The Daily Briefing Friday, February 18, 2022

CHICAGO

A twitter thread from Johnathan Wood of DaBearsBlog:

THREAD

It’s really remarkable that Ryan Pace learned absolutely nothing from how badly he mismanaged Mitchell Trubisky through the first year of his career. He literally repeated every single mistake with Justin Fields.

Let’s recap…

1) Should have fired your head coach heading into the offseason when you ultimately draft the QB (Fox after 2016, Nagy after 2020), but you hung on to him for an extra year instead, all but guaranteeing the QB will need to learn a new system after year 1.

2) Overpaid a s—y veteran QB in free agency and anointed him the starter (Glennon/Dalton).

3) Because of your bad coaching situation, have a bad offensive coordinator/play caller (Dowell Loggains 2017, Nagy 2021).

4) Built a laughably bad group of pass catchers for your young QB’s rookie season, figuring it didn’t matter because the QB wouldn’t play as a rookie anyway. After all, you have that s—-y veteran!

5) Despite steps 1-4 guaranteeing this is a terrible situation for a young QB, trade up in round 1 to draft your QB.

6) Start rookie off as 3rd stringer in camp, so you can reward him for clearly being the best QB in camp/preseason by moving him up to 2nd string. Do not, under any circumstances, let him compete to start, because he is clearly better than the s—-y veteran you paid and anointed

7) Have no choice but to insert rookie into starting lineup within the first few weeks of the season when s—-y veteran is inevitably s—-y (and gets hurt in Dalton’s case, but he was also really s—-y before getting hurt)

8) Try to hide rookie QB who you’ve deliberately not prepared to play by limiting how much he throws the ball. End up putting him in awful 3rd and long situations a bunch early in the year because this inevitably fails.

WE ARE HERE RIGHT NOW

9) Fire shitty head coach and completely overhaul WR group after rookie season. Now the young QB needs to learn a whole new scheme and get familiar with all new pass catchers instead of simply focusing on getting better.

It’s honestly amazing that Ryan Pace managed to follow the exact same playbook so well two times in a row. I’m impressed.

Here’s hoping Fields is able to overcome the mismanagement and thrive going forward.

DETROIT

The Lions might end up having the last laugh.  They re-signed FB JASON CABINDA on Thursday – and his reasons for re-signing confirm the sense that Coach Dan Campbell is getting the job done.  Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:

One of Lions coach Dan Campbell’s favorite players, Cabinda said Thursday that feeling is mutual and that’s part of the reason he wanted to stay in Detroit.

“It starts with Coach Campbell and Brad Holmes and kind of them building this foundation from the ground up,” Cabinda said. “That toughness and that grit and the attitude and the mentality that we bring to the field, I feel like you saw it in every single game. It was a group that absolutely would never stop fighting regardless of the score, regardless of what it looks like, what happened last play. And I really carry that same mindset.”

GREEN BAY

Was Nathan Hackett’s departure to Denver a sign that QB AARON RODGERS would follow?  Maybe, maybe not – as the Packers bring back an old mentor.  Jeff Darlington:

@JeffDarlington

Do not underestimate Packers’ hiring of QB coach Tom Clements, who’s coming out of retirement for the job. A big step toward Rodgers remaining in GB… and a clear sign the Packers are, indeed, focused on keeping him. A lot of options on the table, but I’m told this is a key move.

Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com with more:

The Packers are expected to hire Tom Clements as their new quarterbacks coach, Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reports.

Green Bay is seeking to replace Luke Getsy, who left to become the offensive coordinator of the Bears.

Clements’ unretirement is a clear sign the Packers want to do everything possible to make Aaron Rodgers happy as he contemplates his future.

The Packers drafted Rodgers in 2005 and hired Clements as their quarterbacks coach in 2006. Clements became the team’s offensive coordinator in 2012 and spent three seasons in that role before moving into an assistant head coach role with the Packers in 2015 and 2016.

Clements, 68, didn’t coach in the NFL again until 2019. After two seasons with the Cardinals as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Clements announced his retirement a year ago.

Now, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur apparently has enticed Clements back to the sideline.

We remember that Tom Clements won a CFB championship as a quarterback in 1973 for Notre Dame.

MINNESOTA

Kevin O’Connell was introduced as the Vikings head coach on Thursday, donning a freshly-acquired purple button-down shirt.  Eric Smith of Vikings.com:

Kevin O’Connell is the new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

And the energy and excitement brought by his arrival were palpable inside Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on Thursday afternoon.

O’Connell was introduced as the 10th head coach in team history, and he brought quite the positive vibe with him.

“It’s such an unbelievable opportunity for me to be sitting up in front of you today,” O’Connell said. “I am incredibly humbled by this, to know that you get the opportunity to lead an organization, an organization that has tremendous history, an organization that’s had tremendous success on the field and in this community.”

O’Connell, who spent the past two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Rams, helped Los Angeles to a 23-20 win in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday over Cincinnati.

O’Connell said he wants to replicate the success the Rams just had and implement what he learned from Rams Head Coach Sean McVay.

“He’s had a huge impact on me the last two years, but even going back beyond that, I’ve learned so much from him about the type of team and culture that I want to build,” O’Connell said. “But he is truly a remarkable man, a remarkable leader.

“I hope to bring a lot of those characteristics to our football team here that he’s instilled that just helped us win a world championship,” O’Connell added.

Hall of Famers Bud Grant, John Randle and Randall McDaniel were on hand, as was Vikings Ring of Honor member Scott Studwell and dozens of other Vikings staff members.

