Since the end of this past season, all 32 NFL teams have been busy retooling their rosters. Here is each club's best newcomer player-wise.
The NFL offseason is quite the process. It starts with teams trimming the fat and getting under the salary cap. Then come the free-agent visits, followed by signings as well as trades for proven veterans. All of this while organizations are evaluating college talent in preparation for the NFL draft.
Who is really to say which offseason acquisition, player-wise, was the best for each of the 32 NFL teams? Opinions will vary, but there's some logic included when it comes to these choices.
Every NFL team's best offseason addition:
Arizona Cardinals: T Paris Johnson
Apparently, new Cardinals' general manager Monti Ossenfort takes requests. It's not known when quarterback Kyler Murray will take the field this season. However, the four-year pro did show a desire for the team to select Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson. Arizona owned the third overall pick but traded down twice and still secured the services of the talented Buckeye, along with some extra picks in 2024.
Atlanta Falcons: DL Calais Campbell
Over 15 NFL seasons, six-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell has suited up for the Cardinals, Jaguars, and Ravens. He's made an impact on every one of those clubs, all of which reached the playoffs while he was with the team, and he earned at least one Pro Bowl invitation with each club. Campbell has totaled 99 sacks, returned three of his 12 fumble recoveries for scores, and picked off three passes.
Baltimore Ravens: WR Zay Flowers
The biggest offseason issue for John Harbaugh's team was getting quarterback Lamar Jackson under contract and that's done. General manager Eric DeCosta has bolstered the wide receiving corps by adding speedy Nelson Agholor and talented Odell Beckham Jr. In April, the Ravens used the 22ndx overall pick to grab Zay Flowers (Maryland), who caught 200 passes (29 for scores) in four years with the Terrapins.
Buffalo Bills: RB Damien Harris
Only six teams in the NFL ran for more yards per game than the Bills in 2022. Quarterback Josh Allen remains a big part of Buffalo's success on the ground and the team needs a little more oomph from their running backs. Earlier this month, the Bills signed well-traveled Latavius Murray. He joins another free agent picked up former Patriots' standout Damien Harris, who has shown a nose for the end zone.
Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young
This past season, the Panthers won more than five games for the first time since 2019. Unfortunately, the club still hasn't posted a winning campaign since 2017, which also marks the franchise's last playoff appearance. Frank Reich is the new head coach and first-overall pick Bryce Young hopes to be the season-long starter. Carolina finished 29th in the league in 2022 in both total yards and passing yards per game.
Chicago Bears: WR D.J. Moore
He was part of the deal that saw the Bears send the first overall pick in April's draft to the Panthers. Five-year wide receiver D.J. Moore totaled 364 receptions for 5,201 yards and 21 scores during his days in Carolina, His ability to stretch the field will open up a lot of room for fellow wideouts Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool as well as tight end Cole Kmet. He'll also make life easier for quarterback Justin Fields.
Cincinnati Bengals: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Quarterback Joe Burrow has one of the best wide receiving corps in the league at his disposal with superstar Ja'Marr Chase, reliable Tyler Boyd, and emerging Tee Higgins. Free agency has gobbled up Bengals' tight ends recently and this offseason, Hayden Hurst left for Carolina. Irv Smith Jr. comes off an injury-shortened 2022 but the former Alabama standout could thrive with Burrow pulling the trigger.
Cleveland Browns: DE Za'Darius Smith
This past season, superstar Myles Garrett had 16 sacks for the second straight year. However, Jadeveon Clowney wasn't really the answer opposite the standout pass-rusher as the Browns finished with only 34 QB traps. Za'Darius Smith spent 2022 with Minnesota after a three-year stint with the Packers. He's more of a pure pass-rusher than Clowney and should thrive under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Dallas Cowboys: CB Stephon Gilmore
For the second consecutive year, Mike McCarthy's team led the NFL in total takeaways. Yet, it's worth noting that the Cowboys had 10 fewer interceptions (16) this past season than they did when they totaled an NFL-high 26 picks in 2021. Talented Trevon Diggs can be a little hot-and-cold, so Dallas gave up a fifth-round pick to acquire Stephon Gilmore from the Colts. He's totaled 29 interceptions in 11 seasons.
