Players moved, others were drafted and some are simply gone, gone, gone. Here’s to those who should be impactful in 2019. Or, at least, they better be.
C.J. Mosley/Le’Veon Bell
The Jets opened up the bank vault and spent on players in free agency. C.J. Mosley comes over from the AFC North, as does Le’Veon Bell (kind of). Expect Mosley to add attitude to the defense. And once Bell shakes the rust of missing the entire season due to his holdout, he will be a major asset to Sam Darnold. Not sure it will be enough to turn the team into playoff-bound but at least they are trying.
Antonio Brown/Trent Brown
The Oakland Browns with the acquisitions of Antonio via trade and Trent as a free agent from New England. Would love to tell you the Oakland Browns have as good a chance of making the playoffs as the Cleveland Browns, but they don’t. Will be fascinating to see if Derek Carr is able to play up to Antonio Brown’s talent or if this will be another Amari Cooper.
Earl Thomas
The Baltimore Ravens added one of the better defensive backs in the league in Earl Thomas. Guaranteed the drama that was Seattle stays in the Northwest. Almost sure Thomas will have a bigger impact than another free-agent signee, Mark Ingram.
Mitch Morse
The Bills need to protect Josh Allen. As the QB heads into his second season, expect him to get a lot of security and support from Mitch Morse, who will become the anchor in the middle of Buffalo’s line.
Odell Beckham Jr./Olivier Vernon
This could be a split-decision. Olivier Vernon comes to the Browns and will be another fierce defender for Cleveland. Wish we could be as sure of Odell Beckham Jr. Until the mood swings and immaturity is shaken, he could be leaving the Cleveland fans shaking theirs heads or … jumping for joy if he performs as he can.
Jason Witten
This move benefited everyone. ESPN, although no guarantee its MNF booth will be a drop more listenable, and Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys as Jason Witten returns to the field and brings his considerable talent at tight end.
Nick Foles
Blake Bortles is gone and Nick Foles has arrived. Foles worked magic in Philly. Twice. The reality is Jacksonville had a brutal season in 2018 after a strong one the year before. If Foles can bring what he brought in Philly, don’t be surprised to see a turnaround in Jacksonville.
Frank Clark/Tyrann Mathieu
The Kansas City defense was weak, to be kind, in 2018. Dee Ford is gone but in his place come Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu. They are 26 and 27, respectively, though it seems as if both have been in the league far beyond their ages.
Dee Ford
Dee Ford and Nick Bosa — if he can stay healthy — will boost the Niners’ defense. Let’s stick with Ford for now, as he will assuredly will be a force. Realize he had 13 sacks last season and forced seven fumbles in KC. Seven fumbles forced!
Landon Collins
The Giants are crumbling piece by piece. Washington was happy to pick up Landon Collins from Big Blue’s secondary. He gets two chances each year to show his former team, but good. The problem in Washington won’t be Collins, though it figures to be the offense as it could be manned by Dwayne Haskins, the rookie from Ohio State.
Kliff Kingsbury/Kyler Murray
If they don’t succeed, it won’t be in the quiet of the desert. Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray are going to be under the spotlight. The hot light. This isn’t the Big 12. This is the big league. Kingsbury’s offensive genius and Murray’s considerable talents will be watched week in and week out to see if Arizona made the right call.
T.J. Hockenson
T.J. Hockenson becomes the third tight end the Lions have drafted in the first round since 2009. That’s not exactly good scouting. Hockenson the Hawkeye needs to step in and step up more than Brandon Pettigrew and Eric Ebron did in Motown.
Freddie Kitchens
Kind of new would be the best way to describe Freddie Kitchens. He was the offensive coordinator in Cleveland last season, Now, he’s the head coach of a team with great expectations. Kitchens has all sorts of offensive tools at his disposal and a strong defense. He’ll be expected to produce … quickly.
Matt Lafleur
Matt Lafleur needs to make things work with Aaron Rodgers. They two must have chemistry and find a way to bring the best out of the Green Bay offense. Rodgers is wonderful. Lafleur needs to realize it and make use of all of the quarterback’s greatness and not let the opportunity to be a head coach — see, ego — get in his way.
Mike Mayock
Mike Mayock is out at NFL Network … to the relief of many listeners. He’s in a position of some power in Oakland (Jon Gruden is the true muscle). Mayock has to turn around a team that is drowning in losses. Las Vegas lies ahead but Mayock needs to prove his input on the draft delivered mucho talent to the Silver & Black.
Miami Twice
Brian Flores takes over for the mediocre man Adam Gase. Ryan Tannehill is gone to Tennessee and the Dolphins’ offense will be run by the 10th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh Rosen. The former UCLA QB was taken in the same slot as a Patrick Mahomes was in 2017. No one in Miami could dream of Rosen delivering as Mahomes did last season in Kansas City. He needs to prove he is more than potential for Flores to get off to a swift start.
