All 32 NFL general managers have basically completed most of their hard work for the year. Now it’s about sitting back and hoping that their plethora of offseason moves end up panning out.
Now that we have a firm idea as to what all final 53-man rosters will look like, let’s wrap up report card season by handing out our final offseason grades for all 32 teams.
Arizona Cardinals: F
They couldn’t even find a taker for DeAndre Hopkins and wound up releasing him for nothing. JJ Watt and AJ Green were lost to retirement, and key starters Byron Murphy and Zach Allen left in free agency and weren’t replaced.
If Arizona is really committed to building a winner around Kyler Murray, they still have an odd way of showing it. We can’t help but think they’re not-so-secretly tanking for Caleb Williams next year.
Atlanta Falcons: C+
The Falcons mostly addressed defense this offseason, bringing in Jessie Bates, Jeff Okudah, Calais Campbell, Bud Dupree, Kaden Elliss and David Onyemata to fix up the unit. It certainly looks better on paper, but only time will tell if the signings pan out.
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But we’re still questioning the decision to take Bijan Robinson at No. 8 overall when Atlanta already has a 1K rusher in Tyler Allgeier.
Baltimore Ravens: A+
Baltimore had two pressing needs this offseason: First was to extend Lamar Jackson, and the second was to improve the receiving game. Mission accomplished on both.
Jackson got a five-year extension worth $260 million, cementing his place in Baltimore long term. The Ravens also signed wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor while also using a first-round pick on Zay Flowers.
Buffalo Bills: D
We know the Bills had a difficult cap situation to work around, but it still feels like Brandon Beane and company could have done much better. Their one big addition was tight end Dalton Kincaid with their first-round pick, but how much is he gonna contribute behind Dawson Knox?
Losing Tremaine Edmunds stung, though they had no choice but to let him chase greener pastures. But Beane couldn’t find additional cornerback depth, a new starter on the o-line nor a much-needed WR2 to help Stefon Diggs?
Carolina Panthers: A
The Panthers traded up via Chicago for the first overall pick to snag Bryce Young. This franchise has been held back for a half-decade now by woeful QB play, but Young finally gives this club something special to build around long-term.
The front office wasted no time addressing the weaponry around him, signing Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Hayden Hurst and star running back Myles Sanders. Justin Houston was a great addition to a ferocious pass rush, too.
Chicago Bears: A
Hard not to like the work of the Bears this offseason. They had football’s worst defense a year ago and addressed it by signing four stud front seven starters in Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards, Yannick Ngakoue and DeMarcus Walker.
They found a true WR1 for Justin Fields in DJ Moore, who arrived in the trade with Carolina for the top pick. The Bears also found a new quality starter on the o-line with the No. 10 pick in Tennessee product Darnell Wright.
Cincinnati Bengals: B+
Cincy’s only pressing need this offseason was a new starter on the o-line. They signed away Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. from the rival Kansas City Chiefs on a four-year pact worth $64 million. Double-whammy, baby.
We also loved the pickup of Clemson defensive lineman Myles Murphy with the No. 28 pick. As if the Bengals’ pass rush wasn’t scary enough to begin with…
Cleveland Browns: A
Myles Garrett has been asked to do too much, on his own, for far too long. Shouldn’t be a problem anymore. Not after GM Andrew Berry signed veterans Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris Ogbo Okoronkwo while also trading for Mr. Automatic for double-digit sacks in Za’Darius Smith.
Adding Juan Thornhill to an already-scary secondary was icing on the cake. Oh, and giving Deshaun Watson two extra weapons in Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman to help Amari Cooper and Nick Chubb was also savvy work.
Dallas Cowboys: A+
Jerry Jones got All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore and consistent 1,000-yard threat Brandin Cooks at bargain prices in trades with Indy and Houston, respectively. Those two moves are enough for us to hand out an A+.
Gilmore and Trevon Diggs could very well be football’s top cornerback duo in 2023. Cooks will fill in nicely as the No. 2 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb, something the Cowboys lacked a year ago.
Oh, and getting Diggs extended long-term was also a mega win.
Denver Broncos: B
The Broncos’ big offseason move was trading for ex-Saints head coach Sean Payton. To us, it’s well worth the risk considering how much they gave up for Russell Wilson — who fell flat on his face last season.
Looking to fix up a woeful o-line, the Broncos also signed Ben Powers and Mike McGlinchey. So there’s no more excuses. Time for this offense to perform.
