As NFL training camps start to pick up pace and the 2021 season looms just over a month away, the bulk of offseason player movement is certainly in the rearview mirror. When the offseason began last February, all 32 teams had the same goal: to improve. Some teams did it better than others. So who improved the most during the past six months? Who got worse? Who is pretty much the same as when we last saw them on the field?
To take stock of each team's additions, subtractions, activity and inactivity from these spring and summer months, I ranked all 32 teams' net change from the end of last season to now. Keep in mind that this is not a ranking of how good or bad a team actually is, but rather a ranking of how the roster changed since last season. The Jaguars, for example, aren't going to top anyone's power rankings this season, but their roster improvements rank among the best in the league. (That tends to happen when you, for starters, draft a generational QB prospect at No. 1 overall.)
Considerations for this list include free-agent signings, trade acquisitions, draft selections, long-term injuries, retirements and returns from the 2020 COVID opt-out list. So here is my ranking of how each NFL team improved -- or didn't -- during the 2021 offseason.
Note: All first- and second-round draft picks are listed.
Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Big additions: QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne Jr., CB Tyson Campbell, OT Walker Little, CB Shaquill Griffin, WR Marvin Jones Jr., S Rayshawn Jenkins, ED Jihad Ward
Key losses: WR Keelan Cole, CB D.J. Hayden, QB Mike Glennon, TE Tyler Eifert
The Urban Meyer era started with a strong offseason, as the Jaguars had plenty of available cap space and four draft selections in the first two rounds. Draft picks are, of course, far from a sure thing, but it's a big plus anytime you add a potential franchise quarterback, as Jacksonville did by spending the first overall pick on Lawrence.
Etienne was a suspect first-round pick considering the state of the roster, but he -- along with Jones -- is an explosive offensive playmaker. Second-round pick Campbell, Griffin and Jenkins are much-needed additions to the secondary and easily offset the departure of Hayden.
2. New York Jets
Big additions: ED Carl Lawson, WR Corey Davis, OT Morgan Moses, QB Zach Wilson, OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, WR Elijah Moore, DB Lamarcus Joyner, DT Sheldon Rankins, RB Tevin Coleman, LB C.J. Mosley (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: QB Sam Darnold, WR Breshad Perriman, DT Henry Anderson, ED Jordan Jenkins, ED Tarell Basham, LB Neville Hewitt, CB Brian Poole, RB Frank Gore
Edge rusher, wide receiver, offensive line and, of course, quarterback have been problem areas for the Jets for years. The new regime addressed all four, adding an impact edge rusher in Lawson, several wide receivers in Davis, second-round pick Moore and Keelan Cole, offensive line upgrades in Moses and Vera-Tucker and a quarterback (hopefully) with second-overall pick Wilson.
Six of the team's top-10 defenders in terms of 2020 snaps have departed, but the unit -- especially with Mosley back -- looks better on paper. This roster still has plenty of voids, but the 2021 offseason was a step in the right direction.
3. Washington Football Team
Big additions: CB William Jackson III, WR Curtis Samuel, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, OT Charles Leno Jr., S Bobby McCain, LB Jamin Davis, OT Sam Cosmi, OL Ereck Flowers
Key losses: OT Morgan Moses, CB Ronald Darby, QB Alex Smith, ED Ryan Kerrigan
The NFC East hasn't had a repeat champion since 2004, but Washington is positioned to change that after the best offseason among the division's four clubs. It lost a few impact players, but Moses was replaced by Leno and second-round pick Cosmi, Jackson is an upgrade on Darby, and Fitzpatrick is an upgrade on Smith. Samuel, as well as third-round pick Dyami Brown and Adam Humphries, was a much-needed improvement at wide receiver, and the team also added a potential defensive anchor in the first round with Davis. And while Kerrigan is a franchise legend, he was a rotational player in 2020.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Big additions: DT Dalvin Tomlinson, CB Patrick Peterson, DT Sheldon Richardson, CB Mackensie Alexander, CB Bashaud Breeland, OT Christian Darrisaw, S Xavier Woods, DT Michael Pierce (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: S Anthony Harris, ED Ifeadi Odenigbo, OT Riley Reiff, TE Kyle Rudolph, LB Eric Wilson, CB Mike Hughes
Clearly frustrated by what was arguably the worst effort we've seen from one of his defenses, coach Mike Zimmer went into overhaul mode during the offseason. The Vikings could have as many as three new starting corners -- Peterson, Breeland and slot man Alexander -- and continued the secondary revamp by replacing Harris with Woods at safety. The interior defensive line goes from weak spot to massive strength with Tomlinson, Richardson and Pierce forming an outstanding trio.