Denver Broncos: T Mike McGlinchey
It took a bit, but Garett Bolles, who missed the final 12 games of 2022, has developed into a steady left tackle. On the other side, the Broncos gave big bucks this offseason to former 49ers' first-round pick Mike McGlinchey to the tune of five years and $87.5 million. The one-time Golden Domer rebounded from an injury-plagued 2021 to start every game, including three playoff contests, for Kyle Shanahan's team.
Detroit Lions: DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Dan Campbell's team was a disaster on the defensive side of the ball in 2022, although the Lions did show some signs to progress down the stretch (with a few exceptions). Detroit allowed the most total yards in the league and the third-most passing yards per game. The newcomers include cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, but adding versatile Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was a major coup.
Green Bay Packers: TE Luke Musgrave
With Aaron Rodgers off to New York, Packers' general manager Brian Gutekunst re-stocked the Green Bay offense during April's draft. The club added three wide receivers, a pair of tight ends, and a quarterback among their 13 selections. Oregon State standout Luke Musgrave saw his 2022 season cut short by injury however the talented 6'6", 253-pound prospect gives head coach Matt LaFleur a lot of options.
Houston Texans: TE Dalton Schultz
Speaking of the Texans, it remains to be seen how soon first-round pick C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) will take the field for DeMeco Ryans' team. Regardless of who's throwing the football for the Texans throughout the season, former Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz should prove to be quite the safety blanket. In his final three seasons in Dallas, he combined for 198 receptions, good for 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts: WR Josh Downs
Chris Ballard used the fourth overall pick in the draft to grab University of Florida project Anthony Richardson. The Colts did sign former Jaguars and Eagles signal-caller Gardner Minshew. Last season, Indianapolis committed a league-high 34 turnovers this past season, and Colts' wideouts totaled only 10 TD receptions. Josh Downs has gotten a major endorsement from wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne.
Jacksonville Jaguars: T Anton Harrison
The defending AFC South champions used free agency to add depth to the team's offensive line and defensive front. During the draft, the club wound up selecting 13 players, and the Jaguars' first three selections addressed being more physical on offense. University of Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison brings his 6'4", 315-pound frame to a front that has recently added a lot of young players via the draft.
Kansas City Chiefs: DE Charles Omenihu
Kansas City's defense has seemingly been a work in progress the last three seasons and in 2022 was a much-improved unit. Earlier this year, the club parted ways with defensive end Frank Clark, who totaled 23.5 sacks and another 10.5 QB traps in the playoffs in four seasons with the club. Former 49ers' edge rusher Charles Omenihu was part of the NFL's top defense in 2022 and totaled a career-high 4.5 sacks.
Las Vegas Raiders: DE Tyree Wilson
Defense has been a four-letter word for the Silver and Black for more than a decade. Last season, the club's big move on this side of the ball was to add star pass-rusher Chandler Jones. With the exception of a memorable play against the Patriots in Week 15, he was a huge disappointment in his first season in Las Vegas. Tyree Wilson amassed an impressive 27.5 sacks in his final two seasons with the Red Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers: LB Eric Kendricks
Brandon Staley's club wasn't overly busy in free agency, while general manager Tom Telesco obviously has his eye on the TCU program. The latter added three former Horned Frogs in wide receivers Quentin Johnson and Derius Davis and quarterback Max Duggan. Telesco added former Vikings' linebacker Eric Kendricks, who should help a defense that continues to have issues when it comes to stopping the run.
Los Angeles Rams: G Steve Avila
One year after winning a Lombardi Trophy, the Rams set a dubious record for the most losses by a defending Super Bowl champion via a 5-12 finish. The team didn't select a player in the first round for the seventh consecutive year, but GM Les Snead led the way as the club drafted an NFL-high 14 players. Guard Steve Avila (2-TCU) should start immediately, especially since the Rams allowed 59 sacks in 2023.
Miami Dolphins: CB Jalen Ramsey
For numerous reasons, the Dolphins only drafted four players in April. General manager Chris Grier signed his share of free agents this season, many from within the AFC East. The team gave up a third-round pick this year to snare star cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Los Angeles Rams. He led Sean McVay's club with four interceptions this past season. Meanwhile, the Dolphins picked off just eight passes in 17 games.
