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 South
Houston Texans: WR Randall Cobb,WR Brandin Cooks (Via Rams), K Ka’imi Fairbairn*, TE Darren Fells*, CB Phillip Gaines, CB Vernon Hargreaves III, DT Timmy Jernigan, RB David Johnson (Via Cardinals), QB AJ McCarron*, S Eric Murray, T Brent Qvale, CB Bradley Roby, DB Jaylen Watkins.
With arguably the single worst trade in the NFL’s history, it’s hard to see the Texan’s plan for the future. They hardly got much from trading away WR DeAndre Hopkins for RB David Johnson and it’s hard to say that they made any improvements this offseason. Although they signed WR Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks, they may not be able to fill the hole in their offense from the loss of a top-five WR
Indianapolis Colts: DT DeForest Buckner (Via 49ers), OT ANthony Castonzo, OL Le’Raven Clark*, CB Xavier Rhodes, QB Philip Rivers.
Trading for DT DeForest Buckner gives the Colts’ defense a very big threat on their defensive line. As for their offense, veteran QB Philip Rivers can work well for the Colts whether they promote him to their starter or give him the mentor role for their current starter Jacoby Brissett. However, the fact that they signed Rivers at all isn’t a good sign for Brissett.
Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Tyler Eifert, DL Rodney Gunter, CB Rashaan Melvin, DE Yannick Ngakoue, LB Joe Schobert, C/G Tyler Shatley*, DT Al Woods.
With many trades that don’t necessarily give the Jaguars an improvement from last year, they may be saving cap space but haven’t left themselves in a position to win any championships for next season.
Tennessee Titans: DE Vic Beasley, RB Derrick Henry*, OT Dennis Kelly, LB Kamalei Correa*, OL Ty Sambrailo, QB Ryan Tannehill*.
After an outstanding playoff run, knocking out the Patriots and the Ravens, showing that the Titans didn’t make it into the playoffs on accident. By bringing back RB Derrick Henry and QB Ryan Tannehill, they hope to make another run at the playoffs, but get into the Super Bowl this year.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: RB Todd Gurley, DT Tyeler Davison, DE Dante Fowler Jr., TE Hayden Hurst*
With the addition of RB Todd Gurley and TE Hayden Hurst from the Ravens, the Falcons’ offense has gotten a major boost along with their defensive line.
Carolina Panthers: WR Robby Anderson, S Tre Boston*, QB Teddy Bridgewater, WR Pharoh Cooper, TE Seth DeValve, OG John Miller, LT Russell Okung (Via Chargers), WR Seth Roberts, QB P.J. Walker, DE Stephen Weatherly, LB Tahir Whitehead.
Along with moving on from Coach Ron Rivera, the Panthers have moved on from former MVP QB Cam Newton with the signing of Teddy Bridgewater, who showed he hasn’t lost his touch and XFL QB P.J. Walker, who made a splash in his short stint in the XFL. Next season will be interesting to see how the Panthers handle the rebuilding of their franchise.
New Orleans Saints: QB Drew Brees*, QB Taysom Hill*, S Malcolm Jenkins, DT David Onyemata*, OT Andrus Peat*, WR Emmanuel Sanders, S D.J. Swearinger
The Saints were in no need of big moves, but every move they made has put them in a good position to win. QB Drew Brees is still going strong and has a new weapon in WR Emmanuel Sanders.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Shquil Barett*, QB Tom Brady, OL Joe Haeg, LB Kevin Minter, DE Jason Pierre-Paul*, CB Ryan Smith*, DT Ndamukong Suh*
In one of the biggest free agency signings of the year, the Buccaneers add QB Tom Brady to their offense. With weapons like WR Mike Evans and WR Chris Goodwin, the Buccaneers pose a very real offensive threat to any team they go against.
Look out for Part III of our NFL Off-Season Primer coming out on Friday!
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