NFL Power Rankings 2024: Which teams improved in free agency?

Spagnuolo had an answer for everything opposing offenses threw at the Chiefs last season. He excels at getting the most out of his players, one reason the Chiefs have derived so much value from so many of their late-round defensive draft picks. Players like playing for Spagnuolo because they believe he puts them in a position to succeed. Spagnuolo guided the Chiefs to the second-best scoring defense in the regular season in 2023. They allowed 17.3 points per game. — Adam Teicher

Way-too-early ranking: 4

Under-the-radar move: Keeping OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn

After last season ended one game shy of reaching the Super Bowl, many people in Detroit considered it a foregone conclusion that at least one of the team’s coordinators would leave for a head-coaching position. Both coordinators will return, however, and the Lions will maintain a strong foundation with the same systems in place.

«It’s going to be really good, especially offense, defense all around the board, just to have another year with the coordinators,» Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson said at the Pro Bowl in February. «It’s going to prime us for a great Year 3. Well, my Year 3.» — Eric Woodyard

Way-too-early ranking: 3

Under-the-radar move: Trading for DT Maliek Collins

Releasing defensive end Arik Armstead was difficult for the Niners, but they found a way to pivot to a cheaper option who should have a chance to help make up for it. Collins ranked 12th among interior players in pass rush win rate (12.9%) in 2023 and is sixth at 14.4% over the past three seasons among those who have played at least 300 snaps. All that for the bargain price of a seventh-round pick. — Nick Wagoner

Way-too-early ranking: 1

Under-the-radar move: Trading OT Morgan Moses

The Ravens moved up 22 spots in a swap of fourth-round picks with the New York Jets and received a sixth-rounder (No. 218) for Moses, who was likely going to be cut by Baltimore. The 33-year-old Moses allowed a team-high nine sacks and showed signs of wearing down. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has emphasized building through the draft because quarterback Lamar Jackson is on a big-money contract. By dealing Moses, Baltimore improved its draft capital and shed $5.5 million in salary. — Jamison Hensley

Way-too-early ranking: 5

Under-the-radar move: Promoting Bobby Babich to DC

The Bills kept a defensive coach who is well-liked by players, received interest from outside teams and has been in Buffalo since 2017. Head coach Sean McDermott took over playcalling in 2023 as the Bills did not have and official defensive coordinator. Though playcalling for the upcoming season remains up in the air, hiring Babich gives McDermott more help.

The move was significant for a team undergoing changes this offseason, such as moving on from multiple defensive veterans. — Alaina Getzenberg

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Way-too-early ranking: 6

Under-the-radar move: Hiring DC Anthony Weaver

A rising star in NFL circles, Weaver has a history of extracting the most out of his defensive linemen. He succeeded as Baltimore’s run game coordinator: The Ravens have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL since 2021. He’ll be asked to do something similar in Miami, where the Dolphins have rebuilt their defensive line from a season ago. Christian Wilkins is gone and Miami has signed a slew of new players. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Way-too-early ranking: 8

Under-the-radar move: Hiring DC Vic Fangio

The Eagles’ defense was a mess last season. It finished 31st in both passing yards (4,296) and passing touchdowns allowed (35) and was 30th in points against (25.2 per game). Coaching instability proved to be a major factor. The switch from Sean Desai to Matt Patricia as defensive playcaller late in the season created confusion and helped trigger the team’s collapse.

Philadelphia has been running a version of Fangio’s scheme for the past few years and now has the original architect in the fold. He should help reinfuse confidence into a group that lost its way. — Tim McManus

Way-too-early ranking: 9

Under-the-radar move: Trading for (and extending) RB Joe Mixon

The Texans want to be explosive in both the run and pass games to keep defenses off balance. Adding Mixon, who rushed for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns (and had three receiving TDs) last season, could bolster a rushing attack that ranked 22nd in yards per game (96.8) in 2023.

Mixon has rushed for 1,000 yards four times in his seven-year career. If the Texans can get those numbers out of Mixon — with quarterback C.J. Stroud taking another leap in Year 2 — the team’s ceiling could be high in 2024. — DJ Bien-Aime

Way-too-early ranking: 7

Under-the-radar move: Keeping assistant coaches Lunda Wells, Al Harris

The Cowboys have not made a splash in free agency, but blocking Wells (tight ends coach) and Harris (secondary coach) from interviewing with other teams this offseason was best for Dallas — if not also for the personal growth of both coaches.

