DeAndre Hopkins #10, Houston Texans (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Who was the best player pickup this year for each of the 32 NFL clubs?
Arizona Cardinals: WR DeAndre Hopkins
It’s still one of the more astounding trades in the league in recent years. But wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is a member of the Arizona Cardinals and given what general manager Steve Keim gave up to get him, he was quote the bargain. He should make 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray an even better quarterback.
Atlanta Falcons: DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Pass rush is two four-letter words. And that pretty much sums up the futility that the Atlanta Falcons have had in this department in recent seasons. However, the addition of one-time first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr. should help. This past season and, Dan Quinn’s team finished with just 28 sacks – tied for the second-fewest in the league.
Baltimore Ravens: DL Calais Campbell
John Harbaugh’s defensive unit was exposed in the home playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans as running back Derrick Henry ran roughshod over his club at Baltimore. Versatile defensive lineman Calais Campbell, acquired via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars, can help against the run and provides a pass rush from anywhere up front.
Buffalo Bills: WR Stefon Diggs
General manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott gave up a lot in terms of draft picks to get big play wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Minnesota Vikings. But the club could use another downfield passing option for emerging quarterback Josh Allen, who made the most out of 2019 free-agent addition John Brown.
Carolina Panthers: DT Derrick Brown
During the Carolina Panthers’ season-ending eight-game losing streak, the defense was exploited on the ground in a big way. New head coach Matt Rhule and the organization focused on defense for the most part in April’s draft and first-round defensive tackle Derrick Brown from Auburn should be a huge addition up the middle for the team.
Chicago Bears: QB Nick Foles
If you going to add a player, you could do worse than acquiring a veteran with playoff experience and a Super Bowl MVP honor attached to his name. Quarterback Nick Foles was picked up from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fourth-round draft choice this year and will not only compete for the job but aid young signal-caller Mitch Trubisky.
Cincinnati Bengals: DT D.J. Reader
It’s a new era in the Queen City as head coach Zac Taylor welcomes 2019 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Joe Burrow. He’s the new quarterback but it’s the Bengals’ defense that is in need of real help. The club spent big money on D.J. Reader in hopes he can help improve the NFL’s worst run defense from a season ago.
Cleveland Browns: TE Austin Hooper
New head coach Kevin Stefanski has plenty of talent to work. While some may point to the additions of tackles Jack Conklin and rookie Jedrick Wills Jr. as bigger moves so is the signing of tight and Austin Hooper, who improved his production each year during his stay with the Atlanta Falcons and should aid quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Dallas Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb
Some may say the club’s best addition this offseason would be getting quarterback Dak Prescott under contract. The Cowboys used the 17th-overall pick in April on University of Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Teamed with veteran Amari Cooper and big-play performer Michael Gallup, Mike McCarthy has quite the trio to work with.
Denver Broncos: DT Jurrell Casey
By numerous indications, the Broncos appeared to have nailed the offseason. One of John Elway’s better moves was giving up only a seventh-round draft pick to get five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jurrell Casey from the Tennessee Titans. He bolsters a unit that overcame a slow start but finished very strong this past season.
Detroit Lions: LB Jamie Collins
Head coach Matt Patricia has had two rough years in the Motor City and the team has finished last in the NFC North on each occasion. After a promising showing by his defense in 2018, this unit slumped a bit. Adding veteran linebacker Jamie Collins, adept at the run as well as pass coverage, figures to pay big dividends for the Lions.
Green Bay Packers: ILB Christian Kirksey
Even before the start of the new fiscal year, general manager Brian Gutekunst added a pair of discarded veterans. One of those was linebacker Christian Kirksey, who has missed a total of 23 games the past two seasons after being one of the Browns most reliable performers. He hopes to aid this club when it comes to stopping the run.
Houston Texans: WR Randall Cobb
There was a deal that sent DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona and a trade that saw the team acquire Brandin Cooks from the Rams. But the addition of reliable wide receiver Randall Cobb via free agency could be the best move for the team and quarterback Deshaun Watson, who now has quite the quartet of wideout targets at his disposal.
Indianapolis Colts: DT DeForest Buckner
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ unit looks to rebound a bit in 2020. General manager Chris Ballard gave up the team’s first- round draft choice in April to acquire the standout interior presence from the San Francisco 49ers. DeForest Buckner can push the pocket up the middle and make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks.
Jacksonville Jaguars: LB K’Lavon Chaisson
Doug Marrone’s big-play defense from 2017 just hasn’t recaptured that form. A year ago, the Jaguars used a first-round draft choice on defensive end Josh Allen and he responded with a Pro Bowl year. But the club needs more playmakers at linebacker and 2020 first-rounder K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU) should bolster the club’s front seven.
Kansas City Chiefs: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The defending Super Bowl champions appear set at every position and used free agency to add a little depth. The club got a big year down the stretch and in the playoffs from Damien Williams. But Andy Reid and company added a spark plug in first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who figures to make the offense more dangerous than ever.
