Every NFL Team's Best and Worst Offseason Move So Far
Now that the 2016 editions of NFL free agency and the draft are pretty much in the books, it's a good time to look back at what has transpired since the end of the 2015 season.
We've had several front office and coaching changes, while numerous veteran players have switched teams. There have been a few interesting contract disputes, and a whole new class of rookies has entered the league.
The NFL landscape looks a whole lot different than it did a few months ago, and that's largely because of the decisions each team has made since.
Some of those decisions have been brilliant. Others, not so much. Today, we're looking at both ends of the spectrum and identifying the best and worst move each team has made this offseason. We'll be considering front office moves, player acquisitions, contract negotiations and draft decisions—any decision made this offseason is fair game.
There will be some subjectivity here, and, of course, our choices are based on current knowledge and perception. So some of these picks are likely to look a bit silly a few years from now when surprise stars and busts undoubtedly emerge.
Do you agree with our picks? Be sure to let us know in the comments section.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
Best Move: Acquiring Chandler Jones
Rushing the passer was an issue for the Arizona Cardinals in 2015. As a team, the defense produced a mere 36 sacks and rated 29th overall in pass rush by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season.
This is why the trade to acquire pass-rusher Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots was such a brilliant move. Jones produced 12.5 sacks by himself last season, and he'll make the Arizona defense immediately better.
The Cardinals gave up guard Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick in the deal, and Jones' current contract expires after this season. However, this is still a smart move because the Cardinals' Super Bowl window likely won't remain open for long. And there's no guarantee that either Cooper or a second-round rookie would be a significant piece of the puzzle this season.
Jones is a proven commodity that can make an impact right away.
Worst Move: Not re-signing Jerraud Powers
For the most part, the Cardinals re-signed the guys they needed to re-sign, so we're nitpicking a bit by calling out the team's decision to let cornerback Jerraud Powers walk. As a guy who played three seasons in the Arizona defense, however, Powers was a valuable veteran the team would have been wise to keep.
Powers may have been looking at a reduced role in 2016, but he was never going to be a player to break the bank.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Powers to a one-year, $1.75 million deal this offseason.
Atlanta Falcons
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Best Move: Signing center Alex Mack
The Atlanta Falcons made a couple of splash moves in free agency. However, it's the addition of center Alex Mack that looks like the smartest long-term investment.
The Falcons gave Mack a five-year, $45 million deal, which is a sizable contract for a center. Yet, Atlanta is getting a whole heck of a lot in return. Mack won't turn 31 years old until the end of the coming season, and he already has three Pro Bowls on his resume. He is also more than a year removed from the broken leg that prematurely ended his 2014 campaign.
The addition of Mack should bolster both the running and passing attacks for Atlanta, and the Falcons should have him under contract for the remainder of his playing prime.
Worst Move: Signing Mohamed Sanu to five-year deal
The Falcons also gave a five-year contract to former Cincinnati Bengals wideout Mohamed Sanu in free agency. While Sanu's $32.5 million deal isn't quite as large as the contract Mack received, Sanu has proved a whole lot less during his playing career.
As a No. 3 receiver with the Bengals last season, Sanu caught just 33 passes for 394 yards and no touchdowns.
The Falcons were undoubtedly looking to add a No. 2 wideout to complement Julio Jones this offseason, but the team may have been better served utilizing the draft to do so. Sanu had an opportunity to be Cincinnati's No. 2 receiver two seasons ago, and his performances left a lot to be desired. He produced 790 yards and five touchdowns in 2014, but he also had 14 drops, according to Pro Football Focus.
Pro Football Focus rated Sanu 181st overall among all receivers for the 2014 season. Atlanta is shelling out a lot of cash for a guy who will likely have a difficult time living up to expectations.
Baltimore Ravens
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Best Move: Landing Kenneth Dixon in Round 4
The Baltimore Ravens made a number of smart moves this offseason. They added safety Eric Weddle and wide receiver Mike Wallace in free agency, then produced a tremendous draft haul.
The Ravens drafted several players who could emerge as future stars, but the one who stands out is fourth-round pick Kenneth Dixon. The former Louisiana Tech star is one of the most complete backs in this year's draft class and an absolute steal in the fourth round.
Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller rated Dixon as his No. 2 back in the 2016 class and wrote the following of him before the draft:
"At 215 pounds, Dixon packs a punch with the ball in his hands. He's a fighter who looks for yards after contact and seems to never fall backward or lose yards. He's an urgent, instinctive, tough runner who has an aggressive playing style. Dixon is a valuable contributor on third downs, posting 63 catches in the last two seasons.
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Dixon could easily become Baltimore's next franchise running back, and he could even emerge as the starter this season. Pulling the trigger in Round 4 was brilliant.
Worst Move: Letting Kelechi Osemele leave in free agency
It's hard to knock the Ravens too much for allowing offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele to leave in free agency because the 26-year-old commanded so much interest on the open market. The Ravens didn't come into free agency with tons of cap room, and Osemele ended up with a massive five-year, $58.5 million deal from the Oakland Raiders.
Still, Osemele is one of the best young offensive linemen in the league, and losing him hurts.
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Buffalo Bills
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Best Move: Re-signing Cordy Glenn, Richie Incognito
Teams don't always get a ton of recognition for re-signing their own players. However, the Buffalo Bills definitely should this offseason. The Bills managed to bring back two standout offensive linemen in left tackle Cordy Glenn and guard Richie Incognito.
Pro Football Focus rates Glenn ninth overall among tackles and rates Incognito second overall among guards for the 2015 season.
Buffalo brings back the 26-year-old Glenn on a five-year, $60 million deal. Incognito is back on a three-year, $15.75 million deal.
The offensive line should be a strength in 2016.
Worst Move: Allowing Chris Hogan to join the Patriots
Wideout Chris Hogan never became a star with the Buffalo Bills—in fact, he never even earned a significant role. Last season, Hogan grabbed just 36 passes for 450 yards and two touchdowns.
