Dontari Poe, Nose Tackle
Prediction: Green Bay Packers ($40M Cap Space)
2nd Option: Washington Redskins ($36M Cap Space)
The Green Bay Packers need to make some real improvements on the defensive side of the ball if they hope to take the next step. They could use a big-bodied nose tackle like Dontari Poe to help plug the middle.
Green Bay hasn’t had someone with Poe’s ability manning the middle since B.J. Raji hung up his cleats.
Washington loves to make a splash during free agency and they can do so by landing Poe. He’d give them a physical presence in the middle of their defense to go along with their young pass rushers. Poe will be a hot name when free agency begins and the Redskins have never been shy about outbidding the competition.
Ricky Wagner, Offensive Tackle
Prediction: Cleveland Browns ($105M Cap Space)
2nd Option: Minnesota Vikings ($38M Cap Space)
The Browns made a big mistake when they allowed Mitchell Schwartz leave via free agency. Letting him walk didn’t make any sense because he was a productive player, still in his prime and the Browns had more than enough cap space to keep him.
This year they have a chance to fix that mistake by signing Ricky Wagner. He would not only improve their offensive line but also weaken a divisional opponent. Cleveland is still in rebuild mode, but they need to start adding more talent.
Minnesota’s offensive line was the main reason the team missed the playoffs. They struggled opening running lanes and providing Sam Bradford with a clean pocket. Adding Wagner wouldn’t solve their problems but would be a major help.