The Best and Worst Offseason Move by Each AFC Team

There will still be moves made in free agency, but the big transactions are winding down. Here is a look at the best and worst decisions by each AFC team this offseason.

Here is the NFC evaluation if you missed it.

Buffalo Bills

Best move: Signed G Rodger Saffold to a one-year, $6.3 million deal

The Bills put on a master class in free agency, adding pieces to bolster an already-loaded roster. Von Miller was the crown jewel, and that was a very nice pickup, but the best move may have been the addition of Saffold at such an affordable price. He should help shore up the offensive line in front of Josh Allen.

Worst move: Let CB Levi Wallace leave in free agency

Wallace is a solid option at cornerback, and he signed with the Steelers for two years and $8 million. The Bills’ secondary is still really good, but Wallace would have been a good piece to have across from Tre’Davious White.

Miami Dolphins

Best move: Signed T Terron Armstead to a 5-year, $75 million contract

The Tyreek Hill trade made the biggest headlines, and his presence is certainly a big boost, but securing Armstead at such a team-friendly cost was a boon. He is 30 years old and has been injury-prone, but when healthy, Armstead is among the best tackles in the NFL. Andrew Whitworth and Duane Brown have proven that tackles can age gracefully and play well deep into their 30s.

Worst move: Fell short on a quarterback upgrade

The Dolphins have one of the more intriguing offensive rosters in the NFL after this offseason’s spending spree, with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Chase Edmonds, Mike Gesicki and others primed to play a big role. But will third-year signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa step up and help turn this team into a contender? A more decorated option at quarterback would have been ideal.

New England Patriots

Best move: Signed S Jabril Peppers to a one-year, $2 million contract

Peppers is coming off a torn ACL, and it’s never certain how well a player can perform after a serious injury, but this was great value for the former first-round pick. Don’t be surprised if Peppers makes an impact on defense for New England in 2022.

Worst move: Did not franchise tag CB J.C. Jackson

Bill Belichick has a sparkling history of knowing when to let players walk, so there is some trepidation in making this pick, but it sure feels like New England should have held on to its young, ballhawking cornerback. Jackson signed a lucrative contract with the Chargers in free agency and the Patriots are worse off. My question: did the presence of Tom Brady cover up some personnel mistakes in past years, or is Belichick truly a mastermind when it comes to team building? We’ll find out over the next couple seasons.

New York Jets

Best move: Signed CB DJ Reed to three-year, $33 million contract

Reed proved he could be a full-time performer in 2021 and was rewarded by the Jets. New York needs a major talent infusion throughout the roster, and landing Reed on a reasonable multi-year deal is a nice step. The defense should start rounding into form under Robert Saleh and Reed could play a big role in that improvement.

Worst move: Failed to land a top receiver

The Jets were hoping for Tyreek Hill and were likely pursuing other top pass-catchers, but were not successful in adding one. Zach Wilson played poorly as a rookie, and while the offensive line was bolstered in free agency, it’s hard to fathom that this group suddenly becomes an average or better passing team. Wilson may not be the answer at quarterback either way, but the lack of weapons doesn’t help.

Baltimore Ravens

Best move: Signed T Morgan Moses to a three-year, $15 million contract

The Ravens helped shore up their offensive line by inking a solid veteran at a low cost. Baltimore always seems to manage these types of deals in free agency, and the signings often play well. 

Worst move: Signed S Marcus Wiliams to a five-year, $70 million contract

Williams is undoubtedly a talented safety, but I can’t help but wonder if Baltimore should have signed Tyrann Mathieu on a shorter-term deal while using some of these resources elsewhere. There are a few holes on this team that need patched, and Mathieu would have been a logical fit in the secondary.

Cleveland Browns

Best move: Traded a fifth-round pick for WR Amari Cooper

The Browns needed a talent infusion at wide receiver after releasing Odell Beckham, Jr. last season, and acquiring Cooper was a great step. He is still an upper-tier receiver, and a salary of $20 million is a potential bargain with the way wide receivers are now getting paid.

Worst move: Traded 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-round picks, 2023 third-round pick, 2022 and 2024 fourth-round picks for QB Deshaun Watson and a sixth-round pick

Some things are bigger than football. Watson is a talented quarterback who instantly makes the Browns better, but he’s also been accused of sexual misconduct by 22 women. This is a terrible message to send to the fanbase.

Cincinnati Bengals

Best move: Signed T La’el Collins to a three-year, $21 million deal

The Bengals made several nice moves to shore up their offensive line, and this one took the cake. Collins is still a solid player, but was a cap casualty in Dallas. Cincinnati needed to add protection for Joe Burrow this offseason and executed the plan beautifully.

Worst move: Failed to add a top cornerback

Eli Apple is back in Cincinnati, which may not be the best thing defensively. The Bengals are likely to add a cover man in the draft, but solidifying the secondary would have been ideal during free agency. Nevertheless, this team looks well-equipped to be a contender in the AFC once again in 2022.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Best move: Signed LB Myles Jack to a two-year, $16 million contract

It feels like Jack has been in the NFL for a decade, but he’s only 27 years old and has long been a serious playmaker. The Steelers got a nice bargain here, and adding him to a defense that already includes several stars should help him put together a productive season.

Worst move: Signed QB Mitch Trubisky to a two-year, $14.3 million contract

The money isn’t an issue. It’s the opportunity cost of handing the reins over to a quarterback that has no real chance of making you competitive in 2022. Pittsburgh didn’t have a bunch of options, but with so many star quarterbacks changing teams this offseason, it should have been more aggressive in the pursuit of a true difference-maker.

