NFL: Key Offseason Moves, Adams to Wilson, Analysis and Ranking

NFL training camps are underway, and the rosters of the 32 teams for September are already taking shape. After an exciting draft and important signings in free agency, there has been a lot of movement since last season. There was even a high-impact trade at the end of June between the Steelers and the Dolphins, which resulted in new destinations for Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jalen Ramsey, and Jonnu Smith. What were the most impactful transfers or signings of this offseason? Which rookies have the best chance to immediately improve their new franchises? Following the example of Mike Clay from last year, the 50 best acquisitions (free agent signings, trade acquisitions, and draft picks) were ranked based on their expected impact for the 2025 season. The Steelers, Broncos, Patriots, and Giants lead the way with four players each on the final list. And from April’s draft, six selections among the top 10 and a second-round running back made the list. Let’s start with a wide receiver who is ready to make a splash in Southern California. Skip to the most impactful acquisition… Signing | Draft Selection | Acquisition via Trade

1. Davante Adams, WR: Signed by Los Angeles Rams

Adams is an immediate upgrade over Cooper Kupp given his ability to get open from coverage and separate as an “X” receiver. Compared to Puka Nacua, Adams can isolate to win one-on-one or attack schematic gaps in Sean McVay’s passing game. With five consecutive seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards, he tops this list because he can elevate a Rams team poised to make a run in the NFC playoffs.

2. Cameron Ward, QB: Drafted by the Tennessee Titans

The first pick of the 2025 draft, Ward has the playing traits to make an immediate impact as a rookie. Last season he had 4,313 passing yards and 39 touchdowns at Miami, demonstrating his ability to perform as an accurate passer at all levels of the field and also to create outside of the structure. In Tennessee, Ward will have two experienced targets in Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett. In addition, the team added improvements to the offensive line to protect their young QB.

3. Joe Thuney, G: Traded to the Chicago Bears

Thuney, who sets the culture in the offensive line room, upgrades a critical need for the Bears on the interior of their front. With a pass-blocking win rate of at least 98% in his last three seasons, Thuney is still considered one of the best guards in the league after a brief stint at left tackle for the Chiefs last season. And his presence will keep the pocket firm for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.

4. Ashton Jeanty, RB: Drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders

With “home run” ability and a high-level contact balance, Jeanty will have a high volume in Chip Kelly’s offense. His 2,601 rushing yards and 126 forced missed tackles led the FBS last season, and he also has the traits to produce as a receiver out of the backfield. Given his role in an offense that will rely on the running game, the number 6 pick is the leading candidate to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

5. Laremy Tunsil, OT: Traded to the Washington Commanders

The Commanders gave up a total of four picks to acquire Tunsil, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, who immediately upgrades the offensive front for Kliff Kingsbury. When healthy, he can shut down the door in pass protection, using his length, quick feet, and veteran technique to keep the pocket clean. That’s especially important for quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose championship window is now open with Washington.

6. Josh Sweat, Edge: Signed by the Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals needed more pressure from the edge, and they found help in someone who played under Cardinals coach John Gannon in Philadelphia. Sweat is a long and angular runner who can win with speed-to-power. He also has built-in counter moves to disengage from offensive tackles. Sweat had eight sacks and 33 pressures during the 2024 regular season. He added 2.5 more sacks in the Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LIX.

7. Milton Williams, DT: Signed by the New England Patriots

Following the former Philadelphia defensive linemen, Williams is my favorite of the Patriots’ additions after they totaled 28 sacks last season, the lowest in the league. He has the strength to displace blockers at the point of attack, with light feet and the explosion in short distances to overcome interior offensive linemen. After recording five sacks and 18 pressures last season, Williams will now team up with Christian Barmore to give new coach Mike Vrabel two disruptive interior defensive linemen.

Booger McFarland explains why Drake Maye and the Patriots will be one of the most solid teams in the NFL this season.

8. Sam Darnold, QB: Signed by the Seattle Seahawks

After posting record numbers in Minnesota last season (4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns), Darnold is now in a system that suits his traits under coordinator Klint Kubiak. With play-action passes off outside zone run action and schematic verticals, Darnold has the arm strength and mobility to produce with receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.

9. George Pickens, WR: Traded to the Dallas Cowboys

Pickens brings explosive playmaking ability and a vertical element to the Cowboys’ offense. He has 35 receptions of 20 or more yards in the last two seasons, tied for fifth in the league. Opposite CeeDee Lamb, Pickens will act on the edge for Dallas, giving quarterback Dak Prescott two multi-level targets in the passing game.

