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 NFC West matchup of #3 SEA and #2 LAR...
SEATTLE
Key Adds: SAF Rayshawn Jenkins (from JAX), OT George Fant (from HOU), LB Jerome Baker (from MIA), LB Tyrel Dodson (from BUF), TE Pharoah Brown (from NE), OC Nick Harris (from CLE)
QB Sam Howell (via trade from WSH)
Key Losses: OG Damien Lewis (to CAR), LB Jordyn Brooks (to MIA), TE Colby Parkinson (to LAR), TE Will Dissly (to LAC), RB DeeJay Dallas (to ARI), LB Bobby Wagner (to WSH), QB Drew Lock (to NYG), OG Evan Brown (to ARI)
Key Draft Adds: DT Byron Murphy, OL Christian Hayes, LB Tyrice Knight, TE AJ Barner, CB Nehemiah Pritchett, CB DJ James, OT Michael Jerrell
Key Coaching Changes: New HC Mike Macdonald and new staff
Outlook: A lot of movement in free agency, but not sure if they came out ahead...it looks like a purge, and more seeking the rebuild from the draft.
Seattle lost 3-4 starters in free agency and signed 2-3 of them back...especially rebuilding their linebacking group. I could see free agency being neutral, give or take...a lot in, a lot out. More of a purging of Pete Carroll pet projects.
They had an OK draft...there’s 1-2-3 possible 2024 starters in there. Some nice players for the future...possibly 2024 isn’t impacted as much just because it’s a lot to ask from those rookies, and maybe only Byron Murphy is gonna start.
Sam Howell added is a backup-QB upgrade from Drew Lock, I think.
Seattle, overall, is better or neutral, in personnel, from their 2024 offseason moves. But then they get a coaching upgrade, potentially, with Mike McDonald coming in. But it’s not a sure thing.
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L.A. RAMS
Key Adds: OG Jonah Jackson (from CIN), TE Colby Parkinson (from SEA), CB Darious Williams (from JAX), SAF Kameron Curl (from WSH), CB Tre’Davious White (from BUF), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (from LV)
Key Losses: QB Carson Wentz (to KC), SAF Jordan Fuller (to CAR), OG Coleman Shelton (to CHI), DL Jonah Williams (to MIN)
Key Draft Adds: DL Jared Verse, DL Braden Fiske, RB Blake Corum, DSAF Kam Kitchens, DE Brennan Jackson, DT Tyler Davis, PK Josh Karty, WR Jordan Wittington
Key Coaching Changes: New O-C Mike LaFleur, new D-C Chris Shula
Outlook: Looking at it all together in one area...the Rams didn’t really lose anything of great value, but man did they bring in value/starters in free agency AND the draft.
They lost a weaker/so-so link on the O-Line...Coleman Shelton, and that’s really it. After that, in free agency they added five impact starters and a critical piece in a legit backup QB. Then in the draft, the Rams added at least three guys who will start Week 1...possibly 4. There’s 8-9 possibly 10 2024 starters that came from this offseason – and it’s not that the Rams were bad before or that these are sketchy starters, it’s all good/quality players.
This really was a stunning offseason.
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Winner (most improved for 2024)...
Seattle had a lot of player movement and a big coaching change, but it’s debatable how much better they got for 2024. Good moves for the future, but for 2024...could be neutral-ish.
By contrast the Rams added anywhere from 8 or more starters, net, between free agency and the draft. They killed it in the offseason. BIG win for the Rams here who move on to face Arizona in the NFC West finals.
AND that’s it for the 1st-round, now onto the 2nd-round/the division 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
NFC East: WSH v. PHI
NFC North: DET v. GB
NFC South: CAR v. ATL
NFC West: ARI v. LAR
