There's no such thing as "perfect", but in this scenario I get to play GM for a day and pretend the offseason are perfect!
This series is dependent on every other team, so you won't see the same player be signed to multiple teams.
BUT, this won't be insanely detailed, and it will be mainly offense based. So, I will mention the salary cap and draft pick implications, but I'm not going to include an entire salary cap breakdown.
I'm always making changes to the past articles based on edits to the new ones, so if you want to check out the old ones the links are below!
That being said, let's breakdown the AFC South and what moves I think each team should be making in the 2022 Offseason!
Denver Broncos
Last Year's Record: 7-10
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $38,877,012
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (2), 3rd (2), 4th (1), 5th (2), 7th (1)
Notable Free Agents; Kyle Fuller (CB), Melvin Gordon (RB), Bryce Callahan (CB), Kareem Jackson (S), and Teddy Bridgewater (QB).
The Broncos have a ton of salary cap as well as draft capitol working to their advantage. They are in a prime position to make a HUGE trade!
TRADE; I have the Denver Broncos trading a '22 1st Rounder, (2) '22 2nd Rounders, a '23 1st Rounder, a '23 2nd Rounder, and Jerry Jeudy for (QB) Aaron Rodgers and (WR) Davante Adams!
An absolutely insane trade, but for good reason. Rodgers and Adams together can bring a championship to Denver, and with Adams likely being traded off of a franchise tag the Broncos will be able to afford it. Trading Jerry Jeudy is realistically the only way the Broncos could pull off trading for Adams and Rodgers. Plus, Jeudy wasn't utilized as he should be, and he could play an integral role for the Packers.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; Nathaniel Hackett has taken the reigns as the head coach of the Denver Broncos, for my in-depth analysis check out this post linked here!
Free Agency; With Rodgers, the Broncos are in win now mode, but they still have to make some cuts if they want to stay in the positive cap space. So, if I'm the Broncos, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Latavius Murray (RB)
+ Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR)
- Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
- Brett Rypien (QB)
- Melvin Gordon (RB)
- Diontae Spencer (WR)
For the RB room, let Melvin Gordon walk and save $8 Million, then sign Latavius Murray as a possible 1-2 punch with Javonte Williams. Last year he signed to the Ravens for just $1,075,000.
Rodgers wanted to bring along his friends Adams and MVS with him in his new home, and with MVS being a free agent it won't be hard to bring him on board too.
As for the rest of the team, let Kyle Fuller walk and save an additional $9.5 Million. If there are any cheap veteran additions who would like to "come for the ride" to a potential Super Bowl then that would be ideal. Somone like Calais Campbell who fell off pretty hard last year.
2022 NFL Draft; With all of the Broncos 1st and 2nd Round Picks gone, there isn't much to do in the draft. With the 3rd Round Pick they do have, I have them selecting (LB) Brandon Smith.
So altogether, here's what the Packers... Eh, I mean Broncos' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Aaron Rodgers
RB - Javonte Williams
WR - Davante Adams
WR - Courtland Sutton
TE - Noah Fant
Does this get #BroncosCountry excited for 2022?
Kansas City Chiefs
Last Year's Record: 12-5
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $14,467,359
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 6th (1), 7th (4)
Notable Free Agents; Tyrann Mathieu (S), Melvin Ingram (DE), Charvarias Ward (CB), Mike Hughes (CB), Byron Pringle (WR), Demarcus Robinson (WR), Darrel Williams (RB), and Orlando Brown (OT).
The Chiefs aren't in a bad spot heading into the off-season, but considering the names that need to be re-signed and the contracts they need to give out, I just don't think they are equipped to be aggressive buyers in free agency.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; It looked like for a second there that, Eric Bienemy was finally going to be considered for a head coaching gig in New Orleans, but they ended up promoting Dennis Allen instead. Meaning, yet again, Andy Reid gets to retain all his staff.
Free Agency; I mentioned that they will be selective buyers, and they have to choose wisely about who they keep and who they let go. So, if I'm the Chiefs, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Colt McCoy (QB)
+ Jerk McKinnon (RB)
+ Derrick Gore (RB)
+ Byron Pringle (WR)
+ Blake Bell (TE)
- Chad Henne (QB)
- Darrel Williams (RB)
- Demarcus Robinson (WR)
I have the Chiefs signing McCoy for the sole reason that he is a very capable backup, and Henne's contract is up.
Jerick McKinnon was really the playoff MVP it felt like for the Chiefs, after how he finished the year he should get another chance in that role. Darrel Williams was outplayed and stuffed behind the depth chart ultimately.
Pringle showed a lot of promise in an increasing role as the season rolled on, while Demarcus Robinson slid back into a role where he was barely being targeted.
As for the rest of free agency, bringing back Mathieu is crucial to the success of this defense, and his market value is similar to his current salary. The Chiefs also said they want to make it a priority to keep Orlando Brown, who will be their LT moving forward. Keeping Ingram on a cheaper deal and signing Hughes to longer deal would be to their best interest as well.
