also a 2024 re-signing), DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster and free agent signing K.J. Osborn. Receiver remains a weakness, but at least there's upside now.
Signing Chukwuma Okorafor for just $4 million looks like a potential steal -- he ranked 12th among tackles in pass block win rate last season. Guard looks like a potential weak point with Cole Strange and Sidy Sow, who struggled in pass protection last year according to the win rates. Both are still young and could improve, however.
Most importantly, the team has plenty of resources left. It has a lot of cap space in 2024 ($47 million as of this writing) and 2025 ($118 million). That might be too much space heading into next season, so maybe the Patriots should have spent a little more, but they are set up well to add more talent again next year.
Chicago Bears: B+
Biggest move: Drafting QB Caleb Williams
Move I liked: Signing CB Jaylon Johnson to a long-term deal
Move I disliked: Signing RB D'Andre Swift for $14 million fully guaranteed
Though not a major part of these grades (as mentioned in the intro), the success or failure of Williams will shape this team for years. The corresponding move was trading Justin Fields. While I'm generally low on Fields, it was fairly shocking how little compensation -- a sixth-round pick -- the Bears were able to muster and were willing to accept for him.
The Bears signed franchise-tagged cornerback Johnson to a deal of $19 million per year with almost $44 million fully guaranteed -- a substantial guarantee but quite reasonable in terms of APY.
Chicago dealt a fourth-round pick for Keenan Allen for one year at $23 million. Considering the inexpensive draft compensation and that Allen is coming off one of his best seasons -- he recorded a 91 open score in 2023, via ESPN's receiver tracking metrics -- I'm good with making this move, even as a one-year rental. The Bears are in the unusual position of being able to draft an elite quarterback while possessing a capable roster, so why not go for it? Along with receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze and a solid offensive line, if Williams hits right away, the Bears' offense will be instantly dangerous and the team will be a legitimate contender. Speaking of Odunze, the Bears did well to resist trading up and still landed him with the No. 9 pick.
I didn't love the way the Bears rushed to sign Swift for $14 million fully guaranteed when he was coming off a season when he recorded minus-65 rush yards over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The Bears cut guard Cody Whitehair -- who signed with the Raiders on an inexpensive deal -- despite him finishing sixth in pass block win rate last season.
Lastly, it looks like the Bears made an upgrade at offensive coordinator. Former OC Luke Getsy failed to get the most out of Fields, while new OC Shane Waldron helped Geno Smith excel in Seattle.
Cleveland Browns: B+
Biggest move: Trading for WR Jerry Jeudy and signing him to a new contract
Move I liked: The Jeudy trade
Move I disliked: Not trading for QB Justin Fields
The biggest move in a reasonably quiet offseason was the trade and new contract for Jeudy. Cleveland dealt fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Broncos for Jeudy before signing him to a new contract that included $41 million guaranteed at signing.
Though Jeudy has not lived up to his pre-draft promise, he still offers upside beyond the production he has shown. In 2021 and 2022, he recorded open scores of 79 and 80, indicating route-running ability that could unlock a higher level of play, especially for someone entering his age-25 season. And it's not like the Browns are giving him superstar compensation: His $17.5 million APY lags far behind the price of stars. We might look back on this trade and contract as a bargain for Cleveland, and I think it's a great bet for a team that needed another receiver, especially one with Jeudy's upside.
The Browns also re-signed defensive end Za'Darius Smith after a season when he recorded only 5.5 sacks but, according to advanced metrics, still disrupted the quarterback, as his 21% pass rush win rate ranked 12th among all qualifiers.
My biggest critique of the Browns this offseason is what they didn't do at quarterback. They added Jameis Winston (and Tyler Huntley) as their backups over Joe Flacco, which was fine given Flacco's age and lack of recent success prior to 2023. But they could have aimed higher. While the Browns are heavily invested in Deshaun Watson, he has played poorly enough in Cleveland that the team ought to look at alternatives rather than run out the clock on a talented roster. Not trading for Fields, who was eventually dealt for a conditional sixth-round pick, was a misstep, in my view.
Indianapolis Colts: B+
Biggest move: New deals for WR Michael Pittman Jr. and DT DeForest Buckner
Move I liked: Signing Pittman Jr. for $23.3 million per year
Moved I disliked: Signing Joe Flacco as backup QB
Indianapolis spent its offseason retaining its own players, signing Pittman, Buckner, cornerback Kenny Moore II, linebacker Zaire Franklin, defensive tackle Grover Stewart and edge rusher Tyquan Lewis to new deals.
The Pittman deal was especially solid. At $23.3 million, the Colts are paying a reasonable price for their No. 1 receiver. Though Buckner is 30, he's coming off a very strong season, ranking fifth in pass rush win rate at defensive tackle and recording eight sacks. Franklin had the second-highest tackle rate (17%) among all players with at least 400 defensive snaps played, while Stewart ranked third in run stop win rate among interior defenders.
While these weren't headline-grabbing moves, the Colts did well to keep their own solid players who can serve as a core around second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson as he develops. That being said, I'm skeptical of signing Flacco as Richardson's backup. While he played well in Cleveland last season, there's a reason he went unsigned until partway into the season.
In the draft, the Colts selected a higher-risk, higher-reward pass-rusher in Laiatu Latu in the first round and receiver Adonai Mitchell, who fell quite a bit, in the second. It's impossible to know if either selection will hit, but the upside is certainly there.
