Ranking the NFL's Top Additions from 2021 Offseason Entering October

Hindsight, they say, is 20-20. While it's a common and an admittedly fun practice to immediately label winners and losers of the NFL offseason, the reality is that free-agent and trade acquisitions don't pay off until actual games are played.

Now that we're three games into the 2021 regular season, we're better equipped to accurately gauge some of the most significant moves of the offseason. We'll do precisely that, examining the offseason acquisitions who have most matched or exceeded their price tags through three weeks.

We'll count down the top 10 trade and free-agent additions based on factors like production, role and overall value—relative to contract dollars and trade terms.

Only free-agent and trade additions qualify here, meaning re-signings do not apply.

10. Julio Jones, WR, Tennessee Titans

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We'll kick things off with one of the most high-profile trades of the entire offseason. The Tennessee Titans sent a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-rounder to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2023 sixth-round choice and future Hall of Famer Julio Jones.

At the time, the trade appeared poised to make Tennessee's offense borderline unstoppable.

"I mean, defenses, you're really going to have to pick your poison," Jones said at the time, per NFL.com's Kevin Patra.

While partnering Jones with A.J. Brown, Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill hasn't made Tennessee an offensive juggernaut—the Titans rank 15th in total offense—Jones has been solid in his new home.

Through three weeks, Jones has caught 12 passes for 204 yards. His value could soon skyrocket, too, as Brown is currently "week-to-week" with a hamstring strain.

9. Mike Hughes, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

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The Kansas City Chiefs' trade for cornerback Mike Hughes didn't generate headlines like the Jones deal did. However, it was still a smart move—and a much less expensive one.

Kansas City sent a 2022 sixth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for Hughes and a 2022 seventh-round pick.

In return, the Chiefs have gotten a tremendous depth player. Hughes has played 52 percent of the defensive snaps, has notched two passes defended, an interception and has allowed an opposing passer rating of just 88.7 in coverage.

The caveat here is that Kansas City's defense is still very, very bad. The Chiefs rank 23rd in pass defense, 30th in total defense and 31st in points allowed. They'd be even worse, though, if not for the move to acquire Hughes.

8. Jadeveon Clowney, Edge, Cleveland Browns

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The first free-agent addition on our list is that of Cleveland Browns edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney. The three-time Pro Bowler signed a relatively team-friendly one-year, $8 million deal to be the complement to star sack artist Myles Garrett.

While Clowney didn't make a significant impact through the first two weeks, he exploded in Week 3. He logged his first two sacks since 2019 while allowing Garrett to repeatedly face single blocking against the Chicago Bears.

Garrett finished Week 3 with a franchise-record 4.5 sacks. The Browns defense had nine.

Clowney has produced two sacks, eight quarterback pressures and three tackles for loss on the season. That puts him on pace for 11 sacks, 45 pressures and 17 tackles for loss. If Week 3 was an accurate sign of things to come, this could go down as one of the best two or three signings of the offseason. 

7. Kyle Fuller, CB, Denver Broncos

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While the Bears defense wasn't responsible for the 26-6 beatdown Chicago suffered in Week 3—the team logged just 47 offensive yards—fans cannot be happy to see former starter Kyle Fuller thriving with the Denver Broncos.

Chicago dumped Fuller for cap purposes, only to watch him sign a one-year, $9.5 million deal with Denver.

The Broncos are undefeated thanks in no small part to a defense ranked second overall and first in points allowed. Fuller has played a vital role, starting all three games, playing 94 percent of the defensive snaps and compiling 11 tackles, two passes defended and an opposing passer rating of 84.8.

The Broncos aren't guaranteed to have Fuller around long-term, but this trade gives them a top-tier starter for the remainder of 2021.

6. Matt Judon, Edge, New England Patriots

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Clowney and Fuller signed team-friendly, one-year deals in the offseason. Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matt Judon did not. He inked a four-year, $54.5 million deal with the New England Patriots early in free agency.

While Judon came with a hefty price tag, it's hard to argue that New England hasn't gotten decent value in return. The two-time Pro Bowler has started all three games and has played 79 percent of the defensive snaps. He has totaled nine tackles, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback pressures and four tackles for loss.

Judon has become a centerpiece in a Patriots defense ranked fifth overall and fifth in points allowed.

Only time will tell if the 29-year-old Judon lives up to his pricey contract. For now, though, New England should be more than happy to have him in the fold.