Detroit Lions: C+
The Lions crushed it in free agency by signing defensive backs Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and CJ Gardner-Johnson. The only thing preventing them from receiving an A? The questionable moves on day one of the draft.
Why use a first-round pick on Jahmyr Gibbs when you already have David Montgomery? Why reach for Jack Campbell in round one when you could’ve gotten him later? On a brighter note, Brian Branch was a big-time steal in round two.
Rookie Hendon Hooker and veteran Teddy Bridgewater are good QB insurance for Jared Goff, too.
Green Bay Packers: D
It’s still hard for us to defend the Aaron Rodgers trade, but only time will tell if it ends up being the right move. At the draft? We don’t know why they used a first-rounder on Lukas Van Ness when the Packers already have enough star power in the front seven.
Taking tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft in rounds two and three were also curious, since Matt LaFleur rarely uses tight ends in his offense. Truth be told, we don’t really know what Green Bay’s thinking process was this offseason.
Houston Texans: A
DeMeco Ryans was a home run of a hire at head coach, for starters.
Then they got their new franchise quarterback with the No. 2 pick in CJ Stroud. Then they got the best defensive player of the draft by trading up for Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. What’s there not to like?
Loved the pickups of veterans Shaq Mason, Devin Singletary, Noah Brown, Dalton Schultz, Robert Woods and Jimmie Ward to help the young players during this rebuild.
Indianapolis Colts: C+
Pairing rookie head coach Shane Steichen with rookie QB Anthony Richardson has the chance to be something special here. We’re in love with this new tandem in Indy, but of course, only time will tell us how it all plays out.
But with all that cap space, it would’ve been nice to see Indy be a bit more aggressive in the free agent and trade market. Their lone notable free agent pickups were kicker Matt Gay and veteran backup QB Gardner Minshew II.
Also hurting their grade a bit: Jonathan Taylor’s trade request. Never ideal when your best offensive player wants out.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C+
The Jaguars got tight end Evan Engram extended on a multi-year deal and addressed the need at offensive tackle by snagging Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison in the No. 27 spot.
Oh, and Calvin Ridley is coming to town after being suspended all of 2022. Giddy up.
Kansas City Chiefs: D
The defending champs lost more than they gained this offseason. Out went beloved OC Eric Bienemy and key starters JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Orlando Brown Jr., Frank Clark and Juan Thornhill.
With limited cap space, Brett Veach couldn’t add any big-named players. Better hope that rookies Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Rashee Rice are able to step up and produce right awa
Las Vegas Raiders: D-
So Josh Jacobs wants out of town…and the Raiders released Derek Carr and opted to replace him in favor of an inferior and injury-prone Jimmy Garoppolo. Can someone make it make sense?
That Vegas defense was once again among football’s worst last year. The only additions were rookie Tyree Wilson and past-his-prime cornerback Marcus Peters. Not sure if those two will make up for the other shortcomings on the unit…
Los Angeles Chargers: C
They extended Justin Herbert and landed a new weapon for him in TCU wideout Quentin Johnston in round one. Getting ex-Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks on a two-year deal was also a tidy piece of work.
But the Bolts didn’t do much else on defense. They didn’t address the need for extra secondary help nor pass-rushing support for Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. It’s hard to argue that this team is better on paper now than they were a year ago.
Los Angeles Rams: C-
We know, we know. They didn’t have the cap space to make big moves this offseason. Still, trading away All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey to Miami while you remain in win-now mode is a head-scratcher of a move.
Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd both had excellent seasons but were let go in baffling cost-cutting moves. Les Snead and Sean McVay are relying on a wealth of rookies to fill in a ton of starting positions. That’s a dangerous game to play.
Miami Dolphins: B
The Phins made two splashy moves: Hiring defensive whiz Vic Fangio for their DC role and of course trading for Jalen Ramsey, though the latter will unfortunately miss most of the regular season with a knee injury.
In an ideal world, the Dolphins would’ve added more help on the o-line. But if the core players stay healthy, they’ll be a bonafide Super Bowl contender.
Minnesota Vikings: C-
Hard to comprehend what the defending NFC North champs are doing this offseason. This defense was trash a year ago, yet their big idea of fixing it was to let top corner Patrick Peterson and stud pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith go?
Releasing a consistent 1,000-yard running back in Dalvin Cook while he’s still in his prime? Huh?
