2020 NFL Offseason Preview

The 2019-20 NFL season came to a close Sunday with a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20. Now it's time for my favorite part of any sport, the offseason. Something is so entertaining about watching players switch teams and other players getting drafted into the league. The two may hold relevance between each other, but I will not be disclosing any OFFICIAL predictions for the 2020 NFL Draft in this article. With that being said, here is my 2020 NFL Offseason Preview, based on the article Top 25 NFL free agents of 2020: No shortage of intriguing QBs article from Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com.

1. Dak Prescott (Quarterback) is franchise tagged by the Dallas Cowboys.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY SportsTim Heitman-USA TODAY SportsTim Heitman-USA TODAY SportsTim Heitman-USA TODAY SportsTim Heitman-USA TODAY SportsTim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

-The Cowboys have virtually no choice here, they NEED Prescott. He's one of the brightest young QB's in the league and there's no Quarterback on the free agent market or in the draft that would be better than Prescott is currently. The Cowboys can opt to franchise tag Prescott and still continue to workout a contract extension, what the Cowboys can't afford to do here is lose Prescott.

2. Chris Jones (Defensive Tackle) signs with the Indianapolis Colts.

-To me, so much of Jones future with the Kansas City Chiefs was riding on the Super Bowl. Since the Chiefs won I expect them to let Jones walk. Despite Jones saying he wants to be a Chief for life. The Chiefs main priority now should be extending Patrick Mahomes under any circumstances, and the money you'd have to give Jones could make that much more difficult. The Colts, who can afford to pay Jones whatever he wants, would be very happy to land Jones in free agency.

3. Amari Cooper (Wide receiver) re-signs with the Dallas Cowboys.

-The Cowboys can't afford to lose Dak Prescott, and they really can't afford to lose his top target either. Cooper is worth up to $18/mil a year (which is the current franchise tag price), but I imagine the Cowboys would like to work out something long-term with Cooper.

4. Jadeveon Clowney (Defensive end) re-signs with the Seattle Seahawks.

-Clowney's future with the Seahawks isn't entirely certain, but I don't think the Seahawks will want to lose him after trading a third round pick and two players for him just a year ago. Clowney has the potential to be a top ten pass rusher in this league and should/will get paid like one.

5. Shaq Barrett (Outside linebacker) is franchise tagged by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

-Shaq Barrett came out of nowhere to lead the NFL in sacks this last season (19.5 sacks). Whether that was a fluke or not is yet to be seen, so that's why I think the franchise tag may be best here for the Buccaneers rather than giving Barrett a multi-year extension. Barrett looked like a phenomenal fit in Todd Bowles defense and it's very much possible he has another great season next year.

6. Ryan Tannehill (Quarterback) re-signs with the Tennessee Titans.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

-If you told me six months ago that Ryan Tannehill would go 7-3 as a starter in the regular season, guide the Titans to the AFC Championship and lead the league in total QBR (117.5), I'd lose my mind. But that's exactly what Tannehill did. Tannehill revived his career in Tennessee and seemed like a perfect fit for their offense. The Titans should have no problem being willing to give Tannehill $20-25 million to keep him around for the next 3-5 years.

7. Yannick Ngakoue (Defensive end) signs with the Las Vegas Raiders.

-At one point Yannick Ngakoue proclaimed himself the best pass rusher in the league, so don't expect him to take any discounts on the free agent market. I don't know if the Jaguars are going to be willing to give a defensive end the type of money Ngakoue will want ($15-20mil). A team that might be? The Raiders. This signing would give them the ability to pair impressive rookie Maxx Crosby with a dynamic pass rusher, and allow rookie Clelin Ferrell to move to Outside linebacker (which he played in college).

8. Drew Brees (Quarterback) re-signs with the New Orleans Saints.

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
John David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsJohn David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsJohn David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsJohn David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsJohn David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsJohn David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

-After three straight heartbreaking playoff losses the Saints window is closing fastly. Luckily Drew Brees loves New Orleans and will no doubt be back in 2020. Brees re-signs with New Orleans and keeps them a Super Bowl contender.

