It’s a little over a week since the league’s new fiscal year began. So which NFL clubs are coming up big with their offseason moves so far?
It’s far too early to make any predictions for the 2020 NFL season. But after one week of free agency, it’s worth noting that there may be a few teams that are having better offseason than others. Hence the fun of looking at the comings and goings for all 32 teams.
And for those sticklers to detail, winning free agency also players obtained via trade. And for the record, signing the most players doesn’t mean success when it comes to these rankings.
5. Baltimore Ravens
In terms of arrivals and departures this offseason, the losses have certainly outweighed the gains for the reigning AFC North champions. Veteran safety Tony Jefferson was released, perennial Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda has retired and 2018 first-round tight end Hayden Hurst was dealt to the Atlanta Falcons.
But who general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh were able to acquire and sign earlier this month should make a significant difference for a Baltimore defense that was severely exposed in the AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens obtained veteran Calais Campbell from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fifth-round draft choice. Harbaugh’s club also obtained former Los Angeles Rams’ first-round pick Michael Brockers to bolster the defensive front as well.
As usual, the franchise will bolster the entire roster via the draft. But that’s quite the formidable punch that the team has added in the defensive trenches.
Next: No. 4
4. Arizona Cardinals
It was one of the more astounding trades in recent league annals. Was Houston Texans’ wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on the market? Nevertheless, he’s now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, a team under head coach Kliff Kingsbury and led at quarterback by 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray. General manager Steve Keim obtained the All-Pro performer and an fourth-round pick in April for running back David Johnson, a second-round selection next month and 2021 fourth-round choice.
Of course, the real issue for a team that finished 5-10-1 this past season and dead last in the NFC West for the second straight year was on defense. No team in the NFL gave up more total yards than Arizona in ‘19. The Cardinals also surrendered the second-most passing yards in the league along with an NFL-high 38 scores through the air. Vance Joseph’s unit was abused underneath as the club gave up 16 TD tosses to tight ends alone.
While outside linebacker Chandler Jones totaled an impressive 19 sacks, the rest of the roster combined for 21 QB traps. That figures to change a bit with the addition of talented interior presence Jordan Phillips, who finally lived up to promise. In his second season with the Bills, the former Miami Dolphins’ second-round pick came up with career-best 9.5 sacks. Linebackers Devon Kennard (Detroit Lions) and De’Vondre Campbell (Atlanta Falcons) should Joseph’s unit help as well. And on offense, the Cards held onto the rights to running back Kenyan Drake via the transition tag.
Next: No. 3
3. Miami Dolphins
Not long ago, the team based in South Florida appeared to be ahead of everyone else when it came to making moves and adding players. And who says the Miami Dolphins aren’t ahead of every other team when it comes to restocking their club this offseason? Keep in mind that Brian Flores’ team has signed its share of quality of veterans and still has a league-high 14 draft choices at their disposal.
Keep in mind that this was a team that went 5-4 in its last nine games this past season after a miserable 0-7 start. So much for the theories of tanking as down the stretch, the Dolphins rallied to beat the eventual NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles and then closed the season with a stunning upset of the Patriots at Foxborough in Week 17.
Speaking of New England, there’s a trio of veteran headed to Miami via free agency in linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts, as well as center Ted Karras. The ‘Fins shelled out big money for guard Ereck Flowers as well as talented cornerback Byron Jones courtesy of the Redskins and Cowboys, respectively. The league’s worst running game this past season should benefit from the arrival of running back Jordan Howard, who spent 2019 with the Eagles. Defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah (from Chiefs) should provide some pass rush help.
All told, Flores’ team could be an intriguing mix of youth and experience come early September.
Next: No. 2
2. Detroit Lions
It’s a team that’s had a miserable time of it the past two seasons. Following a 9-7 showing by the team in 2017, general manager Bob Quinn opted to part ways with then-head coach Jim Caldwell. The one-time sideline leader of the Indianapolis Colts had led Detroit to three winning seasons in four years and a pair of playoff appearances. Of course, the Lions failed to win each time, hence a franchise that hasn’t prevailed in the postseason since 1991.
Enter Matt Patricia, the former New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator who hasn’t had a lot of success in his new surroundings. The team is a combined 9-22-1 under his command and the Lions dropped their final nine games in 2019.
But help is on the way for a defense that allowed the second-most total yards in the league and the most NFL yards through the air. The team dealt away cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for third- and fifth-round draft choices. The key additions on this side of the ball include a trio of former Patriots in defensive tackle Danny Shelton, versatile linebacker Jamie Collins and safety Duron Harmon – the latter obtained via trade.
There’s also veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant, released by the Falcons this offseason, as well as safety Jayron Kearse. On the other side of scrimmage, offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai can play tackle and guard.
Next: No. 1
1. Denver Broncos
Somewhat quietly, a team that won four of its final five games this past season has been making some outstanding moves. And while over the past few offseason, general manager John Elway has had his struggles trying to find a quarterback, he may have finally hit the jackpot with 2019 second-round pick Drew Lock. Once healthy and in the starting lineup, the Denver Broncos’ offense looked like a different animal down the stretch as he brought a bit of poise to the team’s attack.
Now Elway has swung a few deals that can certainly help a defense that started slow but played better as the season unfolded. Thanks to trades with the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively, head coach Vic Fangio and coordinator Ed Donatell have defensive tackle Jurrell Casey to bolster the front seven and cornerback A.J. Bouye to aid the secondary.
On offense, former Chargers’ running back Melvin Gordon will now team with Phillip Lindsay to give the Denver a tremendous 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Meanwhile, the offensive front got a huge boost with the addition of former Lions’ standout Graham Glasgow, who in four seasons in the Motor City started at both guard spots and center.
More fansided.com: NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Chiefs at No. 1
Moving up in a division that is the home of the defending Super Bowl champions is a tall order. But the Broncos were sneaky good at the end of ’19 and their offseason haul to date bears watching.