The Biggest Arrival and Departure for Each NFL Division This Offseason

For 20 of the 32 clubs in the NFL, the look ahead to 2016 began a lot sooner than the dozen teams headed to the playoffs. By February 8, every organization was eyeing Super Bowl LI.

Since then, head coaches, coordinators and players have moved on and joined other clubs. Others received the pink slip from their employers. A few walked away from the game they played so well.

Here’s is a look at the biggest pluses and minuses from a divisional perspective. Players such as defensive end Mario Williams (Bills to Dolphins) and cornerback Sean Smith (Chiefs to Raiders) have joined new teams but didn’t make this list.

After all, rules are rules.

AFC East's Biggest Arrival: TE Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots

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Recently, Albert Breer had some theories on why the already-formidable New England Patriots were able to add a former Pro Bowler to their passing attack to pair with Rob Gronkowski.

Appearing on CSNNE's Toucher & Rich radio show, the NFL Network reporter/analyst had thoughts on why the defending AFC East champions were able to acquire Martellus Bennett from the Chicago Bears. The well-traveled performer will join his fourth team in nine seasons, but his best days came the last three years in the Windy City.

The 29-year-old receiver totaled 208 catches for 2,114 yards and 14 scores in his time with the Bears.

To date, the rest of the NFL has had little success stopping Gronkowski. When he was paired with Aaron Hernandez, the duo created mismatch problems for opposing defenses.

Quarterback Tom Brady will be reminiscing this season with Gronk and Bennett, a daunting pair of 6’6” targets.

AFC East's Biggest Departure: Dolphins DE Olivier Vernon (Signed with Giants)

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After becoming a starter for the team in 2013, Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon totaled 25.5 sacks in 48 games. Over that span, he averaged 52 tackles per season.

This past year, he led the Fins with 7.5 sacks—with 5.5 of those quarterback traps coming in the Miami’s final seven games. The 25-year-old defender parlayed that strong finish into what would be a five-year, $85 million deal with the New York Giants. He became available after the Dolphins signed veteran Mario Williams and then pulled the transition tag from Vernon.

The young pro had shown enough in recent seasons to prove he could be a steady pass-rushing factor for years to come. No doubt Miami’s division rivals are happy to know they won’t have to face him at least twice per season anytime soon.

AFC North's Biggest Arrival: FS Eric Weddle, Baltimore Ravens

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“He is an outstanding football player who is one of the smartest defenders I’ve ever been around. … Having worked with quarterbacks for a long time, he was the quarterback of the defense. It's amazing.”

Those were the words of Chargers head coach Mike McCoy in regard to new Baltimore Ravens free safety Eric Weddle, per Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com. Speaking at the NFL owners meetings in March, the man is certainly qualified to talk about the three-time Pro Bowler. McCoy spent four years with the Denver Broncos (2009-2012), first coaching against Weddle and then guiding him in San Diego the last three years.

Weddle offers immediate help for a Ravens team that allowed 401 points in 2015—nearly 100 more (302) than it gave up the previous season. Baltimore defenders also surrendered 30 scores through the air this past year, despite the fact the club was ranked 10th in the league in passing yards allowed.

AFC North's Biggest Departure: Bengals FS Reggie Nelson (Signed with Raiders)

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Marvin Lewis’ Cincinnati Bengals have often been mentioned as either the most talented or deepest team in the NFL. That theory has taken a bit of a hit this offseason. Gone are wide receivers Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, as well as right tackle Andre Smith.

But the departure that will sting the most is free safety Reggie Nelson’s move to the Oakland Raiders. You don’t easily replace 10 takeaways, which led the NFL in 2015. Cincinnati forced 28 turnovers this past season. That’s pretty simple math.

In nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Bengals, Nelson forced 36 turnovers. And 28 of those takeaways came in his six seasons with the Queen City.

AFC South's Biggest Arrival: RB Lamar Miller, Houston Texans

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In 2014, only four teams in the NFL totaled more rushing yards than the Houston Texans.

This past season, they slipped to 15th in the NFL in the same category. When you lose a four-time Pro Bowler for the majority of the season, the drop-off is not surprising.

Houston signed former Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller to fill the cleats of Arian Foster—the Texans’ all-time rushing leader. It won’t be a shock when Miller puts up big numbers on a team that is looking to control the football, strike deep with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and keep its talented defense as fresh as possible.

