How the NFL's Best Teams Can Extend Their Winning Ways

We all do it—pretending what moves we would make if we were the general manager of our favorite teams. An entire video game franchise, Madden, is built around the premise. And each of us feels like we know our team better than anyone—if only we could make those one or two trades, we'd be in the Super Bowl. 

This is my shot at that. A few weeks back, I looked at the 10 worst teams in football and what moves I would make as the general manager. This time around, it's the 10 best teams in the NFL and what moves they need to make to stay on top.

Taking each team through free-agent signings, roster cuts and the 2017 NFL draft, here is how I would keep each of the NFL's elite competing for Super Bowls.

10. Atlanta Falcons

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Record: 6-4

The Atlanta Falcons have found an ideal blend of offensive firepower with new coordinator Kyle Shanahan and defensive toughness under the direction of head coach Dan Quinn. Now the goal is to not mess it up moving forward.

The Falcons are set at many positions but enter the 2017 offseason with needs on defense. Finding contributors on the defensive line and replacing free agents at linebacker and cornerback will be crucial for general manager Thomas Dimitroff's team.

Strong drafting is the backbone of this team, but going out and signing Mohamed Sanu in free agency shows that the Falcons will spend when needed. Now would be the time to spend to shore up a defense with major gaps. 

Locking up right tackle Ryan Schraeder will not only give the Falcons consistency up front, but also keeps spending low across the line for another season. He should look for a deal slightly above what Joe Barksdale got in San Diego last season, averaging around $6 million per year.

Team Needs

DT, CB, EDGE, FS, WR3

Projected Cap Space: $39.6 million

Free-Agent Moves

Sign FS Darian Stewart (5 years, $35 million)

Re-sign RT Ryan Schraeder (4 years, $24 million) 

Draft

Round 1, Pick 23: OLB Ryan Anderson, Alabama

Round 2, Pick 23: DL Elijah Qualls, Washington

Round 3, Pick 23: CB Rasul Douglas, West Virginia

Round 4, Pick 23: S Eddie Jackson, Alabama

Round 5, Pick 23: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee

Round 6, Pick 23: WR Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M

Round 7, Pick 23: OLB Lewis Neal, LSU

9. Washington

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Record: 5-3-1

General manager Scot McCloughan has built an impressive team—one capable of winning the NFC East again—through smart drafting and opportunistic pickups like Vernon Davis and Josh Norman. To maintain its success, though, Washington must address the quarterback position long term.

Starter Kirk Cousins is playing on the franchise tag currently, but there will be pressure to get a long-term contract done soon after the season. By taking a wait-and-see approach with Cousins, McCloughan and owner Daniel Snyder are risking that Cousins may leave for greener pastures. That alone will drive up the cost to keep him in D.C.

Outside of quarterback, two starting receivers (Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon) are free agents. When evaluating the talent on the roster, neither player is a must to re-sign. At tight end, locking up Davis to platoon with Jordan Reed does make sense, though, from a team-building and financial standpoint.

Filling needs on the lines can come through the draft as long as the team's priority after signing Cousins is to address the hole at running back. Matt Jones has proven unreliable, and the stable of backs around him is less than impressive. 

Team Needs

QB, RB, DL, OL, S, CB

Projected Cap Space: $53.6 million 

Free-Agent Moves

Re-sign QB Kirk Cousins (5 years, $120 million)

Re-sign TE Vernon Davis (2 years, $14 million)

Re-sign SS Duke Ihenacho (4 years, $16 million)

Draft

Round 1, Pick 24: RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

Round 2, Pick 24: WR Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech

Round 3, Pick 24: DL Taco Charlton, Michigan

Round 4, Pick 5 (from NYJ): QB Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State

Round 4, Pick 24: C Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia 

Round 5, Pick 24: CB Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma

Round 6, Pick 24: OLB Derek Rivers, Youngstown State

Round 6, Pick 26 (from HOU): ILB Hardy Nickerson, Illinois

Round 7, Pick 24: S Demetrious Cox, Michigan State

8. New York Giants

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Record: 6-3

As long as the New York Giants have Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., the chances of making a playoff run are strong. And now that new additions Olivier Vernon and Janoris Jenkins are producing, this once again looks like a team that could make a late-season run.

