One of my favorite parts of the NFL offseason is sizing up transactions shortly after they take place. Instant impressions of free-agent signings, trades, draft picks and so much more.
The reality is that these transactions are much better judged several months (or even years) later, once the players have actually had the chance to be on the field and compete.
With every team having played at least half their games, it's a natural time to look back at some of the moves from the 2019 offseason that have paid dividends so far, and others that have not yet turned out well.
Moves that have paid off immediately
A reunion in New England
The Patriots signed linebacker Jamie Collins to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million after he was cut by the Browns, bringing him back to the team that drafted him in the second round in 2013. And so far, Collins has a case to be the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, as he has been a pillar for one of the league's top defenses.
Collins' return has been the realization of all of his abilities on a consistent basis: He can be a dominant pass-rusher, pass defender and three-down linebacker. He has been everywhere for the Pats, leading them in tackles (48) and sacks (six) while also snagging (three) interceptions.
The 49ers defense makes the leap
What an incredible turnaround for the San Francisco defense, which has been an absolutely dominating force. The 49ers rank first in the league in yards allowed per game (241), Total QBR against (23.3) and first downs allowed per game (13.3), and they rank second in points allowed per game (12.8) and yards per play allowed (4.5).
Their major investments included drafting pass-rusher Nick Bosa second overall, sending Kansas City a 2020 second-round pick for defensive end Dee Ford and inking free-agent linebacker Kwon Alexander to a lucrative deal. Each has played an integral role in a defense that is improved across the board, though Alexander is now out for the season after tearing his pectoral muscle in Week 9.
Sometimes we overlook that the best moves can be those that were not made. Coach Kyle Shanahan showed a strong belief in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after a year in which the defense played poorly and set the NFL record for fewest interceptions (two). Saleh has orchestrated the masterful turnaround and deserves significant praise for his work kick-starting the pass rush, which has coincided with dominant secondary play.
The Bucs snag a value signing
A team can never have enough pass-rushers, and so Tampa Bay took a chance on former Broncos edge rusher Shaquil Barrett in free agency, signing him to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. Barrett fired out of the gates, piling up nine sacks in his first four games, just one fewer than he needed to earn the full $1 million incentive he had for 10 sacks. Through eight games, he now has 10.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht took a wise swing on the 26-year-old Barrett, who has set himself up for a significant payday in March, when he is scheduled to become a free agent again. When Tampa Bay parted ways with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy this offseason, one way to view the move was that the team reallocated the salary cap space from McCoy to Ndamukong Suh and Barrett. Much attention was paid to Suh, but little did we know how awesome Barrett would be.
The Smith "brothers" invade Green Bay
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst reshaped his defense this offseason, making high-profile additions in first-round picks Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage and signing safety Adrian Amos in free agency. But no move has been as impactful as the signings of Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith, who have combined for 16.5 sacks -- the most by any two teammates in the NFL.
And it has been the improved Packers defense that has helped them get off to a 7-2 start, led by the Smiths (who aren't actually related). Their edge presence can be felt on a consistent basis and has made life easier on the rest of the defense. Green Bay spent $118 million combined for them -- with $50 million guaranteed -- but the early returns on the investment are looking great.
Moves that haven't panned out
Washington fumbles the Williams situation
There has been plenty of criticism heaped on the Redskins for how they handled the situation with offensive tackle Trent Williams, who remained away from the team until Oct. 30 due to frustrations with the organization. It became clear during the offseason that Williams was unhappy, though at that point the seven-time Pro Bowler had two years left on his deal. Rather than trying to trade Williams -- potentially returning a high draft pick -- Washington stood pat, holding on to him through the deadline.
The Redskins are a rebuilding franchise. The team does not have its original 2020 second-round pick after trading it to the Colts. This should be a team focused on the future and acquiring every asset possible to invest around quarterback Dwayne Haskins. It feels like organizational stubbornness got in the way.
The Steelers miss on Moncrief
The Steelers, hit by several injuries, including to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, are miraculously 4-4, but one misevaluation that was atypical of the organization was signing veteran wide receiver Donte Moncrief. In need of veteran help after trading away Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh gave Moncrief a two-year deal worth up to $9 million, with $3.5 million guaranteed.
It's not a super-harmful deal financially, but Moncrief, who had a strong training camp, fell out of favor almost immediately. His poor Week 1 performance -- he caught just three of his 10 targets for seven yards in the loss to New England -- was a sign of things to come, as he caught just four passes in five games before being released over the weekend. Moncrief was picked up by the Panthers on Monday. The good news for the Steelers? They're in line to get a third-round compensatory pick as a result of cutting Moncrief because of the deal Le'Veon Bell got from the Jets in free agency.
A draft pick to forget
There was a time during the 2019 pre-draft process in which Florida defensive end Jachai Polite, who had 11 sacks last season, was in the mix to be a first-round pick. After his struggles at the NFL combine, however, his stock dipped and he wound up in the third round, where the Jets selected him 68th overall, as he was viewed then as a potential value play.
Well, Polite couldn't even make the team out of training camp; he was waived and not even signed to the practice squad. The Seahawks signed him to their practice squad, then cut him, and now he's on the Rams' practice squad. It's worth noting that Polite was selected by general manager Mike Maccagnan, who was fired three weeks after the draft. This was a major whiff for the Jets, who were already missing a second-round pick from the trade up for quarterback Sam Darnold in 2018.
Slow starting in Seattle for Ansah
Seattle has a strong track record of reviving pass-rushers acquired at a reasonable price in free agency, but Ezekiel Ansah has not yet made his mark. After trading Frank Clark to Kansas City, Seattle rebuilt its rush by drafting first-round pick L.J. Collier and inking Ansah to a one-year pact with $6 million guaranteed.
There were durability concerns for Ansah in free agency, which is why Seattle constructed his contract to be heavy on incentives and per-game roster bonuses. He has already dealt with shoulder and ankle issues, which have played a part in his minimal pass rush production to this point -- he has just one sack and a forced fumble while playing 32.5 snaps per game.