Teams Poised to Make the Biggest Splashes in 2020 NFL Free Agency

The arms race that is NFL free agency will only intensify in the 2020 offseason.

As the cap bumps up again, a mix of the usual suspects mixed with some surprises will splurge on the NFL's biggest names that make it to market.

Last year, Green Bay went all-in with Za'Darius Smith on a $66 million deal, while Jacksonville tried to solve its problem under center via an $88 million investment in Nick Foles.

While teams like Dallas and New England figure to spend massive money retaining their own this offseason, rebuilders and contenders alike will splurge on newcomers. The likeliest franchises to do so have droves of available cap space, have shown some propensity for noteworthy deals in the past and have big holes that the draft may not be able to fill.

The following teams could make the biggest splashes in free agency.

Las Vegas Raiders

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Jon Gruden's middle name might as well be "splash" at this point.

Gruden hasn't been afraid to make massive moves since rejoining the Raiders in 2018. The Khalil Mack trade, gambling on Antonio Brown, throwing $66 million at Trent Brown and even adding a name like Vontaze Burfict come to mind.

So what's next? The Raiders have the 11th-most cap space at about $54 million and don't have major free agents to retain.

Luckily for the Raiders, some of their biggest needs seem to align with the market's strengths. Quarterback Derek Carr might've thrown for 4,000-plus yards last year, but a tight end led the team in receiving, and no wideout hit the 700-yard mark. A free agent like Emmanuel Sanders or A.J. Green could be an incredible complement to Tyrell Williams, which would open up the offense.

Defensively, the gamble on Burfict and others like Brandon Marshall didn't work. But the linebacker class headed to market this year has Cory Littleton as the headliner. His elite coverage skills would shore up one of Oakland's biggest points of exploitation by opposing offenses.

The Raiders do have two first-round picks this year, but it'd be unlike the current regime to not make at least one big splash at a problem area.

Arizona Cardinals

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The Arizona Cardinals have $50 million-plus to spend on roster turnover while revamping things to the liking of head coach Kliff Kingsbury, captained by Kyler Murray under center.

That plan has to center on better protecting Murray, who took 48 sacks. Some of those happened because the rookie held the ball too long or got into a bad spot, but most were due to poor play up front. One key name, left tackle D.J. Humphries, is a free agent who put up a 64.5 grade at Pro Football Focus last year.

It's time to move on there and perhaps with a few other names along the offensive line. The Cardinals have a ton of cash for a free-agent class that boasts elite players like left tackle Anthony Castonzo and guard Brandon Scherff, for starters.

The Cardinals also need help across all levels of the defense, but especially pass rush since they inhabit the same division as Russell Wilson, not to mention the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. To that end, the free-agent class features all-around talent Jadeveon Clowney and pass-rush specialist Shaquil Barrett as the biggest names.

An offseason removed from throwing linebacker Jordan Hicks $34 million (he went on to record 149 total tackles), the Cardinals could make an even bigger splash now that they know the goal is assuring Murray succeeds.

Indianapolis Colts

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The Indianapolis Colts are usually conservative with copious amounts of cap space, which this year checks in at about $86 million.

But the performance of Jacoby Brissett after Andrew Luck's retirement, especially now that we have a full season's worth of context, could change things. After signing a two-year extension, he completed just 60.9 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions over 15 games.

The so-so performance from the 27-year-old during a 7-9 season could mean the Colts spend big. Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Dak Prescott probably won't be available, but what about veteran Philip Rivers or Teddy Bridgewater?

The Colts may also have to drop some cash in an effort to replace elite left tackle Anthony Castonzo; along with tight end Eric Ebron, he is scheduled to be a free agent. The market offers names like Andrew Whitworth and Greg Olsen, respectively, should the front office decide to splurge.

Don't forget wideout, where T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess couldn't stay healthy. If the Colts decide to invest heavily around a quarterback, the free-agent class includes heavyweights like A.J. Green, Emmanuel Sanders and even Amari Cooper.

The Colts' third sub-.500 season since 2002 might spur the organization into a splash.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of four teams with north of $80 million in cap space.

And they need to spend some money. Smart money turned into Shaquil Barrett ($4 million over one year) an offseason ago, and he produced 19.5 sacks. Not-so-smart money turned into Ndamukong Suh ($9.25 million over one year), which amounted to just 2.5 sacks and a 69.7 grade at Pro Football Focus.

To escape the consistent realm of .500 or worse while potentially exiting the Jameis Winston era, the checkbook will need to open up.

Where to start? Quarterback is perhaps an issue. The running game averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. The offensive line, in addition to the struggles on the ground, allowed 47 sacks. A defense in need of help at most positional groups coughed up a bottom-five number at 28.1 points per game.

That's a little overwhelming, but the good news is free agency could provide plenty of solutions. Quarterbacks like Philip Rivers could be available, and running back isn't too shabby with Melvin Gordon III and Derrick Henry. Various quality offensive linemen are slated to hit the market, as are big-name defenders.

A smaller market like Tampa, plus the team's recent lack of contention, means the Bucs probably have to spend more than most to lure free agents to town. But the makings of a few big moves seem obvious as Bruce Arians heads into Year 2.

Miami Dolphins

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The Miami Dolphins currently boast the most selections in the 2020 NFL draft (12), including three in the first round, starting at No. 5 overall.

They seem poised for a multipronged approach to immediate roster improvement by also having the luxury of sitting on the most cap space in the NFL at a gaudy $93.7 million.

The question is where to spend. It seems obvious a quarterback could come off the board to Miami in the first round. It might make sense to target guards like Brandon Scherff and tackles like Anthony Castonzo to get proven talent in the door, upgrading a line that coughed up 58 sacks last season.

While it might sound counterintuitive to throw big money at a running back, there's so much free space that it couldn't hurt to guarantee an upgrade for a rushing attack that featured Ryan Fitzpatrick as the leading rusher last season. Why stop there? Aside from DeVante Parker, no wideout hit the 500-yard mark last season either. Miami could pursue big names like Melvin Gordon III and A.J. Green.

Did we mention the defense ranked last in points per game (30.9)? A complete reset in the secondary spearheaded by a corner such as Logan Ryan could pair nicely with defensive draft picks.

It feels like the Dolphins are headed into Phase 2 of a dramatic roster overhaul, and that's bound to include proven, productive big names from free agency who can serve as the glue.

Salary-cap info via Spotrac.