Intro: For each team, for the next month or so, we’re going to look at the key offseason moves each team has made via trade, free agency, coaching and GM changes, and their NFL Draft to see if we scout/analyze these teams have improved or regressed or stayed flat, essentially – looking at it from a 2024 impact only...not long-term, just what could impact this season’s results.
We’ll judge these teams two at a time, pitting them against each other head-to-head to determine a ‘winner’ (which team we think impacted 2024 the best), and the winning teams will move on to the next round and compete until we get to the finals/Super Bowl.
We’re going division-by-division, seeded by 2023 order of finish.
Today we have an AFC West matchup of #3 LV and #2 DEN...
DENVER
Key Adds: SAF Brandon Jones (from MIA), WR Josh Reynolds (from DET)
Key Losses: OC Lloyd Cushenberry (to TEN), LB Josey Jewell (to CAR), DT Jonathan Harris (to MIA), QB Russell Wilson (to PIT)
Key Draft Adds: QB Bo Nix, DE Jonah Elliss, WR Troy Franklin, RB Audric Estime, OL Nick Gargiulo
Key Coaching Changes: None
Outlook: Look at those key free agent signings...not impressive. Losing Cushenberry stings and Josey Jewell is a loss. Free agency was more purge than advancement for Denver.
However, the Broncos had a solid draft...got their QB and I like DE Elliss a lot and respect Gargiulo added to the O-Line.
This 2024 offseason feels like a 2025+ plan...and that 2024 is virtually being looked past as Sean Payton tries to do a full rebuild.
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LAS VEGAS
Key Adds: DT Christian Wilkins (from MIA), QB Gardner Minshew (from IND), TE Harrison Bryant (from CLE)
Key Losses: RB Josh Jacobs (to GB), DT Bilal Nichols (to ARI), OT Jermaine Eluemunor (to NYG), CB Amik Robertson (to DET), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (to LAR)
Key Draft Adds: TE Brock Bowers, OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL Delmar Glaze, CB Decamerion Richardson, LB Tommy Eichenberg, RB Dylan Laube, DAF Trey Taylor, CB M.J. Devonshire
Key Coaching Changes: HC Antonio Pierce hired with a new GM and O-C Luke Getsy
Outlook: Adding Christian Wilkins was a nice start to the offseason, but that’s about it for any impact signings. Minshew is fine. The only real impact loss was Josh Jacobs, but RBs aren’t that critical... not a big loss. They added more hope in free agency than what they lost.
A solid enough draft adding 2-3 impact starters and some depth/young promise. I like this draft the more and more I look at it.
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Winner (most improved for 2024)...
The Broncos, for 2024 only, in offseason moves, maybe added 1-2 starting players...which kinda matches the count of what they lost...or maybe even a -1 deficit of starters gained vs. lost. Whereas the Raiders lost one starter but added maybe +2-3 instant impact starters...perhaps as many as +3-4 net.
Denver is doing things for the future...the Raiders did a better job for ‘the now’. I’m not so sure about this new coaching staff for LV...but anything is an upgrade over Josh McDaniels and friends.
The clear win goes to the Raiders, who go on to face the Chargers next round in the AFC West finals.
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Next Round Matchups...
AFC East: NE v. NYJ
AFC North: BAL v. PIT
AFC South: TEN v. IND
AFC West: LAC v. LV
