With the 2018 NFL offseason upon us, the collective focus of all 32 teams shifts toward player movement: The combine begins at the end of this month (Feb. 27); free agency kicks off shortly after that (March 12); and the first round of the draft is April 26.
In a recent piece on ESPN.com, the NFL Nation team pulled together a list of the most significant free-agent decisions facing all 32 teams.
My job today? To use the NFL Nation reporters' list and play general manager for each team, deciding whether teams should pay or pass on these decisions, factoring in player performance and impact, team depth, financial implications and more.
Some decisions involved the franchise tag. Some were big money, long-term deals. Others were about upgrading in the draft. Here's what I would do for the top significant free-agent decisions this offseason:
AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Cornerback E.J. Gaines
The Bills overhauled their secondary last offseason, investing a first-round pick in Tre'Davious White and spending lucratively to sign Micah Hyde in free agency. But two other moves -- a four-year deal for Jordan Poyer and acquiring Gaines in the trade that sent Sammy Watkins to the Rams -- proved to be critical in rounding out this group. The defensive system in Buffalo calls for cornerbacks with discipline and instincts, as it relies heavily on zone schemes (rather than featuring a cornerback playing on an island extensively). Gaines stood out in 2017 and seemed to fit right in with the new culture established.
Verdict: Pay Gaines to stay.
Miami Dolphins
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry
Few looming decisions have become more public than those surrounding Landry, who in January described talks with Miami as "disrespectful." The difference between what Landry is looking for and what Miami is offering him probably stems from this: While his catch production is off the charts -- he has exactly 400 catches through four seasons, the most by any player in his first four NFL seasons -- Landry has the lowest yards per catch (10.1) among the 49 wide receivers with at least 180 receptions since he entered the league. He's a volume vacuum, but he offers less in the big-play department. He's exceptionally tough and reliable and a leader for Miami, but if he desires true No. 1 receiver money -- $14 million per season or more -- it will be tough for the Dolphins to keep him.
Verdict: Let Landry walk.
New England Patriots
The big three: Cornerback Malcolm Butler, running back Dion Lewis, offensive tackle Nate Solder
The surprise benching in the Super Bowl was the writing on the wall for Butler, who is unlikely to be back in 2018. The Patriots have an exceptional track record of identifying value in running backs, something Lewis himself -- who joined the team on a reserve/future deal in 2015 -- is an example of. Meanwhile, Solder will be expensive to keep around (his current deal prohibits the use of a franchise tag), but he also would be the most difficult to replace, especially with two other tackles, Cameron Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle, set to become free agents.
Verdict: Prioritize Solder; offer Lewis a deal with comparable value to James White's for three years and $12 million; let Butler walk.
New York Jets
Quarterback Josh McCown
McCown had a productive 2017 before a broken hand sent him to injured reserve. He's also universally respected within the organization. But the Jets will be financially equipped with about $70 million in cap space to make a run at any of the quarterbacks who hit the open market, including Kirk Cousins. Signing Cousins would be a prudent move that could accelerate the reboot. That's the starting point.
Verdict: Pursue Cousins, re-sign McCown on a one-year deal as a fallback. (Note: Cousins and McCown happen to share an agent.)
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Center Ryan Jensen
The Ravens faced the possibility of losing the centerpiece of their defensive line last offseason, as Brandon Williams was pegged to hit free agency before signing a massive five-year deal. Baltimore finds itself in a similar dilemma again this year. Considering how the offensive line is valued in today's league, Jensen will cash in if he hits the open market. An annual salary of $8 million would make sense for him. The Ravens are tight against the cap, which will emphasize the need to replace free-agent departures through the draft.
Verdict: Let Jensen walk.
Cincinnati Bengals
Tight end Tyler Eifert
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The adage that a player's best ability is his availability is a common refrain centered around Eifert, who has never played a full season in the five years since the Bengals drafted him. With substantial injury concerns, testing the market will be a tricky endeavor for him, especially when coupled with what appears to be a steady 2018 class of tight end prospects. From the Bengals' perspective, it's important to approach this situation on their terms and not overextend.
Verdict: Offer Eifert a one-year, incentive-laden deal tied to being active for games.
Cleveland Browns
Upgrades at wide receiver
No Browns receiver had more than 27 receptions last season. The position received a boost when Josh Gordon returned from suspension, but the need for a talent infusion remains. Cleveland is loaded with draft capital and cap space, meaning that acquiring talent isn't the issue; it's finding talent that matters. Quarterback is the top objective. But the Browns need to find pass-catchers to surround that player with too. There's not much to say here other than the obvious: Cleveland needs help almost everywhere.