It has been an offseason to remember for running backs in the AFC South. Along with Miller, the newcomers include DeMarco Murray (Tennessee Titans), Chris Ivory (Jacksonville Jaguars) and the tandem of Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman (Indianapolis Colts).

The edge goes to the Texans, who get a 24-year-old performer who has totaled only 755 touches (638 rushing attempts, 117 receptions) in four seasons.

AFC South's Biggest Departure: Colts ILB Jerrell Freeman (Signed with Bears)

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The Indianapolis Colts would probably be the first to admit that their defense needs a lot of assistance.

Obviously, it doesn’t help when the club watches its best player on that side of the ball in 2015 leave via free agency.

Inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman was the second-ranked inside linebacker in the league this past season by Pro Football Focus. He racked up 112 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery and returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown.

Now he’s a member of the Chicago Bears. That means he won’t be around to slow down the likes of running backs Lamar Miller (Dolphins), DeMarco Murray (Titans) and Chris Ivory (Jaguars). All three are newcomers to the AFC South.

And this was a Colts’ squad that already ranked 25th in the league against the run this past season.

AFC West's Biggest Arrival: T Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs

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For numerous reasons, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was sacked 45 times this past season. No doubt facing a steady dose of pass-rushers such as Oakland’s Khalil Mack, San Diego’s Melvin Ingram and Denver’s duo of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware didn't help.

To counteract those star defenders, the Chiefs added the best right tackle in the league in 2015. Mitchell Schwartz spent four years with the Cleveland Browns and started every game over that span. His plus-18.7 mark was the fifth-highest grade among offensive tackles and the best on the right-side spot.

It’s a huge addition for a franchise that won a playoff game for the first time in more than two decades. That’s something that Andy Reid and Co. will build on in 2016, and Schwartz’s arrival is an enormous step in the Chiefs’ attempt to dethrone the Broncos.

AFC West's Biggest Departure: Broncos DE Malik Jackson (Signed with Jaguars)

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Any other year, the retirement of the league’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown throws would warrant a place here.

While quarterback Peyton Manning is a legend who has seen his last rodeo, up-and-coming defensive end Malik Jackson made his way to the city of Jacksonville. The Jaguars signed the 26-year-old defensive end to a five-year, $85.5 million deal—the largest free-agent contract of this offseason.

What it means is that the defending Super Bowl champions won’t have one of their younger stars to terrorize opposing offenses. This past season, Jackson was the ninth-ranked 3-4 defensive end in the game, and only two other players at his position were better against the run. It's a big setback for the league's top-ranked defense in 2015.

NFC East's Biggest Arrival: Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz, Eagles

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The same year that Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz led a unit that allowed the fourth-fewest yards in the game, the Philadelphia Eagles gave up the fifth-most yards in the NFL.

That was 2014, and things got even worse for the Birds this past year. They slipped to 30th in the league in total defense, and no team was more inept against the run.

That will all change under Schwartz, who brings his attacking style to the City of Brotherly Love. With talent such as Fletcher Cox, Connor Barwin and Malcolm Jenkins, the Eagles defense is on its way to a comeback campaign.

NFC East's Biggest Departure: Eagles RB DeMarco Murray (Traded to Titans)

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Truth be told, there weren’t a lot of earth-shattering moves when it came to the NFC East, unless you count the massive offseason housecleaning by the Philadelphia Eagles.

General manager Howie Roseman did a fine job of ridding the organization of many of Chip Kelly’s acquisitions. But it’s hard to believe that despite a peculiar season, running back DeMarco Murray wouldn’t have been able to help the Birds bounce back from a 7-9 showing.

Instead, Philly dealt him to the Tennessee Titans, swapping fourth-round picks as well. We saw in 2014 what Murray was capable of, as in 1,845 yards rushing with the Dallas Cowboys. There’s no reason to think he isn’t capable of another big year. Don’t be shocked when the change of venue proves to be a major plus for Murray and the Titans—and a bigger blow than expected for the Eagles.

NFC North's Biggest Arrival: ILB Danny Trevathan, Chicago Bears

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The Chicago Bears made great strides this past season in attempt to fix their struggling defense. The franchise has done even more this year.

The free-agent additions of defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and inside linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan will help in 2015. The latter was a major coup and reunites the player with his head coach in Denver for three years. John Fox will count on Trevathan to be a leader on a unit that ranked 14th in the NFL in total defense this past season.

Why not Freeman in this spot? His grades are higher, especially against the run, and his arrival in the Windy City is just as significant. However, Trevathan’s connection with Fox is a deciding factor and will prove so as the season wears on.

