So basically the point of this blog… I’m in love with football. I know basically everything that someone not on the inside of the organization or the media knows about the Miami Dolphins specifically. Which most definitely does not give me the authority to write an article, but alas here we are. This article will go over each team’s most likely FA addition based on need, coaching, and my idiocy. So without any further rambling let’s get into this…
Oh and if I get any one of these correct anyone who has clicked on this article owes me $5 for each correct pick. I’m pulling IPs so hope I suck at this.
We will go in alphabetical order by city…
Buffalo Bills:
JK we are going in whatever order I feel like… suck it reader whom I love for actually taking the time out of your day to read this.
The Bills are fresh off of Rex Ryan and I assume trying to reverse most things he did. That must be the thinking with the Tyrod Taylor release rumors. Listen, Tyrod isn’t a top 10 QB… BUT he is very formidable for a starter and a difference-maker. He can throw the deep ball very well, escapes well and makes good throws in the pocket as well. So many teams would scoop him up. I don’t expect the Bills to keep Stephon Gilmore their 1st round CB. He could be tagged but isn’t worth that dollar figure. There are plenty of good CBs in the draft too that could be #1s. I do expect to them to get a backup corner but he is not the one I will be highlighting here. The Bills are good on offense at OL and RB, but their receivers are iffy. With Watkins always hurt and can leave next summer, I expect them to try to make a splash at receiver somehow.
Team Needs: WR, CB, DL
FA they are likely to sign: WR Kenny Britt
Miami Dolphins:
Alright, I know a lot about us. We are going to be looking hard at the defense. LBs and DL specifically. We have been linked to DT Brandon Williams from the Ravens but he would be a 2nd/3rd behind Suh. Rumors also are that the Dolphins are going to make a trade for a big time corner. Therefore, my guess won’t be a corner for FA purposes. I assume a pass rusher will be drafted early in the draft because of the great commodity this year. Therefore, I expect a decent LB, DE, and OG to be picked up in FA. We will likely lose Stills as well so that is in play. We won’t be able to afford someone like Donta Hightower which would’ve been nice because stealing from the Pats is a double win. But I see no reason we can’t steal from the Bills.
Team Needs: DL, LB, OG
Free Agent they are likely to sign: LB Zach Brown
New England Patriots:
I hate this team. I’m going to be able to find so many holes in this team (especially because they can’t afford their own players), and they can also be Super Bowl contenders every year. It just pisses me off. Linebacker is one of their biggest needs. They could also possibly use a pass rusher. Corner could be an issue if Butler walks. Their WR position is just ok but could be better (too many slots). TE is a problem because Gronk can’t stay healthy and Martellus is walking. Backup QB is also something to address, although they will probably get someone in the draft. Honestly, though the Patriots don’t make splashes and they always build through the draft so this guess will be awful.
Team Needs: TE, LB, QB
Free Agent they are likely to sign: DE Charles Johnson
New York Jets:
My how the mighty Jets have fallen. There is a lot of question marks for this team and could go a lot of ways. They need a QB, some OL, DBs, and LBs. So… most of their team is in need of help. Bowles is a defensive minded coach and somehow still has a job. I expect a splash at DB. OL is too ugly for them to go big on. There really isn’t any good QBs ever in FA (Garroppolo could be available by trade but wouldn’t go to the Jets where he could hurt the Pats). Linebacker is a possibility. Donta Hightower is a huge name that will be a free agent but he is likely going to have a lot of suitors and let’s face it. If you could choose to go have the same amount of money in FL or NY where would you go?
Team Needs: Most everything
Free Agent they are likely to sign: CB AJ Bouye
If you haven’t figured it out yet… We are organizing this by division then alphabetically… Jeeez wake up…
AFC North:
Baltimore Ravens:
The Ravens have a multitude of free agents this year and thus needs. They are one of the few teams that use a FB and I don’t expect the Ravens to sign him for what he truly is worth simply because the money could be used elsewhere. They also have an interesting situation at RB. I believe they like their rook Kenneth Dixon but that clearly could be an upgraded position. They also just had their safety arrested and released from the team. Their WR corps is also very meh so an upgrade for a deep threat (Flacco can bomb it) makes sense. They always love upgrading their defense as well so I wouldn’t be shocked at a splash there.
Team Needs: WR, DB, RB
Free Agent they are likely to sign: S John Cyprien
Cincinnati Bengals:
They have been wishing and wishing that one of their WRs opposite AJ Green could take some eyes off of him, but they only seem to produce when they leave. They also are going to have GLARING holes at their OL with their two best OL leaving to FA. They may be able to sign one of them back (Zeitler/Whitworth) but not both. Also creating a pass rush is a necessity in the NFL and Dunlap can’t do it all by himself while also being a DT. It just doesn’t work like that.
Team Needs: OL, WR, DL
Free Agent they are likely to sign: OT Ricky Wagner
Cleveland Browns:
God bless the Cleveland Browns. This would be my longest entry if I actually listed everything, probably a full page long. So I’m just going to list everything with 3 words after each position explaining. Let’s see how this goes:
Team Needs: QB (26 since 99), WR (bye Terrell Pryor), OL (JOE THOMAS HOF!!!! *looks at rest of OL* *RIP*), DL (cause why not), LB (*browns ownership* what’s this position?), DB (better than QBs)
Free Agent they are likely to sign: Factory of Sadness Guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRBDMMVctu8
In Memorium
All Future Cleveland Browns. May you suck so you get cut and go to another team. RIP
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers just paid their RB (Bell) and WR (Brown) a lot of money. With this offensive firepower plus Bryant coming back into the fold. The team should be very strong on offense once again. Their defense seems to only show up in games that it matters the most so the playoffs and December. They’ll need to address that in March this year. They have good pass rushers but should re-sign James Harrison. They need to look to their secondary to get to that next level D that we are used to from this team. Safeties and corners would both be useful here. If I had to find another position of need it is backup QB. Ben gets hurt every year and the team just collapses. Get someone who won't crush the team and you’d compete with the Pats every year for the #1 seed.