O’Connell thanked many people along the way in his football journey, including his family, before laying out his vision for what he wants the Vikings to look like on and off the field.

“I hope the message of my enthusiasm and excitement comes through, but I can tell you firsthand I cannot wait,” O’Connell said. “From the moment this press conference ends we’re going upstairs and we’re getting started, finishing our staff like I said, and then we’ll get to implementing all the great things we’re going to do here.”

Here are four more takeaways from O’Connell’s introductory press conference:

1. He will call the offensive plays

Perhaps this isn’t a surprise, but O’Connell will call the Vikings offensive plays as the head coach.

While he wasn’t the sole play caller with the Rams, O’Connell helped design Los Angeles’ offense and was a key part of their offensive success.

And while O’Connell, a 2008 a third-round pick by New England, didn’t have an illustrious playing career, he learned plenty over a few seasons in the NFL that he hopes will translate to Minnesota’s offense.

“I think it’s funny you ask that because I’ve used this joke before, but my career as a player provided a great platform for me as a coach because I did spend a lot of time watching games from the sideline,” O’Connell said. “But I will say that with that comes the ability to see the game in a way that I feel very prepared to call the game.

“I feel like I’ve been around one of the best play callers in the NFL over the last couple years [in McVay], and obviously the system we run here will have a lot of characteristics of what we did in Los Angeles, the ability to have that attacking mindset, the ability to utilize our offense at the line of scrimmage,” O’Connell added. “With that, you have to have ownership of what you’re doing to call it, you have to have ownership of what you’re doing at the quarterback position to run the offense, and I feel very strongly about the circumstances and situation here to be really prepared to do that.”

O’Connell helped quarterback Matthew Stafford have one of the best seasons of his career in 2021, as Los Angeles went 12-5 and won the NFC West. The Rams also and finished in the top 10 in both points (27.1) and yards (372.1) per game.

2. Praise for Kirk Cousins

And speaking of quarterbacks, O’Connell fielded multiple questions on Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Minnesota’s starter for the past four seasons, Cousins is entering the final year of his current contract and is set to have a $45 million cap hit in 2022.

O’Connell has a history with Cousins, as the two worked together in Washington in 2017 when the former was the quarterbacks coach in 2017. Cousins threw for 4,091 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his lone season with O’Connell.

O’Connell was asked how Cousins will fit into his plans now that he is the head coach.

“I think Kirk has played at a very high level, and he’s done a lot of really good things throughout his career,” O’Connell said. “I know who he is as a player, and I know what he’s capable of, and part of our job as coaches is maximizing a player’s ability to go out every single Sunday and have success.

“I feel that’s going to be an advantage for us as we build our system offensively, make sure we really focus on the things Kirk does well, which I do think are a lot of aspects of playing the position, and help him on a daily basis connect with his team, lead us, be a completely quieted-mind quarterback that can go play because he’s talented enough to go do that, putting him in the best possible situations to have success,” O’Connell added.

The follow-up question to O’Connell asked if Cousins is in the Vikings 2022 plans.

“Well, I know he’s under contract and I’m excited to coach him,” O’Connell said. “We’ve already started thinking about how we’re going to build those systems for him and our other quarterbacks and really the tremendous skill group that we have, our guys up front.

“It takes all 11 to move the football on offense, to run it, to throw it, to score points in the red zone,” O’Connell added. “But I’m anticipating Kirk being a part of what we do.”

Cousins has thrown for 16,387 yards with 124 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in four seasons as the Vikings starting quarterback. He has a 33-29-1 record in 63 games.

3. An aggressive defensive mindset

While O’Connell will call Minnesota’s offensive plays, that role on defense will presumably lie with Ed Donatell, who was announced Thursday as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator.

O’Connell praised both Donatell’s experience and scheme, which he lauded as one of the toughest to play against in recent seasons.

Donatell, who has experience with revered defensive mind Vic Fangio, will enter his 32nd season in the NFL in 2022.

Vikings Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell in Photos

View photos of new Vikings Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell in photos from his time with the Broncos.

O’Connell said he expects the Vikings defense to be an aggressive unit that focuses on taking the ball away.

“I definitely have a vision of what I want the defense to look like and play like,” O’Connell said. “First and foremost, the core characteristics of playing good defense, which is guys flying around, a great tackling group.

“We’re going to force turnovers with how we play from a scheme standpoint, but that’s an effort thing. That’s playing with great effort, sustaining that, finishing plays, making it about the football. That’s part of our core football philosophy; number one, first and foremost, it’s all about the ball,” O’Connell added. “I think you lose games turning it over as an offense in this league before you ever give yourself a chance to win them. But defensively, the greatest defenses in this league not only stop people but they take the ball away, and that’ll be a huge part of what Ed and our defensive staff tries to build from day one here.”

As for what scheme the Vikings will run, O’Connell alluded to a 3-4 scheme, but noted the Vikings will certainly be diverse in their alignments, too.

Donatell ran a 3-4 scheme for the past three seasons in Denver (and was Fangio’s defensive backs coach in Chicago prior to that), while Minnesota ran a 4-3 base system over the past eight years.

“I think depending on the defense you talk to, 81 percent of the time they’re in nickel defense, which essentially is just a 4-3 with a fifth DB, I should say, in the game instead of a third linebacker,” O’Connell said. “A lot of times a big thing is being multiple with your fronts because I know as an offensive coach if we know where you’re going to be, we know where you’re going to line up.