Still, it felt like a mistake when the Bills decided not to match the offer sheet the New England Patriots extended to Hogan this offseason. The deal will pay Hogan $12 million over three years, which may have been a bit rich for Buffalo. However, we can't help but think Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will find ways to repeatedly haunt the Bills with the 6'1", 220-pound pass-catcher.
Losing Hogan also creates a need for the Bills, who also parted ways with Percy Harvin and are dealing with the possible absence of wideout Sammy Watkins.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Watkins is expected to miss at least the preseason after undergoing offseason foot surgery.
Carolina Panthers
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Best Move: Drafting Vernon Butler in Round 1
After deciding to part ways with Pro Bowler Josh Norman, the Carolina Panthers could have panicked and taken a defensive back with the 30th overall pick in the draft. They also could have pulled the trigger on an offensive weapon to help even out a unit that often looked lost during Super Bowl 50.
The Panthers did neither. Instead, they stuck to their draft board and came away with former Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler. While Butler doesn't fill an immediate need—Carolina's defensive front is one of the team's biggest strengths—he makes the defensive line that much more formidable.
The Panthers generally base their pass rush off interior pressure, and Butler fits the mold perfectly, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller explained before the draft:
"A powerful, angry bull-rusher, Butler gets into the backfield and makes plays there. He added 10 tackles for a loss and three sacks while playing over the tackle in 2015. If Butler gets his hands underneath the pads of a blocker, it’s game over for them, as he’ll forklift them off the ball. He’s quick enough to win with his first step, but what makes Butler so intriguing is his ability to win with second and third moves when countering blockers.
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Worst Move: Rescinding Josh Norman's franchise tag
Teams rarely pull the franchise tag after using it on a player, but that's exactly what Carolina did with cornerback Josh Norman this offseason. General manager Dave Gettleman said the move was made because a long-term deal didn't appear to be on the horizon.
"After a number of conversations with Josh's agent we realized that a long-term deal was not attainable," Gettleman said in a statement, via NFL Media's Kevin Patra. "We have decided to rescind the franchise tag."
We don't blame the Panthers for not wanting to immediately give Norman a huge long-term deal. The guy has exactly one Pro Bowl season on his resume and ended up getting a five-year, $75 million deal from the Washington Redskins. That could look like a horrible decision if Norman falters in Washington.
We're surprised, however, that the Panthers didn't hang onto Norman through the offseason to try to reach a long-term deal or create trade options. Unless something unexpected surfaces in the future regarding Norman, his release is going to look like one of the weirdest moves of the entire offseason.
Chicago Bears
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Best Move: Adding linebacker Danny Trevathan
The Chicago Bears made a few smart moves this offseason geared toward revamping their 20th-ranked scoring defense (24.8 points per game allowed). The Bears added pass-rusher Leonard Floyd in the first round of the draft and added free agent Akiem Hicks to further bolster the defensive line.
However, the brilliant move of the offseason was the addition of free-agent inside linebacker Danny Trevathan.
The ILB has experience playing under Bears head coach John Fox from the time the two spent together with the Denver Broncos. He also happens to be one of the best young inside linebackers in the entire NFL.
Last season with the Broncos, Trevathan racked up 109 tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus rates him sixth overall among inside linebackers for the 2015 season.
At just 26 years old, Trevathan has the bulk of his playing career ahead of him, and the Bears landed him with a four-year, $24.5 million deal. He becomes the field general for Chicago's new-look defense, and he comes at a reasonable price. That's what football analysts like to call a win-win.
Worst Move: Trading Martellus Bennett to the Patriots
Chicago lost a couple of key offensive veterans this offseason. Running back Matt Forte is now with the New York Jets, and tight end Martellus Bennett is now with the New England Patriots.
Of the two departures, Bennett's feels like the bigger mistake. The 6'6", 273-pound pass-catcher is a matchup nightmare and was one of the better targets in quarterback Jay Cutler's arsenal.
Chicago could have afforded to keep him. All the Bears got in return was a fourth-round pick—a small price to pay for the Patriots.
Cincinnati Bengals
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Best Move: Grabbing receiver Tyler Boyd in Round 2
The Cincinnati Bengals lost receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones in free agency this offseason, so the position became one of need heading into the draft. The Bengals wisely didn't panic and reach for a receiver in Round 1; they instead took cornerback William Jackson III at No. 24 overall.
Cincinnati did address the receiver position in the second round, snagging former Pitt star Tyler Boyd with the 55th overall selection. Boyd is a pro-ready route-runner and a reliable pass-catcher with big-play ability.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote the following before the draft:
"Boyd is able to make ridiculous catches because of his hand strength. Playing in an offense without an established quarterback, he's had to make tough grabs away from his frame and does so consistently. Boyd, who is only 6'1 ½", has a much larger catch radius. With the ball in his hand, Boyd can pick up plus yardage and rip off big plays.
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Boyd has the potential as a rookie to be Cincinnati's No. 2 receiver opposite A.J. Green. The Bengals deserve credit for exercising patience in the draft and still landing a premier talent in Boyd.
Worst Move: Not re-signing Reggie Nelson
We can understand why the Bengals weren't willing to make a big push to re-sign 32-year-old safety Reggie Nelson. Cincinnati is more interested in retaining its young core players and building through the draft.
Still, the decision to let Nelson sign with the Oakland Raiders may come back to haunt the Bengals. Nelson is still one of the top safeties in the game, as evidenced by the 77 tackles, eight interceptions and 14 passes defended that he produced last year.
Pro Football Focus rates Nelson 13th overall among safeties for the 2015 season.
Retaining Nelson wouldn't have broken the bank, either. He signed with Oakland on a two-year, $8.5 million deal.
Cleveland Browns
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Best Move: Hiring Hue Jackson as head coach
We don't know if new head coach Hue Jackson is going to lead the Cleveland Browns to a Super Bowl or if he's just going to be the next guy to be fired after a season or two. What we do know is Jackson was arguably the hottest candidate on the head coaching market this offseason, and the Browns somehow landed him.