Minnesota's new-look offensive line could be made up of players picked during Rounds 1-3 of the past four drafts with rookies Darrisaw (left tackle) and Wyatt Davis (right guard) added to the mix.
5. New England Patriots
Big additions: TE Jonnu Smith, TE Hunter Henry, ED Kyle Van Noy, OT Trent Brown, QB Mac Jones, DT Christian Barmore, DT Davon Godchaux, ED Matt Judon, WR Nelson Agholor, DB Jalen Mills, DT Henry Anderson, LB Dont'a Hightower (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: OG Joe Thuney, WR Julian Edelman, CB Jason McCourty, DT Adam Butler, S Patrick Chung, OT Marcus Cannon, ED John Simon
Some have criticized New England's offseason spending spree, but I'm struggling to see how this roster isn't significantly better than it was last season.
Henry and Smith were the two best tight ends on the market and will play major roles. Van Noy, Judon, Godchaux, Anderson and Hightower are all potential starters, and Mills also will play a significant role. Agholor and Kendrick Bourne help replace retired Edelman. Thuney is a tough loss, but New England still has one the league's best overall offensive lines after adding Brown at right tackle. Oh, and New England very well could have a franchise QB after selecting Jones in the first round.
6. Cleveland Browns
Big additions: S John Johnson III, ED Jadeveon Clowney, CB Troy Hill, DT Malik Jackson, CB Greg Newsome II, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Anthony Walker, DT Andrew Billings (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: DT Sheldon Richardson, ED Olivier Vernon, DT Larry Ogunjobi, CB Terrance Mitchell, S Andrew Sendejo, LB B.J. Goodson
Cleveland's offense barely changed during the offseason, but the Browns show well here thanks to a near complete overhaul of what was a very shaky defense. Out are eight of the team's top defenders in terms of 2021 snaps, with the only exceptions being star cornerback Denzel Ward and All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett. Johnson and Hill ranked first and second, respectively, in snaps in the Rams' elite 2020 defense. Clowney is a wild card, but he's positioned well for an explosive comeback season opposite Garrett.
Combined with a terrific offense, the defensive overhaul positions Cleveland with one of the league's best overall rosters.
7. New York Giants
Big additions: WR Kenny Golladay, CB Adoree' Jackson, TE Kyle Rudolph, WR Kadarius Toney, ED Azeez Ojulari, ED Ifeadi Odenigbo, DT Danny Shelton, OT Nate Solder (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: DT Dalvin Tomlinson, OG Kevin Zeitler, ED Jabaal Sheard, ED Kyler Fackrell, WR Golden Tate, LB David Mayo
It's a big year for fourth-year GM Dave Gettleman, and it's fair to say that he had a respectable offseason. He added help for QB Daniel Jones in the form of Golladay, Rudolph, Toney and John Ross, while adding Jackson as a running mate for James Bradberry, which gives New York one of the league's best corner duos.
Losing Tomlinson isn't as bad when you consider the team is still strong up front on defense with Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence, though Zeitler's departure raises yet another concern along the offensive line. The Giants are better but not good enough to carry shaky QB play, so Jones will need a big leap in his all-important third year.
8. Miami Dolphins
Big additions: WR Will Fuller V, LB Benardrick McKinney, WR Jaylen Waddle, ED Jaelan Phillips, S Jevon Holland, OT Liam Eichenberg, DT Adam Butler, CB Justin Coleman, C Matt Skura, CB Jason McCourty, QB Jacoby Brissett
Key losses: DT Davon Godchaux, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, ED Kyle Van Noy, ED Shaq Lawson, S Bobby McCain, OL Ereck Flowers
The Dolphins' strong rebuilding effort continued during the 2021 offseason, and they were especially busy during the draft weekend. Though I still don't understand the logic behind the premature trade up for the sixth-overall pick, Miami still added four rookies during the first two rounds of the draft. The first of them was Waddle (the aforementioned sixth pick), who joins free-agent signing Fuller to give second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa two explosive targets.
