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Biggest remaining roster holes after early free agency, and how to fill them - NFL - ESPN
By Field Yates
Published March 17
With the bulk of major free-agent signings in our rearview mirror, we have a clearer sense of remaining team needs. Some of these needs were pre-existing, as they were holes going into free agency that teams have been unable to fill to this point (the Cleveland Browns still need to add a wide receiver, even pending the outcome of their visit with Dwayne Bowe).
Other needs have been created as a byproduct of free-agent activity, as teams were either unable to retain players at a particular spot (or unwilling to do so), and those have now become needs.
While most of the coveted free agents already have found a home for the 2015 season and beyond, teams can still find value on the open market. Veteran safety Mike Adams wasn't signed by the Indianapolis Colts until June of last offseason, yet went on to become one of the team's most dependable defensive players. Additionally, the countdown to the NFL draft continues, which provides each team another platform to round out their rosters for the 2015 season.
Here is a look at five major needs that remain, and possible solutions to fill each:
Chicago Bears: Wide receiver
Current players at position: Josh Bellamy, John Chiles, Alshon Jeffery, Rashad Lawrence, Marc Mariani, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson
As expected, there have been notable changes to the Bears' roster already under new GM Ryan Pace, as he shipped wide receiver Brandon Marshall (who has three years and nearly $24 million left on his contract) to the New York Jets along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a fifth-rounder.
The only wideout signed thus far has been Royal, a shifty slot presence who is effective in making defenders miss at or near the line of scrimmage. And while 2013 seventh-round pick Wilson offers some intrigue, the team still needs to add at least one body to its receiver roulette to pair with Jeffery, who enters the final year of his contract in 2015.
Possible solution: At pick No. 7 in the draft, the Bears may be in a sweet spot to add one of the three top college wideouts: Alabama's Amari Cooper, West Virginia's Kevin White or Louisville's DeVante Parker.
New York Giants: Safety
The Giants angled to land one of the coveted safeties on the open market in free agency, pursuing Devin McCourty and Ron Parker, among others. Ultimately, however, the team was unable to sign any of them, while also losing Antrel Rolle to the Bears on a three-year deal.
Stevie Brown was a 2013 star whose production curtailed in 2014 (zero interceptions after eight in 2013), but he represents a plausible low-cost option to bring back into the fold, as does Quintin Demps. Berhe and Taylor (who missed all of 2014 due to injury) have minimal defensive experience at the NFL level.
Possible solution: With the ninth pick in the draft, there's probably only one safety who would be under consideration for the Giants: Alabama's Landon Collins.
New England Patriots: Cornerback
Gone are Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, as each had their options for 2015 declined and the Patriots were unable to strike a deal with Revis before he agreed to terms with the Jets. Arrington is a versatile veteran, while Dennard and Ryan have each flashed promise at earlier junctures of their careers. Butler was the Super Bowl hero, but the team still seems likely to add another corner to the mix.
Possible solution: The truth of New England's secondary in 2015 might prove to be that losing Revis and Browner results in a slight philosophical shift. After relying on doses of press-man coverage in 2014, perhaps the Patriots move back toward zone concepts with more regularity to play to their current players' strengths. No team has a better track record of adjusting than the Patriots under Bill Belichick.
New York Jets: Quarterback
To be fair, from a supply-and-demand standpoint, there was little the Jets could do in free agency to solidify the position that has been a critical area of weakness recently. The trade for Fitzpatrick provides the Jets with a familiar quarterback refrain in the NFL: a bridge -- or placeholder -- starter.
The thing is, Smith is not the long-term answer at quarterback, and the Jets approached this offseason (signing cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine and trading for Marshall) in a way that suggests they anticipate being competitive again soon. Is Fitzpatrick better than Smith or Michael Vick (a starter for part of last season)? Yes, but incrementally so.
Possible solution: The Jets would be smart to pounce on Oregon's Marcus Mariota if he falls to pick No. 6 in the draft. Even moving up a few slots to secure him would be wise.
New Orleans Saints: Tight end
This quickly went from an area of strength to an area of need, but of the Saints' own volition. After shipping Jimmy Graham to Seattle in a trade that netted both center Max Unger and a first-round pick, New Orleans is left to evaluate how to account for (some of) Graham's production.
Coach Sean Payton has been outspoken in his support of Hill, an extremely athletic third-year player who is a standout special-teams contributor. The draft class is light in terms of impact tight ends, with Maxx Williams of Minnesota leading the way on many evaluators' boards as a fringe first-rounder.
Possible solution: With Graham out in New Orleans and running backs C.J. Spiller and Mark Ingram aboard on four-year deals, it's possible Payton -- an innovative offensive mind -- will adjust his offensive approach in a way that mitigates how much it leans on the tight end (and Graham was utilized in a receiver alignment frequently, meaning some of his snaps will go to wideouts). Nonetheless, adding a pass-catching security blanket at tight end would benefit quarterback Drew Brees.