Wells has done an excellent job overseeing the tight ends, first with Dalton Schultz putting up career numbers before leaving in 2023 and then with Jake Ferguson. Harris has seen corners Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland lead the NFL in interceptions in 2021 and 2023 while earning Pro Bowl bids. — Todd Archer

Way-too-early ranking: 10

Under-the-radar move: Revamping the strength and conditioning staff

It wasn’t just that the Packers were plagued by hamstring injuries — most notably the recurring issues for receiver Christian Watson — but that certainly played a part in coach Matt LaFleur’s decision to hire Aaron Hill as the strength and conditioning coordinator. Getting Watson’s hamstrings right is an offseason priority. Hill served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the 49ers, where coach Matt LaFleur said, «They’re doing some pretty cool things out there.»

LaFleur blew up that department, also hiring three strength and conditioning assistants: Todd Hunt from the Bengals and Marcus Jones and Ben Schumaker from the college ranks. — Rob Demovsky

Way-too-early ranking: 13

Under-the-radar move: Signing S Vonn Bell

Geno Stone was the big secondary signing for the Bengals. But don’t overlook the return of Bell, who was in Cincinnati from 2020 to 2022 before spending a year with the Panthers. Bell brings veteran experience and a rapport with the coaching staff that could not only improve the defense immediately but also help in the development of the team’s young defensive backs, including Jordan Battle and Dax Hill.

The back of the defense was a major issue in 2023, hence the additions during free agency. — Ben Baby

Way-too-early ranking: 11

The Browns had a need at linebacker after Anthony Walker Jr. (Dolphins) and Sione Takitaki (Patriots) signed elsewhere in free agency. They went out and signed one of the top inside linebackers on the market in Hicks, who has produced at least 100 tackles in five consecutive seasons. Hicks is 31 years old, but the Ohio native should solidify the position in the short term for what was the NFL’s top-ranked defense during the 2023 regular season. — Jake Trotter

Way-too-early ranking: 18

Under-the-radar move: Signing ILB Patrick Queen

It’s hard to qualify signing the top free agent inside linebacker as under the radar, but with the offensive moves getting all the love, adding Queen might be overlooked. He is the kind of well-rounded linebacker the team has searched for since Ryan Shazier’s career-ending injury in 2017.

Queen more than fortifies a position of need, joining Elandon Roberts and a recovering Cole Holcomb. Queen’s presence should go a long way toward slowing the top-tier run games of divisional opponents. — Brooke Pryor

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Way-too-early ranking: 12

Under-the-radar move: Signing QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Over the past two seasons, the Rams have seen that having a backup quarterback they can trust to win games is important. General manager Les Snead referenced the Week 9 loss to the Packers in his end-of-season news conference, a game quarterback Matthew Stafford missed because of a thumb injury and one that could have cost the Rams a playoff spot by giving Green Bay the head-to-head tiebreaker.

By signing Garoppolo, the Rams have a proven veteran quarterback if Stafford cannot play next season. — Sarah Barshop

Way-too-early ranking: 14

Under-the-radar move: Signing OLB Trevis Gipson

The Jaguars had no one behind edge rushers Josh Allen and Travon Walker until the team added Gipson, who had his best season as a pass-rusher with seven sacks in 2021, when he played alongside Robert Quinn in Chicago. Gipson is an upgrade over K’Lavon Chaisson and Dawuane Smoot as the No. 3 pass-rusher and gives the Jaguars more leeway to focus on other areas of need (such as cornerback, defensive tackle or receiver) in the first half of the NFL draft. — Michael DiRocco

Way-too-early ranking: 15

Under-the-radar move: Signing QB Joe Flacco

The first benefit is obvious: having a reliable, proven backup to young quarterback Anthony Richardson. The 2023 Comeback Player of the Year, Flacco unexpectedly lifted the Browns down the stretch of their playoff run. But there is a less-obvious benefit, too. Flacco provides Richardson a perfect example to emulate, someone who can demonstrate the high level of professionalism required to succeed as a franchise quarterback.

