NFL offseasons generally seem to consist of three parts: free agency part one, the draft, and free agency part two. As the dust settles from the first part of free agency, teams are assessing their needs as the draft approaches on April 28.
As teams build their rosters, there is plenty of news circulating throughout the As teams build their rosters, there is plenty of news circulating throughout the NFL. Here are some of the biggest stories over the last week.. Here are some of the biggest stories over the last week.
Buffalo Agrees To Deal With Diggs
The Buffalo Bills and star wide receiver Stefon Diggs have agreed to a new deal, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The deal is reportedly worth $96 million over four years plus incentives.
Last season, Diggs led the Bills with 103 receptions for 1,225 yards and ten touchdowns. In seven seasons, Diggs had eclipsed the 1,000-yard marker in each of the last four seasons.
As Josh Allen’s go-to target, the 28-year-old Diggs had originally been set to become a free agent after the season.
With Diggs in the fold, the Bills are currently the favorites to win the Super Bowl next season at +650.
Parker Traded To Patriots
Between newly acquired Tyreek Hill and the incumbent Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins found themselves with an abundance of wide receivers. Earlier this week, they reduced that crowd by one.
The Dolphins traded DeVante Parker and a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots while receiving a third-round pick for the 2023 season.
With this trade, the Dolphins now have five picks in the first three rounds next year, including two first-round and two third-round picks.
For the Patriots, they pick up a solid weapon to add to quarterback Mac Jones’ arsenal. Last season, the 29-year-old Parker had 40 receptions for 515 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games.
Neither of these teams are considered favorites to win next year’s Super Bowl as they are both +3500 to do so.
Eagles And Saints Swap Draft Picks
As the draft approaches towards the end of the month, the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles made a trade to try to put themselves in a better position with their draft capital.
On Monday, the Saints received two first-round picks (No. 16 and 19), and the 194th pick this year for the Saints’ first-round pick this season (No. 18), and next season, this year’s 101st and 237th pick, and a second-round pick in 2024.
The Eagles had three picks coming into this deal, so they now put themselves in a position to have two first-round picks both this season and next season. If Jalen Hurts struggles to find consistent success this year, it gives them more ammo to look for a quarterback in 2023.
For the Saints, they will look to use these first-round picks to help them find talent that can contribute immediately.
Currently, the Saints have just the seventh-best odds of winning the NFC at +2000, while the Eagles are +2400 to win it.
Saints Shake Up Quarterback Room
After re-signing Jameis Winston to be their starter earlier in the offseason, the New Orleans Saints brought in veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to serve as his backup.
With opportunities seemingly limited, the Saints granted the wishes of Blake Bortles to be released. Now a free agent, Bortles will look to find a new home and more of an opportunity to see the field.
Bortles has not thrown a pass since 2019, and it hasn’t been since 2018 that he started more than ten games. That season, he threw for 2,718 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Obviously, Bortles’ career has not panned out as he had intended, but he still feels that he has something left to give and has a new opportunity to pursue that.
