The bulk of high-impact NFL offseason roster movement is in the rearview mirror, and nearly every team was able to fill a roster void with a veteran addition.
Here are the 25 biggest veteran position upgrades from the 2020 offseason. Whether it was via free agency or via a trade, these teams' chances of 2020 success improved as a product of these significant acquisitions. Rookie impact is unpredictable, so first-year players were mostly omitted.
Note: 2020 team and player projections are my own, compiled through a thorough process that is both quantitative (league, team, coaching and player trends) and qualitative (projected depth chart placement and role). For all offensive linemen, I provided Pro Football Focus' player grades from last season.
1. Indianapolis Colts, DT
DeForest Buckner replaces Margus Hunt
Hunt's 2019 stat line: 17 tackles, 0 sacks
Buckner's 2020 projection: 62 tackles, 7 sacks
Colts general manager Chris Ballard said early in the offseason that the Colts' defensive scheme runs through the 3-technique tackle. He put his money where his mouth is not long after, trading for Buckner. The 26-year-old was arguably the 49ers' best player during a 2019 season that saw the team advance to the Super Bowl. Buckner's 7.5 sacks tied for sixth, his 12 tackles for loss fifth and his 61 total tackles ninth among interior defensive linemen. Buckner was a key acquisition for an ascending defense that includes the likes of Justin Houston, Darius Leonard, Kenny Moore and Malik Hooker. This unit is now good enough to help get the Colts back into the playoffs.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB
Tom Brady replaces Jameis Winston
Winston's 2019 stat line: 380-of-626, 5,109 yards, 33 TDs, 30 INTs
Brady's 2020 projection: 360-of-573, 4,425 yards, 31 TDs, 10 INTs
In some ways, this one is obvious. Brady is arguably the greatest player in NFL history, and he has led the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles, as well as 17 consecutive seasons with double-digit wins. In others ways, it's not, as Brady is now 43 years old and coming off arguably his worst season, a campaign in which he trailed Winston in yardage, touchdowns and yards per attempt and was nearly identical in completion percentage and off-target rate. Believe it or not, Brady and Winston had the exact same QBR (53.7) in 2019.
Of course, little determines a team's win total more than turnover ratio, and whereas Winston infamously tossed 30 interceptions last season, Brady has 29 the past four seasons (60 games). Although Winston's 2019 interception total was certainly an outlier -- he hadn't surpassed 18 INTs in a season before last year's blowup -- Brady also edged him in QBR (often easily) in each of Winston's first four seasons in the league. Brady might not be as explosive, but he will help Tampa Bay toward its goal of reaching the Super Bowl for only the second time in franchise history.
3. Arizona Cardinals, WR
DeAndre Hopkins replaces Damiere Byrd
Byrd's 2019 stat line: 46 targets, 32 receptions, 359 yards, 1 TD
Hopkins' 2020 projection: 142 targets, 93 receptions, 1,143 yards, 7 TDs
Cardinals GM Steve Keim and coach Kliff Kingsbury were not shy about their interest in adding an impact wide receiver during the offseason. It's fair to say their mission was accomplished when they fleeced Houston by landing one of the league's best pass-catchers in Hopkins in exchange for a package that included David Johnson. An absolute workhorse, Hopkins has averaged a target share of at least 30% while ranking no lower than 10th in targets, receptions, receiving yards and end zone targets each of the past three seasons. The 28-year-old will operate as a go-to target for second-year QB Kyler Murray in an offense that includes Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald and Kenyan Drake. Expect the Arizona offense to take a leap forward in 2020.
4. Miami Dolphins, CB
Byron Jones replaces Nik Needham
Needham's 2019 stat line: 54 tackles, 2 INTs
Jones' 2020 projection: 54 tackles, 1 INT
The rebuilding Dolphins entered free agency with plenty of cap space, so it wasn't a surprise when they opened their wallets for one of the league's best corners. Last season, Jones was targeted on only 12.7% of his coverage snaps (third lowest among 117 corners who were in coverage on at least 160 plays) and allowed 5.9 yards per target (sixth). The 2019 Dolphins, meanwhile, allowed the fourth-most yards and most touchdowns to opposing wide receivers. Jones, who was converted from safety to corner prior to the 2018 season, teams up with Xavien Howard, first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene and Needham (who was serviceable as the team's top corner for a large chunk of 2019) to form what has the potential to be a very good cornerback group.
