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The 2020 NFL playoffs are all the way down to the highest 4 groups heading into championship weekend. Nonetheless, that additionally implies that 28 different groups have begun their offseasons. Forward of them looms free company and the 2021 NFL draft to help shore up weaknesses and holes of their rosters.
There are a number of groups that simply employed new common managers and head coaches who’re wanting to get to rebuilding their teams, whereas others who fell simply brief within the postseason are asking themselves how they can get over the hump.
With that in thoughts, we requested our NFL Nation reporters to determine the highest looming free-agent resolution every group has to make and the way probably every is to half methods with the participant:
Soar to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Offensive deal with Daryl Williams. The addition of Williams this offseason helped the Payments really feel snug shifting second-year lineman Cody Ford to protect to begin the season. Williams has been a rock in his finest season since being named second-team All-Professional in 2017. Nonetheless, with Jon Feliciano and Matt Milano arguably taking priority over Williams among the many Payments’ free brokers, Williams might need performed himself right into a contract that Buffalo can now not afford — particularly with the wage cap projected to shrink and Josh Allen commanding a fair bigger deal than beforehand anticipated. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Dolphins GM Chris Grier publicly dedicated to Tua Tagovailoa because the 2021 beginning quarterback, however head coach Brian Flores was noncommittal when requested if Fitzpatrick would return as a backup, citing the necessity for a full roster analysis. Fitzpatrick, 38, may have a choice on whether or not to retire, however he performed nicely in his two seasons with the Dolphins, transitioning them from rebuilding to contending, so he probably can be supplied a notable free-agent contract from one other staff. If he retains taking part in, the expectation is Fitzpatrick will transfer on to a staff that gives him an opportunity to be a bridge beginning quarterback or compete for a beginning job. The Dolphins would want to signal and/or draft one other backup quarterback. — Cameron Wolfe
Middle David Andrews. There are a number of different notable decisions — quarterback Cam Newton, guard Joe Thuney and defensive deal with Lawrence Guy amongst them — however Andrews will get the nod as a four-time captain and heart-and-soul member of the group on and off the sector. He units the safety on the line of scrimmage and thus can be a vital extension to whoever is lining up at quarterback, which is one other enormous query for the Patriots. That is why the chances appear greater they’ll work laborious to re-sign him. — Mike Reiss
Security Marcus Maye. The Jets are on file as saying they wish to re-sign Maye, their staff MVP. After all, they mentioned the identical factor about huge receiver Robby Anderson (he bolted as a free agent) and security Jamal Adams (traded). So that you by no means know. Maye is a gentle, if not stellar, participant who’s in line for a giant payday ($8 million to $10 million-a-year vary). That is simply his second contract, however he can be 28 for the season. The entrance workplace likes his intangibles, and he needs to be a very good slot in Robert Saleh’s zone-based scheme. — Wealthy Cimini
AFC NORTH
Cross-rusher Matthew Judon or Yannick Ngakoue. The Ravens need to resolve which free-agent exterior linebacker to spend money on. Judon is the extra all-around linebacker, and Ngakoue is taken into account the higher pure rusher. Baltimore has tried to get an extension with Judon, however he has been in search of a contract price $20 million per season, based on a supply. The Ravens may put the franchise tag on Ngakoue, however he is been a disappointment since they traded a third-round decide for him in October. Ngakoue performed simply 20 snaps in Baltimore’s playoff loss, which suggests he won’t be within the staff’s long-term plans. 4 of the Ravens’ 5 exterior linebackers are pending free brokers: Judon, Ngakoue, Pernell McPhee and Tyus Bowser. — Jamison Hensley
Defensive finish Carl Lawson. Lawson won’t have had huge sack numbers, however he created 10.5 sacks in 2020, based on ESPN Stats & Info and NFL Subsequent Gen. The Bengals can be smart to attempt to give Lawson a long-term deal. However the huge query can be whether or not Lawson will wish to keep in Cincinnati or go to a spot the place he is perhaps extra prone to get sacks. — Ben Child
Extensive receiver Rashard Higgins. The Browns introduced Higgins again on a one-year deal from final season, with Mayfield serving to persuade Higgins to re-sign. Higgins, in flip, has been an enormous a part of Baker Mayfield‘s resurgence since taking up for the injured Odell Beckham Jr. within the beginning lineup in Week 7. The Browns have some huge cash dedicated at huge receiver, in OBJ and Jarvis Landry. However given Higgins’ rapport with Mayfield, it appears prudent for Cleveland to get a multiyear deal performed. — Jake Trotter
Extensive receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Ben Roethlisberger needs him again. Smith-Schuster needs to be again. However the Steelers hardly ever give second contracts to huge receivers, the one two going to Hines Ward and Antonio Brown. Smith-Schuster was an indispensable member of the offense — particularly for his gritty yards after catch and dependability on third downs, however historical past is not on his facet. Neither is the wage cap. To re-sign Smith-Schuster, the Steelers must pull off extra cap wizardry, a trick made much more troublesome by Roethlisberger’s $41.2 million cap hit. All of that means the Steelers let him stroll and depend on Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and James Washington to be the longer term on the place. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Extensive receiver Will Fuller. The huge receiver, taking part in on his fifth-year choice, was setting himself up for an enormous new contract earlier than he was suspended for six video games for violating the NFL’s coverage on performance-enhancing substances. Even with the suspension, Fuller would possibly nonetheless get a giant deal, and it may come from Houston. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson mentioned in December, after the receiver was suspended, that it is “essential” that Fuller is again. The Texans, after all, nonetheless are navigating Watson’s frustration with their seek for a common supervisor, however re-signing Fuller could possibly be a strategy to maintain Watson in Houston. — Sarah Barshop
Quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers has advised the Colts that he is “not 100% positive” he needs to play an 18th NFL season. The 2 sides will take the subsequent month to resolve which path to go. The Colts need Rivers, 39, however they don’t seem to be going to take a seat again and wait on him to make up his thoughts. They will be evaluating quarterbacks across the league and proceed scouting potential draft picks. If Rivers doesn’t return, the Colts may have their third completely different beginning quarterback in as many seasons, as a result of Jacoby Brissett is heading into free company. — Mike Wells
Offensive deal with Cam Robinson. He was up-and-down in move safety this season and hasn’t turn into the dominant participant the Jags envisioned after they drafted him within the second spherical in 2017. He did take care of a torn ACL in 2018, however that should not have been a problem in 2020. Do the Jags need an inconsistent participant defending Trevor Lawrence’s blind facet or will they attempt to improve in free company or the draft? — Mike DiRocco
Extensive receiver Corey Davis. The Titans lastly had a potent 1-2 punch at huge receiver final season. Davis took benefit of protection that targeted totally on A.J. Brown. The chemistry that Davis developed with Ryan Tannehill yielded a 70% catch fee and single-season profession highs in yards (984) and touchdowns (5). It should be expensive, however the Titans will determine carry Davis again. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Security Justin Simmons. That is close to the highest of newly employed common supervisor George Paton’s to-do record. Contained in the locker room, a lot of Simmons’ teammates surprise what, precisely, a man has to do to get re-signed. Simmons has performed each snap of the final three seasons, he is been named to a Professional Bowl and been a second-team All-Professional choice over these three seasons. He is among the Broncos’ most lively gamers in the neighborhood and was the Broncos’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Yr award in 2020. Actually the Broncos may place the franchise tag on him as soon as once more, as they did this previous season, however a brand new deal retains probably the greatest gamers in home and reveals the staff is considering rewarding effort. Sure, the deal has to make sense for the Broncos, however not re-signing Simmons will trigger a lot of his teammates to suppose, “If he cannot get a brand new deal from the Broncos, how will I?” — Jeff Legwold
Extensive receiver Sammy Watkins. Watkins hasn’t posted nice numbers since becoming a member of the Chiefs in 2018 however the offense has been extra productive when he is within the lineup than when he is not. The Chiefs do not seem to have his alternative on their roster as a No. 2 huge receiver. It is troublesome to image the Chiefs having the ability to afford Watkins once more, given a decent salary-cap state of affairs. However either side had been motivated to get a deal performed final 12 months, when Watkins agreed to a decreased contract with a view to stay with the staff. — Adam Teicher
Offensive lineman Denzelle Good. Yeah, receiver Nelson Agholor had a profession 12 months with 896 receiving yards, an 18.7 yards-per-catch common and eight touchdowns. However with the Raiders probably needing to slash wage to get beneath the cap, Agholor would possibly command greater than they’ll afford. Good, in the meantime, was the Raiders’ do-everything man on the O-line, filling in admirably at each proper deal with and left guard. And with enormous query marks surrounding proper deal with Trent Brown and left guard Richie Incognito, Good most likely is the smarter name right here. In spite of everything, each coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr mentioned Good was the staff’s unsung hero and staff MVP final 12 months. — Paul Gutierrez
Tight finish Hunter Henry. The 26-year-old been stable, however his accidents are complicated issues for either side. The Chargers thought he would make it by means of the season, however he missed the final two video games. Henry is a invaluable tight finish for the Chargers, and they’re going to attempt to maintain him. However he may have many suitors. — Shelley Smith
NFC EAST
Quarterback Dak Prescott. No, this isn’t a copy-and-paste from final 12 months. He stays the signature piece to the offseason plans. The Cowboys wish to signal him to a long-term deal, however additionally they wished to do this in 2019 and ’20. If they cannot get a long-term deal, then they’ll place the franchise tag on him once more at a price of $37.7 million. With the tag or a long-term deal, Prescott’s contract will chew up a very good portion of the cap area, and that may have an effect on Dallas’ potential to lure free brokers or maintain gamers presently beneath contract. Maybe this time the Cowboys and Prescott’s agent, Todd France, will even have actual negotiations earlier than the mid-June deadline if he’s tagged once more. — Todd Archer
Damien Woody explains that the Cowboys have the worst offense within the NFL since Dak Prescott has been out and says it is time to change issues up in Dallas.