By Field Yates
Published March 17
With the bulk of major free-agent signings in our rearview mirror, we have a clearer sense of remaining team needs. Some of these needs were pre-existing, as they were holes going into free agency that teams have been unable to fill to this point (the Cleveland Browns still need to add a wide receiver, even pending the outcome of their visit with Dwayne Bowe).
Other needs have been created as a byproduct of free-agent activity, as teams were either unable to retain players at a particular spot (or unwilling to do so), and those have now become needs.
While most of the coveted free agents already have found a home for the 2015 season and beyond, teams can still find value on the open market. Veteran safety Mike Adams wasn't signed by the Indianapolis Colts until June of last offseason, yet went on to become one of the team's most dependable defensive players. Additionally, the countdown to the NFL draft continues, which provides each team another platform to round out their rosters for the 2015 season.
Here is a look at five major needs that remain, and possible solutions to fill each:
Chicago Bears: Wide receiver
Current players at position: Josh Bellamy, John Chiles, Alshon Jeffery, Rashad Lawrence, Marc Mariani, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson
As expected, there have been notable changes to the Bears' roster already under new GM Ryan Pace, as he shipped wide receiver Brandon Marshall (who has three years and nearly $24 million left on his contract) to the New York Jets along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a fifth-rounder.
The only wideout signed thus far has been Royal, a shifty slot presence who is effective in making defenders miss at or near the line of scrimmage. And while 2013 seventh-round pick Wilson offers some intrigue, the team still needs to add at least one body to its receiver roulette to pair with Jeffery, who enters the final year of his contract in 2015.
Possible solution: At pick No. 7 in the draft, the Bears may be in a sweet spot to add one of the three top college wideouts: Alabama's Amari Cooper, West Virginia's Kevin White or Louisville's DeVante Parker.
New York Giants: Safety
Current players at position: Nat Berhe, Cooper TaylorThe Giants angled to land one of the coveted safeties on the open market in free agency, pursuing Devin McCourty and Ron Parker, among others. Ultimately, however, the team was unable to sign any of them, while also losing Antrel Rolle to the Bears on a three-year deal.
Stevie Brown was a 2013 star whose production curtailed in 2014 (zero interceptions after eight in 2013), but he represents a plausible low-cost option to bring back into the fold, as does Quintin Demps. Berhe and Taylor (who missed all of 2014 due to injury) have minimal defensive experience at the NFL level.
Possible solution: With the ninth pick in the draft, there's probably only one safety who would be under consideration for the Giants: Alabama's Landon Collins.
New England Patriots: Cornerback
Current players at the position: Kyle Arrington, Malcolm Butler, Chimdi Chekwa, Alfonzo Dennard, Justin Green, Logan Ryan, Dax SwansonGone are Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, as each had their options for 2015 declined and the Patriots were unable to strike a deal with Revis before he agreed to terms with the Jets. Arrington is a versatile veteran, while Dennard and Ryan have each flashed promise at earlier junctures of their careers. Butler was the Super Bowl hero, but the team still seems likely to add another corner to the mix.
Possible solution: The truth of New England's secondary in 2015 might prove to be that losing Revis and Browner results in a slight philosophical shift. After relying on doses of press-man coverage in 2014, perhaps the Patriots move back toward zone concepts with more regularity to play to their current players' strengths. No team has a better track record of adjusting than the Patriots under Bill Belichick.
New York Jets: Quarterback
Current players at the position: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Simms, Geno SmithTo be fair, from a supply-and-demand standpoint, there was little the Jets could do in free agency to solidify the position that has been a critical area of weakness recently. The trade for Fitzpatrick provides the Jets with a familiar quarterback refrain in the NFL: a bridge -- or placeholder -- starter.
The thing is, Smith is not the long-term answer at quarterback, and the Jets approached this offseason (signing cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine and trading for Marshall) in a way that suggests they anticipate being competitive again soon. Is Fitzpatrick better than Smith or Michael Vick (a starter for part of last season)? Yes, but incrementally so.
Possible solution: The Jets would be smart to pounce on Oregon's Marcus Mariota if he falls to pick No. 6 in the draft. Even moving up a few slots to secure him would be wise.
New Orleans Saints: Tight end
Current players at the position: Orson Charles, Josh Hill, Ben WatsonThis quickly went from an area of strength to an area of need, but of the Saints' own volition. After shipping Jimmy Graham to Seattle in a trade that netted both center Max Unger and a first-round pick, New Orleans is left to evaluate how to account for (some of) Graham's production.
Coach Sean Payton has been outspoken in his support of Hill, an extremely athletic third-year player who is a standout special-teams contributor. The draft class is light in terms of impact tight ends, with Maxx Williams of Minnesota leading the way on many evaluators' boards as a fringe first-rounder.
Possible solution: With Graham out in New Orleans and running backs C.J. Spiller and Mark Ingram aboard on four-year deals, it's possible Payton -- an innovative offensive mind -- will adjust his offensive approach in a way that mitigates how much it leans on the tight end (and Graham was utilized in a receiver alignment frequently, meaning some of his snaps will go to wideouts). Nonetheless, adding a pass-catching security blanket at tight end would benefit quarterback Drew Brees.
