By: Mike Rifkin
The NFL’s tampering period is not even two days in but the biggest winners are the young quarterbacks in the AFC, as they have seen their teams spend money to help surround them with talent.
Let’s start with the reigning AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals who had one massive need and that was to protect quarterback Joe Burrow. Throughout the season Burrow was sacked 70 times the third most in NFL history, including a Super Bowl record seven times. Burrow was sacked 51 times in the regular season, the most of any quarterback one season removed from ACL surgery. The Bengals signed former Buccaneer Alex Cappa to a four year 40 million dollar contract. In 2021 Cappa did allow five sacks, after allowing zero in 2020. The Bengals also signed offensive lineman Ted Karras to a three year eighteen million dollar contract. Karras and Cappa have won a combined three Super Bowls (Karras 2, Cappa 1) with Tom Brady as their quarterback. Karras brings some versatility as he has the ability to play either Center or Guard. I expect the Bengals to keep building up the offensive line whether through free agency or the draft but right now they are doing the number one thing they had to do this offseason.
Then there are the Los Angeles Chargers who were one Brandon Staley mistake away from making the playoffs last season. The Chargers have been very active this offseason by extending receiver Mike Williams who had a career season last season and got a three year 60 million dollar contract. . Last week the Chargers acquired All Pro Edge Rusher Khalil Mack from the Bears in exchange for draft picks. Mack in seven games due to a foot injury in 2021 had six sacks. Pairing Mack with former first round pick Joey Bosa who had 10.5 sacks in 2021 should give the Chargers a dynamic pass rush, after having 34 sacks as a team in 2021. The Charger defense gave up 4.6 yards per carry and 138.9 rushing yards per game and they beefed up the defensive line by signing Sebastian Joseph-Day from the Rams. Joseph-Day has 137 tackles and six sacks in three seasons. The Chargers defense had 21 takeaways but still managed a -1 turnover differential. They should get a boost after signing J.C. Jackson from the New England Patriots on a massive five year contract. Jackson was second in the NFL with eight interceptions in 2021. Jackson has 25 interceptions in his career. Putting Jackson with Chris Harris will kick Asante Samuel Jr. into the slot along with Derwin James and Nassir Adderley should give the Chargers one of the better secondaries in the NFL.
Then there are the New York Jets who signed Guard Laken Tomlinson from the San Francisco 49ers. Tomlinson played for Jets coach Robert Salah and Offensive Coordinator Mike Lafleur while in San Francisco so he already knows the offense that they will run. The Jets also brought in CJ Uzomah from the Bengals on a three year contract. Uzomah had career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns for the Bengals last season.
Last are the Miami Dolphins who brought in new coach Mike Mcdaniel who like Mike Lafleur and Robert Salah comes from the 49ers. They brought in running back Chase Edmonds who has a lot of upside and speed. They also signed receiver Cedrick Wilson from the Cowboys. Wilson had a breakout season for the Cowboys with 45 catches, 602 yards and six touchdowns. Putting Wilson in the slot with Jaylen Waddle who had a great rookie year and Devante Parker on the outside and tight end Mike Gesicki who got the franchise tag should give Tua some nice weapons. The Dolphins also signed offensive lineman Connor Williams to a two year contract. Williams in 2021 allowed 13 pressures, the second fewest in the NFL, and was ranked as the eleventh best guard in the NFL by PFF. I expect Miami to sign at least one more offensive lineman.
Then there are the Jacksonville Jaguars who have been extremely active in helping the development of last year’s number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. First they brought in Super Bowl winning coach Doug Pederson to coach the team after the Urban Meyer failure. On Monday the Jags brought in receivers Christain Kirk (4 yrs 72 million dollars) and Zay Jones (3 yrs 24 million dollars). Kirk, a former second round pick, had 77 receptions for 982 yards and five touchdowns for the Cardinals last season. Did the Jags overspend here? Probably but Kirk is still only 25 years old and can really help the Jags. Zay Jones, another former second round pick, had 47 receptions 546 yards and a touchdown last season for the Raiders. The Jags also signed former first round pick tight end Evan Engram from the Giants. Engram had 46 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns. One of the things that has hampered Engram is that he does have a lot of drops, but there is a lot of upside in all three of these guys. The Jags also are trying to fix the offensive line by signing guard Brandon Scherff to a three year 49.5 million dollar contract. Scherff is a five time Pro Bowler and an All Pro who played the last two seasons on the franchise tag in Washington. The Jags also worked on their defense by signing Foye Oluokun to a three year contract. Oluokun led the entire NFL in tackles last season.
All five of these AFC teams have spent some money for different reasons. For the Bengals and the Chargers it’s about winning a title before having to pay their quarterbacks. For the Dolphins, Jets and Jaguars it’s about seeing if they made the right choice on their quarterback before possibly re-entering the market. All in all this is a very good start to free agency from these teams.
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