Splashes through free agency, trades, and the NFL draft make headlines, but the moves that don't garner as much attention typically lay the foundation for division titles and championships.
Here's every team's most under-the-radar acquisition this offseason.
Arizona Cardinals
Will Johnson: This is an obvious one. If Johnson's knee holds up, the Cardinals could have an absolute stud on their hands. The former Michigan cornerback didn't allow a touchdown grab over his final two seasons before the NFL draft.
Atlanta Falcons
James Pearce: The Falcons paid a steep price for Pearce, causing many to sour on the pick. However, the Tennessee product could be worth the cost. Among all FBS players with at least 200 pass-rush snaps in 2024, Pearce tied for third in hurries (43) and ranked third in pass-rush win-rate (23%), per PFF.
Baltimore Ravens
Joe Noteboom: The Ravens made a lot of veteran moves for name-brand players, but their best bargain might be a swing tackle. A better run blocker than pass blocker, Noteboom aligns with Baltimore's brand. His versatility is also exceptional, with 1,234 snaps at left tackle, 494 snaps at left guard, 180 snaps at right guard, and 444 snaps at right tackle over his career.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Palmer: Palmer might not seem like a big needle mover, but the former Chargers receiver could be poised for big numbers in Buffalo. Palmer has averaged at least 15 yards per reception in each of the past two seasons, which bodes well for his future with Josh Allen.
Carolina Panthers
Rico Dowdle: While the Panthers took massive steps to repair their defense, their savviest move likely came in the offensive backfield. Dowdle should create a formidable tandem with Chuba Hubbard after the former Cowboys back posted a rushing success rate of 53.6% in 2024, tied for sixth among backs with at least 200 carries, per PFR.
Chicago Bears
Jonah Jackson: It's hard to imagine the Bears' offensive line getting much worse after allowing a league-high 68 sacks last season. However, Jackson is a great bounce-back candidate. The 28-year-old missed most of 2024 due to injury but has surrendered only two sacks since 2022, per PFF.
Cincinnati Bengals
Dylan Fairchild: The Georgia product should be an instant plug-and-play starter on a Bengals offensive line that needed reinforcement. Fairchild was credited with only one sack allowed over his last two college campaigns, per PFF.
Cleveland Browns
Dylan Sampson: Sampson wasn't even the first running back the Browns drafted, but he could have an underrated role in this offense. After rushing for 1,491 yards in 2024 at Tennessee, Cleveland wanted to add another facet to his game by working him in as a receiving threat, too.
Dallas Cowboys
Shavon Revel: The Cowboys' third-round selection of Revel hardly made a splash amid the Cowboys' offseason, but he has the potential to deliver incredible value. Revel's upside hinges on his recovery from a 2024 ACL tear. Had it not been for the injury, we likely wouldn't be talking about him being a third-round pick.
Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins: While the Broncos picked up Dobbins on a bargain due to his injury history, the running back can be a big part of Sean Payton's backfield. After playing only one game in 2023, Dobbins returned to put up 905 yards over 13 contests last season with the Chargers.
Detroit Lions
Tate Ratledge: Ratledge allowed only two sacks during his entire college career, per PFF. The Lions will need that high level of play to continue, as Ratledge will likely step in to replace the retired Frank Ragnow at center.
Green Bay Packers
Nate Hobbs: Hobbs might be the most unrecognizable marquee name among players signed to contracts worth $48 million or more. But make no mistake about it, he's a game-changer. The former Raiders cornerback can play inside and on the boundary and will give the Packers a lot of versatility in their secondary.
Houston Texans
Jaylin Noel: Although Jayden Higgins was the first Iowa State receiver the Texans drafted in April, you shouldn't overlook third-round pick Noel. He led the Cyclones in receiving last year (1,194 yards) and should eventually emerge as a productive playmaker in the slot.
Indianapolis Colts
J.T. Tuimoloau: Tuimoloau's 6.5 sacks in the College Football Playoff boosted his stock ahead of the draft. Although he might be a rotational pass-rusher for the Colts in 2025, he's got starter potential written all over him.
Jacksonville Jaguars
James Gladstone: Let's go outside the box with the Jaguars. Their most underrated move of the offseason wasn't a player addition, but an injection of new blood and ideas with the hiring of the 34-year-old Gladstone. Jacksonville has already started shaping its roster in new ways since his arrival, including the aggressive move to grab two-way star Travis Hunter.
