The first waves of free agency have come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 13th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s continue with the NFC North.
Chicago Bears
Key acquisitions: SS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, CB Buster Skrine, KR/WR Cordarrelle Patterson, RB Mike Davis, G Ted Larsen
Re-signed: OT Bobby Massie, OLB Aaron Lynch, P Pat O’Donnell
Departures: RB Jordan Howard (traded to Eagles), SS Adrian Amos (Packers), CB Bryce Callahan (Broncos), WR Kevin White (Cardinals), G Eric Kush (Browns)
Analysis: The Bears continue to be one of my favorite teams by building off their strong season last year with another great offseason. They lost some key members via trade and free agency, but were easily replaced, and those players can be viewed as an upgrade. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signs on a one-year deal after being traded to Washington last season. The former Packers first rounder can play all over the secondary and will star alongside former Alabama teammate Eddie Jackson. Veteran Buster Skrine signs on a three-year deal to pair alongside All-Pro Kyle Fuller. He can play outside and in the slot, so he’ll help cope with the loss of slot corner Bryce Callahan. Last season, Tarik Cohen handled much of the return duties, however with his increased role on offense, these next two signings were much needed. Cordarrelle Patterson comes to Chicago as one of the league’s best kick returners, although he is limited offensively. After being in a three-man running back committee last season in Seattle, Mike Davis signs on a two-year deal and figures to be the power back to Cohen’s passing back. The writing was on the wall for Jordan Howard after this signing, although I was never a fan of him being on the trade block. He was 65 yards away from a third straight 1,000 yard season, and as a former fifth-round pick, he was on a cheap contract. You could argue he was not a good fit for Matt Nagy’s scheme or that he’s a one-dimensional player, but that type of production cannot be ignored.
Conclusion: The Bears are doing everything right. Matt Nagy was the right hire as their head coach last year, they made all the right moves in free agency, bringing in Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Trey Burton to help young quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. They extended Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara last season and brought back starting RT Bobby Massie this year. They also had a great draft last year, with LB Roquan Smith, G James Daniels, and WR Anthony Miller being selected in the first three rounds, and will be starters for a long time. They will look to build off another strong offseason with hopefully another great draft. With no glaring holes on the roster, and without a first round pick, which was traded to Oakland for Khalil Mack, the Bears should look to add depth, particularly at cornerback, running back, and defensive line. The Bears are looking to build off their strong season last year, and with an elite defense and emerging quarterback, they are primed to make the leap.
Detroit Lions
Key acquisitions: DE Trey Flowers, TE Jesse James, RB C.J. Anderson, CB Justin Coleman, WR Danny Amendola, CB Rashaan Melvin
Departures: G T.J. Lang (retirement), FS Glover Quin, CB Nevin Lawson (Raiders), TE Luke Willson (Raiders), DE Kerry Hyder (Cowboys), LB Eli Harold (Bills)
Remaining free agents: DE Ziggy Ansah, RB LeGarrette Blount, CB DeShawn Shead
Analysis: The Lions are in a turnover period, still, and are clearly desperate. After a disappointing 6-10 season after three consecutive near .500 record seasons, the Lions need a spark, and jobs are on the line. Second-year head coach and former Patriots DC Matt Patricia was aggressive early in free agency, and his Patriots ties were showing. He signed several former Patriots in Trey Flowers, Danny Amendola, Justin Coleman, and Rashaan Melvin. The most notable was Flowers, who signed a five-year deal worth $18M per year, the most for a defensive end at the time of the signing. After letting Ziggy Ansah walk, it left a massive void on an already struggling defensive line, which prompted the Flowers signing. Detroit also cut ties with veteran safety Glover Quin and starting cornerback Nevin Lawson, prompting the signings of Coleman, a slot corner, and Melvin. They still have one of the best and least talked about cornerbacks in the league in Darius Slay, but they need help outside of him as Quandre Diggs moved over to strong safety, and former second-rounder Teez Tabor hasn’t produced.
