It feels like the NFL regular season has just started, but it’s already almost a quarter through, with the first game of week six happening last night. The NFL offseason was eventful, with blockbuster trades and signings league-wide. Who has been the most impactful throughout the first five weeks, whether traded or picked up in free agency?
Starting with the notable NFL offseason free-agent signings, who’s made the biggest impact?
Mike Evans
The 49ers have the best record in the NFL at 5-0, the only undefeated team besides the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers’ record is even more impressive considering 16 players are currently on IR. Despite this, both their offense and defense rank in the NFL’s top three, largely thanks to Brock Purdy’s fantastic play. His stats should’ve dipped because of the injuries (and the bizarre Brandon Aiyuk situation), but one guy in particular has only elevated it: Mike Evans.
Evans had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons – tying Jerry Rice’s record – but a concussion and a broken collarbone ended the streak last season. His age and injury-riddled season led Tampa Bay to part ways with him. Everyone knew what Evans was capable of, but they weren’t sure it was still possible at 33. Spoiler alert: it is.
Evans has caught 70.6% of the balls thrown his way over five games and has scored a touchdown in three of them. Only one receiver with over 30 targets has a success rate that high (Zay Flowers). Evans has given Purdy MVP-level production, leading the NFL in passing touchdowns (13) while only throwing two interceptions.
Evans also leads the league in QBR with an 84.7 rating, and barely tails Lamar Jackson in passer rating (119.6 to 119.3). The 49ers offense is talented, but it’s hard to imagine them doing this well without Evans. In San Francisco’s win against the Seahawks, Evans had seven receptions, 110 yards and a touchdown. If he can dominate like that against Seattle, who knows how he’ll dominate Monday night against the 1-3-1 Washington Commanders.
Kenneth Walker III
This one is just obvious. After the Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, they signed last year’s Super Bowl MVP. With both Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice back from injury, the Chiefs are back at the top of the NFL. Walker is the first truly elite running back Mahomes has played with, making Kansas City scarier than ever. Walker III is second in the league with 537 rushing yards, trailing only Bijan Robinson – but did it in four games, having a week-five bye.
We’re finally seeing the type of production Walker can have when not forced to split carries with Zach Charbonnet. He has four rushing touchdowns, two receiving touchdowns, and leads the NFL in both rushing yards per game (134.3) and per attempt (6.2). The Chiefs’ rushing offense hasn’t ranked top 10 since 2017, when Alex Smith was still the starter, and it hasn’t ranked higher than 16th in rushing offense during their recent dynasty. The Seahawks letting them get Walker has to be a crime.
Isaiah Likely
Isaiah Likely has done wonders for the New York Giants offense, even after Jaxson Dart’s season-ending injury. After four seasons as Mark Andrews’ backup, the Ravens let him walk to the Big Apple. The Giants needed a tight end to pair with Theo Johnson, and coach John Harbaugh had high praise for Likely. A jump was expected, but he’s looked like a top tight end in the NFL.
In his only game with Dart, he caught all eight targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns. As expected, his productivity dipped slightly after a sudden quarterback change in the next two games, but he’s returned to form since week four. He had seven catches for 66 yards in week four and helped lead the Giants’ fourth-quarter comeback in week five with two touchdowns and 94 yards on 11 receptions. Although the game ended in a tie, Likely solidified himself as a top tight end talent early in the season.
The Giants have already come close to last season’s four-win total, all without their starting quarterback and best defensive player (Brian Burns). Likely is a big part of it, taking pressure off Malik Nabers in the passing game. He ranks second among tight ends in receptions and targets, is tied for the most tight-end touchdowns, and ranks fourth in receiving yards. Who knows how threatening this Giants offense can be once Dart returns next season (or playoffs??)
Honorable Mentions
There have, of course, been other spectacular NFL offseason signings.
The Raiders were smart to take a chance on Kirk Cousins, who’s got Las Vegas at a solid 3-2 record. He’s stepped up since his dreadful Atlanta tenure, with a 12/4 TD/INT ratio. Vegas – for once – has a great situation for any QB, with Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty on offense and fellow offseason signing Tyler Linderbaum leading the offensive line. If Cousins falls off, he’s still a great mentor for Fernando Mendoza. Vegas was an offseason winner on both sides of the ball, also securing Nakobe Dean, who ties Arvell Reese for first in solo tackles.
