AFC free agency predictions and landing spots
The NBA started building superteams and the NFL said “hold my beer” and made a superconference. Aside from Rodgers, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford, and Kyler Murray, all of the high-end quarterback play resides in the American Football Conference.
AFC North
The AFC North is not the best division in football right now, but they have the potential to be if Baker Mayfield can resurface as a serviceable quarterback in 2022.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have a little money to spend in free agency and could clear almost $39 million through a few simple restructures. However, with a massive Lamar Jackson deal on the horizon, I don’t expect them to pursue the top-tier free agents in the 2022 class. I’ve already convinced myself Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning will be a Raven. That leaves the interior as a big need. Quinton Spain could be an intriguing fit in Baltimore.
Cincinnati Bengals
(Insert offensive linemen name here). Since Cincinnati is going to trade for La’el Collins (another prediction), they’ll look to address the center position in free agency. Tennessee’s Ben Jones could be a great short-term answer in the middle as they eventually draft his replacement.
Cleveland Browns
I want to see Jadeveon Clowney be a freak of nature and produce to the best of his abilities. After having his strongest season to date aligning opposite of Myles Garrett, there’s no reason not to run it back with the former first overall pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers will probably draft Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement in the 2022 NFL Draft. That makes it difficult to project Winston to Pittsburgh, even though that’s what we should all want in our heart of hearts. Pittsburgh has money to spend, and they should use it on every single offensive lineman they can get their hands on.
AFC South
What is going on with the South? Both the NFC and AFC South are in complete disarray. The Titans are the only sane team in the entire region.
Houston Texans
Davis Mills has been a much more frequent topic of conversation than expected after coming into the league as a third-round pick. Let’s surround him with a few more weapons and see what the kid has with a fuller tool belt. Sign Evan Engram, throw him in there as a big slot receiver, and prosper.
Indianapolis Colts
Even if the Colts trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, they should still be in the market for Marcus Mariota. If we know just one thing about Jimmy GQ, it’s that he has a lot of trouble staying healthy. Also, Mariota could play in a similar role as he did in Las Vegas (but with Jonathan Taylor in the backfield and a bully-ball offensive line in front of him).
Jacksonville Jaguars
Protect Trevor Lawrence at all costs. The decision to tag Cam Robinson kind of kills the dream of Ikem Ekwonu going first overall. But the Jaguars could still use some interior help. Jacksonville should make a strong push for Brandon Scherff in free agency.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee doesn’t have much money right now, but they have some of the biggest restructuring potential in the NFL. They’re a competitive team that likes to run the football and use play-action to maximize their quarterback’s abilities. It would be egregious for them not to make a serious offer to Rob Gronkowski in free agency. He’d add value to the run game, play-action, and the traditional dropback game.
AFC East
The AFC East is an interesting division. Josh Allen is the oldest quarterback at just 25. But three of the teams must surround their young signal-callers with better talent.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are the one team that doesn’t really need to spend on offensive playmakers. Allen can put the entire team on his back. Jerry Hughes has to finish his career out as a Buffalo Bill. His leadership in the locker room means a lot, and he can help mentor the Bills’ young duo of pass rushers.
Miami Dolphins
If the Dolphins don’t go out and try to recreate Trent Williams with Terron Armstead at left tackle, they’re doing a disservice to their rushing attack and pass protection. Armstead needs to be a Dolphin, and they have the money to get it done. When healthy, he’s one of the three best left tackles in the NFL.
New England Patriots
There’s no reason to move on from Dont’a Hightower. He’s a great run-defending linebacker who throws his body around with the best of them. He’s been a Patriot for his entire career, and he should retire in New England.
New York Jets
The Jets have a ton of money to spend surrounding their underwhelming second-year QB. James Daniels would be an outstanding scheme fit for Mike LaFleur’s zone rushing attack. He’d also provide better pass protection on the interior and is just 24 years old, so he could grow with the rest of that young offense.
AFC West
Ah, the best division in football. The AFC West now has three of the league’s top 10 quarterbacks and another that could be traded for a ton of draft capital if the Raiders want to rebuild.
Denver Broncos
Folorunso Fatukasi is the obvious answer here. D.J. Jones and B.J. Hill could have also been names to watch, but they’ll probably remain with their current teams. Fatukasi is an ideal run-defending nose tackle. The Broncos just sent Shelby Harris to Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson trade, so there is a need at the position.
Kansas City Chiefs
Nobody outside of Kansas City fans should want this to happen, but Allen Robinson will take a slightly under-market-value deal to play with Patrick Mahomes. He’ll recoup some of his value to maximize the earning potential on what could be his final contract the next time he becomes a free agent.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders need a right tackle, and big Trent Brown would be an intriguing fit. Brown has openly admitted his last stint with the Raiders “wasn’t a good fit,” but now that the franchise has a new coaching staff and front office in place, maybe he’d be amenable to a return. He’d follow Josh McDaniels’ run scheme to Las Vegas and would instantly improve the Raiders’ pass protection as well.
Los Angeles Chargers
The thought of Carlton Davis in Brandon Staley’s defense should make Chargers fans drool. His route recognition and ability to carry vertically are perfect for a more modern quarters-based defense. But the Chargers also ran a high rate of Cover 2 man (or Cover 5, however you want to call it). His length and physicality would be perfect in those situations where he can crowd receivers.