(16) Philadelphia Eagles:
Best move this offseason: Signing LeGarrette Blount.
Worst move this offseason: Letting Connor Barwin walk.
Did they get better?: Yes, the Eagles improved the receiving corps by adding Alshon Jeffery even though I felt the price was a little high. I also like the selections of Derek Barnett and Sidney Jones and I think they will be impact players someday, losing Connor Barwin hurts but Derek Barnett has the potential to bring immediate contributions to that defense.
Speculation for 2017: The “Wentz Wagon” was a main storyline in the NFL at the beginning of last season and I think he has the potential to build on that success and become a top player at his position someday. Getting Lane Johnson back for a full season will definitely make a major difference on that offensive line and it could lead to a more productive offense, I am also interested in seeing how Alshon Jeffery adjusts to his new team and if he can make an immediate impact on Carson Wentz. The defensive line looks excellent headed into the season and I think the defense also has tremendous potential to grow.
(15) Miami Dolphins:
Best move this offseason: Extending Cameron Wake.
Worst move this offseason: Cutting Earl Mitchell.
Did they get better?: No, the Charles Harris pick bring in another good pass rusher to that defense but they cut several experienced veterans including Mario Williams and Earl Mitchell. They didn’t improve much at the tight end position after bringing in Julius Thomas due to the fact that Jordan Cameron retired and I feel that they are about the same quality of player. Expect the Dolphins to have fairly close to the same record that they had last season (probably eight to ten wins).
Speculation for 2017: The Dolphins should easily finish in second place in their division and they have reasons to be optimistic about this upcoming season, the main reason to be optimistic is that Adam Gase is one of the best young coaches in football and he has already had a tremendous influence on that team. They also have a great defensive line and there is still potential for Ryan Tannehill to grow as a quarterback especially with a great offensive mind at the head coaching position. I am excited to see how Jay Ajayi follows up the impressive year he had and if he can grow upon that.
(14) Minnesota Vikings:
Best move this offseason: Rebuilding the offensive line.
Worst move this offseason: Letting Cordarrelle Patterson walk.
Did they get better?: Yes, the Vikings added two solid running backs by signing Latavius Murray and drafting Dalvin Cook. They also added Riley Reiff, Mike Remmers, and Pat Elflein in an attempt to strengthen an offensive line that was horrendous last season. The Vikings had one of the best drafts this offseason and they did a great job in fixing the flaws that they had last season.
Speculation for 2017: The Vikings have the potential to have a top five defense this season and they look like a team that is only getting better, the only problem is that they are in a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford. I ranked Sam Bradford as a top twenty quarterback and I think he will have the opportunity to throw the ball downfield much more this season due to the improved offensive line and the receiving corps has the potential to be stronger this season if Laquon Treadwell can live up to his draft position. The key concern on the minds of many Vikings fans should be if Teddy Bridgewater can hopefully play football at the NFL level once again after his injury.
(13) Detroit Lions:
Best move this offseason: Adding two great offensive lineman in T.J. Lang and Rick Wagner.
Worst move this offseason: Not getting a contract extension done with Matthew Stafford.
Did they get better?: Yes, the Lions added two offensive lineman who will immediately impact that team. I didn’t like the pick of Jarrad Davis at first but I think the pick addressed a need that they had, picking Teez Tabor was pretty smart and I felt like he fell a bit too far. They lost Larry Warford but they upgraded at the guard position by adding one of the best pass blocking guards in football in T. J. Lang, Rick Wagner will immediately boost the Lions right tackle position as well.
Speculation for 2017: The Lions won’t have their starting left tackle for part of the season and that definitely hurts but I am confident that their offensive line will still be very improved, the defense looks fairly good headed into the season and they should make a run at the playoffs. The main reason for concern that I have for the Lions headed into the 2017 season is the fact that they have not got a long term extension done with Matthew Stafford and that could potentially become a distraction headed into the season.
(12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Best move this offseason: Drafting O.J. Howard.
Worst move this offseason: Not addressing the run game.