9. Tom Brady (Quarterback) re-signs with the New England Patriots.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsBrad Penner-USA TODAY SportsBrad Penner-USA TODAY SportsBrad Penner-USA TODAY SportsBrad Penner-USA TODAY SportsBrad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

-So much talk of Tom Brady's days with the Patriots coming to an end, but I just don't see it. The Patriots don't have a future replacement behind him and the names on the free agent/trade market aren't much better than him, if they are at all. There was all this fuss when it was known Tom Brady was selling his house in the New England area, that fuss quieted down a lot when people found out he was buying a house in the Connecticut area, not far from New England area at all. Until Tom Brady signs elsewhere I expect him to re-sign, and eventually retire, with the New England Patriots.

10. Justin Simmons (Safety) re-signs with the Denver Broncos.

-The Broncos just made a defensive-minded Vic Fangio their head coach last offseason, and he really should make it a point to keep Justin Simmons around this offseason. Losing Simmons would be a huge blow to this Broncos defense.

11. A.J. Green (Wide receiver) is franchise tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals.

-I really expected the Bengals to lose A.J. Green this offseason, but some things said by Green lately have changed my mind. At first it was thought Green would refuse to play under the franchise tag, then recently Green was quoted saying he "wouldn't refuse $18mil" (the current rate of the franchise tag for a receiver). Franchise tagging Green gives the Bengals more time to negotiate an extension with him.

12. Byron Jones (Cornerback) signs with the Indianapolis Colts.

-Byron Jones is one of the better corners in this league and unfortunately the Cowboys are likely going to have to choose between Amari Cooper and him. I don't think the Cowboys will end up getting Jones back. Instead Jones lands with the Indianapolis Colts, who have a ton of cap space. This may not be the Colts biggest need but Jones is good enough to ignore needs.

13. Joe Thuney (Offensive Guard) signs with the New York Jets.

-From the Patriots to the Jets, Thuney is going to a division rival. The Patriots aren't afraid to let linemen walk (ex: Trent Brown last offseason). If the Patriots let Thuney walk the offensive linemen deprived Jets make a lot of sense.

14. Brandon Scherff (Offensive Guard) re-signs with the Washington Redskins.

-Scherff is one of the best Offensive guards in the league and the Redskins would be stupid to lose him. Luckily for them, I think new Head coach Ron Rivera will see value in physical play in the trenches. Scherff should remain a Redskin for years to come.

15. Hunter Henry (Tight end) re-signs with the Los Angeles Chargers.

-When he's healthy, Henry is one of the best Tight ends in the league. The Chargers should make a solid effort to keep Henry around for the next few years.

16. Philip Rivers (Quarterback) signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

-Philip Rivers is an absolute Chargers legend and a future Hall of Famer, it's going to hurt to see the two sides part ways, especially for me who grew up loving the Rivers led Chargers. But it's time for them to go their separate ways. Just recently Rivers sold his house in San Diego (where he was commuting to Los Angeles from) and is now living in Florida. Luckily for Rivers there's two, maybe even three teams in Florida that could use an upgrade at Quarterback. Recently it's been rumored that the Buccaneers are interested in Rivers. While this would virtually mean the Buccaneers admitting the Quarterback of their future is not on the current roster, this could be a good pairing. So long as Rivers protects the ball he should be able to handle a Bruce Arians offense and potentially guide the Buccaneers to the Playoffs.

17. Cory Littleton (Inside linebacker) signs with the New York Giants.

-Littleton is the best Inside linebacker available in this free agency, and will likely make more on the open market because of it. The Giants have a very week linebacking core and Littleton would immediately make them at least respectable. Giants new head coach, Joe Judge, preached physicality in his first interview as the teams coach and adding Littleton would add to that case.

18. Leonard Williams (Defensive end) re-signs with the New York Giants.

-The Giants offered the Jets a 2020 third round pick and 2021 fifth round pick for Williams just prior to this season's trade deadline, and the Giants should do anything under their power to keep Williams around. A young pass rusher who may still have his best days ahead of him is something plenty of teams will be interested in.

