We are a month from the draft and there have already been plenty of fireworks leading up to the big day. This offseason has been an exciting one with several big names on the move. With most the marquee players off the market rosters are really starting to take shape. At this point there have been clear winners and losers of the NFL Free Agency. Here are some of my top teams for each category.
NFL Free Agency Winners and Losers
Winner – Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have transformed themselves into a true contender this offseason. After having one of the most explosive offenses in the league last year they have built the defense to match over the offseason. The additions of Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh have transformed the Rams from a team on the rise into a full blown contender.
Loser – Indianapolis Colts
It’s no secret that the Colts have a terrible roster. And while it will be better next year with the return of injured players such as Andrew Luck, Indy hasn’t really done much of anything to improve this offseason. In fact they might have gotten worse after cutting defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins. Barring Luck putting this franchise in his back and carrying them to eight wins next year you can expect the Colts to have another top 10 pick in 2019.
Winner – Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags made a deep playoff run on the football foundation of a strong running game and a great defense. Now they have added Andrew Norwell to improve the offensive line and make that running game that much better. This move alone can take that offense from good to great and will take that much more pressure off QB Blake Bortles. They also added two pass catching tight ends in Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul as well as receiver Donte Moncrief, so the offense should be significantly improved.
Loser – Kansas City Chiefs
Some might say the Chiefs had a good free agency with the addition of wide receiver Sammy Watkins. However, they are paying Watkins like a super star at an average of $16 million per year. That’s big time Mindy for a guy who hasn’t proven he can stay healthy, or even when he is healthy hasn’t proven to be one of the best receivers in the game. On top of that they’ve watch some of their best defenders (like Marcus Peters and Derrick Johnson) leave Kansas City for various reasons and they haven’t done a ton to replace them.
Winner – Chicago Bears
The Bears new the had to surround Mitchell Trubisky with weapons this offseason and that’s exactly what they did. The additions of Allen Robinson and speedster Taylor Gabriel will be a huge upgrade to the wide receiver position in 2018. Plus the signing of Trey Burton who will also improve the group of pass catchers from the tight end position. Chicago is clearly making an effort to build around their you quarterback to give him every opportunity to succeed and prove he’ll be their franchise guy.
Loser – Oakland Raiders
The Raiders plan is unclear, but if I had to guess it seemed to be to get older and less explosive. After signing big names that are past their prime like Jordy Nelson and Doug Martin it really feels like they’re moving in the wrong direction. I suppose it’s not shocking after they hired a coach in John Gruden who hasn’t coached in about a decade that Oakland has an older mentality, but this isn’t 2003 and this roster needs to adjust to the speed of the game today. As of right now I’d expect them to pick in the top ten of next years draft too.