New York Jets: B+
Biggest move: Trading for edge rusher Haason Reddick
Move I liked: Signing OT Tyron Smith
Move I disliked: Retaining offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett
The Jets know who they are, and their 2024 offseason reflected that. With a Super Bowl window that could close after the season, they made moves to shore up needs and crafted a roster around quarterback Aaron Rodgers that has a chance to win.
Don't get me wrong, the Jets' offense hinges on a three-leg health parlay of Rodgers, Smith and wide receiver Mike Williams. It's a long shot that the group lasts the year together, but if it does, the Jets have a real chance. And that's why these made sense; the point is to win the Super Bowl, and this was the best way to try.
The one insurance policy was using a first-round pick on offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, but I like this in conjunction with the two veteran tackle acquisitions (Morgan Moses being the other beyond Smith). On average, rookie tackles -- even first-rounders -- are below average. To count on Fashanu right away would have been tough for a team with this short a window, but at the same time, he at least provides depth behind two injury-risk veterans.
The Eagles got the best of the Jets in an informal swap of Reddick and Bryce Huff. They are similar players, but the Eagles received a third-round pick for the younger (but more unproven) Huff. Otherwise, the Jets were able to bolster their 2024 chances without mortgaging too much of 2025 and beyond. They did err in signing defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw -- had they not, they likely would have been entitled to a fourth-round compensatory pick, per OverTheCap's Nick Korte. Perhaps the biggest error was keeping Hackett, a questionable choice but something they probably had to do to placate Rodgers.
Take a look at the key stats and figures behind ESPN's 2024 NFL Football Power Index.
Baltimore Ravens: B
Biggest move: Re-signing DT Justin Madubuike
Move I liked: Signing RB Derrick Henry for only $9 million fully guaranteed
Move I disliked: Losing G Kevin Zeitler in free agency
One of the Ravens' biggest -- and certainly most fun -- moves of the offseason was signing Henry to a shockingly cheap deal. The $9 million fully guaranteed was less than D'Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, Joe Mixon, Josh Jacobs and Devin Singletary received. Even though Henry has been on the decline for some time, he has always had a large workload. If he splits carries in Baltimore, he could absolutely bring efficiency to its offense.
Baltimore signed Madubuike to a big $98 million deal with $48.5 million fully guaranteed. There's no question the Ravens needed a pass-rusher, and it's hard to fault them for paying the defensive tackle after a huge season in which he recorded 13.0 sacks, but I'm a little wary. Mike Macdonald's simulated pressure-filled scheme was a contributor to Madubuike's success, and Macdonald left for Seattle. Elsewhere on defense, the Ravens let linebacker Patrick Queen, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and safety Geno Stone walk in free agency.
There is also offensive line turnover. Tackle Morgan Moses and guard John Simpson went to the Jets via free agency and a trade, respectively. Zeitler left for Detroit, and they'll have to rely on their depth and possibly rookie tackle Roger Rosengarten to reshape that unit, which might get dicey.
As always, the Ravens dominate the compensatory pick game and are expected to land the maximum four picks next year, per OverTheCap.
Cincinnati Bengals: B
Biggest move: Not trading WR Tee Higgins or DE Trey Hendrickson
Move I liked: Signing DT Sheldon Rankins
Move I disliked: Losing CB Chidobe Awuzie in free agency
A quiet offseason was punctuated by what the Bengals didn't do: trade Higgins or Hendrickson, despite requests from both players. It's easy to see why Cincinnati elected to hold firm. Losing either player would have created a real deficit -- without Higgins, the receiver group would be lacking after Ja'Marr Chase, as would the pass rush without Hendrickson.
In Higgins' case, the Bengals almost certainly would have gotten higher compensation in a trade than they might receive as a future compensatory pick if they lose him in free agency next year. But they are contenders now, and it'd be tough to navigate the AFC without Higgins. Plus, there's no reason they can't sign him to a long-term deal later this offseason, during the season or next offseason.
The Bengals' biggest free agent acquisition was Rankins, a long-underrated defensive tackle who ranked seventh in pass rush win rate at the position a year ago in Houston. He helps offset the loss of DJ Reader in free agency. In the secondary, losing Awuzie is a risk because cornerback DJ Turner II allowed a high 1.7 yards per coverage snap as a rookie last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
On offense, Cincinnati signed Trent Brown in free agency and used its first-round pick on Amarius Mims, investing in the tackle spot opposite Orlando Brown Jr. Those moves are crucial, as Joe Burrow has spent his entire career playing behind a subpar offensive line. The Bengals dealt running back Joe Mixon to the Texans and signed Zack Moss for cheaper than Mixon's salary. Moss should be a better rusher than Mixon, but probably won't add as much as a receiver.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B
Biggest move: Signing QB Russell Wilson
Move I liked: Trading for QB Justin Fields
Move I disliked: Trading WR Diontae Johnson for CB Donte Jackson
The Steelers made two low-cost, low-risk moves to acquire quarterbacks and should be lauded for both. Signing Wilson to a one-year, $1.2 million deal (something Wilson agreed to because of guarantees in his previous contract with the Broncos) was a no-brainer. Wilson is a slightly below-average starter at this point -- he was 21st in QBR last season -- but still an upgrade over Kenny Pickett. And the Steelers did it for next to nothing.