Getting Jackson should be seen as a huge win for the Browns, who have too often been forced to turn to fourth- and fifth-choice options in recent head coaching searches.
If Jackson can solidify the coaching position, this could prove to be the best move the Browns have made in nearly a decade.
Worst Move: Not re-signing Mitchell Schwartz
The Browns allowed several key veterans to walk in free agency this offseason, but for a rebuilding franchise, most of these departures were acceptable. However, Cleveland absolutely should have found a way to hang onto starting right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.
Schwartz has never missed a snap in his NFL career and is rated first overall among all right tackles by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season. More importantly, it appeared that Schwartz actually wanted to remain with the Browns.
There were some early rumors that Cleveland pulled its initial offer to Schwartz when he went to sign, but the Browns insist this wasn't the case.
"No offer pulled," Browns executive Sashi Brown said of the matter, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Even if Cleveland didn't pull its offer, it appears there wasn't a strong effort made to retain Schwartz. This could prove to be a major mistake if the Browns struggle to replace Schwartz, who signed a five-year, $33 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Best Move: Pulling the trigger on Ezekiel Elliott
It took a lot of gumption for the Dallas Cowboys to draft former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick. It's a high selection for a ball-carrier, and it's a move many will see as a luxury pick.
Darren McFadden gave Dallas 1,089 rushing yards and 4.6 yards per carry in 2015.
However, Elliott can transform Dallas' offense into a championship-caliber one. He is a complete back and an offensive weapon who should perfectly complement quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant.
Because of his youth, Elliott should solidify the running back position for the Cowboys for the foreseeable future.
Worst Move: Signing Alfred Morris
We have the benefit of hindsight here, but the signing of former Washington Redskins starter Alfred Morris looks a little silly now. The Cowboys gave Morris a two-year, $3.5 million deal to complement McFadden. The move could now be a virtual waste.
Dallas has a potential franchise back in Elliott to pair with a 1,000-yard rusher in McFadden. The Cowboys will also potentially have change-of-pace back Lance Dunbar, when and if he can return from last year's season-ending knee injury.
Morris averaged just 3.7 yards per carry in 2015 and now might be in danger of not even making the team. His deal includes $1.8 million in guarantees, which is money that could have been spent on positions of greater need.
Denver Broncos
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Best Move: Letting quarterback Brock Osweiler walk
At some point following quarterback Peyton Manning's retirement, we're sure the Denver Broncos were interested in bringing back Brock Osweiler. However, the Broncos weren't interested in competing with teams on the open market for his services and ultimately allowed him to go.
"While we did offer a very competitive and fair long-term contract to Brock," Broncos executive John Elway said of the situation, per Andrew Mason of the Broncos' official website, "we ultimately had to remain disciplined while continuing to assemble a roster that can compete for championships."
Instead of bidding on Osweiler, the Broncos traded for veteran Mark Sanchez and later landed Memphis product Paxton Lynch in the draft.
The Broncos have seen Osweiler for four years, and they know what he is capable of. Sure, they allowed him to start seven games this past season, but they also benched him in favor of an aged and hobbled Manning for the playoffs.
The Houston Texans gave Osweiler a massive four-year, $72 million deal with $37 million guaranteed. This represents a huge gamble for a guy with seven career starts, and it's a gamble Denver was right to avoid.
Worst Move: Matching C.J. Anderson's offer sheet
The Broncos didn't keep Osweiler this offseason, but the team did retain restricted free agent C.J. Anderson. The Miami Dolphins signed the running back to an offer sheet early in free agency, and Denver eventually matched the offer.
As a result, Anderson now has a four-year, $18 million contract. This is a pretty big contract for a guy who has shown flashes but hasn't been able to secure a starting job. Remember, it was Ronnie Hillman who started the majority of the regular-season games for Denver in 2015.
The fact the Broncos brought Hillman back and drafted Utah's Devontae Booker makes the decision to sign Anderson's offer sheet more questionable.
Detroit Lions
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Best Move: Adding Taylor Decker in Round 1
The Detroit Lions could have gone in a number of different directions with the 16th overall pick in the draft. However, the team's decision to pull the trigger on former Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker was brilliant.
The Lions are rated just 21st in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season.
Decker should be able to immediately take over at right tackle and improve the Lions' line in the process. His addition also adds insurance for the possible departure of left tackle Riley Reiff, whose rookie contract expires after this season.
Decker might even be able to replace Reiff this season, pushing the veteran to the right side of the line.
This wasn't a flashy move for Detroit, but it was a smart decision and likely good for the long-term success of the franchise.
Worst Move: Letting go of safety Isa Abdul-Quddus
Isa Abdul-Quddus might not be one of the most recognizable names in the NFL, but he emerged as a solid contributor for the Detroit defense in 2015. Abdul-Quddus appeared in all 16 games and amassed 57 tackles, one sack, six passes defended and a forced fumble last season.
Pro Football Focus rates Abdul-Quddus 19th overall among all safeties for the year.
At just 26 years old, Abdul-Quddus is likely just entering his prime. He could have been a solid, young building block for the Detroit secondary. Instead, he signed a three-year, $12.75 million deal with the Miami Dolphins.
Green Bay Packers
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Best Move: Signing tight end Jared Cook
We don't often get opportunities to dote over the free-agency moves made by the Green Bay Packers because the team is generally quiet during the market period. However, the Packers did add a significant piece to their offense this offseason, and we're going to recognize the move.
The addition of seven-year veteran Jared Cook might not seem like a big deal to some, but for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it's huge. Cook is a legitimate weapon at the tight end position, and he gives Rodgers one more reliable downfield threat.
Cook caught 39 passes for 481 yards in 2015.
The Packers made several smart selections over draft weekend, but Cook is the guy most likely to make an immediate impact on the field this season. Green Bay landed him with a one-year, $2.75 million deal.
Worst Move: Letting cornerback Casey Hayward go
The Packers generally do an excellent job of retaining their young core players. However, the team may have erred by allowing nickelback Casey Hayward to depart in free agency.
