| NFC EAST |
| NEW YORK GIANTSCould QB MATTHEW STAFFORD be headed to the Giants? Dan Duggan and Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic explore how and if that might happen: It’s no secret the New York Giants are desperate to find a quarterback. They literally don’t have one — there are no quarterbacks currently under contract. General manager Joe Schoen announced after the Giants completed a 3-14 season that the team will “look at any avenue we can to upgrade the position.” “We’ll look at free agency. We can also look throughout the draft, potential trade opportunities,” Schoen said. The inclusion of “trade opportunities” was notable, especially with the expectation at the time that the Giants, who have the No. 3 pick, would most likely target a quarterback in the draft. As time has passed, there has been surprising buzz about a potential trade target: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. There’s enough smoke around the Stafford-to-New York rumors that a deeper dive into the situation is warranted. So I enlisted colleague Jourdan Rodrigue, the most plugged-in Rams reporter there is, to find out if a Stafford trade is realistic. Since any actual trade discussions will be initiated by the Giants, let me open our discussion with a simple question: Why on earth would the Rams be open to trading Stafford? Jourdan Rodrigue: In a sane and logical world, they wouldn’t be! But as we know, sometimes football gets weird … Stafford had a dispute with his existing contract extension (signed in 2022, after he helped the Rams win the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in L.A.) as early as last spring, and his camp let that be known during the first round of that year’s draft. This dragged out all spring and summer and even into the first day of training camp, during which coach Sean McVay pushed back his opening news conference by three hours while working out the eventual adjustment with Stafford that morning. The adjustment effectively front-loaded most of Stafford’s remaining guarantees into 2024 and kept the door open to revisit the rest of the existing contract this spring. Now we’re here: There’s no chance Stafford will play on just $4 million in guarantees in 2025, so the contract must be adjusted again. The Rams, on the other hand, didn’t commit publicly to the QB in their season-ending news conferences last month and will be hesitant to shell out a huge sum or a lengthy deal with Stafford turning 37 earlier this month. That’s why all of this is up in the air — and curious teams are undoubtedly sniffing around.Know of any? Dan Duggan: Funny you should ask! I can think of a certain team desperate for a quarterback with a GM and coach on the hot seat. The Giants’ rumored interest in Stafford makes perfect sense for this regime, especially if it’s not all-in on drafting a quarterback with the No. 3 pick (or earlier). After suffering through two seasons of heinous quarterback play, it’s easy to see why the Giants would be interested in adding a proven winner who was tied for fifth in Mike Sando’s annual QB tiers ranking last summer. Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are under pressure from ownership to win or else in their fourth season. No (potentially) available quarterback offers a better path to winning than Stafford. The question is the cost to acquire Stafford. Even if the Giants are convinced they’re a quarterback away from contending, there are still obvious holes in a roster that won three games last season. So they need to guard against mortgaging the future in a trade for a 37-year-old. So, the first part of the compensation equation: What do you think Stafford will be looking for in a new contract to facilitate a trade? Rodrigue: Stafford would make most quarterback-needy teams much more competitive, which is why I genuinely believe the ready-to-win Rams would like to get something done if they can. But what would he accept? Back off, aggregators, because the following is my opinion: I think Stafford believes he has plenty more football left after two relatively stable seasons; I think he knows he’ll be a hotly-debated future Hall of Fame candidate (I believe he merits induction); and I think he got a taste of winning postseason football games too late in his career and wants more. When I watch him play when he’s feeling his best, there’s no question he’s got juice left. There is a level of financial respectability owed to a quarterback of his stature. The fact that he wasn’t happy with last year’s number before the adjustment, especially the guarantees, is telling of where his floor is now. However, I don’t believe the Rams want to make a long-term, high-cost investment in any quarterback they don’t know for sure is part of their future because they now feature a young roster with multiple high-dollar contract extensions soon due. They could be looking at shorter-term or flexible terms without shelling out top money. While one side of that scale might be doable for another team, if it’s between the Rams and Stafford, then both sides will have to meet closer to the middle for this to get worked out. That means the Rams might have to pay more or pad guarantees or even increase the years, OR Stafford would have to accept less. Or both! The Rams are also likely asking themselves whether it’s worth facing this question all over again the next couple of offseasons, or would it be easier to cut ties now and pursue a bridge player en route to finding their long-term future at the position? Duggan: OK, so whatever the number is, I think we can end the fantasy of Stafford coming to the Giants on his eminently affordable existing contract. The other major question from the Giants’ perspective is, what do you think the Rams would be looking for in return if they do decide to deal Stafford? Rodrigue: Funny thing about the Rams, they sometimes will ask for the moon — why not? — while ultimately expecting to land somewhere else in the atmosphere. They don’t have a second-round pick in 2025 because they used it to trade up last year for Braden Fiske. They also don’t like where they’re sitting in the first round (No. 26); GM Les Snead refers to picking in the 20s as “purgatory.” In a deal for Stafford, acquiring a pick high enough to package and move up for a top receiver or offensive lineman, or acquiring enough picks to package together to go after a few need positions would probably be worth listening to. In this case, I look less at that tasty No. 3 overall pick and more at No. 34 (and then some) … though you’ve got to at least ask, right?! Duggan: The Rams definitely need to ask about No. 3, and the Giants definitely need to hang up the phone. No. 34 is where the conversation gets interesting. I don’t know how the Rams make the trade if they can’t get that second-round pick (plus more). Pick No. 34 would be a steep price to pay, but I don’t think a Giants offer will be taken seriously without their second-rounder. How much more they have to give up will depend on a combination of their level of desperation and the