The Daily Briefing Friday, March 25, 2022

Drew Rosenhaus warns us – there is more to come.  The Spun:

Longtime NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus has already seen some of his most prominent clients sign lucrative free agency deals (J.C. Jackson) and be part of blockbuster trades (Tyreek Hill).

At this afternoon’s introductory press conference for Hill, Rosenhaus dropped a hint that more is coming, telling reporters that there will “absolutely” be additional major moves this offseason.

@DavidFurones_

Drew Rosenhaus says there will “absolutely” be more bombshell moves, trades this offseason. 👀

Considering most of the premium free agents are already off the market, it seems like trades would be the most noteworthy transactions in the coming months.

In recent years, we’ve seen an increased willingness for teams to pull the trigger on trades for premium talent than they had been in the past. There’s no indication that trend won’t continue.

Time will tell if Rosenhaus’ words will prove prescient.

Does that include QB TOM BRADY to the Dolphins?  Scoopmeister Dale Arnold:

A Boston sports insider with a history of bombshell scoops regarding NFL legend Tom Brady has dropped another one.

Veteran broadcaster and reporter Dale E. Arnold tweeted on Thursday that he “would not be surprised” if Brady played somewhere other than Tampa next season, hinting instead at a possible arrival with the Miami Dolphins — “try a little further south.”

Arnold later told WEEI’s Merloni & Fauria that the parties were “working on it.”

Earlier this offseason, Pro Football Talk reported that the Dolphins were interested in acquiring both Brady and former Saints head coach Sean Payton, a package deal that the popular blog said was “derailed” by former Miami head coach Brian Flores’ bombshell racial discrimination lawsuit following his dismissal.

In his lawsuit, Flores alleges that he left a surprise 2020 meeting with Brady and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross on Ross’ yacht — an apparent first attempt at bringing Brady to Miami — so as to avoid potential tampering charges.

Speculating further on the idea of Brady landing in Miami, Arnold sent a followup tweet about one of Brady’s favorite targets.

“And notice that Rob Gronkowski hasn’t re-signed with the Buccaneers yet?” he asked.

At an introductory press conference for newly acquired Dolphins star Tyreek Hill on Thursday, agent Drew Rosenhaus, who also represents Gronkowski, said the superstar tight end was still undecided on retiring.

Arnold, now calling Boston Bruins games after a long career with WEEI, was the first to report that Brady’s signing with the Buccaneers two years ago was official, according to Merloni & Fauria.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com throws cold water on the fever:

Before Tom Brady unretired and returned to the Buccaneers, we reported that the Dolphins were contemplating a package deal of Brady and former Saints coach Sean Payton, a plan that was derailed by the Brian Flores litigation.

Now that the Dolphins seemingly have everything but a franchise quarterback (sorry, TuAnon), talk of Brady going to Miami has been revised.

Dale Arnold claimed Thursday on WEEI radio that he wouldn’t be surprised if Brady goes to the Dolphins, and that he has heard the parties are “working on it.” (Arnold apparently was the first to report that Brady to the Buccaneers was a done deal in 2020. I don’t know that this is the case, and I’m not inclined to track through two-year-old tweets to confirm or debunk it.)

As much as I love chaos, this seems like a major stretch. Brady returned just in time to keep the Bucs from making a run at Deshaun Watson, or some other quarterback to replace Brady. (That said, they could still go get Baker Mayfield, an apparent favorite of coach Bruce Arians.) Also, Brady has actively recruited players like center Ryan Jensen and defensive back Logan Ryan and running back Leonard Fournette to sign contracts with the team. If Brady would leave now, he would be making a heel turn even bigger and more unexpected than the one Aaron Rodgers has executed in recent months.

Now, 2023? That’s a different story. Miami could make sense then. For now, though, the idea of Brady leaving the Bucs seems even harder to imagine than him retiring and coming back after only 40 days.

NFC NORTH

DETROIT

The Lions are bringing back LB JARRAD DAVIS.  Nick Shook of NFL.com:

Go ahead, call it a comeback.

Linebacker Jarrad Davis is returning to the Detroit Lions. The team announced it has signed the unrestricted free agent on Friday.

Davis began his NFL career with the Lions by way of a 2017 first-round pick spent on him and played his first four seasons in Detroit, recording 305 tackles (19 for loss), 10.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and one interception between 2017 and 2020. The Lions declined to pick up his fifth-year option and his playing time dwindled in his final season in the Motor City, leading Davis to sign with the Jets in 2021.

After just nine games played (five starts) in New York, Davis is headed back to Michigan, where he’ll join a franchise that might look rather different than the one he left after the 2020 season. Dan Campbell enters his second year as Lions head coach, and Matthew Stafford has been gone for nearly a full calendar year.

Davis will return to a Lions defense that differs in system. Instead of manning the traditional middle linebacker position, Davis should be expected to fill one of two inside linebacker spots, though the significance of his role remains to be seen.