Las Vegas Raiders: LB Cory Littleton
Jon Gruden’s team was in search for help at linebacker this offseason and may have hit that nail on the head with Cory Littleton. The four-year pro was especially effective in this last two seasons with the Rams and his versatility should help Paul Guenther’s defense. He’s totaled a combined 7.5 sacks and nine takeaways the past two seasons.
Los Angeles Chargers: G Trai Turner
The Chargers made an even swap with the Carolina Panthers, sending left tackle Russell Okung to Charlotte for five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner. It seems that the Bolts got the best of the deal considering the latter is just 27 years old and really come into his own the last few seasons. He immediately upgrades a suspect offensive line.
Los Angeles Rams: RB Cam Akers
Sean McVay’s team comes off a disappointing 9-7 showing one year after a Super Bowl appearance. The club parted ways with several veterans, including versatile running back Todd Gurley. So enter 2020 second-round selections Cam Akers, Could the former Florida State standout be the team’s future workforce sooner than later?
Miami Dolphins: T Austin Jackson
Brian Flores and Chris Grier came into April’s draft with 14 selections and left the three-day process with 11 players. That included three first-round choices, including heralded quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. But Miami’s offensive line was in need of even more help and the acquisition of USC tackle Austin Jackson was a major positive.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson
The Purple Gang set an NFL record by selecting 15 players in a seven-round draft. But it was their first choice that may make the biggest immediate impact. This offseason, the club traded wide receiver Stefon Diggs to Buffalo for a bevy of picks. And rookie wideout Justin Jefferson may be counted on to fill his absence sooner than later.
New England Patriots: QB Brian Hoyer
For the first time since he became head coach of the Patriots in 2000, Tom Brady won’t be a member of the organization. For the third time, one-time undrafted signal-caller Brian Hoyer is a member of the club. And while he lost the backup job to Jarrett Stidham last summer, he could be primed for a bigger role this fall with the team.
New Orleans Saints: WR Emmanuel Sanders
Michael Thomas set a new NFL record in 2019 with 149 receptions (good for 1,725 yards and nine scores). But the Saints could use a little more help at the wide receiver position and wound up signing veteran Emmanuel Sanders away from the 49ers. The move not only strengthens Sean Payton’s attack but weakens a conference rival.
New York Giants: S Xavier McKinney
General manager Dave Gettleman addressed the club’s troubled defense in free agency and the draft. The veteran additions include cornerback James Bradberry as well as linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez. Former University of Alabama safety Xavier McKinney could be a tone setter of the NFL’s 25th-ranked unit of a year ago.
New York Jets: T Mekhi Becton
Adam Gase’s club won six of its final nine games a year ago after a 1-6 start. Regardless, the team’s offensive line was in dire need of assistance and general manager Joe Douglas addressed it via free agency on numerous occasions. And the Jets also used the 11th-overall selection in April on University of Louisville specimen (6’-foot-7, 364 pounds) Mekhi Becton.
Philadelphia Eagles: CB Darius Slay
General manager Howie Roseman gave up third- and fifth-round draft choices to obtain one of the better players in the league at his position. The Eagles’ cornerback situation in recent seasons has been dicey at best and savvy Darius Slay is an immediate upgrade. Named to the last three Pro Bowls, he’s picked off 13 passes over that time.
Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Anthony McFarland
The club added some offensive components in free agency in tight end Eric Ebron and guard Stefen Wisniewski. And general manager Kevin Colbert used a fourth-round pick in April on University of Maryland runner Anthony McFarland, who could provide some big play potential to a ground attack that has fallen off badly in recent years.
San Francisco 49ers: T Trent Williams
With Joe Staley opting for retirement, 49ers’ general manager John Lynch orchestrated trade on Day 3 of April’s draft and acquired seven-time Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams from the Washington Redskins (via Nick Shook of NFL.com). He should be well rested after a year off and gives Kyle Shanahan’s team a seasoned performer up front.
Seattle Seahawks: LB Jordyn Brooks
There’s been a change in the Pacific Northwest as Pete Carroll’s team now relies more on its offense than its defense. This past season, the Seahawks allowed nearly as many points (398) than they scored (405) despite 11 wins. First-round draft choice Jordan Brooks should help a unit that was shaky against the run this past year.
Tom Brady, #12, New England Patriots Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Tom Brady
Some may say this is a no-brainer choice but keep in mind a team also added tight end Rob Gronkowski, who retired for a year before coming back to the NFL. But the Bucs were already loaded at that position. Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady figures to take care of the football a lot better than mistake-prone James Winston.
Tennessee Titans: T Isaiah Wilson
Mike Vrabel’s team rebounded from a 2-4 start a year ago won seven of its final nine regular-season games and then owned a double digit lead in the AFC Championship Game at Kansas City. It’s been an offseason of change and the Titans did lose right tackle Jack Conklin in free agency, hence the first-round selection of Isaiah Wilson.
Washington Redskins: DE Chase Young
The Redskins own a 25-38-1 record the past four seasons since winning the NFC East in 2015. While there have been issues at quarterback the past two years, the club has struggled on defense. Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio will implement the 4-3 defense and second overall pick Chase Young should bolster an already talented pass rush.
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