Verdict: Draft receivers, and pay receivers in free agency. Make it a priority.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Running back Le'Veon Bell
While Bell at one point suggested he'd be disappointed if the Steelers franchised him again, it's the starting point for Pittsburgh (with a price tag just north of $14.5 million). One factor in the decision on Bell is a team's philosophy on paying running backs on long-term deals, as some believe the position is more replaceable than others. But letting Bell -- perhaps the league's most complete back -- walk away would set back a high-octane offense.
Verdict: Use the tag on Bell, but aim for a long-term deal.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Answers at cornerback
The Texans opted not to use the franchise tag on cornerback A.J. Bouye in 2017. Now Houston's need for cornerbacks is even more robust, with Kareem Jackson and Kevin Johnson being the only notable contributors still under contract for 2018. New England's Malcolm Butler is scheduled to become a free agent, and it's worth noting that Frantzy Jourdain -- a highly regarded scout who now works for the Texans -- was the first step in the Patriots' evaluation of Butler, finding him as a small college prospect at West Alabama.
Verdict: Make an aggressive play to sign Butler.
Indianapolis Colts
Land a quality pass-rusher
Only the Buccaneers registered fewer sacks as a team (22.0) than the Colts (25.0) in 2017. Indianapolis has an excellent No. 2 rusher with Jabaal Sheard, but a dominant edge presence would alter the complexion of the team's front seven. The Colts are in a unique position with the No. 3 pick in April's draft as the two teams ahead of them -- the Browns and Giants -- are expected to seriously consider quarterbacks, which means arguably the best player in this year's class, NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb, could fall right into their laps.
Verdict: Draft Chubb.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide receiver Allen Robinson
Robinson's brilliant 2015 campaign suggested a path to stardom, but a disappointing 2016 showing and a torn left ACL ending his 2017 season after one week complicated matters. No team currently has more cap commitments on the books for 2018 than Jacksonville, meaning the team will need to make some difficult decisions. Given what the Jaguars were able to produce in the passing game with others -- including fellow free agent-to-be Marqise Lee -- a proposal to Robinson has to be financially sound.
Verdict: Offer Robinson a one-year, incentive-laden deal tied to production.
Tennessee Titans
Strengthen the interior offensive line
Josh Kline should be a priority to re-sign. The value of continuity and availability cannot be overlooked on the offensive line, and Kline played 99.9 percent of the offensive snaps in 2017. The market will feature other notable talent at guard, including Carolina's Andrew Norwell, but there also will be value in the middle to late rounds of the draft.
Verdict: Retain Kline and Quinton Spain, draft another guard.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Figure out what to do at quarterback
Just two years after selecting Paxton Lynch, the Broncos are equipped with the fifth overall pick in this year's draft to potentially land a quarterback. But Kansas City's stunning late-January trade of Alex Smith to Washington signaled that Kirk Cousins is available, either via trade or on the open market, if Washington doesn't franchise him. The list of Broncos players who already have championed the idea of chasing Cousins is long. John Elway should have his sights set on Cousins.
Verdict: Find a way to get Cousins.
Kansas City Chiefs
Pass rush help
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The Chiefs already made the decision that will define their offseason when they traded Alex Smith to Washington, turning the keys over to Patrick Mahomes. That leaves the pass rush, where Justin Houston was the only consistent force in 2017. Veteran mainstay Tamba Hali -- who was limited to just five games last season -- seems to be at risk of losing his roster spot at his current price tag, while former first-rounder Dee Ford needs to get healthy after playing only six games in 2017 (the upcoming season marks the final year of Ford's deal). The takeaway: Finding long-term pass-rush presence is essential for Kansas City. The best avenue? Probably the draft.
Verdict: Make an edge rusher a priority in the draft.
Los Angeles Chargers
Find a consistent kicker
No team had less consistent kicking in 2017 than the Chargers, who collectively made just 20 of 30 field goal attempts, while missing five extra point attempts, which tied with the Vikings for most in the NFL. The Chargers claimed Nick Rose off of waivers late in the season and signed Roberto Aguayo to a reserve/future deal. Adding another kicker for the sake of competition makes sense.
Verdict: Spend the requisite money to land a veteran kicker in free agency.
Oakland Raiders
Linebacker NaVorro Bowman
Bowman quickly found work across the San Francisco Bay after the 49ers released him. He also enjoyed a rapid ascension with the Raiders, emerging as the quarterback of the defense by the end of the season. With a dearth of defensive talent, keeping Bowman is essential for Jon Gruden and his staff, which will be coordinated on defense by Paul Guenther. Bowman is not the same impact player he was early in his career, but he is reliable and a boon to any team's culture and leadership.
