Free Agent Navorro Bowman Signs With?

Navorro Bowman (6’1, 235lb LB) is one of my all time favorite linebackers. I think back to the 2014 NFC Championship Game in which he broke his leg making an insane strip, fumble, recovery on Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse at the 1 yard line. Although the refs blew the call and it was not a reviewable play. Meaning the fumble never actually occurred and Seattle maintained possession (https://youtu.be/fjyTJwOxJyw). The clutchness of Bowman always sticks out in my head and if that fumble play was callled correctly. The probability of the 49ers going onto the Superbowl was likely in my mind. The Seahawks wound up winning that game and eventually the Superbowl in a blowout against the Peyton Manning Broncos.

Bowman still has a lot to offer as a starting NFL linebacker. With his injury history and age. Bowman still performed wonderfully in 2017! In the 10 games with the Oakland Raiders. He racked up 89 combined tackles, including 1.5 sacks. The Raiders wound up stinking it up but it was fun watching Bowman fly around the field. It was also fun scooping him up in IDP leagues. In my deeper leagues, I scooped him up once rumor spread the niners were releasing him. Knowing he is a tackle machine, he didn’t disappoint. What didn’t work in San Francisco with the new defense, was not Bowman’s fault. An easy waiver wire acquisition.

Let’s reminisce with Bowman’s stats when healthy. An Absolute B-E-A-S-T!

2011 (16 games) – 143 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 8 pass deflections.

2012 (16 games) – 148 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int, 1 forced fumble and 6 pass deflections.

2013 (16 games) – 145 combined tackles, 5 sacks, 2 int, 2 fumble recoveries, 6 forced fumbles, 9 pass deflections and 1 touchdown.

2015 (16 games) – 154 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 2 pass deflections.

2017 (15 games) – 127 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 int, 1 fumble recovery and 3 pass deflections.

This 4 time All Pro would fit in nice with the Los Angeles Rams. Bowman can play all three linebacker positions and at approximately $2 million a year. The Rams could sign him now that they traded away their 23rd overall pick in this year’s draft (https://ffphilosophy.com/2018/04/05/brandin-cooks-trade-2018-nfl-draft-fantasy-football-impact-and-future-trade-potential/)

The Rams have been active this offseason which means anything is possible. With Aaron Donald and Ndamkong Suh keeping opponent’s offensive lineman off of the linebackers. Any linebacker on this squad is in a dream position. The fact that the Ram’s linebackers are average at best. Signing Bowman would be a smart move, give them a veteran with extensive playoff experience, a player with knowledge of the NFC West and an excellent roaming linebacker.

The New Orleans Saints added middle linebacker Demario Davis this off season. They have A.J. Klein who is solid but other than that they are weak. Bowman would fit in nicely here and play outside linebacker for a defense that made strides in the right direction last season.

Bud Dupree, Jon Bostic and Vince Williams are all questionable at best in Pittsburgh. Linebacker TJ Watt is a stud! Why not bring in Bowman to partially fill in the gap left by Ryan Shazier? The Steelers stinking it up at the linebacker position is surprising. They better do something fast before their season is lost before it starts! The draft and Bowman can fix things fast. Bringing them back to contention. This team depends on linebackers more so than most in the NFL. Maybe the prestige of this organization lures Bowman in?

The Buffalo Bills are weak as can be at the linebacker positions. They lost Zach Brown and Preston Brown in consecutive seasons. As a Bills fan I’d love to see Bowman start but he is a warm weather player. Still, the Bills are on the uptick, so I’m hoping Bowman sees an opportunity to win in Buffalo. Currently only Lorenzo Alexander is dissent on the roster.

How about the Cincinnati Bengals? Vontaze Burfcit is suspended to start the 2018 season and a talented liability. Bowman would fit in without a hitch in this physical division.

The Dallas Cowboys defense is atrocious and they haven’t done much to improve it. Dependant upon Ezekiel Elliot and controlling the clock on offense. The Cowboys are in need of linebackers. Sean Lee is great when on the field and Jaylon Smith will improve in his third season (2nd season actually playing). Bringing in Bowman gives them a starter with attitude. Which this defense needs. Someone with credibility and someone that offenses must pay attention too when gameplanning. I’d like to see Bowman land in Dallas. I think he would see the most success stat wise here.

Of course, he could just re-sign with the Oakland Raiders? However, the Raiders signed Tahir Whitehead and hold the 10th overall draft pick. Bruce Irvin will start and thats about it. Jon Gruden is in town and may address the need through the draft. Cory James is promising if he recovers from injury. Bowman is best finding work elsewhere.

Conclusion: Navorro Bowman will sign with the Dallas Cowboys. An opportunity to play, win a ship and weather are too much to pass up. New Orleans is a close second.

As Always,

(Teams Going Off + Thoughts Flexed In) = Combination Lineups

May the Fantasy Force Be With You.

Follow Moon Man on Twitter @FFPmoonman

Check out a few other articles below:

https://ffphilosophy.com/2018/03/30/mock-draft-round-1-baker-mayfield-dropping-fast/

https://ffphilosophy.com/2018/04/01/round-1-mock-draft-2-0/

https://ffphilosophy.com/2018/03/28/new-york-giants-trading-odell-beckham-jr/

https://ffphilosophy.com/2018/03/22/cleveland-browns-draft-sam-darnold-1st-overall/