#Colts may use draft on offense after beefing up defense

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8 teams most likely to make a trade in the 2020 NFL Draft

Photo By Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Even in an unusual year, the NFL Draft should have a bustling trade market.

The NFL Draft will look a lot different than usual in 2020.

A “fully virtual” draft will force NFL executive, coaches, and scouts to make draft-day decisions from their own home. How that will affect the trade market remains to be seen. With decision makers scattered in separate locations, the NFL is reportedly considering allowing a couple of minutes of extra time for teams to broker a trade.

Most likely, the draft will have a bustling trade market as usual. Just like every year, some teams will jump the order to snag their most coveted prospect, while others will slide down in exchange for more draft capital.

With the 2020 NFL Draft not far off, here are eight teams that may be interested in moving around in the first round.

4 teams that could trade up

1. Los Angeles Chargers Pick: No. 6

Philip Rivers started the Chargers’ last 224 games, but that streak is over now. Their longtime quarterback departed in free agency to join the Colts on a one-year deal.

Now they’re left with Tyrod Taylor to start in 2020. It’s not the worst scenario; Taylor was an adequate starter for the Bills for three seasons and briefly took the reins for the Browns. But it’s crucial that Los Angeles uses this draft to find the quarterback who will eventually lead the team.

That could be a bit difficult with the Chargers sitting at sixth overall, though.

It’s a foregone conclusion the Bengals will select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick. Four picks later, the Miami Dolphins are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback.

If the Chargers want their choice of the non-Burrow quarterbacks — likely Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert — they’ll almost certainly need to skip ahead of Miami. That means making a deal with the Lions or Giants, owners of the third and fourth picks, respectively.

While Chargers general manager Tom Telesco rarely makes draft-day trades (his last involving a first-rounder was in 2015), securing a quarterback is a different story. It requires urgency, and that could result in a bidding war between the Dolphins and Chargers.

2. Miami Dolphins Pick: Nos. 5, 18, 26

The Dolphins didn’t tank the 2019 season just to land the third-best quarterback in the draft.

Miami has a capable starter in Ryan Fitzpatrick and still seems interested in developing former first-rounder Josh Rosen. But make no mistake, the Dolphins need a quarterback.

They were surprisingly good at winning football games in 2019, despite ripping the roster to shreds. With another year of development, it seems unlikely the Dolphins will be drafting in the top five again in 2021. So now is the time to use a premium pick on a player to build around for years to come.

With the Chargers in position to possibly trade ahead of the Dolphins, it’d be prudent for Miami to beat Los Angeles to the punch.

The Dolphins have three first-round picks and two second-round picks — more than enough ammo to make sure they aren’t undercut by the Chargers for the second passer off the board.

3. Philadelphia Eagles Pick: No. 21

The clear-cut top receivers in this draft are Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb. Philadelphia could greatly benefit from drafting one of them.

In 2019, DeSean Jackson played only 65 snaps for the Eagles due to injuries. Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffery struggled to contribute and also ended up on the injured reserve. Now Agholor is a member of the Raiders, and both Jackson and Jeffery are on the wrong side of 30.

Carson Wentz is in desperate need of an outside receiving threat, and the Eagles could easily miss out on Jeudy, Lamb, or Ruggs if they wait until the 21st overall selection.

With few teams in the top 10 in need of a receiver, the Eagles may only need to move up eight or nine picks to grab one of the top-flight prospects. Even after sending away a third-round pick to get Darius Slay, the Eagles have eight draft picks, including six in the first four rounds.

4. New England Patriots Pick: No. 23

It feels weird to put New England in this section because trading up feels so ... un-Patriotslike. Usually, it’s Bill Belichick swindling teams and stockpiling draft picks, not the other way around. This isn’t the typical New England offseason, however.

For the first time in two decades, there’s no Tom Brady to lean on. The only quarterbacks on the Patriots’ roster are 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham and veteran backup Brian Hoyer.

