The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 17th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s start with the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills
Key acquisitions: WR Emmanuel Sanders, QB Mitchell Trubisky, TE Jacob Hollister, RB Matt Breida, DE Efe Obada, G Forrest Lamp, OT Bobby Hart, P Matt Haack, WR Brandon Powell, LB Tyrell Adams, G Jamil Douglas, LB Marquel Lee
Re-signed: LB Matt Milano, OT Daryl Williams, G Jon Feliciano, WR Isaiah McKenzie, RB Taiwan Jones
Departures: WR John Brown (Raiders), DT Quinton Jefferson (Raiders), KR Andre Roberts (Texans), G Brian Winters (Cardinals), OT Ty Nsekhe (Cowboys), TE Tyler Kroft (Jets), TE Lee Smith (Falcons), P Corey Bojorquez (Rams)
Remaining free agents: CB Josh Norman, DE Trent Murphy
Analysis: The defending AFC East champs are looking to run it back, and the moves they’ve made this offseason brought back several key members, while adding some solid depth at all levels.
At the very start, the Bills prioritized extending their own, giving a four-year, $44 million extension to Matt Milano. He has been a very solid linebacker his entire four-year career after entering as a fifth-round pick in 2017. With this extension, this team has their defensive core locked up for a long time, with Milano the latest to get his extension, as well as Micah Hyde, whose contract wasn’t up, but gave him a two-year extension through 2023.
Also receiving extensions were offensive line starters Daryl Williams and Jon Feliciano. Williams has had an up and down career. With the Panthers he was a second-team All-Pro right tackle in 2017, then tore up his knee in 2018, and lost his steady starting job in 2019, starting games at three different positions due to injury. Joining the Bills in 2020, he started every game at right tackle, played well, and earned a three-year extension. For Feliciano, he missed about half the season with a torn pec, but came back to a starting job and played well enough to earn a three-year extension. This o-line had several injuries that required a lot of reshuffling, but in the end they’ve locked up key members of their group. They also brought back Isaiah McKenzie, their offensive gadget player, and special teamer Taiwan Jones.
For a team that brought back some key members, they made room for plenty of new guys. The biggest name is Emmanuel Sanders, who isn’t the productive receiver he once was, but he’s a good veteran presence. With the addition of Sanders, the Bills cut John Brown, a much better receiver. The release saved $7.93 million, and the Bills are paying Sanders $6 million, take your pick, but I’d rather pay Brown, the most underrated receiver in the league, than a washed up Sanders.
Also joining that offense is Jacob Hollister, who’s had some moments in Seattle, and Matt Breida, who for some reason doesn’t get the opportunity and workload he deserves. He joins a crowded backfield led by Devin Singletary and Zack Moss, so who knows what his role will be. They also brought in Bobby Hart, Forrest Lamp and Jamil Douglas, the former having tons of starting experience, albeit at a very poor level of play, but hopefully they won’t be relying much on him. The parted with Ty Neskhe and Brian Winters, both part-time starters, and also cut ties with tight ends Tyler Kroft and Lee Smith. The other big name is obviously Mitchell Trubisky, the former Bears No. 2 overall pick. The Bills are hoping they won’t need to go to him, as Josh Allen has proven himself to be a very good starter, but if for some reason he goes down, best to have a competent backup, which is what Trubisky is at this moment of his career.
Not many changes to the defense, adding former Panthers pass rusher Efe Obada, while cutting Quinton Jefferson. They also added some linebacker depth with Tyrell Adams and Marquel Lee, both having starting experience. Bills also brought in a new punter, signing former division rival Matt Haack away from the Dolphins, leaving Corey Bojorquez on the street.
Conclusion: The Buffalo Bills are well-positioned to repeat as division champs and make a strong playoff run. There weren’t any holes on this roster, as their free agency was to pay their own guys and find replacements for those who were cap casualties, but they weren’t drastic cuts, but the loss of John Brown is significant. They must have faith in second-year man Gabriel Davis, and they must have a plan for the draft to fill out their depth. I don’t see many needs on this team, but if I were to pick some positions out, I think depth at WR, CB, and pass rush are their primary needs.
Miami Dolphins
Key acquisitions: WR Will Fuller, LB Benardrick McKinney, DT Adam Butler, CB Justin Coleman, G D.J. Fluker, RB Malcolm Brown, C Matt Skura, QB Jacoby Brissett, P Michael Palardy, WR Robert Foster, TE Cethan Carter, LB Duke Riley, LB Brennan Scarlett, DT John Jenkins
Re-signed: LB Elandon Roberts, WR Mack Hollins
Departures: LB Kyle Van Noy (Patriots), DE Shaq Lawson (Texans), QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Washington), G Ereck Flowers (Washington), NT Davon Godchaux (Patriots), C Ted Karras (Patriots), LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (Texans), P Matt Haack (Bills), RB Matt Breida (Bills), OT Julien Davenport (Colts)
Remaining free agents: S Kavon Frazier
Analysis: The second straight offseason of significant acquisitions for the Dolphins, while also parting with the big guys they signed last offseason. Before the signings, Miami made a big defensive trade, acquiring Benardrick McKinney from the Texans for Shaq Lawson, one of their big free agent signing last year. He helps fill the void of releasing Kyle Van Noy, one of the most surprising moves of the offseason. He heads back to the Patriots, and another former Patriot joins that defense in Adam Butler, who swaps places with Davon Godchaux, who joined the Pats. They also added some nice depth pieces with John Jenkins on the line and Duke Riley and Brennan Scarlett at linebackers, in addition to bringing back Elandon Roberts.
