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Bold predictions for the 2022 NFL offseason
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bold predictions for the 2022 NFL offseason

The 2022 NFL offseason is set to be memorable, with several high-profile players on the trade market, as well as prominent free agents. Here's a look at 25 bold predictions for the upcoming weeks and months.

 
1 of 25

Bengals sign Terron Armstead

Bengals sign Terron Armstead
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

Armstead is the best tackle on the market and would be a no-brainer for the top team in the AFC. Cincinnati has had problems on the offensive line for several years, and still needs to invest in protection for Joe Burrow after he was injured in 2020 and beaten up much of 2021.

 
2 of 25

Broncos settle for Jameis Winston

Broncos settle for Jameis Winston
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Denver remains the most often mentioned destination for Aaron Rodgers, but they might not be the best situation for him with a new head coach, albeit one he is very familiar with from Green Bay. If the Broncos are unable to add Rodgers, there are plenty of other options. Winston is one who could be more intriguing than he appears on paper, as he has the arm strength to get the most out of the team's deep threats and also would allow the Broncos to improve other needs with their immense cap space.

 
3 of 25

Browns sign Chandler Jones

Browns sign Chandler Jones
Michael Chow / USA Today Sports Images

Cleveland will be in the market for defensive line help again with the pending free agency of Jadeveon Clowney. Jones is a clear improvement after recording 10.5 sacks in Arizona last season and could help Myles Garrett become even more dominant.

 
4 of 25

Cardinals sign J.C. Jackson

Cardinals sign J.C. Jackson
David Butler / USA Today Sports Images

Jackson is arguably the top cornerback available in free agency. The Patriots haven't been shy about moving on from defensive players they turn into stars as they showed in the past with Malcolm Butler. Jackson's contract could be too rich for New England, but a team with a major need like Arizona would likely jump at the opportunity.

 
5 of 25

Chargers sign Odell Beckham Jr.

Chargers sign Odell Beckham Jr.
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Beckham has helped his value with his great run in a Rams uniform, and it would seem he's happier in a bigger market compared to Cleveland. The Chargers are a perfect fit if they are unable to re-sign Mike Williams, as Beckham would remain in LA with a great quarterback (Justin Herbert), and the Chargers are among the league leaders in cap space.

 
6 of 25

Chiefs sign JuJu Smith-Schuster

Chiefs sign JuJu Smith-Schuster
Philip G. Pavely / USA Today Sports Images

The Chiefs just barely struck out on signing Smith-Schuster last offseason, but they could get him cheaper this offseason after the wideout missed much of 2021 with a shoulder injury. It would make sense for Smith-Schuster to accept a prove-it deal after consecutive mediocre seasons and likely go elsewhere to a better quarterback situation. The Chiefs would be a terrific fit.

 
7 of 25

Colts trade for Aaron Rodgers

Colts trade for Aaron Rodgers
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

The Colts were non-committal about Carson Wentz after he floundered late in the season, but there are only so many clear upgrades. Rodgers is certainly one of them, and the situation would be a good one for the Packers legend with a talented roster and relatively mediocre AFC South division. The Colts already spent significant draft capital to add Wentz but could recover some of that by trading him somewhere else to use in a deal for Rodgers.

 
8 of 25

Commanders wind up with Carson Wentz

Commanders wind up with Carson Wentz
Matt Pendleton / USA Today Sports Images

Washington must address the quarterback position more significantly than they did last year when they signed Ryan Fitzpatrick. A long-term option would be optimal, and Wentz would seem to be a nice fit. He has a background in similar offenses and doesn't have to do much to be a significant improvement for the Commanders.

 
9 of 25

Cowboys sign Grady Jarrett

Cowboys sign Grady Jarrett
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Atlanta is in a rebuild situation and stands to gain over $16.5 million against the cap by cutting Jarrett. After a down year, he could look to rebuild his value with former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn in Dallas.

 
10 of 25

Dolphins spend big on the offensive line and Cordarrelle Patterson

Dolphins spend big on the offensive line and Cordarrelle Patterson
Matt Pendleton / USA Today Sports Images

Miami has plenty of cap space, and the offensive needs are clear. New head coach Mike McDaniel comes from a 49ers offense that was built around a great offensive line and run scheme, and that should only help Tua Tagovailoa. It could be an attractive situation for Patterson after a breakout year in Atlanta, with the possibility of being used in a similar role with his new team a la Deebo Samuel in San Francisco.

 
11 of 25

Eagles trade for Calvin Ridley

Eagles trade for Calvin Ridley
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Ridley sat out most of 2021 due to mental health and is rumored to be seeking a trade. Teams would be lining up for his services if that happens, but no team has more draft capital to make such a move than the Eagles with three first-round picks. Adding Ridley to fellow Alabama alum DeVonta Smith could make for an extremely dynamic offense.

 
12 of 25

Jaguars sign Davante Adams

Jaguars sign Davante Adams
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

It's assumed Adams would follow Aaron Rodgers out the door in Green Bay if the quarterback decides to leave. However, chasing the money could be more attractive for Adams than following Rodgers to a new team. Few teams have more cap space or a bigger need at wideout than the Jaguars, and Doug Pederson could do enough to convince the superstar wide receiver that it's the right move.

