<
>
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Get ESPN+

GM for a day: Making each NFL team's biggest free-agent decision

Will the Super Bowl champs bring back Trey Flowers? How should the Steelers handle Le'Veon Bell? Which players could get the franchise tag? Every team is facing some tough questions.

In a recent story on ESPN.com, the NFL Nation team pulled together a list of the biggest looming free-agent decisions for all 32 teams.

Using that list as a guideline, I'll play general manager for each team, deciding whether teams should pay or pass with these decisions, factoring in player performance and impact, team depth, financial implications and more.

Some decisions involved the franchise tag. Some were big-money, long-term deals. Others were about upgrading in the draft. Here's what I would do with the top significant free-agent decisions this offseason.

Scan through each team by division, or click here to jump ahead to your team:


AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

OG John Miller: When head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane were hired, the vision for the Bills' future called for a roster build. A surprise run to the playoffs in 2017 was exhilarating, but also ahead of schedule. The Bills now enter an offseason in the healthiest place during the McDermott/Beane tenure: equipped with cap space (estimated around $82 million), a young quarterback and a rock-solid defense. Miller is a fine player; he showed strides in 2018 and can be a starter. Ideally, however, he'd be a depth-level player along your line who can start in a pinch.

Verdict: Re-sign Miller to a modest deal.

Miami Dolphins

OT Ja'Wuan James: As new head coach Brian Flores embarks upon his first offseason, the Dolphins need to honestly evaluate where they are in the roster-building process. James is a stud right tackle, and those get paid handsomely on the open market. James is worth the payday for someone -- the Dolphins just need to decide how aggressive they want to be in retaining him. He's only 26, and as the Dolphins begin a likely search for a long-term quarterback solution, fortifying the offensive line should be a priority. Keeping James won't come cheap but is a reasonable first step.

Verdict: Re-sign James.