“That makes it pretty easy at least to design things to attack angles, understand how you want to run the ball, how you want to protect,” O’Connell added. “But when you’re changing that picture and forcing opponents to deal with multiple fronts during a game, during a drive in some cases, that can be a real weapon for a defense, pairing that with some really good things on the back end, that’s kind of what we’re hunting.”

4. Collaboration and consistency

Perhaps the biggest buzz word surrounding the Vikings since they made major front-office changes on Jan. 10 is collaboration.

Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah brought up the word multiple times when he was introduced on Jan. 27.

O’Connell emphasized that he and Adofo-Mensah will work in tandem in bring success to Minnesota.

“Just knowing that the opportunity in front of us, I think the word collaboration speaks to the two guys you see sitting in front of you,” O’Connell said as he sat next to Adofo-Mensah. “I think doing our job for the people that will work for us, our coaching staff and our personnel staff, we’ll be letting those guys feel that immediate connection between the two of us, which will only allow our groups to connect.

“And then before you know it the players will be back in this building, and they’re going to be the No. 1 people, the No. 1 group that feels that connection and collaboration because it really is a thing,” O’Connell added. “I know the word has been used a lot, but it’s been used a lot for a reason, and I hope people and fans understand that. We both believe in it. We have that shared vision, and I’ve been a part of something and I know he has, too, where when it’s existed, a lot of really good things can happen.”

LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Internet deemed QB MATTHEW STAFFORD callous and indifferent when he did not rush to the aid of a photographer who fell from the stage at the Rams victory celebration.  Although the Staffords had no physical contact with her, other than taking a pose position and the fall appeared to be a combination of stage misconstruction or photographer error, the QB and his wife (and the Rams) have rushed to pay her hospital bills and replace her broken cameras.  ESPN.com:

The Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, said Thursday that they would pay a photographer’s medical bills and replace her cameras after she fell off the stage at the team’s Super Bowl celebration Wednesday.

Kelly Smiley, a photo editor for the NFL, NBA and NHL and a freelance photographer, said Thursday on Twitter that she fractured her spine in the fall, which happened in front of Matthew and Kelly Stafford, after she stepped backward on the stage. In addition, both of her cameras were broken, she tweeted.

In a video that circulated on social media, Stafford appeared to notice that Smiley fell but walked away. Kelly Stafford, however, rushed to the edge of the stage to check on Smiley. Matthew Stafford was widely criticized on social media for his reaction in the video.

“We have been in communication with Kelly Smiley since yesterday’s incident and we are sorry for what happened,” the Rams and the Staffords said in a joint statement. “As we told Kelly, we will be covering all her hospital bills and replacing her cameras. We wish her a speedy recovery.”

A GoFundMe page was created to help Smiley and had generated more than $42,000 in donations as of Thursday afternoon.

DENVER

Another coach has been hired off the Rams staff for a position of responsibility. ESPN.com:

The Denver Broncos have hired Los Angeles Rams secondary coach and passing game coordinator Ejiro Evero as their defensive coordinator on new head coach Nathaniel Hackett’s coaching staff, the team announced Thursday.

Evero was a college teammate of Hackett’s at UC Davis.

This season was the 41-year-old Evero’s fifth with the Rams but first as secondary coach. He had been the safeties coach from 2017 to 2020.

Previously, he was the Green Bay Packers’ defensive quality control coach in 2016 and before that spent five years on the San Francisco 49ers’ staff (2011-15) as both the quality control coach and an offensive assistant. He began his NFL coaching career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007-09) as defensive quality control coach.

The Broncos also hired Dwayne Stukes as special teams coordinator and Marcus Dixon as defensive line coach on Thursday. Stukes has 14 years of coaching experience with six NFL teams. He was the Rams’ assistant special teams coach last season. Dixon spent the last two seasons as the Rams’ assistant defensive line coach.

Hackett previously filled the offensive coordinator position when he hired Justin Outten, who followed him from Green Bay.

It’s pronounced “e-JEE-row EV-uh-row”.  Evero was born in Colchester, England and raised in California, attending UC-Davis.  His father was a college student in Cochester when Evero was born.  He met and bonded with Nathaniel Hackett on the Buccaneers staff in the late 2000s.

KANSAS CITY

Saints RB ALVIN KAMARA was not the only NFL player in the pack that descended on and injured a man in Las Vegas at the Pro Bowl.  Adam Teicher of ESPN.com:

The attorney for Chris Lammons said the Kansas City Chiefs cornerback appeared in court in Las Vegas on Thursday after being charged with battery resulting in substantial bodily harm and conspiracy to commit battery.

The charges stem from a Feb. 6 incident in Las Vegas in which three others have been charged, including star New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

Lammons was not asked to enter a plea, according to his attorney, Ross Goodman. He posted $5,000 bail after turning himself in to authorities. He will appear in court again on March 8.

Kamara faces a charge of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. Video surveillance shows him punching a man approximately eight times before others in Kamara’s group proceeded to stomp on him several more times on the ground in a Las Vegas casino over Pro Bowl weekend, according to the police report released earlier this month. He was later released after posting bail.

The man, who was knocked unconscious, sustained an orbital fracture to his right eye, among other injuries, according to the police report.

Lammons, 26, has appeared in 14 games over the last two seasons for the Chiefs, mainly playing on special teams.

He began his NFL career in 2019, playing in 12 games as a backup for the Miami Dolphins. He had one interception that season.

