Regardless of the amount of confidence you had in the Los
Angeles Rams ahead of Super Bowl LIII, betting on the Patriots to emerge
victorious on the first Sunday of February 2019 wouldn't have been all that
bold a decision. We've seen this movie before. We know the ending.
The official start of the offseason brings with it multiple
intriguing possibilities regarding bold predictions for what front offices and
players will wish to accomplish ahead of training camp practices that, shortly
after New England's parade concluded, appear an entire year away. Some familiar
faces will be replaced before preseason games begin. It's the nature of the
business. One want away wide receiver may, however, need to eat some humble pie
and realize its best if he stays put for at least one more season.
THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS WON'T TRADE ANTONIO BROWN
Ben Roethlisberger turns 37 years old in March, and the
Cleveland Browns are emerging as a sexy pick to
win the AFC North in 2019. Is there any scenario where the Pittsburgh Steelers
trading wide receiver Antonio Brown, arguably the top deep threat in the
league, to a club such as the San Francisco 49ers gives Pittsburgh a better
chance to win the Super Bowl next February? Of course not, and that's why it's
vital the Steelers exercise patience and attempt to do anything possible to
keep Brown on the roster for at least one more go at a title before Big Ben
rides off into the sunset.
THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS WILL PAY LE'VEON BELL
In January, several media outlets reported that neither
running back Le'Veon Bell nor wide receiver Antonio Brown will play for the
Indianapolis Colts. Respectfully, he should be wrong about Bell. The Colts
enter the offseason holding more salary cap space than any other franchise.
Indianapolis' offensive line managed to keep quarterback Andrew Luck healthy
for an entire season. The Colts are already a playoff team with Marlon Mack in
the backfield. Hey, franchise icon Reggie Wayne even offered to pick up Bell from the airport, so the Colts would save money
on the cab ride!
THE NEW YORK GIANTS WILL DRAFT AND SIT ELI MANNIING'S FUTURE
REPLACEMENT
Whether or not you believe Eli Manning can guide the New
York Giants to another championship if gifted an offensive line that isn't
completely shambolic for half a season is a matter of opinion. The two-time
Super Bowl MVP turned 38 years old in January. Big Blue needs to look to the
future and do so using something other than a third- or fourth-round draft
pick. Back in 2004, the Giants acquired Manning during the draft via a trade
with the Chargers before sitting the then-rookie behind veteran Kurt Warner.
Expect the club to follow down a similar path and allow either Dwayne Haskins
or some other high draft pick to learn from Manning for at least half a
season.
ROB GRONKOWSKI WILL HEAD TO WWE
Even though New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski
turns only 30 years old in May, it's clear the multiple serious injuries he's
suffered throughout his Hall of Fame career now prevent him from being the
force he was during his best days. Gronk's cap hit for 2019 is over $11.8
million. It's difficult to imagine Bill Belichick and the Pats keeping that on
the books. The three-time Super Bowl champion has, in the past, gotten involved
in a WrestleMania segment, and his friend Mojo Rawley is already on the
WWE roster. Perhaps Gronk could add a WWE tag-team championship to his personal
trophy case.
JIMMY GRAHAM WILL REPLACE GRONK
Several Media Outlets reported in late January the
Green Bay Packers intend to bring tight end Jimmy Graham back despite his lackluster
2018 campaign, during which he scored only a pair of touchdowns. If the New
England Patriots and Rob Gronkowski are destined to part ways, as many expect,
the Patriots could make a move for Graham in an attempt to remain favorites to
get back to the Super Bowl ASAP. Tom Brady being able to throw red-zone passes
to another future Hall of Fame tight end seems unfair. What else is new for
that franchise?
THE CLEVELAND BROWNS WILL TRADE JAMIE COLLINS BACK TO THE PATRIOTS
As several media outlets pointed out, it seems unlikely the
Cleveland Browns would keep veteran linebacker Jamie Collins and his massive cap hit around for another season. Why, you may
ask, would the defending champs want to take the almost-30-year-old back after
originally trading him to Cleveland in October 2016? He wouldn't cost much in a
trade, he'd fill a hole on New England's defense and Bill Belichick could save
money by releasing Collins after renting him for a season.
JOE FLACCO WILL BE DEALT TO THE DENVER BRONCOS
Use your favorite internet search engine and enter "Joe
Flacco" and "Broncos," and you'll find more than a few people
connecting the dots and imagining a trade that involves the Baltimore Ravens
sending the one-time Super Bowl champion signal-caller to Denver. Lamar Jackson
is cemented atop the Baltimore depth chart, and Flacco is an upgrade over Case
Keenum, Denver's current starter. The Broncos could also save money by cutting
Flacco, and his contract, after the 2019 campaign if the experiment goes poorly.
