Super Bowl LIV is behind us, and we're looking ahead to the 2020 season. Over the next two weeks, our panel of NFL experts will dive deep into the offseason, answering the biggest questions on free agency, the 2020 NFL draft and the season ahead.
The topics our panel has hit so far (click the links to see the answers):
Which team that made the playoffs in 2019 won't make it in 2020?
Which team that didn't make the playoffs in 2019 will make it in 2020?
The way-too-early favorite to pick No. 1 overall in the 2021 draft
Picks for the 2020 MVP, and whether Patrick Mahomes could get No. 2
Who is the sneaky-good free agent that teams should covet next month?
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Austin Hooper, TE, Falcons. At age 25, with the route-running chops to win in the middle of the field, Hooper will have plenty of options on the open market. In 13 games last season, he caught 75 passes for 787 yards and five scores. An ideal fit for Hooper in 2020? Give me the Patriots.
Mike Clay, fantasy writer: Tre Boston, S, Panthers. What does Boston need to do to get some love on the free-agent market? The 27-year-old has played on cheap one-year deals with the Chargers, Cardinals and Panthers during the past three seasons, but he has been one of the league's better safeties during the span. A savvy franchise with a void at safety would be wise to lock down Boston to a multiyear contract.
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL writer: Robby Anderson, WR, Jets. Speed and size is hard to find, and Anderson brings that combination to his new team. Make him a vertical threat in an offense with a stable quarterback outlook and he'll top 1,000 yards in Year 1.
Dan Graziano, national NFL writer: Devin McCourty, S, Patriots. Lots of talk about Tom Brady leaving New England, but McCourty could be out of there, too. And while it has to be a short-term deal because he turns 33 in August, he could go somewhere and have a veteran-leader-type impact similar to the one Eric Weddle had in Baltimore.
Mina Kimes, senior NFL writer: Cory Littleton, LB, Rams. The inside linebacker has been a stud for the Rams since going undrafted in 2016; he finished the season ranked second among all linebackers in tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, with terrific coverage skills and sideline-to-sideline speed.
Jason Reid, senior writer, The Undefeated: Matthew Judon, DE/OLB, Ravens. The edge rusher has steadily produced, recording 8, 7 and 9.5 sacks, respectively, the past three seasons. He could be ready to make a big jump.
Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: S Anthony Harris, S, Vikings. Those who have been paying mild attention know that Harris has nine interceptions during the past two seasons, more than all but two players over that span. But those around the Vikings, and students of safety play, know he is a really good player on most of the snaps in between.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: Joe Thuney, G, Patriots. He shouldn't be called sneaky good, because he's just darn good. He has started an incredible 74 games through four seasons, playing more than 5,000 snaps as one of the better left guards in football. He's tough, strong, technical and incredibly durable. A team looking for a line anchor for the next five years will make him quite rich.
Design a realistic offseason trade that helps both teams:
Bowen: The Redskins trade Trent Williams to the Cardinals for a second-round pick. Even with a regime change in Washington, the relationship between Williams and the team could be beyond repair. This trade would allow the Redskins to receive a Day 2 pick, and the Cardinals would get an immediate upgrade on the offensive line to protect quarterback Kyler Murray.
Clay: The Lions trade Darius Slay to the Eagles for Sidney Jones and a third-round pick. There were rumors Slay -- one of the league's better shadow corners -- was available at the 2019 trade deadline, so perhaps he'll be moved this offseason. Slay just turned 29 and is headed into the final year of his contract. Cornerback has been a disaster for Philadelphia in recent seasons, so moving Jones, 23, and a Day 2 pick for a top corner in Slay (whom they'd likely extend) makes sense.
Fowler: The Cardinals trade David Johnson to the Buccaneers for a fourth-round pick. Johnson fell out of favor in Arizona but is 28 and not far removed from elite play. He has $10.2 million left in guarantees that the Bucs could easily roll into a reworked two-year deal, though Arizona would have to eat some dead-cap space after a trade. Tampa Bay has a long-standing need at the position, and Johnson offers a solution.
Graziano: The Chiefs trade Chris Jones to the Colts for a second-round pick and more. I don't think the Chiefs are going to give Jones the contract he wants, so I see him as a franchise-and-trade candidate a la Frank Clark and Dee Ford last year. The Colts love their second-round picks and might not want to part with one, and they don't love to spend big in free agency. But they also play in a division with Derrick Henry and Leonard Fournette, and they need to spend some money this year to get to the CBA's mandated salary floor. If there's a place I can see Colts general manager Chris Ballard spending big money, it's up front on one of the lines.
