NFL Teams on the Rise Heading into the Draft
One of every NFL team’s goals is to get better each season. The annual draft is an event that brings optimism for every franchise.
A few clubs have enjoyed productive offseasons and now hope to carry that momentum into three days of player selections in the Windy City.
Be it via the addition of players and/or coaches, eight clubs stood out more than most these last few months. Here is a look at the improved to the very improved. Now, each team looks to add some quality college talent from April 28-30 in hopes of bolstering the squad even further.
8. San Diego Chargers
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Selections in 2016 NFL Draft: 8
Quietly, the San Diego Chargers have enjoyed an effective offseason. General manager Tom Telesco addressed some specific needs for a team that won only four games in 2015.
Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane will help a club that ranked 27th in the league against the run. Free safety Dwight Lowery (four interceptions in 2015) adds to a defense that managed only 11 picks this past season.
Cornerback Casey Hayward totaled nine interceptions and knocked down 35 passes in four seasons with the Green Bay Packers and joined San Diego as a free agent. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin is the new deep threat in place of Malcom Floyd and is also a factor on punt returns.
But the biggest arrival was the return of Ken Whisenhunt, the offensive coordinator in 2013 when the Bolts last made the playoffs. He should be a boon to the San Diego running game and 2015 rookie disappointment Melvin Gordon.
In a recent discussion with Ricky Henne of Chargers.com, the 15th overall pick in last year’s draft described his debut campaign as “terrible.” He also stated that he has “something to prove”:
"You can never be complacent. Even if I had the greatest season of any rookie, I’d still be motivated. Unfortunately, my season didn’t go the way I wanted it, so I’m extra motivated. I appreciate the fans for hanging with me through the hard times. I appreciate you. And the fans that didn’t, I appreciate them too. I’ll change minds, and success will definitely feel sweeter after (the last year) I had.
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There are a lot of positives when it comes to these Chargers. And let's not forget that Telesco has the third overall pick in the draft as well.
7. Houston Texans
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Selections in 2016 NFL Draft: 7
Knowledgeable football followers understand the impact a running game can have on a defense. Control the tempo of the contest and keep that unit off the field so it can remain as fresh as possible.
So imagine what a bolstered ground attack could do for a team that allowed the third-fewest yards in the league this past season?
Even with four-time Pro Bowler Arian Foster missing the vast majority of the season with an Achilles injury, the Houston Texans managed a respectable 108.2 yards per game on the ground. The franchise’s all-time leading rusher is gone, replaced by soon-to-be 25-year-old (April 25) running back Lamar Miller.
In four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, he averaged less than 190 touches per year. Those fresh legs will add up to big things for a performer who’s totaled 2,643 yards from and 19 touchdowns in his last 32 contests.
The offensive line lost starting center Ben Jones (Tennessee Titans) and right guard Brandon Brooks (Philadelphia Eagles) to free agency. Enter Tony Bergstrom and Jeff Allen, who both bring versatility to the unit with their abilities to play multiple positions.
Last but not least, quarterback Brock Osweiler showed enough promise last season in Denver to warrant the Texans wooing him to Houston. Under the tutelage of head coach Bill O’Brien, the 25-year-old signal-caller will blossom into one of the league’s better field generals.
In eight games for the Broncos this past season, he completed 61.8 percent of his throws for 1,967 yards and 10 touchdowns—compared to only six interceptions.
The image of a 30-0 playoff loss (to the Kansas City Chiefs) is hard to shake. Worth remembering is that the Texans started four different quarterbacks and still managed to win the AFC South with a 9-7 record after a 2-5 start.
6. Washington Redskins
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Selections in 2016 NFL Draft: 8
Things just got a whole lot better for the defending NFC East champions.
The team that allowed the most points per game by any NFL playoff participant in 2015 (23.7 per game average) just corralled star cornerback Josh Norman. On Wednesday, via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, the Carolina Panthers opted to rescind the franchise tag on the four-year pro. Three days later, the unrestricted free agent signed with a new team.
To say the 2015 All-Pro cornerback is happy to be with the Washington Redskins would seem to be a bit of an understatement.
But to focus on just Norman would be to ignore the other additions made to fix the league’s 28th-ranked defense in 2015. The new faces include defensive ends Ziggy Hood and Kendall Reyes and inside linebacker Terence Garvin along the front seven. Strong safety David Bruton and cornerback Greg Toler will help a team that surrendered 30 touchdown passes this past year.
General manager Scot McCloughan comes off an outstanding first draft with the franchise. Guard Brandon Scherff, outside linebacker Preston Smith, running back Matt Jones, wide receiver Jamison Crowder and defensive back Kyshoen Jarrett all made significant contributions as rookies. Washington is a franchise with a lot of momentum these days.
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5. New York Giants
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Selections in 2016 NFL Draft: 6
Money isn’t everything…unless you wind up exceeding the salary cap.
The bottom line is that if the New York Giants can get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011, no one will really care what it costs.
The organization shelled out a combined $193.75 million in three contracts alone on defense, per Spotrac. Defensive end Olivier Vernon ($85 million), defensive tackle Damon Harrison ($46.25 million) and cornerback Janoris Jenkins ($62.5 million) all signed five-year deals. New York also added inside linebackers Keenan Robinson and Kelvin Sheppard. All of these moves are designed to improve the worst defense in the league in 2015 in terms of total yards and passing yards allowed.
Vernon’s presence should aid a pass rush that managed only 23 sacks this past season (down from 47 in 2014). Harrison’s forte is clogging the middle, which is good news for a team that ranked 24th in the league against the run.