Hayward started 11 games for the Packers in 2015 and finished the year with 65 tackles and seven passes defended. Pro Football Focus rates him 33rd overall among all cornerbacks for the season.
At just 26 years old, Hayward should be entering the prime of his playing career, and he might have been a terrific young piece of the Green Bay secondary. However, the Packers watched as Hayward signed a three-year, $15.3 million deal with the San Diego Chargers.
Houston Texans
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Best Move: Signing Lamar Miller
The Houston Texans' biggest move of this offseason was the addition of quarterback Brock Osweiler. There's a huge risk with him, as the Texans are ponying up $72 million over four years for a guy with seven career starts.
We think a better move is the addition of running back Lamar Miller.
Miller is an explosive player who brings game-changing talent from the backfield for the Houston offense. He racked up 1,269 combined rushing and receiving yards with 10 touchdowns in 2015 and is rated fifth overall among running backs by Pro Football Focus for the season. At just 25 years old, Miller should also have plenty of tread left on the proverbial tires.
Houston snagged Miller with a reasonable four-year, $26 million deal.
Worst Move: Overdrafting Will Fuller
The Texans came into the offseason looking for a legitimate receiver to play opposite star DeAndre Hopkins. The team ended up pulling the trigger on former Notre Dame standout Will Fuller with the 21st overall pick in the draft.
Our issue isn't necessarily with Fuller as a player but with his selection in the middle of Round 1. Though he has 4.3 40 speed, he possesses a thin frame and inconsistent hands.
"For every touchdown scored, it felt like Fuller dropped an easy pass to match it," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote before the draft. "He struggles making routine catches on the boundary and too often tries to basket-catch the ball."
Fuller is a boom-or-bust player and a bit of a reach at No. 21 overall. His selection is one of few questionable moves in an otherwise strong Texans offseason.
Indianapolis Colts
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Best Move: Drafting center Ryan Kelly in Round 1
After years of watching Peyton Manning and Jeff Saturday operate, the Indianapolis Colts should have a good idea of just how important a quarterback-center relationship can be. This might be exactly why the Colts pulled the trigger on former Alabama center Ryan Kelly with the 18th overall pick in the draft.
Are people going to question the selection of a center that high in the draft? Sure. However, Kelly is a guy who can step in, start from day one and be a partner to quarterback Andrew Luck for the next decade. He should also boost the Indianapolis run game, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller pointed out before the draft:
"On tape, Kelly runs the roost. He’s a confident, tough, mean center who looks for a fight on every down. Put a nose tackle over Kelly, and he’ll push and scrape to get them out of the hole with leverage and hand placement. Kelly was a driving force in the massive inside holes Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry saw routinely. Thanks to his power and his lateral movements, the A-gap at Alabama in 2015 was a freeway.
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Grabbing Kelly wasn't a sexy move, but it's one that immediately makes Indianapolis better.
Worst Move: Giving Dwayne Allen $16 million guaranteed.
The Colts allowed one of their tight ends to go in free agency, as Coby Fleener signed with the New Orleans Saints. Indianapolis decided to keep tight end Dwayne Allen, however, and gave him a four-year, $29.4 million deal that includes $16 million guaranteed.
We have absolutely no idea why.
Allen isn't worth anywhere near $30 million over four years. He caught just 16 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in 2015, and he has a mere 1,045 yards receiving in his four-year career.
Pro Football Focus rates Allen 136th overall out of 137 tight ends for the 2015 season.
Did we mention Allen also has a notable injury history? He's missed 21 games over the past three seasons.
Jacksonville Jaguars
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Best Move: Snagging Myles Jack in Round 2
The Jacksonville Jaguars made a number of solid moves this offseason to improve a defense that ranked 31st in scoring with an average of 28 points per game allowed in 2015.
The Jaguars brought in free-agent pieces like defensive end Malik Jackson and safety Tashaun Gipson. They also pulled the trigger on former Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey with the fifth pick of the 2016 draft. However, the best move of the offseason might prove to be the team's gamble on former UCLA linebacker Myles Jack with the fifth pick in Round 2.
There are concerns that Jack's 2015 knee injury could jeopardize the length of his NFL career, but if healthy, he is an elite talent. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote the following before the draft:
"A three-down star on defense, Jack can do it all thanks to elite athleticism, strength, instincts and natural playmaking skills. If healthy, Jack is one of the surest things in the draft class. He has the tools to be a starter immediately, and with his coverage skills, he’ll be able to change how offenses operate.
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By adding Jack alongside Ramsey, Jacksonville landed two top-five talents in this year's draft.
Worst Move: Overpaying for Chris Ivory
Don't get us wrong. We like Chris Ivory as a player. He is a physical, bruising, bulldozer of a running back who can dominate a defense late in games. However, Ivory has rarely been asked to be an every-down back, and he has just one 1,000-yard season on his resume.
To secure Ivory's services, the Jaguars gave him a five-year, $32 million deal. This is an awful lot of money for a guy who has never been an elite runner and who will be 33 years old by the deal's end.
This is one of the only questionable moves in an offseason the Jaguars have nailed.
Kansas City Chiefs
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Best Move: Signing tackle Mitchell Schwartz
The Kansas City Chiefs landed one of this year's top free agents when the team signed right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.
Schwartz has never missed an NFL start and is rated first overall among all right tackles by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season. He immediately improves the right side of the Kansas City offensive line and, at just 26 years old, should anchor it for the foreseeable future.
The Chiefs landed Schwartz with a five-year, $33 million deal. This may seem like a fairly large sum for a right tackle, but we're talking about one of the top right tackles in the game.
Worst Move: Allowing Sean Smith to sign with Oakland
The Chiefs were already looking at one hole in their secondary after safety Husain Abdullah announced his retirement. Safety Tyvon Branch also left this offseason to join the Arizona Cardinals through free agency.
Kansas City created an even bigger hole in its secondary when it allowed cornerback Sean Smith to sign with the AFC West rival Oakland Raiders.