Acquiring every-down linebacker McKinney in exchange for Lawson, who was eventually replaced by first-round pick Phillips, was a strong move. The team might miss Fitzpatrick if Tagovailoa doesn't pan out, as Brissett is now the team's No. 2 QB. There are a lot of unknowns, but also a ton of pedigree on this roster.
9. Arizona Cardinals
Big additions: ED/DT J.J. Watt, C Rodney Hudson, CB Malcolm Butler, WR A.J. Green, LB Zaven Collins, WR Rondale Moore, RB James Conner, K Matt Prater
Key losses: CB Patrick Peterson, ED Haason Reddick, WR Larry Fitzgerald, RB Kenyan Drake, LB De'Vondre Campbell
Watt is the obvious headliner here and is arguably the single biggest upgrade any team made during the offseason. He'll be a big addition to the pass rush and help offset the departure of Reddick in that regard. And Hudson is one of the game's best centers and a major get for third-year QB Kyler Murray.
Otherwise, Arizona simply replaced its departures (with a better player in most cases), including Butler in for Peterson, Green and Moore in for Fitzgerald, Conner in for Drake and first-round pick Collins in for Campbell. And Prater has been one of the league's best kickers over the past decade.
10. Denver Broncos
Big additions: CB Kyle Fuller, CB Ronald Darby, OT Bobby Massie, CB Pat Surtain II, RB Javonte Williams, QB Teddy Bridgewater
Key losses: CB A.J. Bouye, DT Jurrell Casey, OT Ja'Wuan James, RB Phillip Lindsay
Several teams prioritized cornerback talent and depth during the offseason, and Denver certainly fits the bill. Defensive-minded head coach Vic Fangio now has veterans in Fuller and Darby, as well as first-round pick Surtain to go along with Bryce Callahan and last year's third-round pick Michael Ojemudia. It doesn't get much better than that.
James' torn Achilles and subsequent release was unfortunate, but Massie is a good fallback option. Bridgewater was competent in Carolina last season and offers an alternative to Drew Lock should he falter. Denver has an outstanding defense -- all 11 defenders who played at least 400 snaps last season remain on the roster -- and a terrific group of young offensive skill players, so the effectiveness of team's quarterback position looms very, very large.
11. Carolina Panthers
Big additions: QB Sam Darnold, CB Jaycee Horn, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., LB Denzel Perryman, ED Haason Reddick, CB A.J. Bouye, DT DaQuan Jones, TE Dan Arnold
Key losses: WR Curtis Samuel, QB Teddy Bridgewater, DT Kawann Short, S Tre Boston, CB Rasul Douglas, ED Efe Obada, OT Russell Okung
Darnold is in and Bridgewater is out at quarterback. Some would argue that's a downgrade, but we can give them the benefit of the doubt here, and at the very least, the 24-year-old former third-overall pick has a much higher ceiling than the man he is replacing.
The loss of Samuel will be felt, but the team still has a good one-two punch at wide receiver, and second-round pick Marshall will help fill the void. First-round pick Horn is a potential shutdown corner, and he's likely to join Perryman, Reddick, Bouye and Jones as starters. Short is a Panthers' legend, but he's now 32 years old and barely saw the field last season.
12. Kansas City Chiefs
Big additions: OG Joe Thuney, OT Orlando Brown Jr., DT Jarran Reed, LB Nick Bolton, C Creed Humphrey, C Austin Blythe, OG Kyle Long, CB Mike Hughes, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (2020 opt-out), Lucas Niang (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: OT Mitchell Schwartz, OT Eric Fisher, CB Bashaud Breeland, WR Sammy Watkins, RB Damien Williams, LB Damien Wilson
When Kansas City cut starting tackles Schwartz and Fisher early in the offseason, it seemed like the Chiefs might be headed for a rough offseason. Instead, they quickly turned a negative into a positive by signing star left guard Thuney and trading for new left tackle Brown. With Duvernay-Tardif and Niang back from an opt-out season, and Blythe, Humphrey and Long added to the mix, it's possible that the Chiefs open the 2021 season with five new starters along the offensive line.
