NFC NORTH

MINNESOTA

Per sources, today is D-Day – the day RB DALVIN COOK is disposed of by the Vikings.

More from Adam Schefter:

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The Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos are two of the teams that are expected to have an interest in signing running back Dalvin Cook once he officially is released, per sources. There likely will be others, but those two have been monitoring Cook for weeks.

Cook is from Miami, so the Dolphins might have the inside track.

This from Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports:

Cook will reportedly be released by the Vikings on Friday if they cannot trade him before then. Shortly after that news surfaced on Thursday, Cook tweeted a photo of himself walking off the field at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Most people believe Cook made a calculated decision to share that particular photo. The Miami Dolphins are the team to which Cook has most often been linked. It is quite possible that he is hoping to sign with them once the Vikings release him.

The Dolphins considered trading for Cook earlier this offseason, but they could not work out an agreement with the Vikings. Miami then drafted explosive former Texas A&M running back Devon Achane in the third round. The question now is whether the Dolphins feel they still have room in their backfield for Cook.

Cook rushed for 1,173 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. He also had 39 catches for 295 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 27-year-old has had battled numerous injuries, but he is still a very productive player when healthy.

Randy Mueller, writing in The Athletic, offers an explanation of the move:

Despite Dalvin Cook’s Pro Bowl history, it is not surprising that the Minnesota Vikings offered him up for trade this offseason. It’s also not a surprise they found no takers. And his being released this week for nothing in return is not really a surprise, either.

Word had spread around the NFL weeks ago that Cook might be a salary cap casualty for the playoff-caliber Vikings, and the running back position just is not valued the way it once was. Still, NFL teams plan long and hard with salary cap forecasts, negotiating strategies and player evaluations to avoid these types of predicaments.

Decisions like the Vikings made are tough for teams, and the timing stinks for the player as well. Many player agents will structure contracts in a way that forces the triggering mechanism on deals like this to happen sooner in the year when more cap space is available around the league if their client gets set free. Being cut in June is not what any player or agent wants. The other 31 teams have very little cap flexibility, and thus it’s a very limited market, especially for high-dollar players.

Cook’s contract was agreed to with a different head coach and general manager in Minnesota in 2020, and that’s a factor as well. When Cook signed it, he was entering year four of his rookie contract after being drafted in the second round in 2017. Sometimes those early second contracts can be self-serving (and premature) in that teams can’t wait to anoint their draft pick and their drafting position with a new agreement. It sends a “we told you so” message. But in the end, Cook earned less than half of that $63 million deal (per Over the Cap).

At the time of the deal, I had found it peculiar that the Vikings, just two years after picking Alexander Mattison in the 2019 third round, would decide to pay a premium for Cook, who had missed most of his rookie season and played less than 50 percent of snaps in his second season. At a minimum, I remember being somewhat surprised when he was allowed to “hold in” and then strike that level of a contract with the Vikings. It was a bit clumsy, in my opinion, and didn’t really make sense for the organization.

Some deals like Cook’s become restructures, but beyond finances, players can have a tough time battling the hit to their ego, pride and perception in the locker room. Let’s just say the Vikings had gone to Cook and asked for a reduction this offseason. That poses a whole different set of circumstances. Would that cause animosity or an uneasiness going forward? I’ve been told in so many words by many agents over the years, “We will play for less, but it’s going to be somewhere else.” In that case, it’s best to just cut the cord and move on.

The good news for Vikings fans is the running game is going to be unfazed. The bulk of it will now just be handled by a different single-digit back. As evaluations go, I think Cook is flat-out faster, but Mattison might be a bit more sudden and evasive in tight areas. I also think Mattison’s vision to find open spaces between the tackles is a bit more consistent. And if the Vikings decide to employ a back in the passing game to exploit matchups vs. linebackers in a one-on-one fashion, Mattison’s talent as a route runner could even elevate the scheme. His ability to run out of breaks and separate will tax linebackers.

I like Mattison’s game, and I think this move was made easier because of the confidence Mattison gives the Vikings. The risk comes in that Mattison has never played more than 33 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Minnesota must find the right player to spell him as everyone moves up the depth chart.

I know all NFL players want to get paid, but sometimes that salary works against them on the back end of these deals. As soon as production doesn’t match the cap count, the target for change becomes a flashing neon sign.

Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com comes up with five potential landing spots for Cook, headed by Miami:

Cook leaves the Vikings as the franchise’s third-leading rusher with 5,993 yards, trailing only Robert Smith and Adrian Peterson. His 47 rushing touchdowns rank fourth in Vikings history. Cook will undoubtedly have several suitors now that he’s on the open market. Let’s check out five potential landing spots for one of the best running backs in the NFL.

1. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have long been viewed as one of the top landing spots for Cook. He’s a Florida native — born in Opa-locka and played his high school ball at Miami Central. The Miami Herald recently reported that the Dolphins could be “a real possibility” if Cook were to be released, and you have to imagine heading home would be appealing to him. The Vikings got to play in Miami last year, and that was special for Cook.

“This is what I dreamed about, this is a kid’s dream, just living in it, trying to take advantage of the moment,” Cook said, via SI.com. “If you know me, I just like to have fun. So I try to enjoy the moment, man, because you don’t get these back. We only play Miami every so many years, so gotta take advantage of these type of games.”

The Dolphins don’t necessarily have a need at running back with Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Devon Achane, Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and Chris Brooks, but that won’t stop head coach Mike McDaniel from exploring this opportunity. He found success with the San Francisco 49ers scheming for the run, and wants Miami to run the ball better than it did in 2022.

2. Buffalo Bills

The Bills have a few options at running back with James Cook, Damien Harris, Nyheim Hines and Latavius Murray on the roster, but Cook would provide an immediate upgrade at this position. Cook has crossed 1,110 yards in each of the past four seasons. The last time the Bills had a 1,110-yard rusher was in 2017 with LeSean McCoy, and their leading rusher from the last four years is now with the Houston Texans.

Cook signing with a legitimate contender and joining forces with his younger brother is something that potentially could happen.

3. Chicago Bears

For starters, the Bears have the cap space to acquire Cook, who has given Chicago plenty of headaches during his time in Minnesota. Cook would be an upgrade over the Bears’ current group of backs that includes D’Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert and rookie Roschon Johnson.

Cook would fit like a glove inside the Bears’ offense. He’d get a chance to run behind a revamped line that includes rookie first-round pick Darnell Wright. Cook would also play alongside quarterback Justin Fields, who is poised to have a breakout season.

4. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona has the cap space to acquire Cook. They also have a need at running back behind James Conner, who given his injury history would benefit by having a back of Cook’s caliber to share a backfield with.

The addition of Cook would give the Cardinals one of the NFL’s top offenses as far as personnel is concerned. Like Chicago, the Cardinals acquired one of the top linemen in the draft in Paris Johnson Jr.. Arizona also has a talented young quarterback in Kyler Murray along with a talented receiving corps, which is led by Marquise Brown after the team recently released DeAndre Hopkins.

5. San Francisco 49ers

Cook in the 49ers’ offense would be like playing Madden on rookie level for coach Kyle Shanahan. Along with giving him an embarrassment of riches on offense, Cook would also give Shanahan desired depth at running back given Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell’s injury history.

A quarter century ago, Shanahan has an up-close look at Terrell Davis running roughshod en route to winning two titles with Kyle’s dad, Mike Shanahan. Cook would do similar magic with the younger Shanahan while playing in the same zone blocking scheme as the one Davis enjoyed. 

Perhaps the Jets?  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Running back Dalvin Cook is expected to become a free agent on Friday and some have wondered if the Jets might make a run at adding Cook to the roster once the Vikings release him.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh didn’t say definitively whether the Jets will be making a bid for Cook’s services when asked about the running back during a Friday press conference, but he left the door open while deferring questions to General Manager Joe Douglas.

“We’ll turn the stones over on that one, but that’s probably more of a Joe question. I’m not sure how the money works on that,” Saleh said.

If the Jets do decide to make a push for Cook, they may not be the only AFC East team in the running. The Dolphins have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot.

The Jets have 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall coming off of a torn ACL in a backfield that also features Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda.

NFC EAST

NEW YORK GIANTS

The Giants have been victimized by the fires in Quebec.  Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com:

Smoke from Canadian wildfires that has spread across the Eastern Seaboard in the United States forced the New York Giants to cancel practice Thursday.

The Giants’ organized team activity, which was scheduled to be held indoors, was scrapped at the last minute because of the air conditions, according to team officials. A slight haze had made its way inside the fieldhouse, and the team decided to call off the practice.

The air quality index outdoors in East Rutherford was 198 at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday — a number that is considered unhealthy. An AQI of 200 and above is very unhealthy.

The Giants’ practice Friday also is likely to be canceled, according to coach Brian Daboll.

“It is [wild times],” New York offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said minutes after practice was called off. “Have not [seen anything like it] — have not. Wednesday it was orange [outside].”

PHILADELPHIA

High praise for the intangibles of QB JALEN HURTS from his coach, Nick Sirianni. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made a significant jump from 2021 to 2022 to help the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII.

A year ago at this time, head coach Nick Sirianni noted the improvement he’d seen from Hurts throughout the offseason program. On Thursday, Sirianni said Hurts has taken more steps forward in 2023.

“Jalen may be the most coachable person I’ve ever been around in my life,” Sirianni said at his press conference. “And he’s just always looking to get better. Now, that’s our job as coaches to make sure we’re feeding him good information. He’s so coachable and he just keeps getting better, and he keeps getting better, and he keeps getting better. And so I do, I see another jump in everything that he’s done — with the accuracy, with the decision-making. I mean, we’re doing 7-on-7 so there is no … pass rush except for the people who are walking at him with the bags. … But I do see his development continuing.

