With Super Bowl 50 now behind us, it’s time to begin speculating about what will occur during the 2016 NFL offseason. A number of unforeseen transactions will unravel from now until June, as in the NFL, ‘expect the unexpected’ is the mantra.
With that in mind, here’s a look at 15 bold predictions for the offseason festivities (keep in mind these are bold predictions and not the average vanilla analysis you read on most sites).
15. Drew Brees Traded To New York Jets
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsInstead of sticking with the status quo, the Jets will shock the NFL world by trading for New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, which will make Gang Green instant Super Bowl contenders.
The New York Jets went 10-6 with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center in 2015, but it wasn't good enough to make the postseason. If they elect to re-sign Fitzpatrick, 10 wins will be their ceiling again in 2016.
Instead of sticking with the status quo, the Jets will shock the NFL world by trading for New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, which will make Gang Green instant Super Bowl contenders.
14. Baltimore Ravens Sign Alshon Jeffery
Getty Images
The Baltimore Ravens caught a break when Steve Smith Sr. elected to return for the 2016 campaign, but they still need to make a significant addition to their wide receiving corps. Kamar Aiken is a restricted free agent who profiles as a No. 2 at best, and Breshad Perriman's PCL injury makes him an unknown. Baltimore needs to give Joe Flacco an elite weapon in the pass attack, and there's no better option available than Alshon Jeffery.
13. Lamar Miller Signs With Denver Broncos
Getty ImagesBoth C.J. Anderson (restricted) and Ronnie Hillman (unrestricted) could be with different teams next season. Gary Kubiak's offense is based around its run attack, so finding a true bell cow running back who can also be used as an adequate weapon in the pass attack is paramount. With a great defense and uncertainty at quarterback, fortifying its running back corps is the best way for Denver to chase a repeat, and Lamar Miller fits the Broncos' system like a glove.
12. Colin Kaepernick Traded To Cleveland Browns
Kelley L. Cox-USA TODAY SportsThe Cleveland Browns will be moving on from Johnny Manziel, so you can expect new head coach Hue Jackson to be aggressive in his pursuit of the team's next starting quarterback. The Browns will undoubtedly select a quarterback at some point in the 2016 NFL Draft, but I don't expect that player to start right away. A more likely scenario is the Browns making a move for Colin Kaepernick to see if they can catch lightning in a bottle.
11. Chicago Bears Draft Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell
Getty ImagesI'm not positive there's a scenario where Treadwell would be available to Chicago at No. 11 overall, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. The Bears could always attempt to move up a spot or two if necessary to select the suburban Chicago native as well.
If the Chicago Bears indeed decide to save money and move on from Alshon Jeffery, Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell is the perfect replacement. Treadwell undoubtedly possesses top-10 or even top-five talent, but he seems to be trending downward in many expert mock drafts.
I'm not positive there's a scenario where Treadwell would be available to Chicago at No. 11 overall, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. The Bears could always attempt to move up a spot or two if necessary to select the suburban Chicago native as well.
10. Buffalo Bills Release LeSean McCoy
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsAs damaging details continue to emerge from an incident in which LeSean McCoy allegedly assaulted three off-duty police officers in a Philadelphia bar brawl, it's becoming increasingly possible that the Buffalo Bills will be pressured to release their star running back. This scenario seems far more realistic today than when the initial report circulated.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers Sign OT Cordy Glenn
Getty ImagesThe Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be primed to move on from LT Kelvin Beachum as he's a free agent and suffered a torn ACL in October. If the Buffalo Bills sign Cordy Glenn, given the cap issues they have currently, it's going to make things incredibly difficult for them in other areas of the roster that they direly need help in. Thus, although it might seem unlikely, don't be surprised if Glenn is passed up on by Buffalo and ultimately lands in Pittsburgh.
8. Alfred Morris Signs With New York Jets
Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY SportsThe New York Jets are most likely going to lose both Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell to free agency, which means they will not only have to target a running back in the draft, but also will need to add a veteran to the mix. Alfred Morris had a down year (for his standards) in 2015, and will be a solid option for the Jets considering he won't be able to command a king's ransom.
7. Jason Pierre-Paul Signs With New Orleans Saints
Getty ImagesThe New Orleans Saints are likely the NFL team that's most in need of a pass-rush specialist as we approach the 2016 offseason, and as the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures. The Saints have no choice but to overpay someone in efforts to fortify their defensive line, and rolling the dice on Jason Pierre-Paul appears to be their best (realistic) bet.
6. Matt Forte Signs With New England Patriots
Getty ImagesWith LeGarrette Blount most likely moving on, the Patriots need an every-down back to pair with Dion Lewis, who is more of a scatback. Matt Forte is the perfect fit.
Tom Brady appears to have at least two more seasons playing at an elite level left in the tank, so it's time for the New England Patriots to retool over the offseason and give Brady and head coach Bill Belichick an opportunity to chase that elusive fifth Super Bowl win. Thus, although the Patriots rarely throw money at high-priced free agents, this offseason projects to be incredibly different.
With LeGarrette Blount most likely moving on, the Patriots need an every-down back to pair with Dion Lewis, who is more of a scatback. Matt Forte is the perfect fit.
5. New York Giants Sign Muhammad Wilkerson
Getty ImagesMuhammad Wilkerson's relationship with the New York Jets seems to have deteriorated last season as the two sides never got anywhere near the same page in regards to a contract extension. The Jets could always slap Wilkerson with the franchise tag, but in the event that they don't, expect the New York Giants to swoop in with a gargantuan contract offer.
4. Eric Weddle Signs With Oakland Raiders
Getty ImagesAfter the way Eric Weddle's relationship with the San Diego Chargers ended in 2015, you just know he'd like nothing more than to sign with one of their AFC West rivals. This week, the Oakland Raiders cut Nate Allen, which makes Weddle a real possibility in Oakland.
3. Atlanta Falcons Draft Ohio State WR Michael Thomas At No. 17 Overall
Getty ImagesThe Atlanta Falcons need help on defense more than anything, but there's a solid chance all the players they are truly interested in will be gone by the time No. 17 rolls around. Thus, adding a difference-making wide receiver like Ohio State's Michael Thomas would make plenty of sense. Julio Jones was forced to do it all by himself last season, and the Falcons can't ask him to do it again in 2016.
2. Houston Texans Take Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg In Second Round Of NFL Draft
Getty ImagesMost NFL draft wizards believe Christian Hackenberg will be selected in the third round at the latest. The narrative of Hackenberg joining his former Penn State coach Bill O'Brien in Houston is all the rage, but the Texans might have to dip down into the second round in order to ensure they get their man.
1. Detroit Lions Draft Baylor WR Corey Coleman If Calvin Johnson Officially Retires
Getty ImagesIf Calvin Johnson indeed officially announces his retirement prior to the 2016 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions will have no choice but to select a wide receiver in the first round. No one is expecting Corey Coleman to be the next Megatron, but he will undoubtedly help fill the void left by the franchise's most important player.
