With the current lack of sports happening right now, all we have is looking forward to the next seasons. Yes, I know Summer League and Chet (super excited as a Thunder fan) are happening, but I miss football. Let’s talk football and talk about the best addition, either free agent signing, draftee, or returning from injury, for each AFC team and how it could make the difference for their playoff chances this year.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
Last Season: 12-5 Playoffs: Lost to Bengals in AFC Championship
As the defending AFC West champs, the Chiefs did not need to make significant improvements in any particular area of their team, especially since they have the best quarterback currently on planet earth. For the Chiefs, the 2022 offseason was about resigning key players like Orlando Brown Jr. That was until they traded speedster pass-catcher, Tyreek Hill, to the Dolphins, and then they had to fill the giant hole left by the small touchdown threat. The Chiefs went out and signed two 50-cent wide receivers with the hopes of replacing Tyreek Hill’s dollar performance. While similar, I give the edge to Marquez Valdes-Scantling over Juju Smith-Schuster for his speed and deep-threat ability. With Mahomes’s cannon, we will see MVS not miss a stride leaving Aaron Rodgers, as he will be happy to continue to hauling in laser-accurate deep balls from the Chiefs’ quarterback.
Las Vegas Raiders
Last Season: 10-7 Playoffs: Lost to Bengals in Wild Card Round
Just like the Chiefs, the Raiders added another former Packers wide receiver, but the Raiders received All-Pro Davante Adams. When it comes to the wide receiver position, really only Cooper Kupp is comparable to Adams in terms of performance and route-running. Derek Carr, a teammate of Adams’s at Fresno State, will be salivating at always knowing that every time that he drops back for a pass Adams will be open when you need him to be open, whether that is a deep ball on 1st and 10 or a critical red zone 3rd and 3. Pairing Adams with the rest of the Raiders offense threats like Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs, will make the Raiders real contenders to unseat the Chiefs as AFC West Champs; however, the rest of the AFC West improved as well.
Los Angeles Chargers
Last Season: 9-8
While not the most notable addition by the Chargers this offseason, signing Sebastian Joseph-Day will be a strong upgrade to the Chargers’ defensive line. The Chargers have historically been one of the more talented teams across the NFL but have struggled with depth, particularly on defense. Adding SJD to the defensive line adds to the Chargers’s depth and gives them flexibility when injuries inevitably thin the defense. As both a strong run-stopper and pass-rusher, Joseph-Day’s versatility allows the Chargers’s defense to drop more players in coverage and rely less on the blitz to get the ball back to their dynamic young offense led by Justin Herbert. Plus he got married, great summer for SJD.
Denver Broncos
Last Season: 7-10
The Broncos have perhaps the most obvious best addition of all teams in the 2022 offseason. Russell Wilson going the Broncos instantly makes an underperforming team since Peyton Manning left, a playoff contender. Everyone knows that quarterback position is the most important position in the NFL, and having a subpar QB is the largest obstacle overcome. Upgrading from Drew Lock to Russell Wilson elevates the entire Broncos offense and makes young skill players like Jerry Judy and Courtland Sutton potential pro bowlers when they have an elite quarterback throwing the ball to them. It should also open more holes for Melvin Gordon, as he looks to get back to elite running back status in the NFL.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals
Last Season: 10-7 Playoffs: Lost to Rams in Super Bowl
After the surprising run to the Super Bowl this past season, the Bengals will be looking to retool and repeat their success from last year. The Bengals’s biggest problem last year was protecting their young stud quarterback, Joe Burrow, so this offseason, they signed offensive tackle, La’el Collins, to help protect him. You cannot argue with the Bengals decision last year when they drafted Jamarr Chase over other offensive line talents, as it led to winning the AFC and one of the most exciting young QB-WR duos in the entire NFL. With that passing connection secured, adding Collins will further protect Burrow and give Chase more time to run deeper, more threatening routes. Look for Burrow and Chase to excel thanks to the thankless efforts of Collins and the rest of the O-line.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Season: 9-7-1 Playoffs: Lost to Chiefs in Wild Card Round
With long-time Steelers QB, Ben Roethlisberger, retiring this offseason, the biggest addition to the Steelers will be 1st Round draft pick, Kenny Pickett. Pickett’s ability to adapt to the NFL game quickly will be the biggest variable in the Steelers’s success this season. While they also signed Mitch Trubisky as a more veteran voice in the QB room, the Steelers will want to quickly see what they have in the young QB out of Pitt after investing a first round pick in them. If Pickett is able to lead the Steelers offense with Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson, the Steelers will still have a chance at a wild card berth.