“That’s what we talk about with Jalen all the time. I don’t know what his ceiling is because he just keeps getting better and he’s going to continue to do that. So I’ve seen that same jump — the speed of which he makes his decisions, the accuracy of his throws, he’s really had a good spring.”

After winning the NFC last year, Hurts signed a five-year contract extension worth $255 million. If Hurts can continue to elevate his game, he’ll undoubtedly prove worth the investment.

NFC SOUTH

CAROLINA

BRYCE YOUNG is now QB1 for the Carolina Panthers.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Panthers made a change to kick off Thursday’s OTA practice.

According to multiple reports from the session, Bryce Young opened team drills as the quarterback with the first-team offense. The first overall pick in this year’s draft had been behind Andy Dalton in all of the other spring practices open to the media.

Even with Dalton leading off, Young has been getting a heavy dose of snaps with the first team so Thursday isn’t his first time working with the first string. Having him go first on a day with the media on hand isn’t the sort of thing that goes unnoticed, however, and head coach Frank Reich is sure to field questions about whether the team feels Young is ready to step into the starting role.

The Panthers close out their offseason program with a minicamp next week. After that, training camp will be the next opportunity to gauge where things stand with Carolina’s quarterback of the future.

AFC WEST

DENVER

Support for QB RUSSELL WILSON from a member of his offensive line.  Nick Shook of NFL.com:

By this point, everyone knows how spectacular Denver’s face-plant was in 2022.

Hopes of a Super Bowl quickly crumbled in the Mile High City, where Russell Wilson and the Broncos proved they weren’t contenders, but pretenders under the since-fired Nathaniel Hackett.

Sean Payton is now in charge and Denver has a renewed sense of optimism. Count offensive tackle Garett Bolles as one of the hopefuls who not only believes the Broncos will surprise folks, but also that Wilson is going to shock the world.

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“He’s a great dude, he’s the same guy every single day, he works his butt off,” Bolles said, viaESPN.com. “And I’m ready for that stuff to go away and when it goes, everyone’s going to eat crow.”

Denver’s disintegration wasn’t simply a tale of a team failing to meet expectations. Following the disappointing 2022 season, reports emerged describing special treatment of Wilson, who reportedly kept his own office in the Broncos’ facility, among other things. Bolles said Thursday those reports angered him, and he’s taking them “very personal.”

“I think he’s phenomenal,” Bolles said. “… We knew who he was as a person, we know who is. … I love him dearly. I think he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks in the game the last 10 years. Stats don’t lie, just because you have one rough season in the last 10 years you can’t dictate what type of guy, his personality, what he goes through.”

Bolles took a defensive stand in the face of criticism regarding Wilson, which shouldn’t come as a surprise: He’s the man tasked with defending Wilson’s blindside on the field. If anyone is responsible for protecting Wilson, it’s Bolles.

But his comments on Thursday represent Bolles taking a significant next step in his duties. He’s not just guarding his quarterback — he’s promising redemption.

Bolles believes he has good reason to be confident that Wilson will turn around what was a miserable season for the All-Pro and Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

“He’s the same guy, he doesn’t change; he’s a leader,” Bolles said. “… He’s one of the winningest quarterbacks [the] last 10 years, you guys know the stats, that’s just who he is. … Random rumors and things like that and the fire burns. It’s like a forest fire, you start in one corner and the wind blows and it just burns thousands and thousands of acres, and that’s sort of what happened.

“[But] he’s not focused on that, he just wants to win,” Bolles said.

Because the Broncos traded so much to acquire Wilson, they have no choice but to turn it around in 2023. The alternative means mass firings, save for perhaps Payton, another key figure for whom Denver had to trade away assets to add.

The pressure is on. Bolles is attempting to ensure Wilson never feels even a hint of it.

– – –

Meanwhile, the Broncos are adding a defensive lineman, a familiar face in the AFC West:

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton has promised there will be “churn” on the team’s roster and plenty of it in the weeks ahead.

To that end, veteran defensive end Frank Clark agreed Thursday to a one-year deal with the Broncos, according to multiple team sources. A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Clark’s deal could be worth up to $7.5 million, including a $5.5 million base salary that is guaranteed.

Clark, who will turn 30 on Wednesday, was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on March 1 when they were unable to find common ground with his agent, Erik Burkhardt, on a reworked contract.

The Broncos have some room on the depth chart on the edge, given that linebacker Baron Browning, who has not participated in the on-field work in OTAs, recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair some cartilage damage and Randy Gregory had an injury-marred season in 2022 that included a knee injury.

