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Ranking each AFC team's offseason within its division
With free agency mostly over and the hiring cycle for coaches apparently completed, it's time to assess the offseasons of NFL teams before the April 25-27 draft in Detroit.
Some teams have significantly improved (Steelers, Jets) while others (Patriots, Broncos) are treading water or have taken a step back.
As determined by Yardbarker NFL writers, here is a ranking of each AFC team's offseason within its division. (2023 record is in parentheses.)
AFC East
1. NEW YORK JETS (7-10) | Despite losing edge-rusher Bryce Huff in free agency, the Jets filled virtually every hole they had this offseason, most notably with the additions of LT Tyron Smith, WR Mike Williams, OLB Haason Reddick and RT Morgan Moses. With these moves, New York has flexibility in the first round of the NFL Draft and can opt to select either an immediate starter or perhaps an insurance policy for the oft-injured Smith.
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-6) | Miami's defensive and offensive lines suffered major blows during free agency, as star DT Christian Wilkins signed a four-year, $110M deal with Las Vegas and RG Robert Hunt signed a five-year, $100M contract with Carolina. However, the team signed solid pieces in safety Jordan Poyer, CB Kendall Fuller and LB Jordyn Brooks, all of whom should be upgrades over safety DeShon Elliott, CB Xavien Howard and LB Jerome Baker.
3. BUFFALO BILLS (11-6) | On paper, it might appear Buffalo had a disastrous offseason since it released several longtime starters because of salary-cap restraints and traded WR Stefon Diggs due to his baggage. Even so, given the team cut ties with veterans from a core that failed to win a Super Bowl, it wouldn't be a surprise if this proves to be a case of addition by subtraction.
4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-13) | While the Patriots didn't get worse this offseason, they didn't improve much either, as most of their moves included re-signing key starters (safety Kyle Dugger and OL Mike Onwenu, for example). Considering New England entered free agency flush with cap space, it's surprising de facto GM Eliot Wolf didn't spend more to surround the quarterback he'll likely select in the first round with better talent.
AFC West
1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-6) | The Chiefs dealt star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans, but they re-signed free-agent DT Chris Jones (five years, $158.75M) and extended defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Retaining both was imperative, as the defending Super Bowl champions were second in the league in points allowed (17.3) last season. Kansas City also improved a receiving corps that led the league in drops (44) in 2023 by signing former first-round pick WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to a one-year, $7M deal.
2. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (8-9) | The Raiders removed head coach Antonio Pierce’s interim tag after he went 5-4 after replacing Josh McDaniels last season. In free agency, Las Vegas bolstered its roster, signing DT Christian Wilkins (four years, $110M) and QB Gardner Minshew II (two years, $25M).
3. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-12) | New HC Jim Harbaugh should provide the jolt the Chargers need, but he has his work cut out for him. Los Angeles dealt six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen to the Bears and released former first-round pick Mike Williams. Neither veteran receiver was replaced in free agency.
4. DENVER BRONCOS (8-9) | Releasing QB Russell Wilson incurred an $85M cap hit, so the Broncos couldn’t splurge in free agency and had to move on from starters to clear more room. Denver traded former first-round pick WR Jerry Jeudy (Browns) and released two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons.
AFC North
1. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7) | The Steelers have been one of the most active teams this offseason, signing QB Russell Wilson, LB Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott and trading for Bears QB Justin Fields and Panthers CB Donte Jackson. Pittsburgh deserves credit for not running it back with a similar squad in 2024 and expecting different results.
2. BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-4) | The Ravens haven’t made a ton of moves, but the re-signing of DT Justin Madubuike and LB Kyle Van Noy and the free-agent addition of RB Derrick Henry should pay big dividends on both sides of the ball. However, Baltimore still has plenty of work to do after losing starting guards John Simpson (Jets) and Kevin Zeitler (Lions), DE Jadeveon Clowney (Panthers), LB Patrick Queen (Steelers) and safety Geno Stone (Bengals).
3. CLEVELAND BROWNS (11-6) | General manager Andrew Berry trading a fifth-round pick for a former first-round wide receiver in Jerry Jeudy is impressive. Whether he turns out to have a similar impact as WR Amari Cooper, who the team acquired for a fifth-rounder in 2022 and a sixth-round pick swap, is up for debate. However, the Browns have done a lot with a little, re-signing edge-rusher Za’Darius Smith and DT Shelby Harris as well as signing LB Jordan Hicks in free agency to keep their top-ranked defense stout.
4. CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-8) | The Bengals haven’t made any splashy moves, but they filled their biggest needs with the additions of RB Zack Moss, TE Mike Gesicki, right tackle Trent Brown and DT Sheldon Rankins. Still, there are major questions on offense for Cincinnati after the departure of RB Joe Mixon, who was traded to the Texans. Plus, WR Tee Higgins’ trade request is still looming.
AFC South
1. HOUSTON TEXANS (10-7) | After acquiring wide receiver Stefon Diggs for a 2025 second-round pick, there’s little arguing the Texans had the best offseason in the division. In addition to creating one of the top WR trios in the AFC, Houston beefed up its pass rush with Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, added a tackling machine in LB Azeez Al-Shaair, signed a solid defensive tackle in Tim Settle and added four-time 1,000-yard rusher Joe Mixon. Houston is all-in on the 2024 season.
2. TENNESSEE TITANS (6-11) | The Titans signed the best receiver (Calvin Ridley) and best center available (Lloyd Cushenberry III) in free agency and traded for the top cornerback available (L’Jarius Sneed) to shore up three glaring positions of need. They also added great depth at running back (Tony Pollard), cornerback (Chidobe Awuzie) and quarterback (Mason Rudolph) in addition to potentially finding plug-and-play starters at linebacker (Kenneth Murray Jr.) and defensive tackle (Sebastian Joseph-Day).
3. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (9-8) | Losing WR Calvin Ridley hurt, but Jacksonville’s signing of WR Gabe Davis helps cushion that blow. The Jaguars also kept stud pass-rusher Josh Allen and bolstered their defensive line (Arik Armstead), center (Mitch Morse) and secondary (safety Darnell Savage, CB Ronald Darby).
4. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-8) | Indianapolis prioritized keeping its own free agents over signing ones from the open market, which isn’t a bad strategy, but it didn't move the needle. Retaining wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., defensive tackle Grover Stewart, cornerback Kenny Moore II and safety Julian Blackmon were solid moves, but QB Joe Flacco and DT Raekwon Davis are the headliners of Indianapolis's lackluster free-agent class.
More must-reads:
- Bills GM says he and QB Josh Allen communicated before trading Stefon Diggs
- Colts' Anthony Richardson shares mindset after injury ended rookie season
- The '2024-25 NFL rushing touchdown leaders' quiz
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