Breeland and Watkins weren't clearly replaced, which raises concerns at corner and wide receiver. But Reed was a strong add up front, and second-round pick Bolton adds to a linebacker room that needed help. Overall, the Chiefs are slightly better than they were last season, and that's troubling news for the rest of the league.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Big additions: RB Giovani Bernard, ED Joe Tryon, QB Kyle Trask
Key losses: RB LeSean McCoy, OT Joe Haeg, S Andrew Adams
The Super Bowl champion Buccaneers entered the offseason overwhelmed with impending free agents and simply couldn't afford to re-sign most of them as they watched their loaded roster get torn to shreds. Wait, sorry, I wrote that in February, as it seemed like the inevitable outcome. Instead, in what was a master class in cap management by GM Jason Licht, Tampa Bay literally re-signed every single starter from last year's championship team.
Nineteen Buccaneers were on the field for at least 59 defensive snaps last season (a combined 13,908 snaps among them), and all 19 remain on the 2021 roster. Nineteen Buccaneers were on the field for at last 110 offensive snaps (13,227), and -- you guessed it -- all 19 remain on the 2021 roster. That includes all five offensive line starters.
As if that's not enough for another title run, Tampa Bay added to its pass rush with Tryon in the first round and brought a "James White" element to its Tom Brady-led offense by signing Bernard.
14. Buffalo Bills
Big additions: WR Emmanuel Sanders, ED Greg Rousseau, ED Boogie Basham, ED Efe Obada, DT Star Lotulelei (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: WR John Brown, DT Quinton Jefferson, KR Andre Roberts, ED Trent Murphy, CB Josh Norman
It was a fairly ho-hum offseason for a Bills' team that kept its core together after a strong 13-3 campaign. Sanders is in and Brown out at wide receiver. Jefferson is a notable loss up front, but of the 13 Bills' defenders who played at least 450 snaps last season, he's the only departure ... and that's offset anyway by the return of Lotulelei. Top draft picks Rousseau and Basham join Obada in helping out the team's pass rush. Norman is a big name, but he's now 33 and was sharing work with Levi Wallace last season anyway.
15. Cincinnati Bengals
Big additions: WR Ja'Marr Chase, OT Jackson Carman, ED Trey Hendrickson, CB Mike Hilton, CB Chidobe Awuzie, OT Riley Reiff, DT Larry Ogunjobi, S Ricardo Allen, DT Josh Tupou (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: CB William Jackson III, ED Carl Lawson, DT Geno Atkins, WR A.J. Green, CB Mackensie Alexander, RB Giovani Bernard, LB Josh Bynes
The good news is that the Bengals made some intriguing offseason additions. The bad news is that those signings were mostly offset by several significant subtractions.
Jackson is arguably a top-10 NFL corner and will be replaced by Awuzie. That's only slightly offset by the potential upgrade from Alexander to Hilton in the slot. Hendrickson, Ogunjobi and Tupou are in up front as replacements for Lawson and Atkins, which sounds like a downgrade, but Atkins is now 33 and was limited because of injuries to 116 snaps last season. Chase, the fifth-overall pick of April's draft, was the prize addition of the offseason and should be a big upgrade on the age-33 Green.
With former franchise stars Atkins, Green and Bernard out the door, the Bengals got younger during the offseason but didn't get much better, at least in the short term.
16. Baltimore Ravens
Big additions: OG Kevin Zeitler, WR Rashod Bateman, ED Odafe Oweh, WR Sammy Watkins, OT Alejandro Villanueva, ED Justin Houston
Key losses: OT Orlando Brown Jr., ED Yannick Ngakoue, ED Matt Judon, WR Willie Snead IV
It was a relatively neutral offseason for the always-competitive Ravens. Brown has been one of the league's best young tackles since the team drafted him in 2018, but he demanded a trade so that he can play left tackle. That forced Baltimore to settle for Villanueva at right tackle (not the worst-case scenario, as he was solid in Pittsburgh last season). It also allowed them to add a first-round talent at edge rusher in Oweh, which helped offset the loss of Ngakoue and Judon.