Gregory was one of the Broncos’ biggest free agent acquisitions a year ago when he was signed to a five-year, $70 million deal. But because of a Week 4 knee injury, Gregory played in just six games and finished with two sacks.

Payton has consistently said the team will make moves to retool a thin roster. The Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since their Super Bowl 50 win to close out the 2015 season.

“I’ve said it, you’re going to churn certain position groups based on getting a chance to look at other players,” Payton said after Thursday’s practice.

The Seattle Seahawks traded Clark to the Chiefs in 2019. He played in 58 regular-season games in his four seasons with the Chiefs, totaling 23.5 sacks.

Clark often had his most productive games in the postseason. Clark played in 12 playoff games for the Chiefs and had 10.5 sacks. He had three sacks in a divisional round game against the Houston Texans after the 2019 season. Counting his time with the Seahawks, Clark has 13.5 career postseason sacks, third all time.

Clark was suspended by the NFL for two games during the 2022 season for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Clark, in September, pleaded no contest in Los Angeles to two counts of misdemeanor possession of an assault weapon and was sentenced to one year of probation and 40 hours of community service.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he has 58.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles in his career.

KANSAS CITY

When the definitive NFL QB history is written, QB BLAINE GABBERT needs to be interviewed.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Blaine Gabbert signed in April to back up Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, after spending the last three years backing up Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. And after a couple of months working with Mahomes, Gabbert sees a lot of similarities to Brady.

Gabbert, who is now with his sixth NFL team and heading into his 13th season, said that Mahomes and Brady are unique in how hard they work at doing everything right in offseason work.

“They’re maniacal perfectionists,” Gabbert said. “And I mean that in the most endearing way possible. They’re the two best, in my opinion, ever to play the game. To see the similarities, how they operate in the meeting room, on the practice field. They’re completely different players, as we all know, but the way they approach the game, on and off the football field is the exact same.”

Brady retired as the greatest of all-time, but if there’s anyone who could one day unseat Brady for that title, it’s Mahomes. Their success is no accident.

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE

The Ravens will ride on the arm, legs and brain of QB LAMAR JACKSON.  With more of the latter under OC Todd Monken.  Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com:

The Baltimore Ravens changed how they ran their offense against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 last season to get a better read on Miami’s pressure package.

The Ravens scrapped the huddle and allowed quarterback Lamar Jackson to make the calls at the line of scrimmage.

Jackson ran for 119 yards and a touchdown and threw for 318 yards and three TDs in a 42-38 loss to the Dolphins, but that wasn’t the lasting impression. Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin remembers Jackson being extremely comfortable in gaining this increased freedom.

“I just saw the expression on his face when he came off the field,” Martin said. “He was in a good place.”

Jackson will have the opportunity to get back to that “good place” under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

In four seasons with offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Baltimore primarily huddled up and ran the play that was called. Under Monken, Jackson can slide the pass protection to one side if he sees a defender blitzing or switch a receiver’s route if the cornerback lines up a certain way.

“Coach [Monken] is basically just giving us the keys to the offense, really,” Jackson said. “I’m loving it.”

In his four full seasons as a starting quarterback, Jackson totaled 32 no-huddle plays, which ranked 32nd in the NFL over that span. He had success, completing 70.5% of his throws (55-of-78) when not huddling.

“We’ve been in that world before, but not to this degree,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “To me, the offense starts in that world more than it did before, and I’m excited about that, [and] I know Lamar is excited about that.

“I think you saw [Tuesday that] the communication is probably better than what you saw last week, so we’ve just got to keep building on that.”

Jackson has gotten a lot from his wish list this offseason. He received a five-year, $252 million contract. He watched Baltimore sign wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after Jackson requested the team do so. He believes this new offense will allow him to throw more and run less.

“There are times where Coach ‘Monk’ says, ‘I’m the coordinator. I call the plays. You like [the play]? Keep it,’” Martin said. “When you change that play, you become the coordinator. And we want it to work.

“He’s doing a good job and getting us in the right plays and operating the offense.”

The Ravens are trying to get Jackson and their offense back on track. In Jackson’s 2019 NFL MVP season, Baltimore ranked first in points scored (33.19) and second in total yards (407.6). Last season, the Ravens were 12th in scoring (23.7) and 14th in yards gained (350.2) before Jackson missed the final five games with a sprained left knee.

Martin, who was the team’s wide receivers coach before switching to quarterbacks this year, has described Monken’s system as “quarterback-friendly.” But he pointed out the added responsibility of altering plays comes with extra work in the film room and on the practice field. The coaching staff wants to know the thought process in deciding to audible.

“We’re not going to fool the defense every time,” Martin said, “but we want to be right most of the time, putting ourselves in great plays and great positions to move the ball down the field.”

For this to work, Jackson is going to need to be more vocal. Instead of huddling, he has to communicate more with everyone — from his wide receivers to his linemen — which hasn’t always come naturally.