TENNESSEE

Boomtown Nashville may get a shiny new stadium that could host Super Bowls and other big events.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Titans were in talks with Nashville about renovations to Nissan Stadium, but they may be getting an entirely new home instead.

In a recent appearance on WNSR, via Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com, Butch Spyridon of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau said that talks about renovations resulted in plans that would run to a cost of around $600 million. A Titans spokespersonn told Nate Rau of Axios that the price tag is actually estimated at nearly double that amount and that “we need to take a step back and re-evaluate if a stadium renovation is the most responsible option forward and explore other paths.”

The spokesperson notes that the stadium’s structural frame “needs to be largely replaced with steel” and that “mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems need to be completely replaced.” Nashville Mayor John Cooper confirmed “revised cost estimates require us to closely review whether a new stadium would be a better long-term financial decision.”

Talks between the team and the city are reportedly progressing well, but moving from renovations to a new stadium raises issues that will need to be ironed out. Among them is whether the stadium will have a roof, which would cost more while also putting the city in the running for bigger events like the Super Bowl and Final Four in the future. The financing for any building is another significant question that would have to be answered before moving forward in Nashville.

MIAMI

Deposed coach Brian Flores, who never interviewed for a job he shouldn’t have been hired for, also claims none of his relationships with players were “strained”, most notably with QB TUA TAGOVAILOA.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

Former Dolphins coach Brian Flores hasn’t shied away from speaking publicly about his current fight with the NFL, even though the league surely will study every word he says in search of anything that could be used as ammunition to create the impression of inconsistency in anything he may say while testifying later, in his landmark lawsuit against the league and multiple teams.

Flores appears as a guest on the next I Am Athlete podcast. The episode arrives Monday, February 21. For now, a trailer has been released, during which Flores discusses reports that he had a strained relationship with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

 “This is an interesting topic, because it wasn’t strained. We had a good relationship. It was a player-coach relationship. And I think in a relationship like that, you know, the coach challenges the player. And oftentimes the player challenges the coach. And I think there was a great deal of respect between the two of us. So you hear these crazy kind of — this narrative that’s out there. But this is a young man who works, who developed and got better over two years and, you know, I think he’s got, you know, a bright future. I wish him all the best . . . .

“So the world can think what it wants to think. I think — ask Tua, you know? I’m here to say what I gotta say, and you can ask him. So, I think he’d say the same thing.”

After the Dolphins fired Flores, the team apparently began peddling the narrative that Flores didn’t want Tua, that Flores wanted Deshaun Watson instead, and that the rest of the organization preferred the status quo. That was a phony narrative, aimed at pinning all perceptions of dysfunction on Flores.

THIS AND THAT

2022 DRAFT

Today’s Mock Draft is from Todd McShay of ESPN.com.  He is bullish on WR DRAKE LONDON.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Jaguars’ top priority this offseason should be building around quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and that starts with the offensive line. Three starters along the line are set to be free agents — including left tackle Cam Robinson — and the other two are under contract for only one more year. Neal is a clear upgrade over Robinson at a lower cost, and he could be a foundational player on that offense with Lawrence for years to come. He has a massive frame, explosive power and versatility. Plus, Neal is a dominant run blocker, which will benefit James Robinson and Travis Etienne Jr. (set to return in 2022). New coach Doug Pederson won a Super Bowl with an elite offensive line, and the Jaguars know their success is tied to keeping Lawrence upright.

I also considered Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson here. He’s my top prospect, and it’s worth noting that Jacksonville was tied for 27th in the league in sacks (32) in 2021. I’d have no issue with the Jags taking Hutchinson instead, but I ultimately thought they needed to take the easy upgrade at a crucial spot. Neal would be the fifth offensive lineman taken at No. 1 overall in the common draft era (Eric Fisher in 2013 was the most recent).

2. Detroit Lions

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

This is a slam-dunk scenario for the Lions. They gave up 5.9 yards per play (29th) and 26.9 points per game (28th), opposing quarterbacks had the third-best QBR against them (53.4), and only two teams had fewer sacks than their 30 in 2021. Hutchinson — who is from Michigan and played his college ball less than an hour away from Detroit — is a relentless pass-rusher who had 14.0 sacks and 66 pressures last year. He can take over a game on defense, and Detroit needs more players like that, especially because its top pass-rusher in 2021 (Charles Harris, 7.5 sacks) is a free agent.

3. Houston Texans

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Texans can go a lot of different ways here. Do they take NC State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu? I thought about it, because they allowed 40 sacks in 2021 (tied for 11th most), but Laremy Tunsil is still locking down the left tackle spot, and there are other holes. One of them is edge rush, where they still haven’t replaced J.J. Watt and have struggled to get to the quarterback. Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux could make sense. But in the end, I gave Houston the third-best player on my board in Hamilton.

Houston’s secondary has been abysmal — it gave up 8.0 yards allowed per pass (tied for last) — and Justin Reid is a free agent. Hamilton is a unique talent with an incredible combination of size, speed, strength and ball skills. GM Nick Caserio needs foundational stars in this Texans rebuild, and Hamilton has the versatility to impact multiple areas of new coach Lovie Smith’s defense. He’d be the sixth defensive back taken in the top three since 1967, with Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (2020) being the most recent.

