What Should We Do? One Move for Each Team to Make this Off-Season
Well, that's a wrap for 20 teams this year. The Browns were the worst team as to be expected. The Cardinals and Bengals look like they fell off of a cliff. And Aaron Rodgers led the Packers back to the playoffs after a dismal first half of the year.
For these teams, it is time to look to the future. This means getting it right in free agency and owning the draft. For the Titans and Browns, this will be crucial to their future success because they have two picks in the top 20.
So now, let's take a look at each team and the best possible move they can make. We will do this in their draft order.
Cleveland Browns
Use both First Round picks on defense
The Browns are a mess from top to bottom. They need to start reconstructing their team on one side and not try to balance it out. Cleveland was smart to draft two defensive linemen in Carl Nassib and Emmanuel Ogbah, but they need to make another splash on that side of the ball. Grabbing Jonathan Allen with the first pick and playing him at tackle would be a go good start. For the pick at 12, they will want to address the secondary. Looking to Ohio State Safety Malik Hooker or Alabama Corner Marlon Humphrey for this pick.
San Francisco 49ers
Get a Head Coach and hold on to him for more than a year
The 49ers will be on their fourth head coach in as many years. No team can have that quick of a turn around in one season under a new coach, especially with all of the problems the 49ers have. The organization was right to fire the General Manager after failing to make any progress in the post-Harbaugh era. They need to get someone that will make them a winning culture once again.
Chicago Bears
Trade for A.J. McCarron
Cutler is out, we all know it by now. But this isn't the Matt Barkley show. The Bears need a quarterback who knows what it's like to win. Why not a former Alabama player in A.J. McCarron. He played well for the Bengals when Dalton went out two years ago and has sat on the bench ever since. He deserves a shot to start. The Bears should cut ties with Cutler and trade for McCarron. It may take a few years to get back to the playoffs, but Chicago has a lot it needs to work on.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Play the Draft, not Free Agency
The Jags have owned the past two years of free agency signing big contracts with Malik Jackson and Julius Thomas in the process. But they cannot afford to sign now. Jacksonville is coming to a crossroads where they need to make decisions about who on their roster is worth the rest of their cap space. If they were to sign anyone else, they may not be able to keep key pieces like wide out Allen Robinson or linebacker Telvin Smith. These two are cornerstones of the future for the Jags. Bortles? Let's wait one more season.
Los Angeles Rams (Ranked here, but pick belongs to Tennessee)
Sign OG Ronald Leary and ditch Greg Robinson
The Rams offensive line has been a wreck the past few years. It's amazing Todd Gurly had the season he did in 2015. With no first round pick for the forseeable future, the Rams need to get blue chip players in free agency. Ronald Leary would greatly help on the inside for protection and blocking. As a part of the Dallas offensive line, he brings a mindset and physicality that the Rams need upfront. Robinson has been a hazard ever since getting drafted second overall in 2014. It's time to cut him loose.
New York Jets
Pick a Quarterback to play for 2017, let it be known early, and play him all 16 games
Too many teams are in a "we need to win now" phase. The Jets are not a team that can win now. They need some help. They'll get it in the form of a healthy Eric Decker for next year and high first round pick. But the problem starts with the play caller. New York needs to decide who to keep of their four quarterbacks. Ryan Fitzpatrick will more than likely retire. Geno Smith will likely be cut. This leaves Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenburg on the depth chart. Don't be surprised if they draft a quarterback for the third time in as many years.
San Diego Chargers
Find a healthy receiver
The story of San Diego the past few years has been how long will Keenan Allen stay healthy? While they were able to make it work with Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin, they won't cut it in the long run. San Diego may want to make a statement and go after a big time free agent, but that would require them to let some people go with just over $1 million in cap room. Looking to the draft, seventh would be a little high for one of these receivers except for Mike Williams from Clemson. San Diego would be smart to wait until the second round or grab Williams here.
Carolina Panthers
Fix the Offensive Line
The Panthers need to do this at all costs. Cam Newton has little to no protection. This means the Panthers should go after linemen in the first and second round of the draft. I would suggest that they trade back and take offensive tackle Cam Robinson from Alabama. They could trade with teams looking to go after Leonard Fournette or Dalvin Cook like the Saints, Eagles, or Colts.
Cincinnati Bengals
Fire Marvin Lewis as soon as a viable candidate appears
I have never been a fan of Marvin Lewis. It's not because I don't like the Bengals or anything, it's because the Bengals are mediocre every year now. You expect this team to have a winning season and then lose in the first round of the playoffs. This accompanied by losing multiple prime time games every year needs to stop. There is a point when it isn't enough. Keep Lewis IF AND ONLY IF there is no other option for a replacement.
