The NFL Scouting Combine is over. Now the biggest two weeks of the offseason can begin.
The next 10 days will set the table for the next six months of NFL overanalysis. The biggest names will mostly be accounted for by next Friday, March 11. The biggest contracts will often be worked out before free agency even starts.
Before diving deep into our free agency coverage, let's take stock of what happened in Indianapolis. Bucky Brooks has been breaking down the winners and losers from the college prospects throughout the week; we'll look at the pro side.
Winners
Arian Foster, Houston Texans: The Texans didn't exactly say that Foster won't be released, but it sounds like he'll at least practice in the offseason at his considerable salary. That's a better scenario for Foster than getting released and hitting free agency at age 30.
San Diego Chargers: They would be happy to trade out of the No. 3 overall pick and the chances are rising that another team could want to make make a move. Carson Wentz and Jared Goff have established themselves as the clear top two quarterbacks in the draft. With Tony Romo possibly headed for another procedure on his collarbone, teams could be looking to trade ahead of Dallas at No. 4 to grab the second quarterback of the draft.
New York Jets: General manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles give off an air of quiet confidence and competence every time they speak. After plenty of turnover at both spots in New York over the last 15 years, Jets fans have to be thrilled with two guys that act like old pros. It doesn't hurt to see the team's former coach losing his way while keeping track of enemies.
Brock Osweiler, Denver Broncos: John Elway and Gary Kubiak have made it clear they value Osweiler as a starter and he's expected to get paid like it sooner than later. While Peyton Manning works on his retirement statement, Osweiler is doing a fine dining tour in Napa Valley.
Danny Trevathan, Denver Broncos: Trevathan won't be a Bronco for long. He has former coaches in Chicago and Atlanta, and both teams need a linebacker just like Trevathan. A bidding war could equal big bucks.
Free agent wideouts: The Bears' decision to give the franchise tag to Alshon Jeffery means the free agent wide receiver market is wildly thin, with guys like Marvin Jones and Rishard Matthews.
Losers
Colin Kaepernick clarity: It has been hard to trust much of anything coming out of San Francisco the last two years. Hours after the 49ers swore allegiance to Kaepernick last week, Kaepernick asked for permission to seek a trade according to NFL Media's Rand Getlin.
It's hard to know what the exact truth is here but none of the options are encouraging for 49ers fans. Either the 49ers were lying about wanting Kaepernick back to gain some leverage for possible trade talks or they were caught flat-footed by a player who has lost trust for the organization. It's hard to imagine the 49ers getting much in a potential trade (mid-to-late round pick?) and it's hard to imagine Kaepernick returning to the team after trying to get out of town.
Greg Hardy: The Cowboys made it clear that they don't want Hardy back. If Dallas can't stand having him around despite a lot of productivity, what teams are realistically going to pay him?
Saints fans: New Orleans made a necessary move by releasing all-time franchise receiving leader Marques Colston on Monday, but that doesn't make it any less of a bummer. The team's decision to bring in deposed Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis for a visit doesn't help. The New Orleans-St. Louis pipeline in recent years has been curious and this signing would remind us of plenty of other moves that haven't worked for the Saints.
Fans of quarterback play in Los Angeles: Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead spent the Combine talking up Case Keenum, bending over backwards to come up with reasons to be excited about the team's offense. Meanwhile, it seems like this vanilla offense approach won't be changing anytime soon. Fisher has had a losing record in all four seasons with the Rams. He will be the first coach since Dave Shula in that situation to get a fifth season.
Eugene Monroe, Baltimore Ravens: It sounds like it's only a matter of time before the Ravens cut their big money tackle. Kelechi Osemele looks likely to get a big contract to essentially replace his teammate.
