What does your team REALLY need? (AFC East)
It has been a busy 48 hours in the NFL with all the trades, cuts, signing and retirements! But, no time for that today with the AFC East on the Godfather's agenda. Only one team made it out of this division into the playoffs and they don't even get to pick in the first round! That comes complements of everyone's favorite NFL commissioner, Rodger Goodell (said no one ever.) Then, you have the Jets that just fell short of a wild card spot. The Bills who started out hot and ended, meh. And those Miami Dolphins who haven't been to the playoffs since... Chad Pennington was their QB in 2008.
Buffalo Bills (8-8, 19th overall pick) Need: Linebackers
First off, the Bills cut long time cornerback Leodis McKelvin and former first overall pick and defensive end, Mario Williams. One, because they are switching to a new defense. Two, they need cap room and bad. They are currently one of the worst teams as far as cap space goes for the 2016 season. That being said, they aren't going to go out and drop serious coin on free agents. But, they don't have to. There are two vets that would fit nicely into a linebacker core that is about to lose Nigel Bradham to FA. Former Rams LB Mark Barron, who was drafted as a safety. He is a good fix in a LB squad that doesn't exactly shine in the stats column. In fact after Preston Brown, who leads Buffalo in tackles, there are a ton of corners and safeties that come before the next LB at 8th overall (Manny Lawson.) The other option would be hardened 10 year veteran Stephen Tulloch. Who, at the age of 30, still netted 74 tackles and one sack. In the draft there are a lot of solid LB options. However, the Bills don't pick until 19th overall and some of the more noteworthy backers will be gone by then. So, lets take a look at Noah Spence out of Eastern Kentucky (and Ohio State.) He would make a great outside linebacker/defensive end in Rob Ryan's defense. His senior year Spence had 22.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He can help make a immediate impact on a team where they kinda need to win via the defense.
New England Patriots (12-4, no first round pick) Need: RB/WR
Since they don't have a first rounder I will go more in depth on who they can score in the free agent market. Lets start off with the fact that (love him or hate him) Pats head coach Bill Belichick does wonders with NFL vets toward the end of their playing days. And, lucky for New England there are a few backs and receivers that could contribute right away and fit that mold. Former Bears RB Matt Forte would make sense. He is coming off season where he netted 1,282 yards of total offense and 7TD and doesn't warrant a long or overly expensive deal. Also, the Pats, despite what people think about them, offer something a lot of teams can't... the highest chance of being in the playoffs and making a run year in and year out. A gamble would be Arian Foster from the Texans. He is good, no great, at getting hurt. But, when he is actually on the field he can make a huge impact via big plays. He also fits that Pats' mold because that organization cuts and trades players like nothing. If he gets hurt or underachieves he will be back on the market again before he blinks. As far as receivers go, tell me you can't see Anquan Boldin playing out his last year or two in sliver and blue? He had 789yd receiving yards and 4TD in 2015 on a Ravens' squad that was an absolute... absolute... lets say 'CF.' Lastly, Jermaine Kearse from Seattle is what Belichick loves, an all around player that can catch, block and play special teams. Any of these guys could help bolster a Patriots team that was a few plays away from yet another Super Bowl berth.
New York Jets (10-6, 20th overall pick) Need: RB/QB
I don't know where to start... Free agency officially starts tomorrow and the Jets' starting quarterback and running back are BOTH sought after FA! QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and RB Chris Ivory accounted for a total 5,462yds (rushing/passing) and 43TD last season. So, lets just say that is the bulk of that 2015 Chan Gailey offense. Now, lets assume they don't sign either (WHY?!) they would need starters immediately. And no, sorry Geno Smith put your cap back on and go pick that clipboard. If they do sign a FA RB, Doug Martin of Tampa Bay would be an easy solution. Martin was second in rushing yards last season and is a good back when it comes to blocking and picking up the blitz. And in this division you need that kind of a back. As far as quarterbacks go only non-laughable choice is Denver's Brock Osweiler. The Broncos have offered Osweiler three years and up to 45mil but he is still going to test the FA market. After him... Robert Griffin III, Jimmy Clausen... you get the picture. So, if Fitz doesn't resign and they need to draft a QB the Jets maybe in trouble. At 20th overall spot Jared Goff and Carson Wentz will be long gone. Meaning guys like Kevin Hogan of Stanford or Paxton Lynch of Memphis will still be there but both would be insane reaches at this point. Running back? I could see them gladly taking Alabama RB and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. He is what the Jets need which is a big bruising back that can block.
