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NFL Offseason Hits and Misses: Standout Signings and Struggling Newcomers
14 Nov
Summary
- Nick Bosa's dominant pass rush boosts Bills' defense
- Rico Dowdle's breakout season with Panthers
- Cornerback Stokes' surprising turnaround with Raiders

The 2025 NFL offseason has been a mixed bag, with some teams finding great success in their new acquisitions and others struggling to integrate their new players.
One of the biggest success stories is Nick Bosa's move from the Chargers to the Bills. Bosa, who was coming off a Pro Bowl season but had struggled with injuries in recent years, has been a dominant force for the Bills' defense. As of November 14, 2025, he leads the league in pressure rate and has already forced four fumbles.
Another standout performer is Rico Dowdle, who was traded from the Steelers to the Panthers. Dowdle has been a revelation in Carolina, ranking third in the NFL in rush yards over expected per attempt and fourth in defense-adjusted yards above replacement. He has essentially supplanted the previously promising Chuba Hubbard as the Panthers' lead back.
The Raiders have also found a gem in cornerback Stokes, who was acquired from the Packers. After struggling in Green Bay, Stokes has turned things around in Las Vegas, ranking fourth in the league in coverage DVOA.
However, not all offseason moves have panned out. Tight end Jonnu Smith, who joined the Steelers after a Pro Bowl season with the Dolphins, has been a major disappointment, with just 26 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns so far this year.
As the 2025 season progresses, teams will be closely monitoring the performance of their new additions, hoping to find more success stories like Bosa, Dowdle, and Stokes.




