Changing teams in the NFL isn’t quite as plug-and-play as it is in some of the other major professional sports leagues.
There are a lot of complexities to success in the NFL… whether it is fitting within the coaching staff’s system… meshing with the vibe of a new city… or, of course, getting along with and fitting the play style of your new teammates.
It just isn’t a guarantee that a guy who was successful for one team will be able to carry that over to a new organization!
Let’s take a look at where some of the bigger names in the NFL landed this offseason and predict whether they will be STUDS or duds!
Which NFL players are primed for a breakout year with their new teams?
Stud: Danielle Hunter, DT, Houston Texans
I don’t know about you, but I did not have the Texans signing Danielle Hunter on my 2024 NFL bingo board!
What a turn of events that has taken place in Houston over the last year or so. They went from being knee deep in turmoil following the fallout from the Deshaun Watson situation—to all of a sudden they are ready to go all-in heading into the 2024 season.
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It is amazing what one player—especially when they play quarterback—can do for an organization.
In any case, the Houston Texans have decided there is no need to play it safe and that they are ready to push their chips to the middle of the table—which is exactly what we saw them do with the Hunter signing.
But I guess that is what happens when a stud like CJ Stroud comes along and can accelerate a team’s timeline, especially when he is on a rookie contract, which positioned the Texans financially to sign Hunter to a two-year, $49 million deal.
He is coming off a monster year with the Vikings, where he notched 16.5 sacks in 2023 and will be instrumental in sure-ing up the Texans defense, so that they can really contend this year.
Dud: Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears
While folks around the NFL are extremely bullish on the Bears heading into this year—and, don’t get me wrong—there is reason to have optimism around the organization for the first time in a long time… but there is one move that we aren’t so sure about.
The acquisition of long-time Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Let’s face it: Keenan Allen’s move to Chicago comes with plenty of question marks. A LOT of question marks. First and foremost, his health.
When he’s on the field, there is no denying his ability as a possession receiver, but doing that… staying on the field… has been a pretty significant struggle for him throughout his career—and even more so in recent years.
And while Caleb Williams is expected to step in as the starter—and Chicago wants him to establish himself as the franchise QB for years to come… that is also far from a guarantee.
Even if he does develop into a star… that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be this year.
Which wouldn’t bode well for Allen, whose best years might be behind him.
All of the Injuries have definitely taken a toll on his game—and the declining speed will start to have an impact at some point.
And while he’s a smart route-runner, Chicago’s offense needs explosive playmakers, not just reliable hands—as the timing on routes could be an issue with a rookie quarterback. The Bears took a calculated risk here, but don’t be shocked if Allen struggles to make a significant impact in this new chapter.
Stud: Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Ever since the Lamar Jackson era kicked off, the Baltimore Ravens have never really had a true bell-cow back.
Frankly, it has been years… maybe even dating back to the likes of Jamal Lewis… But there is reason to believe that heading into 2024, all will change—thanks to the arrival of Derrick Henry.
Baltimore was able to secure one of the league’s all-time best bruising backs on a two-year, $16 million deal, and if he can keep his level during the twilight of his NFL career, well, the King could fit seamlessly into their run-heavy offense.
Henry’s north-south power running is the perfect complement to Lamar Jackson’s electrifying playmaking ability. Defenses now have to account for two bonafide, elite runners on every play, making the Ravens a nightmare to defend.
Henry may be approaching the day that he is past his prime, but playing in Baltimore’s system could extend that window.
He won’t need to carry the entire load—and should be poised to capitalize on the space that Jackson opens up for him.
Dud: Russell Wilson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
While we can kind of see what the Steelers were going for taking a two-pronged approach at acquiring a quarterback in free agency—the more this offseason has gone on, the more it has been reinforced that the decision to sign former Seahawks star signal caller, Russell Wilson is a real head-scratcher.
Bringing in an aging star like Wilson in Pittsburgh feels like a desperate move by a team trying to find its way after years of instability at quarterback.
I understand that it was miserable to have Kenny Pickett under center… but I don’t know. This seems a little bit rash.
Wilson’s tenure in Denver was rough, to put it mildly. To be honest, it was an unmitigated disaster.
And while Pittsburgh’s got a solid defense and young offensive pieces, it’s hard to see how Wilson fits into the Steelers’ identity. He isn’t exactly the team-first, gritty guy that the Steelers are typically known for.
To make matters worse, his mobility isn’t what it used to be, and Pittsburgh’s offensive line isn’t built to protect a quarterback who holds the ball as long as Wilson does.
This partnership looks doomed to fail from the start.
Also Read: NFL Suspends Former Offensive Player Of The Year For The Start Of The 2024 Season
Stud: Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans
Last year, the Titans had one of the weakest receiving corps in the NFL last season… Bar none.
To put it lightly, they had a little bit of Deandre Hopkins—and nobody else.
Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, and, to some extent, Will Levis all caught some flak for the way that the offense played, but I really don’t know how you can blame these guys with the pieces that were put around them.
