Football is officially back. The 2024 NFL preseason is underway, while the regular season is just a few weeks off. Before we know it, we’ll be listening to Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth call Ravens vs. Chiefs on Opening Night.
Until then, let’s take one more look back at the NFL offseason and project forward: Which 2024 offseason additions will make the most significant impact during the upcoming campaign?
Some NFL teams will heavily rely on a veteran acquired via free agency or a trade. Other clubs might lean on a rookie, head coach, or coordinator who will shape the franchise’s performance this year.
Let’s run through every team in the NFL and identify their most crucial offseason addition.
Most Important Offseason Addition for All 32 NFL Teams
Arizona Cardinals | WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Cardinals’ offense was — at the very least — interesting for most of the 2023 season under first-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
Once quarterback Kyler Murray (ACL) returned in Week 10, Arizona’s offense became more than a curiosity. They were downright efficient, ranking ninth in EPA per play with Murray on the field, according to TruMedia.
Now drop No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. into the equation. Viewed as one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory, MHJ should dominate targets from the get-go. Harrison, who played 20% of his snaps in the slot at Ohio State in 2023, and Cards TE Trey McBride (51.9% slot last year) give Petzing all sorts of formational options to create advantageous looks for his top weapons.
Atlanta Falcons | QB Kirk Cousins
Few NFL transactions will have as much impact in 2024 as the Falcons’ signing of Kirk Cousins. Atlanta is ready to compete in a weak NFC South and has pieces like RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, free agent addition Darnell Mooney, and TE Kyle Pitts in place.
Signing a 36-year-old coming off a torn Achilles carries inherent risk, so the Falcons insured their Cousins signing by drafting fellow QB Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall. The wisdom of that move aside, Atlanta’s quarterback room arguably improved more than any other NFL position group during the 2024 offseason.
Baltimore Ravens | RB Derrick Henry
While the Ravens lost more pieces than they added since losing in the AFC title game, Derrick Henry was one of the offseason’s more fascinating free agent signings.
Henry and Lamar Jackson will form an inherently dynamic rushing attack. While Baltimore’s offensive line might regress after losing three starters over the offseason, Lamar’s gravity as a rushing threat might help offset the club’s front-five issues.
Plus, Henry can still generate his own yardage. In 2023, per TruMedia, Henry ranked 11th among RBs with 3.61 yards after contact per attempt, and 27.1% of his rush attempts included at least four yards after contact, the 10th-best rate among running backs.
Buffalo Bills | S Cole Bishop
Bills second-round WR Keon Coleman may play a significant role in his rookie year, but you could also imagine Buffalo trotting out a three-WR set of Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Mack Hollins for most of the season.
But second-round Bills safety Cole Bishop almost has to be a starter in Year 1. Buffalo lost stalwart defensive backs Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde during the offseason. Free agent signing Mike Edwards is a third-stringer on the Bills’ initial depth chart. Damar Hamlin is the NFL’s most inspirational figure but is best on special teams.
Bishop is an uber-athlete who can line up almost anywhere. He’s battling a shoulder injury in training camp, but Bishop should be ticketed for starting duties.
Carolina Panthers | HC Dave Canales
Dave Canales is in this for the long haul. The Panthers gave their new head coach a six-year deal after watching him work wonders with back-from-the-dead quarterbacks Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield over the past two seasons.
Carolina needs Canales to give second-year QB Bryce Young that same sort of makeover. The Panthers were active during the offseason, bringing in WR Diontae Johnson and beefing up their offensive line with guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis.
With those pieces in place, can Canales help Young look like the Heisman Trophy winner we watched at Alabama? Or will Carolina’s head coach spearhead the franchise’s search for a new quarterback in 2025?
Chicago Bears | QB Caleb Williams
This one’s pretty easy, right?
Caleb Williams is the Bears’ most crucial addition of 2024, and Chicago hopes he’ll be its best player for the next decade-plus. Most No. 1 overall QBs land in dreadful offensive environments — not Williams.
Can the USC product, in tandem with an improved defense, take the Bears to playoffs next season? The betting markets have at least some belief; Chicago’s playoff odds (-110) represent an implied probability of roughly 52%.