Stidham looked impressive in preseason last year, and there’s a chance a veteran like Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Joe Flacco, or Jameis Winston could be added to the fold. But if the Patriots are really aiming to find a quarterback of the future, the first round is typically the place to do it.

At No. 23 overall, New England would have to settle for the fourth or fifth quarterback off the board. Utah State’s Jordan Love has been a popular choice for the team in mock drafts, but he’s raw. If Tagovailoa or Herbert slide at all, don’t be surprised if Belichick makes a move up to snag a top-three quarterback.

4 teams that could trade down

1. Detroit Lions Pick: No. 3

Barring a gigantic curveball, it’ll be Burrow to Cincinnati and Chase Young to Washington at the top of the draft order. Then the quarterback sweepstakes could really start.

If either the Chargers or Dolphins decide to jump ahead of the other, Detroit could be the team that benefits.

The Lions have a lot of work to do after a 3-12-1 season in 2019. They sent away No. 1 cornerback Darius Slay and have plenty of needs along both the offensive and defensive lines. Moving down just two or three spots down the draft order would still net the team an elite prospect and could give them another valuable pick.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Lions’ desire to trade away the third overall pick is “no secret” among NFL circles.

2. New York Giants Pick: No. 4

If the Lions don’t make a deal, that opportunity will be gifted to New York.

The Giants also have a long list of needs after a 4-12 season. The team is building around Daniel Jones and the first step is providing him with more protection. Loading up on defensive talent is important too.

With so many areas to address, it’s no surprise that general manager Dave Gettleman is open about his interest in trading down.

Dave Gettleman: Giants are "open for business" at No. 4. pic.twitter.com/tX4BHJyFCv

— Big Blue View (@bigblueview) February 26, 2020

Gettleman’s leverage to actually get a deal done largely rests in the hands of the Lions, though.

3. Carolina Panthers Pick: No. 7

The Panthers are going to look much different in 2020. Ron Rivera was fired and replaced with former Baylor coach Matt Rhule. Carolina’s veteran stalwarts Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, and Greg Olsen are also gone.

While the Panthers signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, that doesn’t mean they’re a player or two away from being an NFC South contender again. It could take some time, and beefing up both the offensive and defensive line is top priority.

Most mock drafts project Carolina will select a defensive cornerstone — predominantly Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons or Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown — with the seventh overall pick. But if a team comes calling with a huge offer, it’d be in the Panthers’ best interest to slide back.

Not only does Carolina need draft picks for its rebuild, but it could still end up with a defensive playmaker later in the first round.

4. Seattle Seahawks Pick: No. 27

Why would Seattle trade back? Because it always does.

The Seahawks have made a trade involving their first-round pick in each of the last eight offseasons. Most recently, they traded back twice in 2019.

The philosophy is working out well for Seattle. The team is stocked with talent that was mostly acquired in the middle rounds of the draft. All three of the the Seahawks’ 2019 Pro Bowlers (Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner, and Shaquill Griffin) were Day 2 draft picks. So were their leading receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.

Seattle loves to have as many mid-round picks as possible. If a team comes calling for the 27th pick, expect the Seahawks to stick to their winning formula.

[junker-town]

Which borderline teams should buy or sell at the NFL trade deadline?

The Bears, Eagles, Raiders, Jaguars, and more all have decisions to make before Oct. 29. We debate which ones should try to make a run.

Trade season is in full effect in the NFL. In the past week alone, we’ve seen Mohamed Sanu become a Patriot, Emmanuel Sanders become a 49er, and Quandre Diggs go from Lions’ defensive captain to a potential cure-all in the Seahawks’ secondary.

While the league’s contenders have gotten richer, teams with lesser playoff aspirations have begun to stockpile assets for 2020. It made sense for the Falcons and Broncos, two teams with three wins between them, to give up on a season where a trip to the Super Bowl was a fever dream. Detroit, at 2-3-1 and a couple of bounces or bad calls away from being in the thick of the NFC North race, was a more curious seller.

