More than half-dozen groups within the NFC are in some part of a rebuilding mission, overhauling their rosters to get youthful and cheaper.
That means the groups with upper-echelon quarterbacks — Green Bay, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams — ought to all be capable to lock up their division with little resistance if they will preserve their rosters comparatively wholesome, and stack up wins within the common season.
Take a take a look at the important thing additions and departures from each NFC group, analyzing what groups improved probably the most, and which of them stay stagnant. We additionally break down the highest 4 place wants for every group heading into the NFL draft.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Additions: The Cowboys retained defensive finish Damarcus Lawrence by restructuring his deal, positioned the franchise tag on Dalton Schultz and re-signed receiver Michael Gallup and safeties Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse. The Cowboys additionally added linebacker Dante Fowler and receiver James Washington.
Departures: Dallas misplaced two members of the beginning offensive line in La’el Collins (Bengals) and Connor Williams (Dolphins) and two broad receivers, Amari Cooper (Browns through commerce) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Dolphins). Pass rusher Randy Gregory (Broncos), security Keanu Neal (Buccaneers) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (Jets) additionally left as free brokers.
Top Needs: Edge, S, WR, OL
New York Giants
Additions: Tyrod Taylor was signed to a two-year deal value a base of $11 million to interchange Mike Glennon as Daniel Jones’ backup heading into Jones’ necessary fourth season. Tight finish Ricky Seals-Jones was signed to interchange Evan Engram, who joined the Jaguars. And guards Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano had been added to fortify the offensive line.
Departures: Starting free security Logan Ryan signed with the Buccaneers, leaving a evident gap within the Giants protection. Jabrill Peppers joined the Patriots and linebacker Lorenzo Carter signed with the Falcons. Offensive lineman Will Hernandez signed with the Cardinals, whereas Nate Solder, Billy Prince and Matt Skura stay free brokers.
Top Needs: OT, Edge, S, LB
Philadelphia Eagles
Additions: The Eagles re-signed middle Jason Kelce, defensive deal with Fletcher Cox, security Anthony Harris and go rusher Derek Barnett, and added go rusher Haason Reddick, linebacker Kyzir White and receiver Zach Pascal, who has began 44 video games in his first 4 seasons.
Departures: Linebackers Genard Avery (Steelers) and Alex Singleton (Broncos) signed elsewhere, and reserve defensive deal with Hassan Ridgeway joined the 49ers. Two members of the Eagles beginning secondary — cornerback Steven Nelson and security Rodney McLeod — stay free brokers.
Top Needs: CB, Edge, S, OL
Washington Commanders
Additions: Washington traded for Carson Wentz, hoping he’s an improve over Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke. Washington signed offensive guard Andrew Norwell, and re-signed tailback J.D. McKissic, offensive deal with Cornelius Lucas and security Bobby McCain.
Departures: The Commanders should discover two new beginning guards as a result of Brandon Scherff signed with the Giants, and Ereck Flowers was launched. Washington’s normally deep defensive position was thinned out as a result of Matthew Ioannidis (Panthers) and Tim Settle (Bills) left as free brokers. Safety Landon Collins was launched so Washington may keep away from paying him his bloated contract.
Top Needs: WR, CB, S, TE
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Additions: The Bears signed receivers Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown to assist ease the departure of Allen Robinson (Rams), Damiere Byrd (Falcons) and Jakeem Grant (Browns). Defensive finish Al-Quadin Muhammad, defensive deal with Justin Jones and linebacker Nicholas Morrow had been signed so as to add some chew to the Bears protection.
Departures: The Bears traded Khalil Mack to the Chargers, and should discover replacements for linebackers Danny Trevathan, Alex Ogletree and Bruce Irvin, and defensive linemen Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks, who’re all nonetheless free brokers. Three beginning offensive linemen — Jason Peters, James Daniels (Steelers) and Germain Ifedi (Falcons) — have to be changed. Tight ends Jimmy Graham and Jesse James stay free agent.