Zeitler is an upgrade at right guard, and Watkins and first-round pick Bateman were much-needed impact additions at wide receiver. Both will play an immediate role. Baltimore is primed for another run at the AFC North crown.
17. Philadelphia Eagles
Big additions: S Anthony Harris, WR DeVonta Smith, C Landon Dickerson, CB Steven Nelson, ED Ryan Kerrigan, LB Eric Wilson, RB Kerryon Johnson, QB Joe Flacco
Key losses: QB Carson Wentz, DT Malik Jackson, DB Jalen Mills, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, LB Nathan Gerry, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
The Eagles' roster is as shaky as it has been in a long time, but their offseason probably wasn't as bad as it seems. Wentz is out after a rough year, but Jalen Hurts is waiting in the wings with veterans Flacco and Nick Mullens added as backup plans. That's not an ideal situation, but also not worse than what they got out of the position in 2020.
The loss of Malik Jackson up front is notable, but Harris and Nelson are major upgrades in the secondary. DeSean Jackson and Jeffery were all but non-factors last season, whereas reigning Heisman Trophy winner Smith will immediately step into an every-down role. Wilson is an upgrade on Gerry, and Kerrigan adds quality depth at edge rusher.
18. San Francisco 49ers
Big additions: QB Trey Lance, OG Aaron Banks, C Alex Mack, ED Samson Ebukam, DE Arden Key, DT Maurice Hurst
Key losses: CB Richard Sherman, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, ED Kerry Hyder Jr., DT Solomon Thomas, WR Kendrick Bourne, QB Nick Mullens, RB Tevin Coleman
The 49ers did not make many high-impact additions during the offseason, but they certainly made one huge one by trading for the third-overall pick and selecting Lance. The former North Dakota State QB is obviously a lottery ticket at this point in his career, but the team now has a potential franchise quarterback, and that is extremely valuable.
Mack was a solid add at the pivot, though he's now 35. The losses of Sherman and Witherspoon raise question marks at corner, and Bourne's departure means depth concerns at wide receiver. Hyder is the only departure among the team's top-12 defenders in terms of 2020 snaps.
19. Chicago Bears
Big additions: QB Justin Fields, OT Teven Jenkins, QB Andy Dalton, CB Desmond Trufant, LB Christian Jones, Eddie Goldman (2020 opt-out)
Key losses: CB Kyle Fuller, QB Mitchell Trubisky, OT Charles Leno Jr., OT Bobby Massie, CB Buster Skrine
Chicago surprised onlookers several times during the offseason, with the releases of star cornerback Fuller and both starting offensive tackles (Leno and Massie) raising eyebrows. The additions of Trufant and second-round pick Jenkins don't come close to offsetting those moves, but what keeps Chicago afloat in these rankings is its trade up for Fields during April's draft. The former Ohio State QB has a way to go to prove he's up for the challenge of the NFL, but Chicago finally has some hope that it has a franchise quarterback on the roster. Also, the return of 2020 opt-out Goldman is good news for the defense.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
Big additions: C Corey Linsley, OT Rashawn Slater, CB Asante Samuel Jr., OT Matt Feiler, TE Jared Cook
Key losses: TE Hunter Henry, CB Casey Hayward Jr., ED Melvin Ingram III, LB Denzel Perryman, OG Trai Turner, OG Dan Feeney, S Rayshawn Jenkins, QB Tyrod Taylor
The Chargers made one of the offseason's single-best moves by signing an elite center in Linsley. They also had a pretty good draft on paper by adding a potential franchise left tackle in Slater and then Samuel in the second round. Feiler makes three new starters on the offensive line.
Those additions were all good, but they came at a cost. Henry is a big loss at tight end, and Hayward, Ingram, Perriman and Jenkins were all defensive starters at one point or another. Perhaps new coach Brandon Staley can make the most of this roster as he did with the Rams' defense in 2020, but it's fair to think the Chargers lost a bit more than they gained during the offseason.