Miami Dolphins (6-10, 8th overall pick) Need: Anyone on offense
The Fins just made the news in the last 24hrs trading picks to the Eagles for linebacker Kiko Alonso and cornerback Byron Maxwell. But, in free agency and in the draft Miami has to put some sizzle in an otherwise stagnant offense. Middle of the pack in rushing and passing. Only top ten stat? Sacks allowed, where the Dolphins tie at 8th with 45. Nice. The only bright spot is receiver Jarvis Landry who had 1,157yds and 4TD in 2015. QB Ryan Tannehill had the most mediocre season throwing 24TD and 12INT zzzz..... And lets not forget their rushing and pass catching threat of a running back, Lamar Miller, is going to be a free agent. So, where does that leave Miami in FA? Blogs and reports all point to Chris Ivory; which, really isn't an upgrade. And they don't have the cap space to go after Doug Martin. That leaves Matt Forte and Arian Foster, both of which I can't see them signing. Any bright spots in the draft? Lucky for the Fins they get to pick early at the 8 spot. If they go offensive line. Good move. If they go RB. Great move. I can even see them taking Ole Miss receiver Laquan Treadwell. This guy led the SEC in receiving as well as having a solid career at Ole Miss. Treadwell ended his career at Ole Miss on a lot of the all-time lists. He was second in school history with 196 career receptions, fourth with 2,322 receiving yards, fourth with 18 TD catches and tied for second with nine career 100-yard receiving games (www.olemisssports.com) Why not? Anything would be an upgrade at this point.
Who is on deck for tomorrow? Why, the AFC East!
Stats, facts and figures: olemisssports.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, CBSSports.com
Buffalo Bills (8-8, 19th overall pick) Need: Linebackers
First off, the Bills cut long time cornerback Leodis McKelvin and former first overall pick and defensive end, Mario Williams. One, because they are switching to a new defense. Two, they need cap room and bad. They are currently one of the worst teams as far as cap space goes for the 2016 season. That being said, they aren't going to go out and drop serious coin on free agents. But, they don't have to. There are two vets that would fit nicely into a linebacker core that is about to lose Nigel Bradham to FA. Former Rams LB Mark Barron, who was drafted as a safety. He is a good fix in a LB squad that doesn't exactly shine in the stats column. In fact after Preston Brown, who leads Buffalo in tackles, there are a ton of corners and safeties that come before the next LB at 8th overall (Manny Lawson.) The other option would be hardened 10 year veteran Stephen Tulloch. Who, at the age of 30, still netted 74 tackles and one sack. In the draft there are a lot of solid LB options. However, the Bills don't pick until 19th overall and some of the more noteworthy backers will be gone by then. So, lets take a look at Noah Spence out of Eastern Kentucky (and Ohio State.) He would make a great outside linebacker/defensive end in Rob Ryan's defense. His senior year Spence had 22.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He can help make a immediate impact on a team where they kinda need to win via the defense.
