By: Jake Rajala

The Washington Commanders found a new spirit with the arrival of Carson Wentz. Ron Rivera will still really have to get creative with Wentz in order to return to the playoffs in 2022. With that said, I’m going to simply outline the three biggest obstacles for the Commanders next season.

Pass defense

The Commanders ranked 29th in passing YPG allowed last season, so it’s clear their 2021 pass defense was far from a recipe for success. The CB William Jackson was one of the most disappointing players on the roster last season, as highlighted by Commanders Wire. The Commanders will also anticipate Chase Young elevating into an elite pass rusher (and Montez Sweat returning to dominance after missing seven games), which should benefit their ability against opposing QBs. It may also make sense for the Commanders to be the second NFC East team to sign a FA CB like Joe Haden or Janoris Jenkins.

The WR talent

It’s obvious that Wentz will love throwing to Terry McLaurin more than Michael Pittman Jr, but Wentz will need to also be in sync with a talented WR2 in his offense. Curtis Samuel fell off a cliff last season and Jahan Dotson is a rookie, so it’s unclear which WR will help Scary Terry demolish opposing defenses. Hopefully, Dotson can hit the ground running and the Commanders find a superb way to get Samuel the pigskin in space.

Dallas Cowboys

Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys swept the Commanders last season. In particular, the Commanders allowed an embarrassing 56 points from the Boys last season. I’m sure that Rivera has the Cowboys contest circled on his calendar and the WAS defense strives to tee off on Prescott. The Commanders and Boys battle in Week 4 and Week 18 in the 2022-2023 season.

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By: Will Baptist

Trey Hendrickson will shoulder a lot of responsibilities after signing a 4 year $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason. He will be the most talented pass rusher on the roster, and the Bengals need his presence to be felt immediately. After tying Aaron Donald for second in the NFL in sacks with 13.5 last season, he has become a force for opposing tackles to deal with.

Hendrickson has shown drastic improvement over the past two seasons and has blossomed into a dominant edge rusher. He has slowly started to take the field more often on early downs as he continues to develop as a run stopper. He played 53% of the Saints defensive snaps last year and if that number continues to grow, he can put up gaudy sack numbers. If he can successfully build on his breakout 2020 season, Hendrickson has a legitimate chance to compete for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

He will have his fair share of competition with Aaron Donald, T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey and so on. Aaron Donald won the award last year while also racking up 13.5 sacks, and has clearly been the best defensive player in the NFL over the last few seasons. Donald played 85% of the Rams snaps, while Watt played 83% of the Steelers snaps last season and finished with 15 sacks.

Watt, Donald and Hendrickson all racked up similar sack numbers, but Hendrickson played about 300 fewer snaps than both of them. That amount of production in only 53% of the snaps is extraordinary and will push him to develop the rest of his game in order to stay on the field more. If he can play up to at least 70% of the Bengals defensive snaps this year, he could potentially hit 20 sacks on the season.

There have only been 12 instances where a player has racked up 20 or more sacks in a season since sacks have become an official stat. With the additional game this season, it could become slightly more common, but it still will be extremely rare. Hendrickson would be in an elite company if he could get to 20 sacks but it is not out of the realm of possibility.

He has to play close to 800 snaps and remain healthy, but he also needs the players around him to be dominant at their position. If he is constantly getting double-teamed due to his teammates struggling, then it will be tough for him to win the award.

Talent surrounding him

Hendrickson had a terrific defense around him with the Saints, and Cam Jordan on the opposite side of the line to wreak havoc. Jordan drew most of the attention throughout the year and finished with 7.5 sacks, but Hendrickson has now made a name for himself. For Hendrickson to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, he needs a lot of talent around him such as he did last year.

One dominant defensive lineman can only do so much, but luckily for Hendrickson, the Bengals defense is much improved heading into the season. The line should take a massive leap forward with the return of D.J. Reader clogging up the middle and stopping the run. Sam Hubbard will be the other starting edge rusher and he just inked a new contract and is poised for a stellar season.

Hubbard had a somewhat disappointing 2020 season with only two sacks, but he excelled at stopping the run. He can work his way back to being a great pass rusher like he was in 2019 when he racked up 8.5 sacks in his second season in the NFL.