Fixing the Giants, or keeping them competitive, is all about diversifying the attacks on offense and defense. Current general manager Jerry Reese has opted for offensive tackles and defensive linemen in the first round of many draft classes. Though that strategy doesn't have to change right away, the team must start valuing running backs and linebackers, too.

Unlike Reese, this offseason would be anchored by drafting a three-down running back and a middle linebacker with the range and instincts to man the spot immediately. Anticipating the loss of Jason Pierre-Paul in free agency, grabbing a defensive end in a loaded class of pass-rushers allows for little loss in production on a key unit.

The Giants aren't traditionally the big spenders in free agency that they were last year, and that won't change here, instead saving money to carry over for future extensions to players like Beckham and Collins. The one key is re-signing Johnathan Hankins at defensive tackle.

Team Needs

DE, LB, WR3, RB, QB2

Projected Cap Space: $33.5 million 

Free-Agent Moves

Re-sign DT Johnathan Hankins (5 years, $75 million)

Release RB Rashad Jennings ($2.5 million savings)

Draft

Round 1, Pick 25: DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford

Round 2, Pick 25: LB Anthony Walker, Northwestern

Round 3, Pick 25: RB Wayne Gallman, Clemson

Round 4, Pick 25: WR Amara Darboh, Michigan

Round 5, Pick 25: QB C.J. Beathard, Iowa

Round 6, Pick 25: S Tony Conner, Ole Miss

Round 7, Pick 25: LB Ben Boulware, Clemson

7. Houston Texans

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Record: 6-3

A remade offense in the 2016 offseason has the Houston Texans leading the AFC South and still poised to improve if quarterback Brock Osweiler and wide receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller develop as hoped.

The downside to spending heavily to sign Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller is that the Texans have under $15 million to spend based on current cap projections. That means watching free agents like starters John Simon and A.J. Bouye leave town without major restructuring of existing deals.

With an offense that's mostly paid for, the Texans will need to focus on retooling the defense through the draft. Getting another impact linebacker is crucial, but so too is finding both depth and potential improvements for the offensive line. A draft class that features a variety of positions is the best move for a team that focused so heavily on one side of the ball last year.

Team Needs

ILB, T, S, G, NT

Projected Cap Space: $14.7 million 

Free-Agent Moves

Re-sign CB A.J. Bouye (5 years, $40 million) 

Draft

Round 1, Pick 26: LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt

Round 2, Pick 26: T Erik Magnuson, Michigan

Round 3, Pick 26: G Billy Price, Ohio State

Round 4, Pick 26: DL Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA

Round 5, Pick 26: S Johnathan Ford, Auburn

Round 6, Pick 3: TE Pharaoh Brown, Oregon

Round 7, Pick 26: OLB Deon Hollins, UCLA

6. Seattle Seahawks

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Record: 6-2-1

It's good to be good, and the Seahawks are both talented on the field and well-run off it. General manager John Schneider has built a team that's carrying eight to nine big contracts for superstars like Russell Wilson, Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman, but also has freedom in 2017 with a projected $24.5 million to spend and no priority free agents to re-sign.

The 2017 offseason may be the most aggressive we've seen Seattle be outside of re-signing its own players. If I were calling the shots, maintaining the status quo would be in order. Don't spend just to spend, instead working to add low-cost contributors at a number of positions while working to add depth to the lines through the draft.

Finding young veterans—like Kenny Stills—who have value and play a certain role would be the right direction to continue taking this team. Overpaying for an average left tackle on the free-agent market won't help Seattle win another Super Bowl, but staying cap-healthy and always working to build the supporting cast around those eight or nine star players through the draft is how to remain competitive and close the gap on the other elite teams in the NFL.

Team Needs

LT, RT, DT, CB, WR3

Projected Cap Space: $24.5 million  

Free-Agent Moves

Re-sign K Steven Hauschka (4 years, $17 million)

Sign WR Kenny Stills (4 years, $24 million)

Draft

Round 1, Pick 27: T Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin

Round 2, Pick 27: DL Montravius Adams, Auburn

Round 3, Pick 27: CB Marquez White, FSU

Round 6, Pick 27: T Dan Skipper, Arkansas

Round 7, Pick 6 (from CAR): C Jon Toth, Kentucky 

5. Denver Broncos

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Record: 7-3

One season removed from winning the Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos are struggling at the quarterback position while still playing good enough defense to have the second-most wins in football. The job of re-working this team isn't a hard one—especially not with almost $37 million to spend.

