NFL offseason moves that should happen: Barnwell finds new teams for 10 players (2024)

NFL teams never stop tinkering. While the vast majority of player movement comes during free agency and the draft, there are always going to be players who make an impact despite being acquired after the draft is completed. Heck, the Ravens built half of their 2023 defense out of players they added last summer, with Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy, Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet all playing meaningful roles during their run to the top playoff seed in the AFC.

The date of June 1 also plays an important role in NFL circles. For one, teams that designated players as post-June 1 releases earlier in the offseason realize the salary cap space from releasing that player only as of that date, which means the Broncos (Russell Wilson), 49ers (Arik Armstead) and Raiders (Jimmy Garoppolo) will free up some room on their ledgers. Other players might have contracts that are easier to trade after June 1 because of their financial structure; after June 1, future bonus money that would be on this year's cap accelerates onto next year's instead.

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Free agents signed after June 1 also don't count against the league's compensatory formula, which matters for teams expecting to rack up extra selections in the 2025 draft, such as the Bills, Cowboys and Dolphins. Teams already have been able to sign players who were cut by their prior organization, since those additions don't impact the compensatory formula, but players who have been languishing on the market after not being signed in the initial thrust of free agency might have new landing spots come available in June.

With all of that in mind and the draft completed, now seems like a good time to lay out potential landing spots and logical moves that would make sense for players and teams alike as June 1 approaches. That includes a few trades of former first-round picks, including a star cornerback in New Orleans.

Jump to a player involved in a potential deal:
Jamal Adams | Treylon Burks
Adoree' Jackson | Marshon Lattimore
Emmanuel Ogbah | Hunter Renfrow
Dalton Risner | Justin Simmons
Donovan Smith | Robert Woods

Jaguars trade for Saints CB Marshon Lattimore

Let's start with a deal that made some sense before the draft and only seems more rational now. When the Saints reworked Lattimore's contract as part of their annual effort to get under the salary cap in March, they conspicuously used an option bonus structure as opposed to their more traditional roster bonus restructure. This shift meant they realized the cap savings of his restructure but didn't yet have to pay the option bonus, which will come due before the season. It's the same sort of bonus structure the Packers used when they eventually traded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets.

While the Saints march to the beat of their own drum when it comes to where they see their roster versus the rest of the league, a Lattimore deal would be sensible. The nearly 28-year-old is coming up for a new deal after signing his prior extension in 2021, and New Orleans might feel good about its cornerback situation without him since it has Alontae Taylor, Paulson Adebo and second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry, whom general manager Mickey Loomis traded up to acquire in April's draft.

Even without McKinstry, the Saints have been able to get by while Lattimore has missed 17 games over the past two seasons. They've actually posted a slightly better QBR without him on the field (47.7) than they have with the four-time Pro Bowler (48.5). Last season, coach Dennis Allen got capable play out of journeyman Isaac Yiadom, who parlayed his best season into a new deal with the 49ers. If the Saints think McKinstry is a building block, they can afford to trade Lattimore.

Unfortunately, those injuries also cap what the Saints are likely to land in a Lattimore trade. The market for veteran cornerbacks as they approach their third contracts is unforgiving. Remember that the Rams netted only a third-round pick and a backup tight end when they dealt Jalen Ramsey, a more accomplished cornerback, to the Dolphins last offseason. I would be surprised if Lattimore netted more than a fourth-round selection in a deal, which might not be encouraging for New Orleans unless it just wants to move on for the best trade possible.

The top landing spot for Lattimore certainly looks like Jacksonville, where former Saints assistant Ryan Nielsen is the defensive coordinator. The Jaguars didn't get great play at corner last season and then cut veteran Darious Williams. They need their corners to play well; they played man coverage at the third-highest rate of any team last season. One of the two teams that were in man-to-man defensive looks more often? The Falcons, where Nielsen was in charge of the defense in 2023.