Cincinnati Bengals | S Geno Stone
Few NFL teams allowed as many big plays as the Bengals in 2023. According to TruMedia, Cincinnati gave up the second-worst rate of explosives in the passing game (16.8%) and permitted the fourth-worst clip (9.4%) against the run.
While Bengals linebackers Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt took a step back last season, safeties Nick Scott and Dax Hill were the true culprits. Scott has since been released, while Hill is converting to corner.
Enter Geno Stone, who had a career season for the division-rival Ravens in 2023. He played most of his Ravens snaps at free safety and will serve as Cincinnati’s last line of defense. Vonn Bell, back with the Bengals after a one-year stint with the Panthers, will bolster communication in the secondary and also deserves a mention.
Cleveland Browns | OC Ken Dorsey
Ken Dorsey won’t call plays in his first season as the Browns’ offensive coordinator. Still, the ex-Bills OC will noticeably influence the composition of Cleveland’s offense in 2024, even with head coach Kevin Stefanski running things.
As Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote this week, Dorsey has “done a lot to add to the shotgun dropback, tempo, and RPO pieces of the offense.”
The Browns want to run a more wide-open, spread-out attack that plays to Deshaun Watson’s strengths. Watson has quickly picked up Cleveland’s new approach, which shares similarities with what he ran under Bill O’Brien with the Texans, per Breer.
Dallas Cowboys | DC Mike Zimmer
Although the Cowboys are transitioning from a potential Hall of Fame left tackle in Tyron Smith to a rookie in Tyler Guyton, Dallas’ shift from ex-DC Dan Quinn to new play-caller Mike Zimmer might have a more substantial impact in 2024.
Quinn and Zimmer’s coverage preferences are vastly different.
According to TruMedia’s data, Quinn deployed man coverage at the NFL’s third-highest rate (33.8%) over his three years as the Cowboys’ DC. Zimmer, meanwhile, used man coverage on just 17.7% of plays during his final three seasons as the Vikings’ head coach (2018-21).
The two coordinators also differ in personality — Quinn was considered player-friendly, whereas Zimmer can be more direct — and overall defensive style — Quinn wants an all-out attacking unit, while Zimmer preaches soundness.
Denver Broncos | QB Bo Nix
Sean Payton bit the bullet this offseason, taking on an NFL-record amount of dead money to release Russell Wilson while taking a first-round plunge on Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix is nominally in a quarterback competition with veteran holdover Jarrett Stidham, who will start Denver’s first preseason game. However, Nix will start the club’s second exhibition contest and should be the Broncos’ Week 1 starter.
Payton and Co. probably aren’t going to compete no matter who is under center, so there’s no harm in getting Nix — the potential future of the franchise — experience.
Detroit Lions | CB Carlton Davis III
Lions DC Aaron Glenn wanted to play more man coverage last season. Glenn admitted he intended for Detroit to be more aggressive in 2023, and the numbers bear that out. From Weeks 5 through 17, the Lions used man coverage at the NFL’s seventh-highest rate (31.7%) before leaning heavily into zone throughout the playoffs.
The only problem? Detroit didn’t have the personnel to hold up. When Glenn called for man coverage during that Week 5-17 span, the Lions ranked just 22nd in passing success rate and 31st in efficiency, per TruMedia.
Carlton Davis III, whom Detroit acquired from Tampa Bay in exchange for a third-round pick, is a genuine press-man cornerback. So are 2024 Lions draft picks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
“I’m about to just lock s— up,” Davis said May. “Excuse my French. I’m not going to lie. I’m about to lock No. 1 receivers up, get my hands on some balls, and give the ball back to our offense, and play physical, and bring energy. You’ll see.”
Green Bay Packers | DC Jeff Hafley
The Packers finally ended the Joe Barry era in January, firing their defensive coordinator after three seasons at the helm. With a young, impactful offensive core already in place, the Packers had to make a change on defense after ranking bottom third in scoring, yards per play, and efficiency in 2023.
Jeff Hafley, Boston College’s head coach from 2020-23, should institute several noticeable changes from Day 1 as Green Bay’s DC.
Hafley’s defense will be far more aggressive than Barry’s, which preferred to limit explosive plays.
