THE FIRST MOVE I THINK EACH NFL TEAM SHOULD MAKE THIS OFFSEASON

The NFL season is coming to an end, and with the offseason right on the horizon, let us take a look at the first move each NFL team should make this offseason.

The 2018 NFL season was filled with surprises, and disappointments, as the Philadelphia Eagles failed to repeat as Super Bowl champs. Sure, Nick Foles did everything he could to get his team back there, but in the end, the New Orleans Saints made enough plays to get the job done.

As we look towards Super Bowl Sunday, there is never a bad time to start thinking about what teams may do to improve their roster next season. Every year, teams come out of nowhere to become playoff contenders, and next season should prove no different than years past.

HERE IS THE FIRST MOVE EACH NFL TEAM SHOULD MAKE THIS OFFSEASON.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: TRADE WR ANTONIO BROWN

The Pittsburgh Steelers were a preseason favorite to make another deep run through the AFC Playoffs, as the expectation was Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell could continue to be a dangerous trio. Well, while Big Ben had a nice season, Bell did not play a single snap, and by the end of the year, Brown was benched.

The whole Brown fiasco came as quite a surprise, as he apparently had a disagreement with Roethlisberger, and sat out practice. When their big Week 17 game came, the team decided to bench him, and it is pretty clear that the two sides are going to go their separate ways this offseason.

Pittsburgh’s first order of business has to be deciding what to do with Brown, who is going to cost them a ton of money whether or not he is on the roster in 2019. Their best case scenario would be to trade the star wide receiver, and hope they can get some kind of nice package in return for his services.

The Steelers do have the talent on both sides of the ball to win next season, even if they do not have Brown in the fold. If the Steelers can find a team that will offer them what they want, specifically a first round draft pick, then they need to make that priority No. 1 heading into next season.

ARIZONA CARDINALS: SIGN WR ADAM HUMPHRIES

Let us start with the Arizona Cardinals, who won a league-low three games this past season. In head coach Steven Wilks first, and only season at the helm, the Cardinals were inept on both sides of the ball, all the while trying to work a rookie quarterback in to being comfortable at the NFL level.

Well, Wilks was fired after the season, and was replaced with Kliff Kingsbury, who coach Kansas City Chiefs start quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech. The hope is that Kingsbury can get Josh Rosen pointed in the right direction, and it would be wise for the team to go out and get a wideout in free agency.

One player who could be a nice fit in the desert is Adam Humphries, who is fresh off a solid season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018. The Cardinals need weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and Humphries is a guy who has proven he can make plays at the NFL level. Arizona needs a lot of help for 2019, and Kingsbury is going to want to get off to a hot start.

ATLANTA FALCONS: RE-SIGN CB BRIAN POOLE

The Atlanta Falcons took a major step back this season, as they failed to make the playoffs only two years after making it to the Super Bowl. Atlanta did make the playoffs the year after blowing a huge lead in that Super Bowl to the New England Patriots, but they played way too inconsistent football on both sides of the ball in 2018.

As they head into the 2019 season, there will be a ton of changes on the sidelines, as they pretty much fired their entire coaching staff. Head coach Dan Quinn remains to lead this team next season, but if they miss the playoffs for the second straight year, he will likely be following his coaches out the door.

When it comes to the roster for 2019, they have some incredible pieces in place, and have one of the better quarterbacks in football in Matt Ryan. On the defensive side of the ball, there are some questions to be answered, but bringing back cornerback Brian Poole is one of the moves they must make to keep their defense moving in the right direction.

Poole is going to be one of the more sought-after cornerbacks in free agency, and will be looking to get paid. He set career highs in sacks and interceptions this past season, appearing in all 16 games, and will be a building block for this defense moving forward if the Falcons can get him back under contract.

BALTIMORE RAVENS: RE-SIGN LB C.J. MOSLEY

The Baltimore Ravens turned to a rookie quarterback when Joe Flacco was injured down the stretch, and he certainly delivered for the organization. Lamar Jackson was the final pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and after relieving Flacco, he played well enough to hold onto the job, even when Flacco returned.

The team is Jackson’s moving forward, as they attempt to continue to be a strong playoff contender in the AFC. The Ravens did end up winning the AFC North, leapfrogging the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the season, though they fell at home in the AFC Wild Card Round to Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers.