To be fair, the Jaguars have attempted to solve their problems at cornerback already this offseason, but I'm not sure they've gotten all the way there. They've bought in bulk while attempting to upgrade at corner by signing veteran Ronald Darby and using third- and fifth-round picks on Jarrian Jones and Deantre Prince. Adding Lattimore would be a much more significant upgrade. He has allowed a passer rating below 75.0 in each of the past two seasons while giving up just one touchdown.

In a division in which the Texans and Titans have made major wide receiver investments this offseason, adding a veteran option across from Tyson Campbell makes sense for the Jags, who have extra picks in Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2025 draft after trading down with the Vikings last month. Sending a fourth-rounder to the Saints would clear up a financial and positional logjam for New Orleans and land an immediate plug-and-play starter at a position of need for Jacksonville.

Raiders sign CB Adoree' Jackson

Let's stick at cornerback, where there's still a handful of well-known veterans available in free agency. Former All-Pros Stephon Gilmore and Xavien Howard are among the corners looking for new teams, but Gilmore turns 34 in September, while Howard is coming off an injury-plagued 2023.

A younger option might be Jackson, who spent the past two seasons holding up on islands behind the endless blitzes of Giants defensive coordinator Don Martindale. Jackson has missed 10 games over those two seasons and has intercepted just one pass, but he allowed a completion percentage below 52% in coverage as recently as 2022. At 28, he's significantly younger than Gilmore.

The coordinator in New York when the Giants signed Jackson was Patrick Graham, who has run the defense in Las Vegas the past two years. Graham retained his role after the ascension of Antonio Pierce, and while the Raiders improved on defense after Pierce took over as the interim coach, they have some work to do at cornerback. Amik Robertson left in free agency, and although Vegas got great work out of Jack Jones after he arrived in town, the third-year pro became available only after butting heads with Bill Belichick off the field in New England.

Adding a veteran cornerback such as Jackson would take some of the pressure off Jones and Jakorian Bennett. We're at the point in the offseason in which players can't realistically expect significant deals, so a one-year contract for modest money should be enough to get Jackson into camp. In a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, the Raiders can never have too many solid cornerbacks.

Patriots sign OT Donovan Smith

Speaking of the Pats, let's do the logical thing and get Drake Maye the plug-and-play left tackle the rookie quarterback needs. The drive-to-drive performance from Smith is never going to be pretty, given his propensity for taking holding penalties, but the Kansas City offense was notably better when Smith returned from injury last season and took over for rookie third-rounder Wanya Morris, who struggled. And although Smith had five holding penalties before his neck injury, he came back and had only one during the Chiefs' postseason run to the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs didn't re-sign Smith and used a second-round pick on tackle Kingsley Suamataia, so it seems likely they'll move forward with one of those younger options on Patrick Mahomes' blind side this season. They could also opt to take the plunge on former Bears and Commanders tackle Charles Leno, who remains a free agent.

As the Patriots try to build a new offense around their new quarterback, they haven't taken many home run swings. They signed receiver K.J. Osborn and tight end Austin Hooper in free agency and used second- and fourth-round picks on wide receivers in the draft. They did bring back Mike Onwenu on a three-year, $57 million deal, but they plan to play Onwenu at right tackle even though he has played best at right guard.

Onwenu should be fine on the right side, but there are major questions about what's happening at left tackle. The Pats used a third-round pick on Caedan Wallace, who was blocked from playing the left side during his time at Penn State by Jets first-round pick Olu Fashanu. There was some thought Wallace might kick inside to guard as a pro; instead, New England believes he has the traits to play left tackle.

That's a big bet, especially in front of a rookie quarterback. The Pats don't have great options besides Wallace, either. Free agent addition Chuks Okorafor spent most of his time with the Steelers on the right side and wasn't a great pass-blocker there. The Pats cut Conor McDermott, and fellow 2023 left tackle committee member Vederian Lowe didn't look up to that task.

