Houston Texans: Trae Waynes, CB (Minnesota Vikings)
The Houston Texans have money to spend this off-season, and a few different needs they could address. Running back is an issue, as both Carlos Hyde and Lamar Miller are free agents, but spending money on this position in free agency seems…unwise given what we now know about the position. Adding running back depth seems to be ideal for one of Houston’s fourth round selections. Tight end was potentially a need, but the team has reached an agreement to bring Darren Fells back for with a new contract, according to reporting from Ian Rapoport.
They could also stand to address the cornerback spot as well, as a number of their current CBs (Bradley Roby, Johnathan Joseph and Phillip Gaines) are entering free agency. Houston has a pair of early round selections waiting in the wings, with last year’s second round pick Lonnie Johnson Jr., and Gareon Conley, who was acquired via a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders but originally selected in the first round by the AFC West squad.
But even with Johnson and Conley waiting in the wings, the Texans might want to bring in additional help on the outside. That makes a one-year, “prove it” type of deal with Waynes and enticing option. Waynes was solid last season for the Vikings in man coverage situations, allowing just 71 yards receiving on 134 man coverage snaps according to Pro Football Focus. He struggled a bit more in zone coverage situations, but Anthony Weaver, the Texans’ new defensive coordinator, is expected to maintain Romeo Crenel’s reliance on man coverage schemes. That would play to Waynes’ strengths as a man coverage corner, and make him an ideal fit in Houston on a “prove it” deal.
Indianapolis Colts: Tom Brady, QB (New England Patriots)
Could it happen?
Perhaps. But we do know that the Indianapolis Colts have a decision to make about the quarterback position. Jacoby Brissett, despite some flashes on the field, as well as the leadership role he has taken with the team, does not seem to be the long-term answer at the position. However, the Colts are just a season removed from a playoff spot, back when they had Andrew Luck at the helm.
Could the acquisition of Brady push them back into contention? Perhaps, given the nucleus around the quarterback spot in Indianapolis and some other smart moves in free agency and the draft. As discussed a few days ago, Brady would be a very good fit in Frank Reich’s offense, and his ability to quickly read and diagnose defenses would put a receiver like T.Y. Hilton in position to generate big yardage after the catch.
Another veteran quarterback like Philip Rivers might be an option, and Rivers has worked with both Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni in the past, but Brady showed last season that provided he has talent around him, he can still play at a high level. He might not be at the point in his career where he can will a team to a deep run in the playoffs, but with weapons around him like Hilton, an emerging Zach Pascal, and talent at running back like Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines, Brady could be in a position to do enough in Indianapolis to put the Colts back into contention overnight.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Schobert, LB (Cleveland Browns)
A few seasons ago the Jacksonville Jaguars were minutes from a Super Bowl appearance with a dominant defense that included players like Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Malik Jackson, Dante Fowler, Marcell Dareus and Paul Posluszny. Those players are now departed, with talented EDGE Yannik Ngakoue seemingly the next to leave Duval County.
With these losses, the Jaguars are in need of rebuilding on the defensive side of the football. They could benefit from additions at all three levels of the defense, and with two first-round selections they are in position to address at least some of these needs in the first round of the draft.
A level of the defense they could stand to improve is in the second level. After signing a big contract extension last off-season Myles Jack struggled at times in 2019. Fellow linebacker Telvin Smith stepped away from the game last year and did not play in the NFL, although he has not filed retirement paperwork with the league. As such, adding an off-ball linebacker would be one area the Jaguars could address in free agency.
The Cleveland Browns are going to let linebacker Joe Schobert go in free agency, and adding him to the defensive side of the football would be a strong move for Jacksonville. The free agency class at the linebacker spot is a bit thin, with Schobert and Cory Littleton probably the two biggest names. In the draft, players like Isaiah Simmons, Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen are the names to watch, but Simmons will likely be off the board when the Jaguars pick at nine.
What does Schobert bring to the table? Great coverage skills on the second level. He notched back-to-back multiple interception days last season and posted a third straight 100-plus tackle season. He also has a background as a pure pass rusher, as he played on the edge at Wisconsin, so he would bring some versatility to Jacksonville as well and give them some pressure production off the edge.
Tennessee Titans: Shaquil Barrett, EDGE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
After a magical run to the AFC Championship Game, the Tennessee Titans have some decisions to make about a few of their own free agents. Most notably, the organization needs to look at the status of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and running back Derrick Henry. In the modern NFL paying a bruising running back might not make a great deal of sense, but the team is reportedly exploring the idea of applying the franchise tag to Henry.
Regarding Tannehill, the team is probably waiting for the big quarterback domino – Tom Brady – to fall. The Patriots quarterback has been linked with Tennessee throughout this off-season, and footage of Brady and Julian Edelman face-timing with head coach Mike Vrabel has done nothing to quell that line of thinking.
Putting decisions about Henry and Tannehill aside, if there is another need the Titans need to address it is pass rush. Cameron Wake was productive off the edge for Tennessee, but the 38 year-old veteran is nearing the end of his career. The Titans drafted Harold Landry a few years ago and he is another piece of their pass rush, but like pitching, a defense cannot have too many pass rushers.
Barrett is coming off a career year for the Buccaneers, where he notched 82 total pressures, including 20 sacks and 44 hurries. He was dominant in a Week 3 game against the New York Giants, sacking Daniel Jones four times, and he had multiple sack games against the Carolina Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons as well. Adding Barrett to the defensive front would give the Titans one more pass rusher and a big boost to their ability to consistently pressure the opposing QB. A year ago the Titans were near the bottom in terms of pressuring the passer, as they got pressure on the QB just 21.1% of the time, eighth-lowest in the league. For a team with not many needs, Barrett addresses a big one.