Top Needs: OT, WR, Edge, RB
Detroit Lions
Additions: Detroit added receiver D.J. Clark, re-signed receivers Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond, and added tight finish Garrett Griffin, who began 9 of the 20 video games he performed in his 4 seasons with the Saints. The Lions additionally added linebackers Chris Board and Jarrad Davis.
Departures: Pass rusher Trey Flowers was launched and stays a free agent. Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin signed with the Texans, security Dean Marlowe and receiver KhaDarel Hodge signed with the Falcons.
Top Needs: Edge, QB, S, WR
Green Bay Packers
Additions: The Packers retained Aaron Rodgers, signing him to a three-year, $150 million extension, and re-signed linebacker Preston Smith to a four-year extension value $52.5 million, and linebacker DeVondre Campbell. Green Bay additionally re-signed cornerback Rasul Douglas and added defensive deal with Jarran Reed and punter Pat O’Donnell.
Departures: Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams was traded to the Raiders, and receivers Equanimeous St. Brown (Bears), and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chiefs) left as free brokers. So did linebacker Za’Darius Smith (Viking), and offensive lineman Billy Turner (Broncos) and Lucas Patrick (Bears). Defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster stays a free agent.
Top Needs: WR, Edge, OT, DL
Minnesota Vikings
Additions: Linebacker Za’Darius Smith signed a three-year deal value a base of $42 million. Linebacker Jordan Hicks, defensive lineman Harrison Phillips and offensive linemen Jesse Davis and Chris Reed joined the Vikings. Cornerback Patrick Peterson and backup quarterback Sean Mannion additionally re-signed.
Departures: Linebacker Nick Vigil signed with the Cardinals, tight finish Tyler Conklin joined the Jets, security Xavier Woods joined the Panthers, and defensive deal with Michael Pierce joined the Ravens. Linebacker Anthony Barr, defensive finish Everson Griffen, defensive deal with Sheldon Richardson and cornerback Mackensie Alexander are nonetheless free brokers.
Top Needs: S, DT, CB, TE
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Additions: Receiver Calvin Ridley is suspended for the 2022 season for allegedly playing on NFL video games, and the Falcons added Demiere Byrd, KhaDarel Hodge and Auden Tate to fill out a skinny receiver unit. Marcus Mariota signed a two-year deal that may have him seen because the Falcons’ bridge quarterback. Cordarrelle Patterson was re-signed and Atlanta added tailback Damien Williams.
Departures: Quarterback Matt Ryan was traded to the Colts for a 2022 third-round choose, ending his 14-year tenure with the Falcons. Receiver Russell Gage signed with Tampa Bay, linebacker Dante Fowler joined the Cowboys, tight finish Hayden Hurst signed with the Bengals, linebacker Foye Oluokun signed with the Jaguars, and security Duron Harmon joined the Raiders.
Top Needs: QB, Edge, WR, S
Carolina Panthers
Additions: The Panthers signed offensive guard Austin Corbett to a three-year, $29 million deal, and added middle Bradley Bozeman to interchange Matt Paradis, who stays a free agent. Carolina additionally added security Xavier Woods, cornerback Rashaan Melvin, defensive linemen Matthew Ioannidis and Marquis Haynes, linebackers Damien Wilson and Cory Littleton, and tailback D’Onta Foreman.
Departures: Defensive deal with DaQuan Jones signed with the Bills, and linebackers Jermaine Carter Jr. (Chiefs) and Haason Reddick (Eagles) left as free brokers. Cornerbacks Stephen Gilmore and A.J. Bouye are nonetheless free brokers.
Top Needs: QB, OT, OL, CB
New Orleans Saints
Additions: Jameis Winston, whose season ended prematurely due to a knee damage, was re-signed to a two-year deal value $28 million, and the Saints additionally added veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Safety Marcus Maye was signed to a three-year deal value $28.5 million to interchange Marcus Williams, who joined the Ravens.
Departures: Pro Bowl left deal with Terron Armstead signed with the Dolphins. Williams signed with the Ravens and his fellow beginning security Malcolm Jenkins retired. Tailback Ty Montgomery signed with the Patriots. Tight finish Garrett Griffin joined the Lions, and beginning inside linebacker Kwon Alexander stays a free agent.