It might be as much of a mentality shift as a schematic change. Hafley, a longtime defensive backs coach, should help the Packers create more ball production after they tied for 31st in interception rate (1.3%) last season.
Houston Texans | EDGE Danielle Hunter
A deeper dig into Danielle Hunter’s underlying metrics paints an interesting picture.
Has he really been as productive as his 27 sacks over the past two seasons might suggest? Probably not. Among the 15 players with at least 20 sacks since 2022, Hunter ranks 13th in pressure rate (13.2%), per TruMedia.
However, the 29-year-old Hunter has also stayed healthy over the past two years, appearing in all 34 games while playing more snaps than any other edge rushers except for Maxx Crosby and Aidan Hutchinson. If he remains that available for the Texans, Hunter and his speed will complement reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.’s brute strength.
Indianapolis Colts | EDGE Laiatu Latu
Laiatu Latu should have every opportunity to rush the passer for the Colts this year. Fellow Indianapolis defensive end Samson Ebukam tore his ACL this summer, creating a void opposite Kwity Paye. The Colts will have to give Latu tons of snaps whether they intended to or not.
Latu is the most physically talented EDGE on Indy’s roster. Gus Bradley will want the UCLA product on the field early and often, and Latu could flirt with 10 sacks in Year 1.
Jacksonville Jaguars | DT Arik Armstead
Yes, we’d like to see Arik Armstead on the practice field before declaring him the Jaguars’ best offseason addition. Armstead, who inked a three-year, $43.5 million contract with Jacksonville after being released by the 49ers in a cost-cutting move, is still on the PUP list while rehabbing from a 2023 meniscus injury.
When he suits up, Armstead will bring a much-needed dose of explosion and burst to the Jaguars’ interior.
Jacksonville extended Josh Hines-Allen this offseason and is hoping for a third-year leap from former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, allowing Armstead to work as an overqualified third pass rusher.
Kansas City Chiefs | OT Kingsley Suamataia
Protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blindside is one of the NFL’s most crucial jobs. The Chiefs may be ready to turn that duty over to second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia in 2024.
The BYU product may already have an early advantage over Wanya Morris, who made four left-tackle starts for Kansas City last season. Suamataia took Kansas City’s first left-tackle reps when the club opened team periods at training camp last month.
Morris worked with the Chiefs’ second-team offensive line, and Andy Reid said Morris would see time at other positions.
Las Vegas Raiders | DT Christian Wilkins
The Raiders already had one of the NFL’s best edge rushers in Maxx Crosby, but they needed more force from the interior. Enter Christian Wilkins, whom Las Vegas made the league’s second-highest-paid DT with a four-year contract worth $27.5 million per year.
The former first-round pick posted career highs with nine sacks and 23 QB hits while continuing to play excellent run defense for the Dolphins in 2023. Wilkins recorded 18 double-team pressures last season; the entire Raiders DT room managed only 15.
Vegas ranked 31st in TruMedia’s Havoc Rate, which measures what it sounds like: how often defenses create chaos via a sack, interception, forced fumble, tackle for loss, or pass breakup.
Wilkins should help the Raiders put a little more stress on opposing offenses in 2024.
Los Angeles Chargers | HC Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh had immediate success the last time he was an NFL head coach. He took a 49ers team that had gone 6-10 in 2010, and won 13, 11, and 12 games, respectively, over the next three seasons while advancing to at least the NFC title game each year.
His winning percentage is even better in college, where Harbaugh went 144-52 at San Diego, Stanford, and Michigan.
The Cardinal went 1-11 the year before Harbaugh arrived; they were 12-1 in his final campaign. The Wolverines were flailing and had just finished 5-7 in 2014. Harbaugh got to Ann Arbor the next season and hoisted an NCAA title trophy nine years later.
Bet against Jim Harbaugh at your own risk.
Los Angeles Rams | EDGE Jared Verse
Here’s how Pro Football Network Draft Analyst Ian Cummings assessed Florida State pass rusher Jared Verse’s strengths before the draft:
“Bolt off lightning off the snap.”
“High-octane, hyperactive athlete who moves in short, successive bursts of energy.”