Moving forward, Baltimore has to not only put some weapons around Jackson on the offensive side of the ball, but also continue to be strong defensively. C.J. Mosley is going to get a lot of attention as he enters free agency, and the Ravens need to do anything they can to keep him in the purple and black for the foreseeable future.

Mosley is the kind of player you build a defense around, and he is still a very young player. Baltimore has the talent on both sides of the ball to rule the North once again in 2019, but they need leaders like Mosley on the roster. First order of business, locking Mosley up long-term.

BUFFALO BILLS: SIGN OT TRENT BROWN

The Buffalo Bills failed to make the playoffs in 2018, a year after making their first playoff appearance since 1999. During the 2018 NFL Draft, the team traded up to select Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen, who looked every bit the part of a franchise quarterback late in the season.

With the quarterback in place, the Bills can now focus on putting solid weapons around him, and talented offensive linemen in front of him. New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown is going to be a free agent this offseason and the Bills would be wise to try to keep him in the division on their offensive line.

Allen can make plays happen with his arm, and his legs, but he was it way too often in 2018. The Bills traded away Cordy Glenn prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, and his loss was felt throughout the season. Brown is a guy who can step right in and be a starter along this offensive line in 2019 and beyond.

Getting back to the playoffs back in 2017 was huge for the Bills, who have been looking for answers since their solid run back when Jim Kelly was under center. This Buffalo team has some good talent on both sides of the ball, but if they cannot keep Allen upright, it is going to be a long 2019 season as well.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: SIGN LB ZA’DARIUS SMITH

The Carolina Panthers were one of the hottest teams in the NFL to start the season, and they looked to be on an easy course back to the playoffs for the second straight season. However, they were one of the worst teams in football in the second half of the year, losing seven straight before being a Teddy Bridgewater-led New Orleans Saints team in Week 17.

The Panthers have a lot of questions going into next season, but none is bigger than that of the health of starting quarterback Cam Newton. When Newton is healthy, he is one of the best signal-callers in the league, but he has really taken a beating over the past couple of years, and his shoulder just is not right.

Carolina shut Newton down towards the end of the season, and the hope is that he will be 100 percent heading into 2019. When it comes to the other side of the ball, the Panthers need help at the linebacker position, and they would be wise to spend some money on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Za’Darius Smith.

Smith is a punishing tackler, and the Panthers need more guys like that on the defensive side of the ball. Sure, Luke Kuechly is a tremendous talent, but he cannot do it all on his own and with Julius Peppers basically an old man at this point, adding a talent like Smith makes so much sense for the 2019 season.

CHICAGO BEARS: SIGN K STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI

The Chicago Bears were one of the best teams in football this season, as they rode a strong defense to first place in the NFC North. Mitchell Trubisky took a step forward in his development as the team’s starting quarterback, and the running back tandem of Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard was magnificent throughout.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears got a major upgrade right before the season, as the Oakland Raiders traded All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack to them. Mack would go on to play at an All-Pro level once again for the Bears, and they rolled into the playoffs as a favorite to make a nice run.

Unfortunately, their playoff run would end in the Wild Card Round, as they lost at home to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears season ended on a blocked field goal by Cody Parkey, who is Public Enemy No. 1 when it comes to the Bears fan base. It is likely they make a move at the kicker spot for 2019, and Stephen Gostkowski could be the answer.

Parkey had one of the biggest kicks in team history blocked, and while it certainly was not all his fault, he did miss more kicks throughout the season. Gostkowski has kicked on the biggest stages throughout his career, and with the Bears, he will get plenty of opportunities to continue to kick in playoff situations.

CINCINNATI BENGALS: SIGN LB AVERY WILLIAMSON

The Cincinnati Bengals made the move that many were waiting for after the 2018 NFL season, as Marvin Lewis was relieved of his duties as head coach. It was a very long run for Lewis in Cincinnati, and while he won more than his fair share of regular season games, he never was able to win that elusive playoff game.

As they head into their next Era of football, the team is still searching for their next head coach, but a favorite has emerged in Zac Taylor from the Los Angeles Rams. Taylor is the current quarterbacks coach under Sean McVay, whose disciples seem to be the hot candidates for coaching gigs all over the NFL.