The secondary will be much better with the additions of Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie, along with Trae Waynes returning from injury. Hendrickson can tally up coverage sacks as he did with the Saints if the secondary can play up to their potential in Cincinnati.

The Saints were an excellent team last year and finished the regular season at 12-4. Opposing teams were often losing and forced to throw the ball considering how good the Saints offense was. This helped Hendrickson with the ability to constantly rush the passer due to the Saints leading in most of their games.

The Bengals will need similar offensive production to get early leads and give Hendrickson the opportunity to get after the quarterback. If the Bengals do not improve much from their 4-11-1 record, the opposing teams will be run-heavy, and this will not play to Hendrickson’s strengths. With Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon healthy, the offense should not have an issue jumping out to early leads. Which should also lead to winning a lot more games for the Bengals.

Hendrickson will have his work cut out for him in the stacked AFC North and the firepower on the offensive side of the ball in that division. Chasing around Lamar Jackson will be a daunting task, but he showed how great he can be last year, and this franchise clearly believes in his talents and ability to grow.

The Bengals will need to be much better in order for Hendrickson to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. All the stars are aligning for the Bengals, and Hendrickson has the best chance of any player on the team to secure the award. His knack for getting after the quarterback and his extremely high motor are traits that translate to any franchise and system.

The 26-year old can prove that he can be one of the best defensive players in the NFL, and make the Bengals fans forget about losing Carl Lawson in free agency. If he can accomplish winning this award, or even be in the discussion for it, then the Bengals hit the lottery with this signing. He has all of the tools to win the award, it is simply a matter of remaining healthy and growing as an all-around defensive end to stay on the field more often.

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By: Ian Evans

The Buccaneers have had an outstanding season thus far as they have made it to the NFC Championship game. Their success does come off the brilliant play of Tom Brady, the adaptability of head coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, as well as a stout defense. The Bucs have also signed free agents to one-year deals who have also contributed to the teams’ success as well.

In the offseason, the Buccaneers signed Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette, and LeSean McCoy to one-year deals. They also signed Antonio Brown to a one-year deal during Week 8 of the regular season. With many players’ deals ending after the season concludes, it can be said that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an extremely important offseason ahead of them.

First and foremost they have to prioritize resigning their unrestricted free agents Shaquill Barrett, Lavonte David, Rob Gronkowski, Steve McLendon, and Ndamukong Suh. Next, they have to decide which one-year free agents they are willing to let go and which ones are a critical asset to the teams’ future. And finally, Tampa Bay must adhere to their team’s needs on both sides of the ball.

One of the glaring weaknesses the Buccaneers bust attend to in the offseason is the offensive line as Tampa Bay is tied for fourth in sacks allowed with 48. On defense, the Buccaneers allowed 246.6 yards per game during the regular season which was 21^st in the league, so it’s safe to say that they could look at free agents that can help their pass defense.

The Buccaneers are one of the most complete teams in the league, but this offseason poses many challenges for them. Can they retain their unrestricted free agents while going after highly coveted free agents? Which free agents help them stay as lethal as they are? With all of this being said, here are five free-agent targets for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1. Trent Williams

Trent Williams did not play a single snap in 2019. However, in his return in 2020, he has solidified himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the league. In his first year with a new team, Willaims has subtly regained his All-Pro form in San Francisco. Williams is one of those offensive tackles who can work in multiple schemes, adapt to different offenses, and bolster an offensive line in the rushing and passing attack.

The Buccaneers need to bolster their offensive line who has allowed far too many sacks on the 43-year-old quarterback Tom Brady. Williams can help in that department as he has only allowed only four sacks (T-19^th) and has been penalized ten times (4^th). How good is Trent Williams on the offensive front? At one point in his career, he only allowed one sack in 867 blocking attempts. That’s efficiency at its finest.

Next year Trent Williams will be 33 years old, but he is one of those tackles who has shown that he is capable of being the next outstanding left tackle who can play in well into their 30s at a high level. If the Buccaneers are serious about protecting Tom Brady and their future quarterbacks, they should strongly consider signing Trent Williams. The only problem with targeting Williams is that he will most likely resign with San Francisco. However, if the Buccaneers can match his contract, don’t be surprised if he takes his talents to Florida.