The Lions’ decision to ship Diggs, a starter well-liked locker room presence, doesn’t necessarily mean the team is giving up on 2019. At the same time, it’s tough to see how that move makes the team better as it braces for a possible postseason run. Now Detroit is faced with a question several other franchises that are hovering around .500 through seven weeks of the season have to face:

Should we start dealing veteran assets before the Oct. 29 trade deadline?

Let’s take a look at the teams that are .500 or worse but still in the playoff race. We’re going to talk it out to see which should be buyers and which should be sellers this week.

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)

The Jaguars have stayed afloat in the AFC South even after losing starting quarterback Nick Foles, but Gardner Minshew’s rookie regression has made Jacksonville a lot more vulnerable in October. He’s thrown for just 418 yards and a single touchdown while completing less than 48 percent of his passes the past two weeks. The defense hasn’t played up to its recent terrifying standard, and without Jalen Ramsey in the lineup, this team may have to win some shootouts to claim a playoff spot.

Christian D’Andrea: Buy. This is a tough decision, as Foles can’t return to the lineup until Week 11 should Minshew continue to struggle. Even then, it’s unclear exactly what he’s capable of outside of Philadelphia. This Jacksonville team has a steep climb with Houston and Indianapolis ahead of them in the division, and the Bills looking strong in their quest for a second postseason berth in three years.

But! They’ve got a winnable game against the Jets coming up before playing the Texans in London. Two wins would put Jacksonville at 5-4 with a very manageable seven-game stretch to end the season. After trading Ramsey to the Rams, the Jags have plenty of future assets already, giving them a little extra room to spend in search of the missing piece that gets them back to the top of the South. If they think they can find it in October, go for it.

Adam Stites: Buy. The Jaguars already have a lot of pieces in place to make a push for the postseason in the back half of the year. Running back Leonard Fournette is averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game, and second-year receiver DJ Chark is quickly establishing himself as one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league. While the defense has taken a step backward and lost Ramsey, it’s still loaded with talent along the defensive line.

Jacksonville would benefit from finding a linebacker to shore up the middle of the defense, a tight end to give Minshew a safety valve, or an offensive lineman to give the rookie a bit more time. Getting to the playoffs will be an uphill battle for the Jaguars, but now’s not the time to make life any harder on Minshew if they truly plan on figuring out if he’s the real deal.

James Brady: Buy. This one is difficult because I think the Jaguars are a fairly complete team and not so far from being true contenders. I would hate for them to overpay in draft capital for someone to give them a boost now but isn’t much of a help for years to come.

Sure, there are some aging veterans who might help them this year, but with Gardner Minshew regressing, the last thing the team should do is panic themselves into a bad trade. But as already noted, their upcoming schedule is relatively friendly and if one piece is what they need to make a postseason run, go for it!

Tennessee Titans (3-4)

Ryan Tannehill is the starting quarterback in Nashville now, and so far it’s ... going well? Granted, a win over the bumbling Chargers isn’t much of a resume builder, but just scoring points is a step in the right direction. Mike Vrabel’s defense has been playoff caliber (fourth in the NFL in points allowed), but the Titans’ inability to move the chains could be their undoing.

D’Andrea: Sell. Marcus Mariota’s contract expires in 2020, and Tannehill isn’t a long-term answer behind center. It’s likely too late for Tennessee to tank its way to the top of next spring’s draft in order to find a can’t-miss QB prospect, but a spot in the top 10 could clear the path to find the blocking help the team’s lacked this fall. The Titans have some nice young pieces who have turned up under Tannehill — Corey Davis and A.J. Brown in particular — but this team needs more firepower before it’s a serious threat.

Stites: Buy. It’ll be hard for the Titans to convince themselves they can’t compete after Tannehill stepped in and led them to 403 yards of total offense. Maybe his play will drop off, but it’s also completely possible he keeps it up. If he does, the Titans have the recipe for a playoff team.