Even with Wilson aboard, once the cost for Fields went as low as it did -- Pittsburgh traded a conditional sixth-round pick for him -- acquiring him made all the sense in the world. Fields offers an upside Wilson no longer possesses. While neither is likely to be the Steelers' long-term answer, both are worth taking a shot on. In fact, if there's a major quarterback injury in August, I don't think it'll be unfathomable for the Steelers to flip either player for a profit.
Trading Johnson for Jackson was an error in my view. While Jackson helps fill the void at corner opposite Joey Porter Jr., Johnson has much higher upside considering the incredible open scores (via our receiver tracking metrics) he has posted in his career -- three 90-plus scores in five seasons.
The Steelers also signed linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract. Though I didn't love the move given Queen's risks -- he plays a non-premium position and thrived only once he played next to Roquan Smith -- this was a cheaper deal than I expected him to get.
San Francisco 49ers: B
Biggest move: Not trading any of their wide receivers
Move I liked: Not trading WR Brandon Aiyuk
Move I disliked: Reaching for WR Ricky Pearsall in the first round
The 49ers enter 2024 with many of the same players who got them to Super Bowl LVIII, other than some defensive line turnover.
The team cut defensive tackle Arik Armstead and lost defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day and Javon Kinlaw along with defensive ends Randy Gregory, Clelin Ferrell and Chase Young in free agency and brought in edge rusher Leonard Floyd, defensive tackle Maliek Collins (via trade), defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott. Collins is the player I like the most from that group -- a longtime underrated pass-rushing threat who ranked 12th in pass rush win rate at defensive tackle (13%) in 2023 and accumulated 5.0 sacks. San Francisco also added De'Vondre Campbell at linebacker, a potentially important signing after Dre Greenlaw tore his left Achilles in the Super Bowl.
Perhaps the most notable move of the 49ers' offseason is one they didn't make -- at least not yet: trading Aiyuk or fellow receiver Deebo Samuel. Aiyuk is worth keeping and paying, as he was the top overall receiver in ESPN's receiver tracking metrics last season and is just 26 years old. On the other hand, Samuel is a great YAC receiver but I worry how his style of play will age. At 28, he is two years older than Aiyuk. If the 49ers decide they are overinvested at wideout and want to save money, Samuel is the player to move.
Part of the reason they are so invested is because the team also spent its first-round pick on Pearsall. Though a fine prospect, that was probably the largest non-QB reach on the first round based on expectations of where players would be drafted.
Damien Woody emphasizes the need for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence to limit his turnovers this season.
Seattle Seahawks: B
Biggest move: Hiring Mike Macdonald as head coach
Move I liked: Sticking with QB Geno Smith
Move I disliked: Re-signing DL Leonard Williams at $21.5 million/year
The most significant change for Seattle was at head coach, as the team moved on from Pete Carroll and hired Macdonald in his stead. Predicting coaching performance is tricky business I usually avoid, but if I'm picking a new head coach, one attribute I absolutely want is someone who has shown they can generate schematic success. Macdonald fits that bill.
The Seahawks are sticking with Smith at quarterback, which was the correct choice. Even though he's not a long-term solution, Smith is better than any realistic veteran alternative for the Seahawks, and there were no worthy QBs available by the time Seattle picked in first round of the draft. Smith also has a bargain contract, costing just $22.5 million in cash in 2024. He was 14th in QBR last season.
Seattle is right up against the salary cap in 2024 and is projected to be $13 million over the cap in 2025, which was good reason to not sign Williams to the deal it did. Williams is a good player (his win rates were near positional averages last season) being paid like a great one. This move is even less necessary in retrospect after the team used its first-round pick on defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.
In free agency, Seattle signed Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson to replace Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks at linebacker, signed George Fant as an insurance policy at tackle and brought back tight end Noah Fant.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
Biggest move: Re-signing S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Move I liked: Re-signing WR Mike Evans for a bargain price
Move I disliked: Re-signing QB Baker Mayfield for $40 million fully guaranteed
The Buccaneers spent money to retain big names in Mayfield, Evans and Winfield. Mayfield signed for a deal that can be one year for $40 million, two for $60 million or three for $100 million. It's a little more than I thought they should or would spend. Though he had a bounce-back season in which he ranked 18th in QBR, there's a reason Tampa Bay was able to sign Mayfield a year ago for just one year at $4 million. If the Bucs had guaranteed something like $27 million -- what Geno Smith got a year ago -- would anyone have topped that? I would have liked to have seen Mayfield do it again -- with a new offensive coordinator after Dave Canales was hired as the Panthers' head coach -- before giving him $40 million.
It was Winfield, not Mayfield, who received the franchise tag -- which made sense. Winfield received a top-of-the-market deal, but he deserves it, as he was one of the most valuable players in the NFL last season. And Evans' deal was team-friendly. He signed a two-year, $41 million contract with $29 million fully guaranteed, according to ESPN Roster Management. Though Evans will turn 31 in August, he is coming off a 1,255-yard season and yet his contract lags well behind those of other top wide receivers.
The Bucs unloaded cornerback Carlton Davis III and two sixth-round picks in a trade with the Lions, netting a third-round pick in return. The move made sense, as Davis was coming off a poor season in which he allowed 1.9 yards per coverage snap (third most among outside corners with at least 300 coverage snaps). The Bucs correctly committed to Jamel Dean as their top corner previously, and there was no guarantee of future compensatory picks if they lost Davis in free agency in 2025. Frankly, the Bucs are not Super Bowl contenders, so saving money and picking up draft capital makes sense.
