Buffalo Bills
Cap Space - $ -14.2 Million
Coaching Changes - Chris Tabor: Special Teams Coordinator
Key Departures - Micah Hyde SAF
Rasul Douglas CB
Amari Cooper WR
Damar Hamlin SAF
Jordan Phillips DT
Mack Hollins WR
Reggie Gilliam FB
Dawuane Smoot DE
Ty Johnson RB
Austin Johnson DT
Quinton Jefferson DT
The Bills yet again came up short to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. With another remarkable season in the books of the McDermott-Allen era, the Bills have to hit Free Agency once again with the sole mindset of their first Super Bowl Appearance since 1994. After a 2024 season that was supposed to be a "rebuilding year" in which they went 13-4 and made it to the AFC Championship, their future looks good.
Josh Allen won a controversial MVP award this season after another remarkable Dual-Threat season. The biggest reason Josh Allen is assumed to have won the award was the lack of skill weapons around him. Even a midseason trade for Amari Cooper couldn't salvage the lack of weapons Allen had and it cost them. The team's old-school, "build from the trenches" and "next man up" mentality clearly makes for a great team but this offseason needs to be about making themselves an elite team that can not only make it to the Super Bowl but win one.
Free Agency Predictions
Skill position players and Defensive Backs are the biggest needs by far for the Bills and with a lack of Cap Space, the most efficient and cheap players will be the targets.
Players like Demarcus Robinson, Zay Jones, Tyler Boyd and KJ Osborn are all scheme fit-WRs that could be signed for $4M per year. For DBs, Jeff Okudah, Justin Simmons and Tre White are all experienced DBs in a 4-3 scheme for $5 million or less. The Bills should try and sign at least one from each field and likely no more due to their financial restraints.
A player like Deatrich Wise or Marcus Davenport would also fill some holes on their Defensive front for cheap, around $2.2M to $2.9M.
Draft Predictions
The Bills may be picking almost at the end of every round but they are one of 4 teams to have 3 picks in the first 2 rounds. At Pick 30, the Bills will have a chance at all 3 positions of need. While none of the projected Round 1 WRs will likely be available, one of the injured CBs in Ben Morrison and Shavon Revel will likely be there at 30 and several D linemen too.
In my most recent Mock Draft 3.0, (https://www.fansonlysportz.com/post/zak-drapeau-s-nfl-mock-draft-3-0-1) I picked Texas A&M Defensive tackle Shemar Stewart for the Bills' first round pick then Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins and Ole Miss WR Tre Harris in the second round. The Bills will likely use their remaining picks to draft DBs and possibly a late-round receiver.
The skill positions are at an abundance in Day 2 picks so if the Bills were to get 2 weapons, (likely 2 WRs) on that day and go after defensive positions of need for every other pick, they could finish off a 2-offseason rebuild that could make them champions sooner than later.
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Miami Dolphins
Cap Space - $ -11.7 Million
Coaching Changes - Craig Auckerman: Special Teams Coordinator
Key Departures - Jevon Holland SAF
Robert Jones OG
Isaiah Wynn OG
Jordan Poyer SAF
Emmanuel Ogbah DE
Calais Campbell DE
Anthony Walker LB
The Dolphins 2024 season was one plagued with injury, drama and an underwhelming 8-9 season. The biggest reason for this was the early concussion to Tua Tagovailoa, his third in the last three seasons and his 4th since 2019. Tua's medical suspension of four games was necessary but came at a cost of the team going 1-4 in games he was injured. The team with Tua had an impressive 7-5 record and gave hope to the new $212 million QB's future.
The team would also have drama with ongoing criminal cases against their "best player" Tyreek Hill. Hill's "extra-curricular" activities and then comments against the team indicating a trade request after the season have drove a wedge between him and the rest of the team. Being that the two most important players on their roster had tumultuous seasons that put their future in doubt, mixed with a negative cap space heading into the offseason, the Dolphins do not seem to have a bright future in the horizon.
Free Agency Prediction
With $ -11.7 Million dollars in cap space, the Dolphins won't be able to make a lot of moves unless they dump some salary. I'm not saying cutting or trading Tyreek Hill is a smart move but it would certainly open up some opportunities for the Fins.
If Tyreek's $28.7 million was taken off the books, the Dolphins could sign a replacement receiver and resign several of their key departures like Jevon Holland and Robert Jones.
Speaking of Holland and Jones, the biggest needs of the Dolphins are due to those departures. Safety and Interior offensive line will need to be addressed as both starters for both positions are UFAs. Not to mention if Tyreek leaves another Wide receiver or two will need to be added.
Some DBs for great value this offseason will be Macus Epps and M.J. Stewart. Both would be great short-term contracts for a team that needs experience in the back end.
The Guards in Free Agency this year are pretty abysmal unfortunately for the Dolphins. Greg Van Roten is cheap but will only have one serviceable year left in him.
