Most improved position groups from the 2022 NFL offseason:
Now that “draft season” of 2022 is finally over for me, with the conclusion of my divisional draft breakdown series (breaking down every single pick, their fit on the roster, etc. for all 32 NFL teams). Now is the time to point out which teams have improved the most this offseason in every single position. Whether it's through free agency, trades and of course the draft.
For the purpose of this exercise, I didn’t want to just mention the obvious major additions of one specific player, such as quarterback Russell Wilson, going to Denver. Or wide receiver Davante Adams going to Las Vegas, but rather look at the entire unit. How much better each team's depth chart looks altogether, compared to 2021. Therefore I’m also considering the allocated resources to some degree, particularly the money invested.
I will mention all the additions, departures and explain how big of a difference those moves will make. Also, how does it change what each team can now expect or even do altogether from a schematic/game-plan perspective.
Quarterbacks – Indianapolis Colts
Additions: Matt Ryan, Nick Foles & Jack Coan
Departures: Carson Wentz & Jacob Eason
I already gave the disclaimer of Russell Wilson now being a Bronco not being taken into account here. The Broncos basically swapped him for Drew Lock (plus a bunch of other assets) and replaced Teddy Bridgewater with a career backup in Josh Johnson. This is obviously a much better room of QBs altogether, but in the spirit of this exercise, I want to talk about a different situation than the one that was so heavily discussed already, I went with the Colts here.
They were in a really tough situation to start this offseason, coming off an embarrassing loss at Jacksonville with their playoff lives in their own hands. They were without a first-round pick due to trading for Carson Wentz from Philadelphia last year. I think they wasted a sixth-round pick on Sam Ehlinger last year, who I simply believe is a college quarterback. They waived Jacob Eason, who they drafted in the fourth two years ago. He won the backup role and then got to throw five passes, filling in for Wentz early in the season. One of those throws ended up being picked off and then getting hurt himself. I thought they fleeced Washington when they sent Wentz back to the NFC East after just one year. Head coach Frank Reich wasn’t able to re-invigorate him by getting back a third-round pick. Indianapolis moved up five slots in the second and then another third-rounder in 2023 that could turn into a two, based on similar parameters to their deal with Philly.
So the Colts are getting an upgrade at the position in Matt Ryan in exchange for a third-rounder. They then signed Nick Foles as a backup at a 2.5-million dollar price and grabbed an undrafted free agent in former Notre Dame QB Jack Coan. Who I believe should be a high quality backup himself, is very smart business. Wentz wasn’t bad last season and if you just look at the numbers, you’d say he was actually better than Ryan, but that’s ignoring several key factors. Indy was number two in total rushing yards and average per attempt, and while Atlanta was in the bottom-three for both, the Colts had the number nine scoring defense. The Falcons were number 29, Ryan was under pressure at a higher rate, held onto the ball less and so on. I believe the biggest improvement we will see with their new signal-caller is not having those moments of breaking down in chaos, trying to force plays that aren’t there and protecting himself against injuries. In terms of arm talent and movement skills, Ryan is a slight downgrade. However he’s much cleaner with his reads, allowing Reich and company to ask him to work through longer progressions and show the maturity to play within himself.
You now pair up Ryan with Michael Pittman Jr. as a pretty complete X receiver. Alec Pierce has the speed and size element as a flanker and two massive tight-ends working down the seams, where the former Falcons QB has always excelled. Combining that with Jonathan Taylor once again spearheading a dominant rushing attack. This allowed the offense to get into tight formations and let Ryan work from play-action, where he felt very comfortable under Kyle Shanahan. The Ryan and Shanahan combo won one MVP award, and presents a more complete offense all the time. Foles brings a very similar skill-set to the table and has always been able to deliver a spark when called up, being confident in taking more downfield shots. Coan even brings similar strengths in terms of a big pocket-passer, who when in rhythm can rip it.
Also considered: Cleveland Browns & Denver Broncos