Seifert: The Bengals trade Andy Dalton to the Bears for a fourth-round draft pick that could rise to a third-rounder based on playing time. We all know the Bengals are moving on at quarterback, so anything they can get for Dalton is a positive. The Bears get a quarterback whom they can portray as a veteran backup but who is actually good enough to win and hold down the starting job if Mitchell Trubisky fails to improve.
Yates: The Browns trade Odell Beckham Jr. to the Raiders for the 19th pick in the 2020 draft. I know OBJ said he'd be back in Cleveland for 2020, but so much has changed since then, including the firing and subsequent hiring of the coach and general manager. And yes, the Raiders struck out on a trade for Antonio Brown last year, but their need for receiver help is desperate. While Beckham has had moments of immaturity, comparing him and the potential distraction to what Brown proved to be is just disingenuous. The Raiders are a team ready to make a leap and OBJ would give them a boost.
Which 2019 rookie will make the biggest jump in Year 2?
Bowen: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB, Saints. With the versatility to play at safety or in the slot, Gardner-Johnson's game jumps on tape. And, in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system, Gardner-Johnson can develop quickly into an impact talent who finds the ball. He had 49 tackles with an interception and forced fumble last season.
Clay: Jonah Williams, OT, Bengals. OK, I'm definitely cheating here after the No. 11 overall pick missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury. Still, all eyes will be on his progress with Cincinnati likely to draft a franchise quarterback with the top pick in April's draft. The Alabama product holding down the fort on the blind side will be key to a step forward for this offense in 2020.
Fowler: Noah Fant, TE, Broncos. The Broncos are all-in on a passing-game nucleus of Drew Lock, Courtland Sutton and Fant, who struggled with drops but has obvious ability. Increase his target share and watch him blossom.
Graziano: Daniel Jones, QB, Giants. I think he will get the turnover issue ironed out (12 INTs and 12 fumbles last season) and emerges as a more consistent performer. We've seen the high-end ability, and as the Giants improve around him, Jones will establish himself as a real-deal franchise quarterback.
Kimes: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions. The No. 8 overall pick had an underwhelming rookie season, finishing with just 367 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. But it's not uncommon for tight ends to struggle during their rookie seasons, and based on the talent Hockenson flashed in college, he should bounce back when he gets to play a full season with quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2020.
Reid: Terry McLaurin, WR, Redskins. With 58 catches and seven touchdowns, he was great while emerging as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise awful season for Washington. Polished and a hard worker, he'll continue to improve.
Seifert: Ed Oliver, DT, Bills. Five sacks as a rookie defensive tackle wasn't enough to garner national attention, but Oliver displayed the kind of quickness and upfield speed that could make him a major force in 2020.
Yates: N'Keal Harry, WR, Patriots. It was a slow start impacted by injuries -- he had 12 catches in seven games -- but a close look at Harry's traits reveals a physical, imposing presence. The Patriots will likely be busy shopping for pass-catchers this offseason, but Harry's development is a prime route to get better; I'm a firm believer he'll look like a stud in 2020.
If Jadeveon Clowney, Shaquil Barrett or Yannick Ngakoue reach free agency, _____________ is the team that must try to sign one of them.
Bowen: Giants. They could opt to spend a bunch of money to bring back free agent Leonard Williams to boost their interior. But general manager Dave Gettleman should look at either Clowney or Barrett, while also using the No. 4 overall pick on Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown to continue building the defensive front in New York.
Clay: Jets. Jamal Adams, C.J. Mosley, Avery Williamson, Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson and Marcus Maye. That's a pretty good defensive core, but you'll notice there are no edge rushers or cornerbacks listed. General manager Joe Douglas needs to be aggressive in improving both positions this offseason, and landing one of the above names would go a long way.
Fowler: Titans. The playoffs showed this defense is close but needs one more pass-rusher. Barrett would be an ideal fit for the Titans' 3-4 scheme, and with a projected $55 million in cap space, Tennessee might be able to lock up several of its in-house free agents and have enough for a splash defensive move, too.