GOLDEN TATE WILL SIGN WITH THE NEW YORK JETS
Golden Tate wasn't a touchdown machine after the Detroit
Lions traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles in late October. The veteran is
also a target who averaged over 90 receptions across his first four years with
the Lions, and he will probably be the best receiver available once free agency
opens. According to Several Media Outlets, the New York Jets will have all kinds
of cap space to spend, and young quarterback Sam Darnold could use a reliable
and proven wideout capable of tallying 75 receptions and five touchdown grabs
during a season in his sleep.
MARK INGRAM WILL ALSO JOIN GANG GREEN
Isaiah Crowell, Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire, Trenton Cannon
and De'Angelo Henderson all received carries as members of the New York Jets
backfield in 2018. No wonder some fans want Gang Green to hand Le'Veon Bell a
blank check. Instead, though, the Jets can land Mark Ingram, a cheaper option
who showed with the New Orleans Saints last fall that he can still average 4.7
yards per carry across 12 games. Unless Ingram offers the Saints a hometown
discount and doesn't mind being second in the New Orleans rushing attack behind
Alvin Kamara, the Jets should give him a call early in the free-agency
process.
THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS WILL SIGN TEVIN COLEMAN
The Kansas City Chiefs weren't able to find an immediate
replacement for Kareem Hunt ahead of the playoffs. In December, several Media Outlets pointed out Tevin Coleman's college
running backs coach, Deland McCullough, currently holds that same job with the
Chiefs, and Coleman just so happens to be available once March rolls around. As
long as the financials work for all parties, the Chiefs handing Coleman, who
only rushed for over 100 yards in two games last season, a contract and
opportunity to chase a Super Bowl ring seems like good business.
TYROD TAYLOR WILL COMPETE TO START FOR THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Tyrod Taylor didn't last a full month as starting
quarterback for the Cleveland Browns during the regular season before he
suffered a concussion on Sept.20, an unfortunate injury that opened the door
for Baker Mayfield to rise to the top of the depth chart. Taylor, only 30 years
old by the end of next summer, can still make all of
the throws, but this isn't a great year for a veteran of his status
to go looking for a starting gig. New Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce
Arians gave Jameis Winston a public vote of confidence after joining the
franchise. Would that change, though, if Arians sees both Winston and Taylor up
close during training camp?
T.J. YELDON WILL ALSO JOIN THE BUCS
It's too early for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to give up on
second-round pick Ronald Jones II even though the running back averaged under 2
yards per carry over 23 rushes before being dropped to special teams duties.
With that said, Tampa Bay spending a little cash to improve the team's rushing
attack, which ideally would present Jameis Winston with better chances to win
games, wouldn't hurt. T.J. Yeldon needs a change of scenery and a fresh start
he won't receive with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bucs should offer him a
one-year "prove it" contract.
THE DETROIT LIONS WILL SIGN TYLER EIFERT
The Detroit Lions clearly never got the best out of tight end
and first-round pick Eric Ebron, and Ebron is now a star who scored 13
touchdowns during his first season with the Indianapolis Colts. Detroit must
work to find an adequate replacement at the position and try to return to the
playoffs with Matthew Stafford's huge contract keeping him married to
the franchise for the next couple of years, if not longer. Yes, Tyler Eifert
has played in only 14 regular-season games the past three seasons because of
injuries. He's still just 28 years old, and he showed in 2015 he can notch 13
receiving scores in 13 contests. As long as Eifert can pass a team physical,
he's worth the risk for the Lions.
EZEKIEL ANSAH WILL HEAD TO THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Detroit Lions pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah agreed to feature
for the club under the franchise tag in 2018, but he tallied only four sacks in
seven games before his season ended early due to a shoulder injury. With Ansah
likely headed elsewhere, teams in need of help up front should consider taking
a flier on the 29-year-old who accumulated 12 sacks during the 2017 campaign.
Like the Detroit Lions, the Atlanta Falcons waste every year they don't make
the postseason with Matt Ryan under contract. Atlanta can't afford to be
stingy, and Ansah would be a great fit if he's healthy.
THE BALTIMORE RAVENS WILL USE A FIRST-ROUND PICK ON JOSH JACOBS
Nobody knows if Lamar Jackson will be the next Aaron
Rodgers, the next Michael Vick, the next Tim Tebow or something else, entirely.
What is known is that the Baltimore Ravens will enter the preseason with
Jackson entrenched as the team's starting signal-caller. The Ravens should look
to get younger and also bolster a rushing attack that should get only more dangerous
with Jackson gaining experience each time he takes the field. Alabama's Josh
Jacobs could be worth a first-round pick for the Ravens if he's available when
the club is called to spend that selection.
THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES WILL SIGN DEVANTE PARKER
As reported, the Miami Dolphins are expected to press
the figurative reset button and plan for beyond 2019. This could lead to wide
receiver and former first-round pick DeVante Parker becoming a cap casualty.
