By Jakob Salao, Sports Editor
Amid the overall uncertainty that comes with the spread of the coronavirus, NFL teams have continued their off-season endeavors to improve their team through trades and free-agent signings. The football world has been turned on its head, and it may be confusing to keep track of where every player has ended up and what exactly is going on in the NFL, but there are some big moves that should be kept track of.
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
(*=Resigning, _=Traded)
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: WR Stefon Digs (Via Vikings), DT
Vernon Butler, DE Mario Addison, CB E.J. Gaines, DE Quinton Jefferson, CB Josh Norman, OG Quinton Spain*, OL Daryl Williams
In exchange for a handful of draft picks, the Bills were able to acquire WR Stefon Digs from the Vikings, adding a new explosive receiver to their offense. Their defense also gets a boost from the signing of CB Josh Norman and Defensive Lineman Mario Addison and Vernon Butler, making the Bills a contender for the best in the AFC East.
Miami Dolphins: S Adrian Colbert*, OT Ereck Flowers, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, RB Jordan Howard, CB Byron Jones, OL Ted Karras, DE Shaq Lawson, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, LB Elandon Roberts, LB Kyle Van Noy
Miami was very active throughout the offseason, fortifying their defense with notable signings such as CB Byron Jones and LB Kyle Van Noy. It will be interesting to see if this will be enough to get the Dolphins some wins.
New England Patriots: DT Beau Allen, WR Damiere Byrd, QB Brian Hoyer, S Devin McCourty, S Adrian Phillips, ST Matthew Slater, OG Joe Thuney*, FB Danny Vitale.
The biggest need for the Patriots is easily the QB position, but there is no replacing the hole left by QB Tom Brady. However, the Patriots seem to leave this to the draft, only picking up QB Brian Hoyer who is currently in no position to pick up the starting role of the team.
New York Jets: C/G Josh Andrews, CB Pierre Desir, T George Fant, DE Jordan Jenkins, G Alex Lewis, C Connor McGovern, LB Patrick Onwuasor, WR Breshad Perriman, CB Brian Poole, OL Greg Van Roten.
Although there are no big name signings for the Jets, they did fix their offensive line with four new lineman that will surely help the offense.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: CB Anthony Brown, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, WR Amari Cooper*, K Kai Forbath*, TE Blake Jarwin*, LB Sean Lee*, C/G Joe Looney*, DT Gerald McCoy, DT Dontari Poe, QB Dak Prescott*, S Darian Thompson*, K Greg Zuerlein.
Although the signing of two kickers may be questionable, there is no questioning the strength of the Cowboy’s lineup. Although they may have lost some notable players, including TE Jason Witten and CB Byron Jones among others, the Cowboys still find themselves in a solid position for next season with their offseason signings.
New York Giants: CB James Bradberry, DB Nate Ebner, LB Kyler Fackrell, T Cam Fleming, RB Dion Lewis, LB Blake Martinez, LB David Mayo*, QB Colt McCoy, TE Levine Toilolo, TE Eric Tomlinson, DL Leonard Williams*.
With QB Eli Manning’s retirement and the rise of QB Daniel Jones, the Giants have begun their rebuilding. Their defense has been strengthened by a few signings, but could use some help from the draft.
Philadelphia Eagles: LB Jatavis Brown, NT Javon Hargrave, S Rodney McLeod*, S Jalen Mills*, S Will Parks, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB Darius Slay (Via Lions), QB Nate Sudfeld*
The Eagles did everything they could to work on their atrocious secondary on defense, bringing in new players to complement their long-time defenders. If they were able to squeeze into the playoffs last year, these signings may make it easier for next year.
Washtington Redskins: QB Kyle Allen (Via Panthers), RB Peyton Barber, CB Ronald Darby, S Sean Davis, LB Thomas Davis, CB Kendall Fuller, WR Cody Latimer, RB J.D. McKissic, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, OG Brandon Scherff*, OG Wes Schweitzer
The addition of QB Kyle Allen into a backfield that already has QB Dwayne Haskins shows that the Redskins are hoping to mold a QB that can lead their offense. Their defense needed work, but their signings may not be enough to boost their defense.
Look out for Part II of our NFL Off-Season Primer coming out on Monday!
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