Dashing the offseason optimism: Which NFL teams are on the decline?
Organized team activities are upon us, and all 32 teams are excited about their offseason additions and ascending young players.
Unfortunately, not everyone can finish 16-0. A number of teams will be moving in the wrong direction in 2018. As an intriguing offseason comes to a close, a handful of coaches will be scavenging their roster in an effort to replace talented departures.
Here are four teams whose optimism may be unwarranted, and their questionable spring transactions could result in a decline this upcoming season.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills' 2017 campaign was a success by all accounts. First-year head coach and general manager duo Sean Dermott and Brandon Beane led Buffalo to their first playoff appearance since 1999 despite a season-long quarterback controversy and new-look defense. Bills Mafia's playoff euphoria may be short-lived, however, as the team may decline before they progress further.
McDermott's biggest hit this spring came on the offensive line. The Bills traded left tackle Cordy Glenn to the Cincinnati Bengals, and saw both Eric Wood and Richie Incognito retire. While Dion Dawkins played well as a rookie replacing an injured Glenn, losing three key offensive linemen in one offseason is not ideal. Buffalo did add Russell Bodine and Marshall Newhouse in free agency, but neither are impact starters. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bills lost E.J. Gaines and Preston Brown via free agency.
While Beane had an eye toward the future when selecting Josh Allen seventh overall last month, the move likely won't reap immediate rewards. Whether Allen or newcomer AJ McCarron earn the starting job in Week 1, they'll have limited weapons at their disposal. Buffalo has arguably the worst receiving corps in the NFL, led by Kelvin Benjamin and Zay Jones, who had a peculiar offseason in his own right.
Seattle Seahawks
An obvious inclusion on this list, the Seahawks are in the midst of a sizable transition. Gone are defensive veterans Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, and Sheldon Richardson. Most of the pieces that led to incredible success between 2012-16 have now departed, and the Legion of Boom has all but disbanded.
Things don't get any easier on the offensive side of the ball. Productive tight end Jimmy Graham bolted to the Green Bay Packers in March, and second-leading receiver Paul Richardson signed with the Washington Redskins. Add these to the fact Seattle failed to upgrade their offensive line, and star quarterback Russell Wilson may be in for a frustrating 2018.
The Seahawks still have Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright leading their defense, and Rashaad Penny was drafted in the first round to help bolster a lackluster run game, but Pete Carroll's squad may be in for a rebuild. In addition to the team's veteran departures, safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor may also have their cord cut from Seattle in the near future. Times are changing.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins finished 6-10 last year, and are no sure bet to improve in 2018. You'd be hard-pressed to find a team that lost more talent this offseason than Miami. The release of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and trade of receiver Jarvis Landry were salary-cap motivated, but there's no question Adam Gase lost his most dynamic player on both sides of the ball. The duo owns eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro nods between them.
It's one thing to lose two talented players, it's another to fail in replacing them. The Dolphins signed Albert Wilson and Danny Amendola this spring, but neither is expected to replicate Landry's production. As for Suh, Miami traded for former Detroit Lion Akeem Spence earlier this month, but he is more of a rotational lineman, and assumed starters Jordan Phillips and Davon Godchaux have been inconsistent at best thus far.
Despite the team expressing confidence in quarterback Ryan Tannehill as he returns from season-ending knee surgery, the Dolphins' only insurance policy comes in the form of Brock Osweiler. If Tannehill misses time in 2018 or does not return to form, things could get ugly fast in Miami.
New England Patriots
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion on this list, we shouldn't be afraid to speak ill of the Patriots' 2018 outlook. Even with reigning MVP Tom Brady leading the offense, New England does not have the look of a 13-3 club. Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels lost a number of talented players on offense; namely Dion Lewis, Nate Solder, and Cameron Fleming. The team drafted Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel in the first round, but they are not guaranteed to succeed as rookies. With injury concerns at wide receiver (Julian Edelman, Malcolm Mitchell, Jordan Matthews), and Rob Gronkowski's distracting retirement rumors, the Patriots could easily take a step back this season.
Now, let's talk about New England's defense. The team added pass-rusher Adrian Clayborn and interior lineman Danny Shelton, but don't let that hide the glaring weakness in the secondary. Stephon Gilmore and Devin McCourty are talented, but the Patriots gave up 41 points and 374 passing yards to a Nick Foles-led Philadelphia Eagles team in Super Bowl LII. Malcolm Butler may have helped halt Doug Pederson's aerial attack, but the former Super Bowl hero's Patriot career ended in controversy, and the cornerback signed with the Tennessee Titans in March. With Patrick Chung and newly-acquired Jason McCourty on the wrong side of 30, New England has declined at a position they so desperately needed to improve.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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