Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (27) runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images In the wake of the NFL draft, little has changed in the league’s pecking order.
The reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles remain the favorite to win Super Bowl 60 in Las Vegas. Most online sportsbooks have Jalen Hurts and Co. at +650 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy again. The Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions are close behind on everyone’s futures odds list — so you know those teams will be dedicated to doing everything they can to win it all this year.
But what about the other 27 teams? Each of them clearly has issues that need to be addressed. Provided, you know, they have the desire to compete with the big boys this fall.
When should these teams start making moves to solve their shortcomings? Well, every team starts its rookie development camp on Monday, May 12, so it’s too soon to know who’s a bust and who’s better than expected. And while every team conducted at least one session of OTAs in April, the mandatory minicamps won’t happen until mid-June.
What we’re saying is … the sweet spot for roster moves appears to be at least a few weeks away. But it’s never too soon to offer some advice. Here are three moves that need to happen for a few teams that could use a nudge to get where they ought to go:
1. Bears, Get a Running Back
With the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick Thursday, they drafted Michigan tight end Colston Loveland — a 6-foot-6, 250-pound athlete deemed to be a Sam LaPorta clone. With their first second-round pick, they selected Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden, who draws comparisons to Lions wideout Jameson Williams (heck, they were even high school teammates).
It’s clear new Bears boss Ben Johnson wants to build a replica of Detroit’s multifaceted attack that led the NFL in offense last year, so of course that carries over to running back. Johnson already has a history with current Bears starter D’Andre Swift. He was the Lions’ primary back in 2022, Johnson’s first year as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. But the Lions opted to trade him after that season.
In 2022, Swift had 99 carries for the Lions but 70 pass targets. Last year, Swift had 253 carries for the Bears but only 52 targets. Expect Swift’s ratio to look more like 2022 — but that means the Bears need someone to take those carries.
Enter J.K. Dobbins. The 26-year-old rolled up 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in just 13 games last year for the Los Angeles Chargers, who have moved on to Najee Harris and first-round pick Omarion Hampton. Dobbins averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year — and 2.5 of those came after contact. Swift, on the other hand, averaged 3.8 yards per carry — with only 1.8 yards after contact.
Make the call, Ryan Poles. It’s only money.
2. Browns, Lend the Saints a QB
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images You might not have heard, but the Cleveland Browns drafted two rookie quarterbacks last week — Dillon Gabriel and an under-the-radar slinger named Shedeur Sanders. They join offseason trade acquisition Kenny Pickett and 40-year-old Joe Flacco in the Browns’ QB room (and Deshaun Watson, though he’s out long-term).
The Browns can’t possibly prepare all these arms. However, considering FanDuel lists Cleveland as the team least likely to win the Super Bowl (get your bets in now at +26000), they ought to spend their time developing their new arms and playing for 2026 and beyond.
If that means keeping Flacco to teach the new guys right from wrong, then trade Pickett. If it seems silly to keep a 40-year-old on the roster when you’re likely not sniffing the playoffs, then move him along.
We choose Flacco to go to the New Orleans Saints. Yes, not much is expected of the Saints, but all they have at quarterback is second-round pick Tyler Slough and second-year man Spencer Rattler (who fashioned an 0-6 record last year). David Carr is there, too, but he has a shoulder injury — and he has asked to be traded out of New Orleans.
3. LOL
Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates after throwing his 500th touchdown pass during the second quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images Just for fun, type “which NFL teams need a cornerback” into a search engine. What we got back was this list: Atlanta, Baltimore, Carolina, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, New York (Giants), New York (Jets), Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Washington Football Team.
Hey, wait a minute. Washington Football Team? Turns out the search engine focused on a story from 2020, so maybe we shouldn’t use that search engine again (its name makes you think of Chanandler Bong).
Clearly, this is a sign we should scratch finding a third big move. Instead of trying to figure out the ideal landing spot for Miami cornerback Jalen Ramsey, let’s just end with this plea:
Hey, Aaron Rodgers, sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers already. Or don’t. But America is moving on. We’ve decided we’re obsessing about Shedeur Sanders now. Actually, let’s think positively. Sign with the Browns. Imagine the sports-talk-show ratings you two could deliver. In that vein, wouldn’t it be great if LeBron James joined the Dallas Cowboys as a receiver? We hear they could really use a complement for CeeDee Lamb.
This news was originally published on this post .
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