Minnesota Vikings: DE Dean Lowry
The Vikings learned how to win the close games in 2022, but their defense was a liability and it cost them dearly in a home playoff loss to the Giants. There are some familiar faces no longer with this unit and Ed Donatell was released after one year as the team's coordinator. Enter defensive mind Brian Flores as well as reliable defensive end Dean Lowry. The latter spent the past seven seasons with the rival Packers.
New England Patriots: CB Christian Gonzalez
Bill Belichick is no doubt hoping that the return of Bill O'Brien can fix an offense that was quite fairly inept this past season. Meanwhile, the Patriots won their share of games thanks to a defensive unit and special teams that took matters into their own hands in terms of reaching the end zone. Many felt that Oregon's Christian Gonzalez was the top cover corner in the draft, and he should elevate the Pats' secondary.
New Orleans Saints: QB Derek Carr
There were some who felt the 2022 Saints were a Super Bowl contender. Quarterback James Winston went down in Week 2 and never returned. The team dug itself an early 1-3 hole and never got to .500. Meanwhile, the Raiders parted ways with quarterback Derek Carr this offseason, and Dennis Allen's club welcomed him with open arms. However, he and his new team need to cut back on the turnovers.
New York Giants: TE Darren Waller
It was a comeback year for Big who returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll got a big season from running back Saquon Barkley, while quarterback Daniel Jones cut back on his mistakes. The latter signed a new contract this offseason and should also benefit from the addition of effective tight end Darren Waller, acquired via trade from the Raiders for a third-round pick.
New York Jets: QB Aaron Rodgers
Many of the club's offensive problems in recent years can be traced to instability at quarterback. In 2021, the team used the second overall pick on BYU's Zach Wilson. He's been underwhelming in two seasons so general manager Joe Douglas pulled the trigger on acquiring veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers. He threw "just" 26 TD passes this past season. Meanwhile, the Jets' offense scored 28 touchdowns in 2022.
Philadelphia Eagles: DT Jalen Carter
The defending NFC champions lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators to head-coaching jobs, as well as their share of solid performers on both sides of the ball. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave inked a deal with the 49ers. This past season, the Eagles knew how to corral quarterbacks (70 sacks), but were so-so vs. the run. First-round pick Jalen Carter (Georgia) could be a force up the middle with Fletcher Cox.
Pittsburgh Steelers: G Isaac Seumalo
New general manager Omar Khan Has done a good job so far retooling the roster. The work the club did on its inside linebacking core is vital. As far as the best performer they brought in, guard Isaac Seumalo has a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles. Teaming with other newcomers such as first-round pick Roderick Jones and interior blocker Nate Herbig, Pittsburgh's offensive line should take another step forward.
San Francisco 49ers: DT Javon Hargrave
The 49ers have reached the NFC Championship Game three times in the past four seasons. In 2022, they came within a victory of Super Bowl LVII despite the fact that four different quarterbacks eventually took the field. San Francisco gave up the fewest total yards in the league and allowed the fewest points. One of the best defensive fronts gets much better with interior presence Javon Hargrave, late of the Eagles.
Seattle Seahawks: WR Jaxon Smith-Njibga
It would be easy to list veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner as a newcomer. Officially, that's correct since he didn't play for the team in 2022. There's lots of excitement surrounding former Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njibga, whom the team grabbed with its second pick in the first round. He joins Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf to give 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith a potent trio of targets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Greg Gaines
A lot of familiar faces that were part of the Super Bowl LV championship run are no longer in Tampa. Tom Brady has retired, tight end Cameron Brate was cut loose and remains unsigned, and left tackle Donovan Smith is now with the Chiefs. There were a lot of defensive issues last year, especially when it came to stopping the run. Defensive tackle Greg Gaines should be an asset, teaming with talented Vita Vea.
Tennessee Titans: T Peter Skoronski
The Titans dropped their final seven games in 2022. Hence, this was another team that parted ways with numerous players and didn't add a lot of veterans. Three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan was one of those players cut loose by new GM Ran Carthon. Enter 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski, who could play just about anywhere on the offensive line and could very easily wind up the successor to Lewan.
Washington Commanders: CB Emmanuel Forbes
They were the only team in the NFC East not to make the playoffs this past year but did not finish with a losing record (8-8-1). The Commanders certainly have some questions at quarterback, which has been the case for too many seasons. Washington's defense is one of the best in the league but lacked consistency in 2022. First-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State) should strengthen the secondary.