Signing Smith would afford New England the flexibility to work out Wallace on the left side before committing to him as its left tackle on the future. Wallace could start his career at guard, where he would compete with Sidy Sow for starting work, or battle Okorafor for the swing tackle spot in the lineup. The Pats have to play their young players, and Smith might not be up for the task of spending the season with a team that isn't expected to compete. After they failed to give Mac Jones what he needed to thrive, though, they shouldn't hold back if they can land Smith for 2024.

Vikings sign WR Hunter Renfrow

Let's hit a series of wide receiver moves, beginning with a player who has fallen badly out of favor over the past two seasons. Renfrow emerged as a valuable option out of the slot for the Raiders in 2021, but after signing an extension, injuries and the addition of Jakobi Meyers marginalized his spot in the lineup. After racking up 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021, he has totaled 585 receiving yards and two scores combined over the past two seasons.

The Raiders unsurprisingly cut Renfrow after the season. I wouldn't expect him to land much more than a one-year deal for just over the minimum at this point of free agency, but at that price tag, taking a flier on the 28-year-old seems like a reasoned move. He also returned punts during his time with Vegas, which helps if he's going to be a fourth or fifth wideout on game day.

What about the Vikings? They're set atop the depth chart with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but K.J. Osborn joined the Patriots and top tight end T.J. Hockenson is coming off a torn ACL. The Vikings brought in Trent Sherfield this offseason and could expand Brandon Powell's role, but Renfrow has a much more productive season in his recent past than either player has had at any point during their respective careers. Renfrow would probably be competing with Powell for the third wideout and punt returner role in Minnesota, a battle he could win if given the opportunity.

Lions trade for Texans WR Robert Woods

The Texans are absolutely stacked at wide receiver. New addition Stefon Diggs is going to join incumbents Nico Collins and Tank Dell in the starting lineup, giving C.J. Stroud a three-man core that can compete with any other trio in football. Behind them, Houston has John Metchie, a player it traded up to acquire in the second round of the 2022 draft. Metchie missed all of his rookie season after a leukemia diagnosis and wasn't able to carve out a regular role last season, but he should be closer to 100% in 2024. GM Nick Caserio also brought back Noah Brown, who had a pair games with 150-plus yards last season, and he just traded with the Rams to acquire versatile pass-catcher Ben Skowronek, who saw regular snaps in multiple spots across the formation for L.A.

The odd man out is likely going to be Woods, who doesn't play much on special teams and has a $6.3 million base salary this year. Only $1.3 million of that figure is guaranteed, but the Texans likely will release Woods if he doesn't take a pay cut for the remaining amount or retire. The 32-year-old is still an effective blocker and a good teammate, but he hasn't been as productive after tearing his ACL with the Rams in the middle of the 2021 campaign. He was averaging 1.8 yards per route run that season, but he dropped off to 1.2 YPRR with the Titans in 2022 and 1.1 with the Texans in 2023.

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Texans general manager Nick Caserio explains the team's mindset behind its offseason, which included adding Stefon Diggs.

Woods probably isn't a starting receiver at this point of his career, but spotted in the right lineup and right role, he could still contribute. The Lions found a perfect role for another former Rams and Titans player when they signed Josh Reynolds off waivers in 2021, and Reynolds responded with two productive seasons while playing about 70% of the offensive snaps over the past two seasons.

Reynolds left for the Broncos in free agency, and the Lions haven't signed a replacement. The organization obviously has high hopes for Jameson Williams after trading up for the speedy wideout in Round 1 of the 2022 draft, but Williams has missed time with injuries and a suspension and hasn't been impressive when on the field. He's also a different sort of player from Reynolds. Donovan Peoples-Jones could figure in as a Reynolds replacement, but Detroit could use another veteran in this receiving corps.

The Texans wouldn't get much more than salary relief and a swap of Day 3 picks, but if former Rams executive Brad Holmes -- who's now Detroit's GM -- could persuade Woods to take a pay cut down to the $1.5 million range, a trade here could benefit both parties.

