While the majority of Free agency was limited by the gripe of the coronavirus, this NFL free agency shifted the paradigm more than any other in recent history. Whether its shown with the GOAT switching teams and bringing his partner of crime (Rob Gronkowski) out of retirement, or its shown with the prolonged displacement of generational talent Cam Newton only for him to be crowned the successor to Tom Brady.
This article will consist of one eye-popping free agency decision per team that fans need to look out for. While there are obvious choices for many teams, this article will focus more on those free agency decisions that go under the radar but have a chance to leave a gargantuan impact on the franchises immediate future.
The teams in this article are placed in order of _______. Answer below in the comments.
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
ARIZONA CARDINALS: Jordan Philips DT
Signing a three year deal worth $30 million, Jordan Philips looks to bring a needed push on the defensive line. Last year the Cardinals blitzed more than most teams in the NFL (40%), but only hurried the QB about 7-8% of the time, which is well below league average. For the price, its going to be interesting to see if Philips can produce numbers similar to his 9.5 sacks last year with the Bills.
ATLANTA FALCONS: Dante Fowler Jr. WLB
With the Falcons recording a measly 28 sacks last year, second least only to the Dolphins, Dan Quinn went after an elite pass rusher that he recruited as a college coach. Fowler’s 11.5 sacks last year for the Rams should help the Falcon’s pressure the QB, bolstering a below average defense to match a high powered offense.
BALTIMORE RAVENS: J.K. Dobbins HB
The Ravens are the most complete roster after the offseason, giving them freedom to experiment. This two-headed running backfield with Mark Ingram and Dobbins should be scary for opponents, especially since their head must be on a constant swivel with the running threat of Lamar Jackson. If Dobbins works out, the future in Baltimore’s backfield is bright with two young running studs.
BUFFALO BILLS: Mario Addison + Vernon Butler DL
In a classic move by the Buffalo Panthers, the Bills signed 3 Panthers players this offseason, two of which are highlighted here. With the Bills having a stellar front seven last year, its clear that these acquisitions are replacements for Jordan Philips and Shaq Lawson in hopes to retain their identity of a defensive juggernaut.
CAROLINA PANTHERS: Teddy Bridgewater QB
With the Panthers bringing back less than half of the previous years roster, there is a lot to look out for with new acquisitions of Russel Okung, Robby Anderson, Matt Rhule, and Joe Brady. However, Bridgewater had real star potential before his catastrophic injury with the Vikings. With an improved offensive line, 3 established receivers, and the best running back in the league, Bridgewater is in a great situation to remind the world of the potential he once had in an all-eyes-on-you environment following the controversial release of Cam Newton.
CHICAGO BEARS: Robert Quinn DE
As one of the most effective pass rushers in the league in recent memory, Quinn has a lot to live up to after receiving a 5 year, $70 million deal. This offseason was terrible for the Bears as they forced money onto otherwise washed up talent like Jimmy Graham and Nick Foles. Quinn is the one bright spot, look for him to dominate with Khalil Mack eating up double teams all game long.
CINCINNATI BENGALS: Joe Burrow QB and Tee Higgins WR
What happens when two of the best college football players team up their rookie years? That answer would be quite different if they didn’t team up on the Bengals, however, they should provide for some fun highlights, although doubtful they’ll be nearly as productive in the win column. Burrow, if he lives up to the hype, will have plenty of weapons with AJ Green and Tee Higgins to orchestrate a high powered offense that’ll sell tickets.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills OL
The Browns, while having a stacked roster skill position wise, the Browns offensive line was average by most metrics at best. To support their skill position studs and protect a struggling Baker Mayfield, the Browns picked up the best available OL in free agency and the draft for their selection. It’ll be interesting to see how these two key pieces enable the likes of OBJ, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, Kareem Hunt, and Baker Mayfield.
DALLAS COWBOYS: Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe DL
While both McCoy and Poe were all-pro level players in their primes, it seems that they may be on the latter half of their career. Still, the Cowboys ranked just 22nd in rush defense last year and Poe and McCoy are great run plugs on the interior. Additionally, these pieces can make up for the loss of the Cowboy’s primary pass rusher Robert Quinn who accounted for 11.5 sacks. Also stay tuned to the Cowboy’s QB drama 🍿
DENVER BRONCOS: Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler WR
This young offense has some serious fire power with a young receiving core acquired through the draft as well as a potential-filled QB in Drew Lock. With a healthy oline, this could be a dark horse playoff team or at least an entertaining upset-waiting-to-happen type team. Expect many highlights this year with Hamler being a speedy receiver and Jeudy possessing footwork and acceleration unmatched in the draft.
DETROIT LIONS: Patriots rejects
The Detroit Lions took a chance on not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR former New England players on the defensive side of the ball (James Collins, Duron Harmon, Trey Flowers, Danny Shelton). These players all shined with the patriots around 2017, however they have not been great fits with Belichick since. The Lions took a big bet on these players, paying Collins and Shelton a combined $38 million this offseason so it’ll be interesting to see the extent of that ROI.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: Jordan Love QB
While it’s likely that Love gets very minimal field action this year, this selection is more about the internal struggles the franchise will encounter as Aaron Rodgers feels as if he is being rushed out of the starting QB spot. With change clearly looming, many fans and players from the past era aren’t approving of the plans to move forward so soon. This drama will surely develop throughout the season.
HOUSTON TEXANS: David Johnson RB
David Johnson has to live up to his old self which was an easy choice in everyones fantasy draft. If not, Bill O’Brien has to be on the chopping block in the near future. After all, this terrible offseason is no longer terrible if Johnson outperforms expectations severely. The receiving core still has promise with Will Fuller V and they have one of the best QBs in Deshaun Watson to hopefully account for at least an average offense.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: DeForest Buckner DE
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