This past Monday came with the unofficial opening to Free Agency in the National Football League. Not sure why they play this game with the public and for that fact, the teams. Wednesday at 3 p.m. was the official opening of the 2025 season. Not Monday. But if you look at the internet, you'd seen that nearly anyone of value had pretty much found a home and agreed to terms but not signed until it became Official. Wink. Wink. There are a few retreads left out there but not many.
So how did you team fair? Did they improve themselves with some smart pickups. Have they strengthened themselves before the Draft coming up at the end of April? And will those additions make it more obvious where their draft strategy might lie? The coming weeks will prove an interesting run to Thursday night, April 24th in Green Bay. Answers to those questions above might be answered.
Looking at it right now, I think there are number of teams that have improved themselves immensely not only through this free agency but some wise trading that took place before Monday.
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| Sudden Sam headed to the Northwest |
The Washington Redskins, ohhh, sorry, the Commodores, sorry again, the Commanders, might be the leader in the clubhouse. They've added WR Deebo Samuel, LT Laremy Tunsil, DT Javon Kinlaw and SS Will Harris. And they still have some money to throw around if need be. With these adds to the roster I think they've put themselves in a prime spot to challenge the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles this coming year. Philly lost a number of players in free agency, but they always have a tendency to trade, trade and trade to add to their draft haul.
The Chicago Bears are another team that hit it big. And they had too. They provided a complete upgrade to the interior of the offensive line with LG Joe Thuney, C Drew Dalman and RG Jonah Jackson. And on the defensive side they inked DE Dayo Odeyingbo and DT Grady Jarrett. New Head Coach Ben Johnson can now look to go with Best Player available with the 10th pick in the draft. Perhaps RB Ashon Jeanty or TE Tyler Warren. It might finally, might, get interesting in the NFC North.
The Packers did very little. Detroit the same. And what is going on in Minnesota? The Vikings let QB's Sam Darnold (Seattle) Daniel Jones (Indianapolis) and Nick Mullens (Jacksonville) walk. As I post this, they might have Marcus Mariota coming to the Twin Cities, but he would only be a backup for J.J. McCarthy. They did add heavily to their defense with (DT Brian Allen, DT Jason Hargrave, CB Isaiah Rogers and offensive lineman, C Ryan Kelly and LG Will Fries but yikes....coming off two knee injuries, that's placing tremendous pressure on their No.1 draft choice in 2024 to produce. Today they only have four draft picks. Four. Not hardly enough in this day and age.
The Buffalo Bills brought on Joshua Palmer, former speedster with the LA Chargers in addition to DT Larry Ogunjobi and DE Joey Bosa. Those pickups are adding to their favorite status in the AFC East. The New England bought heavily too. They added T Morgan Moses and the No. 2 free agent DE Milton Williams to the Northland. In addition, they now have LB Harold Landry III and CB Carlton Davis on the defensive side of the ball. Their main weakness continues to be wide receiver. If they add someone of note there, that coupled with new coach Mike Yrabel, the New Englanders could finally become relevant again.
You could probably drop the names of other franchises that spent wisely. The LA Rams, Tampa Bay Bucs, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals are improved. Not certain what the Kansas City Chiefs are doing. Not sure they've really addressed their offensive line issues, running back is still a concern and wide receiver has two people with legal issues. Okay maybe only one. It seems Xavier Worthy talked his way out of his domestic situation. Rashee Rice's is still up in the air. TE Travis Kelce is a year older, and their defensive backfield now has some holes.
Everyone else is in a wait and see mode. There has been a buttload of money thrown around. The Patriots have spent $214 Million thus far. The Cleveland Browns $12. Who will be this year's Commanders team to rise from the depths to challenge for a title? It's anybody's guess. But we have a long way to go yet. For the next 6 weeks you can look at mock draft after mock draft to see who the experts think where players will land. Good luck with that. You might have a better idea then them of who is going where.
If you don't have anything on your schedule for April 24-26, get online and book your free credentials to go to the NFL Fan Experience in Green Bay.
https://www.nfl.com/draft/event-info/registration
I went several years ago to Kansas City and had a super time. It was a great draft party and a chance to rub shoulders with friends and foes alike. Got mine for this year too!!!
Happy Mocking....
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