The defense is already in place. The Titans haven’t allowed more than 20 points in a game in 2019. The only other teams that can say that are the undefeated Patriots and 49ers.

Snag a little offensive help and Tennessee can still track down the Colts and Texans in the AFC South.

Brady: Sell. Not only is Mariota not the answer, neither is Tannehill. Tennessee went all-in on a quarterback in Mariota, and it didn’t pay off. The Titans have to start the entire process over again with the few young, good players they have as a foundation. I don’t see how they can fix all of their issues with trades this season.

Oakland Raiders (3-3)

The Raiders have already made a move in October, trading starting cornerback Gareon Conley to the Texans for a third-round pick. That doesn’t mean they’re sellers, however; Conley’s egress followed a brutal performance in a loss to the Packers, and his trade may have been more of a message to Oakland’s locker room than any grand statement about contention.

The Raiders have outperformed expectations, earning wins over two 2018 playoff teams (the Bears and Colts) en route to 3-3. They had only four wins all last season.

D’Andrea: Buy. The Raiders spent 2018 selling (see the Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper trades) and 2019 buying, to varying effect. The addition of Trent Brown and, to a lesser extent, penalty magnet Richie Incognito, helped upgrade an offensive line that cut Derek Carr’s sack rate in half (8.4 to 4.1) and Oakland may just be a few skill player upgrades away from contention. Their three losses this season have all come against teams with at least five wins in their first seven weeks of the season.

Stites: Buy. The Raiders probably aren’t there yet as a contender, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to be sellers. They’ve shown they can grind out wins with a powerful ground attack. The defense hasn’t been able to hold up its end of the bargain and still doesn’t have an adequate pass rush. If the team could find a veteran defensive end capable of getting after the quarterback, now would be a great time to invest at the position.

Brady: Buy. The Raiders have the talent to be successful now, not later. I think Derek Carr is finally hitting his stride, though he could use some help besides his rather deep roster of tight ends. Despite Jon Gruden’s best efforts to decimate their own core, the Raiders are succeeding. They have the big guys up front and a bruising running game. They just need some extra pieces, like perhaps a Khalil Mack or Amari Cooper-type player.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)

The Eagles beat the Packers in Green Bay three weeks ago, but the hope gleaned from that marquee win was quickly drained in back-to-back blowout losses to the Vikings and Cowboys. Philadelphia’s defense has been a major concern; it ranks 27th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game despite trailing big in each its last two games. It’s given up 75 total points the past two weeks, and Carson Wentz’s underwhelming fourth year has left the offense unable to keep up.

D’Andrea: Buy. The NFC East is eminently winnable, even after Philly’s loss to Dallas last week. This offense has too much talent to be this mediocre for long, and the past month has shown that cornerback market remains robust. Acquiring Patrick Peterson or Chris Harris would add some veteran gravitas to a depth chart that desperately needs it — though it might not be cheap.

Stites: Buy. Even though the 37-10 beatdown at the hands of the Cowboys in Week 7 was bad, the Eagles don’t really have much of a choice but to keep trying to make the most out of their young core of talent. Another receiver could be a good thing, but finding cornerback help — whether that’s now or in the offseason — is a must for Philadelphia.

Brady: Buy. Philadelphia isn’t far removed from being one of the top teams in the league. Carson Wentz needs some help, and the defense is in a dire position. They need some serious beef in the secondary, though that might be the position that is least fixable via trade at the moment. Still, the NFC East is ripe for the taking — even after the drubbing the Eagles received at the hands of the Cowboys. If there are no solid buying options, they should at the very least not become sellers.

Chicago Bears (3-3)

The Bears’ defense, even with Akiem Hicks on injured reserve, remains tough. Chicago ranks fifth in the league in points allowed despite ranking 26th in the league in time of possession. The offense, however, is a major problem. A rudderless running game has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and the Bears have yet to gain more than 300 net yards in a single game. The biggest concern? Mitchell Trubisky, who has somehow made fans long for the days of Jay Cutler in Illinois.

