Welcome to the third installment of the worst offseason acquisition series. This series reviews each division’s worst acquisition from the 2023 offseason. We will review the AFC 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.
These players are also judged based on their contracts and expectations for the 2023 season.
Houston Texans’ worst offseason acquisition: WR Robert Woods
Houston signed Robert Woods to a 2-year, $15,250,000 contract with the expectation of becoming a top receiver for C.J. Stroud and bringing a veteran presence to a young receiving corps.
Woods struggled to stay healthy, missing three games with a foot and hip injury. He was also inconsistent in the passing game and struggled to step up with the injuries to Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Noah Brown.
He had 40 receptions on 75 targets for 426 yards and one touchdown in the regular season and two receptions on six targets for 17 yards in two playoff games.
Indianapolis Colts’ worst offseason acquisition: WR Isaiah McKenzie
Indianapolis signed Isaiah McKenzie to a 1-year, $1,232,500 contract with the expectation of being their starting slot receiver and the return specialist.
McKenzie lost the starting slot receiver job to Josh Downs, and Indianapolis suspended him for the last three games for conduct detrimental.
Mckenzie had 11 receptions on 14 targets for 82 yards, six kick returns for 152 yards, and 23 punt returns for 204 yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ worst offseason acquisition: RB D’Ernest Johnson
Jacksonville signed D’Ernest Johnson to a 1-year, $1,232,500 contract with the expectation of being a complement to Travis Etienne.
Unfortunately, Johnson wasn’t effective in the run game, finishing with 108 yards on 41 attempts. He also had ten receptions for 140 yards in 17% of offensive snaps.
Tennessee Titans’ worst offseason acquisition: LT Andre Dillard
Tennessee signed Andre Dillard to a 3-year, $29,000,000 contract with the expectation of being the long-term solution at left tackle and a solid replacement for Taylor Lewan.
Dillard did not pan out in his first season with Tennessee. He was benched in Week 6 but filled in for Hubbard when he suffered a concussion in Week 8. Dillard started in Weeks 9-10 but suffered a concussion in Week 10 and missed Week 11. For Weeks 12-15, he did not play at all. Finally, in Week 16, he filled in for Duncan, who was benched, and Dillard started in the last two games.
Dillard finished the season with five penalties, 12 sacks allowed, and a 51 PFF Grade.
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