2017 NFL Free Agency: The 5 Most/Least Improved Teams So Far
By Erik Lambert
Least Improved:
Cincinnati Bengals
Being a good team for several years can often lead to other teams poaching your talent, which makes drafting well such a priority. The Bengals are starting to live the downside of this less. After being picked apart pretty good in 2016, it’s happening again in 2017. Key offensive linemen Kevin Zeitler and Andrew Whitworth are lost to other teams, as is defensive tackle Domata Peko. Their lone consolation was being able to retain cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are fortunate to be a talented team but there is no denying they took a hit in free agency. Dependable safety Barry Church was lost as was his running mate J.J. Wilcox. Cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne aren’t expected back either. To top it off defensive linemen Jack Crawford and Terrell McClain were also lured away by other teams. Considering the defense was their primary weakness last year, this isn’t the start to the year they had in mind.
Washington Redskins
Firing GM Scot McCloughan was a real head-scratcher by the Redskins. It looked like he was building something strong. Now they’re left in an uncertain limbo. The team lost key receivers Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon to free agency, along with defensive tackle Chris Baker. Signing Terrelle Pryor to a one-year deal mitigated some of the damage, but for how long? Kirk Cousins isn’t happy and his offensive coordinator left for Los Angeles. Just hard to feel good about it.
Arizona Cardinals
Retaining Chandler Jones was absolutely the top priority and Arizona got it done. Outside of that though they’ve been unable to plug a lot of the leaks on defense. Calaise Campbell, their heart and soul for so many years, left for Jacksonville. Emerging safety Tony Jefferson took a new deal from Baltimore. Other 2016 surprises like D.J. Swearinger and Marcus Cooper have also signed elsewhere. The depth and overall talent took a hit for the Cardinals this month.
Next: Grades For Every Trade So Far In 2017 Free Agency
New York Jets
To say it was a self-inflicted wound may be a little harsh but the reality is the Jets did a serious purge of their entire roster. Three starting offensive linemen including Nick Mangold, wide receiver Brandon Marshall and cornerback Darrelle Revis are all gone. To top it off they have no sense of direction at quarterback after the exit of Ryan Fitzpatrick. This team looks like it’s in position to become the worst in the NFL and destined for the #1 pick in 2018.