4. New York Jets

Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Ekwonu’s size makes him tough to get around, he plays with the power to bury defenders, and he’s a mauler in the run game. In fact, some people around the NFL even like him more than Evan Neal. Ekwonu would help New York protect Zach Wilson in the passing game and spring Michael Carter in the running game. The Jets allowed 53 sacks in 2021 (fourth most), but New York’s offensive line issues aren’t as massive as they seem. I think the team is one impact player away there. Morgan Moses played well last season, but he’s a free agent due for a pay bump. Mekhi Becton, the Jets’ 2020 first-rounder, has struggled to stay healthy but still has a ton of upside.

Given some unknowns here, Ekwonu’s versatility matches what the Jets need. Coach Robert Saleh would have options with Ekwonu in the fold, including but not limited to bumping the rookie inside or sliding Becton to the right side. Alternatively, the Jets could consider Kayvon Thibodeaux to address the edge rush after generating just 33 sacks last year (tied for 28th).

5. New York Giants

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

Yes, the Giants need offensive linemen, but with a second top-10 pick on deck and the top two linemen off the board, we’re pivoting to the other massive weakness: pass rush. And wouldn’t you know it, Thibodeaux falls right into the Giants’ lap here. He has great quickness, a good arsenal of pass-rush moves and plenty of versatility. His tape is up and down, hence a slight slide to No. 5, but he’d immediately elevate a New York pass rush that had 34 sacks (tied for 22nd) last season. And he’d perfectly complement Leonard Williams and Azeez Ojulari, the team’s 2021 second-rounder who led the defense with 8.0 sacks in his rookie year.

6. Carolina Panthers

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

This was the most difficult pick for me. For one, the QB situation remains unresolved. The Panthers are financially invested in Sam Darnold for 2022, but it’s apparent he isn’t the long-term solution. Even so, No. 6 is too rich for any of the signal-callers in this class, and if Carolina is set on drafting one, a move back would be prudent. Then there is the offensive line, which surrendered 52 sacks in 2021 (fifth most). But again, the board doesn’t fill the holes. Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross could work, but he’s No. 22 on my board at the moment. (I’m a little lower on him than some teams; he could be a top-10 pick.)

So I ended up going with the best available, and that’s absolutely Gardner. I mean, he gave up all of 60 yards in 14 games last season. That’s a true shutdown cornerback. And yes, the Panthers took Jaycee Horn at No. 8 last season, but this duo would be one of the best young tandems in the league. A team has used top-10 picks on defensive backs in back-to-back drafts just three times in the common draft era — and Carolina traded for CJ Henderson, who was Jacksonville’s ninth pick in 2019 — but Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson are both free agents, meaning this group isn’t as strong as it appears.

7. New York Giants (via CHI)

Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

As I mentioned above, I’m not totally sure Cross is a top-10 pick. But he handles speed rushers well and plays with patience, and I see good angles on tape in the run game. He’s the next best tackle on the board, and after landing Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5, New York can afford to reach a little bit here. With a new GM, head coach and offensive coordinator, the Giants are going to give quarterback Daniel Jones every chance to succeed in 2022 before making a decision on their future under center. Jones has taken a lot of hits, and though left tackle Andrew Thomas rounded into form in 2021, the line remains a glaring problem. Cross, who gave up one sack on 683 pass-block snaps last season, helps.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Drake London, WR, USC

A team has used top-10 picks on pass-catchers in back-to-back drafts three times since 1967, so this might seem odd for a roster that just went 7-10. But the offense could lose five of the eight players who had at least 70 receiving yards last season to free agency, and it’s possible the Falcons additionally look to trade Calvin Ridley, who played in five games last year while taking time off to focus on his mental health. London, meanwhile, was on his way to a massive campaign for USC before breaking his right ankle in October. He’s a 6-foot-5 target who has the body control and contact balance to make plays over the middle, the speed to produce vertically and the instincts to create against different defensive looks.

The Falcons passed on a strong QB class at No. 4 last April to draft tight end Kyle Pitts, but it might decide to go that route now. Matt Ryan is their guy for 2022, but if they fall in love with one of the signal-callers, it’s a good spot to draft an heir to sit and learn behind Ryan. Perhaps Pitt’s Kenny Pickett could fit.

9. Denver Broncos

Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah

Will Denver end up with Aaron Rodgers? It’s hard to project anything for the Broncos until they figure out the quarterback situation. They have had zero success drafting and developing QBs. Drew Lock deserves a shot to compete if they don’t land a proven veteran, but no one is saying they’re Super Bowl bound with the 2019 draft pick under center, especially in a division that features Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr.

The defense got strong returns from Pat Surtain II in his rookie year, but there are definitely some weak spots on that side of the ball. The Broncos were bottom six in both pass rush win rate (31.3%, 32nd) and run stop win rate (27.8%, 27th). And linebackers Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell and Kenny Young are all primed for free agency. Lloyd plays fast, is rangy and has great recognition skills. I have Georgia’s Nakobe Dean ranked higher, but I’m hearing some teams like Lloyd a bit more. He’s a plug-and-play starter who can be Denver’s leader on defense.

10. New York Jets (via SEA)

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

The Jets went offense with their first four picks in 2021, and we just handed them an offensive tackle (Ikem Ekwonu) at No. 4. So yeah, this is defense all the way, especially with safety Marcus Maye facing free agency. The Jets could certainly get by with Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols at corner, but Stingley could be the steal of the draft if things go this way. The big question is whether the LSU product can return to form and produce as he did in his 2019 freshman year, when he had six interceptions. A left foot injury held him out of all but three games in 2021, but if he realizes his potential, Stingley would certainly improve a defense that gave up 8.0 yards per pass attempt and hauled in just seven interceptions in 2021.