Indianapolis Colts

Best move: Traded Carson Wentz and a 2022 second-round pick for a 2022 second-round pick, 2022 third-round pick and 2023 third-round pick

The Colts made a poor decision to acquire Wentz last year, but give them credit for bailing quickly and getting both draft capital and his salary off the books. Indianapolis turned around and traded for Matt Ryan later in the offseason, giving them an upgrade at the position in addition to the draft picks.

Worst move: Failed to land a left tackle

The Colts have a good roster and the addition of Ryan gives them upside in 2022. However, the veteran quarterback is very immobile and needs to be protected. Indy didn’t snag a left tackle in free agency, and that spot could be a major concern throughout the season. Duane Brown is still available, though, and would be a natural stopgap.

Tennessee Titans

Best move: Traded a sixth-round pick for WR Robert Woods

The Rams signed Allen Robinson, which made Woods expendable, and the Titans took advantage. Woods will take some time to fully recover from a torn ACL but he will pair nicely with A.J. Brown at receiver after the release of Julio Jones.

Worst move: Signed TE Austin Hooper to a one-year, $6 million contract

Hooper hasn’t done much either of the past two years, and the Titans could have used that money elsewhere. The need at tight end was certainly dire, but it showed because Tennessee overpaid for Hooper.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Best move: Signed G Brandon Scherff to a three-year, $49.5 million contract

Scherff is a dominant player and while the deal reset the guard market, Jacksonville was still smart to add an elite talent to the fold. The Jaguars are doing everything they can to improve the situation around quarterback Trevor Lawrence, although some deals were better than others.

Worst move: Signed WR Christian Kirk to a four-year, $72 million contract

Kirk is a nice player who flourished when the Cardinals finally moved him into the slot, but this was a major overpay. The Jaguars had to pay a premium to get talent in free agency, but why didn’t they trade for Amari Cooper prior to it? Kirk is younger, but Cooper long ago established himself as a star receiver, and would have immediately given Lawrence a big-time target downfield.

Houston Texans

Best move: Traded QB Deshaun Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick for 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-round picks, 2023 third-round pick, 2022 and 2024 fourth-round picks

The Texans got a really nice trade package in return for Watson, which will now allow them to kickstart a rebuild. Houston is clearly the worst team in the NFL, but at least they are no longer directionless.

Worst move: No high-upside swings

The Texans are deep in rebuilding mode, so I understand being cautious in free agency, but this is also a good time to take some chances with players who have talent but may have underperformed elsewhere. That didn’t really happen, as Houston went for a bunch of middling players in free agency.

Kansas City Chiefs

Best move: Traded WR Tyreek Hill for a 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, two fourth-round picks and a 2023 sixth-round pick

The Chiefs had a tough decision to make, and I think this was the right one. The departure of Hill brings back some premium draft picks along with salary cap flexibility. Patrick Mahomes is such a singular talent that he will always make the players around him better. Kansas City wants to be a Super Bowl contender for the next decade, and trading Hill at the peak of his worth was a smart decision for longevity.

Worst move: Signed S Justin Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million contract

The Chiefs clearly value safeties, as Reid signed a nice deal just as Tyrann Mathieu’s lucrative contract expired. However, it feels like Kansas City should be focusing more on the defensive trenches than the secondary based on the makeup of the team.

Los Angeles Chargers

Best move: Signed CB J.C. Jackson

When a team has a star quarterback on a rookie contract, time can be a bigger enemy than resources. It’s important to strike quickly, and Los Angeles did that this offseason, trading for Khalil Mack and then signing Jackson. The deal was reasonable for such a good player, and the Chargers will now have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL to combat seeing Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson twice a year.

Worst move: Failed to find a right tackle

The Chargers released Bryan Bulaga this offseason and don’t really have any sort of adequate replacement at right tackle. It’s a crucial spot of protection for Justin Herbert, and there is still time to find a decent player, but it’s a glaring weakness for a team that is clearly ramping up to make a Super Bowl push.

Denver Broncos

Best move: Traded QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick for QB Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick

The Broncos were hellbent on adding a star quarterback this offseason and got it done by trading for Wilson. The price was not too steep at all and now Denver should feel really good about its chance to be a legitimate contender for the next half-decade. Teams should move heaven and earth to add a Pro Bowl signal-caller and Denver GM George Paton did so. This may have been the best move by any team this offseason.

Worst move: Signed DE Randy Gregory to a five-year, $70 million contract

This is a minor quibble, as the Broncos did really well this offseason. However, this was a pretty sizable contract for a player who has yet to register more than six sacks in a season, no matter how much talent Gregory possesses. Chandler Jones would have been the better option.

Las Vegas Raiders

Best move: Signed OLB Chandler Jones to a three-year, $51 million contract

Premium edge rushers usually get paid huge money on the open market, so the Raiders did well to nab Jones at a reasonable rate. He is into his 30s but the production has been prolific, and Jones has the type of skillset that should age well. Las Vegas was smart to prioritize its pass rush in free agency.

Worst move: Traded 2022 first- and second-round picks for wide receiver Davante Adams

The Packers got dinged for trading away Adams in the NFC version of this article, but this was the rare lose-lose transaction. The Raiders will be hard-pressed to keep up with the others in the division because there is a substantial quarterback gulf. Adams helps, but Las Vegas may still miss the playoffs, and this type of move starts to handicap the future with the loss of draft picks.