Whoever is the head coach next season, they have a lot of work to do, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Cincinnati needs help on all three levels of their defense, and they should start to look at some of the fantastic linebacker talent that this free agency class has to offer.

One name that makes a lot of sense for Cincinnati is Avery Williamson, who is coming off a standout season playing for the New York Jets. Williamson is a guy who you can insert in you defense and expect 100 tackles, and on the Bengals, he would be the kind of leader this defense has been missing for quite some time.

CLEVELAND BROWNS: SIGN OT DARYL WILLIAMS

The Cleveland Browns were one of the best stories of the NFL in 2018, as their No. 1 overall draft pick helped to turn the franchise around. Baker Mayfield was a controversial choice at No. 1 this past April, but he showed the world why he is one of the better leaders we have seen come out of the draft in a long time.

Mayfield nearly led the Browns to a .500 record in 2018, which is really saying something, due to the fact it took forever for head coach Hue Jackson to insert him in the starting lineup. Jackson would end up getting fired prior to the end of the season, and there was no love lost between the head coach and his former quarterback.

Heading into the 2019 NFL season, the Browns are a team that many people will have their eyes on, as they look to take the next step forward. Mayfield looks to be a guy who can turn into a star, but he needs some help in front of him, so it would make sense that the Browns target an offensive tackle via free agency.

Daryl Williams from the Carolina Panthers is a guy who could come in and start right away for the Browns, who need as much help as they can get up front. Keeping Mayfield upright and healthy has to be priority No. 1 for this organization moving forward, and Williams can certainly help them do just that.

DALLAS COWBOYS: RE-SIGN EDGE DEMARCUS LAWRENCE

The Dallas Cowboys were left for dead early in the season, as the offense was really struggling to get things going. Sure, they had some elite young talent in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, but they were looking up at the Washington Redskins in the NFC East, two years after being the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Well, all the fortunes started to change later in the season, as their trade for wide receiver Amari Cooper really helped turn the offense around. Prescott looked much more comfortable under center with a real option at the wideout position, and that caused bigger lanes for Elliott to run through.

Even as the offense struggled early, you could see the defense start to improve, and they ended up being one of the better units in the division. One big reason why is the play of DeMarcus Lawrence, who has become one of the better edge rushers in the NFC, and needs to be re-signed by the team immediately.

Getting Lawrence back in the fold is of the utmost importance as the team heads towards the 2019 season, because losing him would be a giant step in the wrong direction. Lawrence is the kind of edge rusher you build you defense around, and the Cowboys need to make re-signing him priority No. 1 this offseason.

DENVER BRONCOS: SIGN WR ROBBY ANDERSON

The Denver Broncos needed a new starting quarterback for the 2018 NFL season, and they went out and got one in Case Keenum. Fresh off leading the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game, Keenum was brought in to bring stability to a position group that has seen better days.

Well, Keenum played well in his first season in Denver, but not well enough, as the team failed to make the playoffs once again. Keenum is under contract for next season, and he will likely be the guy under center when the Broncos kick off their 2019 campaign, but he is going to need some weapons to throw to.

During the 2018 NFL season, the Broncos traded away Demaryius Thomas, which came as a bit of surprise because the team looked to be making a run to the playoffs. While the team faded away late, the organization decided it was time to make a change at head coach, firing Vance Joseph after two seasons under .500.

To replace Joseph, the Broncos brought in Vic Fangio, who recently was the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears. His first move this offseason should be to bring in some weapons for Keenum, and Robby Anderson would be a nice fit in the passing game alongside guys like Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton.

DETROIT LIONS: SIGN CB BRYCE CALLAHAN

The Detroit Lions spent a lot of money on quarterback Matthew Stafford a few years back, but there has not been much winning since. In fact, the organization is going to have a hard decision on their hands in a couple of years, as Stafford’s bloated contract is really eating up a ton of cap space at this point.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions have some issues as well, including in the secondary, where they could stand to add some talent. Bryce Callahan is a free agent cornerback from the Chicago Bears that should garner a lot of interest this offseason and the Lions have seen plenty of him playing in the NFC North.

The fact is, the Lions do have some great talent on both sides of the ball, but Stafford has not proven that he is more than just a compiler at this point. Detroit plays in a division where they have to face talented quarterbacks on a weekly basis, including guys like Kirk Cousins, Mitchell Trubisky, and Aaron Rodgers.