5. Philadelphia Eagles, CB
Darius Slay replaces Ronald Darby
Darby's 2019 stat line: 37 tackles, 2 INTs
Slay's 2020 projection: 53 tackles, 2 INTs
The Eagles traded for Slay following seven consecutive seasons of finishing ninth or worse in yardage allowed to opposing wide receivers. Philadelphia has allowed the most targets, receptions and yardage to the position during the span, and it's not close. Meanwhile, Slay quickly emerged as one of the league's premier shadow corners after being selected in the second round of the 2013 draft. He has at least a pair of interceptions and 13-plus passes defensed each of the past six seasons. In fact, Slay's 99 passes defensed since 2014 are easily most in the NFL. He joins fellow newcomer and slot man Nickell Robey-Coleman in Philadelphia's overhauled secondary.
6. Las Vegas Raiders, LB
Cory Littleton replaces Tahir Whitehead
Whitehead's 2019 stat line: 108 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INTs
Littleton's 2020 projection: 126 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs
The Raiders' defense will have a new look in the "Back 7" this season, and it will be anchored by Littleton. The 26-year-old had been an absolute machine for the Rams the past two seasons. Littleton is the only player in the NFL with at least 125 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks each of the past two seasons. Only one other player (Darius Leonard) has done that even once during the span. Littleton will be an every-down player at linebacker alongside Nick Kwiatkoski, with Damon Arnette, Damarious Randall, Jeff Heath and Maliek Collins among the other newcomers to the first defense to hit the Las Vegas strip.
7. Indianapolis Colts, QB
Philip Rivers replaces Jacoby Brissett
Brissett's 2019 stat line: 272-of-447, 2,942 yards, 18 TDs, 6 INTs
Rivers' 2020 projection: 334-of-516, 3,807 yards, 26 TDs, 15 INTs
One year after being forced to roll with Brissett at quarterback following Andrew Luck's shocking August retirement, the Colts signed Rivers to a one-year deal. The former longtime Chargers quarterback is coming off an underwhelming campaign in which he completed 66% of his passes (10th in the NFL) and averaged 7.81 YPA (11th) but also tossed 20 interceptions (third most) and posted a 48.6 QBR (22nd). Rivers' age (38) and turnovers are a concern, but he's a clear upgrade over Brissett, who protects the ball well but struggles with accuracy (61% completion rate, 18% off-target rate last season) and impact plays (6.6 YPA). Rivers, who will benefit from one of the league's best offensive lines, joins the aforementioned Buckner in positioning the Colts as the favorites in the AFC South.
8. Baltimore Ravens, DTs
Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe replace Michael Pierce and Chris Wormley
Pierce and Wormley combined 2019 stat line: 68 tackles, 2 sacks
Campbell and Wolfe combined 2020 projection: 97 tackles, 12 sacks
These aren't exactly one-for-one replacements, as Pierce and Wormley are bigger interior defenders, whereas Campbell and Wolfe are more versatile and can align at 5-technique. Still, the duo makes for a significant upgrade to the Ravens' defensive line. Campbell turns 34 this year, but we saw little drop-off in his play during another dominant campaign in Jacksonville last season. He checked in third among interior defensive linemen with 48 pass-rush wins and has registered at least 53 tackles and 5.0 sacks each of the past 10 seasons. Wolfe was a bit over his head with a career-high 7.0 sacks last season (10 pass-rush wins), but he has been a solid and versatile defensive lineman for Denver since 2012. Campbell and Wolfe join first-round pick Patrick Queen as impact newcomers to a defense that was already one of the league's best in 2019.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TE
Rob Gronkowski replaces O.J. Howard
Howard's 2019 stat line: 55 targets, 34 receptions, 549 yards, 1 TD
Gronkowski's 2020 projection: 77 targets, 51 receptions, 689 yards, 5 TDs
Gronk is back! Following a one-year hiatus, the superstar tight end has reunited with Brady in Tampa Bay. Gronkowski is now 31 and struggled with injuries prior to his brief retirement, but considering his history as an elite player and impact downfield target (he has never finished worse than sixth among tight ends in yards per target), he'll likely be an upgrade for Tampa Bay. Incumbents Howard and Cameron Brate remain on the Tampa Bay roster, though both will obviously play lesser roles in 2020. Howard has yet to pan out since being drafted in the first round in 2017 and will spend a lot of time blocking this season.
