The Daily Briefing Tuesday, January 5, 2021
AROUND THE NFLDaily Briefing For those keeping score at home, the NFL kicked out five of the 12 teams from last year’s playoff club. In the AFC, New England and Houston, and in the NFC, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Minnesota.
With 14 teams in this year’s club, seven new teams were added, including the two teams that seized the #7 slot in each conference. New teams in the AFC are Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. New in the NFC are the WFT, Tampa Bay, Rams and Chicago.
HALL OF FAME FINALISTS
The official NFL list is ordered in some sense by position as we look at the 15 2021 Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The DB is pleased to see Ronde Barber make his first appearance on the list:
Leading the group of 15 is former Colts and Broncos great Peyton Manning, who won an NFL-record five MVPs and was a two-time Super Bowl champion. Considered one of the best quarterbacks to play the game, Manning was a 14-time Pro Bowler and seven-time first-team All-Pro selection and a member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Follow along here as the complete list of finalists is revealed:
Peyton Manning, QB – 1998-2011 Indianapolis Colts, 2012-2015 Denver Broncos Calvin Johnson, WR – 2007-2015 Detroit Lions Torry Holt, WR — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars Reggie Wayne, WR — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts Charles Woodson, DB – 1998-2005, 2013-2015 Raiders, 2006-2012 Green Bay Packers Ronde Barber, DB – 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers LeRoy Butler, S — 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers John Lynch, FS — 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos Jared Allen, DE – 2004-2007 Chiefs, 2008-2013 Vikings, 2014 Bears, 2015 Panthers Richard Seymour, DE/DT — 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders Zach Thomas, LB — 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys Clay Matthews, LB – 1978-1993 Cleveland Browns, 1994-1996 Atlanta Falcons Sam Mills, LB — 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers
So – initial thought is that Manning is a lock, Woodson is also probably a first time honoree, at least one of the wide receivers gets in, it’s about time for John Lynch plus one of the other defenders.
NFC NORTH
MINNESOTA The Vikings went out winners because this happened per Michael David Smith ofProFootballTalk.com:
It hasn’t been discussed much because it happened in a game between two mathematically eliminated teams in Week 17, but one of the worst calls of the season took place in Sunday’s Vikings-Lions game.
The Vikings were going for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line when Detroit’s Tracy Walker came through on a blitz and drilled Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on a good, hard, clean tackle. Somehow, the officials called Walker for roughing the passer, giving the Vikings an automatic first down. Two plays later, the Vikings scored a touchdown.
“I said to the player who tackled me, right away, I said, ‘I don’t necessarily agree with that call, but I’ll take it,’’’ Cousins said, via the Pioneer Press.
No one agreed with the call, except the referee who made it. It was clearly wrong, and it handed the Vikings a touchdown in a game they ended up winning by two points. In an important game, this would have caused an outrage across the league.
Adrian Hill was the referee who threw the fateful flag.
NFC EAST
PHILADELPHIA Well, it turns out that some of Doug Pederson’s players were as disgusted with his lack of a drive for victory on Sunday night as we were. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:
The Eagles have plenty of work to do to repair the external damage done by Sunday night’s apparent decision to deliberately lose to Washington. They also apparently have plenty of work to do to repair the internal damage.
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “many Eagles players and coaches were shocked and outraged” by the decision to remove quarterback Jalen Hurts for Nate Sudfeld in the second half of the Week 17 game.
Per the report, two defensive players “had to be held back” from confronting coach Doug Pederson. McLane also reports that center Jason Kelce (pictured) and another offensive starter approach Pederson for an explanation as to the move.
Pederson explained after the loss that he was trying to win the game. On Monday, Pederson gave a rambling non-answer when asked again about the perception that the Eagles weren’t trying to secure a victory that would have knocked Washington out of the playoffs and would have delivered the NFC East title to the Giants.