competition for Stafford. Your point about Stafford clearly still having juice when he’s feeling his best raised my antenna to some nagging questions about a 37-year-old who has battled injuries. Have there been signs of decline? Strictly looking at the box score stats, there’s been a dip since that magical 2021 Super Bowl season. But what have you seen watching him every week? And on a related note, how much of a concern is durability? He has only missed one start due to injury in the past two seasons, but he missed eight games in 2022 and, from afar, seems to be banged up often. Rodrigue: Stafford wasn’t on the injury report all season, and you’re correct to note he has only missed one game due to injury over the last two. However, we annually seem to find out how much he was playing through either via allusions to this by McVay or, in the case of this year’s ribs injury, via his wife Kelly Stafford’s podcast. There’s no question he can still play. The arm talent is still so clear; he can make any throw you’d want and some you didn’t think were possible. He’s willing to move more in recent seasons to pick up easy yards when available, but he’s far from a mobile quarterback. I’d add that through the back third or so of the 2024 season, he played poorer football than I have seen from him in his time in L.A.. He managed more games than he directly won during that span. He also admitted he didn’t play well. However, in the playoffs, he turned back into an absolute killer. Can you tell I am not quite done watching him here in L.A., yet? Duggan: I get it … which is why it’s so hard for me to fathom the Rams trading him! The last time we saw him, he was driving with a chance to beat the Super Bowl champion Eagles in the divisional round. Anyway, the Giants would be dreaming about being in that position if they make the trade. But it would need to happen fast, especially with the retirement talk that has swirled around Stafford in recent years. I know he said in an interview last summer that he hoped to play three or four more years. So, we’re down to two or three more years based on that timeline. I don’t know if he’s said anything more about his future, or if you have a better sense for how much longer he’ll play. All I know is the Giants just traded a third-round pick for Darren Waller, and he retired a year later. They can’t afford that type of debacle with Stafford. Rodrigue: Some of the retirement talk definitely seemed to help move the needle on previous contracts, I’ll just say that. And my personal opinion? That dude will throw the ball around until the wheels fall off, so long as he’s being paid a respectable sum to do it, he feels healthy and his team has a plan to win. Any team Stafford plays for will have to walk the line between top-level play, his march toward 40 and the risks that come with. If the Rams don’t want to pay top money in the context of that risk (and I don’t believe they do, even though I do believe they want Stafford to be their QB), and another team is OK with all of it, that team should make the call. Duggan: The whole “plan to win” thing seems like it could be a sticking point with the Giants. Stafford doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but he can effectively quash a deal if he says he doesn’t want to play for a suitor. So, here’s the (multi) million-dollar question from the Giants’ perspective: Do you think Stafford would be interested in coming to New York? Rodrigue: That’s a big, big question. I can’t speak for him, of course, but I do think he absolutely thrives in the spotlight, so the market and the back pages aren’t a deterrent. The Giants also have a top receiver and an offensive-minded head coach, plus a defense that can hold its own especially if given half a chance by its offense. If they pay Stafford, that’s another factor in their favor. I don’t think it’s an accident (or subtle) that ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently noted Chad Hall, Stafford’s brother-in-law, now coaches in New York. You tell me, Dan, having watched every snap — is their offensive line respectable enough for a quarterback who isn’t exactly mobile? Duggan: The O-line progressed to functional when stud left tackle Andrew Thomas was in the lineup last season. And if the Giants are going to make the plunge for Stafford, I expect they’ll be equally aggressive to upgrade the protection in front of their investment. Schefter adding that link between Hall and Stafford while breaking the hiring of the Giants’ assistant QB coach — surely a huge scoop in his world — was just another log on the fire of this smoldering rumor. Things will start to get real — or not — soon. So let’s finish up this speculation by setting the table for what’s to come. Rams brass made it clear after the season that it wants a quicker resolution with Stafford than last year. You reported this week that the sides have had some initial conversations and plan to continue those in the near future. League-wide business will pick up at the NFL Scouting Combine next week. So, when do you expect we’ll find out if Stafford will be back in LA or on his way out? Rodrigue: If I’m McVay, I want this resolved before the mandatory NFL combine interviews with the media take place (McVay and Snead won’t be in Indianapolis, per usual, but will speak virtually). I know the Rams will not let this situation drag out through the spring, as it did last year. I don’t believe this is contentious at all, and based on their initial conversation, everybody knows where everybody is at. However, if the Rams want to keep any leverage against a full payout, they’ll need to have a clear understanding of what their trade options (and their bridge QB options) are, and Stafford’s agent Jimmy Sexton will want a full picture of what he could stand to make elsewhere. That’s a long way of saying this could be figured out before next week, or it could take until after the combine. It’s fluid, for sure, and I’ve learned by now that you never can rest too easily at any time in the football calendar when the Rams are working on something. Duggan: Well, that five-week offseason was fun! It’s back to work, with Stafford’s fate looming as one of the biggest dominos in the league. We’ll have you covered from coast-to-coast on how this situation unfolds. |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONAA bit of a response from Michael Bidwill about the recent lawsuit filed against him. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: Earlier this month, another lawsuit from a former employee was filed against the Cardinals and owner Michael Bidwill. Beyond issuing a perfunctory statement acknowledging the case and strongly denying its allegations, the Cardinals have said nothing. Bidwill, however, added some more quotes in a recent interview with Greg Moore of the Arizona Republic. “This is not an uncommon experience, particularly in high-profile industries like sports, entertainment and business,” Bidwill told Moore regarding the civil action filed by his former personal assistant, Brittany Neuheisel. She alleges constructive discharge, wrongful discharge, discrimination based on age, gender, and religion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. “Allegations can be made, and they get a lot of attention,” Bidwill told Moore. “But they’re just that: They’re allegations. We strongly deny them. We will strongly defend ourselves against them. And we believe that when the process is complete, the facts will reveal that reality. And the reality is completely different than what’s alleged.” As Bidwill explains it, he understands that criticism goes with owning a professional sports team.