Adding a player like Callahan could really help this defense, which is young, but has good talent like Jarrad Davis and Snacks Harrison. The secondary has been an issue in recent years, so the first order of business for second-year head coach Matt Patricia has got to be to get better in that area heading into 2019.

GREEN BAY PACKERS: SIGN S LAMARCUS JOYNER

The Green Bay Packers were one of the more disappointing teams in the NFL this past season, as they failed to make the playoffs with a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center. In fact, they fired Super Bowl winning head Coach Mike McCarthy during the season, as he became the second head coach in history to win a Super Bowl for an organization that did not let him finish a season later on.

During the 2018 season, the Packers made a move during the trade deadline, sending Ha Clinton-Dix to the Washington Redskins. That has left a gaping hole in their secondary, and while they have some good, young cornerbacks, they need help at the safety position moving forward.

Luckily for the Packers, there are some great safeties that will be available via free agency this offseason, and LaMarcus Joyner from the Los Angeles Rams is one of them. The Rams are going to try to lock up Joyner long-term, but if he does spring free, the Packers should pounce, as they have to get better on defense heading into next season.

Joyner is a guy the Packers could really lean on with their young secondary, as they try to bolster that side of the ball. They have a rookie head coach in Matt LaFleur next season, but Rodgers is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and should be able to get this team back to a playoff contender in 2019.

HOUSTON TEXANS: RE-SIGN EDGE JADEVEON CLOWNEY

The Houston Texans were one of the hottest teams in the NFL for most of the season, as they ran off nine straight victories en-route to their AFC South title. However, the Texans found themselves on the losing end in the Wild Card Round, as divisional rival Indianapolis went into Houston and came away with the victory.

When it comes to the Texans roster, there is so much to like, but also some work to be done. Sure, quarterback Deshaun Watson is a budding superstar at the NFL level, but the defense has some players who need to be taken care of if the Texans want to keep pace in a very deep AFC South division moving forward.

One big free agent they have on their hands this offseason is Jadeveon Clowney, who is one of the better edge rushers in the conference. The Texans first order of business this offseason has to be bringing back Clowney on a long-term deal, but they are going to have to take out the checkbook in order to do so.

Clowney is going to be a hot commodity this offseason, and there are plenty of teams that need help on the edge. The 2019 NFL Draft is loaded with edge rushers, so teams may decide to go that route, but when it comes to the Texans, they have to do whatever they have to in order to lock up  their former No. 1 overall pick.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: SIGN EDGE EZEKIEL ANSAH

The Indianapolis Colts went into the 2018 NFL season needing a big year from quarterback Andrew Luck, who was coming off missing most of the last two years with shoulder issues. Well, the Colts got all of that and more, as Luck threw for 39 touchdowns, leading the team to a Wild Card berth.

In fact, the Colts train did not stop there, as Luck and company went into Houston and beat the Texans on the road in the Wild Card Round. While their dream season ended in Kansas City, as they were blasted by the Chiefs, there is a lot to be excited for regarding the Colts moving forward, and they should be big players in free agency.

Heading into free agency, the Colts have the most cap space, and should use that money to revamp the defensive line. They have done a nice job getting better up front on offense the last couple of drafts, and in free agency, they should go out and get Ziggy Ansah, who will be one of the more sought-after edges.

Ansah is a guy who could dominate along this Colts defensive line, and they need that kind of talent in a division that is certain to be loaded again in 2019. The AFC South has very mobile quarterback, so getting a player who can impact a game on the edge is very important. Ansah is going to be able to pick where he plays in 2019, and the Colts are a sexy destination.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: SIGN QB TEDDY BRIDGEWATER

The Jacksonville Jaguars nearly punched their ticket to the Super Bowl last season, as they went into the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game with a ten point lead over the New England Patriots. Unfortunately for Jags fans, they were not able to hang on to that lead, and the 2018 NFL season was a complete disaster.

Going into the season with a playoff roster on both sides of the ball, many expected that the Jaguars would be playoff contenders once again in 2018. Unfortunately, the rest of the division leapfrogged them, and when all was said and done, they finished in the cellar of the AFC South.