NFC North's Biggest Departure: Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson (Retired)

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Is wide receiver Calvin Johnson a future Pro Football Hall of Famer?

It’s a great discussion but one that will wait for another time. His decision to leave the game after nine seasons and at 30 years old proved to be a major surprise.

“You look at everything Calvin's been through, I mean, I understand (why he retired),” said former teammate and wide receiver Corey Fuller to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press earlier this week. “He’s got his family, he’s got his young child at home. He wants to be able to run around with him when he gets older.”

Johnson walks away with an impressive resume. The six-time Pro Bowler totaled 731 catches for 11,619 yards and 83 scores in his career. He set the NFL record with 1,964 receiving yards in 2012.

Nagging injuries in recent years hampered the imposing 6’5”, 237-pound pass-catcher. His permanent departure is a huge blow to the Lions.

NFC South's Biggest Arrival: C Alex Mack, Atlanta Falcons

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The Atlanta Falcons used three different starting centers in 2015, with Mike Person getting the bulk of the work.

Pro Football Focus ranked 65 players at his position this past season, and Person finished at No. 50.

It was a no-brainer to bring in three-time Pro Bowler Alex Mack. The 30-year-old pivot was a 16-game starter for six of his seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

Now, the veteran moves from the tough AFC North and has his work cut out for him. He’ll now a get a steady dose of defensive tackles such as Gerald McCoy, Kawann Short and Nick Fairley, as well as middle linebackers Luke Kuechly and James Laurinaitis.

NFC South's Biggest Departure: New Orleans Saints G Jahri Evans (Released)

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Two NFC South wideouts in Roddy White and Marques Colston were cut loose this season after long tenures with the Falcons and Saints, respectively. Both appeared to run out of gas.

However, New Orleans’ decision to part ways with six-time Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans was financial. And while the NFL is indeed a business, cutting loose a player who can still perform is a different matter.

In mid-February, as reported by Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com, the organization released the four-time All-Pro blocker. “The Saints came to us for the second year in a row about doing a little contract adjustment and pay cut this year,” explained Jerrold Colton (Evans’ agent) during an interview with Philadelphia radio station WIP two months ago. “We weren’t going to do it again.”

No doubt there are plenty of defensive tackles in the NFC South who didn't shed any tears over Evans’ departure.

NFC West's Biggest Arrival: DE Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals

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It has been a relatively quiet offseason when it comes to player additions in the NFC West.

But there was a bit of noise coming out of the desert.

In speaking with Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald at the NFL owners meetings in March, Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians expressed surprise that the New England Patriots were willing to part with Pro Bowl defensive end Chandler Jones:

"

I was shocked. (General manager) Steve Keim did an unbelievable job working with them and finding the right fit in the trade. We went into the offseason wanting to improve our pass rush. Free agency wasn’t what we were looking at as far as dollars for certain guys. That cured us for a long time. They got something they needed. We got something we needed. I think it was a great trade for both sides.

"

The defending NFC West champions had a need for a pass-rusher. To date, the team has not opted to bring back Dwight Freeney, who played 11 games and came up with eight of the team’s 36 sacks in 2015. Jones totaled a career-best 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles with the Pats last years, and the head coach expects him to be a member of the Cards for years to come.

“Steve and (director of football administration) Mike (Disner) do such a great job with our cap knowing the next three or four years where we’re going to be," said Arians, per Howe. “When he hits free agency, we’ll have the dollars to make sure he stays.”

NFC West's Biggest Departure: Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (Retired)

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There wasn’t the usual dose of Beast Mode in 2015. And as someone probably said, all rumbling objects must come to an end.

While undrafted free agent Thomas Rawls did lead the Seattle Seahawks with 830 yards rushing this past season, the retirement of running back Marshawn Lynch is still the biggest departure within the division.

Not surprisingly, the 29-year-old workhorse walked away quietly after a nine-year career that saw him total 9,112 yards and 74 scores on the ground with Buffalo and Seattle. He did most of his damage with the Seahawks, totaling 65 total touchdowns in 82 regular-season contests with the club. Tack on nine touchdowns in 11 postseasons contests and he will certainly be missed.

Unless you’re a defensive player in this league who was trampled along the way by the physical performer.

Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com. All player ratings courtesy of Pro Football Focus. All 2016 free-agent and salary-cap information, contract terms and 2016 transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth charts via Ourlads.