“When you’re in an industry like sports . . . there’s pressures that come with that,” Bidwill told Moore. “I’ve been around it for a while. But it’s a privilege to be in this position, and I’m fortunate. There are going to be critics, and that just comes with it. “It’s a competitive industry. Fast-paced. You understand that there’s going to be some criticism.” Still, there’s a difference between criticism and allegations regarding violations of civil legal protections for employees. While Moore’s article mentions that this isn’t the first instance of it, Moore makes no reference to the $3 million arbitration award that resulted from the shameful scorched-earth P.R. campaign the team waged after former Cardinals executive Terry McDonough filed an arbitration claim alleging wrongful discharge. The over-the-top personal attack on McDonough contradicts Bidwill’s current “it goes with the territory” vibe. And that case isn’t over, despite a recent Associated Press article that misconstrued the impact of a court order. Besides, plenty of sports owners are criticized. That’s not the same as being sued by multiple former employees. And it’s definitely not the same as reacting to a lawsuit by green-lighting an effort to retaliate with a press release that tries to drag through the mud the person who dared to use the available means of redressing grievances. Fortunately for Neuheisel, Bidwill learned his lesson through the misadventures with McDonough. Still, a vow to strongly defend the Cardinals might not mean simply showing that what is alleged didn’t happen. Often, companies sued by former employees opt to go on the attack within the confines of the pre-trial discovery process, digging into every possible shred of evidence that can be used to make the plaintiff regret lighting the fuse, all in the hopes the plaintiff will drop the case or accept a settlement equal to or less than what the company will spend on legal fees in securing an eventual win in court. |
| SAN FRANCISCOTE GEORGE KITTLE says WR DEEBO SAMUEL is irreplacable. Brenden Deeg of The Score: San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle believes that losing Deebo Samuel will require the team to rework its offense for the 2025 season as a trade for the wideout looms. “You can’t really replace Deebo. I think he’s one of the most unique players in the NFL because of what he can do. Well, one, he’s the greatest, best (yards-after-catch) guy besides myself,” Kittle said on USA Today’s “Seriously Sports.” “The fact that you can line him up in the slot, out wide, in the backfield and do all the fun stuff with him, and he breaks tackles, he runs like a running back, and he has the burst, he has the speed, he has the agility to get away from guys too. He’s just such a unique player.” Kittle added: “I don’t think you can really replace him. We’re just going to have to build our offense a little bit differently because we don’t have that available to us.” Of course, he’s talking about the healthy version of Deebo circa 2022. |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASVic Tafur of The Athletic with a look at new Raiders GM John Spytek and the charity motivates he and his wife, Kristen: When John Spytek introduced his wife and two young sons at his Las Vegas Raiders introductory news conference last month, the team’s new general manager called his wife, Kristen, his “rock.” “You’re going to see my wife around a lot,” he said. “She is going to be a big pillar in this community.” There are a lot of empty words at these types of proceedings, but those were not. The Spyteks are co-founders of the National CMV Foundation, which they started after their daughter, Evelyn, died in 2014 at just 21 months old. She was born with a cytomegalovirus infection, or congenital CMV, and died following complications from surgery. CMV leads to more birth defects in the country than any other virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and yet many are still unaware of its potential damages. That’s something the Spyteks hope to attack in the Las Vegas market, just as they did in their previous stops at Tampa Bay and Denver. “It’s more common than people think, and women and families have a right to know about CMV,” Kristen Spytek said. The foundation has grown in size and reach, becoming a national resource for families while raising money for research, diagnosis, screening, treatment and vaccine development. No such thing existed when Kristen was pregnant with her first child, when prenatal scans not only showed that Evelyn wasn’t growing as expected but that her bowel appeared unusually bright on an ultrasound. “We went in for the 19-week scan to find out if we were having a boy or a girl, and I can still remember the ultrasound technician quietly leaving the room and the doctor coming in and saying there were problems,” John Spytek said. Doctors did not mention CMV, or that it could be an infectious disease of any kind. Kristen, who had developed sinus-like symptoms, was left to search the internet as the list of all the problems that Evelyn was facing — the bright bowel, a small head as well as heart concerns — grew as she reached 32 weeks of pregnancy. “And Google spit out CMV at us,’” John said. “And we read about it and it was just horrible. And we were like, ‘That can’t be what it is or they would have told us.’ But that’s what it was.” Evelyn was born at 36 weeks, weighing 3 pounds, 14 ounces, and within 15 minutes a neonatologist told the Spyteks that he thought she had CMV. “They confirmed it 24 hours later and by that point, there is nothing you can do about it,” John said. “Now, the science has advanced where if you could diagnose this in utero, you can actually do a blood transfusion and some other treatments to try and save the child.” John has a tattoo of the sound waves of Evelyn’s heartbeat over his heart, and at times he will touch it and hear his daughter’s laugh. It’s a calming moment in what has been a tough and now rewarding process to educate people about CMV. “It’s preventable, is what we keep talking about,” he said. Evelyn was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, hearing loss and vision loss. She died on Dec. 26, 2014, after the Spyteks had started the foundation because they felt that she and other babies and families were depending on them to learn about CMV and spread the word. “The goal was to eradicate CMV in totality, and it turned out to be a pretty out-over-our-skis