“At the end of the day, guys just want to see you being you and [being] true to yourself and true to them, as well,” Jackson said. “And I’ll just say, I’m going to try to be more of a vocal leader, because Coach [Harbaugh] was like, ‘You need to start speaking more.’ I just try to lead by example, but I’ll try to be more of a vocal leader.”

AFC SOUTH

TENNESSEE

S KEVIN BYARD was back in camp after not volunteering for OTAs.  Turron Davenport of ESPN.com:

Titans safety Kevin Byard was back at the facility for the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday after missing the voluntary portion of OTAs.

Byard’s absence at all voluntary portions of OTAs was intriguing given how he was asked to take a pay cut in April and refused. He spoke to the media Thursday for the first time during the offseason and offered an explanation for his missed time.

“I had already talked to the coaches about training on my own and doing my own thing,” Byard said. “There was never any doubt from the coaches on my end that I was going to be here for minicamp and be the same player I’ve always been.”

The Titans asked Byard to take a reduction from his salary, which includes a $13.6 million base and $19.6 million cap hit this season. Byard said not attending OTAs had nothing to do with being asked to take a pay cut and that it was his plan long before any of that came into the picture.

The eighth-year veteran wanted to build on the offseason training that started soon after the Super Bowl.

“Usually, when you come into April, they kind of take things back a little bit cause guys are just returning,” Byard said. “But I was already full speed going and I didn’t want to change that.”

Byard was very comfortable with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s scheme, which he has played in for the past four seasons. That, along with having spent the past five seasons with coach Mike Vrabel, made Byard secure about not being at the facility for OTAs.

Most of his training was in Nashville with Jeremy Holt of Athlete Performance and other NFL defensive backs including teammate Roger McCreary. Byard was also in contact with the coaching staff and on Zoom with the other defensive backs.

Now that he’s back in the building, Byard said he appreciates the energy new defensive backs coach Chris Harris brings both in meetings and on the field. Titans players said Byard’s presence was felt immediately when he returned for minicamp.

New linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair referred to Byard’s return as “a breath of fresh air.”

AFC EAST

NEW YORK JETS

In 2020, the languishing Buccaneers acquired an all-time great QB and won the Super Bowl.

In 2021, the Rams jettisoned their QB for a near-great QB and won the Super Bowl

Nothing applicable last year.

Now in 2023, the Jets have tried the Buccaneers and Rams formula by acquiring QB AARON RODGERS.

Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com compares and contrasts:

The Jets are chasing a recent trend with Aaron Rodgers. In 2020 and 2021, the Buccaneers and Rams famously added Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford respectively, two established veterans in the late stages of their NFL careers, and parlayed those signings to immediate Super Bowl victories.

Of course, the Chiefs snapped that two-year streak a season ago, but we’re all still keenly aware that the veteran-quarterback addition can provide a franchise an instant, seismic boost.

That begs the question — how similar are the 2023 Jets to the 2021 Rams and 2020 Buccaneers? Let’s dissect each roster. I’m using a three-answer scale for the verdict in each category: almost identical, similar, and not alike.

Quarterback

In Brady’s final regular season with the Patriots, he completed 60.8% of his throws, at 6.6 yards per attempt with a TD rate of 3.9% and INT rate of 1.3%. Rock-solid for many quarterbacks. Not exactly meeting typically Brady standards.

Rodgers’ final season in Green Bay went as follows — 64.6% completion rate, 6.8 yards per attempt, 4.8% TD rate, 2.2% of his throws were intercepted. Darn close to Brady’s swan song season in New England.

Considerably younger, Stafford was at a 64.2% completion rate with 7.7 yards per attempt, a 4.9% TD rate and 1.9% INT rate in his last year with the Lions. With a boost in offensive line play, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods plus Sean McVay’s play-design brilliance, and yeah, no wonder the Rams went from 23rd in EPA per play in 2020 to 8th in that foundational analytics stat category in Stafford’s first season in Los Angeles.

Brady and Rodgers were more similar in age and most recent season performance to Stafford, but altogether, this category earns an almost identical label. Right now, Rodgers feels somewhere between where Brady and Stafford were before joining their second teams.

Verdict: Almost identical (advantage: Rams)

Run game

In 2020, for the Buccaneers, Ronald Jones had a sneaky-good 978-yard campaign at 5.1 yards per carry. Leonard Fournette was bluntly not good during the regular season — fewer than 400 yards at 3.8 yards per — then morphed into Playoff Lenny by upping his yards-per-rush total nearly one full yard (3.8 to 4.7) en route to earning his ring.

Here’s what I can say about the Rams run game the following season — I completely forgot who led the team in rushing yards. Total blank. That’s telling. In fact, it was Sony Michel who led the Rams with 845 yards. Darrell Henderson was the most efficient main ball carrier. He averaged 4.6 yards per tote. And it really was a two-man show. No one else eclipsed 50 yards on the ground! And there wasn’t a transformative performance in the postseason either.

