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It's easy to spot the splashy free-agent moves that will define the NFL season: Tom Brady to the Buccaneers. Philip Rivers to the Colts. Jadeveon Clowney to ... wherever he goes.
But what about the deals along the margins? Every savvy bettor knows the little offseason moves can help shape a divisional race or provide an early edge in side action.
Here are five of the best under-the-radar moves that could shape the betting market in 2020:
Calais Campbell to the Ravens
Maybe this isn't "under the radar" enough considering it was one of the first moves of the offseason, but it was quickly buried by a rush of subsequent activity. It shouldn't be. Campbell has made the Pro Bowl in five of the last six years and is among the NFL's best edge rushers, which was the Ravens' most glaring weakness during their 14-win campaign in 2019.
Getting Campbell for a fifth-round pick allowed Baltimore to focus on retaining its own free agents and enables the club to turn its attention elsewhere during the draft - which means a dangerous roster with few holes come September. If you're betting on safety and a high floor, this is your team.
Emmanuel Sanders to the Saints
As if Drew Brees needed any more help, the Saints snagged Sanders in free agency to complement what was already one of the league's most explosive offenses. Sanders has netted at least 850 yards in five of the last six years and went for 100 yards and a touchdown twice in his 10 regular-season games with the 49ers - including 157 yards against New Orleans.
The biggest beneficiary could be Michael Thomas, who was historically good last year even with few respectable wideouts to draw defenses away. With Sanders in the fold, Thomas could reach the best efficiency levels of his career, which should delight over bettors early in the year.
Chris Harris Jr. to the Chargers
Harris was the best slot corner in the league for nearly a decade before the Broncos forced him outside in 2019. In Los Angeles, he'll return to the slot in one of the NFL's most talented, athletic, and suffocating secondaries.
We saw in 2019 how elite secondary play boosted the Patriots' and 49ers' defenses into historic territory. It'd be foolish to predict the same here, but the Chargers' defense has all the makings of that same type of special unit this year, which could mean taking another look at L.A. as a long shot.
Darius Slay to the Eagles
Much like Harris, Slay has been a premier cornerback for years but enters this season under the radar after a disappointing 2019. That didn't deter the Eagles from sending two picks to Detroit for what they hope is the solution to their shoddy secondary.
Philly owned one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year. Slay is the perfect antidote at a cheap price. If he plays to his abilities, the Eagles should keep pace with the Cowboys' loaded receiving corps, which could swing the NFC East divisional race.
Jack Conklin to the Browns
Cleveland was an unmitigated disaster last season, but it's hard to overstate how much a bad offensive line played into that. Baker Mayfield is a brilliant rhythm passer but struggles under pressure, which is just about all he faced in 2019 behind a patchwork front five.
Enter Conklin, who earned All-Pro honors last year and helped turn Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry into folk heroes in Tennessee. If the Browns' offense looks completely different than it did a year ago, Conklin might be the one to thank.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.
