Before we get started I just wanted to thank you all for your support on this series! I'd love to similar series like this in the future, so if there's any ideas on that front of what you want to see I'm open to it!
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 NFC West and what moves I think each team should be making in the 2022 off-season!
Los Angeles Rams
Last Year's Record: 12-5
2022 Estimated Cap Space: -$20,273,914
2022 Draft Picks: 3rd (1), 4th (1), 5th (1), 6th (3), 7th (2)
Notable Free Agents; Von Miller (DE), Darious Williams (CB), Sony Michel (RB), Austin Corbett (OL), Odell Beckham Jr. (WR), Joseph Noteboom (OT), and Brian Allen (C).
The Los Angeles Rams have a LOT of key free agents, as well as being in cap space hell. From coming off a Super Bowl win to struggling to put together a team next season.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; The Rams have lost their (OC) Kevin O'Connell to the Minnesota Vikings, and in his place have promoted Liam Coen. I don't expect any offensive changes given the same Sean McVay influence.
Free Agency; Another example of a team that is going to have to make some very tough choices in free agency this off-season. So, if I'm the Rams, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ John Wolford (QB)
+ Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
- Sony Michel (RB)
- Johnny Mundt (TE)
With Akers becoming healthier and healthier, there's no reason for Sony Michel to stick around, regardless of the success he had there.
Odell had a cap hit of close to just $1 Million last year, and I would like to see the Rams bring him back on a two-year deal worth $4-5 Million.
As for the rest of the team, Von Miller is going to have to be let go, while some key members of their offensive line will also need to be let go. This will put them out of the negatives and allow them to hold onto some key free agents as well as extend their best players. I also imagine that Robert Woods takes a pay-cut.
2022 NFL Draft; In the 3rd Round of the NFL Draft, I have the Los Angeles Rams selecting (OT) Thayer Munford.
So altogether, here's what the Rams' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Matt Stafford
RB - Cam Akers
WR - Cooper Kupp
WR - Robert Woods
WR - Van Jefferson/Odell Beckham Jr.
TE - Tyler Higbee
Not much on offense have changed, but it's still possible for the #Rams to go back-to-back!!
San Fransisco 49ers
Last Year's Record: 10-7
2022 Estimated Cap Space: -$1,057,797
2022 Draft Picks: 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 5th (1), 6th (1), 7th (3)
Notable Free Agents; Laken Tomlinson (OL), Jason Verrett (CB), and Raheem Mostert (RB), Jeff Wilson (RB).
The 49ers aren't in a bad spot right now, and by trading away someone like Jimmy G they could be in an even better spot..
TRADE; I have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trading a 2nd Round Pick to the San Fransisco 49ers for (QB) Jimmy Garoppolo!
This trade sets up the 49ers in a situation of some financial freedom and allows Trey Lance to fully take the reigns in the offense.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; No coaching changes are expected for the San Francisco 49ers in 2022...
Free Agency; The 49ers have some room to make a move in 2022, and considering how close they were to going to the Super Bowl last year, now is the time. So, if I'm the 49ers, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Tyrod Taylor (QB)
+ JaMycal Hasty (RB)
+ Jahan Jennings (WR)
+ Breshad Perriman (WR)
+ Chris Herndon (TE)
- Jeff Wilson (RB)
- Raheem Mostert (RB)
- Mohamed Sanu (WR)
- Ross Dwelley (TE)
Tyrod Taylor is a valuable backup and could help lean Trey Lance into the right direction. Teach when and when not to use his legs.
With the emergence of Elijah Mitchell it's safe to assume they don't need to keep Mostert or Wilson around. Hasty is an exclusive-rights free agent and likely won't be going anywhere.
Jahan Jennings can fill in as a solid WR3 and was very productive towards the end of the last season. Breshad Perriman is a veteran receiver who adds depth to a corps that has little to none.
Chris Herndon is a nice addition to play TE2 to Kittle and take Dwelley's place.
Outside of that, following the free agents being let go opens up room for them to re-sign Jason Verrett and Laken Tomlinson...
2022 NFL Draft; In the 2nd Round of the NFL Draft, I have the 49ers selecting (CB) Josh Jobe and (OT) Max Mitchell! In the 3rd Round, I have the 49ers selecting (WR) Jalen Tolbert for added depth.