“Brings constant unmatched energy … and incredible pursuit speed.”
The Rams have no hope of replacing retired future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald with an individual player. But Verse, who put up 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss over two years with the Seminoles, will bring an edgy demeanor to L.A.’s defense.
With young players like Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Verse, and his Florida State teammate Braden Fiske in the front end and veterans such as Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White, Kam Curl, and John Johnson III in the back end, the Rams’ defense could surprise some people in 2024.
Miami Dolphins | EDGE Chop Robinson
Even if the Dolphins didn’t plan on playing first-round pass rusher Chop Robinson in a full-time role, they probably won’t have a choice.
Miami veterans Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are recovering from season-ending injuries and may not be ready for Week 1. The Dolphins signed Shaquil Barrett to a one-year deal in March, but he retired before training camp.
Robinson should be ready to play from the jump. The Penn State product ranked 14th in pass-rush win rate among NCAA edge defenders in 2023 while facing stiff Big Ten offensive line competition.
Minnesota Vikings | QB Sam Darnold
Although Sam Darnold has rarely been productive at the NFL level, it’s hard to give up hope. He’s only 27 years old and is more than physically enough to thrive.
At the beginning of his pro career, Darnold was put in an impossible situation with Adam Gase’s Jets, while his stint with Matt Rhule’s Panthers wasn’t much more inviting.
Darnold will have to fend off first-round Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy, but Minnesota’s offensive setup will give the veteran his best shot yet at NFL success.
While Justin Jefferson missed seven games with a hamstring injury in 2023, he’s still the best receiver in the league. T.J. Hockenson (ACL, MCL) might not be ready for the start of the season, but Jordan Addison put up 911 yards in his rookie campaign, and Aaron Jones should add more juice to Minnesota’s rushing attack.
Add an offensive line with two elite tackles — and Kevin O’Connell’s creative and QB-friendly scheme — and Darnold might be in line for an unexpected breakout.
New England Patriots | QB Drake Maye
While Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are on track to start for the Bears and Commanders, respectively, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft will have to fight for his club’s QB1 job.
Drake Maye will likely defer to veteran Jacoby Brissett to begin the season, but it’s hard to imagine the North Carolina product riding the bench all year.
New England will face the NFL’s most difficult schedule in 2024, including a daunting opening slate that features the Bengals, Jets (twice), 49ers, Dolphins, Texans, and Jaguars over the first eight weeks.
Waiting before throwing Maye into the fire could be wise for first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, but we’re guessing the rookie will start more than half of New England’s games.
New Orleans Saints | OC Klint Kubiak
While there’s not much to get excited about in New Orleans heading into 2024, first-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak offers a beacon of hope.
Kubiak spent last season as the 49ers’ passing game coordinator and should bring some version of the Kyle Shanahan offense to the Bayou. The Saints were in the market for new ideas on offense, where OC Pete Carmichael Jr. had been installed for a decade-plus.
New Orleans doesn’t have San Francisco’s weapons, but Derek Carr’s supporting cast — RB Alvin Kamara and WRs Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed — isn’t terrible.
The Saints have a much larger issue along the offensive line and are likely hoping Kubiak’s scheme will mask some of their protection problems.
New York Giants | WR Malik Nabers
The Giants were interested in moving up for a quarterback in April’s draft, but Malik Nabers is an outstanding consolation prize.
New York’s depth chart was crying out for an alpha WR1. While recent draft picks like Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson can play roles for Big Blue, they’re better as complementary receivers.
Nabers was one of college football’s most explosive weapons in recent years and should instantly dominate targets as the Giants’ best playmaker.
New York Jets | OT Tyron Smith
Realistically, we could have listed Tyron Smith plus first-round rookie tackle Olu Fashanu as the Jets’ most important offseason addition. Smith almost always misses time with injuries; there’s virtually no chance Fashanu won’t see action behind Smith or fellow 33-year-old Morgan Moses.
