The NFL offseason is a tricky year-to-year proposition. Much of the success is tied to having assets to make the right acquisitions. For free agency, that’s salary-cap room and spending power. For the draft, that’s picks capital and finding value prospects.
Some teams are positioned to do both well in an attempt to improve their rosters. Others are handcuffed to make the needed personnel moves with veterans or rookies.
Looking the upgrades and downgrades for all 32 teams, here’s grading how they did with their GMs getting to work in the spring:
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Key additions: QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, WR Van Jefferson, WR Roman Wilson, LT Troy Fautanu, LG Mason McCormick, C Zach Frazier, LB Patrick Queen, LB Payton Wilson, CB Donte Jackson, WR/RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson
The Steelers had a strong 2023 offseason, too, under GM Omar Khan and made the playoffs despite having no viable QB play from Kenny Pickett and others. Now they get the short- and long-term value of Wilson and Fields without spending while also overhauling their offensive line. Wilson and Jefferson will help George Pickens now in Arthur Smith’s scheme, while Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are set up to be more productive from the backfield. Queen and Wilson give Pittsburgh more playmaking and Jackson can thrive in their secondary as worthy return for Diontae Johnson.
Key additions: RG Kevin Zeitler, EDGE Marcus Davenport, DT D.J. Reader, CB Carlton Davis, CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
The Lions have been so good overhauling their team through free agency and the draft the past few offseasons with GM Brad Holmes that they could focus on tinkering with the remaining holes. Zeitler helps replace Jonah Jackson, while Davenport can uncork some upside up front playing off the run-stuffing reader and star Aidan Hutchinson. Arnold and Davis are much better cornerback options and Rakestraw also can end up playing a vital playmaking role.
Key additions: QB Jayden Daniels, RB Austin Ekeler, QB Marcus Mariota, WR Luke McCaffrey, TE Zach Ertz, TE Ben Sinnott, LT Brandon Coleman, LG Nick Allegretti, C Tyler Biadasz, EDGE Dorance Armstrong, EDGE Clelin Ferrell, LB Frankie Luvu, LB Bobby Wagner, S Jeremy Chinn, CB Michael Davis, CB Mike Sainristil, DT Jer’Zhan Newton, K Brandon McManus
What a haul for new GM Adam Peters to restock Dan Quinn’s defense and stack Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. There’s a fresh vibe in Washington, led by the dynamic dual threat Daniels and his now wide variety of weapons to spread the passing game. The Commanders also did work quite a bit on the offensive line as well as give Quinn better end options on the defensive front. Luvu and Wagner can lead to a lot more plays on the second level with better secondary pop behind them.
Key additions: QB J.J. McCarthy, QB Sam Darnold, RB Aaron Jones, WR Trent Sherfield, TE Robert Tonyan, EDGE Jonathan Greenard, EDGE Dallas Turner, EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel, DT Jerry Tillery, LB Blake Cashman, CB Shaq Griffin, K Will Reichard
The Vikings were ahead of schedule in making the playoffs in 2022 under Kevin O’Connell but this was the real plan for GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah: Moving on from Kirk Cousins and then also reshaping the defense to maximize pressure playmaking under Brian Flores. The Vikings might take an initial lump in the transition with McCarthy with maybe Darnold as the bridge, but they are better set up long-term now in 2025 and beyond.
Key additions: RB Zack Moss, WR Jermaine Burton, TE Mike Gesicki, RT Trent Brown, OT Amarius Mims, DT Sheldon Rankins, DT Kris Jenkins, DT McKinnley Jackson, CB Josh Newton, S Geno Stone, S Vonn Bell
Decision-maker Duke Tobin got the needed reinforcements for Joe Burrow, replacing Joe Mixon and Tyler Boyd with Moss and Burton. He also invested well at tight end and the kicker is boosting offensive tackle again. Rankins leads in remixing the defensive interior rotation, while Stone and Bell (in his return) clean up some safety issues, too, for Lou Anarumo.