The incident puts a dark cloud over the team at the conclusion of a lost season. Clearing it away will require plenty of frank and candid conversations. Ultimately, Pederson may have to admit to his players (at a minimum, to his team leaders) that the goal was to enhance the team’s draft position or, possibly, to take steam out of potential push to make Hurts the starter in 2021, allowing the team to make a more reasoned and deliberate decision as to the quarterback position next season, given their belief that Carson Wentz‘s poor season may have been an aberration.
The Eagles benefited significantly from pandemic protocols that keep reporters out of the locker room in the raw and real moments after a game. Still, this problem hasn’t quickly gone away — and the Eagles have offered up nothing in the aftermath of the game to reduce the discontent arising from the apparently deliberate decision to not try to beat Washington in the final game of the 2020 regular season.
Giants coach Joe Judge, his hopes cruelly dashed, lets the Eagles have it. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News:
Joe Judge blasted Doug Pederson’s Philadelphia Eagles on Monday for tanking Sunday night’s regular season finale, but not because the Eagles’ loss to Washington kept the Giants out of the playoffs.
Judge sounded off because he said the Eagles’ tactics were disrespectful to everyone who sacrificed so much to make this season possible. The Giants’ first-year coach said he would never be a part of something like that as long as he is in New York.
“To disrespect the game by going out there and not competing for 60 minutes and doing everything you can to help those players win, we will never do that as long as I’m the head coach of the New York Giants,” a stern Judge said.
Joe Judge said the Eagles’ tactics were disrespectful to everyone who sacrificed so much to make this season possible.
Judge made it clear that the Giants (6-10) have only themselves to blame for not reaching the postseason. He clearly instructed his players — who had been complaining about the Eagles Sunday night on social media — to get in lock step with that message of accountability.
Has any NFL reputation been as significantly damaged in 2020 as Pederson’s with the late switch to Hurts and now this fiasco?
WASHINGTON EDGE CHASE YOUNG is bringing some excitement to Saturday night’s big game. Nick Shook of NFL.com:
Chase Young is experiencing the rare fruits of his rookie labor: His team has made the playoffs in his first professional season, and he’s making a significant impact.
It’s fair, then, for Young to be feeling himself a little bit. The defensive end let it be known as he skipped off the field in Philadelphia on Sunday night that he has a future Hall of Famer in his crosshairs.
“Tom Brady!” Young shouted. “Tom Brady, I’m coming! I want Tom! I want Tom.”
Bruce Arians caught wind of Young’s request this week and was quick to praise the rookie and some of his key teammates, but ended with a lesson that might prove to be mighty important come Saturday.
“It’s kind of like what (Pittsburgh Steelers coach) Mike Tomlin was talking about, you don’t want to have to draft that high to get guys like that,” Arians said, referring to Tomlin’s pregame chat with Young before Pittsburgh fell to Washington, via the Tampa Bay Times. “But you’ve got to play against them. He’s a hell of a player. Making him a captain as a rookie speaks volumes.
“Both those kids from Ohio State, he and (receiver Terry) McLaurin, are great kids. He’s a handful, but so is (Montez) Sweat, (Daron) Payne, the rest of those guys. Ryan Kerrigan, I’ve had a ton of respect for a long time. We’ll have our hands full, but it’s one of those games where you better watch what you wish for.”
Brady is not one who needs extra motivation for any type of competition, let alone his first playoff game as a Buccaneer. Requesting the six-time champion is bold, but bold is not always wise. You know, mess with the bull, get the horns.
He’s also getting hot at just the right time, boosting his passer rating from 96.2 in Weeks 1-9 to 110 in Weeks 10-17, and throwing for more passing yards per game in that latter span than he ever has in his career in the second half of a season, per NFL Research.
Brady is hot and on a mission. He’ll face quite a challenge this weekend when Washington’s second-ranked defense comes to town, bringing a pass rush that ranks seventh in the league in disruption rate. We’ll learn if Brady is up to the task and ready to teach Young a tough lesson — or if the youngster’s requests ends up proving prescient.
NFC SOUTH
CAROLINA Well, QB TEDDY BRIDGEWATER had a full season to show his full capabilities – and it sounds like Coach Matt Rhule thought he came up a bit short. Kevin Patra of NFL.com:
Matt Rhule put Teddy Bridgewater on notice with a Week 17 benching.