Draft Predictions
In my mock, and in the Dolphins best case scenario, they draft Georgia S Malaki Starks. Starks is more than a Safety, but an all-around DB and a blue-chip prospect. If Starks is not available, odds are Alabama Guard Tyler Booker would be their first-round pick. In the second-round they select LB Jihaad Campbell who is one of the steals of the second round at pick 48.
The Dolphins will likely not move on from Tyreek and will need picks like Campbell, (Best Player Available) to make their roster competitive while not handicapping their future in negative cap room.
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New England Patriots
Cap Space - $ 119.8 Million
Coaching Changes - Mike Vrabel: Head Coach
Josh McDaniels: Offensive Coordinator
Terrell Williams: Defensive Coordinator
Key Departures - Jonathan Jones CB
Deatrich Wise DT
Austin Hooper TE
The Patriots may have the brightest future of any team currently in "rebuild mode". With a Franchise QB and CB on the roster, the most cap space in the league at almost $120 million, the #4 pick in the draft and a new, youthfully energetic coaching staff to build exactly how they want to.
The Patriots rebuild won't be easy by any means, with almost every position being considered one of need. The WR room, O-line and D-line will be the biggest needs currently. The new regime of coaches under Mike Vrabel will lead to assume a defensive rebuild will take priority.
Free Agency Predictions
With $120 Millions to work with, it's no question why some of the top FAs this cycle have been linked to the Patriots. Players like Tee Higgins, Trey Smith and Dre Greenlaw are all expected to sign for $20 Million or more per year have generated buzz with the Patriots for how they could be persuaded with bags of cash. Higgins in particular will be the top priority as a Top-5 Free Agent in the biggest position of need for the team.
The Patriots will not spend all of their cap space this offseason and will likely make 7 to10 "medium-priced" acquisitions rather than 3 or 4 larger signings. Signing 2 O-linemen and 2 D-linemen along with a Superstar WR and a Superstar Defensive player would be the best way to kick off the Vrabel-era.
Draft Predictions
With the #4 pick, the Patriots will surely get a Blue-Chip prospect, but who? CB Travis Hunter, Edge Rusher Abdul Carter or DT Mason Graham will be the Top-3 prospects for the Patriots along with O-lineman Will Campbell, depending on where the biggest need is after Free Agency. As the only non-QB needy team in the Top-4, the Patriots have a chance to trade down for the right return, but with such talented prospects on the board, should just take their guy.
For the next two rounds the Patriots should again go BPA as they continue to just stack talented young players to build their core. In my mock draft I have them drafting Mason Graham in the First-Round and OT Aireontae Ersery in the second. A third round selection of either Josiah Stewart or Donovan Ezeiraku (or the best Edge Rush available) will complete a great start to the 2025 draft for the Patriots.
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New York Jets
Cap Space - ~ $ 31 Million ~
Coaching Changes - Aaron Glenn: Head Coach
Tanner Engstrand: Offensive Coordinator
Steve Wilks: Defensive Coordinator
Chris Banjo: Special Teams Coordinator
Key Departures - Tyron Smith OT
DJ Reed CB
Davante Adams WR
Aaron Rodgers QB
Morgan Moses OT
Hassan Reddick OLB
Tyler Conklin TE
Free Agency Predictions
The Jets have confirmed Aaron Rodgers departure thus making Davante Adams and Allen Lazard's imminent. With the "Green Bay Packers" era of the Jets firmly in the rear view and the Aaron Glenn-era beginning, the Jets need to get back to their roots. A stifling defense and a run-first offense.
Breece Hall and an above-average and young O-line gives you a head start on offense and Sauce Gardner will always be great for your defense. A Quarterback needs to and will be signed after Aaron Rodgers' departure along with pass catchers. The team also needs to replace their Safety group and add pass rushers. Signing Justin Fields should be the team's TOP priority or Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson as a backup Bridge QB backup. WRs in their price range include DeAndre Hopkins or Brandin Cooks or even Mike Gesicki as a new TE. Defensive players like Demarcus Lawrence or Josh Sweat would immediately pair with Will MacDonald IV for a terrific pass rush and Jordan Fuller or Justin Simmons will return the secondary to being feared.
Draft Predictions
The Jets hold the #7 pick in the draft and after a QB is hopefully taken in Free Agency, the team should go WR or CB at the selection. If Blue-Chips WR Tet McMillan or CB Will Johnson make it to them it'll be an easy decision. If not, QBs Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders will likely be there and the Jets should take serious consideration on if either could be their future.
As for their next couple of picks, the Jets sorely need WRs, and if Tet McMillan isn't selected at 7, their rounds 2 and 3 picks should be for skill positions or even TEs and RBs too. This team's offense (especially pass game) will be brand new next year and it should have weapons for which ever QB starts in New York next season.
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-Z.D. (@Drapeau_Zak)
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