The off-season has wrapped up. Aside from a few notable veteran free agents that might sign in training camp and some surprise cuts that might come in late May and early June, the off-season has wrapped up. Each year I like to take a look around and crown off-season champions. So without further ado, here are some teams vying for the crown.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons came into the offseason with two directives, fix a woeful defense and add playmakers. They did precisely that.
Jessie Bates was easily one of my favorite free agent signings and trading for Jeff Okudah assured that alongside A.J. Terrell the Falcons now have a solid secondary to work with. Not to mention getting perhaps the steal of the draft in elite college slot corner Clark Phillips who will have an immediate role on this team come September.
Not to mention Calais Campbell comes in and now adds a dominant veteran presence up front, on paper the Falcons are now sneaky a top ten adjacent defense in the NFL.
Offensively relying on Desmond Ridder is a huge gamble, but he will have weapons with him in his first year as a starter. Bijan Robinson is a perfect fit in an Arthur Smith system. The Falcons used their resources in free agency and the draft to build a formidable line up the middle. The plan is clearly to run the ball and hope Drake London and Kyle Pitts can continue to develop and make plays in the passing game.
In a wide open division if (and it is a big if) Desmond Ridder can play, the Falcons look like they could make a run for the division.
Seattle Seahawks
It’s easy to make the case for the Seahawks as off-season champions. They play in the NFC. You will notice, most of these winners play in the NFC, the weaker conference right now.
Here is what the Seahawks have going for them. I truly believe that they currently have the second-best roster in the conference and behind them, there is a considerable gap.
You re-signed Geno Smith to a truly team-friendly deal, you went out and got him a third weapon in Jaxson Smith Njigba and created perhaps the best receiving core in the conference.
The Seahawk’s bid for off-season champion though comes primarily on defense. They took the best corner available in the draft in Devon Witherspoon, they brought back Bobby Wagner, and they signed underrated interior disruptor Dre’mot Jones.
Looking at the roster from 50,000 feet, I don’t see many weaknesses. They even added running back depth for if Kenneth Walker looks shaky coming off an injury. The Seahawks, after a few rough years, are back on track as one of the best-run franchises in the NFL.
Detroit Lions
This is my first really spicy take of this article. A lot of people did not like the Lions off-season, I am not one of those people.
They got rid of perennial disappointment Jeff Okudah, and though CB is a point of weakness, they did bring in C.J. Gardner Johnson to help bolster the secondary.
They revamped their backfield, and moved away from walking IR spot De’Andre Swift and replaced him with a younger healthier back in Jahmyr Gibbs. I of course did not love letting the heartbeat of the team, Jamaal Williams, walk but David Montgomery is only a slight downgrade.
Sam La Porta is a Dan Campbell tight end and will add a lot to an offense that lacked that role after giving up on T.J. Hockenson.
The Jameson Williams suspension will hurt, but the Lions survived without him last year.
Most importantly Aaron Rodgers is no longer in the division, this is the Lions’ time if they play their cards right.
Philadelphia Eagles
I don’t need to tell you, fellow football die hard, about the Eagles off-season. They lost some guys in free agency, they replaced them in the draft.
The Eagles locked up Jalen Hurts on a long term deal before any other huge QB numbers fell. Philly added the best player in the draft by some scout’s standards in Jalen Carter. They look to have the deepest roster in the league.
My only concern comes from the running back room. De’Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, and Kenneth Gainwell all have injury concerns. For fantasy football, the group is a nightmare. However in reality it might work out as a committee situation. Other than those slight running back concerns it is hard to pick out weaknesses on this roster.
The Eagles probably easily end this exercise as the winner, it’s nice to have other competitions though. Don’t freak out Philly, you are still my favorite for the Super Bowl, I just also get excited about the mid teams that have good off-seasons as well. We can’t all employ Howie Roseman.
New York Jets
You secured Aaron Rogers, how can you not be in the mix for off-season champions?
Sure the offensive line has some question marks, but the rest of the roster looks ready to win and win now.
Allen Lazard is an upgrade over Elijah Moore, Moore was all upside hype, but aside from a few promising Joe Flacco games never really showed much. You also bring in Mecole Hardman off his best season as a Chief as a burner type. Breece Hall is coming back. There is a good reason why Jets fans view this as a Super Bowl year.
The AFC North As A Whole
Some bullet points.
- The Ravens kept Lamar Jackson and then gave him the best surrounding cast of talent he has ever had. Plus a new offensive coordinator, I love the Ravens this year, love them.
- The Bengals added a ton of defensive studs in the draft and are bringing back all the explosive pieces that made them a contender last year.
- The Steelers went and put a premium on protecting Kenny Pickett and giving him a few new toys to play with. They also improved a woeful secondary.
- The Browns added a ton of wide-receiving help, Elijah Moore will have no excuses not to take the next step forward in his career, and neither will Deshaun Watson.
Off Season Champions
Hard not to say the Eagles here. A great team got better.
Other Off Seasons I liked
- Panthers: Revamped the offense and got a QB for the future.
- Saints: Derek Carr is the best passer in the division and immediately gives them a chance to win now.
- Texans: Oh wow, look, you have a real offense now EXCITING!
- Jags: You add Calvin Ridley to an already developing offense.
- Giants: Got Daniel Jones some weapons and improved the defense.
- Bears: Just drafted a lot of solid football players, on a roster full of bad football players that is always helpful.
- Chargers: Gave Justin Herbert more weapons and have a new coordinator running the show, never a bad thing.