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers coach reiterated he needs to see more out of the quarterback heading into 2021 and did not rule out selecting a QB in the draft this year.
“Teddy has to have a tremendous offseason,” Rhule said, via David Newton of ESPN.
Rhule benched Bridgewater midway through the third quarter of Sunday’s 33-7 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. Bridgewater completed 13-of-23 passes for 176 yards with two INTs. P.J. Walker faired no better, completing just five of 14 passes for 95 yards and three interceptions.
Rhule noted that Bridgewater’s play trended downward after he got hurt in Week 10.
“Ever since he got hurt in the second half of the Tampa Bay game, Teddy hasn’t played his best football,” Rhule said, per Bill Voth of the team’s official website. “My encouragement to him has been, ‘Hey, you’ve got to have a great offseason.'”
Since Week 10, Bridgewater completed 62.96 percent of his passes, averaged 236.2 yards per game, threw four INTs to just two TDs, took 12 sacks, and earned a passer rating of 78.8 in five games. In the first 10 games of the season, he averaged 255 yards per game, completed 72.12 percent of his passes with 13 TDs, 7 INTs, took 19 sacks, and had a passer rating of 98.7.
For his part, Bridgewater wasn’t concerned about the benching heading into the offseason.
“This is my team and I’m going to continue to conduct myself that way,” he said.
Bridgewater’s contract, which carries a $23 million cap hit in 2021, was designed to have him in Carolina for at least two years.
AFC WEST
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS Not sure we saw this one coming, but it kind of makes sense. Mike Florio ofProFootballTalk.com:
Former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett could be getting a second chance to run a team of his own.
The Chargers have formally requested permission to interview Garrett, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. Fired by the Cowboys after the 2019 season, Garrett served as offensive coordinator with the Giants in 2020.
He generated a record of 85-67 in more than nine seasons as the Dallas coach. In the postseason, Garrett’s Cowboys were 2-3.
The Chargers job is one of the most attractive in the current cycle, given the presence of quarterback Justin Herbert and a roster full of talented players. Based on the team’s performance in 2020, the Chargers need a coach who can better manage the team on game days, quickly and confidently making big decisions like when to go for it on fourth down, when to go for two, when to call time outs, etc.
Which suggests, well, never mind.
Why would Florio say that Garrett, who worked for Jerry Jones, has previously “managed a team on his own?”
THIS AND THAT
FINAL AIKMAN RATINGS The Packers emerge as the season-long leader of the 2020 Aikman Combined Ratings, fueled by a record Aikman Offense number of 100.4.
The Rams end up as first in Aikman Defense just as they did in the NFL’s yards-only calculations.
The Packers were “only” 5th in most yards, but as for the Aikman categories they were 1st in Offensive Points, 1st in Fewest Turnovers and 1st in Red Zone Efficiency (the three 20% categories), 2nd in in 3rd Down Conversion Percentage, 2nd in Yards Per Pass Play, 7th in Yards Per Rush and 11th in Total First Downs.