Buffalo Bills
Resign CB Stephon Gilmore, OT Jordan Mills, and LB Lorenzo Alexander
These three players have been some of the few bright spots for the Bills in recent years. They cannot let them slide to other teams. They have little depth at these positions and need to retain all of them if they want to compete in the coming years. Gilmore and Mills are finishing up their rookie contracts, so pay them. Alexander is a bit older. This would call for a decent sum to stay since he is 33.
New Orleans Saints
Address the defense only
The Saints' defense has been the laughing stock of the NFL for awhile. They are the team you hope your best guy on fantasy plays every week. They have made strides drafting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankin last year, but they rank 27th in total defense. They need help at defensive end, corner, outside linebacker, and safety. This needs to be their key focus this off season. Players like Carl Lawson, Malik Hooker, Quincy Wilson, and Rueben Foster would be perfect for their first round choice.
Philadelphia Eagles (Pick belongs to Cleveland)
Find a top wide-out
Carson Wentz proved that he was the right pick early on, but stumbled late in the season. The main problem was that he never had a breakout receiver that could help him. Between Jordan Matthews, Nelson Aghulor, and the newly aquired Dorial Green-Beckham, none of them stepped up. The Eagles would be smart to trade one of these guys away for a second-round pick to grab Dede Westbrook from Oklahoma. There is talk of DeSean Jackson leaving Washington to come home to Philly, but we will have to wait and see if that is in the cards.
Arizona Cardinals
Find Carson Palmer's replacement
Palmer is on the wrong side of 35 and will likely leave after next season. The Cardinals should use this off-season to find possible replacements for him. If they want to spend a first round pick on a quarterback, DeShone Kizer from Notre Dame would be best for the team. If they wanted to wait and address some other problems, they could wait and draft Chad Kelly from Ole Miss. Both would fit Bruce Arians' system well.
Minnesota Vikings (Pick belongs to Philadelphia)
Find Adrian Peterson's replacement
Peterson got hurt again this season and will likely play his final games next year. Without a first round pick, it is hard for the Vikings to grab a player like Fournette or Cook. They have two options: draft Semaje Perine or sign someone in free agency. Perine will likely fall to the second round after Fournette, Cook, and Dont'a Foreman go. Options for free agency would be LeGarrette Blount, Darren McFadden, and Eddy Lacy (Depending on what the Packers do with him).
Indianapolis Colts
Build the front seven
The Colts are another team that has a defense that needs help. Ranked 30th overall, they need to stop the run. There are many pass rushers available in free agency so I would grab someone like Jabaal Sheard and then draft a linebacker like Tim Williams. Either way, they need to address the dismal excuse for a defense, even thought they are in the worst division offensively.
Baltimore Ravens
Address the offensive line
The Ravens have the 28th ranked rushing attack in the NFL this season. The addition of Ronnie Stanley did help when replacing Kelechi Osemele, but they need a better interior linemen. If you can't score, you can't win.
Washington Redskins
Sign QB Kirk Cousins to a 3-year, $42 million deal ($24 guaranteed with a 4th-year option)
Washington has a ton of cap room and needs to make the call on Cousins. If Washington doesn't sign him, he will leave. Cousins will probably want a longer contract, but I don't believe Washington is ready to commit long term. This is why they should give him over 50% of his total guaranteed along with an option.
Tennessee Titans
Address the secondary
The Titans spent a great deal of money last year grabbing offensive linemen and that payed dividends. Now they need to address the incredibly weak secondary. This should be through the draft alone though. This is a deep class defensively and the Titans shouldn't waste money on name players. Grabbing Quincy Wilson in the first and Desmond King in the second would be perfect for the team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Get a better safety
The Bucs were so close to the playoffs this year, they could taste it. Alas, twas not meant to be. But the front seven stepped up in a big way late in the season. Defensive end Noah Spence from Eastern Kentucky looks like he'll be a good piece of the defense going forward. Now it is time to look towards the back end of the defense. If Jamal Adams of drops to here, or if by some miracle, Jabrill Peppers, the Bucs should grab them in this spot.
Denver Broncos
Trade OLB Demarcus Ware for QB Tony Romo
This trade would benefit both teams. Both Trevor Seimian and Paxton Lynch need someone to learn under. With Gary Kubiak gone, the team is in desperate need of an experienced leader. Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips will likely take over and may look to get an old friend back in Denver. Both men are at the end of their careers and both are needy at the respective positions. This would give the Broncos quarterbacks some leadership and a teacher and the Cowboys would get the pass rusher they've been looking for.
Detroit Lions
Solidify the running back position
The Lions have made due with having multiple people running the ball this season as others went down to injury. With Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner, and Dwayne Washington all on the roster, a decision needs to be made. One of these guys could be a viable trade candidate for a second or third round pick. The point is that the Lions need to pick someone and stay with him.