21. Dallas Cowboys
Big additions: LB Micah Parsons, CB Kelvin Joseph, LB Keanu Neal, S Damontae Kazee, ED Tarell Basham, DT Brent Urban, S Malik Hooker
Key losses: CB Chidobe Awuzie, ED Aldon Smith, S Xavier Woods, DT Tyrone Crawford, QB Andy Dalton
Dallas entered the offseason with an absolutely loaded offense, so it's no surprise that its key additions and subtractions are primarily defenders. It was only two seasons ago that Dallas had what appeared to be the league's best young linebacker duo in Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, but injuries and ineffectiveness quickly extinguished that narrative. Dallas responded during the offseason, drafting Parsons in the first round and later signing former Falcons star safety Neal and converting him to linebacker.
Second-round pick Joseph, Hooker and Kazee will help replace Awuzie and Woods. Lastly, Aldon Smith is out the door after playing 773 defensive snaps last season, which was fourth most on the team.
22. Los Angeles Rams
Big additions: QB Matthew Stafford, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Tutu Atwell
Key losses: S John Johnson III, CB Troy Hill, QB Jared Goff, DT Michael Brockers, TE Gerald Everett, ED Samson Ebukam, DT Morgan Fox, WR Josh Reynolds, C Austin Blythe
The Rams made the first big move of the 2021 offseason when they shipped Goff (and more) to the Lions for Stafford. Though Goff is far from chopped liver, Stafford is undoubtedly an upgrade and perhaps coach Sean McVay's ticket to an elusive Super Bowl ring.
The QB upgrade was especially important considering the team's exodus on the defensive side of the ball. Gone are star safety Johnson and every-down corner Hill -- the only two Rams' defenders to clear 1,050 snaps last season. The Rams also lost Brockers, Ebukam and Fox (not to mention defensive coordinator Brandon Staley) from what was the league's best defense.
Offensively, the additions of 34-year-old Jackson and second-round pick Atwell don't quite offset the departures of Everett and Reynolds (not to mention Cam Akers' season ending injury). Needless to say, the Rams would be much lower if not for the Stafford acquisition.
23. Tennessee Titans
Big additions: WR Julio Jones, ED Bud Dupree, CB Caleb Farley, OT Dillon Radunz, DT Denico Autry, CB Janoris Jenkins, WR Josh Reynolds
Key losses: CB Adoree' Jackson, CB Malcolm Butler, CB Desmond King II, WR Corey Davis, TE Jonnu Smith, ED Jadeveon Clowney, S Kenny Vaccaro, DT DaQuan Jones, WR Adam Humphries
The Titans lost a ton of talent during the offseason, and things might be looking much grimmer if not for the high-profile acquisitions of Jones and Dupree. The trade for Jones was a near-must after Davis, Smith and Humphries (combined 40% of the team's targets last season) departed during free agency. Tennessee also cleaned house of its entire starting trio of cornerbacks, replacing Jackson, Butler and King (a potentially very good group) with Jenkins and several recent Day 1-2 draft picks (Kristian Fulton and rookies Farley and Elijah Molden). Vaccaro, Jones and Clowney (who struggled with injuries last season anyway) are notable defensive losses, though Dupree and Autry take away some of the sting.
Tennessee did the best patch job it could, but some of these departures could prove costly.
24. Indianapolis Colts
Big additions: QB Carson Wentz, ED Kwity Paye, ED Dayo Odeyingbo, OT Eric Fisher
Key losses: QB Philip Rivers, OT Anthony Castonzo, ED Justin Houston, S Malik Hooker, DT Denico Autry, QB Jacoby Brissett, LB Anthony Walker
The Colts entered the offseason in a great spot as they were fresh off a playoff berth and ranked near the top of the league in available cap space. Unfortunately, they didn't exactly take advantage, with their big move being the trade for Wentz, who is now out at least five weeks after undergoing surgery on his foot on Monday. Even if Wentz was healthy in Week 1, we can't assume that he'll immediately bounce back to his 2017 MVP-caliber play because he was very poor for the Eagles last season. In fact, it's possible (likely?) that he'll be a downgrade from the retired Rivers.
Castonzo's retirement was another negative, and while Fisher is a competent replacement, he tore his Achilles in January and might not play early in the season. Early-round draft picks Paye and Odeyingbo add to the pass rush but don't quite offset the losses of Houston, Autry, Hooker and Walker. The Colts could've improved more this offseason, but GM Chris Ballard (who has earned the benefit of the doubt, by the way) chose to stick with the conservative/homegrown gameplan. Time will tell if he got it right.
