With NFL free agency a little more than a week old, we want to highlight a few teams who have made improvements to their current team and also spotlight a few teams who have weakened their current team.
With the NFL Draft around the corner some teams who are on the are on the losers of free agency they may be able to get off the bad list.
Winners
New England Patriots- The Pats lost CB Aqib Talib and added CB’s Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. They resigned WR Julian Edelman, which was smart. They also added WR Brandon LaFell to the corps. This has been a good seven days for the Pats, even a Pats hater can’t hate on this (haha).
Denver Broncos- The Broncos released CB Champ Bailey and didn’t resign WR Eric Decker, but replaced them with CB Aqib Talib and WR Emmanuel Sanders. They also added DE/OLB DeMarcus Ware and S T.J. Ward to the fold with was a hell of an improvement for the defense. Will the Broncos get tougher on offense is the question? No matter if they do or not they have been very productive during this week of free agency.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- The Bucs released CB Darrelle Revis, but added CB Alterraun Verner (Titans). The Bucs also added QB Josh McCown, DE Michael Johnson, OT Anthony Collins. Lovie and the boys have made some good moves.
Cleveland Browns- The Browns got rid of QB Brandon Weeden that’s damn near enough to make them winners this offseason. They signed RB Ben Tate, LB Karlos Dansby and S Donte Whitner. They lost Jackson and Ward, but Dansby and Whitner are good replacements. Transition tagged C Alex Mack. These guys also have two first round picks in the upcoming draft.
Losers
Carolina Panthers- The Panthers let every receiver on their active roster go. Do they think Cam can throw it to himself? Receivers Steve Smith (Ravens), Ted Ginn (Cardinals), Brandon LaFell (Patriots) and Domenik Hixon (Bears) all are with new teams. The Panthers will need to grab a few receivers via draft. OT Jordan Gross retired. They did sign S Roman Harper, but how much will he help?
San Francisco 49ers- The 49ers kept WR Anquan Boldin which was a huge win, but after that crickets. We cut CB Carlos Rogers which was a good move, but after that they let CB Tarell Brown (Raiders) and S Donte Whitner (Browns) sign with new teams. They replaced Brown and Whitner with Chris Cook (Vikings) and Antonie Bethea (Colts). They have also traded for QB Blaine Gabbert and OT Jonathan Martin. These moves add depth, but I don’t think anybody wanted Gabbert and Martin but the 49ers.
Cincinnati Bengals- The Bengals have been getting pelt like a banana this off season. DE Michael Johnson (Bucs), OT Anthony Collins (Bucs) and WR Andrew Hawkins (Browns have an offer sheet on him) have been pried away from the Bengals. The Bengals still have a deep team and can replace the players through the draft, Collins could be the hardest to replace.
Dallas Cowboys- The Cowboys lost DE DeMarcus Ware (Broncos) who had been the face of the franchise the last decade. Ware was a cap casualty and they haven’t replaced him yet via free agency. They signed Cleveland Browns reject QB Brandon Weeden. I know he’s the backup, but really Jerry?
