This NFL offseason should be very active and exciting, as it will be the first full one under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Free Agency will offer several potential impact players, such as Saints OG Carl Nicks, Colts WR Reggie Wayne, Texans DE Mario Williams, 49'ers CB Carlos Rogers and Packers QB Matt Flynn. In addition, we have the uncertainty that surrounds the future of Colts QB Peyton Manning. The Draft is always fun, and this year's crop should be a fairly deep one with two potential franchise quarterbacks, Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III.
And while much will happen over the next four months in both Free Agency and the Draft, it's never too early to look at some favorites for next year's Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Today, I will first look at some NFC contenders, before I follow up later with the AFC.
From the NFC, the Giants, Packers, Saints and 49'ers should once again be in the hunt next year, but the Lions are closing in fast and the Eagles will be in the mix.
The Giants got healthy at the right time in 2011, and they can be even better in 2012. For one, LT William Beatty will be back healthy, which will allow David Diehl to shift back inside to guard or even over to RT to replace the aging Kareem McKenzie. Diehl and McKenzie were exploited by the 49'ers' edge quickness in the playoffs and at times by the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Giants will also return CB Terrell Thomas, who is an above average corner who missed 2011 with an injury. The Giants may lose WR Mario Manningham through free agency, so they would be wise to add some depth at WR, along with bringing in a veteran TE and a young RB.
The Packers have some decisions to make in free agency on C Scott Wells, QB Matt Flynn and TE Jermichael Finley, but they're a fairly young squad that is built for the long haul. They do need 2011 Rookie OT Derek Sherrod and young OT Marshall Newhouse to improve, especially if aging veteran Chad Clifton is unable to return. Either way, the Packers need to become more stout at LT. They also need to add some interior bulk on the their defensive line, along with an edge rusher opposite OLB Clay Matthews. The Giants were physically more powerful and explosive in the trenches in the playoffs vs the Packers, so upgrades are needed along both lines.
The Saints should once again have a dominant offense in 2012, though they must decide if they can afford massive Pro Bowl OG Carl Nicks, who is on the wish list of many teams including the Cowboys. The Saints signed fellow OG Jahri Evans to a 7-year/$56.7 million deal in 2010, so they may not be able to bring back the talented Nicks. Either way, the Saints would be wise to add some depth at OT, along with a potential difference maker at DT and LB this offseason.
The 49'ers were one of the surprise teams in 2011, but they will not sneak up on anyone in 2012, and their Division opponents should also improve next fall. The 49'ers must decide first if they want to bring back free agent QB Alex Smith, while also deciding on whether they can bring back two all-pro caliber players in their secondary -- S Dashon Goldson and CB Carlos Rogers. If I had to bet, I see at least Smith and Goldson returning, and Rogers possibly being replaced by rising 2011 rookie CB, Chris Culliver. That said, the 49'ers may have fewer holes than any team in football, as they have a defense with six potential Pro Bowl performers and an offense that's solid at almost every position except WR, where they're starving for a playmaker and a vertical threat. DeSean Jackson, Mario Manningham or Robert Meachem could be a welcome addition through Free Agency and give Smith a needed downfield boost.
The Lions made great progress in 2011 behind the development of QB Matt Stafford, the big plays of WR Calvin Johnson and an improving defense. On offense, the Lions would be wise to bring in at least two offensive linemen though Free Agency, as well as draft an OT in the first two rounds. They will receive a boost at RB if Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure can return to health. Leshoure suffered a season-ending injury in preseason last year, and if healthy, he can be a bruising three-down difference maker for the Lions. On defense, the Lions need to bring back free agent DE Cliff Avril, who is one of the better and more underrated edge rushers in football, as well as free agent tackling machine, LB Stephen Tulloch. They also need young players like DT Nick Fairley to mature and take the next step in their development. If they can also add a playmaker at CB, the Lions are positioned to make noise in 2012.
Also, don't forget about the 2012 Eagles, a team who still has an elite LT, several playmakers on offense and the ability to get to the QB off the edge on defense. They need to add at least two LB's this offseason, along with a stout DT inside, but this is a squad that weathered several changes in 2011 and still has a solid Head Coach and Front Office.
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