D’Andrea: Buy. Trubisky may not be fixable, but letting this defense go to waste is some kind of sin. Some extra tailback help to boost the Tarik Cohen-David Montgomery platoon in the backfield could, at the very least, take some of the pressure from Trubisky’s shoulders.

Stites: Sell. He’s been a mess this season, but the Bears have won with Trubisky before. He led the Bears to wins in 11 of his 14 starts last season and was a partially blocked double doink away from a trip to the NFC Championship Game. So it’s tempting to keep pouring resources into the offense to try and recreate that 2018 success.

The only reason the Bears should sell is because they have a lot of pretty expendable players. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a mercenary on a one-year deal and the secondary wouldn’t be lost if it swapped in another safety to the starting lineup. Other defensive players — like Danny Trevathan, perhaps — could also fetch some value.

Brady: Sell. I wrote about Trubisky earlier this week, and I cannot stress enough how poorly I think of his mechanics. This doesn’t mean the Bears should excise core players on their defense or offense, but there are some guys who may be looking for a way out, guys that Adam mentioned — Clinton-Dix, Trevathan, et all. There are surely some draft picks out there that will help the Bears reload for 2020.

Detroit Lions (2-3-1)

The Lions ruffled feathers in their own locker room by trading Diggs and just lost the only player to rush for 100+ yards in a game while wearing Honolulu Blue in the past five years to injured reserve. Three straight losses have sunk Detroit to the bottom of the NFC North, but Matthew Stafford’s bounceback year means this team is a tough out for anyone in the conference.

D’Andrea: Sell. Matt Patricia’s defense has been a sieve, and prized offseason acquisition Trey Flowers hasn’t been the panacea the Lions hoped he’d be. With losses mounting and the rest of the NFC North as hospitable as a paper shredder, it’s time to call in reinforcements for 2020. Sorry about another wasted year, Matt.

Stites: Sell. The Diggs trade was likely a precursor of things to come. Now on a three-game losing streak, the Lions are awful on defense and not enough on offense to make up for that. Kerryon Johnson, the only Lions running back in the last six years to top 100 yards, is done for the year. Detroit would be wise to get value off the roster wherever it can.

Brady: Sell. I’ve spent the bulk of Matthew Stafford’s career confused about how a player with so much arm talent can consistently be at the helm of a bad team, and while I still like the roster as a whole, the Lions haven’t been able to put it all together. They can at least be competitive each week, but we’re long past the time of moral victories. The Lions need a full rebuild.

Arizona Cardinals (3-3-1)

The Cardinals are trending in the opposite direction of the team they tied in Week 1; Arizona has won three straight behind a revived offensive attack (and a weak slate of opponents), matching last year’s total. Kyler Murray has been roughly as expected as a rookie — some good plays, some bad ones, and the occasional highlight-reel staple — for a team with shoddy blocking and an uneven receiving corps. The defense, which has given up 400+ yards in more than half its games this fall, remains a concern.

D’Andrea: Sell. This was always a multi-year project. Beating the Bengals, Falcons, and Giants is nice, but it doesn’t mean you’re a contender. The Cardinals are still low on talent, so stockpiling draft assets while learning the ropes of Kingsbury’s NFL-adjusted firebomb offense makes sense.

Stites: Buy. Yes, the Cardinals are in a long-term rebuild, and no, they aren’t winning the loaded NFC West. But the most important thing is bringing along Murray and making sure he continues to develop and grow into the player they hope he can eventually become. If there’s additional offensive talent on the market that’ll help him continue an upward trajectory, now is a good time to go get it.

Brady: Buy. It will take more than one season for Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray to click, but we’ve already seen week-to-week improvement out of the pairing. They’re not going to compete for the crown in the stacked NFC West, and they probably won’t be in the wild card conversation either. But they’re onto something right now, and it would behoove them to get as many pieces as they can sooner rather than later.