On offense the biggest acquisition was a major position of need, signing former Texans first-rounder Will Fuller. Miami has been desperate for a big playmaker for years, and DeVante Parker has shown he can do that recently, but offenses nowadays need at least two stud receivers, and there was nothing behind Parker. After being injured every season, Fuller finally stayed healthy in 2020 and produced the entire season…before he got hit with a PED suspension. He gets a one-year prove-it deal and hopes to stay healthy again and cash in next year. I know Tua, the presumed starter now that Ryan Fitzpatrick is in Washington, is excited about having a speedy deep threat with Parker on the outside. Helping out Tua is a new center in Matt Skura, the former Raven, who takes the place of Ted Karras who also went back to the Pats after one year.
Conclusion: The Dolphins have made a lot of moves this offseason to hopefully put them back in contention after getting close to the wild card last season. They have plenty of draft picks after trading the No. 3 pick (from the Laremy Tunsil-Texans trade) for the 12th pick, then trading back up to the 6th pick, ultimately netting them a 2023 first. This move back almost guarantees Tua as the starter, and an opportunity to show his limited poor production as a rookie isn’t who he really is, and that he’s the real deal. For their draft pick, I definitely see them taking a receiver with that 6th pick, either DeVonta Smith or JaMarr Chase. I think they’re pretty well stocked at every other position, so just give Tua another weapon and see what happens.
New England Patriots
Key acquisitions: TE Jonnu Smith, TE Hunter Henry, OLB Matt Judon, LB Kyle Van Noy, WR Nelson Agholor, OT Trent Brown, DB Jalen Mills, DT Davon Godchaux, C Ted Karras, WR Kendrick Bourne, DE Henry Anderson, DT Montravius Adams, LB Raekwon McMillan, LB LaRoy Reynolds
Re-signed: QB Cam Newton, C David Andrews, DT Lawrence Guy, RB James White, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., CB Justin Bethel, DT Carl Davis, S Cody Davis, K Nick Folk
Departures: WR Julian Edelman (retired), S Patrick Chung (retired), OT Marcus Cannon (Texans), G Joe Thuney (Chiefs), DT Adam Butler (Dolphins), S Terrence Brooks (Texans), TE Ryan Izzo (Texans), OLB Brandon Copeland (Falcons)
Remaining free agents: RB Rex Burkhead, CB Jason McCourty, DE John Simon
Analysis: In an extremely rare series of events, the Patriots were the biggest headline makers in free agency, signing so many players to multi-year deals very early in the process. This team rarely makes the big move, often waiting until after the first big wave to make their move, but they went all in on getting their guys. They were also in a rare position, being near the top of the cap space ranks, and were not afraid to throw money around.
On the first days of free agency Bill Belichick gave to me: two stud tight ends, a run stuffing defensive tackle, a versatile defensive back, a Pro Bowl pass rusher, two new wide receivers, traded for a monster offensive tackle, brought back a fan favorite linebacker, and a bunch of depth guys on defense that will turn into key members who will likely cash out with a new team next offseason and get compensatory picks. A perfect Patriots fans dream.
The first move the Pats made was signing Jonnu Smith to a huge deal on the first day, then the next day they made another huge deal in signing Hunter Henry. Those two were the top tight ends on the market, and Bill got both of them. He wants to enact the two tight end set again, and he got two of the best in the league at top dollar. Also adding to the offense are two new receivers in former Eagle and Raider Nelson Agholor and former 49er Kendrick Bourne. Agholor has had his struggles after entering as a first-round pick, being the butt of drop jobs, but had a really nice season in Vegas last year, and got paid by the Pats. Bourne has been a quiet guy in the league, primarily as a third or fourth receiver in San Fran, but everytime I’d watch the 49ers he’d be catching a clutch touchdown in the redzone, so he’s a solid player, nothing flashy, but a solid guy.
They also made some changes on the offensive line, bring back a couple old friends, acquiring Trent Brown, their former left tackle in 2018, from the Raiders and signing Ted Karras, who had a solid four years in New England, including 2019 as a starter, before spending 2020 with the Dolphins. The other big change is that Joe Thuney, their stud left guard for five years, signed a massive deal with the Chiefs. They also traded away their longtime right tackle Marcus Cannon to the Texans, which opens the door for Brown. They also brought back their longtime starting center David Andrews, who many thought would’ve been gone after bringing in Karras, but he got a multi-year deal so he’s here for the long run.