19. Jameis Winston (Quarterback) signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

-Financially this is going to be hard to pull off, considering the Jaguars have the second least amount of salary cap available in the league. It is not impossible though. If the Jaguars trade Quarterback Nick Foles and release/trade Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus they could free up $23 million. While this number is short of the $30 million a year Winston wants, I don't think Winston's going to get as much as what he wants. I imagine he'll sign a short, one-three year deal making around $20-25 million a year. Those figures are still possible for the Jaguars.

20. Derrick Henry (Running back) is franchise tagged by the Tennessee Titans.

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

-There's no way the Titans are letting Henry slip away. He's easily a top three back in the league and pretty much carried the Titans to the AFC Championship. The Titans could use the franchise tag to avoid letting Henry hit the free agent market and then begin to talk about an extension.

21. Anthony Castonzo (Offensive tackle) signs with the Arizona Cardinals.

-The long-time Colts offensive tackle may have interest in returning to Indianapolis, but are the Colts going to be as interested as Castonzo? There may just be a better offer for Castonzo on a team who needs more offensive line help than the Colts.

22. Matthew Judon (Outside linebacker) is franchise tagged by the Baltimore Ravens. Eventually traded the New York Jets.

Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports
Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports
Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY SportsMitchell Layton-USA TODAY SportsMitchell Layton-USA TODAY SportsMitchell Layton-USA TODAY SportsMitchell Layton-USA TODAY SportsMitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports

-Judon experienced arguably his best season last year, recording a career high in sacks (9.5) and his second best in tackles (97). There's no question Judon could make a lot on the free agent market, and the Ravens are rumored to want to move on from Judon in some capacity. The Ravens don't really have any other significant free agents to focus on though, they could afford to franchise tag Judon and then trade him in order to not lose him for nothing. The Jets thought they were going to get a star pass rusher last offseason in Anthony Barr, until Barr decided to return to the Minnesota Vikings. The Jets could get the pass rusher they want in Judon.

23. Bud Dupree (Outside linebacker) signs with the Miami Dolphins.

-Dupree finally reached his full potential as a pass rusher in 2019, recording 11.5 sacks. Dupree played himself into a nice payday, a payday the salary cap stripped Steelers may not be able to afford. Dupree would give Dolphins Head coach Brian Flores a potential franchise pass rusher for his defense. Dupree heads to South beach.

24. Anthony Harris (Safety) signs with the Cleveland Browns.

-Harris had himself a really good season and if the Vikings could afford to re-sign him they would, but they can't. So where do we send Harris? How about to the Browns who just hired a former Vikings coordinator to be their head coach?

25. Jack Conklin (Offensive tackle) signs with the Seattle Seahawks.

-Seems like over the years the Seahawks have really never gotten Russell Wilson the protection he needs. They have enough cap to get Wilson the necessary protection he needs, will they make it happen this offseason? We'll see.

26. Bryan Bulaga (Offensive tackle) re-signs with the Green Bay Packers.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

-Bulaga has spent his entire ten year career as a Green Bay Packer, I'm sure he'd like to keep it that way. There's really not too many Offensive tackles set to hit the market that are better than Bulaga. A reunion might make a lot of sense for both sides.

27. Melvin Gordon (Running back) signs with the Houston Texans.

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

-A contract dispute caused Gordon to sit out for the first four games of 2019. Now he's officially a free agent and free to choose his own destination. The Chargers have a choice to make themselves, pay Melvin Gordon or pay Austin Ekeler, both are free agents. I think the Chargers may go with Ekeler, who played well in the absence of Gordon and remained productive even afterwards. If Gordon moves on the Texans could be a great destination. They need a true workhorse back and are ready to win right now. Gordon could be the missing piece to the Texans offense.

28. Chris Harris Jr. (Cornerback) signs with the Houston Texans.

-The second straight big free agent I have going to the Texans. Just last offseason the Texans signed a former teammate of Harris's, Bradley Roby. Even with the signing of Roby the Texans secondary was not good enough to keep them from being torched in the Divisional round. Once considered maybe even the best corner in the league, Harris Jr. has aged and slowed down a bit, but he'd still be a huge upgrade to the Texans secondary.

