With the NFL draft now over and mandatory minicamp about to start, let’s take a look at who I think have really taken the measures to improve their team in the offseason as well as some who I think have not.
Winners
New England Patriots
The Patriots haven’t quite been the same since the departure of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, never making it past the first round of the Playoffs since those two moved on. However, this offseason they decided to ask an old friend in Mike Vrabel to come back and coach this new look team.
The Pats addressed their defense issues in free agency, landing Harold Landry, Robert Spiline, and Superbowl Champions, Carlton Davis III and Milton Williams. As for their lack of Receivers, they brought in the older Stefon Diggs, as well as Mack Hollins to go along with rising star Demario Douglas.
At the draft, they got their new Left Tackle Will Campbell, Running Back TreVeyon Henderson, and Wide Receiver Kyle Williams. With this new supporting cast, Drake Maye now has the ingredients to have a breakout sophomore season in the NFL.
Chicago Bears
I feel like every year the Bears are labeled as “Offseason Champions,” and this year is no exception. I really believe that Ben Johnson was a slam dunk hire by the club and that he wasted no time fixing the team’s greatest offense weakness.
Barely a few hours into free agency, the Bears traded for Guard Jonah Jackson, who played well on the rival Detroit Lions for a few seasons, and All-Pro Guard Joe Thuney who has won multiple Super Bowls with the Patriots and Chiefs. They also signed Drew Dahlman who is an easy upgrade at center. They then signed Grady Jarrett, who should provide great experience on a defensive line that struggled last year.
The draft saw what Ben Johnson truly wanted to do, load up on offensive skill positions. While I thought they didn’t need a Tight End, Colston Loveland gives the Bears the flexibility to run the ball with two of them on the field. Johnson didn’t stop there, landing what I consider a huge steal in Luther Burden III, who is a round one talent that fell due to character concerns.
Everything is in place for Caleb Williams, who will have to prove if he is worthy of being the Bears quarterback going further.
Tennessee Titans
Do I think the Titans will win a Superbowl this year? No, not even a little bit, but I think this draft class is definitely a step in the right direction.
Cameron Ward was the easy pick at number one in the draft, and he has the tools to be an above average Quarterback in this league if he’s developed properly. Oluwafemi Oladejo and Kevin Winston Jr. were both guys I wanted on my favorite team and I thought they were great pickups for a young defense. The fourth round picks of Gunnar Helm, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike are all great value picks that I think could develop into very good weapons for Ward. Again, while I don’t think this offseason is good enough to make a Super Bowl push, I still think they came out of the offseason as winners.
Losers
Miami Dolphins
This team has become the NFL equivalent of the Phoenix Suns, lots of talent and not enough success. You would think an Offense with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Devon Achane, and Tua Tagovailoa would be good enough to at least be a Playoff lock every year. However, that has not been the case, and it has only gotten worse this offseason. Losing Hall of Fame Left Tackle Terron Armstead was a gut punch to a team that already struggles to protect its Quarterback.
The team also lost veteran leaders Kendall Fuller and Calais Campbell who were both cut. All the rookies they’ve drafted this year must come through in order to save jobs and that’s never a good spot to be in when working for the NFL.
New Orleans Saints
I’ve always wondered how the Saints have been able to sign players with a negative salary cap, but they keep signing players. It’s not like these guys are cheap either. Justin Reid, Chase Young, and Brandon Cooks are worth over 30 million dollars this year. That’s insane amounts of money for a team that I could tell is trying to tank this year and land a star Quarterback next year. Taking Tyler Shough over Sheduer Sanders was a head scratcher for me and I think this was a clear sign of what is to come. I wouldn’t expect a Playoff run in the bayou any time soon.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners are a prime example of the business end of the NFL. You can’t always pay everybody and it showed this offseason. The 49ers lost Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, Leonard Floyd, and Aaron Banks. These losses were alarming enough, but I don’t think any of their drafties are going to be able to cushion the fall either.
It’s clear as day that the team is looking to pay Brock Purdy but I don’t think he’s worth the same amount as Jalen Hurts or Justin Herbert. On top of that, the team was in talks to deal away Brandon Aiyuk, who’s new contract looks worse and worse by the day. Without all these skill players and important defensive pieces, I don’t see the 49ers competing with the Rams, Commanders, Lions, or Eagles for a while.