That said, swapping out Adam Thielen for rookie Jordan Addison was a smart personnel move. Loved the Brian Flores hiring at DC, and Marcus Davenport could be the steal of 2023 free agency if he stays health
New England Patriots: B
The Pats won the offseason once Bill Belichick hired Bill O’Brien to serve as the new O.C. instead of running it back with the atrocious tandem of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. Just saying.
JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki were nice additions to the offense. Still unsure how Oregon corner Christian Gonzalez fell to them in the No. 17 spot, and second-rounder Keion White has looked like a beast in preseason. Are the Patriots back? Stay tuned.
New Orleans Saints: A
Following his release from the Raiders, Derek Carr signed a four-year deal worth $150 million with the Saints. With Tom Brady retired, the Saints unquestionably have the best QB situation in the hapless NFC South.
Signing 1,000-yard back and 2022 rushing TDs leader Jamaal Williams to complement Alvin Kamara should terrify the rest of the NFL. These Saints could be the ultimate sleeper team of 2023.
New York Giants: B+
Fixing up the receiving room was the main priority. Mission accomplished with the additions of Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, wideout Parris Campbell and rookie Jalin Hyatt.
More importantly, the Giants extended cornerstones Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence on long-term deals.
New York Jets: A+
The Jets got a four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. That alone justifies the A+ grade, but we also loved the signings of Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb to ensure A-Rod has as much weaponry around him as possible.
Congrats, Jets fans. You deserve this after not having a good QB in how-long-again?
Philadelphia Eagles: A+
Howie Roseman kept most of the band together and re-signed Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Darius Slay AND James Bradberry…just when it looked like he could’ve lost at least three of them.
Roseman also got Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith — both expected to go much earlier than they did — with his first-round picks. Oh, and quarterback Jalen Hurts signed a $255 million extension! Always good news when you lock up your franchise star long-ter
Pittsburgh Steelers: A-
Pittsburgh won the draft by snagging future star offensive tackle Broderick Jones in round one and by somehow getting corner Joey Porter Jr. in round two. Yes, that’s the son of the former Steelers star linebacker.
The Steelers also signed the ageless Patrick Peterson to bolster their secondary. Alex Highsmith signed a team-friendly extension, and they took a low-risk, high-reward move on Allen Robinson.
San Francisco 49ers: B
San Fran got a B here simply because they signed superstar defensive tackle Javon Hargrave away from the rival Eagles — their biggest competitor in the NFC.
The 49ers didn’t lose any of their core players in free agency. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan know what this roster is capable of, so major changes weren’t needed. That’s grade-A management.
Seattle Seahawks: A+
All the ‘Hawks did was bring back Bobby Wagner and add another pass-rushing stud in Dre’Mont Jones in free agency. In round one of the draft, they landed another big-bodied corner Devon Witherspoon and Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Oh, and Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith signed a team-friendly extension. As did rising star pass-rusher Uchenna Nwosu.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: D-
Feels like the Bucs should’ve begun a rebuild after losing Tom Brady to retirement. They’re just gonna risk losing Mike Evans, LaVonte David, Devin White and Antoine Winfield Jr. for nothing in free agency.
Baker Mayfield is really the best they could do as Brady’s replacement? At least the Bucs won the Super Bowl two years ago, because these next few years in Tampa are gonna be quite dark.
Tennessee Titans: B+
We kinda-sorta felt like the Titans should’ve started a rebuild and dealt away Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. BUT after signing superstar wideout DeAndre Hopkins in free agency, we’re back to supporting the win-now direction.
Ran Carthon crushed it in his first draft as Tennessee GM, landing the most polished offensive lineman in Peter Skoronski and somehow getting Kentucky QB Will Levis at No. 33 overall. Wasn’t Levis supposed to be a top-10 pick or something?
Washington Commanders: A
Washington was surprisingly quiet in free agency and in the trade market, and they’re relying on second-year product Sam Howell to lead the offense. The Commanders used their first-round pick on Mississippi State corner Emmanuel Forbese to solidify an already stout defense.
Washington could have done more in the player personnel department. But they get an A because Dan Snyder, the worst sports owner of all-time, is finally gone. He sold the club to Josh Harris to mercilessly end 24 years of pure dysfunction and humiliation.
No Snyder means the Commanders are a winner. Forever and always.
Who do you think had the best and worst 2023 NFL offseason?
