Minnesota Vikings
Byron Murphy Jr., CB
Cornerback would’ve been one of the biggest offseason needs of the Minnesota Vikings even if Patrick Peterson, Cam Dantzler, and Duke Shelley had remained on the roster. The trio are now with other teams. After they departed, 2022 draft picks Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans topped the depth. The Vikings needed an experienced starter. Preferably a young, experienced starter. At only 25 with four quality seasons of starting, Byron Murphy Jr. was one of the best cornerbacks in free agency. With inside-outside versatility, he should thrive in new defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ defense.
Chicago Bears
D.J. Moore, WR
After a year of blowing up the roster, the Chicago Bears had a load of cap space. As a result, they’ve been the most active team of the offseason. It started with trading the first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers. The Bears collected a bunch of picks in return. They also acquired receiver D.J. Moore. While not a free agent signing, he’s the best Bears addition of the offseason. Bears quarterback Justin Fields desperately needed a reliable receiver and Moore is much more than that. He has the talent to be a game-changer. He exceeded 1,100 receiving yards in each of the 2019-21 seasons. He didn’t approach those numbers on an offensively-challenged Panther team last season. 1,100 yards should be considered his baseline.
Detroit Lions
Cameron Sutton, CB
It’s easy to like the Detroit Lions signing of Cameron Sutton as he rivaled Byron Murphy Jr. atop my cornerback wishlist for the Vikings. Sutton emerged last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It feels like his best seasons are in front of him and the Lions should be the beneficiary.
Green Bay Packers
Tarvarius Moore, S
As is their norm, the Green Bay Packers weren’t very active in free agency. They signed a long snapper and safety Tarvarius Moore. Underused by the San Francisco 49ers but talented, Moore will now have an opportunity with the Packers.
New York Giants
Parris Campbell, WR
Perhaps not an eye-catching signing, Parris Campbell was a receiver that I had my eye on. A second round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2019 NFL Draft, Injuries kept him from doing much of anything over his four seasons in the league. The talent is there. He just has to stay on the field.
Philadelphia Eagles
Rashaad Penny, RB
When healthy, Rashaad Penny has had stretches in which he’s one of the best backs in the league. Behind the terrific offensive line of the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s real easy to imagine Penny excelling with his new team. He just has to stay on the field.
Washington Commanders
Daron Payne, DT
There are a lot of terrific interior defensive linemen in the league. Daron Payne has emerged as one of the best. The Washington Commanders were wise to retain him. First with the franchise tag, then with a giant, four-year deal. Teaming with Jonathan Allen, the Commanders have perhaps the best interior duo in the league.
Dallas Cowboys
Brandin Cooks, WR
Brandin Cooks has had one of the most puzzling NFL careers. The Dallas Cowboys are his fifth team. Despite consistent production with each team, he’s been traded four times. He has six 1,000-yard seasons. Why is a consistent 1000-yard receiver traded so often? Cooks should form a nice receiving tandem with CeeDee Lamb.
Carolina Panthers
Adam Thielen, WR
How could my favorite Carolina Panthers signing not be Adam Thielen? I hated to see his career with the Minnesota Vikings come to an end but it was time. The Panthers are going to have a rookie quarterback. Having an experienced, reliable pass-catcher like Thielen will be a considerable asset for that quarterback.
Atlanta Falcons
Jesse Bates, S
It feels like Jesse Bates has been one of the league’s best safeties for years. He’s only 26. I would’ve guessed that he was much closer to 30. He’s in his playing prime and should be for years.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield, QB
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed a quarterback. Baker Mayfield was the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s only 27. He’s only an idiotic acquisition of Deshaun Watson from being the franchise savior of the Cleveland Browns. Perhaps Mayfield hasn’t lived up to the hopes expected of the top pick in a draft. He hasn’t truly failed. Maybe he can revive his career in Tampa Bay.
New Orleans Saints
Khalen Saunders, DT
Over his four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Khalen Saunders played just over a third of the snaps. It always felt like his impact exceeded that. If he can play twice the number of snaps with the New Orleans Saints, he should be an impact player.
Los Angeles Rams
Jimmy Lake, Assistant Head Coach
The Los Angeles Rams have been the least active team this offseason. They re-signed a couple players and traded Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins. After a few years of having his coaching staff raided, Sean McVay made some intriguing additions this offseason. Running backs coach Ron Gould is an excellent addition. So is Jimmy Lake. He turned the University of Washington into DB U. If he can do for the Rams young secondary what he did for years with the Huskies, the Rams won’t be missing Ramsey and former Lake student Taylor Rapp,
San Francisco 49ers
Javon Hargrave, DT
Javon Hargrave were one of the biggest “gets” of the offseason. The excellent San Francisco 49ers defense got better. While their defensive front has gone from great to greater, it does make puzzling some of their past decisions. They spent the third pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Solomon Thomas and the seventh pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on DeForest Buckner. Neither is with the team. Buckner was traded because the team wouldn’t pay him what they paid Hargrave. 2020 first round pick Javon Kinlaw was drafted to be the player than Hargrave was signed to be. That’s a lot of misses at a single position. I suppose if a team repeatedly throws high-end resources at a particular position, eventually something might stick.
Arizona Cardinals
Hjalte Froholdt, G/C
How could you not like the signing of a player named Hjalte Froholdt? He got the first six starts of his three-year career last season with the Cleveland Browns. Perhaps this opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals is his big shot at a full-time role.
Seattle Seahawks
Dre’Mont Jones, DT
After emerging as an impact player with the Denver Broncos, Dre’Mont Jones was one of the big names on the free agent market. The Seattle Seahawks won the bidding. The Seahawks have an improving defense. Jones should help.
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