Top offensive NFL stars shining on new teams in the 2023 season
By Kobe Norman
Wide receivers changing teams in 2023 NFL season
DJ Moore – Carolina Panthers to Chicago Bears
DJ Moore was easily the #1 player on the Panthers last year but there was literally no help. He was traded to the Bears so Carolina could acquire the #1 pick and take Bryce Young. Moore will have Justin Fields throwing to him which I think will be a good fit. I think Fields will continue to improve and having Moore as an option will definitely help him and the Bears overcome some offensive woes recently.
Odell Beckham Jr – Los Angeles Rams (21-22) to Baltimore Ravens
After winning the Super Bowl with the Rams but then becoming injured, OBJ sat out for a year and was rumored to be of interest to a lot of teams. On the other side of things, Lamar Jackson was threatening to leave Baltimore if they didn’t get him some help. The Ravens then landed Odell and it was enough to persuade Lamar to stay.
DeAndre Hopkins – Arizona Cardinals to Tennessee Titans
The Titans have added Hopkins to their roster. They weren’t the greatest last year without AJ Brown so maybe this will replace what he brought to the table, and they can get right back to the playoffs. Hopefully, it isn’t like Julio Jones when he went to Nashville. If he is like his usual self, they could get somewhere. They have to figure out which quarterback they are going to ride with for the season as I don’t know if Tannehill is really deserving.
Adam Thielen – Minnesota Vikings to Carolina Panthers
With Justin Jefferson taking over Minnesota and the Panthers losing Moore, the stars aligned for Thielen to go to Carolina. Rookie Bryce Young is looking pretty good in practice so Thielen shouldn’t be worried about that. The Panthers also picked up WR DJ Chark as you will see him on this list later. Thielen could easily be the #1 receiver for this team.
Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb – Green Bay Packers to New York Jets
Both of Aaron Rodgers’s top weapons from last season are following him to New York. This will make the transition easier and they are already familiar with each other and don’t have to start over on building chemistry. I think this is a really good move for the Jets considering they already have some pretty good weapons.
Brandin Cooks – Houston Texans to Dallas Cowboys
Brandin Cooks has been going from team to team for a while now. He has been on a really bad Texans team and it is nice to see him get out. The Cowboys already have an amazing WR core so adding Cooks makes their weapons immaculate. They did lose tight end Dalton Schultz but I don’t think that they will necessarily need him.
DJ Chark Jr – Detroit Lions to Carolina Panthers
DJ Chark Jr was pretty good on the Jaguars but not the best for the Lions. I am glad to see him get a new opportunity. The Panthers are doing an amazing job during this offseason. Maybe Thielen and Chark can even become the new Moore and Samuel.
Calvin Ridley – Atlanta Falcons to Jacksonville Jaguars
After getting suspended for a year after betting on games, Ridley was moved to Jacksonville. However, I think this is an upgrade for both Calvin himself and the Jaguars. The Jaguars made it to the playoffs last year and even won in the first round even after being down 27 points. So adding Ridley is an amazing pickup and should help them. Maybe they can even make it further.
Jakobi Meyers – New England Patriots to Las Vegas Raiders
I think Meyers is pretty underappreciated in the NFL world. He seems to only improve every year and I think he will be a really good fit in Las Vegas. He has the ability to become a leader and help the Raiders’ offense. He also is reunited with McDaniels. And former Patriot Jimmy Garopollo is throwing to him.
JuJu Smith-Schuster – Kansas City Chiefs to New England Patriots
Super Bowl Champion JuJu Smith-Schuster has decided to leave Kansas City and join New England to help them out. He is a pretty solid player that was caught up in some controversy with the Steelers. I don’t see him being the reason that the Patriots make the Playoffs but he should give them a boost. It really depends on their quarterback situation and if Mac Jones improves.