goal with how little CMV was talked about,” John said. “So we wanted to raise awareness for expectant moms and families so that they don’t have to go through what we did. And so that their children don’t have to go through what Evelyn did, more importantly.” Cytomegalovirus is a member of the herpes virus family and, according to the CDC, between 50 and 80 percent of people in the United States have had a CMV infection by the time they are 40 years old. A CMV infection causes cold-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, fatigue and swollen glands, but can also cause severe disease in babies who are infected with CMV before birth. About one out of every 200 babies is born with congenital CMV and, according to the CDC, about one out of five of those babies will have birth defects or other long-term health problems. Kristen, who has since given birth to sons Jack, 11, and Tommy, 8, has a marketing background and went to work right away to help create awareness. “I wanted to set up a place for people like me — parents, caregivers and family members — to go and find information about this that was educational and informative,” she said. “Not too scary, but geared towards prevention for families.” Some babies born with CMV don’t show signs of it at birth and develop problems later, according to the CDC. “We have been pushing for things such as research funding at the federal level, congressional bills and newborn screening,” Kristen said. “A lot of babies are born without abnormalities or issues and then go on to have conditions such as hearing loss or epilepsy.” Moderna has been working on a vaccine for CMV, and says the testing is currently in Phase 3. “There is still a ways to go,” John said. “You learn that there is no quick fix to this and it’s going to take years before people maybe don’t get CMV anymore, but we’re making progress.” There is also a need for prevention education. Women who work around children, such as preschool teachers and daycare workers who feed children and change diapers, are at increased risk, as are parents who share utensils with their children. One of the foundation’s goal is to get CMV placed on the Recommended Uniform Screen Panel (RUSP), a list of disorders recommended to be screened for as part of universal newborn screening programs. “That would require everyone to be fully aware of it,” John said of inclusion on the RUSP list, “and it would require doctors to educate the soon-to-be moms about the dangers of CMV and how you prevent it. It would shine a light on something that is a really big problem that people don’t know exists. “People would be shocked how many kids are born with it every year.” The foundation started with six members — family members and friends of the Spyteks — as an all-volunteer grass-roots group, and now has 11 board of directors members and four employees. “We’ve raised a half-million dollars in our best years, but we still have a long way to go,” John said. “We connect families regionally and state-wide, as well as with specialists,” Kristen said. “And we create a safe space online and elsewhere for these families to engage and support one another.” And more and more future parents are learning about that space. John worked for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last nine years, and several members of the organization — including players — wore CMV-logo adorned cleats as part of the NFL’s annual “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative, including for last season’s game against the Raiders. “It creates awareness that we can’t get anywhere else,” John said. “CBS did a 30-second camera shot of it and talked about CMV. And also, the energy that something like that gives to the base of our foundation and the parents that are in it every day … it’s astounding. They get so motivated. “Finally, people are paying attention to us. Finally, the message is getting out.” |
| LOS ANGELES CHARGERSMaybe it was the thought of playing the first game in Brazil next year, but more likely the $18.75 mil, that led DB ELIJAH MOLDEN to re-up with the Chargers before hitting free agency. Grant Gordon of NFL.com: Elijah Molden proved to be a good fit for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and he’s staying put for the long haul. Molden and the Chargers have agreed to terms on a three-year, $18.75 deal with $13.5 million in guarantees, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday. The Chargers subsequently announced a multiyear deal with the defensive back. A 2021 NFL Draft third-round selection of the Tennessee Titans, Molden was dealt to the Chargers in August of 2024 and settled in as a starting cornerback before ending the season a bit early due to a broken fibula. Clearly, the Bolts expect him to make a full recovery as he now plays heavily into their future plans. Molden, who lined up the majority of the time at free safety but also at cornerback and in the box, dotted his stat sheet with season highs across the board in 2024: 75 tackles, three interceptions, seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and 12 starts. Due to be a free agent after playing out his rookie deal, Molden, 26, won’t be hitting the open market, he’ll be staying put in L.A. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| INDIANAPOLISStephen Holder of ESPN.com on what the Colts need to improve on offense around QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON: Quarterback Anthony Richardson’s future success — or lack thereof — might be the biggest determinant of where the Indianapolis Colts go from here. But as the team’s 2023 first-round pick looks toward a crucial third season in 2025 and tries to establish some consistency, it’s perhaps just as important to consider the state of his offensive supporting cast. For myriad reasons, that group will need to be scrutinized this offseason. From the uncertainty at three of the offensive line’s five starting spots, to the glaring need at tight end, to the lack of depth behind star running back Jonathan Taylor, the Colts face numerous roster decisions that will directly impact their young franchise quarterback. Also notable are the recent statements of general manager Chris Ballard, who suggested that this offseason’s efforts to improve a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020 will include some roster upheaval. “I didn’t do a good enough job creating enough competition throughout the roster to keep everyone on edge,” Ballard said last month. To compete in the AFC, which not only features a number of elite quarterbacks but also numerous elite offensive units, the Colts will need to ensure they can measure up. What does their offensive lineup around Richardson look like and what questions need to be asked? Here’s a closer look. Offensive lineAs usual with Ballard, the work will always begin up front. The Colts face more questions along the offensive line than they have in several years. They’ve enjoyed a mostly intact unit in recent seasons. The biggest change, the selection of left tackle Bernhard