Richardson is a diligent worker and has impressed coaches with his football intelligence. But his limited experience remains one of his biggest obstacles. Flacco can help Richardson make up some ground. — Stephen Holder

Way-too-early ranking: 16

Under-the-radar move: Signing G Sua Opeta

The Buccaneers averaged 3.5 yards per rush on interior rushes in 2023, which ranked second to last in the league. They also had a 67.4% run block win rate, which ranked last. Opeta, the Eagles’ top reserve guard in ’23, produced a 76.4% run block win rate, which ranked better than that of Tampa Bay guards Matt Feiler and Cody Mauch.

If the team can upgrade its center position in addition to this move — and there are options in this draft class — the interior run game will vastly improve. — Jenna Laine

Way-too-early ranking: 17

Under-the-radar move: Re-signing S Chuck Clark

Clark was seemingly the forgotten man after he missed last season because of a torn ACL after arriving from the Ravens in a trade. But the Jets didn’t forget about him, re-signing him to a team-friendly deal (one year, $2 million). Clark was slated to start last season until he got hurt in OTAs, and now he could wind up starting alongside Tony Adams.

The Jets might still add to the position, but they have a reliable insurance policy in Clark, a good tackler who can direct traffic on the back end. — Rich Cimini

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Way-too-early ranking: 26

Under-the-radar move: Trading Desmond Ridder for Rondale Moore

Both teams are hoping this trade results in a fresh start for the players involved. The Falcons were able to give their former starting quarterback a chance to learn in a different environment by sending him to Arizona to back up Kyler Murray. As a starter in 2023, Ridder had 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles.

In Moore, Atlanta added a player who could offer downfield speed. Moore also hadn’t been able to find a true role in Arizona after a 62-target, 40-catch, 352-yard season in 2023. — Michael Rothstein

Way-too-early ranking: 19

Under-the-radar move: Keeping Tyler Lockett on a restructured deal

It is much easier said than done to get NFL players to accept pay cuts like the one Lockett took to remain with Seattle. The Seahawks lowered his 2024 base pay by $4.34 million and saved $8.34 million against the cap. In exchange, Lockett secured his spot on the roster for at least another season via $12.66 million in guarantees he didn’t previously have — and he can earn almost all of what he was initially scheduled to make via an incentive package worth up to $4 million.

It was a win-win move for the Seahawks and the second-most-prolific receiver in franchise history. — Brady Henderson

Way-too-early ranking: 21

Under-the-radar move: Hiring WR coach Chris Beatty

Beatty, who coached DJ Moore at Maryland and spent the past three seasons coaching Keenan Allen with the Chargers, has joined new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s staff. With a rookie quarterback coming in next month, the development of this group beyond its two stars will be critical.

Moore accounted for nearly 40% of Chicago’s receiving yards last season. His career-best 1,364 yards were 950 more than the Bears’ next-leading wide receiver, Darnell Mooney, which was the second-largest gap in the NFL between the team’s Nos. 1 and 2 receivers. — Courtney Cronin

Way-too-early ranking: 22

Under-the-radar move: Signing LB Willie Gay

The addition of edge rusher Chase Young was the Saints’ splash move, but Gay will likely fit into the linebacker rotation next to Pete Werner and Demario Davis. The Saints are light on veterans in that room (D’Marco Jackson, Anfernee Orji and Nephi Sewell have a combined 65 defensive snaps between them), so this adds another veteran voice and someone who should quickly push for playing time.

Gay played 16 games with the Chiefs in 2023, amassing 58 tackles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. — Katherine Terrell

Way-too-early ranking: 20

Under-the-radar move: Re-signing WR Brandon Powell

Powell was a revelation last season when injuries to Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn pushed him up the depth chart. A former running back who was signed largely as a punt returner in 2023, Powell caught a career-high 29 passes for 324 yards while also scoring the winning touchdown in a wild Week 9 comeback against the Falcons. He signed a one-year deal with $625,000 in guarantees.

Now that Osborn has signed with the Patriots, Powell could be a low-cost No. 3 receiver behind Jefferson and Jordan Addison. — Kevin Seifert

Way-too-early ranking: 24

Under-the-radar move: Re-signing DTs John Jenkins and Adam Butler

While Jenkins, an 11-year veteran, was a full-season starter for the first time in his career and occupied space in run defense, Butler also appeared in all 17 games for the Raiders and had five sacks, one shy of a career high. Both Jenkins and Butler are former Dolphins teammates of new Raiders DT Christian Wilkins, so there’s a familiarity on the interior of the defensive line that is invaluable as Las Vegas continues to upgrade its already strong defense. — Paul Gutierrez

Way-too-early ranking: 28

Under-the-radar move: Hiring DC Dennard Wilson

Wilson was the secondary coach for the Eagles in 2022 when they led the league in passing defense (allowing 179.8 YPG) and last season in the same role with the Ravens, who fielded the sixth-best passing defense (191.9). That should help improve a secondary unit that struggled recently.