[junker-town]

What was the best move each NFL team made in the 2017 offseason?

For some teams, their smartest decision was adding a player. For others, it was about letting one go.

It’s way too early to try to pinpoint how each player who landed somewhere new this offseason will impact his team. But we’re going to do it anyway.

Last year, not many people would have thought drafting Dak Prescott was the Dallas Cowboys’ best offseason move. But then the fourth-round pick was pressed into duty when Tony Romo went down with an injury during the preseason. Prescott never gave Romo the job back and went on to beat out teammate Ezekiel Elliott for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

We might not have predicted Prescott’s meteoric rise, but we’ll give it a shot this offseason and try to single out the one move each team made — whether during free agency or the draft — that we expect to make them better this season. Who knows? Maybe we’ve got this year’s Dak Prescott listed.

Arizona Cardinals: Locking down Chandler Jones

The Cardinals lost several defensive starters in free agency, but they held on to one key player: pass rusher Chandler Jones. Not only did they keep Jones in the fold, but they did it with a five-year deal.

Atlanta Falcons: Signing Dontari Poe in free agency

The Falcons were smart to lock up right tackle Ryan Schraeder and cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford with extensions. But Atlanta’s biggest decision — no pun intended — was beefing up the defensive line with Dontari Poe.

Baltimore Ravens: Adding Tony Jefferson to secondary

The Ravens’ pass defense was a priority this offseason, and they addressed it with a few additions. Of those, it’s safety Tony Jefferson who stands out. At 25, he has plenty of years ahead of him to make plays for Baltimore.

Buffalo Bills: Restructuring Tyrod Taylor’s contract

Taylor isn’t a world beater, but he provides the Bills with their most stable passing presence since Drew Bledsoe, protects the ball, and adds a dynamic running threat from the pocket. That may not be worth the $30.75 million the team would have owed him in guaranteed money on his old deal, but it’s in line with the nearly $10 million he’ll make in 2017.

Carolina Panthers: Springing for Christian McCaffrey

The Panthers made plans for life after 30-year-old Jonathan Stewart by drafting Christian McCaffrey with the No. 8 pick. McCaffrey fits in Carolina’s scheme, but also has the versatility as a receiver and returner to contribute right away.

Chicago Bears: Drafting Mitchell Trubisky, despite everything

The Bears, in their quest to be the new Browns, signed an underwhelming quarterback to a deal potentially worth $45 million before trading a handful of draft picks to move up one spot and selecting a passer with only one season of starting experience under his belt. But hey: If Chicago thinks Trubisky is the guy, then he’s worth the overpay.

Cincinnati Bengals: Letting Andrew Whitworth walk in free agency

Cincinnati had a rough run in free agency, losing two of its most important linemen in the process. However, letting Whitworth leave may have been financially prudent. The stalwart left tackle will be 36 this season, and while his best seasons have come in his 30s, $15 million in guarantees is still a risk for a blocker whose play could drop off in 2017.

Cleveland Browns: Not overthinking the No. 1 pick

Here’s a sign the tide is changing for the Browns: It’s hard to pick their best move — not because there weren’t any, but because there were several ones this offseason. The simplest answer is that the Browns made the right call to go with pass rusher Myles Garrett with the No. 1 pick.

Dallas Cowboys: Strengthening pass rush with Taco Charlton

Heading into the offseason, the Cowboys’ biggest needs were the pass rush and the secondary. Dallas didn’t have a lot of cap space to work with, so bringing in defensive end Taco Charlton in the first round of the draft was a smart way to check off one box.

Denver Broncos: Not panicking for a quarterback

The Broncos could have jumped up the draft order with a flashy trade or thrown money at a middling free agent like Glennon, but instead decided to back their young passers. Trevor Siemian was adequate in 2016, and 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch was considerably worse, but has a much higher upside. If the pair can meet expectations, they’ll provide surplus value on modest contracts.