Graziano: Giants. You could put almost any team in here, since everybody always needs pass-rushers and these are high-end guys. But the Giants were the first team that popped into my head. They need a total defensive rebuild, and as they well know, there's no better place to start than up front and on the edge.
Kimes: Dolphins. As of now, they've have nearly $90 million in cap space; while Miami might add a pass-rusher early in the draft (after taking its quarterback), I imagine coach Brian Flores will want to add a veteran star to lead his defense, which needs to add talent at every level.
Reid: Jets. They have some really nice pieces on the defensive side of the ball, but they need an edge rusher. With more than $50 million in cap space, they have the money to spend.
Seifert: Falcons. There weren't many teams with weaker pass rushes in 2019. The Falcons ranked No. 31 in the NFL with a 21.5% pressure rate and, after announcing plans to part ways with linebacker Vic Beasley (eight sacks in 2019), need another defensive game-changer to challenge for a playoff spot.
Yates: Dolphins. Equipped with substantial money to spend, the Dolphins don't want to be merely bystanders in free agency this offseason. They were among the teams linked to Clowney prior to him being traded to Seattle, and pass-rusher is a target for them in a major way over the next few months.
Patrick Mahomes in 2018. Lamar Jackson in 2019. Who's your pick to be the breakout quarterback of 2020?
Bowen: Drew Lock, Broncos. Lock has all the traits of a top-end thrower -- plus decent movement skills -- to make the second-year jump under new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Up next for Denver? Bolster the offense around its quarterback, adding more speed to pair with the big-play ability of wide receiver Courtland Sutton and tight end Noah Fant.
Clay: Kyler Murray, Cardinals. Mahomes and Jackson broke out in their second professional season, and I fully expect that to be the case for Murray. The first overall pick in 2019 got plenty of experience as a rookie, ranking ninth in the league in pass attempts and third in carries. With a better supporting cast and in coach Kliff Kingsbury's second season, Murray is primed for a giant step forward.
Fowler: Daniel Jones, Giants. He makes big plays, he's mobile, and the Giants should have better support around him. If he learns to take care of the ball -- he had 12 interceptions and fumbled 12 times last season -- he'll be a huge presence in the NFC East.
Graziano: Daniel Jones, Giants. The turnovers are a major problem, but they were for Jackson this time last year, too. Jones gets that problem ironed out under a new, more engaged coaching staff, and we see more of the splash games from a Giants team that ... I mean, it has to get better one of these years, right?
Kimes: Kyler Murray, Cardinals. Until the end of the 2019 season, when he was banged up, Murray displayed many of the tools that compelled the Cardinals to take him first overall -- athleticism, a live arm and an electric ability to make plays outside the pocket. Both he and Kingsbury improved as the season went on, and I expect the pair to take another leap forward in 2020.
Reid: Kyler Murray, Cardinals. He'd might as well wear a T-shirt that reads "Next."
Seifert: Baker Mayfield, Browns. While Murray is the obvious (and possibly correct) answer, we shouldn't overlook the potential impact of the Browns' new coaching staff on Mayfield. I expect Kevin Stefanski to do the same thing for Mayfield that he did for Kirk Cousins in 2019: Identify what Mayfield does well and emphasize it throughout every game plan. The Browns have more than enough weapons to make it work around him.
Yates: Kyler Murray, Cardinals. There are too many positive signs from this season to look past Murray. I'm champing at the bit to watch him next season.
Who will be the Saints' starting quarterback in Week 1 in 2020?
Mike Triplett, Saints reporter: Drew Brees. I think he'll genuinely mull retirement and a possible future in TV. But I'd be surprised to see him walk away now after he played so well in December (15 touchdown passes, zero turnovers) and ended on such a sour note in the playoff loss to Minnesota. Plus, if the 41-year-old leaves now, he'd be conceding his yardage and TD records to Tom Brady.
Fowler: Taysom Hill. Brees' contract restructuring last year leaves the team with $21 million in dead money. Instead of putting another $25 million to $30 million in new Brees money on the books, why not roll with the explosive and cheaper Hill, a restricted free agent with loads of big-play ability? Some people around the league say Sean Payton is secretly intrigued by the possibilities with a running quarterback in a full-time role.
Graziano: Taysom Hill. I think Brees is going to retire and the Saints are going to want to try to do a Lamar Jackson thing with Hill as the starter. I'm not saying it's going to work, but I think they're going to want to try.
