2019 NFL Free Agency: What holes do teams have left to fill?
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers from have one of the best rosters in the league from top to bottom. Except for one position, and that’s interior defensive line.
Every team needs a space eater. A monster up front that keeps the attention of opposing offensive lines, in order to create opportunities for linebackers.
So, considering the Chargers didn’t make any considerable efforts to re-assure that front line of defense, they will have to draft it.
Look for them to interior defensive line day one, then look to add offensive line depth on day two, and take a flier on the future with a guy like Ryan Finley on day three.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams made a splash with Eric Weddle and even managed to make room for a 1-year/$14M deal for Dante Fowler Jr. And based off the fact that they made the super bowl last season, one would say they’ve got a pretty stout roster.
The only glaring areas of weakness have to be linebacker, tight end, and maybe guard. So, with that in mind, one would assume with the 31st overall pick, they would take the best available at one of those positions.
Maybe Devin Bush falls to them, and wouldn’t that be lucky for the boy wonder, Sean McVay?
Miami Dolphins
I’m never here to say an NFL team is tanking because the evidence for such would be incredibly hard to prove. However, if there ever was going to be a case in which it might be advantageous for a franchise to tank, this would be the time.
In classic fashion, again, the former Patriot assistant signs a handful of ex-Patriot players in free agency to help establish their best impression of the Belichick-ian culture.
There are countless holes on this roster apart from defensive back, so take the best player available at the 13th pick and move on to next years draft already. I don’t mean to sabotage your hopes and dreams, lonesome Miami fan, but it is what it is at this point.
Minnesota Vikings
That was a close one am I right? Losing Anthony Barr to the dang Jets would have been heart breaking. So, they hold on to Barr, but how do the Vikings recapture the glory of the Minnesota Miracle and get back to the doorsteps of a Super Bowl appearance?
Well, anyone with a brain or at least a calculator could tell you that giving Kirk Cousins $84M guaranteed only intensified the importance of hitting on draft picks. So, drafting Mike Hughes 30th overall last year might have been a mistake, considering he only made two starts last season.
All jokes aside, I think it’s imperative they get o-line help. Cousins was under constant pressure last season. So draft one of the tackles still remaining at #18. Whether it’s Andre Dillard or Jonah Williams, give those dynamic receivers in Diggs & Thielen a chance to actually get open.
New England Patriots
Some coaches and franchises make an effort to win free agency, and some coaches are in Barbados diving off the The Sandy Lane in Barbados.
Well the GOAT, Bill Belichick, broke his one rule of “no days off”, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t preparing for the NFL Draft, and looking for ways to replace the loss of guys like Trey Flowers and Trent Brown.
Though he doesn’t need to look far for a replacement at LT, 2018 1st round pick Isaih Wynn will return to form this season. So the spot to fill has to be Defensive End and Clelin Ferrell has Patriot legend written all over him.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints jumped up in the draft last year to take DE Marcus Davenport out of UTSA, and despite some injuries Davenport showed the potential to warrant such a pick, and free agent pick up Demario Davis played like his hair was on fire all season.
The question most still have for the Saints is who is their #2 receiver? We all know Michel Thomas is great, but when teams remove him from the equation, what is left?
The Saints don’t have a first rounder this year, so capitalizing on value in the second round will be huge. I think a threat like Irv Smith Jr. would be lethal in New Orleans (assuming they don’t sign Jared Cook).
Look for them to take a running back with there later pick to help soften the blow from loosing Marc Ingram in free agency.
New York Giants
What a rough couple of days for Giants faithful. After being promised multiple times that they “did not sign Odell to trade him”, only to trade him for what is equivalent to a couple dollar scratch offs.
But, your only choice at this point is to hope and pray that Gettleman actually does something with these picks he’s amassed. Which again, seems kind of like hustling backwards. Considering the point of the draft is to develop superstars, which they had in OBJ.
You get it though. The Giants are rumored to want to go best available pass rusher at #6 and maybe Daniel Jones at #17. Whoof, it that don’t make you sick.
New York Jets
Those of us that have siblings know that you are never looked upon with more pride and joy from your parents than when your sibling screws up. In the case of the Jets, that sibling is the Giants, who for almost two decades now, have been the only thing to be prideful of in the life of New York football fans.
Oh how the tables have turned. The Jets have the young QB, and won free agency. Now, does winning free agency mean you win in the regular season? No, but things look a hell of a lot sweeter in Jet-world than Giant-world.
They still need big time WR help, unless you think Josh Bellamy and Jamison Crowder are game changers. But they have to take Quinnen Williams at #3, and if he’s not there, odds are Nick Bosa falls to them which wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Or if they are feeling risky or still think Leonard Willaims is their guy, then take Josh Allen at #3 and hope he turns into Chandler Jones.