The biggest issue with the Jaguars in 2018 was the play of quarterback Blake Bortles, who played so poorly that the team ended up benching him in favor of Cody Kessler late in the season. That move signaled the end of his era as the starting quarterback in Jacksonville, and it is time for them to bring in someone new.

Of course, they could move up in the 2019 NFL Draft and get Dwayne Haskins from Ohio State, but there is also some options in free agency. One player they could target is Teddy Bridgewater, who was once one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL before blowing up his knee, and would be a perfect fit for the Jaguars in 2019 and beyond.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: RE-SIGN EDGE DEE FORD

The Kansas City Chiefs were the dominant team in the AFC in 2018, as they finished the year with the best record in the conference. Of course, the Los Angeles Chargers also finished with a 12-4 record, but the Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed by winning the tiebreaker, and got to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Chiefs were not without their controversies in 2018, as they lost star running back Kareem Hunt after a video surfaced of him kicking a woman. Still, they charged on as a team, and even though they had their struggles late in the season, they got it together to come away as the kinds of the AFC West.

Heading into next season, the Chiefs have to make sure they keep their playmakers on defense, as the unit as a whole was pretty poor in 2018. One player they cannot afford to lose is Dee Ford, and the first order of business this offseason has to be making sure they keep Ford in the fold for the long run.

With Patrick Mahomes under center, this Chiefs team has an opportunity to be very good, for a very long time. However, if they do not get more consistent play from their defense, they will be in too many shootouts, and it is very hard to win Super Bowl when you only get effort on one side of the ball.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: SIGN DT GRADY JARRETT

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of the hottest teams in football for most of the season, cruising to a 12-4 record, though they failed to win the AFC West. In fact, the Chargers had an opportunity to be the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC in Week 17, but ended up as a Wild Card team instead.

In their Wild Card Round matchup on the road against the Baltimore Ravens, the Chargers were able to take care of business, and headed into the Divisional Round to take on the New England Patriots on the road. Unfortunately, the Chargers were absolutely blasted by Tom Brady and company, ending their season inside Foxboro Stadium/

As they head into the 2019 NFL season, they know their quarterback will be in place, as Philip Rivers is not going anywhere. On the defensive side of the ball, they have two elite edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but they could stand to add some talent to the interior of the defensive line.

One player who is going to be a hot commodity this offseason is Grady Jarrett, and elite defensive tackle from Atlanta. If the Chargers want to take the next step forward in their development as a team, they have to make getting Jarrett their No. 1 priority, as their defense could be downright scary with him in the lineup next season.

LOS ANGELES RAMS: RE-SIGN LB CORY LITTLETON

The Los Angeles Rams came out of nowhere to be one of the better teams in the NFC in 2017, and in 2018, they took the next step. During the offseason, they went out and revamped their roster, bringing in guys like Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters, and Aqib Talib, while signing star Aaron Donald to a monster contract.

With the pieces on defense in place, the Rams ran through the NFC, and while they played mediocre football late, they finished as the No. 2 seed in the conference. Quarterback Jared Goff continues to develop into a legitimate franchise quarterback, and Todd Gurley is one of the better weapons in all of football.

The Rams have a nice opportunity to be a dominant team for the foreseeable future, but they have to make sure that they hang on to their young talent. During the offseason, their first move should be to bring back linebacker Cory Littleton, who seems to get better each season, and is a key part of their defense.

We know what the Rams can do on offense, and the new pieces to the defense really helped them in 2018. The issue is they will have to spend some money in the coming years, especially on Jared Goff, so the window to throw some money around is fading fast. Littleton has to be a part of this team moving forward.

MIAMI DOLPHINS: SIGN EDGE BRANDON GRAHAM

The Miami Dolphins had some nice wins this past season, beating the New England Patriots, but they really struggled to play consistent football throughout. The Dolphins made a move already after the season to get rid of head coach Adam Gase, who has already signed on to be the man in charge of the New York Jets.

When it comes to getting a new head coach in place, the Dolphins will have to wait, as they have their sights set on New England Patriots defensive coach, and playcaller, Brian Flores. Flores is a solid young coach, and someone who could work wonders with a defense that has some talented pieces on all three levels.

