The pickings are now slim when it comes to free agency and the NFL draft is in the rear view mirror. What five teams have enjoyed a good 2019 to date?
It’s that time of the year when many pass out grades for how NFL teams did during the three-day draft process. It’s also a time to evaluate how all 32 clubs have done in general when it comes to the last few months.
From signing available veterans, making trades and releasing players to supplementing the draft with rookie free agents. There’s a lot of work that goes into building a roster in the National Football League.
While it’s hardly scientific and certainly not based on which team brought in the most players – and in turn lost the least – here’s a look at five franchises that stood out more than others when it came to being successful when it came to make improvement. Will it pay off this fall? Only time will tell. But it would certainly not be for a lack of trying.
5. Green Bay Packers
As has been the case for many years, the Green Bay Packers are not a team that usually goes out and spends their share of money during free agency. More times than not, the organization has relied on the draft process. But in recent years, that aspect as failed them more than once and the team has been unable to find the Midas touch in terms of adding talent. Hence one reason that over a year ago, Ted Thompson was relieved of his general manager duties.
Hence the Packers and Brian Gutekunst, in his second year as Thompson’s replacement, opened up the checkbook and added a trio of standout defenders to a unit that has struggled in many regards in recent seasons.
The additions of outside linebackers Preston Smith (Washington Redskins) and Za’Darius Smith (Baltimore Ravens) should aid Mike Pettine’s defense in a big way, especially when it comes to the pass rush. Adding safety Adrian Amos was a plus as well, especially given the fact that the club signed him away from the defending NFC North champion Chicago Bears. The club also added another body on a struggling offensive line in the form of guard Billy Turner, late of the Denver Broncos.
In the draft, the onus was on defense once again. For the third consecutive year, the Packers used their first two picks on this side of the football. Only this time around, the team had a pair a first-round selections and use them on defensive end Rashan Gary (Michigan) and safety Darnell Savage (Maryland).
There’s a lot for new head coach Matt LaFleur to work with here. And if the Green Bay offense can establish a running game to compliment quarterback Aaron Rodgers, this becomes a formidable team.
Next: No. 4
4. Buffalo Bills
It would be extremely easy to get caught up in the numbers for the Buffalo Bills in terms of offseason veteran additions, as well as draft choices. But the key here is that general manager Brandon Beane addressed the two areas that the club needed the most help – the offensive and defensive lines.
A year ago, Sean McDermott’s team finished ninth in the NFL in rushing yards per game. But it was then-rookie quarterback Josh Allen who paced the club with 631 yards on the ground, due mainly to the fact that he was running for his life behind a porous front. Defensively, the club continues to struggle when it comes to stopping the run. And this offseason, six-time Pro Bowler Kyle Williams announced his retirement after 13 NFL seasons.
In terms of the offensive front, Beane’s offseason free-agent haul included guards Spencer Long, Quinton Spain and Jon Feliciano, center Mitch Morse and tackles Ty Nsekhe and LaAdrian Waddle. In the draft, the team used a second-round draft choice on University of Oklahoma tackle Cody Ford. On the other side of the ball, the Bills utilized the ninth overall selection in April on highly-regarded University of Houston defensive tackle at Oliver. He’s expected to team inside with Star Lotulelei, with the duo flanked by ends Trent Murphy and Jerry Hughes.
The club also added some other vital pieces, such as deep threat John Brown, fellow wideout Cole Beasley, former Cincinnati Bengals’ tight end Tyler Kroft and the running back duo of ageless Frank Gore and talented T.J. Yeldon. There’s also new pieces on defense as well, including cornerbacks Kevin Johnson and E.J. Gaines, the latter with the team in 2017.
Obviously, there’s plenty to process here. But the bottom line is that McDermott’s club should be much-improved in the trenches. And that should go a long way to being a better football team in 2019.
Next: No. 3
3. Philadelphia Eagles
It’s been a busy offseason for a team not far removed from a Super Bowl title. But the fact is that one season after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, the Philadelphia Eagles struggled to find consistency in 2018. The club managed to reach the playoffs despite a 4-6 start thanks to winning five of their final six contests. There was a wild card win at Chicago but the Birds squandered a 14-0 first-quarter lead at New Orleans on the way to a 20-14 loss in the divisional round.
