5 NFL teams that had the best offseasons
A solid NFL offseason can set you up for a successful year ahead. We take a look at 5 NFL teams who’ve given themselves a chance to compete next year.
5. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals did a nice job building for the present and future. General manager Steve Keim found a way to swindle the Houston Texans out of All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins for a second-round pick, while adding defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on a $30 million deal in free agency. Keim then dominated the draft, highlighted by landing linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons in the first round at a great value, before picking offensive tackle Josh Jones in the third round.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals
This is about Joe Burrow. It’s also about finally spending money after decades of refusing to acknowledge the existence of free agency. Cincinnati landed its franchise quarterback on Thursday night, taking the Heisman Trophy winning with the No. 1 overall pick. It also landed Clemson receiver Tee Higgins with the first choice in the second round, giving Burrow some serious weapons including receivers A.J. Green ad Tyler Boyd, and running back Joe Mixon. This was an excellent few months for the Bengals.
3. Washington Redskins
Ron Rivera. Seriously, that alone qualifies the Redskins here. Simply moving on from former team president Bruce Allen and bringing in Rivera is a culture-changing series of events for Washington. Rivera brings respect to a team which hasn’t had much in two decades, and while the team is still largely a work in progress, the Redskins and their fans have reason to believe better days are ahead. It also doesn’t hurt having Chase Young as a new edge rusher.
Read: Saints Sign QB Jameis Winston To 1-Year Deal
2. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are hoping they finally found their next great quarterback. Twenty years after Dan Marino retired, Miami selected Tea Tagovailoa out of Alabama with the No. 5 overall pick in the draft. Tagovailoa has a long history of injuries but also an obscene amount of talent. Tua’s arrived aired with all the free-agent signings of general manager Chris Grier — including edge rushers Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, cornerback Byron Jones and guard Ereck Flowers — and the Dolphins stand to be significantly improved in 2020.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers went from 30-interception Jameis Winston under center to Tom Brady. They also managed to trade for future Hall of Fame tight end Ron Gronkowski, and then drafted left tackle Tristan Wirfs in the first round of last week’s draft before picking up safety Antoine Winfield Jr. in the second round. It’s been one home run after the next for general manager Jason Licht over the past 60 days.