Atlanta Falcons
Key acquisitions: QB Kirk Cousins, WR Darnell Mooney, WR Ray-Ray McCloud, TE Charlie Woerner, CB Antonio Hamilton, CB Kevin King
Re-signed: WR KhaDarel Hodge, T Storm Norton, DE Kentavius Street
Departures: RB Cordarrelle Patterson (Steelers), C Matt Hennessy (Eagles), TE Jonnu Smith (Dolphins), CB Jeff Okudah (Texans), WR Mack Hollins (Bills), WR Van Jefferson (Steelers), TE MyCole Pruitt (Steelers)
Remaining free agents: DE Calais Campbell, OLB Bud Dupree, CB Tre Flowers, WR Scotty Miller, FB Keith Smith
Analysis: The Falcons are a big winner of the 2024 offseason, finally getting a quarterback after two years since Matt Ryan. Kirk Cousins joins the team on a four-year, $180 million contract to lead a young team. Coming off a torn Achilles leaves some concern, but with a roster boasting with young talent with names like Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson, Cousins can only make them better.
To add to the offense, Darnell Mooney joins the squad on a three-year deal along with return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud, who takes the place of Cordarrelle Patterson. The starting OL is still intact despite losing one-time starter Matt Hennessy. Jonnu Smith was a nice piece for them last year, but Pitts needs to be the every-down guy, and Charlie Woerner can come in to be the blocker.
Not many moves on defense surprisingly besides Antonio Hamilton and Kevin King at cornerback to replace Jeff Okudah.
Conclusion: You got the offense figured out, now focus on the defense in the draft. The 8th pick can easily get you the best defensive player on the board in an offense-heavy draft. Edge rush is the top need, and the likely pick.
Carolina Panthers
Key acquisitions: WR Diontae Johnson, G Robert Hunt, G Damien Lewis, DT A’Shawn Robinson, LB Josey Jewell, CB Dane Jackson, DE D.J. Wonnum, DE Jadeveon Clowney, OLB K’Lavon Chaisson, S Jordan Fuller, T Yosh Nijman, WR David Moore, S Nick Scott
Re-signed: CB Troy Hill, LS J.J. Jansen, S Sam Franklin
Departures: OLB Brian Burns (Giants), LB Frankie Luvu (Commanders), S Jeremy Chinn (Commanders), CB Donte Jackson (Steelers), C Bradley Bozeman, S Vonn Bell (Bengals), OLB Yetur Gross-Matos (49ers), TE Hayden Hurst (Chargers), CB Shaquill Griffin (Vikings), LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (Vikings), CB C.J. Henderson (Texans), DE DeShawn Williams (Bills), WR Laviska Shenault (Seahawks)
Remaining free agents: WR D.J. Chark, OLB Marquis Haynes, LB Deion Jones, G Justin McCray, DE Chris Wormley
Analysis: After having the worst record last year and being without the first overall pick, the Panthers got busy in free agency. They franchise tagged Brian Burns and traded him to the Giants for a second and a fifth, but made a splash and traded for former Steelers Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson, in exchange for starting corner Donte Jackson, who was a cut candidate already.
They made some big signings on the offensive line with guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and tackle Yosh Nijman. Both guards figure to be starters as they both got pretty good money and the team had vacancies there with Austin Corbett likely sliding to center following the release of Bradley Bozeman.
Lotta big changes on defense. Along with the Burns trade, the team lost leading tackler Frankie Luvu, starting safeties Jeremy Chinn and Vonn Bell, cornerbacks Jackson, Shaquill Griffin and C.J. Henderson, and backup defensive linemen Yetur Gross-Matos and DeShawn Williams. They added veteran rusher Jadeveon Clowney on a rare multi-year deal for him, former first-rounder K’Lavon Chaisson, and starter D.J. Wonnum from the Vikings. A’Shawn Robinson is added to the interior alongside Derrick Brown who recently became a rich man. In the secondary former Rams starting safety Jordan Fuller will play alongside Xavier Woods competing with fellow FA signee Nick Scott, also a former Ram. Josey Jewell helps replace Luvu and Dane Jackson adds depth to combat the loss of three CBs.
Conclusion: A new regime was much needed after a horrible first season by Bryce Young, who the team gave up the farm to trade up and get. They got another second from the Giants in the Burns trade so they have ammo to move into the first to get a receiver if so desired. This team has work to do, but this was a good free agency despite a lot of turnover.
New Orleans Saints
Key acquisitions: LB Willie Gay, DE Chase Young, WR Cedrick Wilson, WR Equanimeous St. Brown, LB Khaleke Hudson, QB Nathan Peterman, WR Stanley Morgan, T Oli Udoh
Re-signed: S Johnathan Abram, S Ugo Amadi
Departures: S Marcus Maye, WR Michael Thomas, QB Jameis Winston (Browns), LB Zack Baun (Eagles), DT Malcolm Roach (Broncos), CB Isaac Yiadom (49ers)
Remaining free agents: G Andrus Peat, TE Jimmy Graham
Analysis: A Saints offseason is always funny because they’re always reworking contracts but have a below average to average roster. They cut Marcus Maye and Michael Thomas (finally!) and didn’t really replace them. They made signings elsewhere with Chiefs starting linebacker Willie Gay and former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, and added receiver depth in Cedrick Wilson and Equanimeous St. Brown, but not that exciting.
Conclusion: Take a tackle. You need a tackle. Do nothing but take an offensive tackle Saints, just do it. 2022 first-round Trevor Penning can’t crack the lineup, and Ryan Ramczyk might miss the season with injury. Take a tackle, and worry about the rest of the roster…whenever.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key acquisitions: S Jordan Whitehead, CB Bryce Hall, G Ben Bredeson, G Sua Opeta, CB Tavierre Thomas, DE Randy Gregory
Re-signed: S Antoine Winfield Jr. (franchise), WR Mike Evans, QB Baker Mayfield, LB Lavonte David, K Chase McLaughlin, DE William Gholston, DT Greg Gaines, RB Chase Edmonds, T Justin Skule
Departures: OLB Shaq Barrett (Dolphins), CB Carlton Davis (Lions), LB Devin White (Eagles), G Aaron Stinnie (Giants)
Remaining free agents: S Ryan Neal, G Matt Feiler, LB Cam Gill, DE Pat O’Connor
Analysis: A fairly exciting offseason for the Buccaneers in the matter of bringing back their guys. Baker Mayfield led the team to the playoffs and got a three-year extension. They also brought back franchise stars Mike Evans and Lavonte David and tagged stud safety Antoine Winfield Jr. They parted with key defensive starters Shaq Barrett, Carlton Davis and Devin White, but brought back a familiar face in Jordan Whitehead after two years with the Jets. They added a bunch of depth players in Bryce Hall and Ben Bredeson along with Randy Gregory to replace Barrett.
Conclusion: This is a team that is set up well, but is a little top heavy and could really build out its depth. I’d say receiver, offensive line, and linebacker are the key needs for Tampa.
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