Top Needs: OT, WR, QB, LB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Additions: Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady unretired, committing to play yet one more season for brand spanking new coach Todd Bowles, who changed the abruptly retired Bruce Arians. Chris Goodwin signed a three-year, $60 million deal, however is getting back from a season-ending knee damage. That explains why the Buccaneers added receiver Russell Gage to fill out the receiver unit. Safety Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal had been added to enhance Tampa Bay’s secondary. And tailbacks Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard re-signed.
Departures: The Buccaneers acquired guard Shaq Mason from the Patriots to deal with the retirement of Ali Marpet, and Alex Cappa’s departure to Cincinnati. Ronald Jones signed with the Chiefs, and security Jordan Whitehead joined the Jets. Tight finish O.J. Howard signed with Buffalo and Rob Gronkowski hasn’t determined if he’ll play in 2022. Veteran defenders Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, Kevin Minter and Richard Sherman stay free brokers.
Top Needs: OG, CB, S, DT
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Additions: The Cardinals re-signed tailback James Connor, and tight ends Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams, holding issues considerably constant on offense. Arizona additionally added cornerback Jeff Gladney, a 2020 first-round choose, signing the troubled cornerback to a two-year, $6.5 million deal, and added offensive guard Will Hernandez and linebacker Nick Vigil.
Departures: Receiver Christian Kirk signed with the Jaguars, tailback Chase Edmonds signed with Miami, and A.J. Green stays a free agent. Four key defenders — Chandler Jones (Raiders), Jordan Hicks (Vikings), Jordan Phillips (Bills) and Malcolm Butler (Patriots) — left Arizona, and defensive deal with Corey Peters and cornerback Robert Alford stay free brokers.
Top Needs: CB, Edge, WR, RB
Los Angeles Rams
Additions: The Super Bowl champs acquired a three-year, $129 million extension completed with Matthew Stafford, and signed receiver Allen Robinson to a three-year deal value $46.5 million to boost his receiver unit. The Rams additionally added Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Departures: Elite go rusher Von Miller signed with Buffalo. Offensive deal with Andrew Whitworth retired, offensive guard Austin Corbett and punter Johnny Hekker signed with the Panthers, and receiver Robert Woods acquired traded to the Titans for a 2023 sixth-round choose. Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and tailback Sony Michel stay free brokers.
Top Needs: OT, S, Edge, CB
San Francisco 49ers
Additions: The 49ers signed Charvarius Ward, who began 43 video games for the Chiefs the previous 4 seasons, seemingly shifting on from Josh Norman and Jason Verrett, who stay free brokers. And San Francisco added security George Odum and receiver and return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud.
Departures: Offensive guard Laken Tomlinson joined the Jets and offensive deal with Tom Compton signed with the Broncos. Tailback Raheem Mostert and receiver Trent Sherfield signed with the Dolphins, and receiver Richie James Jr. signed with the Giants. On protection D.J. Jones (Broncos), Arden Key (Jaguars) and Kentavius Street (Saints) all left as free brokers.
Top Needs: OG, WR, CB, LB
Seattle Seahawks
Additions: The Seahawks acquired quarterback Drew Lock, tight finish Noah Fant, and defensive deal with Shelby Harris from the Broncos within the commerce that despatched Denver quarterback Russell Wilson. Seattle additionally signed defensive linemen Quinton Jefferson, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and cornerback Artie Burns, and re-signed tailback Rashaad Penny, tight finish Will Dissly and offensive lineman Kyle Fuller.
Departures: Replacing Wilson, a Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler, received’t be simple. And neither will changing linebacker Bobby Wagner, who joined the Rams after being waived. Defensive finish Carlos Dunlap stays a free agent. Tight finish Gerald Everett joined the Chargers and offensive tackles Duane Brown and Brandon Shell are nonetheless free brokers.
Top Needs: OT, QB, Edge, CB
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com