On offense, the Broncos are set at the skill positions. Young quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch are the future, with first-rounder Lynch likely to take over in 2017. By not spending heavily under center, the Broncos have another four seasons of cap freedom to bolster the rest of the roster.

One move where the Broncos can—and should—spend money is on the offensive line. Giving Riley Reiff a Mitchell Schwartz-type deal to play right tackle works financially and gives the team a major upgrade over Donald Stephenson. 

Otherwise, staying put and using the draft to keep the bottom of the roster churning and staying young (and cheap) is the best move for this general manager.

Team Needs

OT, S, LB, TE, DT

Projected Cap Space: $36.9 million

Free-Agent Moves

Sign RT Riley Reiff (5 years, $33 million) 

Draft

Round 1, Pick 28: S Justin Evans, Texas A&M

Round 2, Pick 28: DL Chris Wormley, Michigan

Round 3, Pick 28: LB Haason Reddick, Temple

Round 4, Pick 28: T Taylor Moton, Western Michigan

Round 6, Pick 17 (from TEN): TE Josiah Price, Michigan State

Round 7, Pick 28: QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss

4. Kansas City Chiefs

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Record: 7-2

Andy Reid and John Dorsey have built a perennial contender, but it hasn't yet taken the next step to becoming a legitimate Super Bowl threat. Getting Kansas City from good to great is the challenge.

Making smart moves for the Chiefs may mean making unpopular ones—especially when it comes to fan favorites Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry. It's unlikely the Chiefs can keep both without making huge cuts elsewhere. Thanks to a roster that's projected to be $6.6 million over the cap, it's time to move on from Charles and let backup quarterback Nick Foles test the market.

Drafting well has been a staple of Reid's winning teams, and now we're seeing the dividends of that as first-rounders Eric Fisher and Dee Ford are playing at high levels after struggling early. With a superstar in 2015 first-rounder Marcus Peters, the team is set with young studs, but there is room to get better in the secondary while preparing for future needs at inside linebacker, outside linebacker and quarterback.

Team Needs

SS, ILB, QB2, OLB2, CB2

Projected Cap Space: $-6.6 million

Free-Agent Moves

Decline club option on QB Nick Foles ($10.75 million savings)

Release RB Jamaal Charles ($7 million savings)

Re-sign SS Eric Berry (5 years, $42 million) 

Draft

Round 1, Pick 29: OLB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

Round 2, Pick 29: CB Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado

Round 3, Pick 29: WR James Washington, Oklahoma State

Round 4, Pick 29: QB Davis Webb, California

Round 5, Pick 29: LB Keith Kelsey, Louisville

Round 7, Pick 29: S Nate Andrews, FSU

3. Oakland Raiders

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Record: 7-2

Years of strong drafting by general manager Reggie McKenzie have the Oakland Raiders tied for the AFC's best record and a legitimate chance at a home playoff game. Keeping this roster competitive long term is more about keeping the young talent in place than going for broke by signing big-name free agents.

Quarterback Derek Carr has emerged as an MVP candidate and is the key to keeping Oakland competitive. He must be re-signed before the 2017 season starts. That's going to cost plenty—probably in the range of $22 million per season. Carr may go the Tom Brady route and sign a team-friendly deal, but based on his value, it's possible he takes a Russell Wilson kind of deal.

The Raiders want to stay cap healthy for the future because Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper will need extensions down the road, but since those players cannot be signed yet, there is freedom to try to improve through smart, mid-level spending again this offseason.

