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 18th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s continue with the NFC West.
Arizona Cardinals
Key acquisitions: WR DeAndre Hopkins, DT Jordan Phillips, LB Devon Kennard, LB De’Vondre Campbell, DT Trevon Coley
Re-signed: OT D.J. Humphries, RB Kenyan Drake, OT Marcus Gilbert, DE Jonathan Bullard, QB Brett Hundley, S Chris Banjo, G Max Garcia, RB D.J. Foster, S Charles Washington
Departures: RB David Johnson (Texans), DE Rodney Gunter (Jaguars), WR Damiere Byrd (Patriots), OLB Cassius Marsh (Jaguars), WR Pharoh Cooper (Panthers)
Remaining free agents: C A.Q. Shipley, OT Jordan Mills, CB Brandon Williams
Analysis: The Cardinals might be the offseason winners of 2020. When you acquire arguably the best receiver in the game and only give up a second-round pick and you get to dump the overpaid contract of what was your backup running back, how much better can you get it? Well you can also get a breakout star last year at defensive tackle, a do it all outside linebacker, a tackling machine at inside linebacker, and you get to retain your starting tackles and find a new cheaper running back.
The Cardinals did absolutely everything right. You lose an aging Rodney Gunter and get a monster in the middle in Jordan Phillips who had 9.5 sacks last year in Buffalo. You trade away what was once your star franchise dual-threat running back in David Johnson after you traded for Kenyan Drake at the deadline last year and he outplayed him by a mile. He’s under the transition tag, and could be there long term. Devon Kennard has been a play-making linebacker ever since he came into the league that no one talks about, and it’s crazy the Lions cut him. De’Vondre Campbell has also been a great player the previous four seasons in Atlanta, and figures to lead the middle of the defense alongside Kennard, Jordan Hicks, and Hasson Reddick.
Conclusion: I’ve been a fan of the Cardinals the past few years, and it’s been rough watching them from 2016 to 2018. 2019 proved promising for them after the offense showed signs of greatness under Kyler Murray. Drake was electric after he was acquired, and he’ll be starter with Chase Edmonds behind him. They have a surplus of receiver for the first time in a while, led by the legendary Larry Fitzgerald. Christian Kirk is quickly emerging as a top receiver, and 2019 draft picks Andy Isabella, KeeSean Johnson, and Hakeem Butler figure to be active contributors. Oh yeah, and they acquired DeAndre Hopkins, no big deal.
The defense I feel still needs work, mainly on the defensive line. Love the Phillips signing, but there’s not much after him. I have them taking Javon Kinlaw, if not Derrick Brown, with the 8th pick. The linebackers got real good with the Kennard and Campbell signings. They also got one of the best sack masters in Chandler Jones, who had 19.0 sacks in 2019. The next three guys combined for 11.0 sacks, and are all gone (Gunter, Terrell Suggs, Cassius Marsh). The secondary is re-emerging as a top unit, as they finally found depth behind Patrick Peterson in second-rounder Byron Murphy and veteran Robert Alford, playing alongside safeties Budda Baker and Deionte Thompson.
The Cardinals are starting to emerge from the ashes, they’ve got the foundation, the structure, just need a final coat of paint and the finishing touches.
Los Angeles Rams
Key acquisitions: OLB Leonard Floyd*, DT A’Shawn Robinson*
Re-signed: OT Andrew Whitworth, DT Michael Brockers, C Austin Blythe
Departures: RB Todd Gurley (Falcons), WR Brandin Cooks (Texans), LB Cory Littleton (Raiders), OLB Dante Fowler (Falcons), OLB Clay Matthews, S Eric Weddle (retired), CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (Eagles), WR JoJo Natson (Browns)
Remaining free agents: S Marquis Christian
Analysis: This has become a common trend in the NFL, the team that loses the Super Bowl enters a drastic free fall, and that’s exactly what has happened to the Rams. They missed the playoffs last year after losing the big game the year prior, and don’t look like they’re going back anytime soon. General manager Les Snead had the mindset of going all in for a championship, no matter what it took, from trading for Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Dante Fowler, and Brandin Cooks in 2018, then trading for Jalen Ramsey in 2019, not to mention breaking the bank for Jared Goff and Todd Gurley extensions. And now that they’re past their window, and failed to get a ring, and they’re now facing the consequences, parting ways with their franchise star, among other moves. The Gurley release shocked the NFL world, as LA failed to find a trade partner to take on his contract. Another example of a running back who cannot live up to a massive second contract (D. Freeman, L. Bell, D. Johnson). Gurley’s still young, and the talent is there, but workload management slowed him down, whether or not it was necessary. He’ll join that high-powered Atlanta offense in hopes of going back to his previous All-Pro form.
Enough on Gurley, Rams made other moves, both additions and subtractions. Starting with the departures, losing starters in Littleton, Fowler, Matthews, Weddle, and Robey-Coleman really hurts them, and don’t have clear replacements, because they don’t have any draft picks because Snead traded them all away. They got lucky with bringing back Brockers, who was set to sign with the Ravens before his medicals scared them off and he returned to LA.