25. Green Bay Packers
Big additions: CB Eric Stokes, C Josh Myers, LB De'Vondre Campbell, WR Randall Cobb
Key losses: C Corey Linsley, LB Christian Kirksey, OT Rick Wagner, RB Jamaal Williams
The Packers are infamous for being very quiet during free agency, so we shouldn't be surprised that their roster turned over so little this offseason.
Linsley is one of the game's best centers, so his departure is significant. Second-round pick Myers will try to fill the void and veteran Billy Turner will need to step in for Wagner at right tackle. First-round pick Stokes is a potential upgrade opposite Jaire Alexander, and Campbell offsets the loss of Kirksey. All and all, the Packers' roster is a little worse than last season.
26. Atlanta Falcons
Big additions: TE Kyle Pitts, S Richie Grant, S Duron Harmon, RB Mike Davis
Key losses: WR Julio Jones, C Alex Mack, S Keanu Neal, S Ricardo Allen, S Damontae Kazee, RB Todd Gurley II
Atlanta's offseason was highlighted by a major offensive skill position change and an overhaul at safety. The former was, of course, the selection of Pitts with the fourth overall pick of April's draft and the subsequent trade of Jones to Tennessee. In the secondary, second-round pick Grant and veteran Harmon step in to help replace the loss of Neal, Allen and Kazee.
Standout center Mack was another notable loss as Atlanta moves toward a youth movement along the line. Atlanta is in rebuilding mode with a new regime in place, and that was made clear by its offseason player personnel decisions.
27. Las Vegas Raiders
Big additions: ED Yannick Ngakoue, CB Casey Hayward Jr., RB Kenyan Drake, WR John Brown, DT Quinton Jefferson, CB Rasul Douglas, OT Alex Leatherwood, S Trevon Moehrig
Key losses: C Rodney Hudson, OT Trent Brown, OG Gabe Jackson, WR Nelson Agholor, DB Lamarcus Joyner, S Erik Harris, DT Maurice Hurst, DE Arden Key
The Raiders raised eyebrows early in the offseason when they all but cleaned house along the offensive line. What was once a strength quickly became a weakness when they moved on from standouts Hudson, Brown and Jackson, while spending on a second running back (Drake). They went on to draft Leatherwood with their first-round pick, but the line looks like a weak spot on paper in the short term.
On the plus side, Las Vegas made a few much-needed defensive additions, including standout edge rusher Ngakoue and veteran corners Hayward and Douglas. Those moves help offset some of the losses, but it was another offseason of head-scratching decision-making for Las Vegas.
28. Seattle Seahawks
Big additions: OG Gabe Jackson, WR D'Wayne Eskridge, ED Aldon Smith, ED Kerry Hyder Jr., CB Ahkello Witherspoon, TE Gerald Everett
Key losses: CB Shaquill Griffin, LB K.J. Wright, DT Jarran Reed, CB Quinton Dunbar, TE Greg Olsen, C Justin Britt, RB Carlos Hyde
Top corners Griffin and Dunbar are both out and will be replaced by a pair of former 49ers: oft-injured Witherspoon and converted safety D.J. Reed. Seattle did not have a first-round pick, and Eskridge was a bit of a surprising add in the second round, as he'll be no higher than third on the depth chart. Smith and Hyder help out the pass rush but don't offset the losses of standouts Wright and Reed. And Jackson was a quality add at right guard.
Seattle's roster took a step back during the offseason, leaving a lot on the shoulders of Russell Wilson again this season.
29. Detroit Lions
Big additions: QB Jared Goff, OT Penei Sewell, DT Levi Onwuzurike, DT Michael Brockers, WR Breshad Perriman, WR Tyrell Williams, K Randy Bullock, RB Jamaal Williams
Key losses: QB Matthew Stafford, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Marvin Jones Jr., CB Desmond Trufant, CB Justin Coleman, LB Reggie Ragland, S Duron Harmon, K Matt Prater, RB Adrian Peterson, LB Christian Jones
Detroit is in rebuild mode, so it's hardly a surprise that the roster took a step back this offseason. In fact, I could have listed 20 players in the "key losses" section.