Smith produced 45 tackles, 12 passes defended and two interceptions in 2015. He is rated tied for 17th among all cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season. Though he will turn 29 before the start of the 2016 season, the Chiefs were in position to have Smith play out his remaining prime years with the franchise.
Instead, Oakland got him with a four-year, $38 million deal.
Los Angeles Rams
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Best Move: Trading up to secure Jared Goff
The Los Angeles Rams made a huge gamble by trading up to No. 1 overall to draft former Cal quarterback Jared Goff. The Rams traded away a first-round pick, two second-round picks and a third-rounder in this year's draft, along with first- and third-round picks in the 2017 draft.
For now, this feels like absolutely the right move for Los Angeles.
For most of last season, it felt like the Rams were a quarterback away from legitimate contention. Last year's 7-9 team featured a stud running back in Todd Gurley and a stout defense that Pro Football Focus rated seventh overall for the season.
By going up and getting Goff, the Rams now have their quarterback. The next step will be filling in the pieces needed to go from contender to title contender.
Worst Move: Giving Mark Barron a $45 million deal
We can't criticize the fact the Rams gave a new contract to Mark Barron this offseason. In 2015, the former safety became a starter at outside linebacker for the first time, and he thrived in his new role. Barron racked up 116 tackles to go with a sack and three forced fumbles.
What we have a problem with is Los Angeles' decision to hand Barron a five-year, $45 million deal that includes $20 million guaranteed. This is an absurd amount of money to give a one-year wonder whose standout season came at a new position.
Barron could well prove to be worth the contract, of course, but it's questionable.
Miami Dolphins
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Best Move: Stopping Laremy Tunsil's draft slide
Heading into draft weekend, former Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was widely considered one of the top prospects and a legitimate candidate to be the first non-quarterback off the board.
As we all now know, a bizarre Twitter hack and the posting of a marijuana gas mask video caused Tunsil to fall. The Miami Dolphins, however, pounced on Tunsil and stopped his slide at pick No. 13.
The Dolphins appear confident that any past marijuana issues won't follow Tunsil to the NFL.
"The video is two years old," Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. "So from all the information we have, we are comfortable with it."
Getting a guy with top-five talent in the middle of Round 1 is a huge win for Miami.
Worst Move: Signing Mario Williams
The Dolphins decided to give veteran defensive end Mario Williams a two-year, $17 million deal this offseason. This would be a great deal if we were talking about vintage Mario Williams, but we're not.
Williams produced 5.0 sacks in 2015 and rated 88th overall among 4-3 defensive ends for the 2015 season.
What makes the move look even worse is the fact Miami pulled the transition tag from defensive end Olivier Vernon and ultimately lost him to the New York Giants.
Vernon is just 25 years old and rated second overall among edge-rushers by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season. Trading in a young and emergent player for an aging and declining one is rarely a wise move.
Minnesota Vikings
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Best Move: Drafting wideout Laquon Treadwell in Round 1
It's hard not to love the Minnesota Vikings' selection of former Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell with the 23rd overall pick. Treadwell is one of the most complete receivers in the draft class, and he should immediately provide quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with a No. 1 target.
"In the last three seasons, few college wide receivers could compete with the production, impact and hype of Laquon Treadwell," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote before the draft. "The true junior from Chicago overcame injury and poor quarterback play to emerge as one of the top receivers in the class."
The 6'2", 221-pound Treadwell is a big target and a fiery competitor. He immediately makes the Minnesota offense better, and he completes the quarterback-rusher-receiver trio for the Vikings.
Worst Move: Drafting Willie Beavers in Round 4
It's difficult to find a bad move in the Vikings' offseason. The team brought back its key free agents, addressed the offensive line and had a strong draft. If we're going to nitpick—and we kind of have to here—we'll ding the Vikings for drafting another project of an offensive tackle.
In the fourth round, the Vikings selected Western Michigan product Willie Beavers. Our problem isn't with the selection of Beavers himself—he may one day become a starting-caliber tackle. Our issue is that Minnesota already has a project tackle on its roster.
A year ago, Minnesota spent a fourth-round pick on Pittsburgh product T.J. Clemmings.
Clemmings started 16 games for Minnesota and will start on the left side this year. Offseason acquisition Andre Smith is competing to start on the right side. It would seem their 2016 fourth-rounder could have been used on a different position.
New England Patriots
20 of 32
Best Move: Adding tight end Martellus Bennett
The New England Patriots were uncharacteristically active in the early offseason this year. The team traded away pass-rusher Chandler Jones and added a number of offensive pieces like Chris Hogan, Nate Washington and Martellus Bennett.
Of the new offensive additions, Bennett probably has the potential to make the biggest impact. The 6'6", 273-pound tight end is already a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. The idea of putting him in two-tight-end sets with Rob Gronkowski is even scarier.
Bennett missed five games due to injury in 2015 and still managed to produce 439 yards receiving and three touchdowns. It wouldn't be surprising to see him double both numbers in 2016.
Worst Move: Taking quarterback Jacoby Brissett in Round 3
If the deflated-football-related suspension of quarterback Tom Brady holds, the Patriots are going to need a backup for Jimmy Garoppolo for the season's opening month. However, we're not sold on the idea that rookie third-rounder Jacoby Brissett can step in and fill that role. The North Carolina State product doesn't possess the consistency we're used to seeing in Patriots players.
"Brissett's production for the Wolfpack was wildly inconsistent," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote before the draft. "He flashed potential with big throws and nice runs but could fall apart on the next series. He's a hot-and-cold player."
Perhaps the Patriots view Brissett as competition for Garoppolo, but it still feels like this was an odd place to take a quarterback. New England's window with Brady is still open, but the team should be looking at players who can help the team win now.
The fact this was New England's third selection of the draft only helps to spotlight the potential error.
New Orleans Saints
21 of 32
Best Move: Snagging receiver Michael Thomas in Round 2
After letting longtime receiver Marques Colston walk in free agency, the New Orleans Saints found themselves with a big hole to fill at the wideout position. New Orleans filled it with former Ohio State standout Michael Thomas, and it may have landed one of the biggest steals in the draft in the process.