Parker, just 26 years old, will be looking to shake the "bust" label
from his resume with a new team, and the Philadelphia Eagles must get different
weapons for quarterback Carson Wentz.
THE HOUSTON TEXANS WILL BRING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER ONE MORE YEAR
The Houston Texans will soon have some major financial
decisions to make, including paying quarterback Deshaun Watson and also
potentially cutting or trading J.J. Watt and saving money off the final two
years of his contract. Following the end of Houston's season, to-be
free-agent safety Tyrann Mathieu told reporters he wants to return, and "hopefully
the business side will take care of itself." The Houston front office
should make it so and have Mathieu, Watt and Jadeveon Clowney play on the same
unit for another year.
EARL THOMAS WILL JOIN THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Maybe predicting safety Earl Thomas will sign with the
Dallas Cowboys isn't bold enough. Perhaps its to0 much fun to imagine Thomas
signing with the San Francisco 49ers and teaming up with former teammate
Richard Sherman, after Thomas gave an unofficial farewell to the Seattle
Seahawks with a one-finger salute. The Niners do have the money and holes in
the secondary to make this transaction logical for both parties. According
to several Media Outlets the San Francisco can afford to outbid the
Cowboys.
THE MIAMI DOLPHINS WILL TAKE A RISK ON KYLER MURRAY
At this point, it's riskier to place some money on Ryan
Tannehill remaining with the Miami Dolphins through the offseason than
predicting the Dolphins will use a first-round pick on Oklahoma quarterback
Kyler Murray. The criticisms of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner are
well-known. He's undersized to play the position. He routinely torched mediocre
college defenses. The Dolphins have to do something to sell tickets. Why not
see what Murray can be as a rookie? After all, it's not as if he's going
undrafted this spring.
THE CLEVELAND BROWNS WILL SIGN NDAMUKONG SUH
Baker Mayfield has Cleveland Browns fans dreaming big after
a historic rookie season, and the GOAT passing the
torch to him in national advertising campaigns only added fuel
to that fire. Why shouldn't we predict the Cleveland front office will make
multiple bold moves this offseason, including signing defensive tackle
Ndamukong Suh? Suh fills a gap up front for Cleveland's defense, and Cleveland
can afford to
outspend the Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and other suitors. Remember, also, that
the Browns are chasing a playoff berth and maybe a division title this year.
Suh would be taking more than just retirement cash signing with the
Browns.
THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS WILL MOVE TO GET ANDY DALTON
The unfortunate reality staring the Washington Redskins in
the face this winter is that the franchise cannot count on Alex Smith ever
playing again following the horrific injury he suffered last fall. Meanwhile,
the Cincinnati Bengals could save approximately $16 million against the salary
cap by moving on from Andy Dalton, as explained by several Media Outlets.
Regardless of if Washington has to make a trade with the Bengals or spend in
free agency, the team could do a lot worse at the position than the Red
Rifle.
NICK FOLES WILL BE THE NEXT STARTING QB FOR THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The consensus opinion, understandably so, is that Nick Foles
will leave the Philadelphia Eagles to start elsewhere, and he's routinely
linked with the Jacksonville Jaguars because Jacksonville cannot even
contemplate starting Blake Bortles in 2019, right? Foles reportedly gave us all
an insight into his future plans on Feb. 5 when, per ESPN's Tim McManus and Adam Schefter, he informed the Eagles he will pay the $2
million necessary to void the option on his deal and become a free agent. The
Eagles can still retain his rights via the franchise tag, but that should only
change how the Jaguars acquire him this offseason. Whether it's through free
agency or a trade, the one-time Super Bowl MVP will be Jason
Mendoza's new favorite football player next fall.
RYAN TANNEHILL WILL JOIN THE CINCINNATI BENGALS
The countdown to the Miami Dolphins releasing quarterback
Ryan Tannehill is on. Two days after the Los Angeles Rams lost the Super Bowl
to the New England Patriots, the Cincinnati Bengals introduced former Los
Angeles quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor as the club's new head coach. Taylor
worked with Tannehill in Miami, and several Media Outlets credited Taylor with getting the
best out of Tannehill as a pro.
TEDDY BRIDGEWATER WILL BECOME STARTING QB FOR THE CAROLINA PANTHERS
What if Cam Newton's shoulder isn't 100 percent coming off
surgery by Week 1 of the season? What if, as several Media Outlets have
reported the Carolina Panthers shut Newton down for parts or all of the 2019
campaign? These questions are why Teddy Bridgewater shouldn't return to the New
Orleans Saints and, instead, should look to sign as a backup with the Panthers.
The possibility Bridgewater could resurrect his career in place of Newton is
worth leaving a team many believed should have faced the New England Patriots
in the Super Bowl.
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