One area of the team that needs some help is in the pass rush, and they should go out and spend some money on the position in 2019. Brandon Graham from the Philadelphia Eagles has been a major component of what the Eagles do on defense, but he is a free agent, and the Dolphins should spend good money to bring him in.

While Graham is not the youngest pass rusher available in this free agency, he is one of the best, and would be a major upgrade on this Dolphins defensive line. The Dolphins still have questions when it comes to a bunch of spots on this roster, including quarterback, but getting another edge rusher via free agency, or the draft has to be a top priority.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: SIGN OG RODGER SAFFOLD

The Minnesota Vikings made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game last season, as Case Keenum took them on a magical ride throughout the playoffs. The following offseason, the Vikings went out and signed Kirk Cousins to a monster contract, figuring he would be the piece to take them to the next level.

However, Cousins and the Vikings offense struggled to play consistent football throughout, and the offensive line was atrocious at times. When it comes to the offseason, Minnesota needs to make sure they do something to address this deficiency, and a guy like Rodger Saffold would be a nice addition in free agency.

Minnesota proved last year that they are not afraid to spend some money, and they have spent big money on offensive line talent in the past. The Vikings have the talent on defense to be a playoff contender next season, though they will have to lock up Anthony Barr in free agency if they want to keep trending that way.

The Vikings play in a very tough division, as the Chicago Bears took a major step forward in 2018, and the Green Bay Packers should be solid next season with a new head coach in place. Minnesota has to address their issues this offseason, especially up front, because Cousins is a solid quarterback, and they are only going to win if they can keep him upright.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: RE-SIGN WR PHILLIP DORSETT

The New England Patriots were left for dead once again this season, as they struggled early, and all the naysayers came out against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Like every year, when the Patriots do not win every game, it signals the end of the era in New England, but once again, they proved everybody wrong.

In fact, the Patriots finished the season with the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC, and were able to take care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Divisional Round. The Chargers had no answer for Tom Brady and company, who scored on their first five possessions, and throttled Los Angeles in front of the home crowd.

Every offseason, the Patriots revamp their roster, as they bring in guys who suddenly have career years. This past offseason, Jason McCourty was a terrific addition to the secondary, but their first order of business should be to make a move to bring back a wide receiver that is on the verge of becoming a star.

Phillip Dorsett came to the Patriots from the Indianapolis Colts, and really came on towards the end of the season for New England. He even made his presence felt in the Divisional Round, catching a Tom Brady touchdown, and at only 26-years old, he is a guy they could really build their passing game around.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: SIGN TE JARED COOK

The New Orleans Saints had their magic going during the 2018 NFL season, playing well enough to earn the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. Drew Brees set record along the way, the defense played at a high level, and the running back tandem of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara excelled once again.

In their Divisional Round matchup, the Saints were able to knock off reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, as Nick Foles could not muster the same wonderful run as the season before. New Orleans is a devastating team to play at home, and with home field advantage throughout the playoffs, they proved to be a tough out.

When it comes to the roster heading into next season, there are very few holes left for the Saints to fill. However, one area they could stand to improve is at tight end, where they may want to bring in a veteran who is coming off the best season of his career this offseason.

That player is Jared Cook, who had another breakout season for the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Since going to Oakland, Cook has led the Raiders in receiving for two straight seasons, proving to be the most reliable option for Derek Carr in the passing game. Brees loves his tight ends, and Cook is a good one.

NEW YORK GIANTS: RE-SIGN S LANDON COLLINS

The New York Giants have plenty of questions heading into next season, including what they want to do at the quarterback position. Eli Manning had a nice season, statistically, in 2018, but he is up there in age, and you have to wonder how much longer he can continue to put up good numbers at the NFL level.

Holding the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Giants could certainly end up drafting a quarterback, as guys like Dwayne Haskins, Kyler Murray, and Drew Lock could be available. Whatever they decide in terms of the quarterback spot, they need to do it fast, as the list is short in both free agency, and the draft.

When it comes to their first order of business, New York should look to retain some of their top talent as well, and that includes safety Landon Collins. Collins is the best player on the Giants when it comes to that side of the ball, and bringing him back long-term will only help this team moving forward.

New York has some incredible talent on the offensive side of the ball, including guys like Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley. However, if they cannot get stops on defense, they will continue to be one of the worst teams in football, much like they have been the last two seasons. Collins has to be a part of the solution, not creating another hole to fill.