On paper, the Jets are light years more exciting as a running team, and I’m not even that concerned about Breece Hall coming off an ACL tear. He’s 22 years old! For his body, healing is still a piece a cake. Before his injury a season ago, Hall, not Garrett Wilson, was tracking toward the offensive rookie of the year award. Behind him is the bouncy Michael Carter, explosive veteran Ty Johnson, and Israel Abanikanda, who will make an impact in Year 1. Sure, this isn’t an established running back room like the Buccaneers and Rams had. Heck though, I’ll trade experience for fresh legs in my running back room any day.

Verdict: Not alike (advantage: Jets)

Pass catchers

I’ll always be convinced the Buccaneers pass catchers — and his confidence to lure Rob Gronkowski out of retirement — were a key element to Brady deciding on Tampa Bay as his near-retirement snowbird destination. Mike Evans was still in his prime. Chris Godwin a budding superstar. As per usual, Brady dispersed the ball like a seasoned, MVP-caliber point guard. Six Tampa Bay skill-position players finished with 30-plus catches — including Antonio Brown.

The following year, the Rams boasted Kupp, Woods, polished youngster Van Jefferson, and athletic tight end Tyler Higbee. Solid albeit unspectacular group after Kupp. They signed Odell Beckham Jr. in-season after his release from the Browns, and the flashy veteran caught five touchdowns down the stretch before snagging a pair of touchdowns in the postseason pre-Super Bowl injury.

The Jets stack up very closely. Not an envy-of-the-league unit. Hardly a pedestrian group either. Wilson is tracking toward stardom. Allen Lazard is a unique big body with the utmost trust of Rodgers. Mecole Hardman can stretch defenses vertically. The collection of Corey Davis, Randall Cobb, and Denzel Mims make for a respectable albeit unspectacular depth trio.

These three groups feel close, with maybe the Rams and Buccaneers having a slight advantage because we knew what those veteran quarterbacks were getting with Evans, Godwin, and Kupp. 

Verdict: Almost identical (advantage: Buccaneers, slightly)

Offensive front

On draft night 2020, I vividly remember thinking “how in the world did the rest of the NFL let the Buccaneers draft Tristan Wirfs?” He was my OT1 in the class, right tackle was the one clear-cut need Tampa Bay had on offense, and three — yes, three — offensive tackles were selected in front of the Iowa mountain of a man before he was selected at No. 13 overall.

Wirfs was outstanding as a rookie, and the three-man interior of Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, and Alex Cappa was a group of club bouncers, and Donovan Smith held his own at left tackle. Stellar blocking unit in front of Brady.

The 2021 Rams had more of a patchwork, unproven offensive line, yet there wasn’t a liability for defensive coordinators to target and Andrew Whitworth was still an elite pass blocker at left tackle. McVay’s stretch-run/play-action offensive foundation mitigated any blocking deficiencies too.

This Jets team is directly between the 2020 Buccaneers and 2021 Rams but the weakest of the bunch. Alijah Vera-Tucker might  become a Pro Bowl guard. He’s returning from a season-ending injury last year. Duane Brown is your classic, wily veteran without All-Pro upside but a high floor. Mekhi Becton is a giant human and giant question mark. Laken Tomlinson will typically get the job done, and Joel Tippmann is likely the starting center as a rookie. This won’t be a blocking unit that will carry the offense. And it could hinder the offense’s efficiency at times. With Rodgers quick release, New York’s offensive line shouldn’t be that big of a stumbling block.

Verdict: Similar (advantage: Buccaneers)

Defensive front

A season ago, the Jets were seventh in the NFL in sacks (45) and sixth in team pressure rate (36%), and that was without a monstrous year from 2021 splashy free-agent signing Carl Lawson. At linebacker, Gang Green boasts a fine complementary starting duo of C.J. Mosley and the explosive Quincy Williams. A great but non All-Pro pairing. There’s Quinnen Williams, who’s weeks or months away from becoming the highest paid defensive tackle in football (probably), agitating bruiser John Franklin-Myers and two first-round picks at edge — Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald. Can’t forget about recent signing Al Woods, who blocks out the sun in the middle.

The 2020 Buccaneers had an embarrassment of riches in their defensive front seven. Perennial near the top of the league pressure-creator Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul reached 9.5 sacks during the regular season, Ndamukong Suh, the always-underrated Steve McClendon inside, and Vita Vea for five games, including the NFC title and Super Bowl. At linebacker, Lavonte David and Devin White. Serious speed, ferocity, and big-play capability.

