Welcome to the seventh installment of the best acquisition series. This series reviews each division’s best acquisition from the 2023 offseason. We will review the NFC South.
Criteria for this series
All individuals featured in this series must fulfill the specified criteria. The players on this list are those who joined a new team through trades or signings in the offseason, excluding draft picks, re-signed players, players claimed during roster cuts, regular season signings, or trades during the NFL Trade Deadline.
Note: Several teams lack a definitive player to be considered the best offseason acquisition. Teams without a definitive player are in italics.
Atlanta Falcons’ best offseason acquisition: S Jessie Bates III
Atlanta signed Jessie Bates III to a 4-year, $64,020,000 contract with the expectation of assisting the safety position that has been their weakness over the past few seasons.
Bates had an incredible season, recording 132 tackles, six interceptions, one pick-six, 11 pass deflections, and three forced fumbles. He allowed 33 receptions on 51 targets for 380 yards, three touchdowns, and a 67.1 passer rating.
Bates made it to his first Pro Bowl and the second-team All-Pro.
Carolina Panthers’ best offseason acquisition: WR Adam Thielen
Carolina signed Adam Thielen to a 3-year, $25,000,000 contract with the expectation of being their number-one wide receiver and bringing a veteran presence to the receiver room.
Thielen played well, recording 103 receptions on 137 targets for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.
New Orleans Saints’ best offseason acquisition: DT Nathan Shepherd
New Orleans signed Nathan Shepherd to a 3-year, $15,000,000 contract with the expectation of being a solid replacement for Shy Tuttle and David Onyemata, who departed during free agency.
Shepherd had a decent campaign, recording 50 tackles, four for a loss, eight QB hits, and 3.5 sacks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ best offseason acquisition: QB Baker Mayfield
Tampa Bay signed Baker Mayfield to a 1-year, $4,000,000 contract with the expectation of being a reliable replacement for Tom Brady.
Mayfield had an impressive season, completing 364 out of 566 pass attempts for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, ten interceptions, a 94.6 passer rating, and a 9-8 record.
Mayfield led Tampa Bay to the Divisional Round and made it to the Pro Bowl.
Mayfield will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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