Key additions: RB Saquon Barkley, QB Kenny Pickett, RB Will Shipley, TE C.J. Uzomah, EDGE Bryce Huff, LB Devin White, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., EDGE Jalyx Hunt, CB Quinyon Mitchell, CB Cooper DeJean
The Eagles are breaking in a new offense with Kellen Moore and a new defense with Vic Fangio. They got a much-needed clean-up upgrade at running back with Barkley and then focused much of their resources in bolstering the second level for Fangio’s 3-4. Mitchell and DeJean are like getting two first-rounders to fill the biggest offseason need in the secondary. GM Howie Roseman did a good job of reloading around Jalen Hurts and the key George defensive pieces, while also locking up A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Key additions: RB Blake Corum, LG Jonah Jackson, DT Braden Fiske, EDGE Jared Verse, EDGE Brennan Jackson, CB Darious Williams, CB Tre’Davious White, S Kamren Curl, S Kamren Kinchens, K Joshua Carty
For the Rams losing all-time great Aaron Donald from the deense, along with coordinator Raheem Morris, they rebounded very well, led by the rookie Florida State inside-outside duo of Fiske and Verse. Jackson adds to their revamped blocking strength while Corum and can support Kyren Williams and the entire offense well for Sean Mcvay. Using the draft looks good on GM Les Snead.
Key additions: RB Joe Mixon, WR Stefon Diggs, RT Blake Fisher, DT Foley Fatukasi, DT Denico Autry, EDGE Danielle Hunter, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, CB Jeff Okudah, CB Kamari Lassiter, S Calen Bullock, P Tommy Towsend
The Texans added more skill support for C.J. Stroud in Year 2 with Mixon and Diggs, winning veterans from other AFC contenders. DeMeco Ryans’ defense got five new starters, trying to get tougher vs. the run and also keep the pass-rush pop intact. Okudah and Lassiter are sneaky secondary upgrades.
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Key additions: QB Kirk Cousins, QB Michael Penix Jr., WR Darnell Mooney, WR Rondale Moore, DT Ruke Orhorhoro, DT Brandon Dorlus, EDGE Bralen Trice
The Falcons got their major upgrade at QB for now and the near future, investing a little more than the Steelers. They also have those better passing game options in an improve offense under Zac Robinson. Defensively, GM Terry Fontenot gave new coach Rahee Morris some underrated young front-seven juice.
Key additions: RB Gus Edwards, RB J.K. Dobbins, RB Kimani Vidal, WR Ladd McConkey, WR Brenden Rice, OT Joe Alt, TE Will Dissly, TE Hayden Hurst, DT Poona Ford, LB Junior Colson, CB Kristian Fulton
The Jim Harbaugh era begins well for new GM Joe Hortiz, who overhauled the backield and receiving corps well while moving on from aging, oft-banged up veteran Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Justin Herbert is set up for better protection and efficiency with personnel groupings. The defense didn’t need too many extra pieces to achieve better for new DC Jesse Minter.
Key additions: RB Derrick Henry, QB Josh Johnson, WR Devontez Walker, OT Roger Rosengarten, EDGE Adisa Isaac, CB Nate Wiggins, CB T.J. Tampa
The John Harbaugh era continues with a new hammer in the backfield to help Lamar Jackson in the run-heavy offense. The receiving corps stayed mostly intact and Rosengarten can start to fill a big hole up front. Wiggins and Isaac will have a key impact on a pass defense in transition with needed more youthful coverage and pressure.
Key additions: QB Caleb Williams, RB D’Andre Swift, WR Keenan Allen, WR Rome Odunze, C Ryan Bates, OT Kiran Amegadjie, EDGE Austin Booker, S Kevin Byard, P Tory Taylor
Williams gives them the franchise jump at QB over Fields and he should pay off right away with some real pieces around him besides holdover D.J. Moore. Bates is the needed new offensive line anchor, while the defense is making sure the momentum from late 2023 is carrying over for Matt Eberflus.
Key additions: WR Xavier Worthy, WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, QB Carson Wentz, OT Kingsley Suamataia, S Jaden Hicks, P Matt Araiza
The Chiefs had to take care of Chris Jones and then focused most on giving Patrick Mahomes upgrades at wide receiver. Worthy and Brown could be game-changing speedy deep threats for the three-time Super Bowl champion QB
Key additions: RB Tony Pollard, QB Mason Rudolph, WR Calvin Ridley, WR Tyler Boyd, LT J.C. Latham, C Lloyd Cushenberry, D T’Vondre Sweat, LB Cedric Gray
The Titans focused on upgrading the skill positions around Will Levis, as GM Ran Carthon is better supporting his second-year QB in the new more pass-oriented offense under Brian Callahan. Ridley and Boyd add more savvy depth to catch passes. Latham and Cushenberry will star in the o-line overhaul around 2023 first-round Peter Skoronski.