Seifert: Drew Brees. It's not unusual for veteran players to be uncertain about their future in the weeks after a season, especially after an unexpected playoff loss. There was nothing to suggest at the end of this past season that Brees is physically done, and I don't think he'll retire until he is.
Yates: Drew Brees. It's impossible for me to envision him playing anywhere but New Orleans.
Which team that made the playoffs in 2019 won't make it in 2020?
Bowen: Eagles. Unless they can make drastic upgrades at both cornerback and wide receiver, I could see them falling behind Dallas in the NFC East.
Clay: Bills. They put together a strong 10-6 campaign but benefited greatly from incredible and unsustainable injury luck (nearly every starter appeared in at least 16 games), as well as one of the league's easiest schedules. Life won't be as easy in 2020 with the likes of Kansas City, Seattle, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Tennessee on the slate. A big third-year leap from Josh Allen will be needed to offset these concerns.
Fowler: Titans. The impressive run through the AFC playoffs won't translate in 2020, when Ryan Tannehill's numbers are bound to fall off and key pieces are headed to free agency. This won't be a drastic fall, but a 9-7 season could fall just short of the last wild-card spot in a wildly deep AFC picture. A rebound season from divisional foe Indianapolis won't help matters.
Graziano: Patriots. Yes, I went there. Tom Brady could leave, and the offense was already a disaster with him there in 2019. Watch the Bills or Jets swipe this thing out from under Bill Belichick with a 10-6 season and a tiebreaker.
Reid: Titans. Tannehill was stunningly efficient during the team's playoff push. Even a small drop in his production, which wouldn't be surprising, could throw things out of whack. Also, it wouldn't be shocking if all those carries caught up to Derrick Henry, who could sign a big deal in free agency.
Seifert: Vikings. The team has made the playoffs three times under coach Mike Zimmer. In the first two instances, Minnesota failed to qualify in the following season. Although it has flown under the radar, this team has already overhauled its coaching staff, and its roster might require more turnover than many people realize.
Which team that didn't make the playoffs in 2019 will make it in 2020?
Clay: Steelers. Assuming quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returns, Pittsburgh will be a strong candidate for a bounce-back season. The Steelers have an outstanding young defensive core in place, and it helped them to an 8-8 season despite a dismal offensive performance that saw them average an embarrassing 1.1 touchdowns per game after Week 8. Add Roethlisberger to a good offensive line and an intriguing young wide receiver trio and the Steelers will be back in the tournament.
Fowler: Cowboys. Dallas should have been a playoff team in 2019 but clumsily lost at least three games it shouldn't have. The Cowboys will likely lose a few key pieces in free agency, but an underachieving defense should be better, and Kellen Moore in Year 2 as a playcaller will strike the right balance with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.
Kimes: Cowboys. Prescott was terrific for most of the season, but the team fell apart (on both sides of the ball) down the stretch. A new coaching staff should revitalize a talented roster, which underachieved despite putting up a plus-113 point differential. Also watch for the Steelers to end a two-year playoff drought with Roethlisberger back.
Seifert: Steelers. This one is pretty simple. A team that went 8-6 after quarterback Roethlisberger's season-ending injury would seem to have a high probability of reaching 10 wins with him back healthy in 2020. Don't forget that the Steelers added two young and high-end defensive players during their lost season as well: linebacker Devin Bush and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Yates: Raiders. They made some major strides this past season, including a highly productive rookie class. They will need to beef up the receiving corps for 2020, but with a pair of first-round picks in a wide receiver-rich draft, they should be able to do exactly that.
Where will Tom Brady be playing football in 2020?
Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter: Patriots. To simplify why I believe that is the most likely scenario: Brady still gives the Patriots the best chance to win -- which is the foundation for almost all of coach Bill Belichick's decisions -- and I don't believe the quarterback will hold them ransom in a contract negotiation (or that he truly wants to leave). That's why I put odds of Brady's return at 80%, always leaving open the possibility of the unexpected.
Graziano: Chargers. I think he's done in New England, and the Chargers need to get this done and put him on their season-ticket mailer envelopes in a big hurry. As my colleague Marcus Spears would say, take Gisele to the beach, Tom.
Kimes: Patriots. I expect Brady to sign another one-year deal with New England, largely because I don't think any of the other options make sense for him. Similarly, I don't think New England has many better alternatives, though I'd love to see the Patriots take a look at Teddy Bridgewater.
