The 2020 NFL offseason has garnered more attention than ever due to its captivating storylines.
Yet this article takes a deeper look at the 10 most underrated moves made this NFL offseason.
- Vonn Bell (Cincinnati Bengals)
The Bengals signed safety Vonn Bell to a three-year(s)/$18,000,000 contract. The strong safety out of Ohio State is entering his fifth year as a pro. He likes to play down by the line of scrimmage and get his nose dirty in the run game. Bell has racked up over 70 tackles in each of his previous four seasons with the Saints.
Cincinnati is revamping their entire secondary for next season. The team signed three defensive backs and cut cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick earlier this week. They signed Bell on a team-friendly deal as they head into another rebuild.
- De’Vondre Campbell (Arizona Cardinals)
Arizona signed the former Atlanta linebacker to a one-year/$6,000,000 deal. Campbell is still only 26 years old as he enters his fifth season in the NFL. He had been a consistent starter for the Falcons the last three seasons, where he averaged over 100 total tackles a season over that span.
The Cardinals are currently building around their highly touted quarterback Kyler Murray. They have made several moves to help him on the offensive side of the ball, but they have gotten significantly better defensively over the last month. Campbell will be a nice fit alongside Jordan Hicks, who had a very good first season with the Cardinals last year.
- Quinton Dunbar (Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks sent a fifth round pick to the Redskins in exchange for cornerback Quinton Dunbar. That was a steal for Seattle, who was in dire need of assistance in the secondary. Dunbar is no slouch either; in fact Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him a grade of 87.6 last season, which is second among all cornerbacks.
Seattle has been unable to rebuild its secondary after the members of the Legion of Boom left. Dunbar will be their best corner this upcoming season, ahead of Shaquill Griffin. This was a great find for Pete Carroll’s defense.
- EJ Gaines (Buffalo Bills)
Buffalo re-signed the veteran corner to a one-year deal. Gaines was released by the Bills last season after suffering a groin injury, but he has proven to be a good player when healthy. Defensive backs seem to play well in Buffalo also; if Gaines stays on the field he will be a great pick up for the Bills.
The Bills are heading into next season with one of the league’s best secondaries: Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Josh Norman and EJ Gaines. It is likely that we’ll see Gaines in the slot corner role for Buffalo in 2020.
- Javon Hargrave (Philadelphia Eagles)
Philly signed the former Pittsburgh run-stuffer to a three-year(s)/$39,000,000 contract this offseason. A nose tackle for the Steelers, Hargrave is disruptive on the interior every single week. He stays healthy and is fairly young at 27 years old. Additionally, Hargrave’s sack numbers have increased over the last two seasons as well.
Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave are going to be at the top of opposing team’s gameplans each week next year. Although defensive tackle wasn’t a position of need for the Eagles, Hargrave was a quality pick up for GM Howie Roseman.
- Blake Martinez (New York Giants)
The Giants signed the ex-Packer Blake Martinez to a three-year(s)/$30,000,000 deal. In his last three seasons in Green Bay, Martinez was a tackling machine, averaging 147.5 total tackles a year over that span. Martinez will provide much needed stability at linebacker for the Giants.
GM Dave Gettleman had a very active offseason, which included signing six defensive players. New York is looking to begin a new era around their young quarterback Daniel Jones, and it’s clear Gettleman wanted defense. Martinez isn’t a star linebacker, but he is consistent and makes veteran plays.
- Jordan Phillips (Arizona Cardinals)
Arizona’s second appearance on the list results from them signing defensive tackle Jordan Phillips to a three-year(s)/$30,000,000 contract. Through his first five years in the NFL, Phillips spent time as both a member of the Dolphins and the Bills. Last year, he broke out with 9.5 sacks in Buffalo. The Cardinals are steadily building a solid defensive front seven.
Phillips will be adding to the front seven of: Zach Allen, Corey Peters, Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, Jordan Hicks and De’Vondre Campbell. Arizona is building a solid team on both sides of the ball.
- DeMarcus Robinson (Kansas City Chiefs)
The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs re-signed DeMarcus Robinson to a one-year/$2,297,500 deal. The 25 year old receiver from Florida has made an impact on the high flying Kansas City offense the last two seasons. Retaining him on a one year prove-it deal is a good move for the Chiefs.
Speed is a principle of Andy Reid’s offense in Kansas City, and Robinson only adds to that. He is quick and athletic, and he is a good scheme fit in Reid’s offense. With his focus now 100% on football, Robinson was worth retaining for KC.
- Jimmy Smith (Baltimore Ravens)
The Ravens re-signed cornerback Jimmy Smith to a one-year/3,500,000 deal. The veteran corner has a nose for the ball and is not asked to do as much at this stage in his career. Smith can still check good receivers and make plays in this league.
Baltimore has the best secondary in the NFL and Jimmy Smith is a reason for that. The Ravens are heading into next season with Super Bowl expectations, which is why they added veteran win-now type talent.
- Trai Turner (Los Angeles Chargers)
The LA Chargers traded left tackle Russell Okung to the Panthers for guard Trai Turner. Los Angeles got the better end of this deal because Turner is a better lineman than Okung. Turner is also younger at age 26 and has three more Pro Bowls than Okung.
It’s still up in the air what the Chargers will do in next month’s draft. Whether they take a quarterback or not will significantly alter the franchise’s season outlook. Regardless of who’s under center, Turner will be blocking at a Pro Bowl level.
Everyone heard about the DeAndre Hopkins trade and the Tom Brady signing, but the moves we don’t hear about sometimes make the biggest impacts down the stretch of a season. Above is a list of the 10 most underrated moves made so far this offseason.
