Analyzing all 32 NFL teams after free agency signings
By Joe Romano
17- Cleveland Browns – Trade for WR Odell Beckham Jr. | DT Sheldon Richardson | RB Kareem Hunt | Trade for DE Olivier Vernon
The Giants now own this pick thanks to a trade.
General manager John Dorsey has been lights out since joining the Browns organization. The most recent move of stealing Odell Beckham for a first, third and Jabrill Peppers is a master class in how to trade in the NFL. They also drafted very well a year ago and now enter the 2019 offseason as one of the most intriguing teams. Beckham gives them a talented duo with Landry to aid Baker Mayfield into his second season.
Sheldon Richardson fills a big hole up front and takes defensive tackle off the board with their first round pick. Traded for Vernon essentially sets the defensive line rotation in place as well. Cleveland can now look at the draft’s top corners or defensive backs, the two most glaring needs on what looks like a playoff roster across the board.
18- Minnesota Vikings – Re-sign Anthony Barr
A wild ride for Minnesota. Losing Sheldon Richardson is not a big blow for a defensive line that has depth. Anthony Barr doing an about face with the Jets helps retain the strength of the group. However it will not change the Vikings draft strategy. They need to, and will, address the offensive line. Interior offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury looks like the most likely target to help protect their huge investment in Kirk Cousins made a season ago at this time.
19- Tennessee Titans – WR Adam Humphries | G Roger Saffold
A surprise of free agency was Tennessee grabbing slot receiver Adam Humphries at a hefty price tag. This likely takes the Titans out of the receiver hunt in the first round. A late push for Roger Saffold secures a starting spot in the interior of the offensive line. With their book end tackles in place, Saffold should help protect Marcus Mariota and open running lanes for their running backs. They can still look to address edge pass rusher, corner, or tight end in the first round. The priority should be an edge rusher to pair with talented former second round pick Harold Landry who they took a year ago.
20- Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Steven Nelson
No team has lost more production than the Steelers. Trading Antonio Brown and letting Le’Veon Bell go are going to be a big hit on this team. Draft-wise the Brown deal impacts more than the Bell pending free agency. The team has running backs in place. Even at receiver, they are not desperate with the emergence of Juju Smith-Schuster.
Instead look for the Steelers to add to their defense with a linebacker, corner or edge rusher in round one. Nelson gives them nothing more than a body at corner, it is still a need. They are a team that addresses needs over value more than most but those three areas are the biggest holes on the roster.
21- Seattle Seahawks –
This should come as very little shock but the Seahawks do not have the money to be big players in free agency. Losing Justin Coleman and Earl Thomas (when he eventually signs) hurts the secondary. Seattle will look at corners and safeties in the first round. They need to add talent to their secondary in a big way after these loses and it is not coming via free agency.
22- Baltimore Ravens –
It feels like every year the Ravens lose pieces off their defense but still produce as an elite unit. It might be tougher next year after the losses of Terrell Suggs, Za’Darius Smith, Eric Weddle and C.J. Mosley. Those are four of the better players at their position. Baltimore will need to get a pass rusher to replace Suggs and Smith and that could come early in the draft. Helping out Lamar Jackson with receivers and running back can also not be ruled out. Mosley and Weddle will likely be replaced by players already in house.
23- Houston Texans – S Teshaun Gipson | CB Bradley Roby
Losing Tryann Mathieu and a pair of corners is going to leave a sting. With the sining of Gipson and Roby though, the team now opens the door back up to address the biggest hole on their roster; offensive line. Protecting Deshaun Watson should be a priority that takes precedence over the defensive backfield and running back positions. Houston could be a trade back candidate for a team looking to get back into the first round and allow them to still get offensive line and defensive back help.
24- Chicago Bears – CB Buster Skrine
The Oakland Raiders own this pick but they’ve already been discussed. The Bears are set to lose defensive backs Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos. The Skrine signing softens the Callahan loss a bit. While those players are good, it does not look like it will impact the draft for Chicago. This team does not have a pick until the third round. There may be some solid players but it is unlikely the Bears find an impact starter to replace Amos there. That could be a spot where they look to land a running back, the position the team seems to be chasing in free agency.