There was no other receiver other than Hopkins last year that averaged at least two catches per game, which is tough to do!
Fortunately, Tennessee has sought to patch that hole up—and do it in a rather strategic way, pillaging the Jacksonville Jaguars for one of their most talented offensive weapons in Calvin Ridley.
The wideout looked a little bit off last year, but let’s not forget he was just trying to get his career back on track.
It should be fascinating to see what he looks like heading into the second year of his second act—especially with a proven vet like Hopkins to learn from.
Dud: Geno Stone, S, Cincinnati Bengals
Paying for a breakout year always carries risk, but the Cincinnati Bengals appear to have spent wisely on Geno Stone. He accepted a two-year, $15 million agreement after collecting 68 tackles and seven interceptions in 2023. Stone is a tremendous on-paper addition to an NFL defense that yielded a league-worst 8.1 yards per pass attempt last season.
On the surface, the Bengals’ signing of Geno Stone looked like a smart move.
After all, he had a breakout in 2023 with 68 tackles, nine passes defended, and seven picks. Which… yes… is a good thing. But if we know one thing about the NFL—it is buyer beware when overpaying for a guy who is coming off of one good season.
You never know what kind of good fortune helped pull that one good year together—or, in some cases, how a guy is wired internally… There is always the risk of the money going to their head, and the next thing you know, he is looking washed up as it gets!
That said, Baltimore’s logic is sound. Stone could shore up their leaky secondary, but there’s reason to be skeptical about the relatively unproven safety, especially at that price tag.
Let’s just say there is a very good chance that he’ll leave Bengals fans feeling like they got less than they bargained for.
Stud: Christian Wilkins, DT, Las Vegas Raiders
Under new head coach Antonio Pierce, it is clear that the Las Vegas Raiders are trying to forge a new identity… a defense-first identity.
Christian Wilkins is a huge part of that plan—and the decision to sign him away from the Dolphins to a deal worth nearly $85 million in guaranteed money is a major investment, but Wilkins is worth every penny.
They were off to a great start in terms of building that new identity with the likes of Maxx Crosby leading the way and Pierce’s gritty mentality leading the team.
Now—adding a guy like Wilkins, well, they might just be able to pull off the 180!
He’s an absolute force on the interior, commanding double teams, and should be able to open up opportunities for Maxx Crosby in new ways and wreak havoc off the edge.
With Wilkins anchoring the defensive line, the Raiders have the makings of a formidable front that could give opposing offenses fits all season long, which would make this acquisition a huge win for the Raiders.
Dud: Carlton Davis, CB, Detroit Lions
The Lions made a bold but very necessary move to bolster their secondary this offseason by trading for Carlton Davis, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that this could be a huge mistake.
Truthfully, Davis had a forgettable 2023 season and hasn’t been the shutdown corner he once was in recent years.
We understand that Detroit’s pass defense was among the worst in the NFL last year, ranking 30th with 7.4 yards per pass attempt, but it isn’t quite clear how a potentially washed-up Carlton Davis is the solution.
At a minimum, he will keep the Lions’ defense at par—and in the worst-case scenario, well, we may end up in a situation where he is causing Detroit more harm than good!
If Davis can’t establish himself as a difference-maker in Mo-Town, the Lions’ investment will look like a major misstep in what was otherwise a strong offseason for the team.
Stud: Haason Reddick, DE, New York Jets
It is clear that the Jets are all-in on a Super Bowl run in 2024, which is understandable after the devastation that they endured last season, in year one of the Aaron Rodgers experiment.
And while it has gotten off to a rocky start for Haason Reddick in New York, we think that this may ultimately prove to be a much better move than anyone thinks.
Yes, Reddick is still beefing with the team over the uncertainty of his contract situation… But history says that when push comes to shove—and the real money is on the line—that he will play!
Reddick has racked up big sack numbers in the last few seasons, and he’ll be a terror for opposing quarterbacks in 2024… You know… if and when he gets on the field!
It is hard to find guys that can put up 11-plus sacks, so when you can get them on the relatively cheap—you have to go for it, which is exactly what the Jets did!
Don’t be surprised if once he finally gets out there—whether a long-term contract is resolved or not—that Reddick puts on a show and has the Jets fans that are cursing him right now, start singing his praises!
Dud: L’Jarius Sneed, CB, Tennessee Titans
L’Jarius Sneed had a breakout season for Kansas City in 2023—and… yes… he was a critical part of their Super Bowl run… that is absolutely the case!
But we are a little bearish on him joining a new squad with the Tennessee Titans.
After all, he is stepping out of one of the most effective defensive systems around the league and joining a team that is completely in flux—and expecting him to sustain that level of play..?
I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a big gamble.
The Titans shelled out a hefty four-year, $55 million deal for the 27-year-old corner, but one standout NFL season doesn’t guarantee future success.
Sorry, Titans fans, this one could end up being a huge, old DUD.
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