Talk about an interesting free agency period so far, WOW! Trades, cuts and some great signings. This division is going to look a lot different this coming season. With the draft only a few weeks away, quality free agents still available and many moves to still be made, buckle up and get ready what promises to be a hell of a ride.
We are going to take a look at each team’s top signing, cut/trade, cap space, team needs and mock draft. Let’s get it….
Denver Broncos
Top Signing/s: C Sam Mustipher, S Brandon Jones, WR Josh Reynolds
Top Cuts: QB Russell Wilson, S Justin Simmons
Trades: WR Jerry Jeudy
Cap Space: $18,057,692
Team Needs: QB, CB, DT, Edge, OT
Mock Draft: QB Bo Nix
The Broncos have started to purge the roster to fit Sean Payton’s vision. The Wilson experiment is now over and Payton will be looking for the right fit for his offense. Enter Bo Nix. Quick release, check. Accurate all over the field, check. Timing Passer, check. Nix is taylormade for Payton’s offense. Expect the Broncos to move down in an attempt to pick up a 2nd rounder but if they can’t, Nix should still be the pick.
Las Vegas Raiders
Top Signing/s: RB Alexander Mattison, DT Christian Wilkins, QB Gardner Minshew
Top Cuts: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Hunter Renfrow, DT Jerry Tillery
Trades: None
Cap Space: $25,276,353
Team Needs: QB, CB, OT, WR, IOL
Mock Draft: QB Michael Penix Jr.
The Raiders began the overhaul of their Quarterback room by releasing Garoppolo and Hoyer. They then signed Gardner Minshew. Enter Michael Penix Jr. He was made in a lab for the Raiders offense. He has pinpoint accuracy and throws the best deep ball in the draft. Adams and company will love this guy. Penix has a injury history but is healthy and is worth the risk.
Los Angeles Chargers
Top Signing/s: RB Gus Edwards, C Bradley Bozeman, TE Hayden Hurst
Top Cuts: WR Mike Williams, LB Eric Kendricks
Trades: Keenan Allen
Cap Space: $31,576,637
Team Needs: WR, CB, IOL, OT, RB
Mock Draft: WR Malik Nabers
The Chargers shocked the world by getting Jim Harbaugh to leave his alma mater and take over as the new Head Coach. They then released/traded their two top receivers and did not resign their starting tight end. Nabers is a true #1 receiver and a flatout dog. Expect him to be Herbert’s favorite target the minute he is drafted. He is half Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson and that is saying a lot.
Kansas City Chiefs
Top Signing/s: WR Hollywood Brown, TE Irv Smith Jr., P Matt Araiza
Top Cuts: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Trades: CB L’Jarius Sneed
Cap Space: $23,901,508
Team Needs: WR, OT, CB, RB, IOL
Mock Draft: WR Xavier Worthy
The Chiefs won the whole thing, again (I just puked in my mouth). With that said, the offense was lacking one thing, receivers with speed. They signed Brown to help in that department but Worthy is different. He is not a track guy playing football, he is a football player that has world class speed. Giving Mahomes a guy that is actually faster than Hill seems unfair but it will be fun to watch.
(Cap Space Numbers via Spotrac)
This year will be one of the most interesting drafts within the division, moreso than we’ve seen in a long time because of the mystery and the unknown. New coaches, new General Mangers, new outlooks.
Strap in guys, this is going to be a fun one!!!