Williamson: 3 NFC teams that will improve dramatically this offseason
Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns, and spent the last 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of the podcast "Football Today."
The 2016 NFL season is now officially in the books. While the playoffs were unfolding, every front office in the league was working on offseason moves, including Atlanta and New England. Before we know it, the free agency period will begin and veteran players will be on the move. Also, don't forget the draft also right around the corner. Many rosters will look quite different before long.
Below are three NFC franchises (listed alphabetically) in the best positions to improve their rosters before we see live football once again. Check out the three AFC teams from earlier in the week.
Chicago Bears
It might not have always shown on the field, but the Bears had a very good offseason one year ago and have things to build on. The interior of their offensive line can be elite and John Fox and company have done a nice job of really building what should be an excellent front seven on defense. Jordan Howard is a keeper as Chicago’s top running back, but everything else needs to be addressed, including quarterback of course.
However, the very likely release of Jay Cutler will give the Bears even more to spend and maybe they retain Brian Hoyer at a reasonable rate while grooming their quarterback of the future, which could possibly come with the third overall pick.
The big question about their free agents-to-be is what to do about Alshon Jeffery, who's in line for a big pay day either with Chicago or elsewhere. The franchise tag is an option with Jeffery, and that makes sense considering how much cap room the Bears will have. You'd think Chicago also would be a buyer at cornerback. This is a team that was hit hard by injuries in 2016 and could be closer to respectability than many realize.
San Francisco 49ers
If you read the write-up earlier in the week about the Browns, much of the same can be said for San Francisco, who picks right behind Cleveland at the very top of the draft and also is loaded with cap space.
With Kyle Shanahan taking over and John Lynch as his general manager, might this become an attractive destination for top upcoming free agents? Also, we really don’t know this new regime’s method for rebuilding and if they will even be major buyers in free agency.
Like the Browns, this is a team that needs everything and there really isn’t a portion of their roster that should be ignored. Clearly, quarterback is the top priority with wide receiver as a close second on the to-do list and edge pass-rush help not far behind. Finding those players won't be easy, but few teams have the resources to improve like the Niners. Let’s see what the new regime does with said resources.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have their quarterback and head coach in place. As s team on the rise, if they handle this offseason properly, Tampa Bay could be right in the thick of the AFC South race. Only a few teams have more cap space than the Buccaneers.
Mike Glennon will be gone, and much richer, while Vincent Jackson wouldn’t really be missed if he left town. William Gholston is a young player they should do their best to retain, but the rest of Tampa Bay’s free-agent class doesn’t move the needle, although they have a lot of players whose contracts are up. So this team should look to acquire from outside the organization and overall, their roster might look very different. They have plenty of areas to address. And really, there aren’t many position groups the Bucs should ignore.
Tampa Bay will pick later in the first round than usual for them (19th), but that should also be viewed as a sign of improvement. While they have a lot of needs, finding a complement to Mike Evans for Jameis Winston to throw to should be at the top of the list. Maybe they can pry Jeffery away from the Bears.
Safety is another real area of concern with Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald ready to hit free agency. The Buccaneers also shouldn't turn their nose up on a potential difference-maker on the defensive line or a lead running back.