On defense they brought in Matt Judon, a Pro Bowl pass rusher from the Ravens which they desperately needed, as well as Davon Godchaux, the run stuffing defensive tackle from the Dolphins, and Henry Anderson, who was cut by the Jets. Godchaux is not a big name, but he’s a big presence and helps will the void lost by Adam Butler, who took his place in Miami. They also signed former Eagles DB Jalen Mills, who has starting experience at cornerback and safety, and will help fill the void lost by the retirement of Patrick Chung. I bringing back Kyle Van Noy, desperately helps a weak linebackers group from last year, and they also brought in Raekwon McMillan and LaRoy Reynolds as solid depth guys. I also like that they brought back Lawrence Guy and Deatrich Wise. They’ve been very good players for them, and they get to keep them.
Conclusion: It was crazy to see the Pats so active in free agency, and it was exciting to see, but games aren’t won in March. They brought back Cam Newton, much to fans’ dismay, and they should definitely be looking to get a quarterback in the first round this year. Cam flat out stunk last year, and they need a young guy to build up and lead the franchise. I don’t think Jimmy Garoppolo will be available this year, despite the 49ers trading up to the third pick, and there aren’t really any other QBs available outside of the draft, so that’s priority #1. Priority #2, just live up to the hype you built up for yourself in free agency. These moves won’t be considered great until there’s production on the field. This is a weird thing to say to the Patriots, but it’s a new era, and they have to start over, and this was a good start.
New York Jets
Key acquisitions: WR Corey Davis, DE Carl Lawson, S Lamarcus Joyner, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Jarrad Davis, RB Tevin Coleman, G Dan Feeney, CB Justin Hardee, WR Keelan Cole, TE Tyler Kroft, DE Vinny Curry, G Corey Levin
Re-signed: S Marcus Maye (franchise)
Departures: QB Sam Darnold (Panthers), DE Henry Anderson (Patriots), OLB Jordan Jenkins (Texans), OLB Tarell Basham (Cowboys), WR Breshad Perriman (Lions), G Pat Elflein (Panthers), QB Joe Flacco (Eagles)
Remaining free agents: LB Neville Hewitt, CB Brian Poole, FS Bradley McDougald, LB Patrick Onwuasor, RB Frank Gore
Analysis: The Robert Saleh era in New York is off to an eventful start, in a good way. We’ll get to the most recent news later, but let’s talk about the big guys they’ve brought in, because they’re pretty good. Desperate to give their quarterback (SPOILER ALERT: not Sam Darnold) a top receiver, they signed former Titans first-rounder Corey Davis to a three-year deal. Davis has not been spectacular in his career as the fifth overall pick in 2017, but he’s been solid. Probably will never be a perennial Pro Bowler, but he’s a very good No. 2 receiver on the depth chart. Him along with former Jaguar Keelan Cole join what is shaping up to be a solid WR group with Denzel Mims and Jamison Crowder. They also signed Tyler Kroft to shore up that tight end group. One of my favorite moves of the offseason was the Jets signing Tevin Coleman. He reunites with Saleh from their San Francisco days, where he didn’t get much playing time due to injuries and a crowded backfield, and a legitimate option at running back, finally. They also added a depth piece at the interior offensive line with Dan Feeney, who could challenge for a starting spot.
Saleh is a defensive guy, and he got some nice guys on defense. Carl Lawson, the former Bengal, has been a solid disruptive pass rusher his entire career. He doesn’t have big stats, but he’s a monster when it comes to pressures and QB hits. Jets get a true pass rusher since John Abraham (credit: Dan Hanzus). To help Lawson on the edge, you need a guy to get pressure up the middle, and they got that in former Saints first-rounder Sheldon Rankins. He’s a monster run stuffer and can rush the passer, him and Quinnen Williams will be a terror. They also brought in help at safety with Lamarcus Joyner, who was cut by the Raiders, so he gets an opportunity to play alongside Marcus Maye, who got the franchise tag himself. Jarrad Davis is an interesting signing, it was pretty widely criticized, but I think it’s a perfect buy-low case because he had a terrible tenure in Detroit as a first-round pick, and he’ll have an opportunity to get a lot of playing time since they parted with Tarell Basham, Jordan Jenkins, Neville Hewitt, and Patrick Onwuasor.
Now to the big news, the Jets traded away their former young potential franchise quarterback Sam Darnold to the Panthers for second-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks. Holding the 2nd overall pick, the Jets had a massive decision to make at quarterback: either keep Darnold and try to trade back with a QB-desperate team and get more picks, or get their top quarterback not named Trevor Lawrence and get rid of Darnold somehow. Well Darnold is in Carolina now and is the presumed starter there, which leaves short-term former Jet Teddy Bridgewater on the outside.
Conclusion: I like what the Jets did in their first offseason with Robert Saleh. I hated Adam Gase, I’m sure most people did too, and Saleh gives the Jets juice and excitement, and I’m here for it. I like the moves they made and where the roster currently stands, and once again, it all comes down to the quarterback. They’re definitely taking one with that No. 2 pick, and it’s probably Zach Wilson from BYU. I wouldn’t consider this team a playoff team, but I think they’re actually heading in the right direction. That’s been said far too often in the past, maybe this time it’ll be true.
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