Did they get better?” Yes, the Buccaneers have created one of the league’s best receiving corps by drafting O.J. Howard and signing DeSean Jackson this offseason. The tight end combination of Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard looks tremendous and Mike Evans might be an All-Pro this season, the addition of speedy receiver DeSean Jackson was a great decision and I think a change of scenery was needed for him. I am a little frustrated with Tampa Bay for not addressing the run game or the offensive line more and I would have liked to have seen them add a running back in the second round like Alvin Kamara, I don’t blame them for not taking an offensive lineman in the first round as they completely stole O.J. Howard who should have been a top ten pick.
Speculation for 2017: The Buccaneers are looking like a contender in the NFC South headed into the season and Jameis Winston is a sleeper for MVP. The Buccaneers have a great linebacking corps and a solid defensive line as well headed into the season. Mike Evans is one of the most exciting wide receivers to watch in football and he should excel alongside DeSean Jackson. The Buccaneers are a legitimate playoff contender after a great offseason.
(11) Tennessee Titans:
Best move this offseason: Providing Marcus Mariota with more weapons by acquiring Corey Davis and Eric Decker.
Worst move this offseason: Cutting Jason McCourty.
Did they get better?: Yes, they addressed their two biggest needs which were the receiving corps and the secondary. They reached a little by adding Corey Davis but he was in my opinion the best receiver in the draft and they also signed Eric Decker to a fairly cheap deal. They also drafted Adoree Jackson in the first round and he should be a great corner as well as a solid threat on special teams, adding Johnathan Cyprien and Logan Ryan were very underrated moves and they will bring an immediate veteran presence to a fairly young roster. I think Marcus Mariota has the potential to make a major leap this upcoming season and Tennessee might finally end their playoff drought.
Speculation for 2017: The Titans look like a major sleeper in the AFC this upcoming season and they have the potential to win their division, they have one of the best running back combinations in football with DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry and their pass rush looks stellar. I believe Marcus Mariota has the potential to become a top ten quarterback in 2017 and I am fascinated to see how he does with his upgraded receiving corps. The secondary also looks very improved headed into the season. So far Mike Mularkey and Jon Robinson have done a tremendous job in surrounding Marcus Mariota with talent around him.
(10) Houston Texans:
Best move this offseason: Trading up for Deshaun Watson.
Worst move this offseason: Letting A.J. Bouye walk.
Did they get better?: Yes, they shipped Brock Osweiler to Cleveland while also adding, in my opinion, the best QB in the 2017 draft in Deshaun Watson without giving away too much. The pick of D’Onta Foreman was a great pick in the third round and his power will be a great complement to the skills of Lamar Miller. The Texans have arguably the best defense in football and getting J.J. Watt back will also be a major bonus. The only real negative that I see is losing A.J. Bouye who has lots of potential.
Speculation for 2017: The Texans have a great roster and the only major question mark that they have headed into the season is the quarterback position, expect Tom Savage to be the starter week one but don’t expect him to keep the job for long. The Texans have one of the most underrated coaches in the NFL with Bill O’Brien and if either Watson or Savage can become a solid starter they are a legitimate championship contender. Just remember their defense caused some nightmares in Foxborough last January and they were without J.J. Watt and their quarterback was Brock Osweiler.
(9) Dallas Cowboys:
Best move this offseason: Drafting Chidobe Awuzie.
Worst move this offseason: Letting Barry Church walk.
Did they get better?: No, they lost many talented people in their secondary including: Barry Church, J.J. Wilcox, and Morris Claiborne. They also lost a good offensive guard in Ronald Leary and are facing a potential suspension for Ezekiel Elliott. The pick of Taco Charlton showed their focus in addressing one of their biggest needs but there were some other players out there that I would have rather have seen them pick.
Speculation for 2017: The Cowboys still enter the season as a major threat in the NFC and a championship contender but I am concerned about the loss of veterans in their secondary and I don’t think they have addressed their biggest needs this offseason. The main strength of Dallas last season besides their offensive line was their run game and they have a legitimate chance of losing Ezekiel Elliott for a few games this season. Dak Prescott should still be a good quarterback this season but there is potential for him to have a sophomore slump. The Dallas Cowboys will still be a legitimate contender in the NFC but they seem incredibly dysfunctional headed into the season.
Previous Rankings: 25-32, 17-24
