NFL offseason questions

Originally Posted on The Maine Campus via UWIRE

The 2015 offseason will feature the same array of drama that we were entertained with last season as teams retool to attempt to make it to Super Bowl 50 in California. Here are some of the major questions that will be addressed in the coming weeks.

1.) A boy named Suh

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is arguably the biggest free agent on this year’s free agent market. At age 28, he is towards the end of the prime of his career, but still is a difference maker that many teams will overpay for. His poor attitude and antics on the field do hurt his value some, but they shouldn’t seriously cost him. I expect a team to make him close to, if not the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. I expect the Detroit Lions, New York Giants and maybe even the Seattle Seahawks to look into signing him.

2.) Dez or Demarco?

The Dallas Cowboys had a great season and look to take the next step next season into making it to at least the NFC Championship Game. Two of their biggest offensive playmakers are free agents this year in wide receiver Dez Bryant and running back Demarco Murray. If they need to pick one, there should be no hesitation in re-signing Bryant. Running backs are easily replaced in today’s NFL, and behind Dallas’s superb offensive line they can turn nearly any NFL running back into a pro bowl running back.

3.) Revis Island staying in Massachusetts?

Darrelle Revis finally has that elusive Super Bowl ring, as he was a key contributor to New England’s Super Bowl XLIX championship run. Now, the team has a huge question mark to address with him as he’s due $25 million next year, a sum not likely to be paid for by New England. The Patriots will look to extend his deal into a multi-year extension to help spread out the money. If they’re not able to, look for AFC East foes like the Jets and Bills to try to sign him. New England also has to resign safety Devin McCourty, making their offseason one to monitor closely.

4.) Mariota vs. Winston

Every year, the top quarterbacks in the draft are put on a pedestal and compared against one another extensively. This year that puts FSU’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota at the top of the draft. While Winston is the much more NFL-ready quarterback, but his off-field issues make him a huge risk. Mariota is considered the more mature option, but his inability to run a pro-style offense leaves him with question marks. If I had to pick, I’d go with Winston because of his physical tools. But, by no means are either of these guys home-run picks.

5.) Contractless in Seattle

Seattle had benefited the last few seasons by paying Russell Wilson next to nothing by today’s NFL standards, but that is all about to change. Wilson is near the end of his rookie deal, and looks to be in for a massive contract. Seattle also has looming contract issues with cornerback Byron Maxwell and star running back Marshawn Lynch. Seattle’s ability to draft supplemental pieces to their team will be critical if they look to continue their dominance in the NFL going into the future.

6.) Denver weapons

Remember when the Broncos looked like the clear favorite to win Super Bowl XLIX in September and October? Well, unfortunately for them the Super Bowl is in February. Now, they are faced with huge questions this offseason as wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas are free agents. Throw in the fact it’s unknown if Peyton Manning will return and Denver looks like they could be entering the rebuild period.

7.) The curious case of Peterson, Rice, and Hardy

Finally, we come to the futures of Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and Greg Hardy. All three players look like they will hit the open market after having off-field issues with domestic violence. All three are talented players, and teams needing players at their respected positions might be tempted to sign them. I do think that all three will be playing in the NFL next year, and it will be interesting to see how the public responds to the teams that eventually sign him.

 

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