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams. He performed this season on the franchise tag ($16.1 million) and had a monster 12 months with 11.5 sacks and 30 quarterback hits, which was third within the NFL. That mentioned, to signal him long run can be expensive. How a lot are the Giants prepared to pay? How a lot will Williams need? He has been insistent that cash isn’t his prime precedence. Nonetheless, he can be expensive, and the Giants cannot afford to lose him. Nobody else had greater than 4 sacks. The Giants want so as to add pass-rushers, not subtract them. — Jordan Raanan
Defensive again Jalen Mills. He moved from nook to security in 2020 and improved alongside the best way. He was a beginning nook on their 2017 championship protection and has been a locker room chief, however the brand new defensive coordinator must resolve if he is a system match. — Tim McManus
Guard Brandon Scherff. He performed on the franchise tag this season en path to turning into the primary Washington participant to be named first-team All-Professional since punter Matt Turk in 1996. There was some thought final offseason amongst those that know Scherff that he won’t wish to commit right here long run, however after coach Ron Rivera’s first season, Scherff appeared enthused about returning, saying he “completely” wished to return again. Rivera needs to construct sturdy strains, and if that is the case Scherff have to be retained. In November 2019, Philadelphia made three-time Professional Bowler Brandon Brooks the highest-paid guard with a four-year deal price $54.2 million. It is smart if Scherff’s deal is near this determine. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
Extensive receiver Allen Robinson. Robinson set a profession excessive with 102 receptions final 12 months, however the Bears have been reluctant to pay the 27-year-old receiver prime greenback. Contract talks between the Bears and Robinson’s agent went nowhere in the course of the season. The Bears worth Robinson however appear content material to let the veteran wideout take a look at the market as an alternative of paying him top-five-receiver cash. Chicago may use the franchise tag, however that appears unlikely given the anticipated lower within the league’s wage cap. The Bears are bracing for the true chance that Robinson leaves by way of free company. — Jeff Dickerson
Extensive receiver Kenny Golladay. The Lions did not get a deal performed with him in-season and now the query for the brand new regime is whether or not to franchise-tag him, signal him to a long-term deal or let him stroll in free company. Probably the most believable answer right here could possibly be to tag Golladay to purchase time to both A) work out a long-term deal as soon as they determine how a barren receiver room is perhaps constructed or B) search potential commerce companions if he is not a part of the long-term plan, much like what the Texans did with Jadeveon Clowney and the Jaguars did with Ngakoue final offseason. It is also potential Golladay performs for Detroit in 2021 and the perimeters determine one thing from there, but it surely’s robust to see the membership utterly letting him stroll contemplating the 27-year-old’s expertise and age. — Michael Rothstein
Operating again Aaron Jones. The Packers had a deal on the desk that will have made Jones among the many prime 5 highest-paid backs within the league, however that was by way of common per 12 months. The massive assured cash was lacking. So Jones turned it down after which opted to alter brokers, hiring Drew Rosenhaus. The Packers proceed to see how invaluable Jones is — simply take a look at his 60-yard run to open the second half of the playoff sport towards the Rams — but it surely’s laborious to think about them upping their assured cash, particularly in the event that they wish to re-sign All Professional middle Corey Linsley. Maybe the choice already has been made to let him go — or least hit the market — but it surely could not have been a simple one. — Rob Demovsky
Linebacker Eric Wilson. The Vikings’ greatest offseason roster selections middle across the likes of Kyle Rudolph and Riley Reiff, each of whom are beneath contract for 2021 however whose futures in Minnesota are up within the air partially due to the necessity to create salary-cap area. Wilson, nevertheless, may quickly be hitting the open market after placing collectively a powerful season wherein he performed each defensive snap following an harm to Anthony Barr within the first quarter of Week 2. Minnesota cannot afford to maintain three linebackers on the roster with how a lot Barr ($12.3 million) and Eric Kendricks ($8.15 million) are set to make in 2021. However the staff should resolve whether or not it could actually maintain Wilson and probably execute a commerce for Barr or transfer on from the Professional Bowl linebacker. Given the monetary implications (useless cash), that appears unlikely. And if Wilson can command a $9 million-$10 million wage in free company, there is a excessive probability he finally ends up elsewhere. — Courtney Cronin
NFC SOUTH