The Saints grabbed Thomas with the 47th overall pick in the draft, but some feel the former Buckeye will wind up being one of the best receivers in this draft class. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, for example, actually graded Thomas as his top receiver for the 2016 draft.
Miller wrote the following of Thomas before the draft:
"Thomas' ability to stutter-step and set up cornerbacks with double moves is impressive for a big receiver. He knows how to vary his speed and can break down his hips to leave cornerbacks guessing and driving upfield while he's running by them. Thomas is a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. Put him in the "X" and get him the ball. He has the skills to make an early impact in any offensive system.
"
Getting a No. 1-caliber receiver in Round 2 is always a great move.
Worst Move: Failing to restructure Drew Brees' contract
The biggest mistake of the Saints' offseason was the failure to get a new deal done with quarterback Drew Brees. Sure, Brees and his agent are going to have some say in the matter, but the quarterback's current deal has left New Orleans hurting for cap room.
Brees currently has a cap hit of $30 million.
Agent Tom Condon said the Saints had a chance to get a deal done but failed.
“At one point, New Orleans wanted to talk about a cap redo, and Drew was more than happy to do that,” Condon said, per Nick Underhill and Joel A. Erickson of TheAdvocate.com. “There were some intervening situations that occurred, so they didn’t need the cap room, and they seem to be satisfied with carrying that number right now.”
New York Giants
22 of 32
Best Move: Signing Olivier Vernon
The New York Giants went on a spending spree during free agency and came away with three starting-caliber defenders—cornerback Janoris Jenkins, defensive tackle Damon Harrison and defensive end Olivier Vernon.
The addition of Vernon should be the most significant this season.
The Giants—rated just 26th overall in pass rush by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season—needed to add an edge-rushing presence. Landing Vernon accomplishes that.
Vernon produced 7.5 sacks in 2015 and rated second overall among edge-rushers by Pro Football Focus for the season. It took a massive five-year, $85 million deal to land Vernon, but the Giants are adding a 25-year-old cornerstone defender.
Worst Move: Overdrafting Eli Apple
The Giants needed some secondary help even after adding Jenkins. However, the team's move to draft former Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple 10th overall has the feel of a panic pick and a total reach.
Apple was seen by some as a borderline first-round talent but not the second-best defensive back in the draft—which is what his draft position would indicate. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, for example, graded Apple as his No. 4 cornerback in the draft class.
Reaching for a need is going to happen during the draft process, but reaching for Apple at No. 10 overall could prove to be a major mistake. In doing so, New York passed on premier talents such as tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Corey Coleman.
"In no universe was Eli Apple the 10th-best player in the draft," Adam Schein of CBS Sports said after the draft.
We have to agree.
New York Jets
23 of 32
Best Move: Signing Matt Forte
The New York Jets lost bruising running back Chris Ivory in free agency this offseason but replaced him with a much more versatile back in Matt Forte.
While Forte has reached that dreaded age of 30, he is still a highly productive back. Even though he missed three games due to injury in 2015, he still managed to produce 1,287 combined rushing and receiving yards to go with seven total touchdowns. He will be a weapon and leader in New York's backfield alongside Bilal Powell and Khiry Robinson.
The Jets landed Forte with a modest three-year, $12 million deal.
Worst Move: Franchising Muhammad Wilkerson
There's no denying that defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is a top-tier player and a valuable member of the Jets defense. He racked up 64 tackles, 12.0 sacks and two forced fumbles just last season. For a 3-4 end, that's ridiculous.
Pro Football Focus rates Wilkerson fifth overall among 3-4 defensive ends for the 2015 season.
New York obviously wanted to keep Wilkerson or get something in return via a trade, so the franchise tag was used. The problem is that using the tag on Wilkerson has left the team strapped for cap space—it now has about $3 million remaining, per Spotrac.com.
This lack of cap space is part of the reason the Jets haven't been able to reach a deal with free-agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Reaching a long-term deal with Wilkerson or trading him could resolve the issue, but neither scenario has occurred. According to general manager Mike Maccagnan, the Jets won't rescind the tag, either.
"The simple answer to that question is no," Maccagnan said, per Darryl Slater of NJ.com. "I don't view that as an option."
The decision to franchise Wilkerson has put the Jets in an unfavorable situation.
Oakland Raiders
24 of 32
Best Move: Signing cornerback Sean Smith
At first blush, it appears as though the Oakland Raiders have had a virtually flawless offseason so far. From Bruce Irvin to Kelechi Osemele and Reggie Nelson, the Raiders signed several impact players in free agency, and then they proceeded to add several more in the draft.
Oakland's addition of cornerback Sean Smith stands out as the best move of the offseason for one major reason, though. Adding him weakens the team he came from, the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs.
In addition to softening up a divisional foe, signing Smith brings serious talent to a position of need for Oakland. The Raiders gave up an average of 258.8 yards per game through the air in 2015.
Pro Football Focus rated Smith 17th overall among all cornerbacks for the 2015 season. Oakland got him with a four-year, $38 million deal.
Worst Move: Re-signing Aldon Smith
As mentioned above, the Raiders have absolutely nailed their offseason so far. On paper, none of their moves look to be truly egregious. However, the re-signing of suspended pass-rusher Aldon Smith is certainly a risky one and the most questionable.
Smith received a one-year suspension in 2015 for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. He won't be eligible to return until mid-November at the earliest. Despite the suspension, the Raiders gave Smith a new two-year, $11.5 million deal this offseason.
This is a big gamble for an Oakland team that is on the rise and doesn't necessarily need to be gambling with its roster at this point. Smith's behavior over the next few months will likely determine whether the gamble pays off.
Philadelphia Eagles
25 of 32
Best Move: Trading Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso
Early in the offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles traded cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso to the Miami Dolphins. In exchange, the Eagles swapped their No. 13 overall selection in the draft with Miami's eighth overall pick.