Reid: Patriots. Some really smart NFL executives and coaches have told me they could see him moving on. Still, though, I think he winds up back where he started.
Yates: Patriots. When Brady and the team agreed to a restructured contract before the season, the plan was to operate year to year. Here we are, and while the possibility exists he goes elsewhere, my best estimate is that he returns on another one-year deal.
Which team are you most interested in for the 2020 NFL draft?
Bowen: Chargers. With the anticipation that Philip Rivers moves on or retires, I want to see what the Chargers do with the No. 6 overall pick. L.A. has needs on the offensive line, but with the possibility that quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert are still on the board, I could see the Chargers drafting their replacement for Rivers here.
Clay: Dolphins. Miami won five of its final nine games of the season and will head into the 2020 offseason loaded with salary-cap space and draft capital, including three first-round picks. Despite the solid finish, the Dolphins still have several holes to fill, and it will be intriguing to see how much they can improve the roster in one offseason.
Fowler: Dolphins. They worked hard for this moment, trading any reasonably priced asset away for the right to select 14 times in April. Miami probably needs to hit on at least half of those, most importantly with a quarterback in the top 10. The roster simply isn't talented enough right now, but man, the upside under Brian Flores is enticing.
Seifert: Dolphins. Accumulating draft capital has been their central goal for the past 12 months. Now it's time to find out whether they can do a good job using it. They have five of the top 56 picks. How much of it will they blow on finding a quarterback, and how much will be left over for other positions?
Yates: Lions. There are three prospects in this class who are regarded -- if healthy --- as franchise cornerstones: quarterback Joe Burrow, pass-rusher Chase Young and Tagovailoa. The Lions pick third and could be an ideal trade-up slot for teams looking at the top quarterback prospects. It could lead to quite a haul for a team with several needs.
What's your way-too-early Super Bowl LV pick?
Bowen: Chiefs over Cowboys. With the expectation that Dallas re-signs both quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper and upgrades the defensive secondary, the talent is there to make a run in coach Mike McCarthy's first season. But give me Kansas City as the early favorite to win the title. That offense is dangerous with Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs' defense will continue to develop under Steve Spagnuolo's aggressive approach.
Clay: Ravens over Saints. With MVP Lamar Jackson, their ability to consistently produce a strong defense and John Harbaugh being a step or two ahead of most coaches in decision-making, the Ravens should be right back in the thick of things. Most of the Saints' 2019 starters are under contract for 2020, so New Orleans will be a strong threat if quarterback Drew Brees is back.
Fowler: Seahawks over Bills. Both teams are a few pieces away. Seattle will pick up another stretch-the-field receiver, get faster on defense and let Russell Wilson do the rest off play-action. I like everything about the Bills' rebuild, and if quarterback Josh Allen makes a sizable Year 3 leap, there's little reason they can't push through the AFC field with that defense and running game.
Graziano: Eagles over Colts. I don't know who's going to be in next season's Super Bowl. What I do know is that a lot of stuff is going to happen in 2020 that no one saw coming. If you had polled 6,000 people at this time last year, none of them would have had the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Give me a bounce-back for Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson, and let's say the Colts upgrade at quarterback and muscle past the Titans and Texans in the AFC South.
Kimes: Chiefs over 49ers. While Kansas City could give Mahomes a huge contract this offseason, it has enough talent on both sides of the ball under contract to stay in contention next season; San Francisco has a similar window, though great defensive play is harder to reproduce year to year.
Reid: Chiefs over 49ers. Having Mahomes, and so much receiving talent around him, puts Kansas City ahead of the pack in the AFC. In the NFC, Kyle Shanahan, the son of a two-time Super Bowl winner, will continue to forge his own legacy as a top-notch coach.
Seifert: Chiefs over Seahawks. The truth is the Seahawks were a half-yard away from securing postseason home-field advantage in the NFC this past season. They weren't far away, and general manager John Schneider is good at rebuilding on the fly. The Chiefs will contend every year as long as Mahomes is their quarterback.
Yates: Chiefs over Saints. This mirrors the two teams that I had in my preseason picks for this past season, so I apologize for the lack of creativity. Alas, Kansas City looks primed for a sustained run, while I expect the Saints to have at least one more year of a Drew Brees-led buzz saw on offense.