10. Abdul Carter, Edge: Drafted by the New York Giants

The rookie has the physical tools to play a disruptive role early this season in defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s defense. With the quickness off the ball to attack offensive tackles, and the lower body flexibility to run the arc, Carter is poised to make plays against Brian Burns. He has the potential to wreck games after 12 sacks and 61 pressures in his final college season.

11. Geno Smith, QB: Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders

Meeting with his former coach Pete Carroll, Smith is a major upgrade for the Raiders at the QB position after throwing for a career-high 4,320 yards last season. He can drive the ball to all points on the field when throwing from a clean pocket, and now has two targets who can get open in tight end Brock Bowers and receiver Jakobi Meyers.

12. Travis Hunter, WR/DB: Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars

The current Heisman Trophy winner has a rare set of skills to impact both sides of the ball. Hunter’s 15 touchdown receptions and 23 receptions of 20 or more yards tied for second in the nation last season, in addition to having nine career interceptions. Facing Brian Thomas Jr. on offense, Hunter is an exciting addition for new coach Liam Coen. I also see All-Pro potential on the defensive side of the ball for the former Colorado star.

13. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S: Traded to the Miami Dolphins

Fitzpatrick, a safety with multidimensional traits, fills a gap in Miami’s secondary as a free safety with coverage ability and ball skills. His numbers went down last season in Pittsburgh, but he has the instincts to make plays in Anthony Weaver’s defense. Fitzpatrick has 20 interceptions in eight professional seasons.

14. DK Metcalf, WR: Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers

Metcalf enters the season as the Steelers’ number 1 receiver after totaling 48 touchdowns in six seasons in Seattle. In Arthur Smith’s offense, Metcalf will attack the top of the route tree on play-action passes and isolation throws. In addition, Metcalf will see quick-game targets from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on in-breakers and screens, which suit his explosive straight-line speed after the catch.

15. Mekhi Becton, G: Signed by the Los Angeles Chargers

With his enormous physique of 1.90 meters and 164 kilos, Becton can overwhelm and move defenders in Jim Harbaugh’s power running game, as well as having the physical tools and footwork to win as a pass protector. He is entering his prime years and is a key addition for the Chargers between tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.

16. DJ Reed, CB: Signed by the Detroit Lions

Reed was signed to improve a Lions defense that allowed 244 passing yards per game in 2024, the third-highest figure in the league. He is a very competitive coverage cornerback with man-to-man traits and the transition speed to break on the throw. More of a ball disruptor than a playmaker, Reed has 40 pass deflections (compared to six interceptions) throughout his career. He will start alongside second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold.

17. Jalen Ramsey, CB: Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers

Ramsey shouldn’t be viewed as a top-tier player at this stage of his career, but he will bring versatility to Pittsburgh’s secondary. He can still match the pattern in coverage on the perimeter, and he has the traits to come in as the slot cornerback in sub-packages. When he plays inside, Ramsey has the vision to blitz and find the ball. He had a sack and 12 pressures with Miami last season.

Mike Tannenbaum and Dan Graziano react to the trade of Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers by the Dolphins.

18. Joey Bosa, Edge: Signed by the Buffalo Bills

There are availability issues with Bosa, as he has only played 28 games in the last three seasons due to injuries. But when he is healthy, he is a shrewd technician who can hit the quarterback. The Bills needed an edge rusher who could close out games and also disrupt the pocket against Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs. That could be Bosa, who has 72 career sacks.

19. Aaron Rodgers, QB: Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers

Rodgers’ arm strength and field vision remain at a high level, allowing him to attack tighter windows and identify coverage rotations with ease. Although his mobility and pocket presence are declining, he should be considered an upgrade over Russell Wilson in Arthur Smith’s offense. The key here is how Smith game plans with Rodgers, who threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns with the Jets last season.

20. Stefon Diggs, WR: Signed by the New England Patriots

Diggs, a quality route runner who can create separation and produce after the catch, is poised to become the primary target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye (once he is fully healthy and cleared to play). Diggs had 47 receptions for 496 yards in eight games before a torn ACL ended his 2024 campaign. He had recorded six consecutive seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards before last year.

21. Justin Fields, QB: Signed by the New York Jets

With the Jets’ new offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand, he seeks for Fields to work on a passing game that relies heavily on play-action. Engstrand was the passing game coordinator last season with the Lions, who led the league with 204 play-action attempts. Fields would benefit from more defined reads in New York, with a playbook that maximizes his dual-threat abilities. In six starts with the Steelers last season, Fields completed 65.8% of his passes and ran for 289 yards with five touchdowns.