Steelers trade for Titans WR Treylon Burks

Another player buried on a depth chart, Burks has been a victim of unrealistic expectations and bad timing. The Titans essentially drafted him as the replacement for A.J. Brown after trading the star wideout to the Eagles on draft day in 2022, setting the bar for Burks as an immediately impactful wideout. It hasn't panned out, because of injuries to Burks and upheaval at quarterback. Five different players have thrown him passes over his first two seasons.

There's always a sense of hesitance from front offices to give up on a first-round pick so quickly, but the regime that drafted Burks is no longer in the building, as Jon Robinson was fired in 2022 before coach Mike Vrabel was dismissed after last season. New GM Ran Carthon hasn't exactly hidden his feelings about Burks; he has signed three veteran wideouts in free agency over the past 12 months, bringing in DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine might be ahead of Burks at this point.

Tennessee's biggest hindrance in moving Burks is financial. He's owed more than $8 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. That's not much for a promising young wide receiver, but if it's tied to a disappointing player with a meaningful injury history who doesn't play much on special teams, that's another story. The Titans will likely need to either eat money or attach a draft pick to get a deal done.

One team that has been comfortable taking shots on talented receivers in the past? The Steelers, who usually mitigate that risk by drafting those wideouts in the middle rounds while trusting they can get the most out of them on the field. Pittsburgh didn't seem to pursue Burks in 2022, when it was focused on Kenny Pickett in the draft, but had Burks been available in the second or third round, that might have been a different story.

After trading away Diontae Johnson this offseason, the Steelers have an opening on the outside. They used a third-round pick on Roman Wilson, who might profile best as a slot receiver earlier in his career, while former Rams wideout Van Jefferson hasn't been productive in much better offenses as a pro. If the Titans are willing to eat $6 million of what's left on Burks' deal, I could see the logic in Pittsburgh sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to Tennessee to give him a fresh start.

Rams sign S Justin Simmons

Safety was the deepest position available in free agency and has remained so into May. The few safeties who signed for multiyear deals were generally younger -- Xavier McKinney (25) and Darnell Savage (26) -- leaving players approaching or past 30 looking at one-year deals. That's a difficult and delicate situation to handle, especially when a lot of these remaining vets were making elite-level money and playing well as recently as last season.

One of the players I'm shocked to still see available is Simmons, who transformed the Broncos when he was available in 2023. (That 70-point outburst by the Dolphins, notably, came in a game in which Simmons was injured.) I thought he would be a natural fit with the Eagles, but Philadelphia brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and extended Reed Blankenship. The Panthers would make some sense, but they spent money elsewhere and signed Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott.

What about the Rams? They are transitioning on defense after losing coordinator Raheem Morris to the Falcons and replacing him with Chris Shula, but there's a chance they'll still run some of the Vic Fangio-style coverages they used under Morris and Brandon Staley. And although Simmons is 30, he came of age and emerged as an elite safety under Fangio when the two were in Denver.

The Rams imported Kam Curl on a great deal from the Commanders and used a third-round pick on Kamren Kinchens, but the rookie is set to compete for starting work with Russ Yeast, who lost his job during the second half of 2023 to veteran John Johnson. Bringing in Simmons on a one-year deal would give L.A. an immediate starter at safety to play alongside Curl while allowing the franchise to bring Kinchens along slowly as a potential nickel safety.

Chiefs sign S/LB Jamal Adams

The Seahawks sent two first-round picks to acquire Adams from the Jets in 2020, then gave him a significant contract extension the next year. Things didn't pan out, mostly because of injuries. He never completed a full season in Seattle, missing 34 games over four seasons with various ailments. I would have loved to see him in new coach Mike Macdonald's scheme as a blitzer near the line of scrimmage, but his contract made that an unrealistic proposition.

At this point, Adams needs to be spotted in a situational role as a strong safety and even as a potential linebacker on passing downs. After he had 16 sacks from 2019 to 2020, he hasn't had a single sack across the past three campaigns, so it remains to be seen whether the explosiveness that marked his earlier days is still there. At the right price, I have to believe the upside is worth the risk that Adams, 28, just isn't the player he was earlier in his career.

