Even though much of the attention is starting to shift towards the NFL Draft next month, the offseason continues to be frenzied as a number of deals were agreed to over the weekend. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest news from the last few days around the National Football League.
Panthers Bring In New Weapons At Wide Receiver
After trading D.J. Moore as part of the deal that netted the Carolina Panthers the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s draft, their wide receiving core looked pretty light on high-end talent. The Panthers’ wide receiver room was bolstered on Friday as the team agreed to a one-year deal with DJ Chark.
Last season, with the Detroit Lions, Chark managed to play in 11 games, amassing 30 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns. Even though those numbers were a little light, the 26-year-old does have a 1,000+ yard season under his belt over his five years in the league.
The Panthers are trying to improve on a passing game that ranked just 29th last season, averaging 176.2 yards per game. While losing Moore hurts, Carolina hopes that the addition of Chark and potentially a franchise quarterback with the top pick might help improve those numbers.
This was the second notable addition for the Panthers at wide receiver after they signed veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen to a three-year deal a week ago.
Between the several additions made, the top pick overall, and playing in a weak division, the Panthers have the second-best odds of winning the NFC South at +270. As for that top overall pick, CJ Stroud is currently the favorite to be taking first overall at -300.
Seattle Bringing Wagner Back Home
Linebacker Bobby Wagner has been in the NFL for 11 seasons, 10 of which were spent with the Seattle Seahawks. After he spent one year with the Los Angeles Rams last season, Wagner is returning home to Seattle.
The Seahawks signed the 32-year-old Wagner to a one-year deal worth $7 million. Last season, with the Rams, Wagner played in 17 games and had 140 tackles, six sacks, and two interceptions.
He will now try to help a defense that ranked 25th last season, allowing opponents an average of 24.6 points per game.
The Seahawks currently sit with the third-best odds of winning the NFC West at +400, and they are +4400 to win it all.
Ravens Bring In Help At Wide Receiver
While not a top tier receiving option, the Baltimore Ravens brought in some depth at the wide receiver spot by bringing in 29-year-old Nelson Agholor. The deal is for one year and a base of $3.25 million (could escalate to $6.25 million based on production).
Agholor has spent the last two seasons in New England, and last season he had 31 receptions for 362 yards and two touchdowns.
The real question might be who is throwing to Agholor. There continues to be no resolution between the Ravens and Lamar Jackson, the franchise quarterback whose future with the team continues to sit in limbo.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Jackson, the Ravens still have the second-best odds of winning the AFC North at +220.