However, Smith is typically excellent when available. Per Next Gen Stats, he handled one-on-one pass-blocking situations on 84.5% of his snaps last season, the third-highest rate among left tackles. Smith’s 6.7% pressure rate allowed on those plays was the best mark in the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles | DC Vic Fangio
Vic Fangio has years of DC experience, and his system has become the NFL meta. For the most part, we know what his Eagles scheme will look like: A 3-4 front that doesn’t blitz and relies on pass rushers to get home, a two-high shell with the ability to morph after the snap, and a willingness to prevent explosive plays while accepting underneath completions.
Fangio should have the pieces in place in Philadelphia. Jalen Carter, Bryce Huff, and Josh Sweat will create pressure up front, and a rebuilt secondary that includes rookie CBs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean and free agent safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson should hold up better than last year’s disastrous unit.
Pittsburgh Steelers | QB Justin Fields
If the 35-year-old Russell Wilson — average to below while working under future Hall of Fame coach Sean Payton in 2023 — thrives for the Steelers next season, how does that change Pittsburgh’s long-term outlook?
Justin Fields is a decade younger, adds a rushing threat, and — perhaps most importantly — has momentum in the Steelers’ quarterback competition. Wilson injured his calf during a training camp condition test, allowing Fields to handle most of the Steelers’ first-team reps under center. He’s earned rave reviews during practices, endearing himself to teammates in the process.
Wilson won’t play in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener, giving Fields another opportunity to shine.
San Francisco 49ers | WR Ricky Pearsall
Regardless of whether the 49ers end up trading WR Brandon Aiyuk or working out a last-minute extension, the club’s decision to select fellow pass catcher Ricky Pearsall in April’s draft was good business.
As San Francisco knows from extending Deebo Samuel and negotiating with Aiyuk, wide receiver salaries have exploded. As passing attacks become more efficient, teams want multiple high-end WRs. The 49ers boast the NFL’s top set of offensive weapons, but salary-cap constraints will eventually prevent them from keeping everyone together.
Placing a bet on a premier athlete like Pearsall was worth it, especially at the end of Round 1. He profiles as the 49ers’ long-term replacement for either Aiyuk or Deebo.
Seattle Seahawks | HC Mike Macdonald
Mike Macdonald was the most inspired coaching hire of the 2024 cycle. We can’t wait to see how he utilizes Seattle’s defensive pieces after crafting the NFL’s best unit in Baltimore last season.
Macdonald’s Ravens defense ranked first in points per game, points per drive, yards per play, DVOA, and sacks despite battling injuries to key contributors.
Known as a detail-oriented coach, Macdonald will now try to get the most out of Seahawks like CBs Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen and pass rushers Byron Murhpy, Dre’Mont Jones, and Uchenna Nwosu.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | EDGE Chris Braswell
While we hate to put pressure on a second-round rookie like Chris Braswell, the Buccaneers desperately need help getting after the passer.
Veteran edge rusher Shaquil Barrett left in free agency (then retired after signing with the Dolphins). Former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka hasn’t developed over three NFL campaigns. YaYa Diaby flashed in his 2023 rookie season, but Tampa Bay needs more.
Todd Bowles blitzed at the NFL’s third-highest clip (40.1%) last season but only generated the 21st-best pressure rate (19.7%).
Tennessee Titans | C Lloyd Cushenberry
The Titans needed all the offensive line help they could get this offseason.
All-time offensive line coach Bill Callahan and first-round left tackle JC Latham should help Tennessee improve, but we love that the Titans grabbed former Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry on the first day of free agency.
Cushenberry’s football IQ will greatly benefit second-year quarterback Will Levis as the latter tries to figure out new head coach Brian Callahan’s offense. With Cushenberry at the pivot, Levis won’t have to handle protection assignments and other pre-snap checklist items.
Washington Commanders | QB Jayden Daniels
Washington is starting fresh.
New owner Josh Harris, who took over for the much-maligned Dan Snyder in 2023, hired general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn this offseason to revamp the Commanders’ decision-making structure — and the club’s new brain trust landed on reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels at the top of the draft.
Daniels fits what OC Kliff Kingsbury looks for in quarterbacks. Washington should run a spread look with multiple wide receivers, and Daniels is more than capable of hitting Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson on downfield shots.
Daniels’ prowess in the designed run game elevates his floor after he rushed for 1,134 yards last year.