The 2020 NFL offseason is fast approaching and roster decisions will be made by players and clubs. Although the most predictable thing about the future is the unpredictability, predictions can be fun at times. I’ll offer five bold, dare I say, fearless, predictions impacting several rosters for the 2020 NFL offseason.
Offseason Prediction Number One: A team makes a move up to draft a quarterback
It’s a foregone conclusion that Cincinnati will select LSU’s Joe Burrow as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. But what about the other quarterbacks such as Jake Fromm, Justin Hebert, and Tua Tagovailoa? Several teams will be in need of a quarterback, but they’re not positionally inclined in the draft order to fill that need. A recent annual trend has been for teams to trade up to pick their franchise quarterback. The Rams did it in 2016, the Bears, Chiefs, and Texans did it in 2017, the Jets and the Bills did the same in 2018.
Two teams that come to mind in the 2020 NFL offseason are the Los Angeles Chargers and the Carolina Panthers. The Chargers may have seen the last of Philip Rivers, who had a stellar career with the Chargers. They are currently picking sixth but could move up if they really like one specific QB. Another team is the Carolina Panthers; they are right behind the Chargers in the draft order. If they decide to move on from Cam Newton, they also might be motivated to trade up. Could either of these teams talk Cincinnati, Washington, or the New York Giants into swapping positions? That depends on how much draft capital they want to surrender.
Speaking of the Panthers…
Offseason Prediction Number Two: Cam Newton converts to the Patriot Way in the 2020 NFL Offseason
Cam Newton has had his last two seasons cut short due to injury. Although he has had a tremendous career in Carolina, Newton is in need of a change of venue. With Matt Ruhle coming in as head coach, one decision in the 2020 NFL offseason could be that he might be motivated to move on from Newton. Could Foxborough be a destination? With the New England Patriots possibly parting ways with Tom Brady, they need an answer at quarterback. Newton could provide a shot in the arm.
Newton turned 30 before the 2019 season and the RPO systems he has benefited from have produced wear and tear on his body. Why not reinvent yourself as a pocket passer? The best place to do that is in New England under the tutelage of Josh McDaniels. Newton would have one of the best offensive lines in the league protecting him. He’d also have Sony Michel to take the load off of him. The only question is whether Newton would be willing to adapt his style. If I want to prolong my career from 2020 on, I would.
And speaking of the Patriots…
Offseason Prediction Number Three: Tom Brady Charges forward in Los Angeles
Was the Pick Six in the Wild Card round against Tennessee the last pass that Tom Brady will throw in a New England Patriots uniform? Over the years, there has been a reported rift between Brady and head coach Bill Belichick despite their success. A post on Brady’s Instagram account several days following the playoff loss indicated that he still has “more left to prove.” Brady is 42 with six Super Bowl rings. What possibly could be left to prove?
Answer: he wants to prove he can win without Belichick. Where does he go then? Back home to California. As mentioned in a previous section, the Chargers might be moving on from Philip Rivers. They could potentially move up in the 2020 draft to select a future franchise quarterback. What better bridge quarterback to have than the greatest of this era? Brady would have WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams at his disposal, but what of the running game that finished in the bottom five in 2019? If the Chargers can get some run blockers to complement their passing game, Brady could be rejuvenated in his home state.
Offseason Prediction Number Four: Dak Prescott becomes a Colt
Andrew Luck retiring literally one week before the start of the 2019 season was a shock to the football world (and fantasy owners). They underachieved offensively as a result and it was a major factor to the Colts finishing with a 7-9 record. Reports indicate that some in the Colts front office don’t believe that current QB Jacoby Brissett is their franchise quarterback. He struggled as the Colts’ full-time pivot in 2019 and there is an indication that the Colts will want to move on.
Dak Prescott had a career year in Dallas in 2019; he finished second in the NFL in passing yards (4,902) and third in passing touchdowns (30). He was the greatest benefactor to OC Kellen Moore’s play calling. However, Garrett is now OC of the New York Giants and Prescott is a free agent. With Dallas extending RB Ezekiel Elliott last Summer, they might have trouble extending Prescott unless they slap a franchise tag on him. That’s where the Colts come in: Indianapolis currently has $96 million in cap space and Prescott reportedly wants $30 million a year. Since one is in want and another is in need, Prescott could be in a Colts uniform in 2020.
Offseason Prediction Number Five: Le’Veon Bell stays a New York Jet in the 2020 NFL Offseason
And here’s your curve ball…
There was no question that the most underutilized RB in the NFL last season was Le’Veon Bell. After signing a four-year, $52 million dollar contract last offseason, Bell was expected to make an impact in the revamped Jets’ offense. But head coach Adam Gase misused Bell and Bell had one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. Regardless, Bell slogged to just over 1,000 yards in total offense despite Gase’s sputtering system in 2019. But during media exit interviews, Gase refused to acknowledge whether Bell would be a Jet in 2020.
Will he stay or will he go? Trading Bell would give the Jets some draft capital, but it doesn’t make sense because what would the Jets receive in return? Maybe two future third-round picks? Jets fans hope that Bell and Gase can co-exist and Bell has gone on record to say that he wants to stay in New York. This decision will ultimately come down to GM Joe Douglas and from what Douglas has said, he wants to keep Bell in Gotham Green. But first thing’s first for Douglas, which is rebuilding an offensive line that Bell can benefit from.
What say you about the NFL offseason? Sound off with a comment below, in our NFL forum, or hit me up on Twitter @whoisryanmcc.
1 Comment
As I Patriots fan I have to disagree with you about calling their offensive line one of the best in the NFL. They were awful this year and Sony Michel is an average back at best who needs huge holes to produce anything. He gets taken down almost every play where he needs to initiate some contact to break though a hole. You could be right on Brady going to LA though, but my question is why replace a 39 year old QB with a 42 year old who hast lost a few steps.