Quarterback Carson Wentz’s health has been the topic of much discussion in the City of Brotherly Love. But the team had other issues this past season. The running game slumped from third in the league in 2017 to 28th a year later. The defense was inconsistent and tailed off a bit as well. Hence general manager Howie Roseman got busy this offseason and it appears he’s done quite the job improving the roster.
In terms of the ground attack, the Eagles traded for Chicago Bears’ running back Jordan Howard, who could be a workhorse if needed. Roseman also used a second-round pick last month on former Penn State standout Miles Sanders. The team’s passing attack should benefit from the return of wideout DeSean Jackson, back with the organization (via trade) for a second time. On the other side of the ball, the linebacking corps added solid performers in L.J. Fort and veteran Zach Brown.
But it was the defensive line that arguably received the biggest boost. The Eagles added defensive tackle Malik Jackson after he was cut loose by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Likewise end Vinny Curry, who was cut loose by Philadelphia last offseason but is now returning to the franchise. And Roseman sent a seventh-round pick to the Colts in April for defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway.
All told, Doug Pederson’s team looks fortified in the areas that played a big part in the club’s championship campaign of 2017.
Next: No. 2
2. Los Angeles Chargers
There are some that have made the case that from top to bottom, this could be the most talented roster in the entire league. And judging by the performance of this club over the past two seasons and the obstacles it has overcome in the process, there’s certainly evidence to support that claim.
Under head coach Anthony Lynn, the Los Angeles Chargers are 21-7 in their last 28 regular season contests since opening 0-4 during his debut season with the organization in 2017. The team reached the playoffs this past season for the first time since ’13 and knocked off the Ravens in Baltimore in the wild card round before succumbing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots one week later in the divisional round.
This offseason, the club added veteran outside linebacker Thomas Davis, who was not re-signed by the Carolina Panthers. The Bolts signed journeyman quarterback Tyrod Taylor to back up Philip Rivers. And during the three-day draft process, general manager Tom Telesco made seven selections – one in each round – and all with the team’s original picks. In other words, no trading up or down.
This offseason, the losses were minimal. Safety Jahleel Addae was released and recently signed with the Houston Texans). Wide receiver Tyrell Williams signed with the rival Raiders and oft-injured cornerback Jason Verrett left for San Francisco. While Brandon Mebane was re-signed, rookies such as defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and safety Nasir Adderley could be immediate contributors. Simply put, Telesco took care of a very talented team’s business.
Next: No. 1
1. Indianapolis Colts
Very much like the aforementioned Chargers, a team that won nine of its last 10 regular-season games a year ago didn’t go overboard when it came to acquiring veteran talent. But the moves made by Indianapolis Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard this offseason were solid. And he complimented those additions with another draft that by all accounts addressed the team’s various needs.
Perhaps more importantly, Ballard did a superior job of bringing back players the colts wanted to retain. Defensive tackle Margus Hunt, safety Clayton Geathers and cornerback Pierre Desir were all eligible to hit free agency and the Colts managed to retain all three performers, as well as backup tackle J’Marcus Webb.
In terms of free agency, the additions were few but substantial. The club added wide receiver Devin Funchess (Carolina Panthers) and safety Derrick Kindred (Cleveland Browns), as well as a pair of former Kansas City Chiefs in pass-rusher Justin Houston and running back Spencer Ware.
During the draft, the highly-regarded executive did what he’s done the last few years. And that’s obtain extra second-round selections. This time, the Colts traded with the Washington Redskins, who came up and took pass-rusher Montez Sweat late in the first round. Combined with last year’s deal with the New York Jets, Indianapolis wound up with three picks in the 2nd round and used them to obtain cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2-Temple), linebacker Ben Banogu (2b-TCU) and wide receiver Parris Campbell (2c-Ohio State). And the Colts now have an extra second-round pick in 2020 as well.
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With quarterback Andrew Luck at the helm, Frank Reich’s club overcame a slow start this past season and brings in a lot of momentum into this year. Ballard has done a masterful job rebuilding the club. And the Colts bear very serious watching in ’19 thanks to the work done by the organization the last few months.