Tennessee Titans: B
Biggest move: Trading for CB L'Jarius Sneed
Move I liked: Signing C Lloyd Cushenberry III
Move I disliked: Failing to trade down in the second round
Even as a Will Levis skeptic, I believe the Titans did the right thing by strengthening their roster this offseason. In the event that Levis breaks out, there's no time to waste -- you have to take advantage of the rookie quarterback window.
Tennessee augmented its roster in two key ways -- trading for and signing Sneed and signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Both moves come with upside. While I'm normally down on deals that involve giving up draft capital for the right to pay a player, I'm good in this case because the free agency pool typically lacks stars, the Titans had tons of money to spend, and again, they are in Year 2 of a rookie QB window.
On Ridley, the Titans offered a sizable contract to land the wide receiver and we might end up looking back and considering this deal an error. But there's potential given Ridley's strong performances in the past; he recorded 1,374 yards and a 90 open score in 2020. Plus, he struggled in press coverage last year with the Jaguars, which the Titans might be able to mitigate with DeAndre Hopkins as the opposite receiver.
Tennessee added Cushenberry to play center for $26 million fully guaranteed. He should be an asset, as he ranked sixth and third in pass block and run block win rate, respectively, among centers last season while playing in Denver.
My biggest gripe about the Titans' offseason is that they didn't trade down in the draft. In the first round they stood pat at No. 7 to take offensive tackle JC Latham, but you must wonder if they could have worked out a deal to move down with a QB-needy team such as the Vikings, Broncos or Raiders. More egregiously, the Titans took defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat in Round 2 at pick No. 38 -- one spot before the Rams gave up a fifth-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick to move from 52 to 39. That deal was likely also available to Tennessee.
Carolina Panthers: B-
Biggest move: Trading edge rusher Brian Burns
Move I liked: Trading for WR Diontae Johnson
Moved I disliked: Signing G Robert Hunt for $20 million/year
Carolina had to operate under the long-shot assumption that quarterback Bryce Young will put it together under new coach Dave Canales after a very disappointing rookie season -- and it had to do it without a first-round pick.
The Panthers' biggest challenge was dealing with an extreme need at wide receiver, and they were able to come up with a creative solution, dealing cornerback Donte Jackson for Johnson. The former Steelers receiver brings a much-needed skill set -- most notably, the ability to get open with regularity. Johnson ranked 12th in open score in 2023 and first in 2022, per our receiver tracking metrics).
In contrast, the Panthers dealt Burns for a second-round pick. I'm torn on Carolina's choice. It has to operate like it is in Year 2 of a rookie QB window, so it might have wanted to retain and pay Burns, but this team is far away from contending and the draft capital helps in the long term. The Panthers made the opposite choice with defensive tackle Derrick Brown, whom they signed to a $96 million extension. Though I'd have preferred to allocate that money to Burns, I like Brown, who led all defensive tackles in run stop win rate last season (47%) by a healthy margin. They paid for that skill, as $24 million per year isn't cheap.
In free agency, the Panthers beefed up the interior of their offensive line, handing out a massive contract to Hunt and a large deal to fellow guard Damien Lewis. The Panthers ranked 30th and 23rd in run block win rate and pass block win rate, respectively, in 2023, so upgrading the line was paramount. However, these contracts look like overpays and Carolina is not in a particularly strong cap situation going forward.
The Panthers executed one of the coups of the draft when they received pick No. 155 and a future second-round pick from the Rams to move down from No. 39 to 52, but Carolina promptly squandered some of that extra value to move back up to 46 to take running back Jonathon Brooks.
Denver Broncos: B-
Biggest move: Drafting QB Bo Nix
Move I liked: Drafting Nix
Move I disliked: Losing C Lloyd Cushenberry III in free agency
The Broncos were in a tough spot entering the offseason, as they needed to cut Russell Wilson to avoid committing more money to him but were left needing a quarterback. They waited until the draft to address the position and by the time they were on the clock, five QBs were off the board. It's hard to criticize them for this: There seemed to be no way to move up into the top three for the first tier of quarterbacks.
Denver drafted Nix at No. 12 overall -- perhaps a bit early but again, hard to knock. When you don't have a quarterback, even the chance of hitting on a rookie is extremely valuable.
The Broncos traded away receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Browns for fifth- and sixth-round picks. While I remain stubbornly bullish on Jeudy and would have preferred to keep him, I can understand a team in Denver's situation -- starting over at QB and building for 2025 and beyond -- moving on and taking the guaranteed draft pick compensation. Courtland Sutton remains on the roster to support Nix and there are young receivers in Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin as well. They also signed Josh Reynolds in free agency.
Denver released second-team All-Pro safety Justin Simmons to save money and lost Cushenberry, who ranked in the top five in both pass block and run block win rate at center, in free agency. The latter stings because Cushenberry is young and could have been a long-term part of Denver's roster. Though again, this team seems focused on 2025 and later.
The Broncos also made two low-cost trades with the Jets for quarterback Zach Wilson (late-round pick swap) and defensive end John Franklin-Myers (2026 sixth-round pick and renegotiated contract).
Green Bay Packers: B-
Biggest move: Signing S Xavier McKinney for $23 million fully guaranteed
Move I liked: The McKinney signing
Move I disliked: Signing RB Josh Jacobs for $12.5 million fully guaranteed
After Jordan Love's surge in the second half of the season -- he had the second-highest QBR from Week 10 on, postseason included -- the Packers are real contenders. To bolster that they made one marquee free agent signing, landing McKinney from the Giants on a deal that averages $16.75 million per year and includes $23 million fully guaranteed. That's high but not wildly high. Consider that Jamal Adams' deal in 2021 with the Seahawks was the 2024 equivalent of $24.5 million per year. Plus, McKinney fills a need for the Packers' defense.
