The eight teams left in the playoffs each boast smart moves by the front office to land players that have been instrumental in the successful season.
Baltimore Ravens: Mark Ingram
The Ravens seemed to have a running game by committee in many years recently. That came to a halt as the rushing attack was powered by free-agent acquisition Mark Ingram. The former New Orleans Saint and Heisman winner from Alabama has been dynamic in rushing for 1.018 yards in 15 games and catching passes for another 247. He scored 10 TDs on the ground and five receiving. A perfect player to have in the backfield with Lamar Jackson. You can throw in Earl Thomas via free agency and Marcus Peters in a trade with the Rams for good measure.
Green Bay Packers: Za’Darius Smith
On March 14, 2019, Smith signed a four-year, $66 million contract with Green Bay. He had 18.5 sacks in four years with Baltimore. In his first year as a Packer, Smith had career-highs in tackles with 41 and sacks with 13.5. He gives an edge to the defense.
Houston Texans: Laremy Tunsil
The Texans swung a deal with the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 31, 2019, to shore up their offensive line and it worked out nicely as former first-round pick Laremy Tunsil has been stellar. He has earned his first Pro Bowl slot and is a force protecting Deshaun Watson. You can kick in Kenny Stills, who came along in the deal and had 40 catches for 561 yards in 13 games.
San Francisco 49ers: Alexander, Ford
First, Kwon Alexander was signed to a four-year, $54 million contract that includes $27 million guaranteed as a free agent from Tampa Bay. He ignited the Niners’ defense before tearing a left pectoral on Halloween against Arizona. The 49ers have allowed 100 yards more per game (224 in the first half to 326 in the second half of the season) since losing Alexander. However, he has been cleared by doctors and could return to face Minnesota. “Kwon’s been trying to get back since the day after he was hurt — so he’s been trying to prove us wrong on that,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. “He’s more ahead of schedule, a week ahead of schedule, than we anticipated. He’s been cleared by the medical staff. Now it’s just about how he looks out on the field and things like that. We’ll have a padded practice tomorrow that will give us a little bit of a better idea.” A second move worked out in a domino fashion. On March 12, 2019, the Chiefs agreed to send Dee Ford to the 49ers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Troubled by a hamstring, he played in 11 games and had 6.5 sacks. Ford returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since aggravating his hamstring injury after four snaps Dec. 8 in New Orleans. And the trade for him helped lead to …
Kansas City Chiefs: Frank Clark
Kansas City landing Frank Clark from Seattle. On April 23, 2019, Clark was traded along with the Seahawks’ third round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, in exchange for the Chiefs’ first- and third-round selections in the 2019 draft and a second round selection in the 2020 draft. After the trade, he signed a five-year contract worth $105.5 million with $63.5 million guaranteed. Clark played in 14 games and had eight sacks.
Seattle Seahawks: Jadeveon Clowney
The Seahawks had sent Frank Clark to Kansas City. In order to bulk up their defensive line, they acquired Jadeveon Clowney from Houston. The former No. 1 overall pick had worn out his welcome there and has played inspiring ball in Seattle. His hit Sunday in the Wild-Card round knocked out Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. How much of a difference does the defensive lineman make? With Clowney in the game, Seattle’s defense pressures quarterbacks at a rate of 24.6%, with a 4.8% sack rate. Without him, it pressures QBs at a 17.5% rate with a 3.9% sack rate.
Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr
Now this will seem like a strange place for a player who has been with Minnesota for his entire career. However, it wasn’t that simple to keep the former UCLA star in purple for 2019. It was reported had agreed to a free-agent contract with the New York Jets on March 11. However, Barr changed his mind and re-signed with the Vikings two days later, landing a five-year, $67.5 million contract with $33 million guaranteed.
Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill
When Ryan Tannehill was acquired from the Miami Dolphins, it appeared he would serve as a backup to Marcus Mariota. The Titans and former Heisman winner from Oregon stalled on offense and coach Mike Vrabel turned to Tannehill. He has turned it on and played the best football of his career in leading Tennessee into the Divisional round.