Who's your pick to be next season's MVP?
Bowen: Patrick Mahomes. It's almost too easy to pick him here. But when healthy, he's the league's best player at a prime position. And in Kansas City, Mahomes plays in a system that generates top-end numbers given the playcalling of Andy Reid, plus the combination of blazing speed and matchup ability at the skill spots.
Clay: Kyler Murray. Murray will follow the lead of Mahomes in 2018 and Lamar Jackson in 2019 by taking over the league in his second professional season. The 2019 first overall pick accounted for 24 touchdowns and ranked ninth among quarterbacks in total offensive yards as a rookie. The versatile 22-year-old should have a better supporting cast in 2020.
Fowler: Matthew Stafford. Mahomes is still the game's best player, but Stafford was playing really good football before his midseason back issues. If he leads Detroit to contention, which isn't so far-fetched considering the talent around him, he'll be in the MVP mix because he puts up numbers and the NFC North is as open as Kenny Golladay.
Graziano: Carson Wentz. I trust Philadelphia's front office to fix its problems this offseason, and Wentz just had a mostly healthy season and is ready to make a run at MVP glory for an Eagles team I picked to win the Super Bowl only a few paragraphs ago.
Kimes: Patrick Mahomes. He's the best player in the league, and if he's healthy next season, there's no reason he shouldn't win another MVP award.
Reid: Patrick Mahomes. Even with the spectacular, breakthrough season that Lamar Jackson had, Mahomes is the game's best player. Repeatedly, he reminds us of that fact, including in his Super Bowl MVP performance Sunday night.
Seifert: Russell Wilson. Frankly, Wilson would have been the MVP in 2019 had Jackson not emerged with a unique and singular performance. Wilson remains in his athletic prime -- he will be only 31 when the 2020 season begins -- and is bound to be recognized one of these years. It would help, of course, if the Seahawks would shift from their run-based offense.
Yates: Patrick Mahomes. The logic could be as simple as "I flipped a coin and it landed on Mahomes," with Jackson being the other side. For a slightly more nuanced explanation, I'll simply point out that he's the most prolific young passing quarterback I've ever seen and in a position to keep that up with his excellent pass-catchers.
Which team should be the early favorite to pick No. 1 overall in the 2021 draft?
Bowen: Bengals. With the assumption that Cincinnati drafts LSU quarterback Joe Burrow at No. 1 in April, this team could get to the five- or six-win mark. Looking at the deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball, however, Burrow's upside isn't enough to keep the Bengals out of the top spot for the second consecutive season.
Clay: Jaguars. Jacksonville has a lot of work to do this offseason to get out of this discussion. It is on a short list of teams without a clear answer at quarterback, and the defense isn't what it was two seasons ago, especially with Jalen Ramsey gone and Yannick Ngakoue headed to free agency.
Fowler: Jaguars. The Bengals, Dolphins and even Panthers could be in the mix here, but Jacksonville's outlook appears bleak. There's no franchise quarterback, elite pass-catchers are scarce and key defensive pieces are either aging, already gone or on their way out.
Graziano: Panthers. Come on, guys. The signs are all right in front of us. It's Rebuild City down in Carolina right now. Luke Kuechly retired. Greg Olsen is out. Cam Newton ... who knows? A new coach who has never done this before in the NFL and is known in college for full-on rebuild projects. The Panthers are tearing it down to the bare bones and asking Matt Rhule to build it back up.
Kimes: Bengals. Even with the addition of the ridiculously gifted Burrow, this team lacks talent on both sides of the ball and doesn't have enough cap space to dramatically improve.
Reid: Bengals. The Bengals have crater-sized holes throughout their roster, and one could write a book about the reconstruction that needs to occur on defense. And a long book at that.
Seifert: Dolphins. Coach Brian Flores coaxed five wins from this overmatched group in 2019, in part because of some legendary individual performances from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. But the history of Fitzpatrick's second season as a starter for various teams isn't good. A regression of one or two wins would be enough to be in the mix for the top pick.
Yates: Bengals. It's uncommon for a team to draft first overall in back-to-back years, but Cincy might have the inside track for the first pick in 2021. There are significant gaps to fill on defense and enough work still to do along the offensive line to give me pause about the strides they will make next season, although I am bullish on Burrow's future. Who isn't?