The patchwork has begun in the NFL.
With free agency in full swing, it's time for teams to sign those missing pieces that will lead them to the Super Bowl. Well, maybe not, but that's what it seems like every year.
If only we had a dominant pass rusher. If only we had a decent quarterback. If only we had that deep threat receiver. There's always the so-called winners and losers of free agency.
The Patriots have won five Super Bowls since 2002. How many times have they won free agency or received an A for a free agent signing class? Maybe when they traded for Randy Moss, and they didn't get a Lombardi Trophy out of that.
Then you look at teams like the Dolphins, Eagles and Jaguars. They are just a few examples of big spenders in free agency in recent years.
The Dolphins and Jaguars have a combined four playoff appearances since 2002 and the Eagles haven't made the postseason in a few years.
Remember the so-called dream team back in 2011? That's how most free agency winners seem to end up.
As it stands now, the Jaguars are primed to have the top defense, the Eagles will have the receiving corps for Carson Wentz to flourish, and whoever picks up Tony Romo will suddenly be among the Super Bowl favorites.
I can't wait for the Tony Romo-Jacksonville matchup in the AFC championship game.
Just last year the Texans made the big splash by signing Brock Osweiler. Only the Texans thought that was a good idea.
He lost his starting job late in the season and was dumped off to the Browns, who are willing to pay the $16-million salary for a second round draft pick they got in the trade. This fiasco most likely isn't finished since the Browns' statement didn't exactly praise Osweiler.
Her's the full statement: "We're really excited to acquire a second round draft choice in this trade. Draft picks are extremely important to our approach in building a championship caliber football team. We are intent on adding competition to every position on our roster and look forward to having Brock come in and compete."
When you say compete, you mean trade him for another draft pick, right?
Free agency is fueled by desperation. The Texans were desperate to have a playoff-caliber offense to go with its defense and Osweiler just happened to be the best available option. Now they're back to where they started, except without one of their 2018 draft picks.
As strange as it sounds, the Browns may be on to something with this trade.
They want draft picks, which means they know building a roster through the draft is their best option to turn the franchise around.
Even if they have to pay Osweiler this season, it'll be worth it if that draft pick is used wisely.
They've tried the quick fix formula, and it failed.
Robert Griffin III was released after just one year on the team and Terrelle Pryor is off to Washington, which has its own mess to clean up.
The teams that are throwing money at players their former teams didn't want might want to actually take notes from the Browns.
The key is to use free agency to surround young talent with skilled veterans.
The Raiders have become a contender in the AFC West with this approach. They've drafted a star quarterback, defensive end and receiver, a starting safety, and two running backs.
Three of their starting offensive linemen came from free agency and another was drafted. Michael Crabtree was signed to add experience to the young receiving corps.
The Chiefs have also become a regular contender in the AFC West through the draft. Eric Berry, Travis Kelce and Marcus Peters, just to name a few.
The quick fix has become a quick way to break a franchise for years. Not all draft picks are going to turn out, but finding a few gems here and there can mean the difference between the Browns and the Patriots.