Verdict: Retain Bowman on a two-year deal.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence
Lawrence has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the league, dominating in 2017 as a pass-rusher (14.5 sacks) who can also set the edge in the running game. If Lawrence, soon to be 26 years old, hits the free-agent market, he would be paid a remarkable amount of money, given his performance, youth and position. For Dallas, the franchise tag is the likely outcome, but a long-term deal is sensible business. He is a franchise building block for a defense sorely in need of one. If Lawrence is franchise-tagged this year, he would hit the open market again in 2019, when guard Zack Martin also is scheduled to be a free agent. The Cowboys could work out a deal with one or both to avoid that potential franchise-tag collision.
Verdict: Work for a long-term deal, and fall back with a franchise tag.
New York Giants
Offensive lineman Justin Pugh
The Giants' offensive line is thin on talent, and Pugh is a compelling player because of his ability and versatility, as he has played guard and right tackle. A recent free-agency trend that you can count on persisting is offensive linemen being paid handsomely, so retaining Pugh won't come cheap. But general manager Dave Gettleman has a known affinity for building his teams through the trenches, which leads one to suspect he'll find a way to retain Pugh. The franchise tag is an obvious avenue to consider.
Verdict: Give Pugh the franchise tag.
Philadelphia Eagles
Running back Darren Sproles
Sproles will be 35 in June and is coming off a "double whammy" torn ACL and broken arm, which he suffered on the same play in September. It's possible he could decide to call it a career, but he also could return to the Super Bowl champs on a cheap deal. The reality of building the league's best roster, however, is that the Eagles are limited with cap flexibility and also must consider retaining players such as linebacker Nigel Bradham, cornerback Patrick Robinson and running back LeGarrette Blount. With Corey Clement's emergence to complement Jay Ajayi -- plus the healthy return of Donnel Pumphrey -- the Eagles might not be able to afford a big deal for Sproles. Given the respect he has earned as a player, Philadelphia should explore keeping him around.
Verdict: Offer Sproles a veterans minimum deal.
Washington Redskins
Quarterback Kirk Cousins
Cousins is once again at the centerpiece of the Redskins' offseason focus, just in a different vein this year. After acquiring Alex Smith in a trade, it's clear that Cousins will not be in Washington in 2018. The Redskins, however, are considering a franchise tag for Cousins as a placeholder to buy time to trade him. The risk? The team would have to carry the $34.5 million charge on its cap until a trade is completed (among other factors). The reward? The opportunity to acquire draft capital in exchange for Cousins, which could be significant. There's a school of thought that Washington should merely move on from him and let this saga pass, but given how far it already has dragged, the idea of tagging him for the business upside makes sense.
Verdict: Franchise tag Cousins with the intent to trade.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Figure out what to do at cornerback
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The Bears find themselves in a solid spot in the draft, as four of the teams in front of them at pick No. 8 could conceivably be in the market for a quarterback. That should push talent at other positions down the board. Along those lines -- though it's early in the draft process -- Alabama corner/safety Minkah Fitzpatrick checks many of the requisite boxes to be a top-flight NFL defensive back. Beyond the draft, the Bears should work to retain Kyle Fuller, banking on his progression during his age-25 season under coordinator Vic Fangio. Fuller would be a key retention for new coach Matt Nagy.
Verdict: Sign Fuller and consider a cornerback in the first round.
Detroit Lions
Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah
Ansah finished the season with 12 sacks, but nine came in just three games. He didn't have a sack in eight of his 14 games. He was productive in other ways, but a long-term deal is tricky. The 28-year-old Ansah is a truly unique talent who has made undeniable development since being drafted in the first round in 2013, and he is the Lions' best pass-rusher. And while there is an element of projection as to how he'll fit into new coach Matt Patricia's defensive scheme, the bottom line is that Ansah has the skills to work in any defense. A one-year deal makes sense.
Verdict: Give Ansah the franchise tag.
Green Bay Packers
Defense, defense, defense
While the Packers promoted from within to hire new general manager Brian Gutekunst, it's not immediately clear if he plans to follow the lead of Ted Thompson and stick to a draft-and-develop approach, largely eschewing external free agency. The Packers sit at pick No. 14 in April's draft, and that's where this equation begins. The team needs an infusion of youth up front, specifically natural pass-rushers. The draft is the prime spot for Green Bay to make defensive upgrades, particularly as the team's top two potential free agents (wide receiver Davante Adams and center Corey Linsley) were recently given extensions.
Verdict: Draft, draft and draft some more defenders.
Minnesota Vikings
What to do with all three quarterbacks
The Vikings' quarterback approach is a massive domino in the NFL offseason, as Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford will all be free agents. In talking to people around the NFL about this situation, the most common sentiment I've heard has been that the team probably needs to franchise Keenum based on how he played in 2017. But reading the tea leaves of Mike Zimmer's comments suggest that anything is possible. Ultimately, health concerns for Bradford loom, and we're still not entirely sure how far Bridgewater has progressed since his massive knee injury in 2016. Keenum is the surest thing of the three.
