One offseason move each NFL team must make

Looking to the start of the 2019 league year, here is one move each NFL team must make this offseason.

When Super Bowl LIII is over, the NFL will fully shift to offseason mode with the pre-draft process continuing to roll and the start of the new league year to come in March.

That means some tough decisions will be made around the league–who to cut or keep (due to salary cap concerns or otherwise), who to pursue in free agency and/or who to find a replacement for in the near or long-term.

All 32 teams have needs or issues to address, and 31 went home short of the ultimate goal. But the annual turnover in playoff teams opens the door for teams to rise quickly each year, in place of those teams who fail to meet expectations.

Be it who to draft, who to sign, who to trade (or trade for) or who to cut, here is one move each NFL team must make during the coming offseason.

Arizona Cardinals-Sign OT Trent Brown

In his first year protecting Tom Brady’s blind side after an offseason trade with the San Francisco 49ers, and with some ups and downs (12 pressures allowed; second-most among tackles), Brown was graded above average by Pro Football Focus. He had primarily played right tackle for the 49ers prior to that, and at 25 years old Brown has malleable upside as he looks to eliminate inconsistencies and take another step into the top tier of NFL left tackles.

The development of quarterback Josh Rosen is at the forefront for the Cardinals. That has to start at a basic level with protecting him better, as he was sacked 45 times in 14 games (13 starts). Those problems along the offensive line start with talent. But since Arizona spent the least cap dollars on active offensive lineman in the entire league at last year’s end, sometimes you get what you pay for even accounting for injuries.

Brown can play either tackle spot, which adds to his utility for the Cardinals. They have to do some financial maneuvering, but it shouldn’t be much trouble to make a significant dip into the free agent market for an offensive tackle.