Raimann in 2022, resulted in the addition of a solid player who has started 40 games in three seasons. Let’s start at center, where 9-year Indianapolis mainstay Ryan Kelly — the longest-tenured player on the roster — enters free agency with an uncertain future. The Colts have not indicated whether he’ll be re-signed, and his recent injury history complicates that decision. After the season, Kelly said he planned to discuss his future with the Colts’ brass and then take “a couple of months” before deciding how to proceed. During a tearful interview, he added, “If I’m part of the team going forward, great. If not, it was an honor to wear the horseshoe.” The fallback plan if Kelly is not retained would be 2024 fourth-round pick Tanor Bortolini. There are also questions immediately to the right of the center. After a gruesome season-ending right leg injury to promising right guard Will Fries, the Colts struggled to find answers at the position as defenses consistently exploited that matchup. Fries was poised to cash in during his upcoming free agency after his emergence of the past year-plus. But his injury was a significant setback and it’s unclear how it might affect his free agency with the Colts or other clubs. Finally, there’s the situation at right tackle, where veteran Braden Smith’s future remains unclear. The Colts placed him on the reserve/non-football illness list in December, and there has been no comment on his status or what ails him. Further complicating the situation are Smith’s recurring knee issues and his $19.75 million salary cap charge for 2025, the final year of his contract. Could the Colts be faced with having to find a replacement at this important position? Wide receiverThe Colts are expected to mostly stand pat here given the production they got in 2024. Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce each surpassed 800 receiving yards, making them the first trio in the NFL to accomplish the feat since 2021. Granted, they didn’t feature any one particular receiver, which some might consider a negative. But Pierce’s emergence as a deep threat, coupled with Pittman’s limitations because of a back injury, contributed to the situation. The Colts have indicated they’re happy with this group, but their depth would be significantly improved if 2024 second-round pick Adonai Mitchell can show some needed improvement. His inconsistency became an issue when injuries impacted the group. Mitchell has acknowledged he needs to make strides, saying last month that 2025 “will be a lot different from” last season. Tight endThis is a big area of concern for the Colts and a unit that didn’t help Richardson nearly enough. The Colts offense was limited by the minimal usage of this group, a fact that is related to the unit’s lack of star power. Even as tight ends have grown in importance to NFL offenses, the Colts find themselves getting little from theirs. Collectively, the Colts’ tight ends ranked 31st in receiving yards among the position group (467 yards). Kylen Granson led the group with 14 receptions, tied for 57th in league among tight ends. These numbers are a chief reason the Colts have often been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Penn State standout Tyler Warren with the 14th overall draft pick. One year after narrowly missing a chance to select Brock Bowers, who went on to stardom with the Las Vegas Raiders, could the Colts be in line to land the next big thing at tight end? Even if they don’t, this is a position that is begging for an upgrade. Running backTaylor is coming off his best season in three years, making the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,431 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. His place on the roster and value to the team are not in question. But the depth at running back was an issue for Indianapolis in 2024. Ballard’s statements about competition ring true in the offensive backfield, where the Colts in 2024 elected to bring back journeyman Trey Sermon and 2023 undrafted prospect Tyler Goodson and made little effort to upgrade. That put more of the load on Taylor, who battled a high ankle sprain early in the season and fought through other aches and pains. With so many other teams able to rotate two quality backs, the Colts might need to ask why they can’t do the same? Relatedly, Indianapolis might consider a proven pass-catching back when it evaluates this position, since that is not an area of strength in Taylor’s game. That potential move — along with any others the Colts make on offense — will directly impact Richardson in the biggest season of his young career. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| FREE AGENT – TEAM MATCHUPSMatt Bowen of ESPN.com pairs the top 50 pending free agents with whom they should sign with next month: A few weeks ago, we ranked the NFL’s top 50 free agents available this offseason. Now, we’re taking that same list of 50 stars — with a few small updates — and picking the best team fit for each player. Which landing spots would make the most sense? NFL free agency opens at 4 p.m. ET on March 12, two days after the legal negotiation window begins. Players can be re-signed or franchise-tagged before reaching the open market, but the players who reach free agency will be looking for perfect situations. Our best fits are mainly focused on team needs, scheme and potential future production, though we also factored each franchise’s salary cap situation. But remember that every team’s cap room will shift up and down before free agency as front offices restructure, cut and re-sign contracts. And yes, for some of these fits to work, teams might have to get creative. Who can help fill a roster’s biggest need? Who can fix a troublesome quarterback situation? And who could slide perfectly into a team’s scheme and immediately dominate? Let’s pick ideal team fits for this offseason’s best free agents. 1. Tee Higgins, WRBest team fit: Washington CommandersThe Commanders could pair Higgins with Terry McLaurin to give quarterback Jayden Daniels two true difference-makers on the perimeter. At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, Higgins can win at all three levels of the route tree in OC Kliff Kingsbury’s system. And with 23 career red zone touchdown catches, he would be a top target for Daniels close to the end zone. Injuries limited him to 12 games in 2024, yet he finished with 73 receptions for 911 yards. 2. Trey Smith, GBest team fit: Chicago BearsThe top interior lineman on the market, Smith would upgrade a critical position of need in Chicago. Smith is a powerful mover in the run game, as his run block win rate of 75.1% ranked sixth among guards. Plus, he has the foot speed to mirror interior defenders and the strength at 6-6 and 321 pounds to anchor against bull rushes. Bears general manager Ryan Poles could make a splash move to rebuild the front for Ben Johnson’s new offense. The Bears allowed a league-high 68 sacks in 2024, so this area has to be addressed. 