Immediate Impacts
By: Tanner Price
In less than a week, the entire NFL has changed. With the new league year, trades and free agent signings can begin. Teams hope that the moves they make will put them over the top and hopefully bring a Lombardi to their fanbase. Here are the top 5 most impactful moves of the new league year so far.
Note: Aaron Rodgers trade to the Jets is not official yet so it is not on this list.
- Allen Lazard to the New York Jets
The Jets now have a great WR duo adding former Packers receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard has played with Aaron Rodgers his entire career and it looks like that may continue. Lazard joins 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson in the receivers room. The rise of the Jets is upon us.
- Derek Carr to the New Orleans Saints
The Saints are in a very weird position. They have good young talent but are nowhere close to contending. They also have not had a proven quarterback since Drew Brees retired. Using the carousel of Jameis Winston and the dual QB/TE Taysom Hill did not bring much success. But by bringing in Carr, they add a veteran whose career is reflective of the team itself. Always good, but not great. Pairing him with standout sophomore Chris Olave should do wonders for this team’s offense. The Saints also paired Carr with former Lions RB Jamaal Williams, which could signify they are moving on from Alvin Kamara. They still need pieces to compete for a championship, but expect big things down in the bayou this year.
- Darren Waller to the New York Giants
The Giants made the playoffs last year off the backs of Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, and a WR/TE room that defied expectations. Well it just got a huge name. The Giants landed Raiders TE Darren Waller. Waller will add size and talent to the G-Men. Daniel Jones finally has that big time pass catcher so we will see if Waller helps Jones live up to the contract he just received.
- DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears
This was a result of the best trade for both sides of the deal. The Chicago Bears traded pick number one of this year’s draft to the Panthers. The Panthers gave back a 2023 first round pick, 2023 second round pick, 2024 first and 2023 first and WR D.J. Moore. Moore gives Justin Fields the WR1 he has not had in his career. This deal may not make an immediate impact like the Bears making a deep playoff run. But in a couple years this may be a move we look back on that leads to great things.
- Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins
The AFC East is going to be a battle this year. The Jets and Dolphins are getting better, and the Bills are not slowing down. The Patriots always find a way to be good as well. But I’m not sure anyone will be able to get past the Dolphins secondary. The Dolphins traded Jalen Ramsey, a six time pro bowl cornerback. Ramsey is now paired with Xavien Howard to create a deadly cornerbacks room. The only question is the health of Tua Tagovailoa, but Miami signed Mike White to back him up. Anyone with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle is bound to succeed, and it looks to be a scorching hot season under the Miami sun for the ‘Fins this year.
The 2023 season is looking like one of the craziest we’ve seen, and could be even crazier than the 2022 season. We will wait and see.
