NFL offseason acquisitions who could make the biggest impacts in 2023

It’s been said that there is no true offseason in the NFL.

With free agency, the draft and an always-active trade market, it’s been a busy four-plus months since the 2022 season ended. More than 450 free-agent signings, nearly 20 trades and 259 draft picks later, here are the faces in new places who could have the biggest impact on their respective new team in 2023:

Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets

Without sounding hyperbolic, Rodgers could be the difference between the Jets being a solid playoff team and a true Super Bowl contender. New York added three receivers — two of whom followed Rodgers from Green Bay — plus bolstered the team’s offensive line and running-back depth to give Rodgers every shot to be successful. It’s clear that the Jets front office believes their Super Bowl window is now and by adding Rodgers, everyone is all-in.

Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints

Say what you want about Carr, but the Saints could have done a lot worse than adding a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback who completes between 60 and 70 percent of his passes. 

If Michael Thomas is healthy, the Saints will have a dangerous offense with Carr under center, Alvin Kamara in the backfield, Chris Olave split out wide and Juwan Johnson roaming the middle of the field. Expect Carr to look more like he did in 2015, when he threw for 32 touchdowns and nearly 4,000 yards.

Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Although Tyler Allgeier rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie, Robinson is clearly Atlanta’s No. 1 running back. With as much as Falcons head coach Arthur Smith plans to give him the ball, expect Robinson to easily top 1,000 yards rushing and work as an underrated threat catching passes out of the backfield. 

Having Robinson, Allgeier and Cordarelle Patterson at his disposal, plus tight ends Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith and second-year receiver Drake London, Smith and the Falcons could have the makings of a top-five offense.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Arguably the biggest surprise of the first round of the draft, the Lions are reportedly very high on Gibbs and what he brings to the table. Expect head coach Dan Campbell to be creative in how he gets Gibbs the ball. Whether it’s via handoff, reception or kick return, the 21-year-old is a home-run threat who should form one of the better backfield tandems in the NFL with free-agent signing David Montgomery. Don’t be surprised if Gibbs is an early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears

No offense to Darnell Mooney, but for the first time in his NFL career, Justin Fields has a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver at his disposal. Moore, who is only 26, is in the prime of his career with three 1,100-yard seasons already under his belt. 

One of the more underrated wideouts in the league, Moore is a field stretcher with big-play ability who demands a lot of attention and can take some of the pressure off fellow receivers Mooney and Chase Claypool. If Fields is a Pro Bowler in 2023, Moore will be the reason why.

Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys

It took the Cowboys just one season to realize the mistake they made in trading receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. While CeeDee Lamb’s numbers rose from the previous season, he also faced more double teams without a real receiving threat lined up on the opposite side. 

Adding Cooks gives Dallas a speedy outside weapon to not only complement Lamb, but also stretch the field. Cooks has had 1,000 or more receiving yards in six of the last eight seasons and he should help Dak Prescott return to his 30-touchdown form.

Javon Hargrave, DT, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco boasted the No. 1 defense in the league last year, but the one thing it was missing was a dominant, run-stuffing, havoc-wreaking defensive tackle. Enter the 6-foot-2, 305-pound Hargrave, who posted 66 pressures, 48 hurries and 11 sacks last season in Philadelphia. He also added 33 tackles and 20 stops in run defense, per Pro Football Focus. 

After adding Hargrave to the mix with Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Drake Jackson and Javon Kinlaw, it’s tough to see any offense having much success against the 49ers, who surrendered the second-fewest rushing yards per game in 2022 (77.7) and ranked in the top 10 in sacks (44).