Get him to Chiefs coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who can surely find a spot in the lineup for a player with Adams' talent and ability as a blitzer. Kansas City lost Mike Edwards and Willie Gay this offseason, and although it used a fourth-round pick on safety Jaden Hicks, Adams could compete for a role as a situational safety and linebacker. There's a chance he might not make the team, but the Chiefs are shopping in the luxury aisle given their roster. If he will take a deal built around per-game roster bonuses, I would love to see him in camp with Kansas City.

Bears sign EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah

The Bears checked off just about everything on their needs list this offseason, but a notable exception was not adding a second pass-rusher behind Montez Sweat. Coach Matt Eberflus might understandably feel good about where his defense stands when you consider Chicago ranked second in points allowed per possession over the second half of 2024, but that was fueled by an unsustainable turnover rate (20% of opposing drives, the second highest in the league) as opposed to a great pass rush. Even with Sweat playing well after his arrival from Washington over the second half of the season, the Bears ranked 21st in sack rate and 25th in pressure rate.

Last year, the Bears took a training camp flier on Yannick Ngakoue, but it didn't pan out, as they paid him $10.5 million for a career-low four sacks. Ogbah, 30, should come in at a fraction of that cost. He spent most of last season in a limited role with the Dolphins as he returned from a triceps injury and was buried behind multiple standouts on the depth chart, but he still managed 5.5 sacks and nine knockdowns across just 128 pass-rush opportunities. (That's roughly four games worth of pass rushes for a full-time player such as Maxx Crosby.)

Those numbers aren't going to project to All-Pro production over a full workload -- Ogbah is probably best spotted in a situational role at this point of his career -- but the Bears need bodies in their edge rotation. Getting 300 snaps of solid pass-rushing performance from Ogbah for $2 million or so would be a good deal for GM Ryan Poles.

Ravens sign G Dalton Risner

Let's finish with a guard who hasn't been able to find much love in back-to-back offseasons. Risner went into the 2023 offseason looking for a long-term deal after four seasons with the Broncos only to languish on the market into September, when he signed a one-year deal with the Vikings. He moved into the starting lineup the next month and stayed there at left guard for the remainder of the season, with NFL Next Gen Stats crediting him for zero sacks allowed across 11 starts.

Here we are in the 2024 offseason, and ... Risner is still a free agent. When a solid player doesn't get a contract extension in consecutive offseasons, your mind naturally wanders to medical concerns, but he has missed just four games because of injuries over his five-year career. After entering the starting lineup in Minnesota, he missed just four snaps over the remaining 11 games. It certainly seems as if he's physically capable of holding up to steady work as a starting guard.

At this point, unfortunately, Risner is probably looking at another one-year deal with the hopes of proving himself for a more significant contract next offseason. His best landing spot would be in Baltimore, where the Ravens have a track record of both taking fliers on undervalued linemen and earning them new contracts elsewhere around the league. Morgan Moses would be an example of the former, and John Simpson is a clear case study for Risner after emerging as a useful player in Baltimore's offense a year ago.

Moses and Simpson are no longer on the roster, and the Ravens look perilously thin up front. They used a second-round pick on Roger Rosengarten, who projects to step in at right tackle, and utility lineman Patrick Mekari signed a three-year extension that will likely see him compete for one of the starting guard roles, but they could use another NFL-caliber starter on the interior.

The Ravens also love to play the compensatory pick formula game, and they can play both sides with Risner. By waiting until after June 1 to bring in the veteran guard, they won't cost themselves one of the four picks they're currently set to land after losing Simpson, Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen in free agency. (The Vikings also wouldn't be eligible to receive a compensatory pick for losing Risner.) Then, if Risner finally does sign that long-term deal with another team next offseason, Baltimore would be in position to pick up a compensatory selection for its one-year dalliance with him.