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 Elite 8 matchup...
DETROIT
Key Adds: DT D.J. Reader (from CIN), CB Amik Robertson (from LV), DE Marcus Davenport (from MIN), OG Kevin Zeitler (from BAL)
Traded for Carlton Davis.
Key Losses: OG Jonah Jackson (to LAR), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (to PHI), WR Josh Reynolds (to DEN)
Key Draft Adds: CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw, OL Giovanni Manu, SAF/RB Sione Vaki, DT Mehki Wingo
Key Coaching Changes: None
Outlook: A big gain at DT if Reader comes back healthy.
Davis + Robertson + Arnold + Rakeshaw is a great jump in talent at DB, which well outweighs the loss of Gardner-Johnson.
The only dip/loss this offseason is at O-Line...the loss of Jonah Jackson.
The Lions had a huge problem at corner, and they did a great job addressing it. Everything else they did is icing on the cake.
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ATLANTA
Key Adds: QB Kirk Cousins (from MIN), WR Darnell Mooney (from CHI), TE Charlie Woerner (from SF)
Key Losses: TE Jonnu Smith (to MIA), RB Cordarrelle Patterson (to PIT), LB Bud Dupree (to LAC), CB Jeff Okudah (to HOU), WR Mack Hollins (to BUF)
Key Draft Adds: QB Michael Penix, DT Ruke Orhorhoro, DE Bralen Trice, DL Brandon Dorlus, LB JD Bertrand
Key Coaching Changes: All new regime
Outlook: Getting Kirk Cousins, that one move alone, is one of the 1-2-3 best moves impacting 2024 that a team made this offseason. So, just the one move is super powerful under the theory of ‘QB is EVERYTHING’ in the NFL.
Well, they didn’t add just one mega-upgrade at QB...they got two when they drafted Michael Penix. It’s really one of the most brilliant big picture moves in NFL history...an unprecedented upgrade at thee most important position – and it’s important for looking only at 2024 as well, not just big picture...if anything happens to Cousins, they got Penix. The Falcons have a top starter QB...and a top backup QB in the NFL. That’s worth A LOT.
Outside of the QBs moves they lost some useful, but not critical pieces...and they signed a couple useful pieces in Mooney-Woerner. Their draft outside of Penix was not really impactful for 2024.
It’s all about the value and power of not one but two top QBs acquired...and the coaching regime change is also a big upgrade to go along with the QB power.
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Winner (most improved for 2024)...
The Lions biggest problem was their CB and WR group...they did wonders loading up at CB, but did nothing at WR. What they did at corner was huge.
The Falcons really didn’t gain (net) a ton of starters through free agency or the draft, but their biggest gain was in the spot that needed it the most – quarterback. They not only went from Ridder to Cousins, but they got Penix as an ace in the hole.
The Falcons’ rise at QB beats/is more 2024 mission critical than Detroit’s CB upgrades. Atlanta moves onto the Final Four to face Washington, the other big QB upgrade team.
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Next Round Matchups...
4th-Round (FINAL FOUR)
AFC FINALS (NYJ) v. (TEN)
NFC FINALS (WSH) v. (ATL)
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SUPER BOWL FINALS