Green Bay made an odd choice at running back, cutting Aaron Jones and paying Jacobs instead. While I appreciate getting younger, Jacobs has just one season in the past four with positive rush yards over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats. And while I understand moving on from Jones, I wouldn't want to pay real money for Jacobs, though it's mitigated by the fact that only $12.5 million is fully guaranteed.
The Packers lost guard Jon Runyan -- who had above-average pass and run block win rates last season -- in free agency. Yosh Nijman also left, and while he started just one game for Green Bay in 2023, he has been a capable tackle in the past. Tackle David Bakhtiari remains a free agent as of this writing. The offensive line losses are mitigated by the Packers using their first-round pick on Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan.
Given their healthy cap situation and win-now opportunity, I would have liked to have seen Green Bay make one more move to aid the roster, though plenty of that cap space will surely be spent on a Love extension.
Houston Texans: B-
Biggest move: Trading for WR Stefon Diggs
Move I liked: Extending WR Nico Collins
Move I disliked: Restructuring Diggs' contract into a one-year deal
Houston is going for it. With quarterback C.J. Stroud in Year 2 after an electric rookie campaign, the Texans pushed their chips in.
It started with a free agency splash to add edge rusher Danielle Hunter for a close to fully guaranteed two-year, $49 million deal to rush the passer opposite Will Anderson Jr. I would have preferred to keep Jonathan Greenard for cheaper, but adding a legitimate sack artist like Hunter is not a bad thing.
Houston's home run came in a pre-draft trade that took advantage of Minnesota's quarterback desperation, earning a future second-round pick to move down from No. 23 to No. 42 in the draft. That part was an easy win, but they made a questionable choice with the profit by dealing that pick for Diggs. On the surface the move was maybe defensible given Houston's timeline, but when the Texans agreed to give Diggs a pay raise and shorten his contract to a one-year deal, it became an expensive move for a one-year rental.
Similarly, Houston's initial trade for running back Joe Mixon in exchange for a seventh-round pick was fine, if not good. But the Texans needlessly gave him a new contract, eliminating any value relative to his contract that Mixon possessed, and then some.
Houston did get a critical extension done at a value price. Collins is a star, and the fact that they were able to sign him to a new deal at just $24.25 million per year looks like a good price compared to other top-flight receiver deals.
Going for it in 2024 is the right move for Houston, though it has paid too much to do so. But this is a scary team to face, which was the goal.
Los Angeles Rams: B-
Biggest move: Signing G Jonah Jackson
Move I liked: Signing CB Darious Williams
Move I disliked: Trading up to draft DT Braden Fiske
The Rams spent free agency investing in veterans to improve their secondary (Williams and Tre'Davious White at cornerback and safety Kamren Curl) and the interior of their offensive line, as they brought in Jackson from the Lions and re-signed guard Kevin Dotson.
These signings aren't guaranteed wins -- White is coming off an Achilles injury and the guards probably were overpriced. They bought high on Williams, who is coming off a season in which he allowed just 1.0 yards per coverage snap (average for an outside corner is 1.3), but they only guaranteed him $7 million.
The message is clear. Despite losing Aaron Donald to retirement, the Rams are going for it again while they still can with quarterback Matthew Stafford. It makes sense. Between Stafford, coach Sean McVay and an excellent receiving duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams can contend if things break right on defense and the offensive line.
The Rams did make one of the largest and most obvious errors in the draft, trading a fifth-round pick and a future second-round pick just to move up from 52 to 39 and select Fiske.
Arizona Cardinals: C+
Biggest move: Signing OT Jonah Williams
Move I liked: Signing WR Zay Jones
Move I disliked: Not re-signing WR Marquise Brown
The Cardinals are still waiting to make their move. The 2024 offseason was about adding young talent -- the Cardinals made 12 draft picks, including seven in the first three rounds -- instead of making veteran upgrades to a generally lacking roster.
The addition of receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., selected with the fourth overall pick, means that quarterback Kyler Murray has a solid combination of threats between Harrison and tight end Trey McBride, with potential upside from second-year receiver Michael Wilson, too. That said, I would have tried to keep Brown for more than the one-year, $7 million deal he received from the Chiefs (it's possible he took less to play with Patrick Mahomes). Jones is a solid depth player for cheap, though the Cardinals dealt receiver Rondale Moore for quarterback Desmond Ridder in a swap of disappointments.
Arizona signed Williams to play right tackle, but all that means is that they have question marks at both tackle positions between him and Paris Johnson Jr. (though both are former first-round picks with upside). Williams and Johnson ranked 53rd and 63rd, respectively, out of 69 qualifiers in pass block win rate at tackle last season.
Defensively, the Cardinals signed defensive end Justin Jones, cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and defensive end Bilal Nichols. But the defense looks weak on paper, particularly in terms of pass rush and at corner.
Ultimately, Arizona is saving its cap resources for next year -- it has the fourth-most cap space in 2024 and second-most in 2025 -- after the Cardinals got a sense of where they stand with their recent draft picks. For a team far away, it's not a bad strategy, but this isn't a winning roster, even with a franchise QB I'm quite high on.