Key additions: RB Bucky Irving, WR Jalen McMillan, C Graham Barton, EDGE Chris Braswell, S Jordan Whitehead, CB Bryce Hall, CB Tykee Smith
GM Jason Licht delivered a middle-of-the-pack offseason with the focus being mostly on depth after taking care of Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans to keep headlining the passing game. Barton was a much-needed starting get. Litcht pushed forward a youth movement on defense, relying on a lot more on recent draft picks.
Key additions: RB Josh Jacobs, RB MarShawn Lloyd, LT Jordan Morgan, LB Edgerrin Cooper, S Xavier McKinney, S Javon Bullard, LB Ty’Ron Hooper, S Kitan Oladapo
The Packers saw Brian Gutekunst doing some maintenance tweaks for the offense with Jacobs and Lloyd helping to replace Aaron Jones and Morgan taking over for David Bakhtiari. The upgraded back-seven playmaking was also welcome for new defensive coordinator Jeff Halfley.
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Key additions: QB Drake Maye, QB Jacoby Brissett, QB Joe Milton, RB Antonio Gibson, WR K.J. Osborn, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, WR Javon Baker, LT Chukwuma Okorafor, LT Caedan Wallace, RG Layden Robinson, K Joey Slye
Jerod Mayo’s first offseason was not defensive-minded at all, as GM Eliot Wolf loaded up on rebooting the offense under Alex Van Pelt. The Patriots’ work rests mostly on how good Maye will be, but they also added much-needed receiving diversity and youthful blocking.
Key additions: QB Drew Lock, RB Devin Singletary, RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., WR Malik Nabers, LG Jon Runyan, RG Jermaine Eluemenor, TE Theo Johnson, EDGE Brian Burns, DT Jordan Phillips, S Tyler Nubin, CB Dru Phillips
The Giants moved on from Barkley and acquired Burns to pair with Kayvon Thibodeaux in their two biggest moves. They’re sticking with Jones, hoping Nabers can spark him and keep newcomer Lock on the bench. They did some necessary cleanup under GM Joe Schoen but they’re more like treading water.
Key additions: QB Joe Flacco, WR Adonai Mitchell, WR/KR/PR Anthony Gould, EDGE Laiatu Latu
Overall, GM Chris Ballard did a modest job with limited resources, but managed to get a key edge rusher to help the pass defense and another big-play wide receiver for the passing game. They are still banking most on a healthy Anthony Richardson setting the table for a delayed turnaround.
Key additions: QB Desmond Ridder, RB Trey Benson, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Zay Jones, WR Chris Moore, RT Jonah Williams, EDGE Darius Robinson, DT Bilal Nichols, DT Justin Jones, CB Max Melton, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
GM Monti Ossenfort went into the next stage of the rubild, restocking the support for Kyler Murray and getting more key pieces for Jonathan Gannon’s pass defense. It was an average haul, but Harrison gives it a lot more gloss.
Key additions: QB Tyrod Taylor, QB Jordan Travis, RB Braelon Allen, WR Mike Williams, WR Malachi Corley, OT Tyron Smith, OT Morgan Moses, OT Olu Fashanu, LG John Simpson, DT Javon Kinlaw, EDGE Haason Reddick
The Jets will be much improved just by Aaron Rodgers being healthy for a full season and they also took fair shots at upgrading his weapons and pass protection. Robert Saleh gets to rest on mostly returning defensive pieces, with Reddick and Huff swapping teams.
Key additions: QB Jameis Winston, QB Tyler Huntley, RB Nyheim Hines, RB D’Onta Foreman, WR Jerry Jeudy, WR Jamari Thrash, DT Mike Hall Jr., LB Devin Bush, LB Jordan Hicks
The Browns did OK in tweaking their playoff roster from 2023 with GM Andrew Berry, but grading on a curve in relation to the rest of the tough AFC North, they tried to fill a few key depth gaps above anything else. The win is keeping their strength of offensive line and overall defense intact.
Key additions: RB Ray Davis, WR Keon Coleman, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Mack Hollins, WR Chase Claypool, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, DT DeWayne Carter, S Cole Bishop, PR Daequan Hardy
The Bills had to do some reshuffling around Josh Allen in moving on from starting wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. GM Brandon Beane landed Coleman and otok shots on plenty of other options. The defense had to replenish most at safety but it was difficult to add much significant depth.
Key additions: QB Bo Nix, QB Zach Wilson, RB Audric Estime, WR Troy Franklin, WR Josh Reynolds, DT John Franklin-Myers, LB Cody Barton, CB Levi Wallace, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, EDGE Jonah Ellis, S Brandon Jones
Sean Payton has put his complete stamp on this team moving on from Wilson for the hand-picked Nix, with full backing from GM George Paton. The offense has underachieved so there needs to be a big boost there soon. The defense still kept Pat Surtain II but didn’t bring back key playmaker Justin Simmons (yet).
