Dajani stated that the SEC Defensive Player of the Year ended up being drafted in the sixth round and joining the Cleveland Browns, with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who has one of the top defensive lines in the league. Linebacker Nathaniel Watson, who had the most tackles and sacks in his conference last year, became the first SEC player to achieve such a performance in a single season. Although draft analysts may have overlooked him due to his skills in breaking blocks, it is impossible to ignore the impressive numbers that Watson produced.
Dajani: The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Justin Fields for a single year, despite already selecting Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback. Will Wilson perform well? Or perhaps the question should be whether he will struggle enough to be replaced? It appears that Pittsburgh gave up a draft pick solely to spark a debate among their fans about their quarterback situation.
Which team signed the most impressive free agent?
I am keeping a close eye on the Texans for next season as they have been rapidly improving. The addition of four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter will greatly enhance their defense. I can see their dedication to winning now through their significant moves in free agency. The Texans’ offense is already formidable, but they needed strong players like Hunter to keep up with other powerhouse offenses in the AFC such as the Chiefs and Ravens.Benjamin: The Atlanta Falcons needed to add weaponry for new quarterback Kirk Cousins (and apparently Michael Penix Jr., too?), but paying Darnell Mooney million per year — almost twice as much as Marquise Brown got from the Kansas City Chiefs — feels a bit like spending just to spend.
Benjamin: The decision by the Chicago Bears to acquire Keenan Allen is a clever move to support Caleb Williams’ transition into the NFL. Similarly, the Houston Texans’ trade for Stefon Diggs is expected to have a more immediate and significant impact on their young quarterback, C.J. Stroud. Despite being a short-term acquisition, it has the potential for exciting results.
Which team was responsible for the least successful free agent acquisition?
Benjamin: The Houston Texans have made a bold decision by investing in Danielle Hunter as their edge rusher alongside Will Anderson Jr. and under the guidance of DeMeco Ryans. Is he costly? Yes. But as a temporary addition for a potential contender, this could prove to be a valuable move.
Benjamin states that the San Francisco 49ers are still the favored team, despite the current success of quarterback Brock Purdy and their strong lineup. However, other notable contenders are the Cincinnati Bengals, with Joe Burrow in good health, the Houston Texans, who have been making bold moves to support C.J. Stroud, and the Philadelphia Eagles, known for their unpredictable performance but with a strong team on paper.
Can Ezekiel Elliott still contribute to the Dallas Cowboys and is this what they need? The Cowboys seem to believe so as they have brought back the experienced running back who was with the New England Patriots last season. In 2023, Zeke led the team in various categories, but it is important to note that this was on a poorly performing Patriots offense that lacked consistency. Therefore, it may not be a reliable factor.
Which trade will yield the highest return?
Dajani: The Chicago Bears acquired All-Pro safety Kevin Byard last year, but he faced challenges after being traded to Philadelphia. As a free agent this offseason, the Bears promptly signed him to a two-year contract estimated at million.
Dajani: Antonio Pierce and the Las Vegas Raiders made a major acquisition by adding Christian Wilkins, one of the top defensive tackles in the league. His ability to penetrate the offensive line from the interior will greatly benefit Maxx Crosby and Tyree Wilson.
Dajani: The performance of the Detroit Lions last year was not a one-time lucky occurrence. The front office made smart moves during the offseason, not only by securing contract extensions for existing talented players, but also by bringing in new talent.
Which trade will yield the lowest return?
“I may be called boring, but I believe the 49ers have made strong moves this offseason that make them deserving of the Super Bowl title. Their front office has made smart decisions, such as retaining key players and making new additions like defensive tackle Maliek Collins. Despite some criticism, quarterback Purdy has the potential to guide his team to victory with the support of his teammates.”
Let’s get started…
Benjamin says that among the football teams, the Minnesota Vikings have an unassuming yet captivating situation where newbie J.J. McCarthy may have a chance to join the team and play in a playoff-worthy lineup if he outperforms Sam Darnold right away. However, I am more interested in the drama surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers. While it is expected that Russell Wilson will continue starting for the team, what if Justin Fields impresses during summer training? There may be discussions about him potentially taking over if the Steelers have a rough start to the season.
Which draft selection will turn out to be the most cost-effective?
Benjamin stated that Cooper DeJean was a top cornerback prospect like Quinyon Mitchell who surprisingly was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 22 overall. However, DeJean’s draft position was at No. 40 on Day 2, as he joined Mitchell in a revamped secondary for the Eagles. Although the Eagles were in need of long-term secondary players, DeJean has the potential to make an impact in various areas of the game, such as playing as a slot corner, rotating safety, or even as a return specialist with the NFL’s increased emphasis on special teams play.
Several analysts commended the Atlanta Falcons for acquiring Rondale Moore, a fast player, through a unique player-for-player trade that involved quarterback Desmond Ridder going to the Arizona Cardinals. However, this trade may not have a big impact for either team, as it is similar to trading veteran players who were already at risk of being let go.
McCarriston expressed curiosity about how the Steelers situation will play out. They have doubts about Russell Wilson and believe that Justin Fields could potentially step in if the current Super Bowl champions face difficulties. There have been indications that Fields has the potential to become a starter and with the support of a good coach, he may surpass expectations.
Which quarterback battle are you paying the most attention to?
Reworded: The recent draft saw a trend of early offensive picks, but this worked in favor of teams with later first-round selections, allowing them to greatly improve their defense. The Seattle Seahawks picked Byron Murphy II as the second defensive player at No. 16 overall, which will likely be seen as a valuable steal in the near future.
Dajani: The Tennessee Titans have not ranked in the top half of the league for pass defense since 2018, but that will change with the inclusion of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs.
I agree with Jordan that the Titans made a great addition by bringing in someone with playoff experience and the ability to make an immediate impact. Sneed is an ideal choice for the Titans, as their defense needed assistance.
Following all the offseason moves, which team is most capable of challenging the dominance of the Kansas City Chiefs?
Dajani: Let’s not kid ourselves, there’s only one quarterback competition this offseason, and it’s Gardner Minshew versus Aidan O’Connell. But then again, maybe the Raiders add another veteran arm, like Ryan Tannehill.
In my opinion, the Texans have the potential to be strong competitors this year. However, while adding Joe Mixon as a running back may seem like a significant move, it may not have the desired impact they are hoping for. His price may not align with his performance in the upcoming season.
The key events of the NFL offseason, including the draft, free agency, and trades, have already taken place. As we approach the 2024 schedule release, it seems fitting to review some important questions for the upcoming season. To help answer these questions, we have conducted a roundtable discussion with three CBS Sports NFL writers: Cody Benjamin, Jordan Dajani, and Shanna McCarriston.