Buffalo Bills: C+
Biggest move: Trading WR Stefon Diggs
Move I liked: Re-signing OT Dion Dawkins
Move I disliked: Not acquiring a higher-quality veteran WR
The central question after the Bills' offseason is how they'll fare at wide receiver. They dealt Diggs to the Texans in what I think could be a lose-lose deal. It left a Buffalo team square in its Super Bowl window with arguably the NFL's second-best quarterback in Josh Allen without a serious threat at wide receiver, especially after Gabe Davis left in free agency, too.
Buffalo addressed the position with its first selection in the draft, Keon Coleman, and is presumably hoping tight end Dalton Kincaid can help fill the receiving void, too. Third-year receiver Khalil Shakir looks like an emerging talent with 2.05 yards per route run last season, and the Bills signed free agent receivers Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Buffalo did not have a ton of options after dealing Diggs, as it's tight up against the salary cap this year and next. But the Bills didn't have to trade Diggs, and once they did, they should have looked at a higher-caliber veteran at the position.
Elsewhere, the team made solid moves to lock up underrated talents such as defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, cornerback Taron Johnson and Dawkins. They are all key players who should help Buffalo maintain as a Super Bowl contender ... if Allen gets receiving help.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C+
Biggest move: Extending QB Trevor Lawrence
Move I liked: Trading down and drafting WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Move I disliked: Losing CB Darious Williams
Jacksonville's offseason started with coaching moves that surprised me. It fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell but retained offensive coordinator Press Taylor even though the offense ranked 26th in EPA per play despite having Lawrence at quarterback. (The defense ranked 14th.)
The most significant moment in Jacksonville's offseason came last week, though, when the team signed Lawrence to a five-year, $275 million contract with $142 million guaranteed at signing. Though the $55 million per year number ties Joe Burrow for the most expensive APY, Burrow's deal was signed a year ago and therefore was more expensive.
Though it's big money, Lawrence's deal is not among the top 10 contracts in terms of APY over the past decade after adjusting for cap inflation. It's closer in line to Dak Prescott's deal in 2021, according to historical contract data from OverTheCap. I'm a believer in Lawrence and think signing him now makes sense -- the price will go up next year because of cap inflation but also because he'll likely be coming off a better season.
The team also signed edge Josh Allen to a five-year deal with $76.5 million fully guaranteed, averaging more than $28 million per year. I'm a little wary given that Allen has just one season with 11 sacks or more (17.5 last season) and his pass rush win rate is just average at 16%. I might have been tempted to let him play on the franchise tag in 2024 and see if he can repeat his performance.
On offense, the Jaguars lost a key player in wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Although it's a blow, I don't think I'd fault the Jaguars for not matching the high price. Instead, the team signed Gabe Davis and drafted Thomas to join Christian Kirk. The Thomas selection came after the team made a heist of a trade with the Vikings, moving down six spots in exchange for third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks across 2024 and 2025.
The Jaguars signed defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who is coming off knee surgery, to a deal that included $28 million fully guaranteed. They hope he can shore up their run defense, the weakness of their defense last season, and assist the pass rush. The team also got value in signing center Mitch Morse and re-signing guard Ezra Cleveland, but lost Williams, who is coming off a strong season in which he allowed a better-than-average 1.0 yards per coverage snap, to the Rams in free agency.
Pat McAfee and Ty Schmit evaluate the Vikings' QB options between veteran Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy.
New York Giants: C+
Biggest move: Trading for edge rusher Brian Burns
Move I liked: Signing OL Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan
Move I disliked: The cost of trading and extending Burns
The Giants' biggest splash was their trade and ensuing contract for Burns. It was a curious choice, as the Giants spent a lot of capital to upgrade one of their only strengths -- maybe their only strength. And they did it at a time when they don't appear close to contention. As good of a player as Burns is, they traded a premium draft pick for the right to pay top money to a player.
The Giants are hamstrung by their Daniel Jones contract error a year ago, when they guaranteed the quarterback $80 million with the franchise tag available. That didn't preclude them from going after another quarterback -- they tried to trade up to pick Drake Maye -- but once they failed to make that move, I think it was OK to pass on the second tier of rookie QBs.
I like the more under-the-radar free agent signings of Eluemunor and Runyan, who should help the offensive line. On the other hand, fully guaranteeing $9.5 million to running back Devin Singletary seemed unnecessary. The loss of safety Xavier McKinney stings but at least the Giants are likely to receive a fourth-round compensatory pick for him.
Washington Commanders: C+
Biggest move: Drafting QB Jayden Daniels
Move I liked: Signing edge rusher Dorance Armstrong
Move I disliked: Not upgrading the offensive line more
The Commanders are headed in a new direction with a new coach and, most importantly, a new quarterback in Daniels. How they fare will largely hinge on the Daniels' performance, though we're primarily judging how they have elected to build the team around him.
The team made a slew of midlevel free agency moves to improve the roster, signing Armstrong, center Tyler Biadasz, guard Nick Allegretti, linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, quarterback Marcus Mariota, running back Austin Ekeler and safety Jeremy Chinn. Luvu and Wagner are a fun combination that could turn linebacker into a strength if Wagner has more left in the tank. And Armstrong is a solid edge rusher who recorded a better-than-average 18% pass rush win rate last season.
The Commanders have the second-most cap space in the league (and third-most in 2025) and should have used some of those resources on the offensive line. Of their five projected starters on the depth chart -- Brandon Coleman, Allegretti, Biadasz, Sam Cosmi and Andrew Wylie -- only Cosmi qualified and had an above-average pass block win rate at his position last season. That's not ideal for a rookie quarterback.