5. Orlando Brown, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

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Considering the terms of the trade, it's hard to say the Chiefs overpaid for offensive tackle Orlando Brown. They surrendered 2021 first-, third- and fourth-round picks and a 2022 fifth-rounder for Brown, Baltimore's 2021 second-round pick and a 2022 sixth-rounder.

Of course, Kansas City still needs to get a long-term deal done with Brown, who is in the final year of his rookie contract.

While Brown may end up costing the Chiefs a pretty penny, he's providing tremendous value right now. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been sacked four times through three games, while Brown has been responsible for only one sack and zero penalties, according to Pro Football Focus. 

The Chiefs have found their new anchor at left tackle. Assuming they can work out an extension with him, they'll have one key position settled for the foreseeable future. Brown is only 25 years old and still has the bulk of his NFL career ahead of him.

4. Haason Reddick, Edge, Carolina Panthers

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Though he racked up 12.5 sacks with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, pass-rusher Haason Reddick did not cash in with a long-term free-agent contract this offseason. Instead, he signed a one-year "prove-it" deal with the Carolina Panthers worth $6 million.

So far, Reddick is proving it. He has already amassed an impressive 4.5 sacks with 12 quarterback pressures, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. The Panthers, meanwhile, have compiled a 3-0 record while fielding the league's top-ranked defense.

"Today, we put the league on notice," Reddick said following a season-opening win over the New York Jets, per ESPN's David Newton.

Carolina's defense has maintained a high level of play since Week 1, and Reddick is a big reason why. He currently ranks third in the NFL in sacks and should be considered a viable candidate for Defensive Player of the year. At a price tag of $6 million, he's proving to be a legitimate steal.

3. Sam Darnold, QB, Carolina Panthers

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Our top three choices are all quarterbacks for undefeated teams. This represents both the value of the quarterback position and the performance these signal-callers have put on the field.

First up is new Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold. While he's been the least consistent of our top three, he's been much better than he ever was with the New York Jets. Through three weeks, Darnold has accumulated 888 passing yards, 23 rushing yards, six combined touchdowns and one interception.

Darnold currently holds a career-high passer rating of 99.0.

At just 24 years old, Darnold has the potential to be Carolina's franchise quarterback for the next decade-plus. He'll need to prove that the first three weeks are not a mirage, but the Panthers and offensive coordinator Joe Brady seem to be unlocking the USC product's tremendous potential.

Acquiring Darnold from the Jets only cost Carolina a 2021 sixth-round pick plus second- and fourth-round picks in 2022. That's a bargain if Darnold proves to be Carolina's long-term answer.

2. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

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In terms of pure on-field impact, it's impossible to top what Matthew Stafford has brought to the Los Angeles Rams. The longtime Detroit Lions star has thrown for 942 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception while posting a 129.8 passer rating.

In short, Stafford has given Rams coach Sean McVay the elite quarterback he has always coveted.

"When the game or a play is right, they're in that rhythm and they're automatic," McVay said of elite passers like Tom Brady and Mahomes, per Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson. "And when it's not right, they can make it right. That's where separation occurs at the quarterback position."

The Rams, which just bested Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-24, are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and perhaps the most dangerous team in the NFC. If Stafford earns them a championship, he will be the top addition of 2021.

However, Stafford ranks second on this list because of his price tag. Acquiring Stafford from the Lions cost L.A. quarterback Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 and 2023 first-rounders. It's a gamble that will be tough to swallow if Stafford and Co. fall short of the Super Bowl.

1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Denver Broncos

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Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater hasn't been quite as impressive as Stafford, but he blows him away in the value department. Acquiring Bridgewater from the Panthers cost Denver nothing but a 2021 sixth-round pick.

What the Broncos have gotten in return has been incredible. Bridgewater has thrown for 827 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He's added 44 yards on the ground and has posted a passer rating of 116.4.

Most importantly, Bridgewater has played mistake-free football, allowing Denver to dominate inferior opponents to this point. While the Broncos have only beaten the Jets, New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars (three winless teams), they've won by a combined 76-26 score.

Bridgewater is six years removed from his lone Pro Bowl campaign, which was unfortunately followed by a devastating knee injury. He's proving now that he's finally back to that Pro Bowl form.

"Quit doubting Teddy, man," left tackle Garett Bolles said, per Patra. "...I'm telling you right now, man, he's a dangerous threat."

At 28 years old, Bridgewater is a quarterback the Broncos can believe in for the next several years.

Contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.