22. Charvarius Ward, CB: Signed by the Indianapolis Colts

Ward has the man-coverage ability to press or bail off the ball, along with the backfield vision to make plays in zone. He posted record numbers in 2023, with five interceptions and 14 pass deflections. While he didn’t have the same production with the ball last season, Ward’s experience and technique are an upgrade for the Colts’ secondary under new coordinator Lou Anarumo.

23. Omarion Hampton, RB: Drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers

Hampton has the profile to fit as Harbaugh’s team’s primary runner. He’s a downhill hammer with the short-area quickness to hit the daylight cracks and the juice to create explosive plays. Hampton ran for more than 1,500 yards in each of his last two seasons at North Carolina, and he plays with the lower-body balance and pad level to produce between the tackles in the Chargers’ run scheme.

24. Jevon Holland, S: Signed by the New York Giants

The Giants allowed Xavier McKinney to leave via free agency last season, leading to a lack of a playmaker over the top. Holland fills that role as a versatile safety with range and coverage skills. Yes, spectacular plays were missing from Holland’s tape last season, but he did show up all over the stat sheet with 5 interceptions, 16 pass deflections, 5 forced fumbles, and 5 sacks in his four years at Miami.

25. Jaire Alexander, CB: Signed by the Baltimore Ravens

Alexander has only played 14 games in the last two seasons due to injuries, but he could be a key addition for the Ravens if healthy. At his best, he can still match up in coverage and has the zone instincts to fool quarterbacks. He is expected to play on the perimeter in nickel packages for the Ravens (opposite Nate Wiggins) with Marlon Humphrey in the slot.

26. Will Fries, G: Signed by the Minnesota Vikings

A great addition to the Vikings’ interior offensive line, Fries will improve both the running and passing game in Kevin O’Connell’s offense alongside first-round guard Donovan Jackson and veteran center Ryan Kelly. Before a right tibia injury ended his 2024 season in Week 5, Fries had recorded career-best results in pass-blocking win rate (92.4%) and run-blocking win rate (74.3%). It may lack high-end traits, but it has a fundamentally solid playing style, lower body mobility to handle power runners, and the ability to maintain contact blocks.

27. Evan Engram, TE: Signed by the Denver Broncos

Engram joins a Broncos offense that has the pieces to be one of the most explosive units in the league. He caught 47 passes in nine games with the Jags last season, a year after his career-best 114 receptions in 2023. Expect him to work the seams in Sean Payton’s offense, while he is schemed as a matchup/motion target on quarterback Bo Nix’s catch-and-run throws.

28. Tetairoa McMillan, WR: Drafted by the Carolina Panthers

With 1.90 meters, McMillan has the physique and the ability to compete to immediately become a target for quarterback Bryce Young. In addition, he can come in as a power slot receiver. McMillian surpassed 1,300 receiving yards and 80 receptions in each of his last two college seasons at Arizona. He should be a volume target in year 1.

29. Kevin Zeitler, G: Signed by the Tennessee Titans

Tennessee’s offensive front renovation, through free agency and the draft, included the signing of Zeitler in March. The veteran guard is a physical presence on the interior with the power to displace defensive tackles and the movement ability to pull in gap schemes. Routinely wins in pass protection, utilizing his strong base to hold off interior rushers. Zeitler had a 94.4% pass-blocking win rate with Detroit last season, his thirteenth year in the league.

30. Deebo Samuel Sr., WR: Traded to the Washington Commanders

Samuel has the alignment and scheme versatility to fit into Kingsbury’s offense as a motion player. He is likely to see the ball on screens, fly sweeps, and backfield touches, just as he did in San Francisco. Samuel’s play speed and production decreased last season, but he had a solid campaign in 2023 with 12 touchdowns and over 1,000 total yards.

31. Will Campbell, OT: Drafted by the New England Patriots

The fourth overall selection in the NFL draft, Campbell occupies the left tackle position for a team that allowed 52 sacks (the fifth most) and recorded a pass-blocking win rate of only 50.9% (31st) in 2024. Campbell has the movement skills, technique, and playing toughness to win in pass protection, and will drive defenders off the ball in the running game. Campbell should be viewed as a cornerstone for Vrabel’s team.

32. Drew Dalman, C: Signed by the Chicago Bears

The Bears continued to address the interior of the offensive line with Dalman, the best center available in free agency. He wins his assignments with movement and leverage to compensate for a smaller physique (1.90 meters, 136 kilos). He’s a technician on tape, better suited for the wide zone running game under new coach Ben Johnson in Chicago. Dalman’s pass-blocking win rate of 95.1% placed him ninth among centers with at least 500 snaps last season.