Miami Dolphins
Make a Decision on Ryan Tannehill
The Dolphins made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Tannehill's injury kept him out of the final few games where Matt Moore helped solidify their spot in the post-season. With Tannehill's guaranteed money gone, Miami needs to decide what they will do with him. Keep him on? Adjust his pay? Cut him entirely? Tannehill had a career season and we will likely see him still suiting up and starting for Miami next season (Barring Matt Moore leading the Dolphins to the Super Bowl).
New York Giants
Grab a new Left Tackle and move Ereck Flowers to the Right side
The Giants drafted Ereck Flowers tenth overall in 2015 in hopes that he would help stop letting pressure get to Eli Manning, forcing him to make stupid decisions with the ball. Flowers has not produced like the G-men had hoped. Now is the time to grab another good linemen. Cam Robinson from Alabama may still be available here considering many teams are taking advantage of the defense-heavy draft. This would ultimately move Flowers to right tackle and possibly move Bobby Hart (FSU Alum) to the right guard position.
Oakland Raiders
Get a secondary
Sean Smith is not working out and Karl Joseph is young. It will take some time, but they will get their feet underneath them sooner rather than later. Now would be the time to get another good corner in the mix. Considering the fluctuation of the top players at each position, the Raiders could possibly grab Florida cornerback Jalen (Not Teez) Tabor.
Houston Texans
Make J.J. Watt the Quarterback
Just Kidding...
Make Osweiler and Savage compete for starting position
Osweiler is one of the top candidates for biggest bust of the year. Right up there with Robert Griffin III and Jared Goff. With 15 touchdowns and 16 picks, Osweiler was garbage all year for Houston. So much so they had to bench him for Tom Savage. Savage was a former Pittsburgh quarterback drafted in 2014. It's not out of the question for the Texans to draft another quarterback, but these two should be the ones to duke it out in the off-season.
Green Bay Packers
Build a running back core
Good God, the Packer run game was basically non-existent the past season. Their leading rusher is a receiver! Eddy Lacy will likely be cut due to his weight gain and James Starks is injury prone. The Pack needs some new blood. Unless they trade up for someone, Green Bay could draft multiple running backs this season. Free Agency wise, they could go for veterans like Darren McFadden and Robert Turbin, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cheeseheads grabbing someone like Dont'a Foreman from Texas here and snatching James Conner from Pitt late.
Seattle Seahawks
Continue to improve the offensive line
Seattle also has problems the run game this year. C.J. Procise looks promising with Thomas Rawls at the helm. Adding that your young quarterback is mobile, management needs to get some protection for their stud. They could play the free agency, but why? Seattle looks to be a powerhouse for the next 10 years. Therefore, they need young talent that will hang around. With many linemen falling out of the first round due to the talent available for defense, the Seahawks can grab two players and have a reinvigorated run game next season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Make Le'Veon Bell's contract contingent on having no suspensions
Le'Veon Bell is one of the top three backs in the league today and there is no chance that he will leave Pittsburgh. He should have lead the NFL in yards the last few seasons if not for his suspensions. The Steelers need to address this and do it hard. Bell's contract could be somewhere in the area of 6-years $80 million. But he needs to not be suspended for the beginning of every season. The Steelers should make an offer that outlines what Bell will make per game. If he is suspended, he doesn't see that money.
Atlanta Falcons
Resign FB Patrick DiMarco
The Falcons are in pretty good shape right now. Top scoring offense and a solid defense that could use one or two more players. But they need to keep the offense going. DiMarco may not sound like a lot, but when he's in front of Freeman or Coleman, that's an extra few yards. He's also a reliable pass catcher. They don't have to pay him a lot, but pay the man.
Kansas City Chiefs
Resign S Eric Berry and DT Dontari Poe
These two killed it this year for the Chiefs. Berry and Poe are responsible for a combine five turnovers and three touchdowns. Poe threw a touchdown. If you haven't seen it, go watch. They are young and versatile players that need to stay in KC.
Dallas Cowboys
Get a pass rusher
I sound like a broken record at this point saying that. Ever since Demarcus Ware left for Denver, the Cowboys averaged five fewer sacks a season. Dallas has yet to make many quarterback feel the pressure. Dallas should look at drafting two players right now: a dominate force on the line and an outside linebacker that can rush and play coverage. Some of the good options for Dallas would be DeMarcus Walker from Florida State or Solomon Thomas from Stanford on the line. For linebackers, they could look to a late pick of T.J. Watt, brother of J.J. Watt and Big 10 sack leader for 2016.
New England Patriots
Do not trade Jimmy Garoppolo
Garppolo is the future of the Patriots in the post-Brady era. Whether Pats fans like it or not, that day is coming soon. Belichick is a mastermind at getting players he needs for his team. There is a reason he chose Garoppolo. We saw that early this year during Tom Brady's suspension when the Eastern Illinois product threw for four touchdowns in three games, and winning all of those. The Patriots released a statement saying the price for Garoppolo is a first and fourth round pick. This should show people that they like him and it will take a lot for New England to part ways with him.