The move was a win for Philadelphia for a couple of reasons. For starters, the deal added nearly $6 million in 2016 cap space alone, according to Matt Lombardo of NJ.com.
It also put the Eagles in position to make a deal and grab a quarterback at the top of the draft. Philadelphia eventually did exactly that, trading the eighth overall selection along with third- and fourth-round picks, a 2017 first-rounder and a 2018 second-rounder to the Cleveland Browns for the second overall pick.
Philadelphia then used that pick on former North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz, who has now become the team's quarterback of the future.
Worst Move: Giving large guaranteed sums to both Bradford and Daniel
Long before the Eagles decided to trade up for Wentz, they reached deals with quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel.
Bradford, who started 14 games for the Eagles in 2015, received a two-year, $35 million deal that includes $22 million guaranteed before the start of free agency. In free agency, the Eagles then gave Daniel three-year, $21 million deal with $12 million guaranteed, as he spent time with new head coach Doug Pederson during their respective tenures with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Accordingly, the Eagles now have $34 million in guaranteed money invested in two guys who aren't likely to be significant pieces of the franchise over the long haul.
Pittsburgh Steelers
26 of 32
Best Move: Adding tight end Ladarius Green
Veteran tight end Heath Miller announced his retirement following the 2015 season, which left the Pittsburgh Steelers with a very sizable hole at the position. The Steelers filled that void in free agency by adding young tight end Ladarius Green.
Green emerged as a receiving threat for the San Diego Chargers in 2015, hauling in 37 receptions for 429 yards and four touchdowns. Pro Football Focus rated Green 29th overall among tight ends in receiving for the 2015 season.
At 6'6" and 240 pounds, Green is a big, rangy target who should quickly become a dangerous piece in Pittsburgh's offense. The Steelers landed him with a very reasonable four-year, $20 million deal.
Worst Move: Reaching on Artie Burns in Round 1
At first glance, it would seem that allowing young offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum to walk in free agency would be Pittsburgh's biggest blunder. However, it's understandable why the Steelers wouldn't want to give a hefty contract to a guy coming off an ACL tear, especially after Beachum signed a five-year, $45 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Instead, the over-drafting of former Miami cornerback Artie Burns stands out as the biggest gaffe of the Steelers offseason. Burns has plenty of physical tools but is incredibly raw and was a reach at 25th overall. His selection may have actually been a panicked reaction to the Cincinnati Bengals' selection of cornerback William Jackson III one pick earlier.
"Burns is raw as the day is long and will need coaching up in rookie camp on timing and technique at the position," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote before the draft. "With his focus split between football and track, he’s never had time to commit to learning the intricacies of the position."
Right now, it feels like the Steelers took Burns a round too early.
San Diego Chargers
27 of 32
Best Move: Drafting Joey Bosa
The San Diego Chargers surprised plenty of folks when they selected former Ohio State star Joey Bosa with the third overall pick in the draft. Many viewed the pass-rushing end as an odd fit for San Diego's 3-4 base defense and an unlikely candidate to be the first non-quarterback drafted.
The Chargers, though, quietly stuck to their draft board and got the man they wanted all along. Chargers head coach Mike McCoy recently said the following, per NFL Media's Jeffri Chadiha:
"It didn't take long to figure out the guy we wanted to get. Any time you turned on Ohio State football—it didn't matter if you were watching one of their players on defense or an opponent on the offensive side of the football—he was on tape often. [He was] wreaking havoc, making plays, getting after the quarterback, putting pressure on the quarterback, running to the football and playing the way we want to play football here.
"
Bosa immediately steps in as the anchor of San Diego's defensive front and one of the most recognizable faces on the roster.
Worst Move: Giving Travis Benjamin $13 million guaranteed
The Chargers' signing of wide receiver Travis Benjamin makes sense on paper. He emerged as one of the league's top deep threats in 2015—catching 68 passes for 988 yards and five scores—and should help the San Diego offense stretch the field.
Where we the Chargers erred, however, is in giving Benjamin a four-year, $24 million deal that includes $13 million guaranteed. That's a lot of money for a 175-pound receiver with an extensive injury history and a limited resume prior to the 2015 campaign.
Last season was Benjamin's first as a full-time starter and the first in which he produced more than 350 receiving yards. Even though Benjamin took a big step forward in 2015 and appeared fully recovered from his 2013 ACL tear, he wasn't a consistent target. According to Pro Football Focus, his 68 receptions came on a whopping 116 targets.
San Francisco 49ers
28 of 32
Best Move: Taking DeForest Buckner seventh overall
The San Francisco 49ers weren't major players in free agency this year, so the strength of their offseason rests in their draft class. The prize of that class is former Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner.
The 6'7", 291-pound Buckner is a long, athletic end who can both set the edge and rush the passer. He has the talent to start from Day 1 and to make an immediate impact.
"As a top-10 player, there are few issues with Buckner’s game," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote before the draft. "And those that do exist are picky."
Buckner should immediately become one of the top pass-rushers on San Francisco's defense—he had 10.5 sacks at Oregon in 2015—and should anchor the defensive front for years to come. One could make the argument that the 49ers simply sat back and grabbed a potentially elite talent that fell to them in the draft, but that doesn't prevent the move from being their best of the offseason.
Worst Move: Allowing wideout Anquan Boldin to walk
Veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin is still a free agent, but that doesn't mean the 49ers were smart for letting him go. According to CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, the team still hasn't expressed interest in re-signing him. It doesn't make sense not to even make an attempt.
Yes, Boldin is 35 years old. However, he is still playing at an incredibly high level. Even in San Francisco's quarterback-hamstrung offense in 2015, he produced 69 receptions, 789 yards and four touchdowns.
Pro Football Focus rated Boldin 33rd overall among all wideouts for the 2015 season. Some team is likely to get a major bargain with Boldin this year, and the 49ers have essentially guaranteed it won't be them.
Seattle Seahawks
29 of 32
Best Move: Snagging Jarran Reed in Round 2
The Seattle Seahawks addressed major needs with their first two selections in this year's draft. In Round 1, Seattle grabbed former Texas A&M lineman Germain Ifedi. A round later, the Seahawks landed former Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed.
