1 thing every AFC team can do to make Super Bowl LIV
theScore picks a major move each NFL team can make this offseason to ensure it's playing in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami.
AFC I NFC (Friday)
Baltimore Ravens
Draft a No. 1 receiver
Lamar Jackson set the league ablaze during the final stretch of the regular season as part of an unstoppable Ravens rushing attack. But the rookie quarterback was exposed in the playoffs for what is still a very raw passing game. Jackson just turned 22 years old, so it's logical for the Ravens to turn to the draft to find him a No. 1 target to grow with and give the offense the right balance to pair with an already championship-ready defense.
Buffalo Bills
Spend big in free agency to boost defense
It's probably unwise (and likely detrimental to his development) to ask Josh Allen to carry a team at this stage of his career. However, that doesn't mean he can't be one of the main ingredients in the winning formula for Buffalo, so long as another element is a top-tier defense. The Bills were the second-ranked defense in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric and could be even better in 2019 with free-agent reinforcements. They should look to the team that finished above them - the Chicago Bears - for a blueprint on how to win with a defense-first approach.
Cincinnati Bengals
Hire an actual general manager to run the team
Mike Brown isn't selling the Bengals anytime soon, but the team's owner needs to loosen his iron-clad grip on the franchise - especially after firing Marvin Lewis - if it's to escape mediocrity. Brown acts as Cincinnati's de facto GM, which might be a more difficult situation to navigate with incoming head coach Zac Taylor's lack of experience. The Bengals need a talent infusion across the board if they hope to sniff the postseason, and that won't happen unless Brown hands over the wheel to a superior football mind.
Cleveland Browns
Trade for Odell Beckham Jr.
Of course, every team in the league would benefit greatly from acquiring a player as talented as Beckham. But no one would welcome it more than the Browns and, in particular, quarterback Baker Mayfield. Under Freddie Kitchens, Cleveland is going to keep throwing the ball downfield, and Jarvis Landry is ill-suited to be the top target. The Browns have the cap space and draft capital to pull off the move, and while the Giants have committed to the All-Pro receiver, their resolve could be tested with a big offer.
Denver Broncos
Trade up for Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins
John Elway desperately needs to find his ... well, John Elway. Case Keenum wasn't the answer, as Denver's GM admitted, and potential free-agent options such as Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco will only keep the cracks papered over. Haskins isn't a prospect on the level of Mayfield or Sam Darnold, but he's the best shot at a franchise passer in this draft and would give Denver a solid chance at an instant turnaround.
Houston Texans
Fix pass protection
It's a minor miracle Deshaun Watson made it through the entire season unscathed. The Texans allowed their franchise quarterback to be sacked an NFL-worst 62 times and hit an additional 133 times. Watson already suffered a torn ACL in his rookie season and continuing to risk his health behind a group of journeymen would be coaching malpractice. Houston needs to explore every avenue, from free agency to the draft to the waiver wire, to find better protectors for Watson.
Indianapolis Colts
Find a No. 2 wide receiver
With Andrew Luck back healthy and firing on all cylinders, the Colts' offense thrived under the guidance of head coach Frank Reich. But Indy was unable to compensate when T.Y. Hilton was slowed by an ankle injury late in the season. The Colts must find a running mate for Hilton, whether in the draft or through free agency. They were among the worst teams in terms of yards after the catch, so the shifty Golden Tate might catch GM Chris Ballard's eye.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Sign Teddy Bridgewater in free agency
The Blake Bortles experiment is mercifully over, but with an expensive roster full of seasoned veterans, the Jaguars likely don't have time to wait for a rookie quarterback to develop. Jacksonville should do what it should've last season and roll the dice on Bridgewater, who has the talent to unlock the offense's potential.
Kansas City Chiefs
Sign Earl Thomas in free agency
Patrick Mahomes and Co. are Super Bowl ready, but the defense needs significant changes, as evidenced by the Patriots' ability to move up and down the field at will in the AFC title game. Coordinator Bob Sutton has already been shown the door, and Kansas City should bring in an elite weapon for his replacement to gleefully deploy. Thomas is one of the NFL's true game-changers and his deep-ball coverage skills are unrivaled. Even if it means parting ways with Eric Berry, the Chiefs should go all-in on Thomas, presuming he's recovered from the broken leg that ended his season.
Los Angeles Chargers
Hire a sports psychologist
Talent has rarely been an issue for the Chargers during the Philip Rivers era, and this iteration has more than enough playmakers to make a Super Bowl run. But the Chargers have lacked mental fortitude - as well as luck - in critical situations for years, spanning the tenures of both Mike McCoy and Anthony Lynn. Addressing their issues by investing in sports psychology - in a similar way to the Colts, who hired Vision Pursue to assist in mindfulness training for their players, according to The Ringer's Robert Mays - might be the way the Chargers finally get over the hump.
Miami Dolphins
Trade for/sign Nick Foles
Admittedly, it's going to take a lot for the rebuilding Dolphins to even make the playoffs due to the Patriots' presence in the AFC East. Finding a way past New England is priority one, two, and three for Miami, so why not turn to one of the only men who's stared down the dynasty and won? Foles would be a significant upgrade on Ryan Tannehill, and his leadership qualities could galvanize Miami's locker room.
New England Patriots
Don't let Tom Brady or Bill Belichick retire
Presuming to know what's best for a team heading into its third straight Super Bowl appearance is farcical. All the Patriots need to do to make it four in a row is keep the Brady-Belichick tandem intact. That's it.
New York Jets
Sign Le'Veon Bell in free agency
Like the rest of the non-Patriots of the AFC East, the Jets are a long way from Super Bowl contention. But they do have a quarterback who flashed elite potential in his rookie season. Darnold breaking out in a similar fashion to Jared Goff could happen if he's paired with star running back Bell, who's set for a big payday in free agency. The duo has the potential to make the Jets the shock success story of 2019.
Oakland Raiders
Hit big on all three first-round picks
Jon Gruden hit the reset button on the Raiders almost immediately upon his return to coaching. Trading away two Pro Bowl players in 2018 tells us Oakland isn't expecting to win next season. The Raiders are left with three 2019 first-round picks, though, and if all can be difference-makers from Day 1, they might return to the postseason sooner than most expect.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Trade Antonio Brown for defensive help
The conventional wisdom is the Steelers - tired of Brown's antics and intent on fixing their locker room issues - will trade the All-Pro receiver for at least a first-round pick. However, Pittsburgh is built to win right now, and it was the defense, not the offense, that let the team down late in the regular season. The Steelers should attempt to land a blue-chip defender for Brown instead of draft capital that might not pay immediate dividends.
Tennessee Titans
Invest in the offensive line
Thirteen weeks into his third season, Derrick Henry was dangerously close to being hit with the "bust" label. Instead of the breakout year many expected, the former second-rounder failed to rush for over 60 yards in any of the Titans' first 12 games before exploding for 585 over the final stretch. A pounding running game to lean on is exactly head coach Mike Vrabel's vision, so Tennessee would be wise not to let its inconsistent O-line hold back what could be an intimidating offense now that Henry has found his fire.