Kicker Younghoe Koo. Security Keanu Neal is a excessive precedence, too, however having a dependable kicker is so invaluable and impacts the best way the sport is known as. He is coming off by far one of the best 12 months of his profession (37 of 39 area objectives made), and if the Falcons can lock him down for cheap cash, that’ll be one space new coach Arthur Smith will not have to fret about. — Mike DiRocco
Offensive deal with Taylor Moton. One may argue huge receiver Curtis Samuel right here, however the Panthers haven’t got sufficient cap room to signal each. They want Moton to anchor the precise facet of the road as they seek for a franchise left deal with. Samuel is a pleasant piece to have, however they’ll exchange him with a wholesome Christian McCaffrey and a less expensive free agent or draft decide. — David Newton
Defensive finish Trey Hendrickson. The Saints have a number of huge selections to make, together with whether or not they wish to carry again Jameis Winston as a beginning quarterback candidate and make costly long-term commitments to 2022 free brokers corresponding to Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk, Marshon Lattimore and Taysom Hill. However Hendrickson is probably the most fascinating 2021 free agent. It will likely be fascinating to see how the Saints and the remainder of the NFL worth him after an sudden breakout season with 13.5 sacks that most likely priced him out of New Orleans. — Mike Triplett
Offensive deal with Donovan Smith. Smith will not be a free agent in 2021, however in 2022. Nonetheless, 2021 is when the assured cash is up in his contract, which has him slated to make $14.25 million subsequent 12 months. He is had an up-and-down profession, however he did flip in one among his finest performances within the wild-card spherical towards Chase Young. Nonetheless, with the success Tristan Wirfs had as a rookie proper deal with, would possibly the Bucs be seeking to flip the web page, particularly after they have a number of key gamers turning into free brokers in Chris Godwin, Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown and Ndamukong Suh? — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Cornerback Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals’ fifth-overall decide in 2011 has performed his total profession with Arizona and has been a mannequin and elite cornerback. He made eight straight Professional Bowls to begin his profession however started a slight decline in 2019 when he was suspended six video games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug coverage. Ever since, receivers are catching extra passes towards him and Peterson hasn’t been the lockdown nook he was earlier in his profession. At 30, he needs one other huge deal — just like the extension he obtained in 2014 — however the Cardinals did not decide to something, and his contract expires in March. What the Cardinals do with Peterson will hinge on what they do round him. Robert Alford, who signed earlier than the 2019 season, has but to play a down due to accidents, and Byron Murphy is extra of an inside nook. In concept, Arizona would want to solidify the place earlier than letting Peterson stroll. — Josh Weinfuss
Outdoors linebacker Leonard Floyd. The Rams have a couple of defensive playmakers, together with security John Johnson III and cornerback Troy Hill, who’re pending free brokers, however with the NFL’s premium on pass-rushers, that might imply Floyd is prone to be probably the most pursued. Rams coach Sean McVay gave an unequivocal sure when requested if he wished Floyd to return. But it surely may come down as to whether the Rams can afford to maintain the 2016 first-round decide who tallied a career-best 10.5 sacks this season. — Lindsey Thiry
Offensive deal with Trent Williams. He is the 49ers’ prime precedence, and he has made it clear he’d like to remain, but it surely’s not that straightforward. The Niners can’t tag Williams, which implies he could possibly be one of many solely premier left tackles ever to hit the open market. Williams has mentioned “it might be fascinating to type of see what [my] worth holds” and if that worth goes to a spot the 49ers won’t have the ability to deal with given their salary-cap constraints, they might discover themselves with a troublesome resolution. Odds are the perimeters will work one thing out, but when that does not occur earlier than free company begins, the Niners might need to sweat it out and, in the event that they lose him, discover themselves with an enormous want at one of the vital positions in soccer. — Nick Wagoner
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Griffin and working again Chris Carson are two gamers the Seahawks wish to maintain, however evidently not badly sufficient to attempt to lengthen both final offseason when every was heading into the final 12 months of his rookie deal. Griffin made the Professional Bowl as an alternate in 2019. He is well-liked within the group, and he is answered the query of whether or not he can take the ball away, with three interceptions in 2020 matching his mixed complete from his first three seasons. How far the Seahawks will go to re-sign him may rely to some extent on how a lot they need to pay sturdy security Jamal Adams, who’s in line for an enormous extension. Adams probably is Seattle’s prime offseason contract precedence. — Brady Henderson
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