Rating the Worst Acquisitions Made by the NFC South Teams from the 2023 Offseason

Welcome to the seventh installment of the worst offseason acquisition series. This series reviews each division’s worst 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.

These players are also judged based on their contracts and expectations for the 2023 season.

Atlanta Falcons’ worst offseason acquisition: QB Taylor Heinicke

Atlanta signed Taylor Heinicke to a 2-year, $14,000,000 contract with the expectation of competing for the starting quarterback job with Desmond Ridder. Ridder won the starting job heading into the season but was benched in Week 8, and Heinicke served as the starter for Weeks 9-10.

However, he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 10. He was demoted to the backup role for Week 12. Heinicke was given another opportunity to start in Weeks 16-17 but struggled in Week 17. As a result, he did not start in Week 18.

Heinicke completed 74 out of 136 pass attempts for 890 yards and threw five touchdowns to four interceptions with a 1-3 record.

Carolina Panthers’ worst offseason acquisition: RB Miles Sanders

Carolina signed Miles Sanders to a 4-year, $25,400,000 contract with the expectation of being their starting running back of the future.

Sanders did not play well in his first season with Carolina, losing the starting job to Chuba Hubbard.

Sanders had 432 yards (lowest in his career) on 129 carries (lowest) and one touchdown (2nd lowest). He also had 27 receptions (2nd lowest) for 154 yards (2nd lowest).

New Orleans Saints’ worst offseason acquisition: RB Jamaal Williams

New Orleans signed Jamaal Williams to a 3-year, $12,000,000 with the expectation of filling in for Alvin Kamara when he was suspended and bringing depth to the running back position.

Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 and missed the next four games on injured reserve.

When he returned from the hamstring injury, he wasn’t effective in the running or passing game. He had 306 yards (lowest) on 106 carries (lowest) and one touchdown (lowest). He also had 18 receptions (2nd lowest) for 62 yards (lowest).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ worst offseason acquisition: LG Matt Feiler

 Tampa Bay signed Matt Feiler to a 1-year, $2,500,000 contract with the expectation of being the starting left guard.

Feiler won the starting job and started the first six games until he suffered a knee injury in Week 7 and missed the next two games.

Aaron Stinnie took over as the starting left guard for the remainder of the season. Feiler had two penalties, zero sacks allowed, and a 54.7 PFF Grade.

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