Welcome to the first installment of the best acquisition series. This series reviews each division’s best acquisition from the 2023 offseason. We will review the AFC East.
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.
Buffalo Bills’ best offseason acquisition: DL Leonard Floyd.
Buffalo signed Leonard Floyd to a 1-year, $7,000,000 contract with the expectation of filling in for the injured Von Miller, who wasn’t ready for the start of the season, and bringing depth to the defensive end position.
Floyd did not disappoint, leading the team in sacks, recording 32 tackles, nine for a loss, 19 QB hits, 10.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble.
Floyd will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Miami Dolphins’ best offseason acquisition: CB Jalen Ramsey.
Miami traded a 2023 third-round pick and Hunter Long to Los Angeles in exchange for Jalen Ramsey. Miami traded for Ramsey, expecting him to be Byron Jones’ replacement on the opposite side of Xavien Howard.
Ramsey suffered a torn meniscus during training camp and missed the first seven games.
Ramsey returned and played at a high level, recording 22 tackles, three interceptions, and five pass deflections. He allowed 21 receptions on 39 targets for 259 yards, one touchdown, and a 51.1 passer rating.
Ramsey made it to his 7th Pro Bowl.
New England Patriots’ best offseason acquisition: RB Ezekiel Elliott.
New England signed Ezekiel Elliott to a 1-year, $3,000,000 contract with the expectation of being a reliable complement to Rhamondre Stevenson.
Despite the offensive line struggles, Elliott had a solid season and eventually became the number-one running back after Stevenson suffered a season-ending high ankle sprain in Week 13.
Elliott recorded 642 yards on 184 carries and three touchdowns. He also had 51 receptions on 65 targets for 313 yards and two touchdowns.
Elliott will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
New York Jets’ best offseason acquisition: DT Quinton Jefferson.
New York signed Quinton Jefferson to a 1-year, $3,600,000 contract with the expectation of bringing depth to the defensive tackle position and being a reliable starter.
Jefferson played well, recording 34 tackles, four for a loss, 13 QB hits, six sacks, and one forced fumble.
Jefferson suffered a season-ending hip injury in Week 15 and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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