Connect with us
Home » news » 10 underrated afc moves part ii

News

10 Underrated AFC Moves Part II

Find out about some of the most underrated moves by shrewd AFC general managers this offseason.

Published

on

As training camp approaches, most teams are feeling pretty good about their situations entering the 2015 season.  Everyone knows about Ndamukong Suh going to the Miami Dolphins via free agency, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafting Jameis Winston first overall.

What about the moves that didn’t receive as much attention?

We’ve already looked at some under the radar NFC moves here and here, and now we’re going to highlight some shrewd, yet underrated moves by AFC general managers which should pay off this season.

We’ve already gone over some moves by the Jaguars, Jets, Chiefs, Browns and Bills in Part I and now we’re going to finish it up.

Raiders Sign Michael Crabtree

The Oakland Raiders finally appear to have a legitimate quarterback in Derek Carr and the next step for his development will be to give him some real weapons.  To go along with fourth-overall draft pick Amari Cooper, the Raiders came to terms with former first-round pick Michael Crabtree.

When Crabtree is healthy, he’s a more than solid possession receiver who can make big plays.  King Crab will fit in perfectly opposite Cooper and Derek Carr will have some pass catchers that he can count on.

Ravens Select Maxx Williams

The Baltimore Ravens offense seemed to work best when it has a legitimate pass-catching tight end.  Shannon Sharpe passed the torch to Todd Heap, and Heap was supposed to pass it to Dennis Pitta, but Pitta hasn’t been able to stay healthy.

Enter former Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams and Joe Flacco finally has a legitimate threat in the seam.  Williams was the best tight end in college football and he will step in right away and be a perfect complement to Steve Smith and Breshad Perriman on the outside.

Ozzie Newsome hit another home run in the draft and Williams will pay immediate dividends.

Steelers Sign DeAngelo Williams

With Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell suspended for the first two games of the season, the Steelers went out and found a former first-round pick to fill the vacancy in the backfield.  DeAngelo Williams has battled injuries for much of his career and at this point he’s a perfect No. 2 back.

The early returns on Williams are that he’s running very well and is relishing his role.

“Let me make sure we get this straight,” Williams said defiantly. “Because all the Le’Veon questions and me and if I’m able to fill the role or if I’m not and all this. I came from Carolina, where I started for most of my career, OK? So that’s not a heavy workload AT ALL. By no means is it a heavy workload. All I have to do is get the playbook down, which I am. Understanding the terminology, which is different than Carolina’s, which I am (learning). There won’t be any questions or problems with me answering these questions. Ya’ll just sit back and take a seat and relax and enjoy the show.

“Man!”

Williams is confident in his abilities and the Steelers are as well.  There wasn’t a better running back available to the team for a nominal cost in free agency.

Broncos Select Ty Sambrailo

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway did not know he’d lose left tackle Ryan Clady for the season when he selected former Colorado State left tackle Ty Sambrailo, but he certainly seems clairvoyant.  It’s been a trial by fire early on in camp for Sambrailo, but the early returns are very positive.

It’s not going to get much more difficult than practice for the young rookie, as he has to routinely line up against Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, two of the very best pass rushers in football.

“Whenever I beat him, I tell him. I will go up to him and let him know what I was thinking, and try to figure out what he was thinking,” Miller said. “If somebody beat me and they told me how they beat me, I would listen.”

Sambrailo won’t play up to the level of Pro Bowler Ryan Clady immediately, but he’s doing well thus far and Peyton Manning will make him look better than he is with his quick release.

Dolphins Sign Greg Jennings

The Miami Dolphins have “renovated” their wide receiving corps, jettisoning both Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline, and using their first round draft pick on former Louisville receiver DeVante Parker.

A very key piece to the puzzle came in later, and he’s two-time Pro Bowler Greg Jennings.  Jennings runs precise routes and although he doesn’t have as much foot-speed as he did a few years ago, he’s still a productive player.  In his post-Aaron Rodgers days, Jennings has still averaged nearly 65 catches and 800 yards per season, with 10 touchdowns.

Jennings won’t be asked to be the No. 1 receiver in Miami, but he will serve as a mentor to the younger guys and someone that Ryan Tannehill can count on during key third downs.

Charlie Bernstein is the managing football editor for Football Insiders and has covered the NFL for over a decade.  Charlie has hosted drive time radio for NBC and ESPN affiliates in different markets around the country, along with being an NFL correspondent for ESPN Radio and WFAN.  He has been featured on the NFL Network as well as Sirius/XM NFL Radio and has been published on Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated, ESPN as well as numerous other publications.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Buccaneers admit mistake, boot Aguayo

Published

on

In the NFL, it’s always better to admit a mistake than to compound it. For the Buccaneers, the decision to burn a 2016 second-round pick on kicker Robert Aguayo has proven to be a mistake. The Buccaneers made the definitive admission of their error on Saturday, cutting Aguayo. He exits with $428,000 in fully-guaranteed salary [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading

News

Did Bucs put too much pressure on Aguayo?

Published

on

After the Buccaneers surprised everyone by taking a kicker with the 59th overall pick in the draft, G.M. Jason Licht explained the move by heaping superlatives on the player. “I was very excited along with my staff and coaches about Roberto for a very long time,” Licht told PFT Live in May 2016. “It’s not [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading

News

Broncos holding their breath on Derek Wolfe

Published

on

Only two days after losing Billy Winn for the year with a torn ACL, the Broncos are now sweating out another potentially serious injury along the defensive line. Via multiple reports, Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe was carted off the field during practice on Saturday. It’s being described as a right ankle injury by coach [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading

The NFL On Twitter


Insiders On Facebook

Trending Now

Copyright © 2021 Insider Sports, Inc