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Key additions: QB Sam Howell, LG Laken Tomlinson, RG Christian Haynes, DT Byron Murphy II, LB Tyrel Dodson, LB Jerome Baker, S Rayshawn Jenkins
The Seahawks had massive change in their coaching staff with Pete Carroll and Shane Waldron out and Mike Macdonald and Ryan Grubb taking over, but it’s not the typical drastic change in philosophies — it’s still about the pass rush and passing game. GM John Schneider therefore didn’t need to change up the personnel too much except address a key weakness at guard and add some key defensive depth.
Key additions: QB Josh Dobbs, RB Isaac Guerendo, WR Ricky Pearsall, WR Jacob Cowing, DT Maliek Collins, EDGE Leonard Floyd, LB De’Vondre Campbell, CB Renardo Green
The 49ers had a strange offseason with GM John Lynch, starting with keeping both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel and then still drafting two wide receivers high. They also were limited in their defensive reinforcing. The good news is the 49ers remain still fully loaded regardless to make another NFC title run, although the Eagles and Lions got tougher.
Grade: C
Key additions: RB Jaylen Wright, WR Odell Beckham Jr., OT Patrick Paul, C Aaron Brewer, TE Jonnu Smith, DT Teair Tart, EDGE Chop Robinson, LB Jordyn Brooks, CB Kendall Fuller, S Jordan Poyer
The Dolphins were a bit all over the place trying to upgrade, focusing a lot on replacing losses and upgrading depth at some positions where it wasn’t needed as much. The bottom line is they’re not that much better for Mike McDaniel in Year 3.
Key additions: QB Spencer Rattler, WR Cedric Wilson Jr., WR Bub Means, LT Taliese Fuaga, LG Oli Udoh, EDGE Chase Young, LB Willie Gay, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, P Matthew Hayball
The Saints marched away with a meh offseason, having to address offensive line foremost because of various issues and then taking some shots on Young and Gay for Dennis Allen’s front seven. They don’t really inspire for a rebound in the NFC South race.
Key additions: QB Mac Jones, WR Brian Thomas Jr., WR Gabe Davis, WR/KR/PR Devin Duvernay, C Mitch Morse, DT Arik Armstead, DT Maason Smith, CB Ronald Darby, CB/S Darnell Savage, CB Deantre Prince, CB Jarrian Jones, K Cam Little
The Jaguars’ best offseason move was plucking Ryan Nielsen, formerly of the Falcona, as their defensive coordinator to get more out of their young core. They did add some decent depth to that side of the ball. Their offensive moves were a little odd in replacing Calvin Ridley but overall it comes down to a healthy, more efficient season from Trevor Lawrence.
Key additions: RB Jonathon Brooks, WR Diontae Johnson, WR Xavier Legette, LG Damien Lewis, RG Robert Hunt, TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, DT A’Shawn Robinson, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Josey Jewell, EDGE D.J. Wonnum, CB Dane Jackson, K Harrison Mevis
There’s plenty of volume here trying to boost Bryce Young in Year 2, but QB whisperer coach Dave Canales will still have the biggest influence there. The quantity is evident; the jury’s out on the quality and whether the Panthers overspent at guard. The defense is the issue as they took some massive personnel hits and just had to rack up enough players for new coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Key additions: QB Gardner Minshew, RB Alexander Mattison, TE Brock Bowers, LG Jackson Powers-Johnson, DT Christian Wilkins
The Raiders splurged on Wilkins and used a luxury first-rounder on Bowers despite drafting Michael Mayer in the second round in 2024. They seemed to be too intent on reversing course from the brief Josh McDaniels era that they didn’t move on well early for Antonio Pierce. The biggest oddity of them all is showing limited interest in drafting a QB from a strong class. There’s every expectation for them to drop into last in the NFC West.
Key additions: RB Ezekiel Elliott, LT Tyler Guyton, C/G Cooper Beebe, EDGE Marshawn Kneeland
Remember when Jerry Jones declared the Cowboys were “all-in”? They didn’t really play much Texas Hold ‘Em by folding early with their own free agents. They also played an odd old card in re-signing a fading Elliott after his one Patriots season. Guyton and Beebe may not be ready to boost an offensive line in transition. Dallas wasn’t dealt the best hand for free agency and the draft and it will show during the season in a top-loaded NFC.
