Bold predictions for the 2021 NFL offseason

Watson is the big prize of the offseason. The Bears apparently didn’t have much interest in Carson Wentz, and maybe they have their sights set much higher. It remains to be seen how enthusiastic Watson would be about joining Chicago, but he’d turn the Bears into an instant contender after years of quarterback troubles.

Watkins has a playoff hero for the Chiefs in 2019, but much of his three seasons in Kansas City was marred by injuries. He still has some upside in a deep wide receiver free agent year, and the Bears might be in the market if they’re unable to bring back Allen Robinson.

Ngakoue is still looking for his big payday after getting traded twice last year. He ended the 2020 season with Baltimore, which is still an option to re-sign him, but the Bills are in a similarly needy position. Ngakoue has recorded at least eight sacks in all five of his NFL seasons and would be a fit for a defensive line that’s trying to get younger.

Winston was able to learn from Sean Payton and Drew Brees for one year in New Orleans, but the team opted to use Taysom Hill most of the time when Brees was injured. Looking for an opportunity to play, Denver looks like a good fit. The Broncos might not want to give up on third-year quarterback Drew Lock yet, but Winston certainly has the ability to challenge him. Denver also has an enviable set of weapons with Courtland Sutton returning from injury, rejoining Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant.

Hendrickson has earned a huge contract opportunity after a terrific 2020 season in New Orleans, recording 13.5 sacks. Unfortunately, the Saints might not have the money to re-sign Hendrickson, but the Browns will be in the mark for defensive end help opposite Myles Garrett.

White had a rough year professionally and personally in 2020, and the dynamic back is set to enter free agency. The Patriots have the funds to keep him around, but their back depth might cause White to go elsewhere. He was a favorite target for Tom Brady from 2015-2019 and would be a nice fit as a third-down back in Tampa Bay.

Jones has become a star in Green Bay, but finding a big contract for a running back is easier said than done in today’s NFL. The Packers might not be the right fit for Jones to get paid, but Arizona remains a possibility while they still have time to capitalize on Kyler Murray’s rookie deal. Jones could team with fourth-year running back Chase Edmonds in Arizona, giving the Cardinals another terrific weapon.

Smith-Schuster looked like a budding star early in his career with Pittsburgh, but his production fell over the last two seasons. Pittsburgh is strapped for cash and has plenty of depth at wide receiver, so it’s almost inevitable that Smith-Schuster will be playing elsewhere next season. The former USC star would probably welcome a return to Southern California, and the Chargers could use a third receiving option.

The Chiefs moved on from Houston in favor of Frank Clark in 2019, with the doubts that Houston could stay healthy or be as productive in the 4-3 defense. He managed to do both of those things with the Colts over the last two years, playing every game and recording 19 sacks during the regular season. There’s unfinished for Houston in KC after eight seasons and four Pro Bowls, and the Chiefs have a need at defensive end.

Fuller has been a highly productive wideout during his days in Houston when he’s been on the field, but injuries and a recent suspension have limited his time. He should still net a huge payday, and new quarterback Carson Wentz could use another capable wideout. Fuller would effectively replace fellow free agent T.Y. Hilton and is coming off a career year with 879 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games during 2020.

Miller is a cut candidate after missing all of 2020 with an ankle injury and entering his age 32 season. He’s been the face of the franchise and a former Super Bowl MVP for the Broncos, but finding a new start might be best as he tries to make the most of the time he has left. Jerry Jones has never met a pass rusher he didn’t love, and Miller is a Dallas area native.

Carson hasn’t quite received the respect he deserved in Seattle, as the Seahawks spent multiple draft picks on running backs during his tenure, including a first-rounder in 2018 on Rashaad Penny. He still had two 1,000 yard rushing seasons before seeing his workload drop off last year. Miami is a running back needy squad for the second straight year and has the incentive to surround Tua Tagovailoa with more weapons.