10. Dallas Cowboys, DTs
Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe replace Maliek Collins and Christian Covington
Collins and Covington combined 2019 stat line: 48 tackles, 5.0 sacks
McCoy and Poe combined 2020 projection: 65 tackles, 9.5 sacks
Interior defensive line play has been a concern for Dallas in recent seasons, but that shouldn't be the case after the team added McCoy and Poe to a room that includes a healthy Tyrone Crawford. McCoy is now 32, but the longtime Buccaneers defensive tackle remains an impact player on the interior. Since he bloomed in 2012, McCoy's 55.5 sacks rank third and his 80.5 tackles for loss rank fourth at the position. Poe remains a disruptive run-stuffer, and his 4.0 sacks last season were his most since 2014. The duo, as well as safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, will help the Dallas defense overcome the offseason losses of Collins, Robert Quinn, Byron Jones and Jeff Heath.
11. Cleveland Browns, RT
Jack Conklin replaces Chris Hubbard
Hubbard's 2019 stat line: 86.3% PBWR, 51 PFF grade
Conklin's 2019 stat line: 92.5% PBWR, 81 PFF grade
In the midst of the 2019 Browns' offseason hype, offensive tackle was a major concern for outside onlookers -- but apparently not for GM John Dorsey. That proved costly, as both Hubbard and Greg Robinson struggled. New GM Andrew Berry filled the holes quickly in his first offseason, signing Conklin to man right tackle and drafting LT Jedrick Wills with the 10th pick of April's draft. Last season, Hubbard struggled badly as a run blocker while allowing 38 pressures on 891 snaps (4.3%). Conklin, meanwhile, was PFF's sixth-highest-ranked run-blocking tackle, and he allowed 33 pressures on 1,108 snaps (3.0%). Conklin and Wills join Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter and Wyatt Teller to form one of the league's best pass-blocking lines.
12. Chicago Bears, Edge
Robert Quinn replaces Leonard Floyd
Floyd's 2019 stat line: 40 tackles, 3 sacks
Quinn's 2020 projection: 37 tackles, 10.5 sacks
Quinn turns 30 this summer, but the veteran edge rusher is one of the league's most underrated players. In his only season with Dallas, Quinn racked up 11.5 sacks (eighth among edge rushers), 72 pass-rush wins (third) and a 21.5% pass-rush win rate (first) in 2019. He has reached 8.5 sacks all five seasons in which he played at least 600 snaps. In Chicago, Quinn replaces Floyd opposite superstar Khalil Mack. Floyd impressed with 7.0 sacks as a rookie in 2016, but his totals have progressively dipped from 4.5 in 2017 to 4.0 in 2018 to 3.0 last season. He ranked ninth among edge rushers in snaps last season but struggled to only 27 pass-rush wins (51st) and a 0.8% sack rate (19th worst). Floyd is now with the Rams.