Detroit Lions: Investing in Matthew Stafford’s protection

Stafford rewarded Detroit’s faith with an MVP-level 2016 season before a broken finger derailed his campaign. The Lions worked to ensure his safety this offseason by adding a pair of high-profile blockers in free agency. T.J. Lang and Ricky Wagner should offer an immediate upgrade for a franchise that allowed Stafford to get sacked on more than six percent of his dropbacks.

Green Bay Packers: Landing Martellus Bennett

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had a premier tight end target in Green Bay since Jermichael Finley’s last healthy season in 2012. Now he’s got another big Texan to throw to with Bennett on board. Combining the former Patriot with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and Geronimo Allison will once again make the Pack one of the league’s most fearsome passing offenses.

Houston Texans: Dumping quarterback Brock Osweiler

Osweiler was nothing short of a disaster last season, and the Texans wisely cut their losses after just one year. After dumping his salary onto the Browns, the Texans are trying again at quarterback with Deshaun Watson. Time will tell if trading a first-rounder for Watson was the right call, but he can’t be that much worse than Osweiler.

Indianapolis Colts: Jettisoning general manager Ryan Grigson

Grigson bet hard on aging veterans and ultimately failed to balance that with high-performing young prospects. New hire Chris Ballard has already made strides to improve the defense by adding two of free agency’s top linemen: Johnathan Hankins and Jabaal Sheard. The Colts also drafted Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson, two impact defenders. The new faces could help the franchise return to the top of the AFC South.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Using 1st-round pick on Leonard Fournette

With Blake Bortles’ future hanging in the balance, the Jaguars needed a strong upgrade in the running game to hide him as much as possible. They may have accomplished that with Fournette, who has a perfect combination of size, speed, and power. He’s the type of running back you can build an offense around, and the Jaguars are hoping he can make an immediate impact.

Kansas City Chiefs: Drafting their QB of the future

Alex Smith won’t be around forever, and he already limits the Chiefs’ offense with his risk-averse game. Trading up 17 draft spots to get Patrick Mahomes II was a gamble, but Mahomes’ big arm and fearless play should open up a lot more options in the passing game. He’ll get time to sit and learn under Andy Reid, which is pretty much the best situation a young quarterback could ask for.

Los Angeles Chargers: Surrounding Philip Rivers with weapons

Rivers must be pleased with the new tools he’ll get to play with in 2017. While Swiss Army Knife tailback Danny Woodhead left in free agency, the Chargers replaced that void with All-American wideout Mike Williams. They also landed two of the draft’s best blockers, Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney. Pair that group with healthy seasons from Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon and you’ve got the recipe for one of the league’s most explosive offenses.

Los Angeles Rams: Hiring Sean McVay

What’s the polar opposite of Jeff Fisher’s uncanny ability to coast on coaching accomplishments from nearly two decades ago? How about hiring a 31-year-old wunderkind for his first head coaching job? McVay’s offensive wizardry should punch up an offense that bordered on unwatchable in 2016.

Miami Dolphins: Extending the core of their defense

In a two-month span, Miami came to terms with veteran defenders Cameron Wake, Kiko Alonso, and Reshad Jones. While extending the 35-year-old Wake to an extra two years could prove to be dangerous, that trio forms the foundation from which the Dolphin defense can grow. When healthy, all three are Pro Bowl talents who can provide leadership for young prospects like Charles Harris, Raekwon McMillan, and Jordan Phillips.

Minnesota Vikings: Letting Adrian Peterson go

Peterson’s Hall of Fame career was established in purple and gold, but won’t end that way after the Vikings avoided the temptation to retain their aging tailback at an untenable price. Instead, he signed with the Saints on a two-year, $7 million deal. In his place will be former Raider Latavius Murray and Florida State’s all-time rushing leader Dalvin Cook. They’ll try to revive a rushing attack that ranked dead last in the NFL last fall.

