It’s crazy to think that the 2021 NFL off-season is rounding turn four and heading into the final stretch at full speed.
So, as we quickly head towards preseason ball, which teams have been making the best offseason moves?
Here are 4 teams that are making the grade with personnel pickups and camp performance.
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The Cleveland Browns | Grade A+
The Browns are making moves. They picked up Jadeveon Clowney, who looks like he’s back to 100% in camps so far. Now, Cleveland has Clowney and Myles Garret on opposite sides of the defensive line. This Cleveland defense could be a QB and RB nightmare for opposing teams.
On top of forming a smash and grab defensive line, they snatched up John Johnson the 3rd, a top-rated safety.
Notable Signings this Offseason:
- WR Rashard Higgins
- CB Troy Hill,
- S John Johnson III
- LB Anthony Walker Jr.
- LB Malcolm Smith
- Edge Jadeveon Clowney
- Edge Takkarist McKinley
- DT Malik Jackson
The Browns already had a potent offense. But they had some glaring holes on D. Now; they look like they are just as good on the defensive side of the ball. Could the Browns off the Chiefs in 2021? Maybe. The Browns are favored on the early spreads for more than half of their games. It will be interesting what the daily NFL picks for the Browns are like once the season starts.
The Cincinnati Bengals | Grade A
The Bengals have been a bust for years. Heck, both Ohio teams have been lousy for the better part of a decade, but now the Browns have come up in a big way over the last couple of years, and it looks like the Bengals might as well.
The Bengals have a young star QB, now with a little bit of experience as he heads into his second year in the league. Now, he has a hot new target in Ja’Marr Chase. These two played together at LSU, so they should have an immediate on-field connection. They also picked up Nebraska’s Stanely Morgan Jr. And have vets Mike Thomas and Auden Tate.
They Dropped Jackson at Corner and picked up Mike Hilton at corner and Chidoble Awuzie. The biggest concern this team has is the Oline. That said, they are moving in the right direction.
The New England Patriots | Grade A
The dynasty that was the NE Patriots was essentially dismantled over the last couple of seasons. But so far this year, they have resigned Super Cam and addressed quite a few concerns. They have Mac Jones up from Alabama, and who knows, he might beat Newton out for that starting spot. He looks impressive at training camp. Whoever starts under center has a pair of excellent TEs.
I have to give props to the Pats brass and Belichick. They stacked talent on both sides and, for the most part, did it on the cheap. If you hate the Pats, sorry. It looks like the team is ready to be a contender already, and we could see them back in the Super Bowl mix in just a couple of years.
The Los Angeles Chargers | Grade A-
It’s a bummer that this team currently sits opposite the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. In many other divisions, they would be sitting near the top of the odds boards to win the division.
This team’s most significant adjustment over the offseason is stacking up size, strength, and talent on the offensive line. They have a talented second-year QB—Justin Herbert—who hit the ground running and proved to be more than ready for the NFL in his rookie year. So, he’ll be much better protected and better able to perform his magic.
On defense, the Chargers get Joey Bosa back at form. They lost a couple of key defensive pieces, but I think they made up for it in the draft and their signings. This Chargers team is going to compete with the Cheifs and give them a run for their money in the AFC West. Remember, they were one of the few to beat Kansas City last season and played close in almost all of their losses. Now they are better and cannot be overlooked.