Reed—who was widely considered a first-round talent—appears to be the bigger steal, making his selection the best move for Seattle's offseason. He should immediately be able to step in and help fill the void left by departed defensive tackle Brandon Mebane.
"Reed is a prototypical nose tackle—6'3" with a stout, squatty build and tree-trunk legs," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote before the draft. "He plays with power but also has refined technique in his hand placement and leverage."
Reed should be able to start on Day 1 and help anchor the defensive line for the Seahawks. Getting him where they did is huge for them.
Worst Move: Allowing both J.R. Sweezy and Russell Okung to leave in free agency
The reason why Ifedi fills a need for Seattle is because the offensive line is a major weakness for the team. It was a weakness last season—Pro Football Focus rated Seattle 30th in pass blocking and 29th in run blocking for the 2015 season—and it got even weaker through free agency, as the Seahawks allowed starting guard J.R. Sweezy and starting left tackle Russell Okung to leave this offseason.
Neither player should really be considered an elite talent, but letting two starters walk from an already-shaky unit isn't the smartest of moves. Keeping Okung probably would have been affordable for Seattle, as the agent-less tackle failed to land himself a hefty deal on the open market.
The five-year, $53 million deal the Denver Broncos gave Okung can be voided at any time before the start of the 2017 league year. In terms of real money, Okung is looking at a one-year, $5.2 million deal—and even that isn't guaranteed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Best Move: Drafting cornerback Vernon Hargreaves
Re-signing running back Doug Martin is certainly in contention for the best move the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made so far this offseason. However, Martin having two injury-filled and underwhelming seasons sandwiched between his two 1,400-yard campaigns is reason to be at least somewhat wary of his new five-year, $35.75 million deal.
Instead, the team's decision to promote Dirk Koetter from offensive coordinator to head coach earns the "best move" nod.
Koetter is largely responsible for the quick transition that then-rookie Jameis Winston made in 2015. He also oversaw an offense that ranked fifth overall—with an average of 375.7 yards per game—and put Winston into the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
By replacing Lovie Smith with Koetter, the Buccaneers ensure continuity on offense and continued growth for their young franchise quarterback.
Worst Move: Inking J.R. Sweezy to a large deal
Tampa Bay came into the offseason looking to boost the talent level along its offensive line. The team landed a guard in former Seattle Seahawks starter J.R. Sweezy, but it feels like the Buccaneers massively overpaid.
Pro Football Focus rated Sweezy 131st overall among guards and credited him with allowing 24 quarterback hurries during the 2015 season.
Sweezy's play in 2015 "earned" him a five-year, $32.5 million deal with the Buccaneers this offseason, which feels a bit rich for a lower-tier starter. He will have to play at a much higher level than he did last season in Seattle to justify his new deal.
A shorter-term prove-it contract would have made much more sense here.
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Best Move: Drafting Jack Conklin eighth overall
The Tennessee Titans' selection of Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin at No. 8 overall isn't in and of itself their best move of the offseason. How the Titans reached the moment in which they pulled the trigger on Conklin is.
Before the draft, the Titans traded down with the Los Angeles Rams to the No. 15 spot. In addition to the 15th overall pick, Tennessee received two of L.A.'s second-round selections, a third-round choice and first- and third-round picks in the 2017 draft.
On the day of the draft, the Titans traded up to No. 8 overall by sending the Cleveland Browns a third-round pick and a 2017 second-round pick. Tennessee then grabbed an offensive tackle in Conklin, a position the team may well have addressed with the first pick in the draft had it stayed there.
In the end, the Titans basically turned a 2017 second-rounder into a first-rounder, added some second-round picks this year and still grabbed a bookend tackle to help protect quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Well done, Titans.
Worst Move: Signing Antwon Blake
On the surface, the addition of cornerback Antwon Blake makes some sense for the Titans. Blake spent the past four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau spent most of the past decade crafting Pittsburgh's defense.
Unfortunately, this Pittsburgh connection might not be enough to transform Blake into a quality starter, as he was one of the league's worst defensive backs in 2015. Pro Football Focus rated Blake 217th overall out of 218 cornerbacks for the 2015 season and credited him with surrendering 1,074 receiving yards.
No corner gave up more yards this past season.
In an offseason of smart Titans additions, Blake looks to be the exception, but at least he came relatively cheap. The Titans gave Blake a one-year deal worth just $1.5 million.
Washington Redskins
32 of 32
Best Move: Giving Kirk Cousins the franchise tag
Kirk Cousins finished the 2015 season with a passer rating of 101.6, and he led the Washington Redskins to an NFC East title. Keeping him in the building was obviously important for the Redskins, and the team did it by handing Cousins the franchise tag.
It doesn't take a genius to see that utilizing the tag was the most direct way to retain Cousins for another season. However, this is still Washington's best move of the offseason because it ensures a playoff-caliber quarterback will be under center in Week 1.
In a way, Cousins' one-year, $19.95 million deal could even be a blessing. If Cousins plays well again in 2016, the Redskins will want to re-sign him. If Cousins proves to be a one-year wonder, however, Washington isn't stuck with a long-term contract like, say, the four-year, $72 million deal the Houston Texans gave Brock Osweiler. Cousins, for his part, appears motivated by the upcoming prove-it campaign.
"I'll let my play do the talking and try to get better and you allow the team and the agent to handle the rest," Cousins said, per John Keim of ESPN.com.
Worst Move: Letting go of Terrance Knighton
One of Washington's biggest weaknesses last season was a run defense that ranked just 26th in the NFL with an average of 122.6 yards per game allowed on the ground. As such, it would have made sense for the Redskins to retain defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who isn't a superstar but is an above-average run defender.
Pro Football Focus rated Knighton 25th in run defense among defensive tackles for the 2015 season.
Washington did look into re-signing Knighton but ultimately allowed him to move on to the New England Patriots.
*All contract information via Spotrac.com.
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