This offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one, with many NFL teams poised to make bold moves. Some significant decisions have already been made, like Cooper Kupp’s potential trade, Deebo Samuel’s uncertain status, and Aaron Rodgers’ release. Here are some bold recommendations for each team to shake things up in the next couple of months, focusing on trades, draft strategies, and free-agent signings.
In the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills should target Tee Higgins from the Bengals. The Bills need a reliable receiver to support quarterback Josh Allen. With Higgins’ impressive stats, he would bring the firepower Buffalo needs to reach the Super Bowl. The Miami Dolphins, meanwhile, could sign guard Trey Smith from the Chiefs to beef up their offensive line, crucial for their run game. The New England Patriots might consider trading Joe Milton III, taking advantage of interest in his potential. Lastly, the Jets should explore trading Garrett Wilson, leveraging his recent performance to gather valuable draft picks.
Over in the AFC North, the Ravens need to enhance their secondary, particularly by acquiring a solid veteran cornerback alongside Marlon Humphrey. The Bengals could benefit from trading Trey Hendrickson, using those picks to rebuild their defense. The Browns should definitely hold onto Myles Garrett, a key player for their future. The Steelers should pursue a trade for Matthew Stafford, whose experience could elevate their competitive edge.
In the AFC South, trading for Garrett Wilson would be wise for the Texans, especially to reunite him with quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Colts should focus on drafting interior linemen to fortify their offensive line, essential for both quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor. The Jaguars need to think about drafting a tackle to improve their line dynamics, as their existing tackles haven’t met expectations. The Titans shouldn’t reach for a quarterback in the upcoming draft, given the options available; instead, they should focus on building their roster strategically.
The AFC West could see the Broncos trade up to draft running back Ashton Jeanty, giving them the offensive edge they lack. For the Chiefs, cutting Travis Kelce might be a tough but necessary move to free up cap space. The Raiders need to make a strategic maneuver to secure quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the draft, while the Chargers may want to pursue Tyreek Hill in a trade, adding depth to their receiving corps.
In the NFC East, extending cornerback DaRon Bland could be beneficial for the Cowboys, ensuring solid coverage moving forward. The Giants should pass on trading for Stafford and focus instead on selecting a promising quarterback from this draft class. The Eagles should consider trading defensive end Bryce Huff, who hasn’t lived up to expectations, to clear cap space. The Commanders could benefit from acquiring Kupp, adding another dimension to their offense.
In the NFC North, the Bears must prioritize building a robust pass rush. They could target edge rushers from Super Bowl contenders to significantly boost their defense. The Lions should take a hard look at trading for Myles Garrett if he becomes available, as he would fit perfectly into their win-now strategy. For the Packers, keeping Jaire Alexander is critical given his proven skills and potential impact on their defense. The Vikings should look to sign Sam Darnold while trading J.J. McCarthy for additional draft capital.
In the NFC South, the Falcons may want to trade Kyle Pitts, given his underwhelming performance relative to expectations. The Panthers should focus on enhancing their pass rush, aiming to bring in fresh talent in the draft. The Saints face a cap crisis, so refraining from restructuring Derek Carr’s contract is crucial to avoid future complications. Lastly, the Buccaneers could cut Rachaad White to save some much-needed cap space.
Finally, the NFC West could see the Cardinals take a chance on free agents from the 49ers to enhance their defense. The Rams might concoct a plan involving trading Stafford while bringing Darnold in to fill the gap. The 49ers should consider extending Brock Purdy’s contract, considering his impressive performance last season. And the Seahawks may need to revamp their receiving corps by trading Metcalf or cutting Lockett, investing in younger talent instead.