Aikman Ratings NFL Rankings Comb Off Def Off Def Comb 1 13-3 Packers 165.5 100.4 65.1 5 9 14 2 12-4 Saints 164.7 95.1 69.6 12 4 16 3 11-5 Buccaneers 164.3 94.1 70.2 7 6 13 4 11-5 Ravens 161.0 91.7 69.3 19 7 26 5 10-6 Rams 159.8 83.7 76.1 11 1 12 6 12-4 Steelers 158.8 84.3 74.5 24 3 27 7 11-5 Colts 158.4 89.2 69.2 10 8 18 8 13-3 Bills 157.5 93.0 64.5 2 14 16 9 8-8 Cardinals 157.0 89.3 67.7 6 13 19 10 12-4 Seahawks 157.0 92.7 64.3 17 22 39 11 14-2 Chiefs 156.3 94.7 61.6 1 16 17 12 11-5 Browns 156.2 92.7 63.5 16 17 33 13 10-6 Dolphins 155.6 84.2 71.4 22 20 42 14 11-5 Titans 155.1 98.5 56.6 2 28 30 15 7-9 Vikings 153.1 92.2 60.9 4 27 31 16 6-10 49ers 152.2 83.7 68.5 15 5 20 17 7-9 Washington 150.6 77.4 73.2 30 2 32 18 7-9 Chargers 149.8 86.3 63.5 9 10 19 19 8-8 Bears 147.7 81.1 66.6 26 11 37 20 4-12 Falcons 147.1 85.8 61.3 18 29 47 21 7-9 Patriots 145.3 81.4 63.9 27 15 42 22 8-8 Raiders 143.2 88.2 55.0 8 25 33 23 6-10 Giants 142.2 74.7 67.5 31 12 43 24 4-11-1 Eagles 142.2 78.3 63.9 24 19 43 25 6-10 Cowboys 141.1 81.8 59.3 14 23 37 26 5-11 Panthers 140.4 80.7 59.7 21 18 39 27 5-11 Broncos 139.5 75.9 63.6 23 21 44 28 4-12 Texans 138.7 86.4 52.3 13 30 43 29 5-11 Lions 136.6 86.0 50.6 20 32 52 30 4-11-1 Bengals 133.8 75.9 57.9 29 26 55 31 1-15 Jaguars 133.2 78.8 54.4 28 31 59 32 2-14 Jets 131.8 70.3 61.5 32 24 56 149.9 85.9 64.0 NFL Rankings On Net Yardage
bldfc – playoff Green – top 5 offense Red – top 5 defense
THE STATE OF THE NON-PLAYOFF 18 Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com:
Slowly rebuild what has been torn down
Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 record: 1-15 Average age of starters in 2020: 26 Projected 2021 cap space: $76,227,279 Big-ticket free agent: Cam Robinson Low-key important free agent: Sidney Jones
Priorities this offseason: Go all-in now. Use the more than $75 million in cap space and those 10 draft picks (including two first-rounders) to approach fringe contention sooner than later. After 44 regular-season wins over the past decade, try anything.
“They have a chance to get good in a hurry,” one NFL personnel man said. “Might not be 2021, but in the next two years, for sure.”
This team has bigger problems than quarterback, which will be solved by selecting Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall. It needs upgrades all over. The offensive line is a strength, so re-signing Robinson to shore up the left tackle spot makes sense. Linebacker and running back are solid. But most spots simply aren’t good enough. Replenish everything, and get the right coach to foster the talent.
New York Jets 2020 record: 2-14 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.1 Projected 2021 cap space: $69,385,570 Big-ticket free agent: Marcus Maye Low-key important free agent: Breshad Perriman
Priorities this offseason: Make sure the new coach develops a strong relationship with general manager Joe Douglas. Those two must coexist harmoniously. Draft the quarterback of the future at No. 2 overall, then decide if trading Sam Darnold for a midround pick is worth it. Otherwise, keep Darnold one more year to see what he has. Upgrade the playmaker and defensive back spots through the draft.
“Really, they had enough talent to be a five- to six-win team this [past year] if they stayed healthy,” an AFC scout said. “That’s probably where they should have been. It’s a rebuild, but there’s talent there.”
New coach taking control
Atlanta Falcons 2020 record: 4-12 Average age of roster in 2020: 27.2 Projected 2021 cap space: -$37,388,614 Big-ticket free agent: Todd Gurley II Low-key important free agent: Damontae Kazee
Priorities this offseason: The roster isn’t good enough to justify that looming cap deficit. Restructure contracts of star players recently extended, such as Grady Jarrett ($20.83 million cap hit), Jake Matthews ($20.2 million) and Deion Jones ($12.6 million). Try to get out of that three-year, $45 million Dante Fowler Jr. deal that looks bad 10 months later.
And at least explore the trade market for Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, who combine for a massive $64 million cap hit. Try to set up the new coach for the cleanest of slates.
