Welcome to the first installment of the worst offseason acquisition series. This series reviews each division’s worst acquisitions 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.
These players are also judged based on their contracts and expectations for the 2023 season.
Buffalo Bills’ worst offseason acquisition: WR Trent Sherfield
Buffalo signed Trent Sherfield to a 1-year, $1,770,000 contract with the expectation of being the starting slot receiver and utilizing his run-blocking skills, as he is one of the best run-blocking wide receivers in the league.
Unfortunately, Sherfield lost the starting slot receiver job to Khalil Shakir and didn’t help in the passing game, recording 11 receptions on 22 targets for 86 yards (1 TD) and 34% of offensive snaps.
Miami Dolphins’ worst offseason acquisition: WR Robbie Chosen
Miami signed Robbie Chosen to a 1-year, $1,317,500 contract with the expectation of him potentially being the number-three receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Miami released Chosen during roster cuts and later signed to their practice squad. He was promoted to their active roster on September 30 and played in their next four games. He was released on November 16 but signed back to the active roster on November 21. He was a healthy scratch for Weeks 9, 12, 13, 14, and the Wild Card round. He finished the 2023 season with four receptions on six targets for 126 yards (1 TD).
New England Patriots’ worst offseason acquisition: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
New England signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to a 3-year, $25,500,000 contract with the expectation of replacing Jakobi Meyers as the number-one receiver.
Smith-Schuster suffered a concussion in Week 5 and missed Weeks 6-7, which resulted in him losing the starting slot receiver position to Demario Douglas. Kendrick Bourne’s ACL tear allowed Smith-Schuster to start on the outside. Unfortunately, Smith-Schuster suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 14. Smith-Schuster had 29 receptions on 47 targets for 260 yards (1 TD).
New York Jets’ worst offseason acquisition: RB Dalvin Cook
New York signed Dalvin Cook to a 1-year, $7,000,000 contract with the expectation of being a complement to Breece Hall.
Cook first season with New York didn’t end well because of the limited role he played in the offense. Eventually, his role diminished, and they mutually agreed to part ways before Week 18. Cook had 214 yards on 67 carries and 15 receptions on 20 targets for 78 yards.
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