Verdict: Tag Keenum, and angle to retain one of the other two for competition.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Settle on a solution at defensive tackle
This dilemma ties into both the potential retention of Dontari Poe and an extension for Grady Jarrett. Let's address the latter first, even though Jarrett still has a year left on his contract. He has emerged as one of the team's dominant forces and is a homegrown talent who is not yet 25. With one year left on a deal that will pay him just $705,000 for 2018, Jarrett would likely be open to an extension now. From a team perspective, doing a deal a year in advance of free agency might lower the average annual value (players on the open market almost always see significant money) and ensure a key piece is tied up for the long haul.
Verdict: Prioritize an extension for Jarrett, and angle to retain Poe on a three-year deal.
Carolina Panthers
Left guard Andrew Norwell (and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei)
If you don't know about Norwell yet, get familiar. The punishing left guard is about to get paid, as he has established himself as a top player -- and comparable guards have seen massive paydays in free agency recently. A long-term deal for Norwell that pays an average annual value of $10 million awaits -- from Carolina or another team. While Lotulelei can be a force, the Panthers are much better equipped to replace him if he were to depart.
Verdict: Pay up to retain Norwell on a long-term deal.
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback Drew Brees
After two early-season defeats, it looked as though the Saints were headed toward another season without the postseason. That prompted questions as to whether the team needed to press reset and allow Brees to finish his historic career elsewhere. That's a distant memory, however, as following a run to the postseason and a reinvigorated roster, New Orleans is right back on track. Brees has shown zero signs of physical regression, meaning a long-term investment in him is not a risk -- it's prudent. One note to keep in mind: His previous deal prevents New Orleans from using its franchise tag on him.
Verdict: Hammer home a four-year deal.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cornerback Brent Grimes
Grimes continues to defy age, as at 34 he remains a supremely productive player. He perpetually finds the football with excellent man-to-man coverage skills and is a leader for a Buccaneers cornerback group that leaned on quite a bit of youth this season. If Grimes covets the chance to compete for a championship, he might choose to look elsewhere, but Tampa Bay has a need at cornerback and could part ways with other veteran defenders this offseason.
Verdict: Try to sign Grimes to a two-year deal.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Cornerback Tramon Williams
Williams was yet another outstanding veteran find by general manager Steve Keim, who has a knack for signing players who help Arizona to short-term deals. The question here is: Do the retirements of Carson Palmer and coach Bruce Arians signify an organizational rebuild for the Cardinals under new coach Steve Wilks? If the team thinks that is the case, cultivating young talent should be the priority. If the team thinks the playoffs are within reach provided it can find a quarterback, retaining Williams makes sense. My two cents is that Arizona hedges closer toward this being a (quick) rebuild, working to pad the roster with young talent and a quarterback this offseason.
Verdict: Let Williams walk.
Los Angeles Rams
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson
There is a spirited conversation to be had about Johnson's value, as some around the NFL view him as a player better suited to be a strong complementary corner than a true lockdown defender. After successive franchise tags, Johnson is no doubt looking for that lockdown corner money, and the Rams are in a healthy salary-cap standpoint with a major need at the position. But given the need to extend Aaron Donald and an interest in retaining Sammy Watkins, and with an eye toward the future (Todd Gurley is now eligible for an extension, for example), the team must be mindful of balancing the books in terms of which players are financial priorities.
Verdict: Let Johnson walk.
San Francisco 49ers
What to do at running back
The 49ers relied on two running backs in 2017: Carlos Hyde and Matt Breida. Hyde is now set to be a free agent, while Breida was acquired as an undrafted free agent last year. The latter underscores a track record for coach Kyle Shanahan, who has had notable success with running backs who arrive to the NFL with lesser pedigree, whether it's Alfred Morris (sixth round) in Washington or Devonta Freeman (fourth round) in Atlanta. The Niners used a fourth-round pick in 2017 on Joe Williams, and if they consider adding more backs into the fold this year, they could again find value in the later rounds of the draft.
Verdict: Let Hyde walk, draft another running back on Day 3.
Seattle Seahawks
Wide receiver Paul Richardson and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson
Paul Richardson enters free agency after a career year, likely tempting him to test the open market, where he would be a coveted commodity. It's hard to understand why the Seahawks would have traded a second-round pick last year if they didn't consider Sheldon Richardson a priority to keep long term. Seattle has some cap juggling to do across the roster as it angles to keep its core intact long term, the byproduct of assembling a roster of strong talent. While the offensive line is the most significant need, Sheldon Richardson is an anchor on the defensive line. Paul Richardson will likely see very good money in free agency. Seattle utilized a third-round pick on Amara Darboh last year, putting him No. 2 in the pecking order here.
Verdict: Prioritize Sheldon Richardson while trying to keep Paul Richardson.