Kendall Fuller leaving in free agency could sting on defense, as it leaves a weakness at corner.
Detroit Lions: C
Biggest move: Extending QB Jared Goff for $113.6 million fully guaranteed
Move I liked: Signing G Kevin Zeitler and re-signing G Graham Glasgow at value prices
Move I disliked: The price they paid to extend Goff
The most important transaction the Lions made was the four-year, $212 million extension they handed to Goff. It's not a move I can endorse at that price. And it has the potential to hamper the organization for years. Goff is a divisive talent, but I think most would agree he's not a top-10 QB and that offensive coordinator Ben Johnson deserves a fair share of credit for Detroit's offensive success. If Johnson leaves for a head-coaching job in the near future, how effective would Goff be? It's a fair question.
Had the Lions let Goff play out his 2024 deal (roughly $27 million in cash) and then given him the nonexclusive franchise tag in 2025 and again in 2026 and again in 2027, that would be roughly 1 year/$27 million or 2/$69M or 3/$120M or 4/$193M, based on OverTheCap's 2025 franchise tag projections and assuming a 20% raise each year after that for future tags. With this deal, it's either 1/$119M or 2/$154M or 3/$172M or 4/$194M or 5/$241M. The Lions lost their flexibility and now need Goff to play on this contract through 2027 just to break even -- or through 2028 to get any value -- relative to the tag.
What are the odds the Lions want Goff to be their quarterback in 2027? I'm not sure they are that high and the downside is significant if the team decides to move off Goff in the next year or two, like the Rams did when they sent him to Detroit. While there probably is some value in the team demonstrating faith in its quarterback, this was an awfully expensive way to do it -- particularly in terms of costing future optionality on him.
As far as good news, the Lions were able to secure crucial value deals for Glasgow and Zeitler in what was a very expensive guard market. They brought in DJ Reader at defensive tackle and signed Marcus Davenport on a worthwhile one-year flier to fill a need at edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson. The team spent its first two draft picks filling out its major need at corner, though they sacrificed value to trade up for Terrion Arnold.
The Lions also signed offensive tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to contracts at the very high end of the market, but those players are deserving of high-end deals.
Atlanta Falcons: C-
Biggest move: Signing QB Kirk Cousins
Move I liked: Signing Cousins ... prior to drafting QB Michael Penix Jr.
Move I disliked: Drafting Penix at No. 8 overall after the Cousins deal
Fully guaranteeing Cousins $90 million is fine. Drafting Penix at No. 8 overall is fine. The same franchise doing both? Not fine.
NFL teams have hard constraints on roster-building resources with the salary cap and draft capital. Because of this, each of these moves detracts from the value of the other. Signing Cousins made sense because it allows the Falcons to take advantage of their weak division with improved quarterback play. While they didn't have a stacked roster entering the offseason, the building blocks were there and if they hit their acquisitions in free agency and the draft just right they could be a true NFC contender with a healthy Cousins. Selecting Penix, naturally, diminished that chance.
On the flip side, the value of a quarterback on a rookie contract allows a franchise to invest in the roster around him because rookies come so cheap. But in this case, they pay a veteran QB price for Cousins in the first two years of Penix's contract. To make the two moves together shows a lack of vision.
Atlanta's biggest move in free agency (besides Cousins) was signing wide receiver Darnell Mooney to a deal that included $26 million fully guaranteed. It was worth it, though, given the team's need at receiver beyond Drake London. At the time I wrote that Atlanta would likely view Mooney as a WR3 that would fit nicely along with London and a first-round instant-impact rookie. That could have come to fruition, as Rome Odunze was still on the board when Atlanta selected. Instead, they picked a player they hope won't see the field for a couple of seasons.
The Falcons did flip quarterback Desmond Ridder for receiver Rondale Moore, but they still could use another pass-catcher for Cousins ... unless tight end Kyle Pitts finally regains his 2021 rookie form.
Minnesota Vikings: C-
Biggest move: Drafting QB J.J. McCarthy
Move I liked: Signing edge rusher Jonathan Greenard
Move I disliked: Trading up twice to draft DE Dallas Turner
The Vikings set a new course. They opted to let quarterback Kirk Cousins walk -- a reasonable choice given his age and Achilles injury -- and thrust themselves into the open waters of the quarterback market.
They signed Sam Darnold, who made sense as a useful stopgap but nothing more. But their eyes were set on the rookies. At first blush the team's move to surrender a future second-round pick to move up from 42 to 23 seemed odd. What Minnesota gave up was worth more than what it got back -- but the assumption was that it was part of a larger package with the No. 11 pick to trade up into the early part of the first round for a quarterback. When it became apparent that wasn't the case, the move looked illogical.
That the Vikings were not able to trade up into the top three isn't on them -- it takes two to tango -- and they deserve credit for holding out and not trading up for McCarthy until they were one pick away, flipping spots with the Jets and picking him at 10. But later in the first round, the team traded a ton of value to move up from 23 to 17 for Turner. It was a very pricey trade in its own right, but if we consider the entire move from 42 to 17 and combine the two trades, it was an overwhelming price to pay.
The Vikings signed receiver Justin Jefferson to a massive long-term deal, as they should have. Although the $35 million APY comes with a little sticker shock, it could have been richer. After adjusting for cap inflation, the APY and guaranteed money at signing trailed recent deals for other top non-QBs such as T.J. Watt and Nick Bosa. I also loved the signing of Greenard, who posted strong pass rush and run stop win rates last season, especially considering that he was cheaper than Danielle Hunter.