Cleveland Browns
Last Season: 8-9
Now it is a tenuous position to evaluate the Browns offseason after they traded for former Pro-bowl QB, Deshaun Watson and then signing him to a massive contract extension. On the surface, from a football perspective, when a player of Watson’s talent at QB is available, the Browns may have gotten a steal, but unfortunately, we did not live in a football world. We live in the real world, where Watson’s allegations of sexual misconduct could lead to a yet-to-be-determined suspension. A Watson suspension coupled with the recent Baker Mayfield trade would tank the Browns potential for the 2022 season and leave the Browns where they have been for most of the last 2+ decades, out of the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens
Last Season: 8-9
If there is one thing the Ravens are known for growing up through the 2000’s and 2010’s, it is stellar defense particularly at the safety position. Damn, Ed Reed was good. He was always my first choice, must-have player when creating a franchise in Madden. Well, the Ravens signed another stellar safety this offseason in Marcus Williams to help shore up the back end of their defense. Expect a few more house calls from the Ravens this season.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Last Season: 11-6 Playoffs: Lost to Chiefs in Divisional Round
After a disappointing loss in the playoffs to the Chiefs last year, the Bills are retooling for a Super Bowl run with their elite quarterback and offense, but their biggest addition comes on the defensive side by signing reigning Super Bowl champion, Von Miller. The best way to avoid getting lit up by Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and the other elite AFC QB’s is to get pressure off the edge and sack these guys. Over the last five years, you will be hard-pressed to find a more elite sack specialist in the NFL, so if Von Miller continue his pass-rushing prowess in Buffalo, expect to see the Bills Mafia smashing tables in Houston in February.
New England Patriots
Last Season: 10-7 Playoffs: Lost to Bills in Wild Card Round
It has been a quiet offseason for the New England Patriots this year after a huge spending splurge last offseason. With the emergence of Mac Jones last year, the biggest addition for the Patriots might be his growth from Year 1 to Year 2, fully understanding the offensive playbook. Like most teams that draft a young franchise quarterback, in the next draft, they add a stud o-lineman to protect him. Cole Strange will fortify the Patriots offensive line and give their lackluster wide receivers more time to get open.
Miami Dolphins
Las Season: 9-8
Easy choice for the Dolphins after they traded for the most electric wide receiver in the NFL over the last few years. Tyreek Hill is arguably the hardest player to tackle in the entire league and when he gets an inch of space, you already know that he is walking to the end zone. While all of his output will cost the Dolphins a pretty penny, it will all be worth it when he is turning seven yard slants from Tua into 60 yard touchdowns. The Dolphins believe in their young quarterback after smartly passing on the Deshaun Watson and Baker Mayfield sagas and the best way to vindicate their belief is by loading the offense with elite weapons around him.
New York Jets
Last Season: 4-13
After a poor season last year, there were a few bright spots, such as some promising moments from their young quarterback, Zach Wilson, and some high draft picks. While Sauce Gardner will certainly be their drippiest addition, Garrett Wilson will be more important due to his direct impact on the growth of Zach Wilson. The Wilson to Wilson connection will give some hope to desperate Jets fans this season and while they may not be a playoff team yet, the success of Burrow and Chase last year, plants that seed for the Jets that the playoffs are not too far away.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans
Last Season: 12-5 Playoffs: Lost to Bengals in Divisional Round
The Titans are strong, reliable favorites to repeat in the AFC South with the least questions, particularly at the quarterback position. Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry are established vets that will be looking to improve upon a lackluster finish in the playoffs last year. Behind a strong offensive line led by Taylor Lewan (shoutout the boy), they will work to incorporate veteran TE playmaker, Austin Hooper, to retool their receiving corp. Losing Julio Jones and AJ Brown, Tannehill will need to establish a reliable connection with Hooper, particularly in the red zone, if the Titans want to be able to score with the AFC teams outside of the AFC South.
Indianapolis Colts
Last Season: 9-8
After the failed Carson Wentz experiment last year, the Colts will be trying out a new veteran quarterback in former MVP Matt Ryan. While Ryan’s all-pro days are behind him, if he can be an above average quarterback, the Colts running game with Jonathan Taylor behind their elite o-line will be a formidable and frustrating offense for AFC defenses to contend with. With Ryan being a serviceable play-action threat, defenses will not be able to stack the box against Taylor, so expect even bigger years for Taylor and the Colts running game.
Houston Texans
Last Season: 4-13
While the biggest addition for the Texans may be the subtraction of the Deshaun Watson drama, Texans fans will be excited about their new young stud defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. The Texans had a lot of holes on offense, defense, and special teams, but their pass defense was the biggest weakness of all. Adding a potential star to their pass defense is the first step towards being a more reliable defensive team. LSU has produced several defensive stars over the last few years, so if Stingley can be the next all-pro Tiger in the NFL, watch out for the Texans to be dark horses in the AFC South.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Season: 3-14
Like any team with only 3 wins from the previous season, any improvements are welcome no matter how small. There is nothing small about number one pick Travon Walker. Outside of quarterback, the Jaguars are looking for pro-bowlers at every position, and they believe they have their next star. Throughout Georgia’s title run last year, Walker terrorized offensive lines and will plan to do the same in the NFL. The combine freak will add star power to a lackluster Jags defense and putting pressure on opposing Qb’s is the best way to do that. The faster Walker gets to the quarterback, the less time the defensive back have to spend covering receivers and no one gets to the QB like Walker.
Tyler Banning 