29. Austin Hooper (Tight end) re-signs with the Atlanta Falcons.

-Hooper may carry some injury concerns, but when healthy he may be a top five Tight end in this league. The Falcons need to focus all their attention this offseason into re-signing Hooper. Losing Hooper would be detrimental to one of the NFL's best Ariel attacks.

30. Emmanuel Sanders (Wide receiver) signs with the New England Patriots.

-Sanders was a solid addition for the 49ers at the trade deadline in 2019. He certainly helped them make it to/win the Super Bowl. With that being said, he might be able to get the kind of free agent money that the 49ers can't afford. If the Patriots choose to let some free agents from their team slide, they could afford to get a much needed weapon for Tom Brady or their next potential Quarterback.

*Bonus: Teddy Bridgewater (Quarterback) signs with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsDerick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsDerick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsDerick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsDerick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsDerick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

-While reading this article I was astonished that Bridgewater was not mentioned as one of the top 25 free agents. Bridgewater was impressive stepping in for Drew Bress last year, going 5-0 as the Saints starter. Bridgewater deserves a chance to start in this league, even if it's only for a few years. The Chargers, maybe the NFL's least popular franchise, should give Bridgewater a chance. Not only would Bridgewater help potentially bring Chargers fans to Los Angeles, he would serve as an upgrade from an aging Philip Rivers.

*Another Bonus: TRADES!!

Patrick Peterson (Cornerback) is traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY SportsRobert Hanashiro-USA TODAY SportsRobert Hanashiro-USA TODAY SportsRobert Hanashiro-USA TODAY SportsRobert Hanashiro-USA TODAY SportsRobert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

-This was a rumor I saw before last season's trade deadline and it makes a ton of sense. The Eagles secondary has been a liability for two years and Peterson's been rumored as a trade target for just as long. Just like I mentioned with Chris Harris Jr. earlier, Peterson could've been mentioned as potentially the best corner in the league just a few years ago. Since then Peterson has slowed a little bit but he would still be a phenomenal addition to the Eagles secondary.

Trent Williams (Offensive tackle) is traded to the Cleveland Browns.

-This was another trade that seemed very possible at last season's trade deadline. While it didn't come together that time, it could be very possible this offseason. The Browns recent hiring of Williams former Offensive line coach Bill Callahan may help a lot in making this a reality.

Andy Dalton (Quarterback) is traded to the Chicago Bears.

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
David Kohl-USA TODAY SportsDavid Kohl-USA TODAY SportsDavid Kohl-USA TODAY SportsDavid Kohl-USA TODAY SportsDavid Kohl-USA TODAY SportsDavid Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

-After nine good (not great) years with the Cincinnati Bengals, it seems like Dalton and the franchise will be parting ways this offseason. If they do, the Bears could be a very good destination. Dalton could either take over for current starter Mitch Trubisky or sit behind him and put the pressure on Trubisky to succeed. On top of it, the Bears just hired Dalton's former Offensive coordinator to be their offensive coordinator. The Bears are a little strapped of draft capital in the 2020 draft but they could offer the Bengals a higher round pick or two in the 2021 draft to make up for it.

Robby Anderson (Wide receiver) is traded to the Green Bay Packers.

-From the Packers perspective this is a really good trade, they need to get a solid second receiver to compliment Davante Adams. But what's in it for the Jets? I wish I had a good explanation for it, but this trade projection is purely based off of gut feeling. The Jets could save some money trading Anderson, pick up some draft picks, and use the money they saved to address bigger needs on the roster.

Nick Foles (Quarterback) is traded to the Miami Dolphins, and cut.

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsDouglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsDouglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsDouglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsDouglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsDouglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

-As I mentioned earlier, the only way the Jaguars can sign an upgrade at Quarterback this offseason is to trade Foles. Which may not be easy because he could hurt the cap of whoever they trade him to, but they should give it a try, even if they may have to give up more than they receive. You can't put a price on having a franchise Quarterback. I'm going to send Nick Foles and a mid round pick (3rd or 4th) to the team who has fallen in love with gathering draft picks in exchange for two later round picks. A sad fall for former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.