I made my best attempt to conquer the biggest offseason additions of the AFC already, now it’s time to look at the NFC. It felt as if the AFC became a super division, while the NFC remained stagnant. But if you take a closer look, there were some great underrated moves made by NFC teams this offseason. Here are the top offseason additions for NFC teams in 2022.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys 2022 Offseason Move
DE Dante Fowler, signed to a 1 year, 5 million dollar deal: Randy Gregory received a fat contract from Denver after tallying 6 sacks in 2021. This left a hefty gap at edge rusher on the opposite side of DeMarcus Lawrence that Dallas needed to fill. Fowler is a good value pickup as he made 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks for Atlanta last season, and Jerry Jones didn’t have to pay him top dollar.
Washington Commanders 2022 Offseason Move
Traded for QB Carson Wentz from Indianapolis for 2 draft picks: Since 2017, Washington has had ten different starting quarterbacks and none have been more than a flash in the pan with minimal success. While Wentz may not be Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, the NDSU alum is a real upgrade from Heinicke and makes the Commanders an actual contender in the NFC East.
Philadelphia Eagles 2022 Offseason Move
The eagles signed LB Haason Reddick to a 3 year, 45 million dollar deal: Reddick is coming home. The Temple alum now finds himself back in Philly, giving the Eagles an edge in the pass rushing game. In his lone season with the Panthers in 2021, Reddick recorded 11 sacks and 68 tackles. Adding these kind of numbers would be a huge addition for the Eagles front seven.. Who only tallied 29 sacks last year.
New York Giants 2022 Offseason Move
G Mark Glowinski, signed to a 3 year, 20 million dollar deal: The Giants didn’t do much in free agency, but adding Glowinski was a key, underrated signing. The former Colt posted a PFF grade of 70.1% while allowing 2 sacks on 843 snaps.
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings 2022 Offseason Move
The Viking signed OLB Za’Darius Smith to a 3 year, 47 million dollar deal: Minnesota didn’t get off to a fast start in free agency, but towards the end landed a big time pass rusher in Smith. Smith didn’t play in 2021 due to injury, but in the two years prior he tallied 26 sacks. So if he’s healthy in 2022 along with Hunter, we could see the leagues next best pass rushing duo.
Green Bay Packers 2022 Offseason Move
The Packers Re-signed LB De’Vondre Campbell to a 5 year, 50 million dollar deal: I was certain that Campbell would be in a different uniform next season, but Green Bay made sure to keep the All Pro in Wisconsin. He’s a proven leader that plays sideline to sideline as he made 146 tackles in 2021.
Detroit Lions 2022 Offseason Move
WR D.J. Chark, signed to a 1 year, 10 million dollar deal: I love this under the radar addition. While some teams went out and added big name weapons for big money, Detroit signed Chark who played in just a handful of games last season due to a broken ankle. The year prior, he caught 53 passes for 706 yards.
Chicago Bears 2022 Offseason Move
Nothing: Chicago dealt one of the leagues top pass rushers for peanuts and made probably the worst signing of the offseason, guard Dakota Dozier. Dozier was on the Vikings roster in 2021 and didn’t see time; but in 2020 posted a PFF grade of 44.6% and allowed 6 sacks. I love seeing the Bears botch free agency. Poverty franchise.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022 Offseason Move
The Bucs traded for G Shaq Mason from New England for one draft pick: This trade was highway robbery. Shaq Mason is one of the leagues top guards as he allowed 1 sack on 955 snaps with a PFF grade of 85.2%. Tampa Bay lost Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa this offseason and had vacancies at each guard position so adding Mason means that they won’t miss a beat in 2022.
New Orleans Saints 2022 Offseason Move
Re-signed QB Jameis Winston to a 2 year, 28 million dollar deal: It’s uncertain what QBs will be available at 16 or 19 so securing Jameis for two more seasons is key. If the FSU alum can stay healthy in 2022 then New Orleans poses a legitimate threat to Tampa Bay in the NFC South; and if the Saints decide to ride with Winston then they can add weapons around him in the first round.
Carolina Panthers 2022 Offseason Move
The Panthers signed C Bradley Bozeman to a 1 year, 2.8 million dollar deal: Carolina made some solid signings this offseason and definitely improved, but adding Bradley Bozeman on such a cheap deal was their best. Bozeman allowed 3 sacks on 1,125 snaps and posted a PFF grade of 73.3% in 2021. The NFC South has good interior defenders and adding Bozeman to counteract that is huge.
Atlanta Falcons 2022 Offseason Move
The Falcons re-signed RB Cordarrelle Patterson to a 2 year, 10.5 million dollar deal: Patterson took a massive pay cut to stay in the ATL, and the Falcons are thrilled. He’s a jack-of-all-trades that keeps defenses guessing on every play. Patterson has the potential to be Atlantas best player next year and will be a lone bright spot on this dismal team.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers 2022 Offseason Move
San Fran signed CB Charvarius Ward to a 3 year, 40.5 million dollar deal: I think that San Fran may have overpaid for Ward, but they needed a cornerback for 2022. Last season for the Chiefs, Ward made 2 interceptions and 67 total tackles. This is a good replacement for Richard Sherman and will matchup with Metcalf, Kupp, and Hopkins well.
Seattle Seahawks 2022 Offseason Move
The Seahawks re-signed RB Rashaad Penny to a 1 year, 5.75 million dollar deal: While Rashaad Penny is Seattles RB2, he will be pivotal in Seattles 2022 success. Last year he rushed for 749 yards on 119 carries with 6 touchdowns, all while behind Chris Carson. Penny and Carson will need to carry more of a workload next season as the quarterback position is very shaky in the Grunge capital of the world.
Los Angeles Rams 2022 Offseason Move
The Rams signed WR Allen Robinson to a 3 year, 46.5 million dollar deal: The rich get richer. By adding Allen Robinson to the Rams arsenal, Matt Stafford and LAs offense become bigger bullies out west and look like the favorites to go back to back. In 12 games on a bad Bears team, Robinson caught 38 balls for 410 yards.
Arizona Cardinals 2022 Offseason Move
Finally in Arizona.. CB Jeff Gladney, signed to a 2 year, 4 million dollar deal: This one is bitter sweet to write about. Minnesota dropped Gladney after he was accused of domestic violence; he was found not guilty, now the Cardinals have a good young defensive back. In his rookie season in 2020, the TCU alum made 81 tackles and forced a fumble.