New England Patriots: Trading for Brandin Cooks

The Patriots gave Tom Brady his most explosive receiving threat since Randy Moss by trading the No. 32 pick in this year’s draft to New Orleans in exchange for Cooks. The move was the antithesis of an old Bill Belichick standard — trading a player with a limited amount of team control (in Cooks’ case, two years) for draft assets — but should pay dividends as Brady ostensibly enters the twilight of his career.

New Orleans Saints: Getting the best CB in the draft

The Saints’ secondary has finished 31st and 32nd in the league over the past two seasons, and the pass defense was in dire need of upgrades. Using the No. 11 pick on Marshon Lattimore, the top cornerback in the draft, was a wise choice.

New York Giants: Bringing Brandon Marshall on board

Odell Beckham Jr. is great, but he needed a stronger supporting cast around him. Although Marshall is getting up there in years, he can still play and should have a couple more years left. Bringing in Marshall also allows Sterling Shepard to move to the slot position, where he’s most comfortable.

New York Jets: Selecting safety Jamal Adams in the draft

This hasn’t been a great year for the Jets. They signed soon-to-be 38-year-old Josh McCown, who could be their No. 1 quarterback for 2017. Their top receiver stands to be Eric Decker, who missed all but three games last fall. The only bright spot was picking up Adams, a top-three prospect, with the No. 6 pick, which also allowed them to move on from Calvin Pryor.

Oakland Raiders: Pulling Marshawn Lynch out of retirement

The Raiders don’t have much time left in the Bay Area, but they’re making the most of it by getting Oakland native Marshawn Lynch to come out of retirement. The Raiders lost Latavius Murray to the Vikings in free agency and needed another running back. Beast Mode will now share carries with Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, hoping to run the Raiders to a Super Bowl before they ultimately move to Vegas.

Philadelphia Eagles: Giving Carson Wentz targets

Jordan Matthews is a talented slot receiver, but he was miscast as the Eagles’ top wideout in 2016. In order to flesh out the team’s depth chart, Philadelphia signed Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery this winter. That’s great news for Wentz, the rookie quarterback who came on strong early in the season but faded as opposing defenses grew wise to his limited array of targets downfield.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Rebuilding the Steel Curtain

The Steelers continued a recent trend of investing in their defense, spending two of their top three picks (T.J. Watt, Cameron Sutton) on high-ceiling defenders and adding Tyson Alualu and Coty Sensabaugh in free agency. If Watt and Sutton can crack the lineup, Pittsburgh could field nine starters it drafted in round three or higher since 2013.

San Francisco 49ers: Swapping picks with the Bears

Trading back one spot from No. 2 to No. 3 was genius, because the 49ers still got Solomon Thomas. Stocking up on some extra draft capital and getting the player the Niners were targeting anyway is a win.

Seattle Seahawks: Not trading Richard Sherman

Richard Sherman has made his share of headlines this offseason, but there’s no denying his value to the Seahawks’ secondary. The four-time All-Pro remains the kind of special player who can singlehandedly shift games. Trading him, even for a pair of first-round draft picks, may have shut Seattle’s gradually closing championship window for good.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Getting more weapons for Jameis Winston

The Bucs brought in DeSean Jackson in free agency, and then used their first-round pick to add the best tight end this draft had to offer, O.J. Howard. Winston has to be happy about that.

Tennessee Titans: Addressing gaping holes at receiver and defensive back

Marcus Mariota has all the tools to become an elite NFL quarterback, and the Titans gave him some much-needed backup in the draft by adding prolific Western Michigan wideout Corey Davis with the No. 5 overall pick. They also shored up the beleaguered secondary. Free agent acquisitions Logan Ryan and Johnathan Cyprien should make an immediate impact, and Adoree’ Jackson is the kind of rookie the team can build on.

Washington: Beefing up its defensive line

Washington gave up 4.6 yards per rush last season — a mark that ranked 26th in the league. Adding a pair of burly run-stoppers in Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain will improve a unit that has to face Ezekiel Elliott twice a year.