Houston Texans 2020 record: 4-12 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.9 Projected 2021 cap space: -$18,139,131 Big-ticket free agent: Will Fuller V Low-key important free agent: Tyrell Adams
Priorities this offseason: Sit tight; don’t overload your roster with more bold moves. Bill O’Brien did enough aimless maneuvering to leave the Texans with no first- or second-round picks. Maybe move up in the draft for better Day 2 positioning, but keep it sensible.
Consider franchise tagging Fuller (tags will be lower this year due to a declining salary cap). Most of the Texans’ free agents can walk.
Take J.J. Watt’s advice and prioritize players who want to work hard. Watt is still productive at 31, but with a $17.5 million cap hit next year, the Texans might be best suited trying to trade Watt to a contender or releasing him outright.
Detroit Lions 2020 record: 5-11 Average age of roster in 2020: 27.2 Projected 2021 cap space: $8,594,861 Big-ticket free agent: Kenny Golladay Low-key important free agent: Romeo Okwara
Priorities this offseason: It’s time to gauge trade interest in Matthew Stafford; it has been 12 years, and it hasn’t worked. Stafford’s pedigree should earn Detroit a first-round pick, which coupled with its existing top-10 pick provides more ammunition to get a top signal-caller in the draft.
Infusing the defense with more speed is crucial. Detroit was one of the league’s slowest defenses, which compromised the pass rush and strained the secondary.
Time to reassess
Cincinnati Bengals 2020 record: 4-11-1 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.7 Projected 2021 cap space: $31,921,577 Big-ticket free agent: A.J. Green Low-key important free agent: William Jackson
Priorities this offseason: Fix the offensive line by any means possible. Playing with a mix of projects and journeymen won’t suffice. Invest big in the position through free agency or the draft. Create synergy, from the coaches to players.
There were whispers about player discontent beyond the normal losing, especially on defense. (Carlos Dunlap teased this by forcing a trade.) Making changes to the defensive staff is a good start. Zac Taylor’s two wins in December created momentum for Year 3, and Joe Burrow believes he can win big in Cincinnati.
Philadelphia Eagles 2020 record: 4-11-1 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.4 Projected 2021 cap space: -$70,568,434 Big-ticket free agent: Jalen Mills Low-key important free agent: Duke Riley
Priorities this offseason: Where do you start? This is deeper than Carson Wentz’s struggles. The roster just isn’t very good. And to think the Eagles could have a top QB staring them in the face in April’s draft.
Decide now: Fix Wentz or draft someone, knowing Jalen Hurts can develop through either scenario. The belief leaguewide is the Eagles will explore trade options but are prepared to keep Wentz.
Move on from Zach Ertz, who would welcome a change at this point. He has one year left on his deal, and the past efforts at a negotiation didn’t go well. Use draft capital to improve the secondary and wide receiver spots. And restructure a boatload of contracts to get under the cap.
Stuck in QB purgatory
Carolina Panthers 2020 record: 5-11 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.5 Projected 2021 cap space: $14,410,408 Big-ticket free agent: Taylor Moton Low-key important free agent: Russell Okung
Priorities this offseason: Supplement Teddy Bridgewater with a draft pick who can sit and learn for a year. Carolina has eyed this draft class of quarterbacks for quite some time.
Re-signing Moton before he hits free agency should be a priority. He is a cornerstone tackle. Wideout Robby Anderson, a 2022 free agent, will probably want a new deal after his 1,000-yard season. Carolina could use one more piece in the secondary, which it can find in free agency. Just look at how well former Panthers cornerback James Bradberry worked out with the Giants.
Denver Broncos 2020 record: 5-11 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.2 Projected 2021 cap space: $16,660,095 Big-ticket free agent: Justin Simmons Low-key important free agent: Kareem Jackson
Priorities this offseason: The offseason starts and stops with Drew Lock. No quarterback is more unpredictable on Sundays than Lock, who has plenty of arm but lacks elite decision-making. The Broncos have been noncommittal on Lock due to his 15 interceptions in 13 games in Year 2. The Broncos would be smart to sign an established veteran to push Lock, similar to what the Chicago Bears did with Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky.
