The 2017 NFL offseason is underway, and every fan is just hoping their team finds a way to get better over these next few months. We’ve picked out one move each team could make that would make that happen…
NFC East
(USA TODAY Sports Images)
Cowboys: Turn Tony Romo into a pass rusher
Jerry Jones has already stated his desire for the Cowboys to land a “War Daddy” to play on the defensive line. There aren’t many of those available on the free agent market that make sense for the Cowboys, so dangling Romo as a trade piece might be the only way to land one.
Eagles: Get DeSean Jackson back to Philly
The Eagles need receivers, and Jackson is familiar with the system. Adding a deep threat would open up all of those short throws and screens Philly relied on during Carson Wentz’s rookie season.
Giants: Sign LB Dont’a Hightower
Linebacker has been a need for the Giants for a while now. Landing a reliable veteran like Hightower could turn this defense into an elite unit capable of carrying the team to a Super Bowl.
Redskins: Franchise tag Kirk Cousins
No need to rush into a long-term deal with Cousins, who hasn’t proven he’s capable of transcending his supporting cast. Tag him and see how he does without a star-studded receiving corps and Sean McVay calling plays. Or trade him for a first-round pick.
NFC South
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Buccaneers: Draft Michigan State’s Malik McDowell
The Bucs aren’t far off from building a great front seven, which should make the secondary’s job so much easier. McDowell is a freaky athlete who just needs some polish to develop into a dominant player.
Falcons: Sign DE Mario Addison
Dwight Freeney was a nice little stop gap, but the Falcons will need more pass rush help if they are going to defend their NFC title. Addison shouldn’t break the bank and he’s coming off his best season playing in a scheme not to different from what Dan Quinn is running in Atlanta.
Panthers: Sign Eric Berry if he hits the market
This is a bit of reach, because it’s unlikely the Chiefs let Berry hit the market. But if they do, the Panthers need to be all-in on the All-Pro safety. Carolina needs a playmaker in the secondary.
Saints: Draft a cornerback
Any cornerback will do. Delvin Breaux is a star when healthy, but the No. 2 cornerback spot just might be the biggest hole on the roster.
NFC North
(AP)
Bears: Get something in return for Jay Cutler
The Bears could easily cut Cutler and save $14 million, but they have to get more than that in return. He’s a league-average quarterback, which is a valuable asset in today’s NFL. Giving him up for nothing would be a mistake.
Lions: Sign DT Chris Baker
Baker is the most underrated defensive tackle on the free agent market and Detroit could use a lot of help on the interior of its defensive line.
Packers: Draft a running back
Ty Montgomery performed admirably after Eddie Lacy’s injury, but Green Bay needs a legit running back behind Aaron Rodgers.
Vikings: Sign a left tackle
Anyone not named Matt Kalil will do.
NFC West
AP
49ers: Trade back and draft Mike Williams
There are no quarterbacks in this class worth taking with the No. 2 pick. Trade back, collect the extra picks and take a legit No. 1 receiver in Williams.
Cardinals: Re-sign Chandler Jones
Calais Campbell is also a free agent, but Jones should be the priority. He’s younger and provides more pass rush.
Rams: Give up on Greg Robinson
Whether that means trading him to a team that thinks it can turn around his career or just drafting his replacement, the Rams can’t afford to waste any more time on Robinson.
Seahawks: Sign G Larry Warford
Anything to protect Russell Wilson. Warford is a solid guard who won’t command too much money.
AFC East
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Bills: Re-negotiate Tyrod Taylor’s deal
Taylor may not have proven he is worthy of the big contract he signed last offseason but that doesn’t mean the Bills should just let him walk. He’s a serviceable starter who can succeed with the right pieces around him.
Dolphins: Sign DE Jason Pierre-Paul
The Dolphins need an edge rusher, they have enough cap space to make this signing and Pierre-Paul is from Florida. This pairing makes a lot of sense.
Jets: Sign CB Stephon Gilmore
The Jets are desperate for help at the cornerback position and Gilmore is the best one on the free agent market. An inconsistent 2016 season may drive his price down.
Patriots: Re-sign Martellus Bennett
The Pats need Gronk insurance. The big tight end just can’t seem to stay healthy, and this offense just isn’t the same without a dangerous tight end. When Gronk is healthy, he and Bennett are nearly impossible to defend.
AFC South
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Colts: Sign OLB Melvin Ingram
What a novel concept: Chasing young defensive talent in free agency rather than the dinosaurs Indy seemed to love under former GM Ryan Grigson.
Jaguars: Draft LSU’s Jamal Adams
Jalen Ramsey is a star. Now the Jaguars need to solidify their secondary by adding another stud to the backend of its defense.
Texans: Draft a starting right tackle
Duane Brown is getting up there in age, but he’s still a good left tackle. The Texans need help on the right side for now. Draft Brown’s eventual replacement and slot him in at right tackle in the meantime.
Titans: Draft Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey
The Titans owned one of the worst pass defenses in the league, mostly due to the dearth of talent they have at the cornerback position. Tennessee has two picks in the first round, and both should be used on the secondary.
AFC North
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Bengals: Re-sign Andrew Whitworth
The Bengals offensive line was not good in 2016, but it wasn’t Whitworth’s fault. Parting ways with the veteran would do nothing to solve the team’s offensive issues.
Browns: Draft Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett
It’s still way too early in Cleveland’s re-build for them to be desperately looking for a quarterback. Build the rest of the team up first and the quarterback’s job will be so much easier.
Ravens: Sign CB Prince Amukamara
If Jimmy Smith is healthy, the Ravens could have one of the better secondaries in the league with a solid No. 2 corner. Amukamara fits that bill and shouldn’t cost Baltimore too much money.
Steelers: Sign Le’Veon Bell to a four-year deal
Why mess around with the franchise tag? Bell is the most important player on Pittsburgh’s offense. A four-year deal makes the most sense. He’ll be 29 by the end of it. That’s when running backs — especially backs that rely on explosiveness as much as Bell does — start to decline.
AFC West
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Broncos: Trade for Tony Romo
Losing Wade Phillips may hurt this defense more than we realize, but it still figures to be very good. Competent quarterback play will get Denver back into the playoffs, at the very least. And Romo, if healthy, is more than competent.
Chargers: Re-sign Melvin Ingram
The Chargers defense can be special but not without Ingram wreaking havoc off the edge. He and Joey Bosa would form quite the pass-rush duo for years to come.
Chiefs: Give Eric Berry a long-term deal
Stop messing around, Kansas City. Give Berry the contract he deserves.
Raiders: Draft LSU’s Tre’Davious White
The Raiders finished 25th in pass defense DVOA, and secondary depth is the biggest reason why. White is a versatile corner who can play in the slot or on the outside.
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