11. Washington Commanders

Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Washington has a team name, and now it needs a quarterback. Perhaps the Commanders trade for Jimmy Garoppolo. Perhaps they get into the Jameis Winston mix in free agency. But if nothing comes along on those fronts, they’d be happy to have the entire QB class available to them at No. 11. (The last time zero QBs went in the top 10 was 2013.)

I personally have Liberty’s Malik Willis slightly ahead of Pickett, but the Pitt signal-caller is more NFL ready, and it’s more likely he’s the first QB off the board in April. Pickett reads the field well, has good touch and timing on his throws and shows sneaky pocket mobility. I’d be intrigued to see a competition between him and Taylor Heinicke in camp, and if Heinicke wins the job, he can keep the seat warm while Pickett gets acclimated to the NFL.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

The Vikings have used four first-round picks on defensive backs since 2013, and one more here would tie them with the Packers for the most over that 10-draft span. It’s still an issue. Minnesota allowed 5.7 yards per play in 2021 (26th), and its top two cornerbacks — Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander — aren’t under contract. McDuffie is smooth and displays good route recognition.

As an aside: This is another spot where quarterback wouldn’t be shocking. Kirk Cousins has one more year left on his deal, so perhaps new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and new coach Kevin O’Connell opt to take a step toward the future, especially with Liberty’s Malik Willis still available.

13. Cleveland Browns

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Whether or not Baker Mayfield is still the Browns’ plan at quarterback, the offense is begging for some pass-catchers. Donovan Peoples-Jones led the team with just 597 receiving yards in 2021. Jarvis Landry is turning 30 next season and has one year left on his deal. Tight end David Njoku and receiver Rashard Higgins are free agents. But Wilson would immediately give Mayfield a playmaker. His best trait is body control, as he can adjust to passes in the air, but he is also a sudden route runner with fantastic speed and acceleration.

14. Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

The Ravens went 8-9, but they were ravaged by injuries and are set up for a bounce-back year. A key to getting back on track will be protecting Lamar Jackson — who missed five games in 2021 — and opening lanes for J.K. Dobbins, who will return from a torn ACL. Tackle is the big question mark on the offensive line, with Ronnie Stanley missing 26 regular-season games over the past two years and Alejandro Villanueva turning 34 in September. Maybe Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning is the pick?

I instead opted for Linderbaum, who is one of the best 15 players in the class. Current Ravens center Bradley Bozeman is a free agent, and Linderbaum anchors well and is effective as a combo blocker at the second level. He’d help a Baltimore front that allowed 57 sacks last season (second most).

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA)

Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia

The Eagles have a chance to get a whole lot better in a short period of time here; this is their first of three picks in the next five. Buckle up, Philly fans. Let’s get started with Dean, who is my No. 6 prospect. He does it all, from using his speed and sideline-to-sideline range to match with running backs in coverage, to blitzing through gaps and pressuring quarterbacks, to stopping the run and wrapping up ball carriers. His motor never stops, and his instincts make him a true game-breaker. The Eagles have taken just one linebacker in the first round over the past 40 years (Marcus Smith in 2014), but the middle of their defense covets someone like Dean.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND)

Travon Walker, DE, Georgia

An NFL team has never taken college teammates with back-to-back picks, but the Eagles’ pass-rush was atrocious, and Walker is incredibly disruptive. Philadelphia’s 29 sacks were 31st in the NFL last season, Derek Barnett is a free agent, and Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham are both north of 30 years old. Plus, Graham is returning from an Achilles injury. Walker, meanwhile, is a power-based edge rusher who keeps getting better. It’s time to stock the pass-rush cupboard a bit.

TRADE: Steelers jump ahead to get their QB

If we get to this point and all but one of the quarterbacks are still on the board, the Steelers have to be on the phone with Chargers GM Tom Telesco. The Saints are lurking there at No. 18, and Pittsburgh knows it has to make a move to get its guy before New Orleans is on the clock. Los Angeles, meanwhile, knows that a three-pick slide to No. 20 doesn’t impact its draft much. The Steelers would go QB, and the Saints could follow suit. That means the Chargers would in all likelihood get the same player at No. 20 that they would have gotten at No. 17. Plus, they’d get another pick or two.

In this case, I think a third-rounder and a late-rounder — in addition to the No. 20 selection — would get it done. Worst case for Pittsburgh, it’s a second-rounder, if L.A. really dug in. But this is a franchise QB we’re talking about, and the Steelers have to make this move if they’re confident they have their answer under center going forward. But which QB?

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (via mock trade with LAC)

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Kevin Colbert has been with the Steelers for 22 seasons — and has been their GM since 2010 — and saw them draft Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. Now that Roethlisberger is retired and Colbert is stepping down, I think he’ll want to leave the organization in a good place for the future. It already has the defense and a run game, and it was even a playoff team this past season. But the AFC North has some excellent quarterbacks, and the Steelers need an answer under center to keep contending.

My top QB, Willis has the strongest arm in the class and can create outside the pocket, making tough off-platform throws look easy. He’s still developing, and he threw 12 interceptions last season, but the Steelers can build the offense around this dynamic passer.