The Lions haven’t had consistent tight end play since the failed Eric Ebron experiment and Luke Willson didn’t pan out last season, so they signed former Steelers tight end Jesse James on a four-year deal. Still only 24 years old, James was decently productive in his four years in Pittsburgh as a former fifth-rounder, but he was outplayed down the stretch by veteran Vance McDonald. He joins a pass catching group led by Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, and newly signed Danny Amendola. Finally, C.J. Anderson signed with Detroit to be the power back in a backfield led by Kerryon Johnson, who I believe will be a breakout candidate in 2018 after rushing for over 600 yards through just 10 games, and passing back Theo Riddick.
Conclusion: The Lions need a winning season badly, and everyone in that organization knows it. They are a desperate franchise trying to make this makeshift roster work. They have a nice combination of young and veteran talent on offense with Johnson, Anderson and Riddick in the backfield, along with Kenny Golladay, who quietly had a 1,000 yard season, and veteran Marvin Jones, who’s coming off injury. The defense needs work, primarily on the defensive edge to pair alongside Flowers, as I project they will address that area in the draft, maybe a Montez Sweat? The interior is good with Snacks Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson, and second-year man Da’Shawn Hand, however the linebackers need work beyond former first-rounder Jarrad Davis with a bunch of random veterans (Christian Jones, Devon Kennard).
The time is now for the Lions, and anything short of a winning season is an almost guaranteed firing of Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn. This is a team that hasn’t won the division since 1993 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 1991. Matthew Stafford is in his prime and hasn’t produced since signing a massive contract extension in 2017. It’s now or never for everyone in the Lions organization, time is of the essence.
Green Bay Packers
Key acquisitions: OLB Za’Darius Smith, OLB Preston Smith, SS Adrian Amos, G Billy Turner
Departures: WR Randall Cobb (Cowboys), OLB Clay Matthews (Rams), OLB Nick Perry, ILB Jake Ryan (Jaguars), CB Bashaud Breeland (Chiefs)
Remaining free agents: DE Muhammad Wilkerson, CB Davon House, TE Lance Kendricks
Analysis: As a team that was never active in free agency under former general manager Ted Thompson, new GM Brian Gutekunst was very much active and aggressive in his second free agency and addressed several team needs. Pass rush became a top need after the team parted ways with Clay Matthews and Nick Perry after underwhelming seasons. Former Raven Za’Darius Smith and former Redskin Preston Smith both sign on for four years. After three years as a backup rotational player, Za’Darius had a breakout year with a team-high 8.5 sacks. Preston was pretty consistent his four years in Washington with his tackle total increasing each year and his sack total fluctuating, but still producing well. The Packers also signed from within the division with former Bears strong safety Adrian Amos. He figures to be the veteran leader in an otherwise young secondary. The lone signing on the offensive side of the ball is veteran guard Billy Turner. He’s projected to start at right guard after the Packers saw three starters there last season.
Conclusion: Although the Packers were active and aggressive in free agency this year, there’s still some holes on the roster. Pass catcher is still a need after Randall Cobb signed with the Cowboys. Tight end should be addressed early in the draft, after Jimmy Graham hasn’t produced, and with two picks in the first round, they should get a good one in either T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, or Irv Smith Jr. They could use more talent at receiver, although they could be content with Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Jake Kumerow behind Pro-Bowler Davante Adams. Although secondary looks like a need on paper, the Packers have potential at the position with their top four defensive backs being drafted in the first two rounds of the past two drafts in Jaire Alexander (1st, 2018), Josh Jackson (2nd, 2018), Kevin King (2nd, 2017), and Josh Jones (2nd, 2017). I could also see them add depth at inside linebacker to pair with tackling machine Blake Martinez.
The Packers had a disappointing 2018 season, however there is plenty of talent to make a quick turnaround. Despite the drama surrounding Aaron Rodgers, he’s still in his prime, and new head coach Matt LaFleur could provide a spark and make the Packers exciting again. They’ve got a top receiver, two good running backs in Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, a great offensive line when healthy, and a defense littered with veterans and young stars. If LaFleur can revive Rodgers, get Jones more involved in the running game, and the young receivers can take the next step, this offense can be unstoppable, and if the defense can limit opponents and live up to its potential, the Packers can reclaim their spot on top of a very competitive NFC North.