2022 NFL Draft; In the draft, I have the Chiefs drafting (WR) Drake London in the 1st Round, providing a tall (6'5") playmaker next to Tyreek and Kelce. I also have the Chiefs selecting a DB and pass rusher later in the draft to add some additional young pieces to the defense.
So altogether, here's what the Chiefs' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Patrick Mahomes
RB - Clyde Edwards-Helaire/Jerick McKinnon
WR - Tyreek Hill
WR - Mecole Hardman/Drake London
TE - Travis Kelce
Is #ChiefsKingdom pumped for 2022?!
Los Angeles Chargers
Last Year's Record: 9-8
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $57,125,856
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 5th (1), 6th (2), 7th (4)
Notable Free Agents; Mike Williams (WR), Linval Joseph (DT), Chris Harris (CB), Jared Cook (TE), Uchenna Nwosu (OLB), and Kyzir White (LB).
The Chargers have at least one pick in each round, including 4 Picks in the 7th Round alone. They also have a ton of cap space and considering how good Herbert and that offense is, they NEED to make moves.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; There are no coaching changes coming for the Los Angeles Chargers...
Free Agency; The Chargers will need to be buyers here, but more so on the defensive side. So, if I'm the Chargers, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Chase Daniel (QB)
+ Will Fuller V (WR)
+ Jaylen Guyton (WR)
+ David Njoku (TE)
+ Donald Parham (TE)
- Justin Jackson (RB)
- Mike Williams (WR)
- Jared Cook (TE)
Let Austin Ekeler lead this backfield and add new depth via the draft later on!
So there's a chance Mike Williams stays in Los Angeles, but Williams may want an opportunity elsewhere where he can be the primary WR in a system that will feed him. Will Fuller is a different kind of deep threat, but still a deep threat. Let Joshua Palmer evolve into a role as a starter and keep Guyton for depth.
Keep Chicken Parham and let Cook walk. Njoku can be an electric asset given the right spot, and I think LA is perfect for him.
As for the rest of free agency, I'm keeping Nwosu, Kyzir White, and Chris Harris. I would make it a priority to sign a DT or LB to help against the run. Signing a guy like Ndamunkong Suh or Larry Ogunjobi would be perfect.
2022 NFL Draft; In the 2022 NFL Draft, I have the Chargers selecting (DT) Jordan Davis in the 1st Round, Kingsley Enagbare (DE) in the 2nd Round, and (RB) James Cook in the 3rd Round! They beef up the DL and add a RB who is used to being a part of a committee to play behind Ekeler.
So altogether, here's what the Chargers' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Justin Herbert
RB - Austin Ekeler
WR - Keenan Allen
WR - Will Fuller V
WR - Joshua Palmer
TE - David Njoku
All #ChargedUp for 2022!
Las Vegas Raiders
Last Year's Record: 10-7
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $20,537,443
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 5th (2), 7th (1)
Notable Free Agents; Marcus Mariota (QB), Casey Hayward (CB), Richie Incognito (OL), Darius Philon (DT), K.J. Wright (LB), and Zay Jones (WR).
After being a playoff team last year and going through all the challenges they did, it's safe to say the Raiders are on track to compete again next year with a respectable amount of draft capitol and cap space.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; The Las Vegas Raiders hired longtime Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. To see my full thoughts on McDaniels, click here!
Free Agency; The Raiders could be buyers in free agency, but unless the right guy falls to them they are best suited to stay put and retain the guys they like. So, if I'm the Raiders, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Trevor Siemian (QB)
+ Jalen Richard (RB)
+ Zay Jones (WR)
+ Kristian Wilkerson (WR)
- Marcus Mariota (QB)
- Peyton Barber (RB)
- DeSean Jackson (WR)
Let Marcus Mariota walk into a situation where he has the chance to get some snaps, also speaks to fully committing to Derek Carr as your guy. Siemian is a suitable backup.
Jalen Richard has been a longtime Raider, he can be a solid return man, and made some plays towards the end of the year. Can't hurt to retain him.
Zay Jones is another guy who really picked it up at the end of the season! But I don't think the Raiders are done adding to the WR position just yet...
As for the rest of free agency, retain KJ Wright and Darius Philon, those guys played well, especially Philon to cap out the year. It's also a good time to invest in some offensive line. Bring in Ted Karras, a familiar face to Josh McDaniels and a free agent from the Patriots this off-season.
2022 NFL Draft; In the 2022 NFL Draft, I have the Raiders selecting (WR) Treylon Burks in the 1st Round, Josh Jobe (CB), in the 2nd Round, and Max Mitchell (OT) in the 3rd Round! These additions hit all of the biggest needs for the Raiders entering the 2022 season!
So altogether, here's what the Raiders' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Derek Carr
RB - Josh Jacobs
WR - Hunter Renfrow
WR - Treylon Burks
TE - Darren Waller
Let's get pumped for 2022 #RaiderNation!
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