Right off the top, the downgrade from Stafford to Goff is a huge minus. The Lions' wide receiver room is shakiest in the NFL after they replaced Golladay, Jones and Danny Amendola with Perriman, Williams and fourth-round pick Amon-Ra St. Brown. Brockers and second-round pick Onwuzurike were nice adds up front, but they don't offset a lengthy list of defensive departures including Trufant, Coleman, Ragland, Jones and Harmon.
Perhaps the Lions' new regime will get this franchise turned in the right direction, but we should anticipate a rough showing in 2021.
30. Houston Texans
Big additions: CB Desmond King II, QB Tyrod Taylor, ED Shaq Lawson, ED Jordan Jenkins, OT Marcus Cannon, RB Phillip Lindsay, CB Terrance Mitchell, LB Christian Kirksey
Key losses: ED J.J. Watt, WR WR Will Fuller V, LB Benardrick McKinney, C Nick Martin, RB Duke Johnson Jr., WR Randall Cobb
No team invited roster turnover like Houston did during the offseason. The new regime was extremely aggressive in adding bodies to the 90-man roster, though the list included a lot of borderline starters and not many clear difference-makers. The roster did, however, lose several stars, including Watt, Fuller and McKinney. Worse, Houston was the only team not to make a first- or second-round pick, which further limited the rebuild effort.
Houston gets points for adding competent veterans to fill a long list of voids, but that doesn't outweigh the losses. Note that the "Key losses" list also could include superstar QB Deshaun Watson if he holds out, is suspended for the 2021 season or is traded. If Watson is out, Houston will roll with Taylor, rookie Davis Mills and perhaps Jeff Driskel at quarterback. That would be a problem.
31. New Orleans Saints
Big additions: ED Payton Turner, LB Pete Werner, ED Tanoh Kpassagnon, CB Brian Poole
Key losses: QB Drew Brees, ED Trey Hendrickson, CB Janoris Jenkins, DT Sheldon Rankins, WR Emmanuel Sanders, TE Jared Cook, LB Kwon Alexander, LB Alex Anzalone, DT Malcom Brown
The Saints went all in on "win now" mode during the final years of Brees' career. That strategy worked at the time, but the check came due during the 2021 offseason. As if losing Brees wasn't significant enough, gone are defensive standouts and/or contributors Hendrickson, Jenkins, Rankins, Alexander, Anzalone and Brown (among others).
Rookies Turner and Warner help, but the New Orleans defense obviously took a hit. In addition to losing Brees, Cook and Sanders are gone and were not replaced on the offensive side. Perhaps Jameis Winston and/or Taysom Hill will prove to be quality NFL starting quarterbacks in Sean Payton's offense, but they're an obvious downgrade on Brees and won't have as good a supporting cast. Expect a step back for New Orleans in 2021.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers
Big additions: ED Melvin Ingram, RB Najee Harris, TE Pat Freiermuth, OG Trai Turner, OT Joe Haeg, CB Arthur Maulet
Key losses: ED Bud Dupree, OG David DeCastro, OT Alejandro Villanueva, OL Maurkice Pouncey, OT Matt Feiler, CB Steven Nelson, CB Mike Hilton, LB Vince Williams, RB James Conner
Ben Roethlisberger is back for what might be his final season, but he'll have his hands full carrying a team that dealt with several significant offseason losses. The lowlight was definitely the near complete overhaul along the offensive line, with starters DeCastro, Villanueva, Pouncey and Feiler all out. The likes of Kevin Dotson, Zach Banner, Turner and third-round rookie Kendrick Green are the favorites to step into the starting lineup in what is arguably the league's shakiest line.
On the defensive side, Pittsburgh replaced impact edge rusher Dupree with 32-year-old Ingram and failed to clearly replace Williams or two-thirds of its starting corners in Nelson and Hilton. Top draft picks Harris and Freiermuth replace Conner and retired Vance McDonald, respectively. All in all, it was a rough offseason for a Steelers team that might have trouble keeping pace with the Ravens and improved Browns in the AFC North.