Jenkins, who returned six takeaways for touchdowns in four seasons with the Rams, gives the Giants another playmaking cornerback to pair with Pro Bowler Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
The first of general manager Jerry Reese’s six draft picks begins with the 10th overall selection. It’s a nice position to be in at the moment. But it’s one that he and the Giants would prefer not to revisit in 2017.
4. Oakland Raiders
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Selections in 2016 NFL Draft: 8
Big things are in store for the Oakland Raiders.
Make that big things are in house for the Silver and Black. Case in point is offseason addition Kelechi Osemele.
“The first time I saw that guy, I couldn’t believe how big he was, not just how big he was because all offensive linemen are big, but that guy is jacked,” said quarterback Derek Carr to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com earlier this month. The 26-year-old guard is listed at 6’5” and 330 pounds and made 51 starts for the Baltimore Ravens the past four seasons.
“You could that he’s not just a big guy,” added Carr. “He’s cut, he’s lean. It’s just like, ‘You weigh what? And you look like that?’ It’s unreal. The guy is a freak of nature.”
Teamed with 32-year-old tackle Donald Penn (who turns 33 on April 27), the Raiders have a fearsome look on the left side of the offensive line. That’s good news for running back Latavius Murray and a ground attack that ranked 28th in the NFL this past season.
The news on defense is even better, thanks to a trio of free-agent signings and their pedigrees. Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin played for Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. in Seattle. Pro Bowl free safety Reggie Nelson, once a member of Jack Del Rio’s Jacksonville Jaguars, led the league with 10 takeaways in 2015. Sean Smith was Pro Football Focus’ 17th-ranked cornerback this past season (out of 218 players graded at the position).
General manager Reggie McKenzie has struck gold in recent years with the selections of Carr, Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper, Gabe Jackson and more. Gone are the days that the franchise considered the draft an afterthought (the team has made a combined 28 picks the past three years). It would be a surprise if the Raiders weren’t in the playoffs in 2016.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Selections in 2016 NFL Draft: 7
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a lot of strides last season, primarily on the offensive side of the football.
In 2015, the Bucs made quarterback Jameis Winston the first overall pick in the draft. He threw for 4,042 yards and 22 scores (15 interceptions) and tied for the team lead with six rushing touchdowns. Capitalizing on a renaissance performance from running back Doug Martin, the Bucs finished fifth in the league in total offense, and only four teams gained more yards on the ground.
One year earlier, the Buccaneers had ranked 30th in the NFL in yards gained and 29th in rushing. Enough said.
Now, the club has upgraded its talent on defense, adding defensive end Robert Ayers, linebacker Daryl Smith and cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Josh Robinson. Both Grimes and Smith have played for new defensive coordinator Mike Smith (the former Atlanta Falcons head coach) during their careers. Tampa defenders have allowed at least 30 scores through the air in four of the past five seasons.
Ayers totaled 9.5 sacks in 2015 with the New York Giants, one more than Buccaneers’ team leader Gerald McCoy (8.5) did this past season.
Unlike some of the other teams on this list, the Bucs quietly upgraded their team with experienced pros who are familiar with the coaching staff. With another solid draft, this club may surprise in a big way sooner than later.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Selections in 2016 NFL Draft: 8
Count Pete Carroll as one of those who believe that the Jacksonville Jaguars are headed in the right direction.
Speaking to Mike DiRocco of ESPN.com at last month’s NFL owners meetings, the Seattle Seahawks head coach had praise for the club led by Gus Bradley—once Carroll’s defensive coordinator:
"I think it takes a long time and the formula that they have put together, it’s taken some time to make their efforts on the roster and going after the players and spending the money and all that kind of stuff. I think they’re really going for it, and I think he’s laid the foundation, which he has a great foundation of what he stands for and all as a head coach. You could see them really improve last year. I think you’re going to see them take off this year.
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A season ago, the Jaguars made dramatic improvement on offense. They finished 14th in the league in scoring after ranking dead last in the same category each of the previous two years.
Now, the club looks to make the same kind of jump on defense. Jacksonville allowed the second-most points in the NFL in 2015. Adding defensive end Malik Jackson, free safety Tashaun Gipson and cornerback Prince Amukamara are all positives. Getting defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. on the field after missing his rookie season with a knee injury will be a huge plus.
On offense, the team bolstered its offensive line with guard Mackenzy Bernadeau and tackle Kelvin Beachum. The ground game and 22-year-old running back T.J. Yeldon will benefit from the addition of 2015 AFC rushing leader Chris Ivory.
Last month, general manager David Caldwell spoke to Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. He was asked if the team could move out of the No. 5 spot in the first round and trade down.
“I don’t think that would be a surprise,” said Caldwell. “Right now, I would say somewhere in the early teens. I probably wouldn’t want to move below there.”
These Jaguars are going places over the next few months—in more ways than one.
1. Chicago Bears
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Selections in 2016 NFL Draft: 9
Year two of the John Fox era in the Windy City is loaded with promise for numerous reasons.
This past season, the Chicago Bears rebounded from a dismal 0-3 start to post a 6-7 mark in their final 13 games. Six of those seven setbacks were by seven points or fewer.
A team that finished 14th in the league in total defense and tied for 22nd in the NFL against the run got a lot of help this offseason. The free-agent additions include inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks. This was a unit that in both 2013 and 2014 allowed the third-most total yards in the league and had already made tremendous strides under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune also points out that the Bears have nine picks this year, including the 11th overall selection on April 28. It adds up to another plus for Ryan Pace.
“It’s awesome," said the team’s second-year general manager, per Wiederer. “Now we have some flexibility to move around within the draft.”
Chicago got within one victory of the Super Bowl in 2010, losing the NFC title game at home to the rival Green Bay Packers. The Bears haven’t been back to the playoffs since. The upgrades on defense alone will propel them into division championship contention. And any contributions they get from Pace’s rookie class will be a plus.
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.
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