Wilson’s energy was a big reason free agents Chidobe Awuzie and Kenneth Murray Jr. signed deals with the team. Although Wilson is a first-year coordinator, he brought in a veteran group of coaches that will help get things back on track. — Turron Davenport

Way-too-early ranking: 25

Under-the-radar move: Signing TE Will Dissly

The Chargers haven’t made any head-turning additions this offseason. Their most notable moves have been with their departures, which include TE Gerald Everett, RB Austin Ekeler, WR Keenan Allen and WR Mike Williams. Dissly was one of the team’s many under-the-radar signings this offseason, but he brings a blocking prowess from the tight end position that the Chargers have long lacked.

L.A. ranks 29th in yards before contact per rush (2.27) since quarterback Justin Herbert was drafted in 2020. Dissly should play a big role in turning around this rush offense. — Kris Rhim

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Way-too-early ranking: 23

Under-the-radar move: Signing S Brandon Jones

The Broncos carved out an immense hole in the lineup, the locker room and in the community when they decided to release S Justin Simmons. But if Jones continues to improve from an ACL tear suffered in 2022 — he was limited to six starts in 2023 in his return — he could be a defensive multitasker. He led all safeties in sacks in 2021 (five) and is an active tackler around the line of scrimmage. He had two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery while playing 44% of the defensive snaps that season.

The Broncos have had an offseason in which more star power has left than has arrived, but Jones was important enough to the Broncos to be given a three-year deal. — Jeff Legwold

Way-too-early ranking: 27

Under-the-radar move: Signing OL Jermaine Eluemunor

Eluemunor’s arrival gives the Giants needed flexibility considering the uncertainty with Evan Neal, who has struggled at right tackle in his first two NFL seasons. Eluemunor can start at guard or supplant Neal at any point if he’s not working out.

Eluemunor has been successful starting at both guard and tackle the past few years for the Raiders. This is invaluable given the Giants’ lack of quality options on the offensive line last season. Eluemunor ranked 32nd (87.9%) out of 69 qualified offensive tackles in pass block win rate last season. — Jordan Raanan

Way-too-early ranking: 31

Under-the-radar move: Hiring Lance Newmark as assistant GM

Newmark was the lone front-office addition general manager Adam Peters made when he joined the Commanders in January. Newmark was not only respected for his scouting ability, but he helped when it came to making strong decisions in free agency. His voice has become an important one with the Commanders.

Between Newmark and Peters, the organization hopes they’ll fare much better when it comes to talent acquisition than it had in recent years. — John Keim

Way-too-early ranking: 29

Under-the-radar move: Signing CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Not only does Murphy-Bunting give the Cardinals a CB1 — although that might change depending on how the rest of free agency, the draft and then cuts in the fall work out — but they added someone who has experienced winning a Super Bowl. And for a team that has its eyes set on the playoffs in 2024, having someone who has been to the playoffs and knows what it’ll take to make a run is invaluable. — Josh Weinfuss

Way-too-early ranking: 30

Under-the-radar move: Signing WR K.J. Osborn

With no sure-fire answer at QB, the Patriots don’t have much to sell to free agent receivers other than opportunity. Their WR depth chart is wide open. That seemed to appeal to Osborn in signing a one-year deal as he escapes the shadow of playing behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and (previously) Adam Thielen in Minnesota. Osborn also provides a level of insurance if Kendrick Bourne’s recovery from a torn ACL suffered in October unexpectedly goes off course. — Mike Reiss

Way-too-early ranking: 32

Under-the-radar move: Signing DT A’Shawn Robinson

The focus was on replacing edge rusher Brian Burns, but getting Robinson to play opposite Derrick Brown at end gives the Panthers two big bodies who will get a solid inside push and take up blockers. That might allow perhaps a lesser-talented outside linebacker to pressure the quarterback. — David Newton