NFC Free Agency Primer. Dez Bryant’s Future With The Cowboys and Much More.

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up on the field prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

NFC East
Washington: Alex Smith is not that much of a down grade from Kirk Cousins. If Washington can return to full health and add another receiving target this team could very easily win the division. I know the Eagles are loaded but every year this division gets a new winner and Alex Smith is just good enough that he could take Washington to the top of the NFC East.

 

 

Eagles: The Eagles are not going to trade Nick Foles unless they get a crazy offer per Adam Schefter. However, they are one of the only teams in the league heavily up against the cap. After losing there OC and QB coach the Super Bowl drain will continue. They will need to find a replacement for LeGarrette Blount. Other than that, the Eagles just need to retain all their pieces and maybe add a corner and I would expect them to be heavy Super Bowl favorites next year.

 

 

Cowboys: The Cowboys will force Dez to take a pay cut or cut ties with the wide out. Knowing Dez I would expect the latter. On defense the Cowboys found a great pass rusher in Demarcus Lawrence, the boys need to add a line backer and a corner. Brent Grimes would be a good low-cost solution for the Cowboys pass coverage. The other key, keep Zeke out of trouble. If you do that you can win this division next year.

 

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Giants: The Giants most major need is QB. Eli is staying in New York according to Dave Gettleman but I wouldn’t be shocked if Pat Shurmur changed the GM’s mind and decided to move him and bring in Keenum or Bradford as well as drafting someone with the second overall pick. If the Giants are truly trying to reload they should move some of there defensive pieces to try to acquire some O linemen. Giants fans are oft delusional, this team is not a Super Bowl contender they need to commit to a rebuild and that starts with finding a new QB.

NFC North

 
Bears: The Bears need to go out and grab Mitchell Trubisky some wideouts because the Bears have none. Face it Kevin White is a bust. You need to go out and heavily invest draft picks and sign some veteran wide receivers. The defense is still relatively good if the Bears could load up on offense the NFC North would be really interesting next year.

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Lions: I think the Lions main problem last year was coaching, they improved defensively had a pretty good offense but couldn’t win games down the stretch or take care of easy teams. They could add a corner or a pass rusher like Derrick Johnson to pair beside Ziggy Ansah but other than that I think this team just needed a culture change. Hopefully Matt Patricia brings them that.

 

Packers: The Packers need to improve almost every facet of there roster. They need to sign depth on the O line they need to get a truly great defensive piece in the draft and they need to move on from either Jordy Nelson or Randal Cobb. My guess is they move away from Cobb. You are in your Super Bowl window for the next two years and who knows if Aaron Rodgers will be himself for the first part of next year after a collar bone injury. You need to stack up on pieces and prepare to make a run because you may not have much time left.

 

Vikings: The most obvious question is at QB. So without further ado here is a list of Minnesota QB’s currently on the roster from most to least valuable. 1. Teddy Bridgewater: Bridgewater is the youngest safest pick of the group. Yes there are worries about his knee but after nearly two whole years of recovery it is safe to say he could get back on the field. It may take him time to acclimate back to his former self though. 2. Case Keenum: As a Keenum guy I was hurt that I couldn’t put him higher on the list. However I believe he will regress to being an average starter next year. Not to what he was with the Rams or Texans but not the guy who will take you to a conference championship game. A middle of the road starter who with the right pieces around him can take you to 10 or 11 wins. 3. Sam Bradford: At his best Bradford is number one on this list but who knows how severe his knee injury is.

NFC South
Saints: The Saints have improved their defense, but they need to continue to build around Marshon Lattimore. So, add some linebackers and some depth corner backs. Other than that the Saints main priority needs to be resign all your pieces.

 

 

Buccaneers: Tampa Bay needs to add defensive pieces as they will most likely lose Brent Grimes this offseason. The Buccaneers will also need a new RB as they have released Doug Martin. Dion Lewis would be a good fit in the Buccaneers system. Jameis Winston has to show he’s the guy this year for the Buccaneers adding depth at wide out and tight end could help with that. Perhaps Jimmy Graham?

 

 

Panthers: Everyone needs wide outs but the Panthers need wideouts the most. I wouldn’t expect them to make any massive moves though as they still don’t have a permanent GM or owner which is insane. Fill the front office, then attack the wide outs and offensive linemen.

 

 

Falcons: The Falcons offensive line needs depth. Chris Clark or DJ Fluker would fit in well to Steve Sarkisians system. Adding depth to the line is where the Falcons need to focus. There isn’t much to improve for this team outside of coaching and scheme. Again Wide receiver comes up.

 

 

NFC West
Rams: The Rams need to do one thing. Keep keep keep. You cannot let any of your team go. Robert Woods needs to be re-signed. Add some depth and go do your thing next year.

Seahawks: The Seahawks story will always be the same. They need O line talent, however they always heavily invest in the line but at this point you have to keep taking shots and hope new coaching improves your trench. The Legion of Boom is over, you need to find a new piece on defense. Perhaps make a trade? It is said Marcus Peters is on the block in KC, Richard Sherman for Marcus Peters straight up, sounds intriguing to me.

Forty Niners: The Niners have the piece to start building towards a Lombardi in Jimmy G. They now need to focus on everything else, the defensive side of the ball has been built through the draft and is less of a focus than the O line and tight end positions should be. The Niners could also use some veterans on the team to help the young guns in the bay develop.

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Cardinals: The Cardinals need to get a QB. Case Keenum would be a good answer for the Cards. However the Cardinals need an offensive line. Adding a quality backup behind injury prone David Johnson and cutting ties with Adrian Peterson should also be priorities for the Cardinals.