By: Jake Rajala

The Buffalo Bills drafted former Georgia Bulldog James Cook, also known as Dalvn Cook’s younger brother, 63rd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Cook was an excellent, bell-cow RB for Georgia in his senior season. He averaged 6.4 YPC, totaled 728 rushing yds, and also nicely recorded 284 receiving yds. Most importantly, he possesses excellent explosiveness and pass-catching ability that should help him transition into having a unique role at the pro level.

Jay from Buffalo News feels that Devin Singletary’s role shouldn’t change a bit with Cook in 2022. He forsees Cook potentially being the starting third-down back in the Bills offense in his rookie season. It would make sense if the Bills incorporated Cook into a pass-catching threat for Josh Allen, as he could be the x-factor that can help the Bills get over the hump. The Patriots did a fantastic job of implementing RB/WR James White in their scheme for Tom Brady (as White was the second SB MVP in Super Bowl 51). Furthermore, Darren Sproles was a fantastic all-purpose weapon for Drew Brees and Phillip Rivers.

Cook will certainly help a Bills passing offense that cut ties with the Cole Beasley and Emmanual Sanders this off-season. The Bills playoff legend Gabriel Davis is expected to take the next step alongside Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox (9 touchdowns last season), but there should be plenty of opportunities for Cook to excel in the passing game. Perhaps Allen can improve his completion percentage and commit fewer interceptions than last season (15 ints in 2021) with a superb security blanket in Cook.

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By: Jake Rajala

The cheerful Mac Jones had an admirable rookie season – as he unveiled 3,801 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and led his team to a 10-7 record (including a pivotal playoff berth). The former Alabama product has a larger chip on his shoulder in his sophomore season. It would be hard for Jones to not carry an infinite amount of motivation, as his team was blown out of the wild-card round by his despised divisional foe in the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills.

The Pats made a very underrated re-signing in WR Jakobi Meyers. The deep-threat WR garnered 126 targets and 866 yards last season. It will be a serious challenge for defenses to prepare for the speed of Meyers while stopping the Jones-Devante Parker connection. The former Dolphin wanted to be traded to Belichick’s squad and he will really strive to return to unveil outcomes similar to his 2019 season (1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns).

DeVante Parker is arguably the Pats best “WR” since the days of Wes Welker in 2012.

The Pats didn’t only gift Parker in Jones’s second season in the system, but they also brought back the versatile RB James White (who suffered a season-ending injury after three games) on a two-year contract. The Super Bowl LI hero nicely notched 751 receiving yds in 2018, 645 receiving yds in 2019, and 375 receiving yards in 2020. He can absolutely be a secret weapon for Jones out of the backfield.

The 23-year-old Jones will not only tear down a poster of Josh Allen each morning and practice with his most explosive offense thus far, but he will also prepare to face favorable competition in 2022. Bill Belichick and Jones ought to be licking their chops, as they have the 25th most difficult schedule. Tom Brady and a half of Gronk may be in Tampa Bay, but the tides appear to be really turning for Jones and his crew in 2022.

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The New England Patriots beloved running back James White is a free agent in 2022. White has been a hero for the Pats for quite some time. He was the bowling ball half-back that powered his way for the winning touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Many fans believe White should have won the Super Bowl MVP.

White has been an important part of Josh McDaniels offense since he was drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and Bob Dylan’s song named “The Times They Are a-Changin” hits home for White and the Pats. It would make sense if they move on from the 30-year-old RB that’s coming off a season-ending injury.

If White isn’t brought back to Belichick’s empire, who could replace him and be productive with Damien Harris (15 rushing touchdowns in 2021)? Well, here are a few fascinating options.

Giovani Bernard

The long-time Cincinnati Bengals RB will have a less popular market than James White, but he is still very athletic and productive in the run and pass game. Bernard was in the shadow of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones in 2021, but he ousted 771 total yards and six total touchdowns in 2020. We witnessed Darren Sproles be an asset late in his career and I expect Gio to be beneficial to a sharp scheme and culture like the Patriots.

Phillip Lindsay

The former UDFA star for the Denver Broncos could be tempted to join the Pats on a prove-it deal. Lindsay had a down season in Houston (as it did the whole team), but he could look to oust another 700+ yard rushing season in New England. If Lindsay doesn’t fill in the shoes for Melvin Gordon in his old home in Denver, he should come to NE in 2022. Harris and Lindsay would be like “thunder and lightning”.