3. Ronnie Stanley, OTBest team fit: Baltimore RavensI like Stanley re-signing with the Ravens after producing high-end tape in 2024 and playing in every game, which answered some durability questions. At 6-6 and 310 pounds, Stanley can use his long frame to build a wall on the edge, and he tied for 11th among offensive tackles with a 92.5% pass block win rate in 2024. 4. D.J. Reed, CBBest team fit: New England PatriotsCoach Mike Vrabel would be adding a veteran corner in Reed, giving the Patriots another scheme-versatile defender in the secondary opposite Christian Gonzalez. Reed is a highly competitive coverage corner with press-man traits and the transition speed to break on the throw. But he is more of a ball disruptor than playmaker, having 40 pass breakups compared with six interceptions in his career. 5. Chris Godwin, WRBest team fit: Tampa Bay BuccaneersStaying in Tampa Bay and continuing to work alongside Mike Evans would be the right move for Godwin. Before suffering a season-ending left ankle injury in Week 7, Godwin’s 50 receptions over the first seven games were the most in the NFL. He’s a savvy and proven route runner with the toughness to work the heavy-traffic areas of the field for quarterback Baker Mayfield. 6. Sam Darnold, QBBest team fit: Las Vegas RaidersWith the transition to coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Raiders could finally solve their QB issue in free agency by signing Darnold. Las Vegas was 30th in QBR in 2024 (40.4), and Darnold’s 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdown throws for the Vikings both ranked fifth in the league. And in Vegas, Kelly could scheme for Darnold’s arm talent, while also using his mobility to attack the edges. 7. Josh Sweat, EdgeBest team fit: Arizona CardinalsCardinals coach John Gannon worked with Sweat in Philly, so he knows what he’d be getting in the 6-5, 265-pound edge rusher. Sweat had eight sacks and 33 pressures in the regular season, and he took over at times in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win, recording 2.5 sacks. Sweat would add much-needed pass-rushing juice to Gannon’s defense, using his speed-to-power to get to the QB. 8. Milton Williams, DTBest team fit: New England PatriotsThe Patriots could make another defensive upgrade with Williams, who moved up our ranks after his two sacks and a forced fumble in Super Bowl LIX. Williams had five sacks and 18 pressures during the regular season, and I see a disruptor on tape with the strength to displace blockers at the point of attack. He also has the short-area burst to slip interior offensive linemen. He could be a difference-maker with Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore (currently out with blood clots) inside. 9. Khalil Mack, EdgeBest team fit: Green Bay PackersThe Packers adding Mack to pair with Rashan Gary would boost their pass rush off the edges. Mack had six sacks and 41 pressures in 2024 with the Chargers. And even though he’s turning 34 this week, he’s still a three-down force with the steady play speed to heat up the pocket. 10. Charvarius Ward, CBBest team fit: Pittsburgh SteelersWard has the man-coverage ability to press or pedal off the ball, along with the backfield vision to make plays in zone coverage. I see him fitting nicely opposite Joey Porter Jr. in a Steelers defensive scheme that played single-high coverage over 50% of the time last season. Over seven pro seasons, Ward has 10 interceptions and 59 pass breakups. 11. Osa Odighizuwa, DTBest team fit: Los Angeles ChargersAn impact defender who can bring energy to the defensive line, Odighizuwa fits in the Chargers’ base 3-4 under front and could provide pass-rush upside in nickel/dime sets. Odighizuwa had 4.5 sacks last season, and his 30 pressures were tied with the Jets’ Quinnen Williams for the second most among defensive tackles. 12. Jevon Holland, SBest team fit: New York GiantsA year after allowing Xavier McKinney to sign with the Packers in free agency, the Giants could try to grab the best safety on the 2025 market in Holland. He has the multidimensional traits to impact all three levels of the field for a Giants defense that needs a difference-maker at safety. New York had five interceptions last season, fewer than all but one other team (Browns). In four pro seasons with the Dolphins, Holland has five interceptions, 16 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and five sacks. 13. Zack Baun, LBBest team fit: Philadelphia EaglesThe Eagles should be trying to keep Baun after his breakout season, which included high-level production in the playoffs. A three-down defender in Vic Fangio’s defense, Baun recorded 150 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception in the regular season. He followed that with two picks in the postseason, including one against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Let’s run it back. 14. Tre’von Moehrig, SBest team fit: Carolina PanthersMoehrig would bring tone-setting traits as an interchangeable safety in the Panthers’ scheme. Over the past two seasons in Las Vegas, Moehrig had five interceptions and 12 pass breakups. The Panthers need to upgrade all three levels of their defense this offseason — they allowed a league-worst 6.0 yards per play — and signing Moehrig would be a good start. 15. Cam Robinson, OTBest team fit: Los Angeles RamsWith Alaric Jackson set to hit the market, the Rams could find a replacement in the 6-6, 335-pound Robinson. Technical lapses have prevented him from playing consistently, and his 88.2% pass block win rate was below average. But with the ability to engulf rushers at the point of attack and the foot speed to redirect, Robinson has the desired physical tools at tackle. The Rams have to focus on protecting Matthew Stafford, and Robinson can help. 16. Dre Greenlaw, LBBest team fit: Indianapolis ColtsWith new coordinator Lou Anarumo running the defense for the Colts, general manager Chris Ballard might consider having Greenlaw fill the weakside linebacker spot. Greenlaw played in only two games last season (Weeks 15-16) after tearing an Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII. But at full strength — which he is expected to be in 2025 — he is a rangy linebacker with the pursuit speed to track ball carriers and the coverage awareness to close throwing windows. 17. Haason Reddick, EdgeBest team fit: Washington CommandersReddick might be looking at a short-term deal after holding out to start the 2024 season before being traded to the Jets. But he has a history of making impact plays, with 59 sacks and 18 forced fumbles over his career. And before last season, he put together three straight campaigns with a pass rush win rate over 20%. Reddick would fill a need for the Commanders on the edge, and I like the fit as a schemed rusher in Dan Quinn’s defense. 18. Will Fries, GBest team fit: Indianapolis ColtsA return to Indianapolis feels like the right move for Fries. Before a right tibia injury ended his season in Week 5, Fries had posted career bests in both pass block win rate (92.4%) and run block win rate (74.3%). He has a fundamentally sound play style, the lower-body mobility to handle power rushers and an ability to sustain blocks on contact. And the Colts need reliable pass protectors in front of Anthony Richardson. 