18. New Orleans Saints

Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Despite a big contract, Taysom Hill isn’t the Saints’ answer at quarterback. Will they re-sign Jameis Winston? Could they find a way to make a big improvement via trade? New coach Dennis Allen will exhaust all options under center, though the team’s perpetual salary-cap concerns could limit them. New Orleans tied Carolina for a league-low 58.1% completion percentage in 2021, and their 187.4 passing yards per game were last in the NFL. Corral has a live arm, will lead receivers into extra yardage and can tuck-and-run when necessary. He’s tough in the pocket, but that has brought on some durability concerns that will need to be evaluated. Corral hurt his ankle in Ole Miss’ bowl game.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

So no quarterback change via the draft. I think the Eagles stick with Jalen Hurts unless they find a way to make the massive deal for a big-name QB. But Hurts could use another target, even after Philadelphia drafted receivers in the first round in each of the past two drafts (Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith). The only team to take a first-round receiver in three straight drafts was the Lions in 2003-05, but consider that the Eagles were 25th in the league last season in pass-game yardage — and 30th when reduced to just wide receivers.

Burks has 6-foot-3 size, great hands and a wide catch radius. He’d be a mismatch in the slot for coach Nick Sirianni and has the ability to tack on extra yards after the catch with smooth acceleration upfield. Burks, Nakobe Dean and Travon Walker make for a great draft class.

20. Los Angeles Chargers (via mock trade with PIT)

Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

In addition to the extra picks acquired via our mock trade, the Chargers would still get a massive space eater here to improve a woeful run defense. Their 4.6 yards allowed per carry tied for the fifth-worst rate in the NFL last season, and now defensive tackles Linval Joseph and Justin Jones are both free agents. Davis’ 340-pound frame demands double-team attention, so in addition to clogging up rushing holes, he’d potentially open up some opportunities for Joey Bosa and Co. to get after the QB a little easier.

21. New England Patriots

Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington

The Patriots were second in passing yards allowed per game (187.1), tied for second in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.4) and second in interceptions (23). And they were one of three teams to keep opponents under 60% completion percentage. But the back seven could lose several starters to free agency, including cornerback J.C. Jackson, safety Devin McCourty and linebacker D’onta Hightower. It could also use an influx of speed in that area, of which Gordon has a ton. His versatility and ability to jump routes would also be welcome on one of the league’s top defenses — and he’d make the potential loss of Jackson a little easier to handle.

Linebacker and safety are two other areas to watch, and I’d watch how the receiver class is playing out as New England nears its pick. Ohio State’s Chris Olave would give quarterback Mac Jones a smooth route runner with great separating speed. Alternatively, Alabama’s Jameson Williams will likely miss some time but could end up the top receiver in the class. Bill Belichick would find ways to get the ball into his hands.

22. Las Vegas Raiders

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

This is a no-brainer. Olave is a polished route runner. He’s fast with great explosion off the line. His ball skills are excellent. And his production speaks for itself: Olave found the end zone in nine of 11 games last season. Hunter Renfrow had a great season for Las Vegas, but tight end Darren Waller struggled to stay healthy and receiver Zay Jones is now a free agent. If the Raiders want to stay in stride with the other AFC West offenses — especially if Denver finds a way to trade for Aaron Rodgers — then they have to get quarterback Derek Carr a better supporting cast and get their first-round draft success back on track.

23. Arizona Cardinals

Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State

Arizona’s roster has impact players headed toward free agency all over the place, but one of the biggest is edge rusher Chandler Jones. Coupled with the fact that soon-to-be 33-year-old J.J. Watt is coming off a shoulder surgery, this pass rush — which produced 41 sacks last season, tied for 13th most — could take a step back in 2022. Johnson had 12 sacks and 45 pressures at Florida State in 2021 and then put on a show at the Senior Bowl. Even if the Cardinals lose Jones this March, Johnson could join Markus Golden and Watt to form a solid pass-rush group.

It’s noteworthy that the team’s top-two running backs — James Conner and Chase Edmonds — are also free agents. That said, I don’t see a running back worth even considering in Round 1 this year. Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller is my top-rated back, way back at No. 55 on my board. We’ve seen only two first rounds without a running back (2013 and 2014), but this is shaping up to be one of those years.

24. Dallas Cowboys

David Ojabo, DE, Michigan

Dallas drafted a star in Micah Parsons last April, but the linebacker was forced into more of an edge rush role last season due to injuries. The question for Dallas is where does it want to predominantly play him going forward. In my eyes, the key is to answer that question and then focus on the other area. Free Parsons up to be even more dominant. The Cowboys could look hard at the linebacker crop and let Parsons rush the QB more, but it’d be difficult for them to pass on Ojabo. Parsons had 13 sacks, but Randy Gregory (six) and Dorance Armstrong (five) were the only other Dallas players to have at least four — and both are free agents. Ojabo’s 11 sacks tied for 11th in the nation last season, and his lightning-fast first step and high-end instincts create problems for blockers.

With Dalton Schultz hitting free agency, Dallas could kick the tires on Colorado State tight end Trey McBride, too. He’s a matchup problem with elite ball skills. But I think it’s a little early.

25. Buffalo Bills

Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

The Bills’ depth issues at cornerback were made very clear once Tre’Davious White got injured. Things aren’t about to get better, either, with Levi Wallace hitting the open market. If Buffalo can find a solid CB2 opposite White, with Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde patrolling at safety, the secondary would be downright scary. Booth is a press corner with a smooth backpedal and great ball skills, but he can play off-man and zone, too. He picked off three passes in 2021 for the Tigers and would fit in nicely with a team ready to win a Super Bowl.