Team Needs: CB, S, QB
Free Agent they are likely to sign: S Tony Jefferson
AFC South:
Houston Texans:
The Texans last year should’ve been playing the Pats in the AFC Champ game. Because that’s how good their team as a whole was. The defense was #2 in the NFL and offense had great playmakers. But god damn freaking Brock Osweiler happened… I cannot still believe he is able to even play in the NFL let alone make that kind of money. He is worse than me and I would only punt it. So if that isn’t a god damn help wanted sign for the team I don’t know what is. They have a great OL, RB, and WR. TE seemed to work by just spreading the ball around but I can't imagine Cj Fedorwicz is a permanent solution. AJ Bouye will leave a hole at CB upon his FA exit so that is also a place to address. DE is finally formidable as Clowney is healthy. BRING BACK HOYER!!!
Team Needs: QB!!!!!!!!!!, TE, CB
Free Agent they are likely to sign: QB Brian Hoyer
Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts have mightily struggled up front on the OL and more or less everywhere on defense. They drafted an OL last year but that didn’t help Luck too much as he was still consistently hit. Once he has time to throw, he will be the next Peyton just more mobile. CB is one decently bright spot for this defensive unit. Vontae Davis is old but still playing well when healthy. With Robert Mathis retired, a pass rusher is also necessary.
Team Needs: OL, DL, LB
Free Agent they are likely to sign: DE/LB Nick Perry
Jacksonville Jaguars:
This team seems to be in the right place. They have a good group of backs, receivers, and a good talented young defense. Where are the issues? Well, they don’t have an OL or a DL. They lose all their battles in the trenches. They also do have good players, but when they do any good they bolt in FA which is happening again this year with John Cyprien their star safety. That is a position of need as well as the aforementioned lines. I would start with protecting Borltes. Clearly, Bortles is not the answer, but he is the problem. Wait that doesn’t sound right… once his rookie deal is up there is no doubt he is out of town, and a new gunslinger will be on his way in. But until then an OL to help get a running game going should take the pressure of Bortles to see if he has ANYTHING to offer. Also, something to note, with Julius Thomas out, they could make a big splash at TE with Martellus Bennett.
Team Needs: OL, DL, S
Free Agent they are likely to sign: OT Andrew Whitworth
Tennessee Titans:
The Titans have the best OL in football next to the Cowboys. They have a great pair of RBs and a good, young QB. Not to mention a pro-bowl TE. Their offense is honestly one of the strongest in the NFL. Their WR corps is young, hungry, and underrated. They may get another guy here but in the draft probably. Their defense is where they must address. They probably could use a playmaker guy at every core position (DL, LB, DB), and they have a ton of cap. Expect a bunch of Titans linked to “blah blah blah the top blah of this year’s class”. Donta Hightower, Bouye are names to keep an eye on.
Team Needs: DL, LB, DB
Free Agent they are likely to sign: LB Dont’a Hightower
AFC West:
Denver Broncos:
The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, even though they were massively overhauled last offseason. They have one of the best duos of WRs in the NFL. They have a great RB. How did this team not even make the playoffs you might think? Well, they don’t have a great QB but even more importantly their OL is a disaster. Once Anderson went down, they couldn’t run for anything. They need to address the guard and tackle positions early and often.
Team Needs: OG, OT, QB
Free Agent they are likely to sign: OG T.J. Lang
Kansas City Chiefs:
The Chiefs already made their big splash in free agency. Signing Eric Berry to a long-term deal was the best thing they could’ve done this year. Now, what else do they need? They have a solid back and TE. They might be able to use another QB or a big tall WR that has great hands. DT is also going to be a position of need with Poe out of town. Also, Derrick Houston and Tamba Hali are getting up there in age so some rushers wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
Team Needs: WR, DT, QB
Free Agent they are likely to sign: QB Mike Glennon
Los Angeles Chargers:
The Chargers have the worst OL problems in the NFL. Oddly enough, those problems aren’t talent. It’s that they're always hurt. And last year that spread to everyone on the offense except Phillip Rivers. They could probably use another OL for depth purposes but they really should address getting an elite talent at Safety especially with the depth of the FA class at that position.
Team Needs: OG, OT, S
Free Agent they are likely to sign: S D.J. Swearinger
Oakland Raiders:
The Raiders are very close to being great and making it to the Super Bowl. They just gotta go through Tom Brady. Their offense (when healthy) is good enough to do that. They just released Latavius Murray who was truly overrated, so that leaves a small void there because they still have good backup talent there. They aren’t looking for a workhorse. Just someone who is able to take most all 1st and 2nd down duties. Their defense is filled with studs. They could maybe use another LB to play with Malcolm Smith.
Team Needs: RB, LB, OG
Free Agent likely to sign: RB Jacquizz Rodgers
Well, that’s all I’m going to write for now. I hope that you all enjoyed. If you want me to do the NFC or a particular team in the NFC please leave a comment or tweet at me. Thanks.
Sources I referred to:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-lets-connect-the-dots-for-26-teams-in-nfl-free-agency/