13. Miami Dolphins, Edge
Kyle Van Noy and Shaq Lawson replace Vince Biegel and Avery Moss
Biegel and Moss combined 2019 stat line: 82 tackles, 2.5 sacks
Van Noy and Lawson combined 2020 projection: 103 tackles, 14.5 sacks
Miami's rebuild entered the "spend a ton during free agency" stage this past offseason, and part of that included a revamp of the team's edge-rushing unit. Van Noy was the biggest acquisition following a season in New England in which he reached career-high marks in sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (nine) and forced fumbles (three). Van Noy will be joined atop the depth chart by former Bills DE Lawson, who also set career highs with 6.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss last season, and former Chief Emmanuel Ogbah. How important were the upgrades? Consider this: Moss' 2.2% pass-rush win rate last season ranked 227th out of 260 players who rushed the passer at least 100 times. Biegel, meanwhile, managed 2.5 sacks on 291 tries. His 0.9% sack rate ranked eighth worst among 72 edge rushers with 200 pass-rush attempts.
14. Buffalo Bills, WR
Stefon Diggs replaces Isaiah McKenzie
McKenzie's 2019 stat line: 40 targets, 27 receptions, 254 yards, 1 TD
Diggs' 2020 projection: 100 targets, 63 receptions, 953 yards, 5 TDs
After taking a giant step toward upgrading their wide receiver room by signing John Brown and Cole Beasley last offseason, the Bills landed themselves a No. 1 option at the position when they traded for Diggs in March. The 26-year-old's production was a bit inconsistent during his time in Minnesota, as he caught 70% of his 525 targets but -- believe it or not -- finished only one of five seasons among the top 25 wide receivers in targets. On the plus side, Diggs is coming off one of his most efficient seasons, having finished sixth at the position in yards per reception (17.9) and second in yards per target (12.2). After he was unhappy with his role in run-heavy Minnesota, it's yet to be seen if Diggs will be happy in a similar situation (albeit with a less accurate quarterback) in Buffalo. Nonetheless, there's no doubt that he's a big upgrade on what Buffalo had on the field in three-wide sets last season.
15. Detroit Lions, LB
Jamie Collins Sr. replaces Jarrad Davis
Davis' 2019 stat line: 63 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 0 INTs
Collins' 2020 projection: 84 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 INT
Collins got his career back on track in New England last season, racking up 80-plus tackles for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Collins was a force with 7.0 sacks, 15 pass-rush wins, 14 tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, three interceptions and a trio of forced fumbles. In fact, Collins was the only player in the league with at least six sacks and three interceptions last season. He replaces Davis, who hasn't panned out since he was drafted in the first round in 2017. Of the 63 off-ball linebackers who played at least 500 snaps last season, PFF graded Davis 60th. The 24-year-old did not have his fifth-year option picked up and will compete for situational duties in 2020.
16. New York Jets, OL
Greg Van Roten, Connor McGovern, George Fant and Mekhi Becton replace Kelvin Beachum, Alex Lewis, Ryan Kalil, Brandon Shell
2019 PBWR/PFF grade: Van Roten 88.2%/66, McGovern 92.9%/72, Fant 87.2%/61
2019 PBWR/PFF grade: Beachum 94.2%/67, Lewis 94.3%/55, Kalil 87.3%/56, Shell 88.0%/64
The Jets' offensive line play was among the worst in the NFL last season, with Sam Darnold facing pressure on an enormous 36% of his dropbacks (second highest). New York also had the league's worst pressure rate (19.8%) on pass plays in which the ball was thrown in two seconds or less. That would explain why GM Joe Douglas was aggressive during the offseason, signing Fant as an option at right tackle, drafting Becton 11th overall to handle left tackle, signing one of the league's top centers in McGovern and bringing in Van Roten to compete with Lewis and Brian Winters at guard. It's very possible that the Jets' line play will go from atrocious in 2019 to above average in 2020.
17. Carolina Panthers, QB
Teddy Bridgewater replaces Kyle Allen
Allen's 2019 stat line: 303-of-489, 3,322 yards, 17 TDs, 16 INTs
Bridgewater's 2020 projection: 323-of-503, 3,606 yards, 17 TDs, 10 INTs
A rebuild is underway in Carolina, and in addition to a new head coach (Matt Rhule), the team will have a new quarterback. Cam Newton was released, Allen was traded to Washington, and Bridgewater was signed as the Panthers' unquestioned starter. Bridgewater has attempted only 221 passes the past four seasons (most of which was spent recovering from a 2016 knee injury), though he did show fairly well in place of an injured Drew Brees last season. The 2014 first-round pick threw for nine touchdowns and had two interceptions while completing 68% of his passes. Bridgewater is still a relative unknown but is a near lock to be an upgrade on Allen, who ranked near or at the basement in nearly every efficiency category last season, including a 32nd-place finish in QBR.