They also traded WR Brandin Cooks to the Texans. This was actually a smart move by the Rams to dump Cooks’ contract as he has had concussion and other injuries in his career and hasn’t been the same.
Bringing in Robinson and Floyd is nice, as both haven’t lived up to their draft billing, and could be big contributors. *Worth noting that they actually haven’t officially signed them yet, despite the reported signings over a month ago.
They brought back Whitworth and Blythe, which is nice, but who are they run-blocking for, Darrell Henderson, Malcom Brown? Meh.
Conclusion: The Rams are going to be terrible in 2020, that’s the truth. They once again don’t have a first-round pick, and haven’t had one since 2016 (Goff). They are in cap hell and have a lot of work to do, which will take several years. They still got their (expensive) quarterback, and some good receivers in Woods and Kupp, as I don’t see Cooks being on this team Week 1 with his current contract, so he’s either taking a pay cut or he’ll be out the door. He’s too injury-prone and is a No. 3 receiver being paid like a No. 1. The o-line is still fine, but not what it was and had some bad injuries last year. The defense does not look good. Aaron Donald is still the best in the league, same with Ramsey, but everything else is mediocre at best. I do like Taylor Rapp at safety, but every other position is filled with no-name late-rounders and undrafteds.
The Rams are not what they used to be, far from it, and have a lot of work to rebuild. If there’s a hot seat for GMs, put Snead towards the top for the situation he put them in. Fans should still believe in Sean McVay to lead their team, but the front office ain’t helping him. Times are changing in LA, but right now, they are at the bottom of the NFC power rankings. Not to mention their new logo stinks.
San Francisco 49ers
Key acquisitions: G Tom Compton, WR Travis Benjamin, LB Joe Walker, DE Kerry Hyder
Re-signed: DE Arik Armstead, S Jimmie Ward, DT Ronald Blair, CB Jason Verrett, C Ben Garland, OT Shon Coleman, CB Dontae Johnson
Departures: DL DeForest Buckner (Colts), WR Emmanuel Sanders (Saints), G Mike Person, DT Sheldon Day (Colts), TE Levine Toilolo (Giants), TE Garrett Celek (retired)
Analysis: The NFC Champs primarily worked to retain their own guys, while only signing a select few new depth guys. Oddly enough, they actually parted with key guys rather than adding and retaining. They had a decision to make on the defensive line. With a line full of first-rounders, five to be exact, it’s obvious they won’t be able to keep all of them in the long run. Arik Armstead had a breakout year with 10 sacks in a contract year. They ultimately decided to pay him, and made a tough decision on one of their team leaders, trading All-Pro DeForest Buckner to the Colts for a first-round pick. While they got value, Buckner is much more consistent than Armstead, who only had 9.0 sacks in four years before 2019, while Buckner has 28.5 through four years, primarily lining up inside rather than outside. I’m not a fan of it from a talent-player perspective, meaning I’d much rather have Buckner than Armstead, obviously, but from a business perspective, it’s pretty smart. John Lynch ultimately decided to pay one guy now, and trade another to net a first-round pick. Other than Bosa, Buckner had the most value, and they may not have been able to pay him next year. Actually very smart of them to get a first and address additional team needs.
Other than Armstead, they gave starting safety and former first-rounder Jimmie Ward a three-year extension. He was on a one-year deal signed last offseason and had a great 2019, and earned that extension. They also brought some depth in the secondary, re-signing former Charger Jason Verrett. I feel so bad for Verrett, it’s season-ending injury after season-ending injury for the former first-rounder. In his lone semi-healthy season in 2015 where he played 14 games, he was a Pro Bowler. He’s only played 12 games in the other five seasons, including two the past three seasons. If he can get healthy, he’ll be a massive boost for a weak secondary.
For the guys they lost, in addition to Buckner, receiver Emmanuel Sanders leaves for New Orleans after the mid-season trade that brought a massive boost to a weaker receiving core. His departure leaves a veteran void at a young receiving group. They did bring in former Chargers and Browns speedster Travis Benjamin. They also cut starting right guard Mike Person, but they brought in Tom Compton to compete for a spot.
Conclusion: While the 49ers lost some key guys, they set themselves up for an interesting draft. They have two first-round selections, but don’t pick until the fifth round after the first. They traded their second for Dee Ford and their third and fourth for Sanders. Knowing this front office, they’ll likely trade one of their first rounders and collect more picks. But at the very least they should address wide receiver or cornerback early in the draft. Deebo Samuel was a great find in the second round last year, and Kendrick Bourne emerged as a significant contributor, but they need more help. Marquise Goodwin is never healthy, Dante Pettis isn’t living up to potential yet, Jalen Hurd missed most of the season, as did Trent Taylor, so they need help. At cornerback, Richard Sherman ain’t getting any younger, and got burned badly in the Super Bowl against Sammy Watkins. Ahkello Witherspoon was a target last year, but that let Emmanuel Moseley emerge as a capable starter, alongside nickel K’Waun Williams. They need depth there badly.
