AFC offseason predictions: Steelers draft a QB while another one spurns Titans

[ad_1] The NFL playoffs are in full swing, however lots of you might be most likely already interested by the offseason.

Forward of the divisional-round video games, Yardbarker NFL writers supply a prediction concerning the offseason for every AFC group. (The regular-season report for every group is in parentheses.)

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS (13-4) | WR Amari Cooper strikes on | Buffalo gave up third- and seventh-round picks to get the 30-year-old receiver from the Browns, however he had simply 20 catches for 297 yards in eight video games with the Payments. Buffalo averaged 5.2 extra yards per sport with Cooper on the roster, however with solely $7M left on subsequent 12 months’s wage cap, the Payments gained’t give the pending free agent something close to the $14.2M per 12 months he’s anticipated to command this offseason (h/t: Spotrac).

MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-9) | WR Tyreek Hill will get traded | Now that agent Drew Rosenhaus mentioned his shopper has dedicated to the Dolphins, it’s secure to say Hill is something however. Hill instructed reporters he was accomplished with Miami after the group’s loss to the Jets, so count on Dolphins administration to maneuver the disgruntled 30-year-old to an NFC contender, maybe throughout the offseason however positively by the commerce deadline.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-13) | Signal Tee Higgins | The Patriots had the NFL’s worst passing sport (176.1 YPG) in 2024 whereas the Bengals owned the league’s greatest passing offense (272.9 YPG). Cincinnati's Higgins reluctantly performed on a franchise tag in 2024, racking up 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 video games. He might have even higher numbers because the No. 1 choice for QB Drake Maye in New England.

NEW YORK JETS (5-12) | Aaron Rodgers will get a protege | With an affordable cap quantity for Rodgers ($23M) in 2025, the Jets take a web page from the Atlanta Falcons' playbook and pair the veteran QB with both Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward. Shifting up from the No.7 spot within the draft gained’t be simple, however cornerback Sauce Gardner and working again Breece Corridor could possibly be concerned in a deal as each will probably be free brokers in 2026. — Bruce Ewing

AFC West DENVER BRONCOS (10-7) | Draft Penn State TE Tyler Warren | An govt not too long ago instructed The Athletic’s Mike Sando, “If [the Broncos] had a decent finish or runner that might separate in opposition to man protection, they'd be actually robust to cope with.” Warren — who had 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight landing catches in 16 video games this season — might fill this important want for Denver, which has decide No. 20 within the draft.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-2) | Draft substitute for TE Travis Kelce | In 16 regular-season video games, Kelce had profession lows in receiving yards (823) and landing catches (three). The draft class options potential replacements for the 35-year-old TE, together with Michigan’s Colston Loveland and Bowling Inexperienced’s Harold Fannin Jr.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4-13) | Draft Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders | Per Yahoo Sports activities’ Charles Robinson, Raiders minority proprietor Tom Brady “has a large amount of respect” for Sanders’ preparation and toughness. Don’t be shocked if Vegas considers buying and selling up from No. 6 within the draft to take Sanders, who tossed 37 landing passes in 13 begins.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (11-6) | Launch edge-rusher Joey Bosa | Bosa might turn into a salary-cap casualty after he had 5 sacks and 22 tackles in 14 regular-season video games. In accordance with Spotrac, the four-time Professional Bowler has the group’s second-largest cap hit ($36.47M) in 2025. — Clark Dalton

AFC North BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-5) | Make Kyle Hamilton the highest-paid security in NFL historical past | Hamilton is due for a contract extension this offseason, and contemplating he’s arguably the perfect security within the NFL, the Ravens can be sensible to maintain him for a very long time. Spotrac initiatives a three-year, $60.8M extension for Hamilton, which might make him the highest-paid security in league historical past.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-8) | Let Tee Higgins stroll | Higgins will probably be too costly for Cincinnati to maintain round, particularly with an enormous Ja’Marr Chase extension looming. The Bengals may have no alternative however to let Higgins stroll in free company and attempt to exchange him with a youthful choice within the draft.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-14) | Commerce Myles Garrett, draft Abdul Carter | The Browns have a depressing future forward with two years of Deshaun Watson’s $230M contract nonetheless rotting within the books, so they should begin rebuilding this roster with younger expertise. Step one will probably be to commerce Garrett whereas his worth is at its peak and draft his substitute at No. 2 total.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7) | Draft Alabama QB Jalen Milroe | The Steelers have to gun for the best upside potential with their subsequent QB, and that’s precisely what Milroe presents as a Lamar Jackson-esque prospect. If Milroe doesn’t pan out, not less than Pittsburgh can say it lastly swung for the fences. — Jack Dougherty

AFC South HOUSTON TEXANS (10-7) | Commerce for broad receiver Tyreek Hill | With Stefon Diggs a pending free agent and Tank Dell’s standing for the start of the 2025 season unsure after struggling a decrease leg damage late within the common season, Hill would fill a void as Houston tries to construct on its promising basis.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-9) | Signal QB Russell Wilson | Wilson will comply with the likes of Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz and signal with the Colts, who've an iffy QB scenario after Anthony Richardson accomplished 47.7 p.c of his passes this season. Wilson might push the younger QB on the follow subject and can be a greater choice than Joe Flacco if head coach Shane Steichen benches Richardson once more.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-13) | Hires Ben Johnson as head coach | The Jags’ opening isn’t as enticing as it might have been if proprietor Shad Khan had fired GM Trent Baalke. Nevertheless, the concept of teaching QB Trevor Lawrence will probably be a proposition too enticing for Johnson to move up. Plus, he'll get a boatload of cash from Khan.

TENNESSEE TITANS (3-14) | QB Shedeur Sanders pulls an Eli Manning, tells Titans to not draft him | The Titans proved they don’t have a plan after firing GM Ran Carthon two years after hiring him from the 49ers. Head coach Brian Callahan didn’t encourage a lot confidence together with his mentoring of QB Will Levis, which may lead Sanders to comply with Manning’s lead and inform Tennessee to look elsewhere for its subsequent QB. — Eric Smithling