18. New York Giants, CB
James Bradberry replaces Sam Beal
Beal's 2019 stat line: 26 tackles, 0 INTs
Bradberry's 2020 projection: 67 tackles, 2 INTs
It isn't a stretch to say that no cornerback has had more on his shoulders than Bradberry since he was drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft. Bradberry has been on the field for 2,067 pass plays (second most among corners), and players aligned against him have seen 454 targets (most). He ranks 12th in the NFL with 47 passes defensed, as well as 14th among corners in interceptions (eighth) and second in tackles (279). Bradberry spent a generous chunk of his tenure in Carolina as a shadow corner, which led to an astounding 21% of his coverage snaps coming against the trio of Mike Evans, Julio Jones and Michael Thomas. Needless to say, life will be much easier for the 26-year-old in the NFC East. Beal, meanwhile, will compete for nickel duties.
19. Los Angeles Chargers, DT
Linval Joseph replaces Brandon Mebane
Mebane's 2019 stat line: 27 tackles, 1.0 sacks
Joseph's 2020 projection: 58 tackles, 3.0 sacks
The Chargers have struggled to find quality defensive tackle play in recent seasons, so landing the 31-year-old Joseph in free agency was significant. Joseph has played at least 491 snaps each season since 2011 while anchoring an elite Minnesota defense. He has posted 517 tackles (46.5 for loss) and 24 sacks during the span. With the 35-year-old Mebane gone, Joseph will lead a defensive tackle group that includes 2019 first-round pick Jerry Tillery. If Tillery makes a leap, a Chargers defensive line that also includes Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram could be one of the league's best.
20. Los Angeles Chargers, RT
Bryan Bulaga replaces Sam Tevi
Tevi's 2019 stat line: 82% PBWR, 59 PFF grade
Bulaga's 2019 stat line: 91.7% PBWR, 77 PFF grade
Bulaga signed with the Chargers following 10 seasons in Green Bay. The 31-year-old has settled in as one of the league's best right tackles, having graded as either a good or great pass-blocker each of the past six seasons at PFF. Last season, Bulaga allowed 27 pressures on 959 snaps (2.8%). That's compared to 40 pressures on 782 snaps for Tevi (5.1%), who will compete to replace Russell Okung at left tackle. Okung was traded to Carolina in exchange for Trai Turner, who is an upgrade over Michael Schofield at right guard. Mike Pouncey (center) and either Dan Feeney or Forrest Lamp (left guard) will fill out a Chargers line that remains a work in progress.
21. Cincinnati Bengals, DT
D.J. Reader replaces Andrew Billings
Billings' 2019 stat line: 35 tackles, 1.0 sacks
Reader's 2020 projection: 52 tackles, 3.0 sacks
Billings (now with the Browns) was a solid defender for Cincinnati the past few seasons, but the team upgraded in a big way when it signed Reader to a four-year, $53 million contract. The former fifth-round pick was a gem find by Houston in 2016 and has emerged as one of the game's best interior defenders. Reader's 52 tackles ranked 16th and his 18 pass-rush wins 27th among defensive tackles while he dominated as a run defender last season. The 25-year-old joins Geno Atkins to give Cincinnati one of the league's best duos at the position. Having also added safety Vonn Bell (replaces Shawn Williams), linebacker Josh Bynes (Nick Vigil) and corners Mackensie Alexander (Darqueze Dennard) and Trae Waynes (Dre Kirkpatrick), the Bengals' defense is much improved entering 2020.