 
13 of 25

Jets sign Allen Robinson

Jets sign Allen Robinson
Phillip G. Pavely / USA Today Sports Images

Robinson is coming off a disappointing season, battling through injury and struggling in 12 games. He could be in for a one-year deal, and the Jets have a huge need for wide receiver help for young quarterback Zach Wilson. The signing would make sense and could be one of the few teams willing to give Robinson multiple years.

 
14 of 25

Lions trade for Michael Thomas

Lions trade for Michael Thomas
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

Thomas played only seven games in 2020 and missed all of last season due to an ankle injury. With the Saints in major transition with a new head coach and major cap trouble, they will almost certainly look to trade the former star. Lions head coach Dan Campbell is very familiar with Thomas from his time in New Orleans, and Detroit is in dire need of wide receiver help.

 
15 of 25

Marcus Mariota finds a starting job

Marcus Mariota finds a starting job
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

Mariota has served as the Raiders' backup quarterback over the last two years after he was ousted in Tennessee. It's a perfect time for him to reach free agency with multiple teams needing a quarterback a relatively weak draft class for the position. Still only 28, Mariota provides a stopgap for a team wanting to develop its next signal-caller.

 
16 of 25

Packers draft a quarterback to start in 2022

Packers draft a quarterback to start in 2022
Benny Sieu / USA Today Sports Images

If Aaron Rodgers opts to leave Green Bay, the Packers have a huge decision to make. The easy decision would be to give 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love a chance, but he looked like a deer in headlights when facing the Chiefs in 2021. Green Bay might just have to take their losses and try again in the draft, where there are several intriguing projects available. The possible draft capital they could receive in a Rodgers trade would make the decision easier.

 
17 of 25

Panthers trade for Jimmy Garoppolo

Panthers trade for Jimmy Garoppolo
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports Images

Garoppolo entered 2021 as if it was his final season in San Francisco after the team mortgaged their future to draft Trey Lance. Ready or not, it's become clear Lance will get his chance soon. Garoppolo certainly has his blemishes, but he's a clear improvement for several teams like the Panthers. He's proven he can take a team deep into the playoffs with the right supporting cast.

 
18 of 25

Patriots sign Braxton Berrios

Patriots sign Braxton Berrios
Sam Navarro / USA Today Sports Images

Berrios could be seeking a big deal in free agency, but it's unclear if the Jets are convinced he deserves one. If they move on, Berrios would seem like a perfect as a versatile slot receiver in New England with a similar profile to past wideouts like Deion Branch, Danny Amendola, Wes Welker, and Julian Edelman.

 
19 of 25

Raiders trade for Brandin Cooks

Raiders trade for Brandin Cooks
Corey Perrine / USA Today Sports Images

Cooks would seem to be a clear trade candidate as he looks to win more games as he approaches age 30. The speedy wideout played one season in New England under new Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, and he's a great fit for an offense that desperately needs a deep threat to complement Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow.

 
20 of 25

Rams sign Melvin Ingram

Rams sign Melvin Ingram
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Ingram performed well after he was traded to the Chiefs in 2021, and would likely be looking for a place he can win as he enters free agency. The Rams don't have much in the way of resources but could allow Ingram to return to LA in another great situation while replacing Von Miller.

 
21 of 25

Ravens sign Tyrann Mathieu and Akiem Hicks

Ravens sign Tyrann Mathieu and Akiem Hicks
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Baltimore's banged-up defense was one reason they faltered in 2021, and they will likely be willing to add significant talent with a new coordinator on board. Veterans like Mathieu and Hicks could help transform the defense if the Ravens can find the cap space to pay them.

 
22 of 25

Seahawks bring back Frank Clark

Seahawks bring back Frank Clark
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

Clark is an obvious-cut candidate in Kansas City, with the team able to free up significant cap space. His play has clearly declined despite making three consecutive Pro Bowls, but the Seahawks know the defensive end well and could use pass rush help.

 
23 of 25

Steelers trade for Matt Ryan

Steelers trade for Matt Ryan
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

The Steelers clearly need to replace Ben Roethlisberger and fix their offensive line issues in the offseason. Mike Tomlin has stated a preference to add a veteran at quarterback, and Ryan fits the bill if the team believes he has anything left. He failed to reach 4,000 yards passing with Atlanta for the first time since 2010, but would likely be entering a much better situation with excellent weapons in Pittsburgh.

 
24 of 25

Texans sign James Conner

Texans sign James Conner
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Houston went running back crazy last offseason with an eye toward developing a conservative offense. That's unlikely to change after promoting Lovie Smith to head coach, and the dynamic Conner would be a nice fit after a great season in Arizona.

 
25 of 25

Titans sign Von Miller

Titans sign Von Miller
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

Miller seemed revitalized after getting traded to the Rams and likely wants to win at this stage in his career. With the possible loss of pending free agent Harold Landry, Tennessee has a need and a talented squad to help win Miller another ring.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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