New England Patriots (12-4, no first round pick) Need: RB/WR
Since they don't have a first rounder I will go more in depth on who they can score in the free agent market. Lets start off with the fact that (love him or hate him) Pats head coach Bill Belichick does wonders with NFL vets toward the end of their playing days. And, lucky for New England there are a few backs and receivers that could contribute right away and fit that mold. Former Bears RB Matt Forte would make sense. He is coming off season where he netted 1,282 yards of total offense and 7TD and doesn't warrant a long or overly expensive deal. Also, the Pats, despite what people think about them, offer something a lot of teams can't... the highest chance of being in the playoffs and making a run year in and year out. A gamble would be Arian Foster from the Texans. He is good, no great, at getting hurt. But, when he is actually on the field he can make a huge impact via big plays. He also fits that Pats' mold because that organization cuts and trades players like nothing. If he gets hurt or underachieves he will be back on the market again before he blinks. As far as receivers go, tell me you can't see Anquan Boldin playing out his last year or two in sliver and blue? He had 789yd receiving yards and 4TD in 2015 on a Ravens' squad that was an absolute... absolute... lets say 'CF.' Lastly, Jermaine Kearse from Seattle is what Belichick loves, an all around player that can catch, block and play special teams. Any of these guys could help bolster a Patriots team that was a few plays away from yet another Super Bowl berth.
New York Jets (10-6, 20th overall pick) Need: RB/QB
I don't know where to start... Free agency officially starts tomorrow and the Jets' starting quarterback and running back are BOTH sought after FA! QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and RB Chris Ivory accounted for a total 5,462yds (rushing/passing) and 43TD last season. So, lets just say that is the bulk of that 2015 Chan Gailey offense. Now, lets assume they don't sign either (WHY?!) they would need starters immediately. And no, sorry Geno Smith put your cap back on and go pick that clipboard. If they do sign a FA RB, Doug Martin of Tampa Bay would be an easy solution. Martin was second in rushing yards last season and is a good back when it comes to blocking and picking up the blitz. And in this division you need that kind of a back. As far as quarterbacks go only non-laughable choice is Denver's Brock Osweiler. The Broncos have offered Osweiler three years and up to 45mil but he is still going to test the FA market. After him... Robert Griffin III, Jimmy Clausen... you get the picture. So, if Fitz doesn't resign and they need to draft a QB the Jets maybe in trouble. At 20th overall spot Jared Goff and Carson Wentz will be long gone. Meaning guys like Kevin Hogan of Stanford or Paxton Lynch of Memphis will still be there but both would be insane reaches at this point. Running back? I could see them gladly taking Alabama RB and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. He is what the Jets need which is a big bruising back that can block.
Miami Dolphins (6-10, 8th overall pick) Need: Anyone on offense
The Fins just made the news in the last 24hrs trading picks to the Eagles for linebacker Kiko Alonso and cornerback Byron Maxwell. But, in free agency and in the draft Miami has to put some sizzle in an otherwise stagnant offense. Middle of the pack in rushing and passing. Only top ten stat? Sacks allowed, where the Dolphins tie at 8th with 45. Nice. The only bright spot is receiver Jarvis Landry who had 1,157yds and 4TD in 2015. QB Ryan Tannehill had the most mediocre season throwing 24TD and 12INT zzzz..... And lets not forget their rushing and pass catching threat of a running back, Lamar Miller, is going to be a free agent. So, where does that leave Miami in FA? Blogs and reports all point to Chris Ivory; which, really isn't an upgrade. And they don't have the cap space to go after Doug Martin. That leaves Matt Forte and Arian Foster, both of which I can't see them signing. Any bright spots in the draft? Lucky for the Fins they get to pick early at the 8 spot. If they go offensive line. Good move. If they go RB. Great move. I can even see them taking Ole Miss receiver Laquan Treadwell. This guy led the SEC in receiving as well as having a solid career at Ole Miss. Treadwell ended his career at Ole Miss on a lot of the all-time lists. He was second in school history with 196 career receptions, fourth with 2,322 receiving yards, fourth with 18 TD catches and tied for second with nine career 100-yard receiving games (www.olemisssports.com) Why not? Anything would be an upgrade at this point.
Who is on deck for tomorrow? Why, the AFC East!
Stats, facts and figures: olemisssports.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, CBSSports.com
Comments
Post a Comment