Minnesota Vikings
Key acquisitions: G Josh Kline, DT Shamar Stephen, QB Sean Mannion, G Dakota Dozier
Re-signed: LB Anthony Barr, RB Ameer Abdullah, C Brett Jones, K Dan Bailey
Departures: SS Andrew Sendejo (Eagles), DT Sheldon Richardson (Browns), RB Latavius Murray (Saints), PR/CB Marcus Sherels (Saints), G Mike Remmers
Analysis: I love the Vikings mentality when it comes to roster building: draft well, develop their homegrown talent, then sign them to extensions. They are not particularly active in free agency, as their main focus is retaining their own guys. The big move for the Vikings was re-signing star linebacker and four-time Pro Bowler Anthony Barr. After initially agreeing to sign with the Jets during the “legal tampering period”, Barr reportedly got cold feet and ultimately did not want to leave Minnesota, thus signing a five-year deal to remain with the Vikings. After losing Sheldon Richardson to the Browns, who was signed on for one-year in 2018, the Vikings brought back former seventh rounder Shamar Stephen after a year in Seattle to pair back with Linval Joseph. A potential weak spot on an otherwise elite defense, interior defensive line should be a focus in the draft, but the main focus should be offensive line, as that has been a problem for a number of years. After cutting ties with Mike Remmers, who was cut two years in to his five-year contract, the Vikings signed former Patriots and Titans starting guard Josh Kline to a three-year contract. That doesn’t solve all their issues, as they can use an upgrade at the other guard spot and at right tackle. They signed left tackle Riley Reiff in 2017 and has been ok, but hasn’t lived up to his five-year contract. Center Pat Elfein has been great when healthy in his two seasons, and last year’s second round pick Brian O’Neill was decent in 11 starts at right tackle.
Some notable losses include longtime starting safety Andrew Sendejo, who was released and signed with the Eagles, returner Marcus Sherels, and running back Latavius Murray, who started 17 of 32 games the past two years in place of oft-injured Dalvin Cook. Finding a viable backup to Cook, who is a premier talent when healthy, should also be a priority as his backup right now is Ameer Abdullah, who couldn’t stay healthy in Detroit in his own right, and 2018 undrafted free agents Roc Thomas and Mike Boone.
Conclusion: As I mentioned, I love the Vikings roster building. The defense is elite and it’s mostly homegrown. The only starter on defense that wasn’t drafted by the team is two-time Pro Bowler Linval Joseph, who has been with the team since 2014 after four years with the Giants, and has already signed a second contract with the team. The rest of the starting defense is homegrown. Players who’ve earned second contracts include Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith, and Xavier Rhodes, and most of which have been named to at least one Pro Bowl. Starters still on rookie deals include 2015 first round CB Trae Waynes, who’s on the fifth-year option, 2018 first round CB Mike Hughes, 2016 second-round CB Mackensie Alexander, and 2017 fourth-round LB Ben Gedeon. So yeah, the Vikings are good at drafting defense.
Let’s give some attention to the offense as well. Kirk Cousins needs to prove himself and live up to his $84 million guaranteed contract, and he has the weapons around him to do it. Dalvin Cook has the talent to be a top running back in this league, but injuries have derailed his young career, as he is looking towards a healthy 2019 season. Stefon Diggs was given a second contract and is one of the best receivers and route runners when healthy. Adam Thielen just got a new extension and rightfully so, as he is a top 10 receiver in this league and the word “homegrown” doesn’t do Thielen’s journey justice. Born and raised in Minnesota, he went to school at Minnesota State Mankato, and signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013. From undrafted practice squadder to Pro Bowl wide receiver, Thielen lives and breathes as a Minnesota Viking, talk about homegrown.
The Vikings were a playoff team in 2017 with Case Keenum under center, and they were supposed to take the next step in 2018 with Kirk Cousins, but his play was disappointing and failed to take the team to the promised land. They key to the Vikings success will revolve around Cousins, as he has everything he needs around him to succeed. With an offense with great skill position players, and an elite playmaking defense filled with homegrown talent, the Minnesota Vikings are ready, and willing, to bounce back and be a force in the NFC.
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