The 2021 Rams were headlined by none other than Aaron Donald, got 9.5 sacks from long, springy edge rusher Leonard Floyd, brought in Von Miller and rotated the likes of chippy interior rusher Greg Gaines, Obo Okoronkwo, and Sebastian Joseph-Day up front. Oozing with diverse talent. The linebackers? Not memorable. Troy Reeder led all classic second-level defenders with 91 tackles for that Rams club. Rookie Ernest Jones flashed late in the season and, particularly, the Super Bowl. This was a front seven anchored by its defensive line. 

Verdict: Similar (advantage: Buccaneers or Jets)

Secondary

Crank the intensity here. Collectively, these teams had/have the following defensive backs — Sauce Gardner, Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis, Antoine Winfield Jr., D.J. Reed, and Jordan Whitehead (who was on the 2020 Bucs and 2023 Jets).

Not an easy task picking a winner here. In reality, all the secondary groups were built differently. The Jets and Rams were buoyed by superstar perimeter corners. The Buccaneers had a deeper talent pool at every position, including safety. The 2020 Bucs finished seventh in opposing EPA per drop back. The 2021 Rams were 12th. Last year, the Jets brought it defensively — their unit was sixth in that critical category. New York does not need to be historically stingy in the secondary to win plenty of football games. And with Gardner leaning the way, they have the horses to be a top 10 pass defense once again in 2023.

Verdict: Almost identical (advantage: Rams or Jets)

THIS AND THAT

FREE AGENT LANDING SPOTS

Matt Bowen of ESPN.com wrote this on June 1.  Since then, two of the late unsigned free agents have signed at teams other than the one he designated as the “best fit”

With the NFL draft in the rearview mirror and the opening of training camps still two months away, there are several intriguing veterans available on the free agent market. The latest addition is wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who was released by the Cardinals on Friday after three years with the team. Hopkins can still help a contender in 2023.

Which teams should target Hopkins and the other top unsigned players? Let’s find ideal landing spots for 10 veterans and three more players who requested trades over the past two months.

When I evaluate free agent-team matches, I’m looking at how each player fits in a scheme, how each might be able to help immediately and whether the team has the cap space to add players. Remember: This late in the process, it’s highly unlikely players will get multiyear contracts. They’re looking at one-year, low-risk deals that include incentives to make some more cash.

Let’s get into the list, and we’ll go in alphabetical order, starting with the best quarterback on the market:

Teddy Bridgewater, QB

Best team fit: Detroit Lions

I see a void behind Jared Goff in Detroit, which should add a proven, veteran signal-caller. Bridgewater can be a high-level No. 2 and fit the Lions’ play-action heavy pass game. He’s a rhythm thrower with the movement skills to get on the edges in this offense’s boot schemes, too.

Adding Bridgewater would also give third-round draft pick Hendon Hooker more time to recover from an ACL injury while acclimating to a pro passing offense. Bridgewater can still play; in 16 starts over the past two seasons, he has completed 66.1% of his passes while throwing 22 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

Frank Clark, DE

Best team fit: New Orleans Saints (He is signing with Denver)

The Saints addressed their front during the draft, adding defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and defensive end Isaiah Foskey with their first two picks. I would still look at Clark, however, because of his traits and the upside he would bring to coach Dennis Allen’s scheme.

Clark can align in the Saints’ loaded fronts to get edge one-on-ones opposite Cameron Jordan and loop inside on stunts and twists. In the Chiefs’ postseason run to a Super Bowl title, Clark had 2.5 sacks and six pressures, so we know he still has some pass-rush juice. For a New Orleans team that wants to compete for the NFC South title, he could help in nickel and dime fronts.

Jadeveon Clowney, OLB/DE

Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens

Clowney is a straight-line power rusher who can set a hard edge versus the run game, and he would fit in coordinator Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme in Baltimore. Yes, his production declined in Cleveland last season — he had just two sacks — but the 30-year-old can still create disruption in both the run and pass game. Clowney can play off the edge or align inside as a stand-up defensive tackle in the Ravens’ multiple fronts.

Baltimore turned over its front seven, and I see a part-time role for Clowney there.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB

Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Elliott is still one of the NFL’s top goal-line and short-yardage runners, and he would complement Rachaad White’s skill set in the Bucs’ backfield. In 2022, Elliott had 12 touchdowns with nine scores on carries inside the 5-yard line.

Yes, the 27-year-old’s speed has declined at this stage of his career, and he’s not going to give a team much as a receiver. We can see that on the tape. But as a No. 2 in Tampa, Elliott would bring value to the offense in key game situations.

Leonard Floyd, OLB

Best team fit: Carolina Panthers (He signed with Buffalo)

I’m surprised Floyd is still on the market — the 30-year-old is coming off three straight seasons of at least nine sacks. He would fit as an outside linebacker in base 30 fronts in the Panthers’ defensive scheme under new coordinator Ejiro Evero.

