The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- In the first installment of PFR’s Offseason in Review series, Dallas examined how the Cincinnati Bengals responded after their stunning playoff exit. Noting the team did not intend to bring back both safeties, Dallas points out that George Iloka‘s status makes the back-line defender incredibly likely to play out his second Bengals contract and examines why Cincinnati handled its No. 2 wide receiver spot the way it did. He also categorized the Giovani Bernard extension as a prescient move by the running back.
- Connor then continued the 2016 series with the Bills, who re-signed two offensive linemen in Richie Incognito and Cordy Glenn but did not make many splashes in acquiring outside talent. Tabbing Reggie Ragland as the David Harris-type linebacker Rex Ryan lacked in 2015, Connor also notes that GM Doug Whaley‘s extension doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be around for the Bills‘ 2017 campaign if the team that owns the NFL’s longest playoff drought takes a step backward.
- We kicked off our Impact Rookies series by profiling three AFC South franchises. The Texans went offense with their first four selections, and Dave-Te Thomas examined how that will aid the defending division champions in their quest to advance in the postseason.
- The Jaguars selected two players who were thought to be top-five prospects in Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack. Thomas said the Jaguars sprinted to the podium in both instances, with Jack, if healthy, profiling as an impact candidate for Jacksonville on the strong side.
- The Titans traded out of the No. 1 spot and selected Jack Conklin, whom Thomas pencils in as Tennessee’s immediate right tackle option, before adding Derrick Henry in Round 2. Although, Henry faces a less-certain situation as a rookie.
- Dallas asked readers in our Community Tailgate section which player will sign the first $25MM-AAV contract after Andrew Luck‘s Colts extension left him short of that threshold. He mentions quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Drew Brees among those that could accomplish this, with each potentially being drawn to a shorter contract.
- Dwight Freeney intends to play in a 15th season, and Dallas looked at the top 10 teams that would be the best fits for the former All-Pro pass-rusher. In addition to the Cardinals, with whom Freeney’s said he’d prefer a reunion, Dallas mentioned the Chiefs and Cowboys as possible landing spots considering their depleted situations outside.
- Nick Foles will almost certainly not be with the Rams for a second season, and Dallas zeroes in on seven teams that loom as potential trade partners for Los Angeles. Along with teams that don’t have much behind their starters like the Seahawks and Cowboys, Dallas notes teams like the Chiefs and Jets — who each boast multiple late-round fliers behind their current starters — as options to trade for Foles.
- Ben rounded up the best of the football blogs in his latest edition of Pigskin Links.