Mar 25, 2024, 08:30 ET
NFL experts at ESPN weigh in on teams that have fallen behind the competition this offseason
The free agency of the NFL has begun to slow down almost a week after its official opening. Teams have added several impact players to their respective rosters; however, several free agents (such as Xavien Howard and Mike Williams) remain available. Kirk Cousins, Saquon Barkley, Calvin Ridley, Danielle Hunter, Arik Armstead, Robert Hunt and Russell Wilson are the most notable names to find new teams. Some clubs have made a lot of noise with multi-million dollar additions, while others have focused on making signings at a reasonable price.
But, not all clubs have made the same progress. In the balance of players acquired and lost, some clubs lose out. Which teams have regressed the most after the first two weeks of movements? Our experts in NFL They analyze what we’ve seen so far in the offseason free agency, and this time they take a look at the franchises that are falling behind the rest.
In Dallas, more questions than answers remain after the first two weeks of the offseason. Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Which team suffered the biggest setback in the first two weeks of NFL free agency?
Editorial Selections
2 Related
Stephania Bell: Dallas Cowboys. There is a saying about addition by subtraction…but, that doesn’t apply here. The Cowboys appear to have poached leadership talent during free agency. The backfield now looks lackluster without a free agency move to replace running back Tony Pollard, despite several experienced options available. The loss of offensive tackle Tyron Smith complicates matters up front, and even though he has struggled with health issues in recent years, when he was on the field there was no better friend for quarterback Dak Prescott. Even if the Cowboys consider moving Tyler Smith to tackle — and it’s unclear if or if they will — their draft strategy should be to prioritize the offensive line.
Matt Bowen: Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens added running back Derrick Henry, who represents an improvement and a good fit in Todd Monken’s scheme. However, it’s more about the players — and coaches — who have left this offseason. Linebacker Patrick Queen, guard John Simpson, safety Geno Stone and cornerback Ronald Darby signed free agent deals with new clubs. Additionally, former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is now the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, and defensive backs coach Denard Wilson took the reins as coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.
Jeremy Fowler: Ravens. Baltimore lost three starters along the offensive line that need to be replaced. It’s Baltimore’s way, letting veterans walk in exchange for compensatory picks for the future. The Ravens need to shore up that offensive line, but they could also reload the receiver group with a veteran or high draft pick, preferably a bona fide X receiver that Lamar Jackson has never had.
Eric Moody: Cowboys. They have multiple needs in multiple needs that need to be addressed, and there are also legitimate questions about Prescott’s ability to lead the club to a Super Bowl. With Prescott’s contract expiring after the 2024 season, uncertainty grips the team. As the NFL offseason progresses, more questions than answers remain about the Cowboys’ future. Dallas should sign Calais Campbell, who would immediately upgrade the defensive line and rotation. The locker room would also benefit from that leadership.
Jason Reid: Ravens. Henry improves what was already the best rushing attack in the league, but they’ve lost too much elsewhere. They entered the offseason with plenty of free agents of their own, so the losses aren’t surprising. But the Ravens look weakened. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Ravens take a step back next season. Jackson needs more help at wide receiver.
Jordan Reid: Cowboys. They’ve lost key players and haven’t been able to replace them at the moment, Tyron Smith’s non-renewal creates a huge void at left tackle, and allowing Pollard to hit the open market without a succession plan was questionable. The draft isn’t here yet, but there’s a lot of pressure to get those picks right to replace the players who were integral to the club’s success.
Aaron Treasure: Buffalo Bills. They were forced to make a lot of cuts to fit under the salary cap — there’s a genuine drop-off at safety, in particular — and I’m not really too excited about adding Curtis Samuel to his receiving corps. He has never ranked higher than No. 43 in defensively adjusted value over average (DVOA), and was No. 58 last season among qualified wide receivers.
Mike Tannenbaum: Cowboys. They still have needs at left tackle, center, running back, defensive tackle and wide receiver. Although many of their resources will be tied up in contract extensions for Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons, it was surprising not to see them move for Henry or AJ Dillon. They deserve credit for a great college draft pick and patience in the past, but they’re going to need a near-perfect draft to fill those needs.
2024-03-25 13:30:00
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