The real impact here would focus on him as an edge rusher opposite Brian Burns in Carolina’s sub packages. Floyd is a productive, veteran rusher with a long 6-foot-5 frame and the lower-body flex to turn the corner. Adding him would allow Evero to better scheme his pass-rush matchups.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR

Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs

Hopkins was released by the Cardinals last week after the team couldn’t find a trade partner. It wasn’t because he couldn’t play, though — the 30-year-old was scheduled to count $30.75 million against Arizona’s cap. He is still a detailed and savvy route runner, and he has great ball skills. He can create matchup advantages in scoring position. In nine games last season — only five of those came with quarterback Kyler Murray on the field — he caught 64 passes for 717 yards.

There will be multiple teams with interest in Hopkins. The Bills fit here. The Jets, Patriots and Cowboys, too. Maybe even the Browns. With the Chiefs and coach Andy Reid, however, he could be used as a boundary target for Patrick Mahomes or work inside on leveled concepts to attack schemed voids in the coverage. Hopkins would join a title contender and upgrade the league’s best pass game.

Justin Houston, OLB

Best team fit: New York Giants

Houston could fit with multiple teams in search of a veteran pass-rusher, but let’s get him back under former Baltimore defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who joined New York in 2022. Houston, who has 14 sacks over the past two seasons, played for Martindale in 2021, posting 4.5 sacks and 35 pressures. And we know the fit works for a Giants defense that can use him as a situational pass-rusher in pressure fronts.

Martindale’s defense led the NFL last season with a blitz rate of 42%, which will create more one-on-ones for Houston with schemes that manipulate protection counts.

Yannick Ngakoue, DE

Best team fit: Chicago Bears

Ngakoue has notched 65 sacks over eight NFL seasons, including 9.5 in 2022 with the Colts. He can still get after quarterbacks.

In Chicago, he would fill a void for coach Matt Eberflus’ defense, which added depth on the defensive line through free agency and the draft but still lacks a high-end edge rusher in passing situations. With Ngakoue in the mix playing opposite of free agent addition DeMarcus Walker, the Bears can boost their edge production in nickel fronts, which is critical for a defense that had a league-low 20 sacks last season. Ngakoue isn’t a great run defender, but as a pass-rusher, he can play a role.

Marcus Peters, CB

Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders had six interceptions last season, which tied for the lowest total in the league. There’s a real need for playmakers in the secondary. That’s Peters, an aggressive, ball-hawking corner who has 32 interceptions over eight NFL seasons.

The scheme fit works well here, too, as Peters has the traits to break on throws in the Raiders’ single-high coverages while also baiting the quarterback as a rolled-up flat defender in Cover 2. Even with the injury history — Peters hasn’t played a full season since 2018 — his ability to create on-the-ball production would be an upgrade to the Vegas defense. The Raiders didn’t draft a corner until Round 4 in April, so there are plenty of snaps available this season.

Dalton Risner, G

Best team fit: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams drafted guard Steve Avila in the second round in April, but I still see a spot for Risner to bolster the interior of their front. Risner’s run block win rate in Denver last season (74.4%) ranked 10th among all guards. While he can be pressed in pass protection, he has the play strength to drop and anchor against power rushers.

This addition would be about adding depth and competition for a Los Angeles team that needs to upgrade along the interior line this season. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Rams quarterbacks were sacked on 9.7% of their pass plays last season, the second-highest mark in the league, behind Chicago’s 11.5%.

Potential trade candidates

These three players have requested moves away from their current teams:

Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals

Best team fit in a trade: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles signed safety Terrell Edmunds in free agency and drafted rookie Sydney Brown in Round 3, but would general manager Howie Roseman take a swing to land a veteran? Baker, who requested a trade in April, is one of the league’s most urgent safeties. He has incredible play speed and would fit as a top-down defender in split-field coverages under new coordinator Sean Desai.

Baker had at least 98 tackles over the past five seasons, and he creates plays on the ball in coverage, too.

Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best team fit in a trade: Tennessee Titans

White, who requested a trade in April, didn’t play his best football in 2022, but his downhill acceleration and pursuit range would fit in Tennessee. Paired with free agent addition Azeez Al-Shaair, the Titans would have two stack linebackers with the traits to track the ball in the run game, pressure and roam the second level in passing situations.

The Titans have some salary cap issues — White would want a new contract from the team that trades for him — but they could figure out a way to give him a deal.

Jonah Williams, OT, Cincinnati Bengals

Best team fit in a trade: New York Jets

Williams, who lost his left tackle job after the Bengals signed Orlando Brown Jr. in March, isn’t a perfect player. He allowed 11 sacks last season. But after the Jets didn’t land one of the top offensive tackle prospects in April’s draft, a trade for Williams would make sense, especially if it costs only a midround pick in next year’s draft to get a deal over the line.

The 2019 first-round pick could challenge Mekhi Becton on the left side or start immediately at right tackle, solidifying the edge for new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Plus, if he plays well, he could land a big extension.