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 Finals matchup...
NY JETS
Key Adds: QB Tyrod Taylor (from NYG), OG John Simpson (from BAL), WR Mike Williams (from LAC), DT Javon Kinlaw (from SF), OT Tyron Smith (from DAL)
Trade for: Haason Reddick (from PHI)
Key Losses: EDGE Bryce Huff (to PHI), SAF Jordan Whitehead (to TB), DT Quinton Jefferson (to CLE), OT Mekhi Becton (to PHI)
Key Draft Adds: OL Ola Fashanu, WR Malachi Corley, RB Braelon Allen, CB Qwantez Swiggers
Key Coaching Changes: none
Outlook: The Jets biggest issue for 2+ years has been their O-Line. And in prior years they tried to solve that issue by drafting and signing useless pass rushers by the bushel full. When you hire a former D-C to be the head coach, you typically get an overemphasis on the defense and pass pressure and a collapse on offense...lunkhead football strategy where sacks are so cool that these coaches chase the results of the 1-3x a game they (sacks) happen...and then ‘who cares’ about the other 50+ plays in a game where the pass rushers have flailed a pass rush and taken themselves way out of the play?
Any whooo... The Jets FINALLY decided to address the O-Line in 2024...getting Tyron Smith and John Simpson in free agency and drafting nice OL prospect Ola Fashanu – three instant impact O-Linemen, potentially...a HUGE difference making moment this offseason.
The Jets really didn’t lose any key players on either side of the ball but really beefed up their offense – adding three legit OLs and smartly added a nice backup QB (Tyrod) to protect Aaron Rodgers...and got Rodgers two potential instant upgrades at WR with rookie Malachi Corley and Mike Williams. They also backstopped Breece Hall with a steal RB in Braelon Allen.
The Jets did about everything you’re supposed to do to fill holes this offseason. They needed this. They’re now a vastly improved, dangerous team in 2024.
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TENNESSEE
Key Adds: WR Calvin Ridley (from JAX), WR Tyler Boyd (from CIN), OC Lloyd Cushenberry (from DEN), Chidobe Awuzie (from CIN), RB Tony Pollard (from DAL), LB Kenneth Murray (from LAC), DT Sebastian Joseph (from SF), QB Mason Rudolph (from PIT), Traded for L’Jarius Sneed (from KC)
Key Losses: Azeez Al-Shaair (from HOU), CB Sean Bunting (to ARI), OC Aaron Brewer (to MIA), DT Denico Autry (to HOU), RB Derrick Henry (to BAL), CB Kristain Fulton (to LAC)
Key Draft Adds: OL J.C. Latham, DT T’Vondre Sweat, LB Cedric Gray, CB Jarvis Brownlee, WR Jha’Quan Jackson
Key Coaching Changes: New HC Brian Callahan and new staff all the way around. The best of all is the O-Line coach is a big upgrade to Bill Callahan.
Outlook: Similar to Houston, we have a lot of things changing here – so, let’s break it down like we did with the Texans...
WR Ridley and Boyd in, Chris Moore out...big upgrade.
OC Cushenberry in, Brewer out...maybe an upgrade, flat at worst.
RB Pollard in, Henry out...a downgrade.
CB Sneed and Awuzie in, Fulton and Bunting out...a MASSIVE upgrade
LB Murray in, Al-Shaair out...could be flat, could be a downgrade...could be Murray finally breaks out here.
DT Sweat drafted, Autry out...different style DTs...hard to say the +/-.
OL JC Latham drafted might be an upgrade...it needs to be.
The coaching staff is an upgrade up and down the board.
All in all...the Titans got much better this offseason.
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Winner (most improved for 2024)...
The Jets got maybe a net +3-4 impact starters for 2024 from the offseason...5 of them at most. And that’s good, but not as big of a tally compared to some of the other top teams BUT the Jets are getting their upgrades at the critical position group of O-Line...something they desperately needed.
But the Titans were the other WORST O-Line team in 2023, like the Jets...and the Titans may have added +1-2 starters on the O-Line PLUS, the big key, of bringing in OL coaching guru Bill Callahan...and he should help all the OLs develop/grow.
If we’re just talking O-Line, the Jets probably win over the Titans...but we have to factor in that Tennessee also upgraded their corners to one of the best duos in the league and boosted a dead #2 and #3 WR situation...plus upgraded their coaching staff all the way around, and built Coach Brian Callahan a team that fits his style.
I have to go with the Titans over the Jets here, for the best 2024 impact moves. Tennessee goes onto the finals to face the winner of the NFC finals: WSH v. ATL.
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Next Round Matchups...
4th-Round (FINAL FOUR)
NFC FINALS (WSH) v. (ATL)
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SUPER BOWL FINALS
TEN vs. ???