Justin Jackson

Justin Jackson doesn’t hold the same resume and playoff success as White, but he does have a much higher ceiling than the Pats RB. The 25-year-old unveiled 542 total yards and two touchdowns in 2021 with the LA Chargers. Jackson is also the PFF’s ninth-best RB in the free agency group. He’s been in the shadow of Austin Ekeler, but he would be very involved with Mac Jones’s offense for years to come.

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The Cincinnati Bengals clawed their way through the 2021 season and swept the Kansas City Chiefs to win the AFC Championship. Cincy may have come utterly close to being crowned Super Bowl championships, but they still have room for improvement. They don’t need to improve because they were the second-best team in the league, but it’s because they don’t have one of the most well-balanced rosters in the league.

It’s widely enunciated that the Bengals offensive line needs to be improved, but there is one other position that could be boosted this offseason. The Bengals RB position could be upgraded, especially in the 2022 free agency period. The Bengals RB Samaje Perine isn’t a superb RB2 and complement to Joe Mixon. It would make sense if the team with the fourth-most cap space in the league added more juice at the RB position. The Bengals were also 23rd in rushing yards a season ago, so it would be ideal for the Bengals to bring in more power at the half-back spot. Here are a few running backs that the Bengals could look at in free agency.

Giovani Bernard

It would be poetic for the former Bengals RB Giovani Bernard to reunite with his beloved team. He of course played with the Bengals from 2013 to 2020. Bernard was catching passes from Tom Brady in 2021, but he can go to the dark side and fit in well as an all-purpose RB in Cincy.

He wasn’t a slouch with the Bengals prior to his exit. He recorded six total touchdowns in 2020 and 771 total yards last season. He would be a sure-fire upgrade over Perine and he might even take less money to chase a Super Bowl with his ex-team. Let’s be honest – Who Dey nation wants Bernard back in the Jungle.

James White

The Bengals could look to take some of James White’s Super Bowl dust and insert him into their robust offensive lineup. White is a nice, versatile RB that can help wear down defenses and make catches from great matchups out of the backfield. He is a more impressive pure runner than Perine and essentially a better all-purpose back than Mixon’s backup. He can be the RB they’ve been missing without Giovani Bernard.

White only played in three games in 2021 due to a hip injury that occurred in their third game against the New Orleans Saints. White wasn’t outstanding in 2020 with the Cam Newton-led offense, but he did have 908 total yards and six touchdowns in 2019. He could be in awe of the fit and contract in Cincy.

Ty Montgomery

The former Packers and Saints all-purpose RB Ty Montgomery would be a fine addition to Zac Taylor’s collection. Montgomery will likely not be brought back by the Saints cap-strapped team that already has Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, and the potential breakout RB Tony Jones.

Montgomery wouldn’t be a big-name signing, but he could be a good value pickup. He has six rushing touchdowns in the past two seasons for the Saints, but he hasn’t ousted a 400+ total yard season since 2018. Montgomery brings special team value, as well.

Cordarrelle Patterson

The former All-Pro kick returner would be an exciting addition to the Bengals offense. The Bengals have the money and jewelry to impress Patterson. The former Vikings first-round pick unveiled a career season in 2021, as he recorded 1,166 total yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Atlanta Falcons could rebuild and I don’t expect him to return to his prior scheme. Patterson would be the ultimate x-factor as the RB2, slot WR, and special teamer in the pivotal playoffs next season. We saw the Bengals get creative by having Mixon throw a touchdown to Tee Higgins. Zac Taylor and Patterson are truly destined to be together.

Adrian Peterson

The future Hall of Fame RB might appear as washed up at age 36, but I believe AD can be potent with limited snaps in the right scheme. Peterson could quietly be a fine RB2 for the Bengals squad. Peterson is also chasing his first Lombardi trophy and he can potentially fulfill his wishes with Cincy and Joe Cool.

The former Vikings All-Pro RB notched 604 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns in 2020. He wasn’t in elite shape last season, as he picked up 106 total yards and two total touchdowns. Peterson really wanted a ring with the Saints, but his personality conflicted with Payton. I expect the hungry AD to play one more season and the mutual interest could arise between the Bengals and Peterson in the near future or in pre-season.

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