NFL power rankings: Chiefs, Saints lead way into 2020
2020 Key Additions: The new man at the controls is former Panthers’ head coach Ron Rivera. There are new coordinators in Scott Tuner (offense) and Jack Del Rio (defense). And the latter will be implementing the 4-3 defense. A roster filled with quality pass rushers now includes former Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, taken with the second overall pick in the draft. In free agency, the secondary got a boost in cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Kendall Fuller – the latter returning the club after a stint with the Chiefs. And veteran outside linebacker Thomas Davis – who played for Rivera in Carolina – is on board as well.
Offseason Review: Rivera is the team’s 10th different head coach under owner Daniel Snyder. The club has steadily eroded since winning the NFC East with a 9-7 record in 2015 and is coming off its worst season since finishing with the same record in 2013. Washington owns a combined 25-38-1 win loss mark the past four years. But it has been a productive offseason and under Del Rio and with the addition of Young, the defensive front could be fearsome. And the franchise finally unloaded disgruntled left tackle Trent Williams, shipping him to the 49ers for a total of two draft choices (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).
27. team. 31. . . . New York Giants
2020 Key Additions: The club’s newest head coach is Joe Judge, a long-time assistant with the Patriots. His staff includes offensive coordinator and former Cowboys’ head coach Jason Garrett while Patrick Graham will handle the defense. The latter hopes to put free-agent additions such as cornerback James Bradberry and former Packers’ linebackers LB Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell to good use. General manager Dave Gettleman used the fourth overall selection on University of Georgia tackle Thomas Andrew and then went back to the offensive front in Round 3 by adding tackle Matt Peart (Connecticut).
Offseason Review: Veteran Eli Manning rode off into the sunset after 16 seasons. Judge is the team’s fourth different head coach since 2016, following Ben McAdoo, interim Steve Spagnuolo and Pat Shurmur. Gettleman has taken his share of criticism but has drafted some solid young players in running back Saquon Barkley, quarterback Daniel Jones and 2019 fifth-round wideout Darius Slayton. He also brought back linebacker David Mayo via a three-year deal this offseason. The club’s biggest issues remain on defense and the offensive line and both were addressed numerous times in free agency and the draft.