The only other holes I see are in the front seven, possibly a depth guy at defensive tackle after losing Buckner and Sheldon Day, and more linebackers to play alongside or behind Kwon Alexander, Fred Warner, and Dre Greenlaw. This is a great group of three, but Alexander missed a lot of the season, but that allowed fifth-rounder Dre Greenlaw to emerge as an elite starter alongside future Pro Bowler Fred Warner (that’s right I said it). I think they’re set everywhere else on defense. I like their safeties in Ward and Jaquiski Tartt, and the rest of the defensive line is stout with Bosa, Ford, Armstead, Solomon Thomas, D.J. Jones, and Ronald Blair. Other than receiver, the offense is set. They have the best tight end in the league, a flurry of starting-capable running backs, a franchise quarterback, and a solid line.
The 49ers have some work to do in the draft, but there’s no reason to not be back in the playoffs in 2020.
Seattle Seahawks
Key acquisitions: TE Greg Olsen, CB Quinton Dunbar, DE Bruce Irvin, C/G B.J. Finney, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, OT Brandon Shell, WR Phillip Dorsett, G Chance Warmack, DE Benson Mayowa
Re-signed: DT Jarran Reed, G Mike Iupati, S Neiko Thorpe
Departures: C Justin Britt, G D.J. Fluker (Ravens), OT Germain Ifedi (Bears), S Tedric Thompson, OT George Fant (Jets), DT Quinton Jefferson (Bills), TE Ed Dickson, DT Al Woods (Jaguars)
Remaining free agents: DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Ezekiel Ansah, LB Mychal Kendricks
Analysis: The Seahawks were fairly active in free agency, from signing to re-signing to trading. Before the league year began, the Seahawks addressed a major hole on offense, signing veteran tight end Greg Olsen shortly after being cut by Carolina. Will Dissly is a good young tight end, but has only played 10 games the past two seasons due to injury. In the later stages of free agency, Seattle acquired the second-highest graded cornerback (according to PFF) in former Redskin Quinton Dunbar. The Legion of Boom is long gone, so they’ve been rebuilding that secondary, and Dunbar provides a veteran presence in an otherwise young secondary. Also on defense they brought in a couple old friends to aid in pass rush in former first-rounder Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa. They also extended Jarran Reed, solidifying a defensive line that lost some key names in Quinton Jefferson, Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah, the latter two still free agents.
Seattle also made moves on offense, primarily on the offensive line. While the four guys they signed aren’t household names, they are a mix of unknown backups and starters and former first-round busts. After parting with former first-rounder Germain Ifedi, the Seahawks needed a new right tackle, and they got a couple guys who will compete in former Bengals first-rounder Cedric Ogbuehi and former Jets starter Brandon Shell. Ogbuehi was straight up bad in Cincy, and was a backup last year in Jacksonville. Shell was mostly a starter the past three seasons, but was benched down the stretch last season. They also signed a couple guys in the interior, with former Steelers backup B.J. Finney, and former Titans first-rounder Chance Warmack, who was unemployed in 2019 after two years in Philly. Several starting spots are available after they cut longtime center Justin Britt and right guard D.J. Fluker. It’s an open competition in Seattle. They also signed Phillip Dorsett, who fits in nicely with the other speedy guys.
Conclusion: The Seahawks were one and done in the playoffs last year, so they got to make adjustments. The defense is still being worked on, and the offensive line is once again in flux. The offense itself is really good, as long as the running backs stay healthy, which really hurt them down the stretch and into the playoffs without Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. I love Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf is gonna be a problem. Olsen and Dissly are a solid tight end duo, as long as they stay healthy.
The defense as I said is still a work in progress, but I like what they got, they just another piece or two. Clowney was nice for them last year in the pressure department, but only had 3.0 sacks. Ansah didn’t do anything, so pass rush desperately needs a boost, as Rasheem Green was the team leader with only 4.0 sacks. I like their interior guys in Jarran Reed, Poona Ford, but they need help on the edge, maybe 2019 first-rounder L.J. Collier might do something other than be a weekly inactive racking up three tackles in a season. They still have the best linebacker in the league in Bobby Wagner, alongside K.J. Wright and young guys Shaquem Griffin, Cody Barton, and Ben Burr-Kirven. As I mentioned earlier the secondary has been retooled and is improving, especially after the mid-season acquisition of Quandre Diggs via the Lions. Him, along with veteran Bradley McDougald, Marquise Blair, and Lano Hill form a solid safety group with a new look cornerbacks group. Dunbar will likely slide in as a starter alongside young studs Shaquill Griffin and Tre Flowers.
The Seahawks just need a solid draft to build up the offensive line and add some pass rush and cornerback help, in my opinion. The NFC West has quickly become one of the toughest and most exciting divisions in football. Can’t wait for 2020.
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