It wouldn’t shock to see Denver decline Von Miller’s $17.5 million option for next year. The Broncos can save around $18 million in cap space by moving on, and Miller would have a nice market at age 31. Simmons should be a priority this offseason. He is a star safety who won’t have any interest in playing on a second franchise tag.
Dallas Cowboys 2020 record: 6-10 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.5 Projected 2021 cap space: $19,240,465 Big-ticket free agent: Dak Prescott Low-key important free agent: Aldon Smith
Priorities this offseason: End the charade and pay Prescott. The Dallas offense was about 10 points and 80 yards better per game with Prescott in the lineup this year. Normally, I’d say move on and draft a replacement, because the money has reached obscene levels. But there’s no guarantee the Cowboys can get one of the top guys, and Dallas can structure the deal to lessen the cap hit in 2021 while hoping Prescott’s recovery from ankle surgery helps negotiations.
Then use draft capital to improve the defensive line and the secondary. Mike McCarthy can take a hard look at whether Mike Nolan is the right defensive coordinator for him.
Surprisingly comfortable despite losing record
San Francisco 49ers 2020 record: 6-10 Average age of roster in 2020: 27.1 Projected 2021 cap space: $12,341,563 Big-ticket free agent: Trent Williams Low-key important free agents: Kyle Juszczyk, Jason Verrett
Priorities this offseason: Consider 2020 an aberration and get back to work. The 49ers know they are good and won’t overreact to an unseemly stretch of injuries.
Gauge trade interest for oft-injured Jimmy Garoppolo, but ultimately consider reasons to keep him too. The 49ers are 24-10 with Garoppolo and 7-25 without him since 2017. Keeping him doesn’t preclude San Francisco from drafting a quarterback in the first round and applying pressure on the veteran.
It would be helpful to find out what’s causing all these injuries to virtually every position and use that information to prevent them in 2021. Keep either Verrett or Richard Sherman at corner, but not both; can’t afford both, because re-signing linebacker Fred Warner (a 2022 free agent) and left tackle Williams is paramount.
Los Angeles Chargers 2020 record: 7-9 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.3 Projected 2021 cap space: $21,309,315 Big-ticket free agent: Hunter Henry Low-key important free agent: Melvin Ingram
Priorities this offseason: Maximize Justin Herbert. Give him whatever he needs as far as offensive system with the new head coach. The signal-caller already has elite playmakers around him. The offensive line needs at least one more piece, and a new offensive coach with a creative system would utilize Herbert’s ability to throw from the pocket or on the move.
Whoever the coach is next year must clean up the curious late-game management under Anthony Lynn.
The defense isn’t as talented as it was two years ago. It is aging and needs reinforcements up front and in the secondary. This is a team with anchors on both sides of the ball that should contend for an AFC West title.
One side of the ball needs major help
Minnesota Vikings 2020 record: 7-9 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.3 Projected 2021 cap space: -$10,189,325 Big-ticket free agent: Anthony Harris Low-key important free agent: Eric Wilson
Priorities this offseason: Since taking over Minnesota in 2014, Mike Zimmer has always counterbalanced lackluster seasons with double-digit wins. There’s reason to believe Minnesota can follow that formula again. The Vikings ranked in the top 10 in total offense for the first time since 2009. Keep the core together on that side, starting with an extension for tackle Brian O’Neill.
It’s the defense that unexpectedly fell apart, ranking in the bottom third in several statistical categories.
The Vikings are in a tough spot with DE Danielle Hunter, who is underpaid at $14 million per year. The Vikings planned to pay him at some point, but his season-ending neck surgery complicates matters. Make sure he is healthy and comfortable with his contract, then let Harris walk and attempt to re-sign Wilson. Doing any of this will be tough for a team well over the cap for 2021. Cutting veterans such as tackle Riley Reiff and tight end Kyle Rudolph appears in order.
New England Patriots 2020 record: 7-9 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.9 Projected 2021 cap space: $51,092,197 Big-ticket free agent: Joe Thuney Low-key important free agent: James White
Priorities this offseason: Watching the 2020 Patriots was painful for those who like a semblance of offense on Sundays. Bill Belichick can attack the offseason by adding playmakers at several spots. Free agency is well-stocked with wide receivers. From high-end options (Allen Robinson) to that next tier (Corey Davis, T.Y. Hilton), the Patriots should gauge prices on all of them.