26. Tennessee Titans

George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

I can’t imagine Tennessee lets Harold Landry III walk after a 12-sack season, but he could break the bank. Denico Autry settled in nicely with nine sacks, and Jeffery Simmons is a force on the inside. But the Titans’ edge rush could benefit from another playmaker, especially if they can’t re-sign Landry. Karlaftis wins with power, and he can even bump inside on obvious passing downs.

Tennessee also took 47 sacks (seventh most), though, and a good chunk of the offensive line will be playing 2022 on the final year of their deals, so I could also see the Titans drafting Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning or Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Tom Brady is gone, but Tampa Bay seems like one of the QB-needy teams that will go the veteran route. The Buccaneers used a second-rounder on Kyle Trask last year, so they already have a hope-we-can-develop-him young passer in the mix. Instead, I’m looking at Williams, who is probably the most talented receiver in the class. He is coming off a torn ACL and will likely miss part of the season, but he’s big-play receiver with elite speed and shiftiness as a ball carrier. He piled up 1,572 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021. Antonio Brown is gone, Chris Godwin is a pending free agent and Rob Gronkowski could re-retire. The Buccaneers will make a move to re-sign Godwin, but even if they do, Williams is a game-breaker Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich would love to scheme up.

I like this fit, but the Buccaneers could really look at a lot of different prospects. Consider some of their impact players who are unsigned and the potential resulting holes: Ryan Jensen, Carlton Davis, Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones II, Jordan Whitehead, Alex Cappa, Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston.

28. Green Bay Packers

Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia

This is a pure value pick for Green Bay. The first look was to wide receiver, with Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling perhaps signing elsewhere this March. Five are already off the board, leaving Penn State’s Jahan Dotson as the top remaining. Alabama’s Jameson Williams could be a really fun selection that would excite Aaron Rodgers if the QB stays in Green Bay, but he just went off the board. And with the Packers taking Amari Rodgers last April to play out of the slot, Dotson might not make much sense. Even if Adams doesn’t return, the free-agent receiver class is high end, and I think the Packers could address the position there.

So turning our attention to defense, how about Wyatt, a Senior Bowl standout? He has tons of upper-body strength and is always moving his feet. The Packers allowed 4.7 yards per carry last season (30th in the NFL), and opponents had the seventh-highest QBR (51.5). Wyatt would help in both areas and give Kenny Clark a running mate in the middle of the defense. Also: This makes it four Georgia defenders in Round 1. Miami in 2004 and Florida State in 2006 are the only other schools to have that many on the defensive side of the ball.

29. Miami Dolphins (via SF)

Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

The Dolphins’ offensive line is a mess, but it’s not for a lack of trying. They’ve used four picks on Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft on the position group over the past three years. Not much has panned out, though, as Miami’s 46.6% pass block win rate was last in the NFL in 2021. And only the Texans average fewer yards per carry on the ground than the Dolphins’ 3.6. Penning is a mauler with a lot of upside. He pushes defenders off the ball and moves pretty well for a 6-foot-7, 321-pounder.

With tight end Mike Gesicki off to free agency, this is another team that could use Colorado State’s Trey McBride. But I just can’t imagine Miami focusing anywhere but offensive line. Things could change once free agency sorts itself out, but GM Chris Grier has to find a way to keep oft-injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa upright.

30. Kansas City Chiefs

Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Kansas City could fixate on defense, considering it allowed 5.9 yards per play in 2021 (30th). The pass-rush needs attention, and Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie would fit the bill there. Defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu and Charvarius Ward are currently without a contract, so UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen might be in play. And there will be more turnover on the offensive line, too, even if the Chiefs re-sign Orlando Brown Jr.

So a receiver? The Chiefs will still have Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Travis Kelce next year, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes thrives on distributing the football. Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson are headed toward free agency. Dotson is lightning quick in and out of his breaks, and despite a 5-foot-11 frame, he can pluck on the run and produce after the catch. He’d be a great possession receiver for Mahomes after catching 91 passes in 2021, including at least five in 11 of 12 games. Dotson would be the sixth receiver here, and it’d be the third straight class of at least five first-rounders. That has never been done.

31. Cincinnati Bengals

Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

Do we even need to explain this one? Cincinnati allowed 55 sacks in 2021 (third most), and then it took 19 more across four playoff games. Its 48.8% pass block win rate was 30th in the NFL. The season ultimately ended on a pressure, as Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald got to quarterback Joe Burrow on the Bengals’ final offensive play of the Super Bowl. Burrow is one of the best young passers in the game, and Cincinnati must, must, must clean up the offensive line to keep him healthy and let him operate the offense with more ease. Raimann has a powerful upper body and shuts down pass-rushers when he gets his hands inside.

32. Detroit Lions (via LAR)

Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Detroit already has Aidan Hutchinson from its first pick of Day 1. Now it can take advantage of the final pick with a fifth-year option attached to it and draft a quarterback — not unlike what the Ravens did with Lamar Jackson in 2018. Tough and competitive, Howell fits well with the Lions’ organization. He is super accurate hitting the deep rail shots, and he has a quick delivery and good touch. But his footwork needs work, and he will need to improve the anticipatory intermediate-level throws. Let Howell sit behind Jared Goff, whose dead money falls from $30.5 million in 2022 to $10 million in 2023 and $5 million in 2024. I’d like to see Howell link up with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to jump-start the Lions’ passing attack, which had the league’s 25th-best Total QBR in 2021 (37.6).