NEW YORK JETS: SIGN RB LE’VEON BELL

There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to the New York Jets, as they look to have finally found their franchise quarterback. The Jets organization has not had a franchise guy in a long time, and if you do not consider Chad Pennington a franchise quarterback, then Joe Namath would be the last one.

Heading into the offseason, the Jets have their quarterback in place, as Sam Darnold showed as a rookie that he has the talent to be a special one. When it comes to the rest of the offense, there needs to be plenty of upgrades, including at the running back position heading into the 2019 NFL season.

One player who is going to be available is Le’Veon Bell, the standout rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers who sat out the 2018 campaign. Bell is a guy who can revolutionize this Jets offense moving forward, providing an incredible security blanket for Darnold as he enters his second season in the league.

The Jets have the cap space, and with a new head coach in place, they are going to want to do everything they can to make the team a success in 2019 and beyond. Bell is a generational talent at the running back spot, and if they can bring back Robby Anderson, they would have a nice, young trio on the offensive side of the ball with Bell in the fold.

OAKLAND RAIDERS: SIGN EDGE TREY FLOWERS

The 2019 offseason is going to be a wild one for the Oakland Raiders, who will look to revamp their roster into a contending team as they head to Las Vegas. They brought in Mike Mayock, a former draft analyst to be their general manager, and hold six of the first 100 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft.

When it comes to free agency, they have 33 pending free agents, so the roster is going to look a lot different than the one that won only four games this past season. The team holds nearly $80 million in salary cap space as well, and should look to spend some of that on an elite edge rusher this offseason.

One player who is available is Trey Flowers from New England, who would be a perfect fit in Paul Guether’s 4-3 defense. Flowers is a guy who can come in and seriously improve this position group moving forward, and the Raiders need that kind of player after trading away Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears.

Oakland was historically bad at getting after the quarterback this season, and despite the improvements from Arden Key, they need to bring in more talent at the position group. Flowers makes too much sense, and the hope is that Jon Gruden and company pull the trigger on some big free agents this offseason.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: RE-SIGN WR GOLDEN TATE

The Philadelphia Eagles got another magical run from the right arm of Nick Foles this season, as he once again came in and replaced the injured Carson Wentz. The fact that Foles has had to replace Wentz in two straight seasons has to be a concern for the organization, who have committed to Wentz long term.

Foles led the Eagles to a Wild Card berth, and then went into Chicago and beat the Bears thanks to a blocked field goal late. In the Divisional Round, they gave the New Orleans Saints all they could handle on the road, but their dream ended when wide receiver Alshon Jeffery dropped a Foles pass, which landed in the hands of a waiting Marshon Lattimore.

Still, Jeffery has been wonderful since coming to Philadelphia, and Golden Tate played very well after the team got him at the trade deadline. Heading into the offseason, Philadelphia should think about signing Tate to a new contract, as he is a great compliment to Zach Ertz and Jeffery in the passing game.

Wentz is going to be back under center next season, and with Foles likely leaving, the hope is that he can stay healthy for a full 16-game slate. Philadelphia has the talent to be a perennial playoff team, and by bringing back Tate, they will ensure they have the weapons to continue to be a dominant team in the NFC.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: SIGN S TYRANN MATHIEU

The San Francisco 49ers came into the year as a team many believed would make a playoff run, as they looked so good to end the 2017 season. The 49ers inserted Jimmy Garoppolo into the starting lineup for the last five games of the year, and they won all five, finishing with a six-win season.

In the offseason, the 49ers added some pieces to help the roster, including running back Jerick McKinnon, and cornerback Richard Sherman. While Sherman played well, McKinnon lost the entire season due to a knee injury, and Garopplo followed suit a couple of weeks later. That spelled another bad season by the Bay.

When it comes to the roster moving forward, San Francisco has to get better on the defensive side of the ball, and they would be wise to add some talent to the secondary. One player who is going to have a big market this offseason is Tyrann Mathieu, a solid safety coming off a good season with the Houston Texans.