2. Yannick Ngakoue

If Shaq Barrett or Ndamukong Suh does decide to find another team to continue his career with, Tampa Bay would need to consider signing another defensive lineman stud to take his place. Suh, 34, could surely be replaced with younger and more athletic talent upfront. Enter Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue, 25, is one of those special edge rushers who can generate reliable pressure on the quarterback.

Ngakoue has had a solid season in 2020 as he played for the Minnesota Vikings and was later traded to the Baltimore Ravens. He garnered 23 solo tackles, four forced fumbles, eight sacks, and 11 quarterback hits. He only seven tackles for loss, but those numbers will increase as his career advances. As an unrestricted free agent, he could benefit from playing with linebackers and defensive tackles who can take the attention off of him in the pass rush and rush defense.

Tampa Bay is a team that can provide Ngakoue with that luxury. Imagine a defense with William Gholston, Lavonte David, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Devin White taking attention off of Yannick Ngakoue. That’s a scary sight for opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. If the Buccaneers want to add someone who fits their scheme and has an abundance of potential, they should target Ngakoue as a top target. This signing would make sense for both parties involved.

3. Joe Thuney

If the Buccaneers can’t land a tackle like Trent Williams, why not go for a guard highly coveted guard who has played with Tom Brady? Joe Thuney has been a starter for the New England Patriots ever since he was drafted, and has yet to miss a game in his 5-year tenure. That’s not only extremely consistent but highly impressive.

He struggled early in his career but quickly found his footing as he now ranks in the 86^th percentile in overall pass-blocking grade according to PFF. He has only allowed two sacks and was penalized three times in 2020. He has also played 980 snaps in 2020 which is 21^st in the league. Thuney is a durable guard who can bolster an offensive line significantly.

Thuney has developed into one of the best guards in the NFL and will be a sought-after guard in free agency. And for a Tampa Bay team that had inconsistencies protecting Tom Brady this season, Joe Thuney could be a huge help in that regard. Reuniting him with his former teammate Tom Brady could benefit both parties and their respective futures.

4. Anthony Harris

The Buccaneers have allowed far too many yards through the air this year and could look to bolster their pass defense. A part of that is due to Tampa Bay’s safeties Antoine Winfield Jr., (22) and Jordan Whitehead (23), who are both young and have less than 4 seasons under their belt. Both are only going to get better playing with a veteran defense but can also benefit from veteran leadership as well.

Anthony Harris has been one of the best safeties in football and steadily seen his playing time increase with the Minnesota Vikings. Harris’ ability to read route concepts as well as quarterbacks at the same time is remarkable as he is able to position himself to make plays.

In 2020, Harris put up a career-high in solo tackles (58), combined tackles (108), and tackles for loss (2). In his six-year career, Harris has nine interceptions, six of them coming in 2019. Although he had no interceptions in 2020, that is mainly due to his lockdown defense as his specialty is playing coverages instead of man defenses.

Harris could not only mentor Winfield Jr., and Whitehead, but he could also help a team that struggles in coverage defense. If Tampa Bay wants to prioritize limiting offenses in the passing game, Harris is a safety that should be discussed in the front office this offseason.

5. William Jackson III

After getting selected in the first round of the 2016 draft, William Jackson III tore his pectoral for his rookie season even started. Ever since then, Cincinnati has seen his production increase year after year and rewarded him with more playing time year after year. In 2020, Jackson III has garnered 43 solo tackles, one interception, and has allowed 36 receptions. Jackson III had surrendered completions on just 51.4% of the passes thrown his way this year.

William Jackson III is nearing the end of his rookie deal with the Cincinnati Bengals and could be poised for a solid deal. The Bengals have already invested in Trae Waynes so Jackson III could be headed to a new squad that needs help in man coverage in 2021. Enter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Adding Jackson III to a cornerback group that consists of Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Jamel Dean could help enhance their man coverage. Jackson III could also come a little cheaper than most All-Pro safeties and cornerbacks so targeting him won’t be as big of a hassle as other unrestricted free agents. Jackson III could be an absolute steal of a signing if Tampa Bay is willing to target this young cornerback.

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