So altogether, here's what the 49ers' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Trey Lance
RB - Elijah Mitchell
FB - Kyle Juszczyk
WR - Deebo Samuel
WR - Brandon Aiyuk
TE - George Kittle
With the minor additions to the #49ers roster, the hope to make another playoff push!
Arizona Cardinals
Last Year's Record: 11-6
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $2,160
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 6th (2), 7th (3)
Notable Free Agents; Chandler Jones (DE), Zach Ertz (TE), A.J. Green (WR), Maxx Williams (TE), James Conner (RB), Chase Edmonds (RB), and Christian Kirk (WR).
I have more money in my bank account than the Cardinals have cap space. But you can say the same thing for the 10 teams that are in negative cap space right now. What's important is that they aren't in the negatives and they have their first three rounds of picks!
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; No coaching changes are expected for the Arizona Cardinals in 2022...
Free Agency; Some tough decisions will have to be made with a lot of their playmakers being free agents, and not all of them will be staying. If I'm the Cardinals, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Josh Johnson (QB)
+ James Conner (RB)
+ Michael Gallup (WR)
+ Christian Kirk (WR)
+ Maxx Williams (TE)
- Colt McCoy (QB)
- Chase Edmonds (RB)
- A.J. Green (WR)
- Andy Isabella (WR)
- Zach Ertz (TE)
Josh Johnson did so well last year, that it's hard to believe he doesn't deserve to be a backup for a team.
James Conner was very dominant last year, and should definitely be re-signed, but unfortunately it will be extremely difficult to keep both him and Edmonds.
A.J. Green will more than likely end up walking, which means they could keep Kirk, and potentially sign Gallup. Now, I fully understand all signs point to Gallup staying in Dallas, but this article is all about hypotheticals!
Zach Ertz with that being said will be too expensive to keep around the team with be forced to go another direction..
As for the rest of the team, Chandler Jones is expected to hit free agency, and the Cardinals don't seem like they are making an effort to re-sign him. Unfortunately, I don't think they will have a lot of money leftover to make more moves, and Kyler will be due for a contract..
2022 NFL Draft; In the 1st Round of the 2022 NFL Draft, I have the Arizona Cardinals selecting (CB) Trent McDuffie! In the 2nd Round I have them selecting Jaramee Slayer (OL) and in the 3rd Round I have them taking (RB) Rachaad White!
So altogether, here's what the Cardinals' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Kyler Murray
RB - James Conner/Rachaad White
WR - DeAndre Hopkins
WR - Michael Gallup
WR - Christian Kirk
TE - Maxx Williams
How do we feel about that #Arizona?!
Seattle Seahawks
Last Year's Record: 7-10
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $49,922,502
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1) 2nd (2), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 5th (2), 7th (1)
Notable Free Agents; Quandre Diggs (S), Gerald Everett (TE), and Rashaad Penny (RB).
With the recent news of the Russell Wilson trade to Denver, this team is going to look a LOT different in 2022. Apparently, Metcalf and Lockett are both also available for trade, but I think they will end up staying in Seattle.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; No coaching changes are expected for the Seattle Seahawks in 2022...
Free Agency; The Seahawks are now loaded with cap space, but aren't quite in win now mode. So, if I'm the Seahawks, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Rashaad Penny (RB)
+ A.J. Green (WR)
- Geno Smith (QB)
- Alex Collins (RB)
- Gerald Everett (TE)
Penny really turned it up at the end of the season, and he wouldn't be expensive at all to bring back! It's definitely worth keeping him around.
The Seahawks have been looking for a 3rd WR for some time now, I say they sign AJG to a two-year deal and he could be a part of a winning team next year.
As for the rest of the team, it's all about rebuild right now, so I would save the rest of that cap space unless the Seahawks can get someone on a 2-3 year deal..
2022 NFL Draft; In the 1st Round of the 2022 NFL Draft, I have the Seattle Seahawks selecting (QB) Kenny Pickett! Ideally they want Malik Willis but another team might trade up for him! In the 2nd Round, I have Seattle taking (OT) Bernard Raihman and (CB) Roger McCreary! Finally, in the 3rd Round, I have the Seattle Seahawks selecting (RB) Kyren Williams!
So altogether, here's what the Seahawks' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Kenny Pickett
RB - Chris Carson/Rashaad Penny
WR - D.K. Metcalf
WR - Tyler Lockett
WR - A.J. Green
TE - Noah Fant
God this looks like a cursed Madden team... Sorry #Seattle!