Of course, the Texans are going to try to retain Mathieu, but with general manager John Lynch being a former safety, he may go out and try to pull him away. San Francisco is going to be a lot better next season, and if they could add a couple pieces, and get a healthy Jimmy G back, they could be in for a Wild Card.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: RE-SIGN EDGE FRANK CLARK

Heading into the 2018 NFL season, not much was expected of the Seattle Seahawks, who went through a bunch of personnel changes in the offseason. However, they did still have one of the better quarterbacks in the league in Russell Wilson, and a defense that was out to prove they would be fine.

What ended up happening was one of the better stories of the season, as head coach Pete Carroll coached them all the way to a Wild Card berth. That was one of his best coaching jobs of his career, which is really saying something, considering he has won Super Bowls and national titles.

One of the bigger reasons for the Seahawks improvement, especially on the defensive side of the ball, was the play of edge rusher Frank Clark. Clark had a breakout season for the Seahawks, and now that he is a pending free agent, the team’s goal has got to be locking him up long term to help lead this defense moving forward.

Seattle nearly pulled off a road win in the playoffs in Dallas, and will be a team that should only be better in 2019. This is an organization that has been a dominant team in the NFC for quite some time now, and as long as they can hold on to elite defensive talent like Clark,  the offense is going to be fine with Wilson under center.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: SIGN S EARL THOMAS

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again failed to make the playoffs this past season, and the lost season cost head coach Dirk Koetter his job. This offseason, the Buccaneers have already replaced Koetter, bringing Bruce Arians out of retirement, and will now be tasked with turning quarterback Jameis Winston around.

While Winston has had some good moments on the football field, he just cannot seem to get his life in order off of it. He is the key to this franchise turning the corner, as you never want to miss on such a high draft pick, especially one that you drafted with the first overall pick.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Buccaneers need a lot of help, especially in the defensive backfield. One player they could look to target is Earl Thomas, who has worn out his welcome with the Seattle Seahawks, and will be looking to continue his NFL career outside of the Northwest.

There is a lot to like about this Bucs team, and they have the talent to at least be competitive next season, especially with a solid head coach in place in Arians. Thomas would give the Buccaneers a nasty, talented safety to captain their secondary, and this Bucs team needs as much new talent as they can get this offseason.

TENNESSEE TITANS: SIGN EDGE DANTE FOWLER JR.

The Tennessee Titans made a terrific run to the playoffs during the 2017 NFL season, locking up a Wild Card spot. In the Wild Card Round, they continued to impress, going into Kansas City and knocking off the Chiefs inside Arrowhead Stadium in one of the bigger upsets of the playoff season.

While their season ended inside Foxboro, the expectation was that they would be a playoff team every season, though that proved to not be the case in 2018. The Titans had an opportunity to make it to the playoffs if they could take care of business against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football in Week 17,  but they failed to do so.

As they head into the offseason, there is a lot of work to do, as they will have to get more consistent on both sides of the ball. One area of need is in the pass rush, and they would be wise to bring in a talent like Dante Fowler Jr., who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams traded for Fowler at the trade deadline, and he has played a very solid role in their defense since. On the Titans, he would be a nice addition to not only the linebacker group, but also as a disruptive force in the pass rush, where the Titans need to be better in 2019 if they are going to surpass the Houston Texans and Colts.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: SIGN QB NICK FOLES

The Washington Redskins were the class of the NFC East for the beginning of the 2018 NFL season, as their trade for quarterback Alex Smith looked to be a stroke of genius. While not the biggest stat guy, Smith has proven himself to be quite the winner at the NFL level, and was fresh off leading the Kansas City Chiefs to back-to-back AFC West titles.

Washington’s season came to a halt against the Houston Texans, when JJ Watt and a few of his friends snapped Smith’s leg in half. Smith was done for the year, and possibly his career, so the Redskins would be wise to get in the mix for Nick Foles, who is likely done in Philadelphia.

The Eagles have already committed to Carson Wentz as their quarterback moving forward, and Foles is scheduled to make $20 million next season. The Redskins have a need at the most important position in sports, and signing Foles would give them a guy who seems to have the magic touch in terms of leading their team to the playoffs.

Of course, there is the possibility that Smith will be back in 2019, and that the Eagles will somehow try to retain Foles. Foles has said he wants to be a starting quarterback in the league, and will have a ton of offers if he hits the open market, and may want to stay in the division to try and knock off his former team twice a year.