19. Byron Murphy Jr., CBBest team fit: Las Vegas RaidersThe Raiders need more ball hawks in the secondary, and they could lose safeties Tre’von Moehrig and Marcus Epps and slot corner Nate Hobbs to free agency. Murphy’s six interceptions last season tied for the third most in the NFL, and he has 14 over his six-year career. With the ability to play on the perimeter or in the slot (259 snaps in 2024), Murphy has the backfield vision and short-area speed to close on the ball and make an impact for Las Vegas. He’s a clear upgrade for a defense that finished with only 10 interceptions in 2024. 20. Zack Martin, GBest team fit: Kansas City ChiefsWe have Trey Smith fitting with the Bears, leaving an open spot on the interior of the Kansas City front. Martin still brings the blend of size (6-4, 315 pounds) and mobility that coaches want at the guard position. Last season, Martin played in 10 games due to a right ankle injury, but his pass block win rate of 93.7% ranked 15th among guards. He could help keep that Chiefs interior strong, though the OT position also needs a lengthy look this offseason. (Note: Martin has opted to retire, sources told ESPN on Thursday.) 21. Talanoa Hufanga, SBest team fit: San Francisco 49ersInjuries have limited Hufanga to 17 games over the past two seasons, but when healthy, the former All-Pro has playmaking ability. In 49 career games, Hufanga has seven interceptions, two forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown. Under new 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Hufanga still fits as a top-down defender who should remain in San Francisco. 22. Carlton Davis III, CBBest team fit: Jacksonville JaguarsThe Jags’ defense allowed a league-high 257.4 passing yards per game last season, and the club wants to address the secondary in the offseason. Davis is a veteran with man and zone coverage traits, and he is a willing tackler on the perimeter. He started 13 games for the Lions in 2024 before he went on injured reserve due to a broken jaw. In seven seasons, he has 11 interceptions and 68 pass breakups. He can create on-ball disruption opposite Tyson Campbell. 23. Nick Bolton, LBBest team fit: Denver BroncosBolton would be a big upgrade for Vance Joseph’s defense in Denver. Bolton fits with the Broncos as a downhill thumper against the run — he had 11 tackles for loss last season. In coverage, Bolton lacks elite second-level range, but he has four career interceptions. 24. Rasul Douglas, CBBest team fit: Tampa Bay BuccaneersSigning a cornerback should be an offseason priority for a Bucs defense that allowed 243.9 passing yards per game last season, the 29th most in the league. Douglas is a physical corner with the length to reroute underneath in zone and attack the ball from the outside third of the field. As such, Douglas fits well in Todd Bowles’ system — Tampa Bay played zone coverage on 71.7% of opponent dropbacks in 2024. 25. Stefon Diggs, WRBest team fit: Houston Texans The Texans need playmakers in the route tree to go with Nico Collins — especially because Tank Dell might miss a good chunk of time — so re-signing Diggs makes sense. After all, they traded a second-round pick to get him last offseason. Diggs had 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns in 2024 before suffering an ACL injury in Week 8. Once healthy and cleared to play next season, Diggs can create separation and produce after the catch for quarterback C.J. Stroud and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. 26. Drew Dalman, CBest team fit: Chicago BearsI matched Trey Smith to the Bears, but this team can’t stop there this spring. Let’s also put Dalman — the top center in free agency — next to Smith. Dalman wins his assignments with movement and leverage to offset a smaller frame (6-3, 300 pounds). He’s a technician on the tape, best suited for the zone run game, and his pass block win rate of 95.1% ranked ninth among centers with at least 500 snaps (he missed time due to an ankle injury, though). 27. Malcolm Koonce, EdgeBest team fit: Tennessee TitansTitans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson needs an impact edge rusher to complement his two interior defenders — Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat. A knee injury in early September erased Koonce’s 2024 season before it started, but he posted eight sacks and 29 pressures in 2023. If the knee checks out, Koonce would have upside in Wilson’s system as a three-down defender with pass-rush chops. 28. Camryn Bynum, SBest team fit: Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings should keep Bynum, one of their rising defensive backs who has been productive under coordinator Brian Flores. A glider over the top who can also play downhill in the alleys, Bynum has 233 tackles, five interceptions and 12 pass breakups over his past two seasons in Minnesota. 29. Mekhi Becton, GBest team fit: Philadelphia EaglesThe 2020 first-round offensive tackle bumped inside to guard last season after signing a one-year contract with the Eagles. Philly should offer him another deal to keep him in town. He uses his massive 6-7, 363-pound frame to overwhelm defenders in the run game. Just entering his prime years, Becton could move back outside to tackle for the Eagles once Lane Johnson retires. 30. Amari Cooper, WRBest team fit: Arizona CardinalsCooper is showing signs of decline, and he lost reps to Mack Hollins in the playoffs, but he still has solid route traits. The Cardinals would love a veteran like him alongside Marvin Harrison Jr., while also giving Kyler Murray another target in the route tree. In nine full seasons, Cooper has topped the 1,000-yard-receiving mark seven times and has 64 career touchdown catches. 31. Asante Samuel Jr., CBBest team fit: San Francisco 49ersA shoulder injury limited Samuel to four games last season, but he has the traits to produce at a position of need in Robert Saleh’s 49ers defense. Charvarius Ward is a free agent, meaning there could be a hole at corner. Samuel has a playmaking mentality, with the foot quickness and sudden closing speed to break on the ball in zone and man looks. 32. Justin Fields, QBBest team fit: Pittsburgh SteelersWith his dual-threat ability and improved footwork and vision in the pocket, the Steelers could re-sign Fields over Russell Wilson. In six starts with the Steelers last season, Fields completed 66.3% of his throws with five touchdown passes and one interception. He also rushed for 289 yards and five more scores on 62 carries. 33. Aaron Jones, RBBest team fit: Denver BroncosJones has the traits that Denver coach Sean Payton wants at running back. He’s a slasher in the run game and has the dual-threat traits to catch the ball out of the backfield and produce on screens. Javonte Williams is also a free agent, and the Broncos need a true RB1 to take this offense to another level. 