Two other underrated signings are Devin Lloyd to the Carolina Panthers and Greg Newsome II to the New York Giants. The Panthers’ defense has been leaky at times, but Lloyd hasn’t been the reason. He has two interceptions this season (both in Week Two), one of which was returned for a touchdown. He’s made a noticeable difference despite missing a week.
Newsome’s presence at cornerback alongside Deonte Banks has made the Giants’ secondary competent, something all Giants fans have waited years for. The Giants are 3-1-1 without their starting QB, and a large part of that is the defense and improved secondary, which ranks ninth in passing yards allowed this season (997).
Several blockbuster trades this NFL offseason completely transformed teams, while others were just depth moves. Unfortunately, some of the biggest trade pieces got injured before fans could see any real effect. A.J. Brown got injured in his Patriots debut, and Myles Garrett has played only one game, to name a few. Of the NFL offseason trades that have panned out, what were the best?
Dexter Lawrence
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has been the biggest reason the team hasn’t made the playoffs in three years. They haven’t ranked higher than 21st in points or yards allowed since 2022.
They addressed that this offseason by trading for Dexter Lawrence from the Giants and signing Jonathan Allen, among others. Lawrence came off his worst season, but the three years before it locked him in as a certified all-pro linebacker. He seems back to his prime, already with three sacks this season. As a team, they have 16.1 pressures per game this season, as opposed to 13.1 last season, and a pressure rate of 41.6% from last season’s 36.5%.
The Bengals jumped from a bottom-three defense last season to arguably a top-10 defense in just five weeks. They lost Trey Hendrickson to Baltimore, but responded by completely transforming their defense with big trades and signings. They’re clearly realizing it’s time to win now, while Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow are still together. Currently 3-2, they’re in a great position to surpass last season’s six-win mark, barring any injuries.
Trent Mcduffie
The Los Angeles Rams went all in on a superteam this past offseason, trading for McDuffie and Garrett and bringing back Aaron Donald from retirement. Starting with a disappointing 2-3 record, injuries, and a tough schedule, one thing is clear: the record isn’t McDuffie’s fault. McDuffie is tied with teammate Quentin Lake for most passes defended (seven), but has allowed only a 22.5 passer rating when targeted. When targeting McDuffie, he allows only a 33.3% completion rate.
The Rams have a top-five pass defense in the NFL by passer rating allowed, averaging 78.1 in five games. In those games, they’ve played Purdy, Josh Allen – two MVP candidates – as well as Bo Nix and Jalen Hurts. Despite some flaws and criticism, Nix and Hurts are still proven QBs who can run explosive offenses at times. The only “weak link” the Rams have faced is Winston in week two. McDuffie has done all he can to earn the $124 million contract the Rams awarded him this offseason.
Honorable Mention
If you look past their 2-3 record, Geno Smith has actually been a solid trade acquisition for the Jets, especially considering how much they were clowned after the fact. The Jets came into this season with low expectations, but have stayed competitive in most games behind Smith’s six touchdowns and 69.4% completion.
Yes, his stats aren’t eye-popping, especially with four fumbles to offset his zero interceptions. It is, however, important to note that he is behind a terrible offensive line that has allowed 16 sacks and a league-leading 134 yards lost to sacks.
Smith’s play has clearly improved since last season in Vegas, and the Jets gave up only a sixth-round pick. The reunion is honestly going better than expected, with only one game lost by more than one possession. Fans may have written him off, but he hasn’t written back.
Plenty of the NFL offseason moves still haven’t panned out. Jaylen Waddle has underperformed for the Broncos, and DJ Moore has dealt with injuries all season, leaving Buffalo without its top receiver. AJ Brown got injured in the Patriots’ season opener, and Myles Garrett hasn’t played for the Rams since Week One, making two of the biggest moves not even active enough for a true analysis.
Of the players we’ve seen active, the ones above are just a few who have risen above the rest. It’s a long season, though. Who knows? By the end of the season, Malik Willis could be seen as the best NFL offseason acquisition! (Probably not; the Dolphins are likely getting Jeremiah Smith.)
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