The NFL offseason is the ultimate equalizer for teams. It is an opportunity for underperforming teams to bridge the gap with Super Bowl contenders. The offseason talent acquisition portion is essentially complete, though players like Jadeveon Clowney and Cam Newton remain unsigned, making it possible to speculate on which teams were the most productive in the past three months.
CBS Sports breaks down the top 10 vacations abroad:
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers brought back defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and outside linebacker Shaq Barrett. Those three played an integral role in a defense that exceeded expectations in 2019. Tampa Bay then added some characters who had built their reputations elsewhere: quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The assembly of the list continued through the draft. Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs fell to them in his teens. Running backs Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Raymond Calais will bring a new image to the offense. Wide receiver Tyler Johnson was a consistent producer for the Gophers. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is similar in style to his father, who played 14 seasons with the Bills and Vikings. Tampa Bay has not won its division since 2007, but they should challenge New Orleans this year.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona cheated Houston out of running back David Johnson and was able to get wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in return. They retained offensive tackle DJ Humphries, running back Kenyan Drake and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald before signing outside linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Devon Kennard.
The roster improvement continued during the NFL Draft 2020. Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons was selected No. 8 overall. Running back Eno Benjamin and offensive tackle Josh Jones could also become starters. The Cardinals showed great growth last season, but they are ready to go one step further within the NFC West.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Safety Tony Jefferson was released and offensive guard Marshal Yanda retired. An unfavorable start to the offseason would eventually turn in his favor. Baltimore franchise outside linebacker Matt Judon acquired defensive end Calais Campbell in an exchange with the Jaguars. Reserve tight end Hayden Hurst was sent to Atlanta for the selection used to select Ohio state running back JK Dobbins.
The Ravens added functional depth before completing what was widely considered to be one of the best draft classes in the NFL. The jewel in the crown was LSU inside linebacker Patrick Queen, who will give the AFC North franchise speed and physique at the heart of the unit. Wide receiver Devin Duvernay, inside linebacker Malik Harrison, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and the aforementioned Dobbins all have initial traits. Baltimore and quarterback Lamar Jackson have fallen in the first round of the playoffs in the past two years. The list is almost perfect and the only opponent that stands in their way is themselves.
4. San Francisco 49ers
General manager John Lynch was faced with some difficult decisions this offseason. The team backed the BRINKS trucks for defensive end Arik Armstead and safety Jimmie Ward. Those moves made them realize that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was a luxury, so they sent him to Indianapolis in exchange for a first-round pick. They did a series of budget signatures to maintain a Super Bowl caliber roster.
San Francisco used its two first-round picks to fill some big needs: South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. With the knowledge that Joe Staley would soon apply for retirement, the 49ers made a quick move to replace him with Trent Williams. Will the moves this offseason be enough to beat the Kyle Shanahan team?
5. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland spent a lot of money on right tackle Jack Conklin and tight end Austin Hooper. Some analysts will disagree with his strategy of spending money on less appreciated positions. However, it shows that they have an identity. The Browns are going to set up the pass through the running game. The fullback position was reintroduced in the form of an exchange for Andy Janovich.
By the time the draft came, GM Andrew Berry had filled all the roles except the left tackle and was able to focus on adding the best talent with each selection. Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills was taken No. 10 overall. LSU safety Grant Delpit was added to the secondary on Day 2. Cleveland was able to achieve its goals on every lap. The team is in a position to end its playoff drought dating back to 2002.
Cincinnati would have been the third AFC North franchise on this list if it hadn’t been for the strategic differences. They had a great draft and signed some great free agents. However, they should have continued their rebuilding with draft picks purchased from veteran exchanges. They could have added a capital draft if they had separated from Tyler Eifert, Andy Dalton and others.
6. New York Jets
General manager Joe Douglas values offensive line play, so I remained stubborn in my projections of an offensive tackle at No. 11 overall. Louisville’s Mekhi Becton was inevitably taken with that choice. New York set out to execute a plan similar to the one Buffalo orchestrated a year earlier; Build the offensive line. The plan led to the signings of offensive tackle George Fant, offensive guard Alex Lewis, offensive guard Greg Van Roten and center Connor McGovern. The Jets suddenly built depth to protect their most precious asset: Sam Darnold.
They couldn’t meet the needs on the corner and on the edge, but Rome was not built in a day. Douglass made some quality picks with Florida running back La’Mical Perine, Florida running back Jabari Zuniga, California safe guard Ashtyn Davis, offensive lineman Charlotte Cameron Clark and wide receiver Baylor Denzel Mims. Virginia Bryce Hall’s corner pick in the fifth round was one of the best values in 2020.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
General manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden have done a great job building that list. Overall, the team exceeded expectations last season, but was no more than suitors when it mattered most. They arrived on the scene sooner than expected, but now they are building something sustainable. The linebackers unit had been a huge area of weakness, but they turned it into a strength by signing Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins was an underrated signing. Marcus Mariota gives them another viable option to get started and must apply minimal pressure to Derek Carr.
Las Vegas’ strategy, along with Denver’s offense, is very clear. It will be difficult to stop Patrick Mahomes, so they needed comparable production. After the failed trade by Antonio Brown in 2019, the Raiders added speed and skill through the draft: Henry Ruggs III of Alabama, Bryan Edwards of South Carolina and Lynn Bowden Jr. of Kentucky On defense, the third round felt too soon for the Clemson selection outside Tanner Muse but the talent is undeniable. Cornerback Amik Robertson is a brave player who should embrace culture. The Raiders have had only one winning season since 2002.
8. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees has returned for probably one last season. Teddy Bridgewater left, but Jameis Winston was signed as his replacement. Safety Malcolm Jenkins, cornerback Janoris Jenkins and offensive guard Andrus Peat also received big contracts from the NFC South franchise. New Orleans did not make many changes, but those that did occur were significant. It seems New Orleans knows that the Brees era is coming to an end and that they were looking to stack the deck for the last time.
Emmanuel Sanders’ signature gives New Orleans the first reliable second choice since Jimmy Graham. Pro Bowl offensive guard Larry Warford was released, but the team had a plan to become younger and cheaper. With No. 24 overall pick, Michigan center César Ruiz was selected. Outside linebacker Zack Baun and tight end Adam Trautman were brought in to give them two developmental initiators.
9. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers won the trade in offensive tackle Russell Okung for offensive guard Trai Turner. In fact, most of the legwork was done before the NFL Draft 2020. Retaining running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Hunter Henry was key. General manager Tom Telesco built one of the most intriguing defenses by adding veterans Chris Harris Jr. and Linval Joseph, as well as rookie linebacker Kenneth Murray. Running back Joshua Kelley, wide receiver KJ Hill and wide receiver Joe Reed were worth options. The real prize could be Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. If Herbert can become a franchise quarterback, then he will be appreciated as one of the best in franchise history.
Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga was a critical signing for the offensive line. However, there are still concerns about the quarterback and the game abandoned in 2020.
10. Indianapolis Colts
The final spot was essentially narrowed down to the Cowboys and Colts. Indianapolis received an early boost with the return of left tackle Anthony Castonzo, who strongly considered retirement. They added veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, familiar with the Frank Reich system, and traded for Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. General manager Chris Ballard dramatically improved some areas of weakness. If Xavier Rhodes can show some of his All-Pro talent, the defense will take a big step forward.
Work continued during the Draft 2020 NFL. The team did well to surround Rivers with talent. Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. were great additions in Round 2. Ball State offensive guard Danny Pinter, Utah safety Julian Blackmon and Washington quarterback Jacob Eason are potential future holders.