34. Mike Hilton, CBBest team fit: Dallas CowboysCowboys nickel corner Jourdan Lewis is scheduled to hit free agency, which opens the door for Dallas to pursue Hilton. A slot defender who plays with urgency, Hilton had 12 tackles for loss last season. I like the fit in Dallas under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. In eight seasons, Hilton has 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks and 34 pass breakups..35. Kevin Zeitler, GBest team fit: Tennessee TitansThe Titans need to rebuild the right side of their offensive line, and they can start by adding a proven vet in Zeitler. He is a physical inside presence with the power to displace defensive tackles and the movement ability to pull on gap schemes. He routinely wins in pass protection, using his strong base to hold off interior rushers and posting a pass block win rate of 94.4% with Detroit last season. 36. Darius Slayton, WRBest team fit: Carolina PanthersThe Panthers’ wide receivers averaged 11.0 yards per catch last season, 30th in the NFL. Slayton caught 39 passes and averaged 14.2 yards per reception in 2024 despite subpar QB play in New York. So, Carolina could use Slayton to boost the pass game around quarterback Bryce Young. Slayton is a veteran who can stretch the field from perimeter alignments and make contested catches. 37. Jamien Sherwood, LBBest team fit: Atlanta FalconsSherwood could follow new Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich from New York to Atlanta. A three-down linebacker who is trending up at this stage of his career, Sherwood posted 154 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three pass breakups with the Jets last season. He can play downhill with speed, cutting off the ball and pursuing the edges. The Falcons need playmakers on defense. 38. James Daniels, GBest team fit: Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 48 times last season, and the Bengals must upgrade at guard. Daniels tore his Achilles in Week 4, but he provides run-blocking upside when healthy. From Weeks 1 to 4, Daniels’ run block win rate of 82.7% ranked second among guards behind the Colts’ Quenton Nelson. 39. Chase Young, EdgeBest team fit: Detroit LionsHere’s a fun one. Detroit coach Dan Campbell could add Young to pair with Aidan Hutchinson off the edge. Young notched 5.5 sacks with the Saints in 2024, and his 46 pressures tied for 11th most in the league. He’d be a low-risk signing with upside. 40. Alaric Jackson, OTBest team fit: New England PatriotsWe’ve already matched a few players to New England, but the Patriots have the most cap space in the NFL and can continue to spend by adding Jackson to play left tackle. With his 6-7, 345-pound frame, Jackson has the play strength to anchor against power off the edge, and he understands how to win with positioning. His experience (35 career starts) would be great in New England as the team builds up front to protect quarterback Drake Maye. 41. Teven Jenkins, GBest team fit: New York GiantsThe Giants could fill their right guard vacancy with Jenkins, a 2021 second-round pick for Chicago. Drafted as a tackle, Jenkins has had multiple injuries in his career, as he has played in only 38 of a possible 68 career games. However, he has the tools to drive defenders off the ball in the run game and he had a pass block win rate of 92.0% last season. He’d boost a poor OL in New York. 42. Russell Wilson, QBBest team fit: New York GiantsSitting at No. 3 in the draft order, the Giants are in the mix to land a quarterback with their first-round pick this spring. But adding Wilson would give them some security heading into the draft. In 11 starts for the Steelers, Wilson completed 63.7% of his throws for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns. Because of his diminished mobility, Wilson isn’t a natural creator at this stage. But Giants coach Brian Daboll can scheme for Wilson, using a play-action-heavy approach and setting him up on vertical throws. 43. Justin Reid, SBest team fit: New York JetsUnder new coach Aaron Glenn, Reid could drop the hammer as a downhill tackler and interchangeable safety for the Jets. Thanks to his vision and field awareness, Reid had 261 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and 14 pass breakups over three years with the Chiefs. The Jets’ 17 forced turnovers tied for 20th last season, so they need playmakers. 44. Paulson Adebo, CBBest team fit: New Orleans SaintsAdebo suffered a broken femur in Week 7, but when healthy, he has the frame and traits to play man coverage or jam in the flat. Plus, he can open and run when matching vertically. It sounds like new Saints coach Kellen Moore could bring in Brandon Staley as his defensive coordinator, and I like Adebo staying in New Orleans in Staley’s scheme. 45. Ryan Kelly, CBest team fit: Los Angeles ChargersJim Harbaugh’s club needs more out of its centers, and Kelly plays with a physical demeanor that could fit the Chargers’ run game. An on-the-field leader with excellent football awareness, Kelly had a pass block win rate of 95.9% (sixth best among centers) and didn’t allow a sack last season. So he can help secure the pocket for quarterback Justin Herbert, too. 46. Ernest Jones IV, LBBest team fit: Seattle SeahawksRe-signing with the Seahawks and anchoring the second level of Mike Macdonald’s defense seems like the right move. Jones — who landed in Seattle after a midseason trade from the Titans — is quick to diagnose and stop the run, as his 8.6 tackles per game ranked 12th in the NFL. 47. J.K. Dobbins, RBBest team fit: Cleveland BrownsHow about Dobbins signing with the Browns to replace Nick Chubb as Cleveland’s new lead runner? The offense fits his traits well with both gap and zone schemes. And Dobbins looked explosive on the tape throughout last season, though he missed four games because of a knee sprain. He finished 2024 with 907 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. 48. Juwan Johnson, TEBest team fit: New York JetsYes, the Jets must figure out their quarterback situation this offseason, but regardless of who is throwing the ball, Johnson would be an upgrade over free agent Tyler Conklin. Johnson posted the best numbers of his career in 2024, catching 50 of 65 targets for 548 yards and three touchdowns. He can work the interior seams with his 6-4 frame, and he gets loose on underneath throws. 49. Keenan Allen, WRBest team fit: Los Angeles RamsReturning to Chicago is an option for Allen, but with the Rams expected to trade Cooper Kupp this spring, there is an opportunity for Allen in Los Angeles. In Sean McVay’s offense — which uses movement and alignment to get wide receivers free access off the ball — Allen could operate as the No. 3 option out of the slot. Allen caught 70 passes and seven TDs in Chicago last season. 50. Najee Harris, RBBest team fit: Pittsburgh SteelersThe best fit for Harris — based on his traits and ideal role — is re-signing in Pittsburgh to share touches with Jaylen Warren. A volume grinder, Harris averaged 15.5 carries per game for Pittsburgh in 2024, and he topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the fourth straight year. |
