We’re just days away from the 2023 NFL free agency period, but there’s already been a slew of moves that are expected to change the complexion of the league next season. With new faces in new places across the league, we’re using this space to identify the most interesting tweaks both in attack and defense.
We started on Friday with highlighting our most interesting players in attack, and continue into the space below looking at the defensive side of the ball. It is important to note that we are looking for the more interesting players, and not necessarily the best. Zach Allen is a good player, but we already know what that type of player looks like in the context of Broncos defense, so he won’t be highlighted here although we’ll take a look at other players who don’t. they may not be. so impactful.
Without delay…
It’s an intriguing signing because just a few years ago the 49ers traded a similar player (DeForest Buckner) for a first-round pick instead of giving him a long-term contract. The Niners used that first-round selection on Javon Kinlaw, but he struggled to stay healthy and produce at a high level alongside Arik Armstead on the inside. Now San Francisco has brought in another high-profile troublemaker to partner Armstead and Nick Bosa, and it’s interesting that he operates from the defensive tackle spot, while starting Charles Omenihu was an edge rusher. . It could slightly change the complexion of what has long been one of the best defenses in the NFL, which was already about to change with Steve Wilks taking over from DeMeco Ryans as defensive coordinator.
The Browns have struggled a lot to stop the run in recent seasons. Enter Tomlinson, one of the league’s best body eaters on the defensive end. For the past two years, they had a pocket guy working opposite Myles Garrett at Jadeveon Clowney. Okoronkwo is more of a pure speed threat that goes around the edge. These two signings dramatically change the look of Cleveland’s defensive line. In Thornhill, the Browns find someone who can patrol the deep parts of the field and come in to stop the run or defend tight ends, which makes him a good fit alongside Grant Delpit. Cleveland’s defense has had plenty of talent, but hasn’t been up to snuff lately. Perhaps this trio can bridge (or at least reduce) the gap between perception and reality.
Minnesota Vikings
I like to pair these two players because the Vikings make similar bets on both. Davenport (26) and Murphy (25) are both young, well-pedigrated (Davenport was a first-round pick and Murphy was a second-round pick) who have been somewhat inconsistent and yet to reach the heights that their editorial teams hoped they’d achieve. But they were always productive players and the Vikings signed them all to affordable short-term contracts. If it doesn’t work, the team can leave in a year. If so, then Minnesota has Murphy under contract for a second season and can use the franchise tag or enter a long-term contract with Davenport, who still has passing throwing advantages.
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Just as was the case with signing Hargrave to San Francisco, a decent part of the intrigue here comes from the fact that the Bears traded Roquan Smith last season and then signed not one, but two linebackers. for long-term contracts. Edmunds got a bigger, longer contract as a young player with a higher upside both as a cover player and wide tackle, but he also wasn’t the most consistent force in his career. . Last season was his best yet, though, and the Bears are obviously betting that will be a sign of things to come. Chicago also paired him with Edwards, who is a more stable second-tier veteran. Head coach Matt Eberflus served as the linebackers coach in Cleveland and Dallas for a long time before becoming the defensive coordinator in Indianapolis, which landed him the job in Chicago. The fact that his team invests so much in players in this position is a sign of what he values in a defense.
New defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero uses a lot of heavy defensive packs, and in Bell he finds someone who has experience in many different covers (and different roles within them) thanks to his time playing for Lou Anarumo in Cincinnati. Dropping him into a secondary that already includes Jeremy Chinn and Xavier Woods gives Evero the flexibility to mix and match his staff and dress up his covers however he likes.
Commercial purchases
Both of these players are still playing at a very high level, and yet they came at a relatively low cost thanks to the combination of their salaries and their former teams’ place in the Discord lifecycle. Miami grabbed Ramsey to team up with Xavien Howard, and only had to give up a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long. Dallas played Gilmore opposite Trevon Diggs and only had to give up a penalty fifth round. These are great deals, helping teams fill holes in their roster with quality talent that far exceeds the acquisition price.
