NFL Trade and Free Agents Update 2014: Which Teams Made the Top 10 Best Roster Additions of Offseason?
Even though the NFL regular season doesn't kick off until Sep. 4, rosters are almost fully set.
The preseason begins on Aug. 3 when coaches get a look at many new players. Some teams got better through the draft, free agency, and made wise trades. Other teams fell asleep at the wheel and overpaid for certain players.
So without further delay, Latin Post.com counts down the 10 best additions of this off-season:
10. Steve Smith - Baltimore Ravens
Is Steve Smith still the elite wide receiver he once was?
No, but the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer can help the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Flacco might be a Super Bowl Champion and a Super MVP, but he's not a top tier quarterback. Losing Anquan Boldin last season was a big blow to Baltimore's passing game.
9. Hakeem Nicks - Indianapolis Colts
This was an underrated move by the Colts. The AFC South is pretty much already a lock because of the weak competition, but the Colts have to look long-term. Andrew Luck has been a great quarterback in his two NFL seasons, and the addition of Nicks will only help. Nicks is still 26 years old and put up almost 900 yards last season.
8. Jared Allen - Chicago Bears
It's pretty rare to see the Bears franchise have a strong offense, but a fragile defense. This team struggles big time against Aaron Rodgers and signing Jared Allen will add a pass rush. Since entering the league in 2004, Allen is an automatic 10-sack machine. Allen isn't Reggie White or Lawrence Taylor, but he'll do.
7. Branden Albert - Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins had the worst offensive line in the NFL last season. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sacked a league-high 58 times, more than three sacks a game. Signing offensive tackle Branden Albert to a four-year deal is a start and a big relief for Tannehill. Albert is also a good runner blocker as well.
6. Aqib Talib - Denver Broncos
There's no doubt that this upcoming season is Super Bowl or bust for the Denver Broncos. The team broke the bank on big names players, like DeMarcus Ware. One of the big additions was cornerback Aqib Talib. Talib is a very good cornerback, when healthy and on the field. We saw numerous times with the Patriots where Talib played shutdown football, but injuries prohibited him from playing.
5. LeGarrette Blount - Pittsburgh Steelers
Blount will fit in perfectly with the Steelers style of play. He's a smash-mouth power back that does his damage between the tackles. He isn't the quickest or the fastest running back, but he strongly resembles Jerome "The Bus" Bettis. Pittsburgh is a great place for Blount to make his legacy, and he will definitely get his carries, especially in the red zone.
4. T.J. Ward - Denver Broncos
The Broncos lost their best corner, Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, to the New York Giants in free agency. When the Patriots came back from a 24-0 deficit last season after halftime, it was largely due to the fact that Cromartie got injured. Ward is one of the best safeties in the NFL, and he'll be replacing longtime Broncos favorite Champ Bailey, who often played safety.
3. DeSean Jackson - Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins were one of the most disappointing teams in the league last season. The NFC East isn't at its highest peak, but it is competitive. The Redskins didn't just get the best deep threat in the league, but they get him from NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles. You can bet Jackson is going to want to get revenge against his former team.
2. Darrelle Revis - New England Patriots
A lot of this depends on health. If the Patriots get the Revis that dominated with the New York Jets, then this could be the biggest impact move of the off-season. When Revis is healthy, he's the best corner in the NFL because he goes one-on-one with the very best opposing wide receivers. It will be very interesting to see how Revis adapts into Bill Belichick's defensive scheme.
1. Jairus Byrd - New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints always have one of the best offenses in the league, but it's the defense that lets them down. Since being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2009, Byrd has been one of the best safeties in the NFL. A frustrated Byrd then asked for a trade and he got his wish. Byrd can help the Saints' corners with downfield support and force key turnovers.