Mariota performed well when he took the field for Vegas last season and is deserving of a better opportunity to start. The former Titans starter would get a chance to compete with second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts in Philly following the trade of Carson Wentz, and the team wouldn’t need to adjust the offense whether the mobile Hurts or Mariota are on the field.

For all Garoppolo accomplished in leading San Francisco to the Super Bowl one year ago, he’s missed significant time to injury in two of the last three seasons. There are also questions about his ultimate ceiling. Now that San Fran is facing more cap issues, shipping Garoppolo for former Jets first-round pick Sam Darnold could make sense. Darnold would get an opportunity to prosper under offensive mastermind Kyle Shanahan with a much-improved supporting cast, while Garoppolo could rejoin Robert Saleh in New York and help jumpstart and Jets team with plenty of cap room.

Robinson has continued to be the best weapon in Chicago’s offense over the last two years, but he hasn’t seemed enthusiastic about re-signing. We shouldn’t rule out a return to Jacksonville for Robinson, where he spent the first four seasons of his career. The Jags regime is different these days with new head coach Urban Meyer and likely rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Paired with D.J. Chark, the Jags could have something cooking in the AFC South.

Sherman returned to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in 2019 with San Francisco before injuries limited him to only five games in 2020. It seems unlikely that the 49ers can afford him, but Sherman could spur the Jets secondary by following former San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. He would also bring the type of veteran leadership that the Jets are craving.

New York tried to revamp their offensive line last year, but the results weren’t great. Thuney is due a big payday that the Patriots might be unwilling to contribute, but the Jets certainly have the funds to bring him on. No matter the starting quarterback in 2021, continuing to make changes to the offensive line should be a priority.

Brown will likely have a limited market due to his off-field issues, but the Bucs don’t regret bringing him on en route to their Super Bowl win. Re-upping with Tampa Bay and Tom Brady seems like the most obvious fit, but Brown would likely be willing to look elsewhere if the money is right. Green Bay saw development from Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, joining the elite Davante Adams last season, but Brown could be a capper for a team whose window is closing.

There’s been much speculation about New England’s quarterback in 2021 after the Cam Newton experiment was a failure. The Pats have the cap space to do anything, but bringing back Brissett can’t be dismissed. The former New England draftee was traded to Indy in 2017 and is only 12-20 as a starter, but he has shown an ability to protect the ball. Without a bevy of weapons, Brissett could be a good short-term fit for a Pats roster that is rebuilding.

New England spent two third-round picks on tight ends last year, but the returns for Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene haven’t been great yet. While often injured, Henry has shown huge upside as a receiver during his time with the Chargers and would fill a huge need for receiving help in New England.

Jon Gruden has shown a penchant for adding veterans, and Green is out to prove he has something left after a sub-par 2020 season. It should be noted that Green missed all of 2019 due to injury, but he could come at a discount. The six-time 1,000-yard receiver could be a good locker room aid for 2020 first-round pick Henry Ruggs, as well.

Davis is one of the prizes of a deep wide receiver class, as a former first-round pick who has loads of talent but hasn’t reached his potential quite yet. He was overshadowed in Tennessee by A.J. Brown over the last two seasons but had a career year in 2020 with 984 yards and five touchdowns. His size and catch radius would make him a great weapon for Lamar Jackson.

Watt might have his pick of teams as he enters free agency for the first time. His priority seems to be winning, and the Titans can offer him that opportunity after making the playoffs in back-to-back years under Mike Vrabel. The team also has a need for a pass rusher, and Watt played under Vrabel in Houston.

Russell Wilson finally voiced his displeasure with the play of the Seahawks offensive line this offseason, and the organization should do whatever it can to make him happy. That means finally addressing the line with an impact addition like Mack. The six-time Pro Bowler is on the backend of his career at 35 but would be an instant improvement at center for Seattle while he tries to win his first Super Bowl.

Washington needs to address several areas on the offense, and wideout is one of them. The team doesn’t have many impact weapons behind young Terry McLaurin. Samuel could take on a more prominent role in Washington and also reunite with head coach Ron Rivera.