Kansas City Chiefs
Jalen Royals: The Chiefs saw a lot of similarities between Rashee Rice and Royals, and it's easy to see why. The Utah State receiver produced 10 catches of 50-plus yards over the last two seasons, more than any other FBS player.
Las Vegas Raiders
Darien Porter: Porter is your stereotypical Pete Carroll cornerback. However, he's more than just his 6-foot-3 frame and 4.3 speed. Porter allowed just 29.4% of his targets to be completed in 2024, the best mark among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps, per PFF.
Los Angeles Chargers
Tre Harris: Harris likely would've been ineligible for this exercise if he didn't have the injury history he does, though that caused him to fall right into the Chargers' lap in the NFL draft. If the Ole Miss product can stay healthy, he has all the makings of a future No. 1 receiver. Harris posted 1,030 yards in just eight games in 2024.
Los Angeles Rams
Terrance Ferguson: Sean McVay scored a weapon in the second round when he took Ferguson out of Oregon. Ferguson ended his final collegiate season with 591 receiving yards and three touchdowns. It's worth mentioning that McVay compared his new tight end to Chris Cooley and Travis Kelce.
Miami Dolphins
Jonah Savaiinaea: A second-round pick out of Arizona, Savaiinaea isn't a sexy pick, but he's going to impress. He should instantly join the Dolphins' opening-day offensive line, and it wouldn't be surprising if he goes on to become a long-term starter.
Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Mason: The Vikings hit a home run by acquiring Mason as an insurance policy for the 30-year-old Aaron Jones. A low-cost trade, Minnesota now has a back who averaged 5.2 yards per carry waiting in the wings. That's a good problem to have.
New England Patriots
Kyle Williams: There's a lot of buzz about the Patriots' third-round pick out of Washington State. Williams' skill set projects to translate seamlessly to the next level. Against man coverage in 2024, he ranked second among FBS receivers with 505 receiving yards and led all FBS wideouts with nine touchdowns, per PFF.
New Orleans Saints
Devin Neal: If running back Kendre Miller misses significant time again in 2025, Neal will have a grand opportunity to show his worth as a complement to Alvin Kamara. What Miller lacks in breakaway speed, he more than makes up for in vision. His ability to be a pass-catcher out of the backfield only helps his value.
New York Giants
Marcus Mbow: Every offensive line needs a Swiss Army knife, and Mbow can be that guy for the Giants. A fifth-round pick this offseason, New York got great value in the Purdue product, who revealed after the draft that he's been training at all five positions.
New York Jets
Mason Taylor: A second-round pick out of LSU, Taylor should unlock a new dimension to the Jets' passing offense. The tight end is expected to be an instant contributor in the aerial attack, having recorded 55 receptions for 546 yards in 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles
Azeez Ojulari: Signing Ojulari was such an Eagles move. Find a productive but flawed pass-rusher for a discount ($3 million in this case) and turn him into a key piece in a talented edge rotation. Ojulari is also no slouch when healthy, as he had six sacks across 11 appearances last year with the Giants.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jonnu Smith: Smith was almost a forgotten piece in a chaotic trade that brought Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh and Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami. Steelers fans have a reason to be excited, though. Smith should overtake Pat Freiermuth as the team's legitimate No. 2 receiving threat behind D.K. Metcalf in an Arthur Smith offense led by Aaron Rodgers.
San Francisco 49ers
Upton Stout: The 49ers may have unearthed another gem in their third-round cornerback selection. Stout has impressed early in his first taste of the NFL practice field. At this trajectory, it wouldn't be surprising to see him earn significant playing time as a slot cornerback once the real action starts.
Seattle Seahawks
Klint Kubiak: Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp have hogged all the attention, but bringing in Kubiak as offensive coordinator is the Seahawks' most beneficial move. The franchise clearly wants to reshape the mold of its offense, and Kubiak feels like the perfect fit to engineer that change.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
David Walker: An FCS product, Walker has the billing of being a true diamond in the rough. The former Central Arkansas pass-rusher produced 12 sacks and 55 pressures last season, per PFF, which also listed him as the highest-graded edge rusher among FBS and FCS competition.
Tennessee Titans
Elic Ayomanor: The Titans should play their fourth-round pick over Van Jefferson if they want to field their best team. Ayomanor is a proven big-play threat with 14 contested catches at Stanford in 2024.
Washington Commanders
Trey Amos: If you had to describe what kind of cornerback would be tailored to Dan Quinn's liking, Amos would perfectly match that description. The 6-foot-1 second-round rookie had 10 pass breakups last season while allowing a 54.5 passer rating when targeted, per PFF.
