Eight Veteran Acquisitions That Will Impact The 2024 NFL Playoff Race

With the NFL season now less than two weeks away, these eight veteran acquisitions are important to remember, as they will likely impact the NFL playoff race.

The right move at the right time can put a team over the top into a playoff spot and result in a Super Bowl trip. Everyone remembers the biggest examples like Tom Brady going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A player of Tom Brady’s caliber was not on the free agent or trade market, as is usually the case. But, these eight players could help put a team meet their goals this year, whether that’s a playoff appearance or a deep playoff run.

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Saquon Barkley had flashes of brilliance with the New York Giants after they made him the second-overall pick in 2018. But, between great seasons which included a rookie year with 2000 yards from scrimmage were years ruined by injury and poor production in a terrible Giants offense. Now, arguably the league’s most naturally talented running back will play in front of a great offensive line for the first time in his football life. The sky is the limit for a loaded Eagles offense that adds a dynamic player like Saquon Barkley.

Barkley signed a 3-year, $37.75 million deal.

Tyron Smith, OT, New York Jets

Tyron Smith may be headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his career is done, but the five-time All-Pro is headed to the Jets to help keep Aaron Rodgers upright as he recovers from a torn Achilles suffered on the team’s first drive last season.

If Rodgers stays healthy, the Jets are probably a playoff team. For Rodgers to stay healthy, the oft-injured Tyron Smith probably needs to stay healthy, too.

DJ Reader, DT, Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are, maybe for the first team in their franchise’s history, in a Super Bowl-or-bust season. Enter DJ Reader. The veteran defensive tackle is one of the NFL’s best at the position. He’s always pushing the pocket from the inside and that’s only going to help Lions star defensive end Aiden Hutchinson get home more.

The Lions and Reader agreed to a two-year, $21 million deal.

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

Jeudy, a former first-round pick out of Alabama, never became the star that many expected him to be in Denver. But, that could change in a big way this year in Cleveland. If Deshaun Watson can return to his pre-scandal form, Jeudy and Amari Cooper could form one of the best duos at wide receiver in the NFL.

The Browns gave up a 5th and 6th round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to acquire Jeudy.

Patrick Queen, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

For decades it seemed like the Pittsburgh Steelers had studs at off-ball linebacker. But, they haven’t been able to plug that position with quality play since the career-ending injury to Ryan Shazier. Former Baltimore Raven Patrick Queen should turn middle linebacker into a strength.

Queen agreed to a 3-year, $41 million deal with the Steelers.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Don’t let Minnesota’s record last year in Kirk Cousins’ starts fool you. The veteran was playing MVP-caliber football last year before an Achilles tear ended his season. It remains to be seen how effective he will be recovering from that serious of an injury at 36. But, if he is effective, a loaded Falcons offense could turn into one of the league’s very best.

Cousins signed a 4-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons this offseason.

Leonard Floyd, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers came oh-so-close to winning a Super Bowl last year. But, they were unable to get to Patrick Mahomes in the second half of last year’s Super Bowl defeat. Adding a steady veteran pass-rusher like Leonard Floyd opposite Nick Bosa may do the trick. Floyd had 10.5 sacks last year for the Bills, and has had at least nine in four straight seasons.

Floyd signed a 2-year, $20 million deal with the 49ers.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans

The perennial Pro Bowler had a great start to last season, but his production fell off considerably as the year went on. Now, he’s a Houston Texan, and goes from one good quarterback situation to another. The question is if that limited production was due to injury or if it was a regression of a player that is now 30.

The Bills received a 2025 2nd-round pick for shipping Stefon Diggs off.