22. Seattle Seahawks, CB
Quinton Dunbar replaces Tre Flowers
Flowers' 2019 stat line: 82 tackles, 3 INTs
Dunbar's 2020 projection: 64 tackles, 2 INTs
The story of Dunbar's ascent to being one of the league's better corners is one you don't hear often. The 6-foot-2 Dunbar caught 101 passes as a wide receiver at the University of Florida and, after going undrafted in 2015, signed with the Redskins as a wideout. He was later converted to corner and, after impressing as a gunner and situational corner, emerged as the second-highest-graded cornerback in coverage last season, according to PFF.
Dunbar's four interceptions tied for eighth among corners in 2019. He has nine interceptions and 35 passes defensed on 1,828 career snaps. Flowers, meanwhile, has a pair of interceptions and 14 passes defensed on 1,801 snaps as a starting perimeter corner. Dunbar and Shaquill Griffin combine to form a good (and potentially great) duo, with Flowers set to compete for nickel duties. Off the field, Dunbar last week was charged with four counts of armed robbery with a firearm, though his attorney insists Dunbar is innocent.
23. Denver Broncos, DT
Jurrell Casey replaces Derek Wolfe
Wolfe's 2019 stat line: 34 tackles, 7.0 sacks
Casey's 2020 projection: 43 tackles, 5.0 sacks
Casey is a star defensive tackle but shows up on the lower end of these rankings simply because the man he is replacing (aforementioned Wolfe) is pretty good in his own right. Casey has been super durable, having played at least 625 snaps every season since his debut in 2011. Since arriving on the pro scene, he ranks fourth among pure interior defenders in tackles for loss (87), fifth in sacks (51) and second in tackles (493). His 21 pass-rush wins ranked 21st among interior defenders last season. Casey joins the likes of Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, A.J. Bouye, Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons to form one of the league's best defenses on paper.
24. Cleveland Browns, TE
Austin Hooper replaces Demetrius Harris
Harris' 2019 stat line: 27 targets, 15 receptions, 149 yards, 3 TDs
Hooper's 2020 projection: 67 targets, 49 receptions, 526 yards, 5 TDs
New Browns coach Kevin Stefanski kept his tight ends busy during his time coordinating the Vikings' offense, and it appears that he'll do the same in Cleveland. The Browns signed Hooper from Atlanta following a season in which the 25-year-old set career-high marks in targets (96), receptions (75), yardage (787) and touchdowns (six). The reliable Hooper has dropped only eight of 274 career targets and ranked in the top five among tight ends in catch rate each of the past three seasons. Also a serviceable blocker, Hooper will step into a full-time role, with Harris now in Chicago and 2017 first-round pick David Njoku ticketed for situational duties.
25. Dallas Cowboys, K
Greg Zuerlein replaces Brett Maher/Kai Forbath
Maher and Forbath's combined 2019 stat line: 75% FG (30-of-40)
Zuerlein's 2020 projection: 81% FG (27-of-33)
Hey, kickers are people, too, and Dallas fans know that all too well after watching the struggles of Maher, Dan Bailey and Mike Nugent the past three seasons. Dallas kickers combined to convert 77.1% of 105 field goal attempts during the span, which was well below the 81.9% expected rate based on distance. Zuerlein is coming off a rough 2019 season (72.7 FG%), but he was above his expected rate each of the prior three seasons, including an All-Pro 2017 campaign in which he hit 38 of 40 attempts (95%). Barring disaster, he'll be an upgrade for a team with playoff aspirations.
Notable potential rookie upgrades
Cincinnati Bengals, QB Joe Burrow replaces Andy Dalton
Washington Redskins, Edge Chase Young replaces Ryan Anderson
Detroit Lions, CB Jeff Okudah replaces Rashaan Melvin
Las Vegas Raiders, WR Henry Ruggs III replaces Zay Jones
Denver Broncos, WRs Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler replace DaeSean Hamilton and Tim Patrick
Arizona Cardinals, LB Isaiah Simmons replaces Haason Reddick
Miami Dolphins, OTs Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt replace Julie'n Davenport and Jesse Davis
New York Giants, RT Andrew Thomas replaces Mike Remmers