The Vikings made an egregious error in free agency with regard to compensatory picks according to Nick Korte of OverTheCap, who asserted that the team will lose out on a projected third-round compensatory pick for Hunter because it signed cornerback Shaquill Griffin to a one-year, $4.6 million contract.
Mike Greenberg explains to Pat McAfee why Dak Prescott should play out the season and become an unrestricted free agent.
Dallas Cowboys: D+
Biggest move: Not signing its stars to new contracts
Move I liked: Spending two of their first three picks on the offensive line
Move I disliked: Not signing QB Dak Prescott to an extension
Owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys were "all-in" and then spent free agency doing ... almost nothing.
In fact, their most notable offseason move was not signing wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, linebacker Micah Parsons or Prescott to new deals. The last is the most problematic: Prescott cannot be franchise-tagged after this season, which means if the Cowboys do not sign him to a new deal, he could enter next offseason as a true free agent. If Dallas is having second thoughts about Prescott based on how the 2023 season ended, it shouldn't -- Prescott finished second in QBR and was an MVP candidate up until the end. The Cowboys are fortunate to have a franchise QB and shouldn't risk losing him.
Waiting to sign Lamb has probably cost them money, too. While impossible to know the nature of negotiations, the fact that they waited until 2024 and after Justin Jefferson signed his $35 million APY new contract probably raised Lamb's price, too.
The Cowboys let offensive tackle Tyron Smith walk to the Jets for cheap (just $6.5 million fully guaranteed) and while they have other players who can play tackle -- Terence Steele, Chuma Edoga, Tyler Smith and first-round pick Tyler Guyton -- Smith is coming off a strong season and could have been an asset for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
And with such a strong core, Dallas is a Super Bowl contender. Sitting pat in free agency -- their biggest moves were for cornerback Jourdan Lewis, linebacker Eric Kendricks and running Ezekiel Elliott, each getting less than $3 million in fully guaranteed money -- doesn't feel ideal, but the team is going to have to eventually pay those stars, and that will take resources.
Las Vegas Raiders: D
Biggest move: Failing to acquire a long-term solution at QB
Move I liked: Re-signing C Andre James
Move I disliked: Not trading WR Davante Adams
The Raiders demonstrated the follies of the move not made this offseason.
First, they failed to secure a long-term solution (or even a long-term hope) at quarterback, though I don't knock them too heavily for that. Vegas entered the offseason in an unenviable position of needing a quarterback, not having the roster to support a major signing like Kirk Cousins and drafting last among a slew of QB-needy teams. The Raiders could have traded up, but it would have been for one of the second-tier quarterbacks. In lieu of a long-term solution, they paid a non-trivial $15 million guaranteed to Gardner Minshew, though he's coming off a solid season in Indianapolis.
Instead, the real issue was what they didn't do within the context of not securing a quarterback. The team needed to recognize its noncontender status and should have shifted its focus into acquiring resources to set itself up nicely for when it can acquire a quarterback and become a contender again.
The biggest failure was not trading Adams, which is almost inexcusable in the Raiders' current state. The 31-year-old wide receiver has one cheap year left on his contract ($17.5 million for a trading team) and Las Vegas needed to cash in for draft capital now. Instead, it is running out the clock on a depreciating asset. Likewise, the Raiders ought to have traded down and acquired future assets that could have been used on or to support a future quarterback.
Elsewhere, the Raiders spent a ton on defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, which I criticized at the time as an overpay. He helps their defense, but I don't know if he's worth the price paid.
I liked the Raiders re-signing James to a three-year, $24 million deal with $13 million fully guaranteed, as James ranked second in pass block win rate among centers last season. I also liked the signing of Cody Whitehair -- who ranked sixth among guards in the same metric -- to a $2.5 million deal.
New Orleans Saints: D
Biggest move: Drafting OT Taliese Fuaga in the first round
Move I liked: Signing DE Chase Young
Move I disliked: Failing to trade veterans
The Saints are addicted to mediocrity. And because of that, they failed to improve their future selves this offseason.
Their salary cap situation is bad. According to Roster Management, the Saints have $15 million in cap space despite quarterback Derek Carr, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, defensive end Cameron Jordan, quarterback/tight end Taysom Hill, offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, linebacker Demario Davis, center Erik McCoy, safety Tyrann Mathieu and defensive Carl Granderson all having a base salary under $1.5 million to keep their 2024 cap hits low. Which is exactly why the team is $77.6 million over the salary cap in 2025 currently -- over $50 million more than any other team. A team could (maybe) justify this process if it was in a championship window, but that is not the Saints!
The team ought to be shedding as much salary as it can and converting the low-salary players into draft capital via trades to jump-start a full rebuild. Instead, the Saints are running it back with a 9-8 team led by Carr. The team's big move in free agency was signing Young to a one-year, fully guaranteed $13 million deal, a move I like. Young had an above-average 19% pass rush win rate at edge rusher in 2023 and could be a productive player for New Orleans in 2024, then potentially land the team a compensatory pick for signing elsewhere in free agency next year.
Because Ramczyk's knee is not recovering as quickly as hoped and his status for 2024 is uncertain, New Orleans essentially needed to select a tackle early in the 2024 draft. It did that, taking Fuaga at No. 14 overall.