Team Needs

MLB, LT, CB, RB, SS

Projected Cap Space: $34.6 million

Free-Agent Moves

Sign QB Derek Carr (5-year, $110 million extension)

Sign SS Tony Jefferson (5 years, $30 million) 

Draft

Round 1, Pick 30: LB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State

Round 2, Pick 30: RB Royce Freeman, Oregon

Round 3, Pick 30: CB Kevin King, Washington

Round 4, Pick 30: T Dion Dawkins, Temple

Round 5, Pick 30: WR Amba Etta-Tawo, Syracuse

Round 6, Pick 30: DL Chunky Clements, Illinois

Round 7, Pick 27 (from SEA): S Treston Decoud, Oregon State

Round 7, Pick 30: QB Seth Russell, Baylor

2. New England Patriots

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Record: 7-2

With Tom Brady and Bill Belichick together, the New England Patriots are never far from being a Super Bowl contender. Key trades of impact defenders Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins have left the Patriots without the big-name defenders to keep dynamic offenses out of the end zone, though. Building back the offensive line and finding game-changers on defense will be the focus of the offseason.

Re-signing key free agents will be the first order of business. Trading Jones and Collins freed up cap space to keep Dont'a Hightower and Jabaal Sheard. By letting some players walk, the Patriots also have room to sign No. 1 cornerback Malcolm Butler to an extension as a restricted free agent.

Incoming free agents are always a big part of what Belichick does in team-building, but rarely are they splash signings. That trend would continue with the biggest offseason move being a trade of No. 2 quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Why move Garoppolo now? Better to get something for him now than to see him walk after the 2017 season for nothing in return.

Team Needs

LT, RT, LB, WR, CB

Projected Cap Space: $64.7 million

Free-Agent Moves

Re-sign LB Dont'a Hightower (5 years, $50 million)

Re-sign DE Jabaal Sheard (4 years, $22 million)

Re-sign TE Martellus Bennett (4 years, $18 million)

Sign CB Malcolm Butler (5-year, $62 million extension) 

Trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco (Round 2, Pick 2)

Draft

Round 1, Pick 31: EDGE Charles Harris, Missouri

Round 2, Pick 2: CB Tre'Davious White, LSU

Round 2, Pick 31: T Roderick Johnson, FSU

Round 3, Pick 31: C Mason Cole, Michigan

Round 3, Pick 33 (from CLE): WR Artavis Scott, Clemson

Round 4, Pick 31 (from SEA): LB Steven Taylor, Houston

Round 5, Pick 27 (from DEN): DL Davon Godchaux, LSU

Round 7, Pick 22 (from DET): QB Trevor Knight, Texas A&M

Round 7, Pick 31: TE George Kittle, Iowa

1. Dallas Cowboys

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Record: 8-1

The Dallas Cowboys are 8-1, best in the NFL and being led by two young playmakers on offense in quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. But with the emergence of Prescott comes a hard decision about the future of Tony Romo. And that's just one of many tough calls coming in Dallas as the team looks to transition from a veteran-heavy team backed up against the cap to a young team with spending freedom.

Romo is signed for three more seasons at high salaries, much of it prorated signing bonus money. To cut Romo now—unless he retires—the Cowboys must designate him a June 1 cut. Doing that means saving $14 million for 2017 and getting his 2018 and 2019 bloated salaries off the board.

The same goes for right tackle Doug Free. Releasing Free saves $5 million, and the team already has a future right tackle in La'el Collins. This allows a move of basically trading Free's cap number for Ronald Leary's re-signing—which is a win-win.

The job of keeping this team young, especially on defense, will be crucial. Drafting for depth, value, youth and impact is what every general manager should do, but if the Cowboys' draft picks hit like they have in the last several drafts, the team could be good for a long time.

Team Needs

DE, CB, WR, DT, QB3

Projected Cap Space: $-12.4 million

Free-Agent Moves

Release QB Tony Romo as June 1 cut ($14 million savings)

Release T Doug Free ($5 million savings)

Decline option on CB Brandon Carr ($2.7 million savings)

Re-sign CB Morris Claiborne (4 years, $35 million)

Re-sign G Ronald Leary (4 years, $20 million)

Draft

Round 1, Pick 32: CB Desmond King, Iowa

Round 2, Pick 32: DE DeMarcus Walker, FSU

Round 3, Pick 32: WR Jehu Chesson, Michigan

Round 4, Pick 32: G Dorian Johnson, Pitt

Round 7, Pick 9 (from BUF): CB Greg Mabin, Iowa

Round 7, Pick 32: QB Mitch Leidner, Minnesota

Salary-cap information courtesy of Spotrac.