NFL Journal: Catching up with every team, post-primary free agency, before draft – The Denver Post
A monthly offseason lap around the NFL, four weeks after the start of the free agent/trade period and three weeks before the draft:
Broncos: General manager George Paton sends Nos. 9 and 40 this year, a 2022 first-round pick and quarterback Drew Lock to Atlanta for No. 4. Who says no? “Nobody,” a league executive said.
Arizona: The Cardinals have gotten older on defense (J.J. Watt, Malcolm Butler, Shawn Williams) so they need to acquire a young edge rusher to replace Haason Reddick and play opposite Chandler Jones.
Atlanta: New general manager Terry Fontenot comes from the New Orleans Saints School, whose approach has been, “You can never have too much quarterback depth.” To me, that means Trey Lance/Justin Fields … if the Falcons stay at No. 4.
Buffalo: Receiver Emmanuel Sanders is officially a journeyman — the Bills will be his fourth team in less than two calendar years. Nothing wrong with chasing another ring via a one-year contract.
Baltimore: I thought the Ravens would be in the big-money receiver market. Instead, they signed Sammy Watkins. If they don’t add a receiver this month, adding a young pass rusher is smart.
Carolina: The Panthers acquired Sam Darnold, which signals they’re unwilling/unable to move up for a quarterback. Even after signing old friend A.J. Bouye, going cornerback (Patrick Surtain) makes sense in the draft.
Chicago: The current starting cornerbacks are 2020 second-round pick Jaylon Johnson and veteran Desmond Trufant. If they stay put at No. 20, the Bears should go with Jaycee Horn (if he’s there).
Cincinnati: I’ve found myself spending way too much thinking about the Bengals at No. 5. Left tackle Penei Sewell? Receiver Ja’Marr Chase? Tight end Kyle Pitts? Trade? Let’s go with Chase although the Bengals should be open for trade-down business.
Cleveland: The Browns have signed six players who will start or play significantly on defense. They should continue to add during the draft, led by a cornerback and defensive end.
Dallas: A work-around-the-margins offseason for the Cowboys after re-signing quarterback Dak Prescott and signing role players to one-year deals. Surtain won’t get past them at No. 10.
Detroit: Typical of a new coach/GM team, the Lions have been busy, adding double-digit players. If the Falcons aren’t interested in moving, the Broncos should target the Lions’ No. 7 pick as a move-up consideration.
Green Bay: One of the easiest mock decisions is slotting center Landon Dickerson to the Packers at No. 29 to replace Corey Linsley (signed with the Chargers).
Houston: How reckless have the Texans been in trading draft picks? Their first selection this month is closer to No. 100 than No. 20 (69th). Might as well take the best remaining receiver.
Indianapolis: The Colts’ current left tackle is Sam Tevi, who played right tackle last year for the Chargers. If they gamble to wait until Round 2 to address that issue, defensive end could be the pick at No. 21.
Jacksonville: The Jaguars have a gaping hole at tight end and are the best-equipped team to move way up from No. 25 because they have two picks apiece in the second, fourth and fifth rounds. They should call Atlanta and Cincinnati (for Kyle Pitts) just to make sure they’ll say, “N-O.”
Kansas City: An offseason offensive line rebuild has netted center Austin Blythe and guards Joe Thuney and Kyle Long. Left tackle at No. 30 is a no-brainer, but if the top guys are gone, cornerback should be the move.
L.A. Chargers: Left tackle-cornerback should be their first two picks, it’s just a matter of which order. If left tackle Rashawn Slater falls to No. 13, take him. And then worry about cornerback at No. 47.
L.A. Rams: The Rams don’t pick until No. 57. They feel like a trade-down team to add a third Round 3 pick to help re-stock their depth chart with rookie contracts.
Las Vegas: A confusing offseason for the Raiders. Signed running back Kenyan Drake (even though they have Josh Jacobs). Signed pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue (fourth team in less than a year). Traded three starting offensive linemen.
Miami: Three of the top 36 picks (Nos. 6, 18 and 36) will allow the Dolphins to add a top receiver (Chase if he doesn’t go to Cincinnati), pass rusher (Gregory Rousseau?) and running back (Javonte Williams?).
Minnesota: Another team that must decide between drafting left tackle at No. 13 or waiting until the second round. In Round 1, Christian Darrisaw should be considered as a plug-and-play choice.
New England: Going nuts in free agency gives the Patriots freedom to sacrifice picks to move up from No. 15. A move up to Detroit’s seventh pick for the best remaining quarterback?
New Orleans: Cap constraints created needs at cornerback, receiver and defensive tackle. Sitting at No. 28, it’s unlikely they can add a future quarterback.
N.Y. Giants: Signing receivers Kenny Golladay (big money) and John Ross (one-year deal) and cornerback Adoree Jackson (big money) should allow the Giants to add an edge rusher at No. 11.
N.Y. Jets: Five picks in the first 86 should allow the Jets to add quarterback (Zach Wilson at No. 2), cornerback and right tackle as immediate starters.
Philadelphia: A late start to free agency for the Eagles, but they’ve done a nice job defensively with safety Anthony Harris and linebacker Eric Wilson on one-year deals.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers didn’t re-sign left tackle Alejandro Villaneuva or running back James Conner and haven’t replaced them. Those positions should be addressed in first two rounds.
San Francisco: Which quarterback the 49ers draft at No. 3 is currently the event’s No. 1 sub-plot. Based on the fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, Trey Lance is ideal and he can initially watch Jimmy Garoppolo.
Seattle: Trades to acquire safety Jamal Adams, right guard Gabe Jackson and defensive end Carlos Dunlap left the Seahawks with only four picks (first is at No. 68). Figure on them taking the best available cornerback to help replace Shaquill Griffin.
Tampa Bay: Everybody — literally the entire starting lineup — is back, leaving the Buccaneers to draft with a focus on 2022.
Tennessee: The Titans hope Bud Dupree will help fix their woeful pass rush (19 sacks last year, third-fewest). A big ask for a guy coming off a torn ACL.
Washington: WFT needs a future quarterback, but are out of range at No. 19 to move up without giving up a ton. One of the top tackles could be their initial pick.
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