And there will be plenty of capable veteran quarterbacks out there. The Patriots would be wise to explore deals for Carson Wentz, Stafford or Garoppolo. For a cheaper option, former Patriot Jacoby Brissett will be a free agent. All of these options are probably better than a Cam Newton-led passing game that ranked 30th in the NFL this season.
New York Giants 2020 record: 6-10 Average age of roster in 2020: 26.4 Projected 2021 cap space: $9,593,258 Big-ticket free agent: Leonard Williams Low-key important free agent: Wayne Gallman
Priorities this offseason: Spark the offense with new concepts and talent. If the Giants are sticking with Daniel Jones for a third season, he needs more receivers who can beat man coverage consistently, one more running back and some new ideas for how to make it all work. Ranking next to last in total offense doesn’t bode well for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Attempting to re-sign Evan Engram now is a prudent move. When modest stats don’t match the elite talent — he does not have an 800-yard season since entering the league in 2017 — that’s usually good for the team in negotiations.
Las Vegas Raiders 2020 record: 8-8 Average age of roster in 2020: 27 Projected 2021 cap space: -$13,248,520 Big-ticket free agent: Johnathan Hankins Low-key important free agent: Nelson Agholor
Priorities this offseason: The lack of resources on the defense is hurting the overall product. The Raiders have allocated 37% of their 2020 and 2021 salary caps to that side of the ball. The offense has more than enough to win, ranking eighth in total offense behind Derek Carr, Darren Waller, a stout offensive line and intriguing young playmakers. Time to give the defense the same treatment, starting with prioritizing help along the defensive line via free agency and the draft.
The Raiders took late-season fliers on former first-round pass-rushers Takkarist McKinley and Vic Beasley, who failed spectacularly in Tennessee. The Raiders will need sizable jumps from defensive backs Damon Arnette and Johnathan Abram. That whole defensive unit needs more discipline.
Re-signing Agholor will be a difficult but smart proposition.
On the right track (mostly)
Arizona Cardinals 2020 record: 8-8 Average age of roster in 2020: 27.5 Projected 2021 cap space: $13,427,272 Big-ticket free agent: Patrick Peterson Low-key important free agent: Haason Reddick
Priorities this offseason: The Cardinals’ postseason meetings should address why a 6-3 season fell apart. Kliff Kingsbury suffered a few growing pains when trying to close out games, and the vertical passing game was uneven despite moments of brilliance from Kyler Murray.
Most of the Cardinals’ issues are not talent-based, though. The franchise jumped from holding the No. 1 pick to the cusp of the playoffs in two years, and Kingsbury deserves some credit for that. This is a roster that can win big next year. The offense averaged 385 yards per game, and the defense played at a respectable level, despite the need for an extra pass-rusher and more secondary help.
Success hinges largely on Kingsbury, Murray and GM Steve Keim making a leap in their third year together.
Miami Dolphins 2020 record: 10-6 Average age of roster in 2020: 25.8 Projected 2020 cap space: $24,864,768 Big-ticket free agent: Ryan Fitzpatrick Low-key important free agent: Elandon Roberts
Priorities this offseason: With the No. 3 overall pick staring Miami in the face thanks to the Laremy Tunsil trade with Houston, the NFL is about to find out how the Dolphins really feel about Tua Tagovailoa. Justin Fields or Zach Wilson could be available to Miami as part of a talented draft class. Doing extensive homework on that class and weighing the pros and cons of riding with Tagovailoa in Year 2 is crucial for Miami’s success.
Tagovailoa did some good things, and he might be the long-term answer, but the truth is Miami would trade out of that third spot without hesitation if Justin Herbert were its quarterback. Either way, the one-year Chan Gailey experiment at OC might be over. And the quarterback in 2021 needs more dynamic pass-catchers to stretch the field vertically and maybe one more solid lineman. Otherwise, this roster is well-positioned for contention right now.
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