NFC EAST

NEW YORK GIANTS

Some might think the Giants should be in the QB market, but they are letting it be known that they will facilitate another team’s quest for one.  Ralph Vacchiano of SNY:

The NFL’s quarterback carousel nearly spun off its axis over the last few weeks, and it’s still spinning towards the draft.

That’s great news for the Giants who are interested in trading one of their Top 10 picks if possible.

According to multiple NFL sources, the Giants have signaled they are open to trading either the 5th or 7th overall pick in this years draft for a package that includes a first-rounder in 2023. And the more teams that are seeking quarterbacks, the more likely it is that they can.

In fact, the market for those picks could potentially be huge. After months of buzz around the NFL about how nobody loved the quarterbacks in this draft, both Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett and Liberty’s Malik Willis had strong showings at their Pro Days this week and suddenly are being viewed as likely Top 10 picks.

That means there could be several teams trying desperately to get into the Top 10 and the Giants’ two first-round picks are in sweet spots for quarterback-needy teams. The picks are sandwiched around the Carolina Panthers at No. 6 and just ahead of the Atlanta Falcons at 8.

The Panthers were finalists in the Deshaun Watson chase before he was traded to the Cleveland Browns and have inquired about nearly every available quarterback for the last two years. The Falcons were always eyeing a long-term replacement for Matt Ryan, but there’s more urgency now that they’ve traded their franchise quarterback to the Indianapolis Colts.

So any team that wants their choice of quarterbacks in this draft will likely have to get ahead of them.

Among the other teams that could be trading partners for the Giants are Seattle (at No. 9), Washington (11), Houston (13), New Orleans (18), and Pittsburgh (20) – all of whom are still eyeing long-term answers at quarterback. And they all know they may have to jump at least to the Giants’ pick at No. 7 to get one, and possibly to the Giants’ pick at No. 5 to ensure they get their top choice.

As for the Giants, there are multiple reasons why they’re interested in trading down, according to sources, one being financial complications. They have nine picks in this year’s draft, which will cost them about $12.5 million in salary cap space, according to OverTheCap.com.

That’s a problem considering they are currently only about $3 million under the $208.2 million cap, according to NFL Players Association records. Even if they eventually trade cornerback James Bradberry, that would only clear another $12.1 million off the books – less if they have to pay some of his salary to make a deal.

Trading the 7th overall pick to a quarterback-needy team like the Saints and dropping to 18, for example, would save almost $2.2 million in cap space. They’d clear more than $5 million if they traded away that pick and didn’t get a first-round pick this year in return – which is something one source said the Giants might be willing to do.

The other possible reason might be more significant. The Giants seem unlikely to pick up the fifth-year option for 2023 on quarterback Daniel Jones’ contract, which they must decide on by May 2 — two days after the draft.

That opens-up the possibility that they’ll be looking for a replacement in the 2023 draft. Having two first-round picks gives them more options in a draft that scouts believe will have several franchise quarterbacks. It will also give them ammunition if they feel they need to move up to get the quarterback they want.

Of course, given the Giants’ many needs – offensive line, pass-rusher, cornerback, just to name a few – they’d have no problem holding on to both picks to help new GM Joe Schoen restock the roster with young talent.

But given the renewed interest in the top quarterbacks in this class, they’ll likely get plenty of calls about those picks over the next five weeks.

AFC WEST

DENVER

Fire a Mile High!  The Denver Post is on the scene:

A fire burned through parts of Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday, sweeping through rows of seats inside the Denver Broncos’ stadium before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

The Denver Fire Department responded to the stadium at about 2:15 p.m., Capt. Greg Pixley said. Thick, black smoke streamed from the stadium and was visible along Interstate 25 and widespread parts of Denver.

The fire was brought under control by about 2:45 p.m., according to the fire department. Sprinklers inside the stadium turned on because of the fire, but firefighters were needed to fully extinguish the blaze, Pixley said.

“This fire burned very hot… we’re lucky the sprinkler system started to hold the fire in check,” Pixley said. “…This was a significant fire.”

The fire broke out in a construction zone near the East Club Lounge, according to Empower Field at Mile High. That area of the stadium was quickly evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries. Pixley said the sprinkler system activated in the indoor seating area, but that there was no sprinkler system over the exposed stadium seats.

The fire started in the fourth-floor suites area and burned seats on the third level.

 “The sprinklers were working… but the significance of a fire like this, with the amount of petroleum products burning, creates significant heat,” Pixley said. “Those sprinklers did as best as they could and our firefighters were able to place hose lines to reduce the amount of damage.”

Pixley said 75 firefighters responded to the fire at its peak, and that about 1,000 square feet of the stadium burned.

Firefighters will carry out an additional investigation as to whether there was any significant structural damage to the stadium, Pixley said.

Further details about the cause of the fire are under investigation.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

The Chargers, who have the kind of QB who can make a long run in the playoffs, think they have re-made their defense.  Jeff Howe of The Athletic:

J.C. Jackson’s eyes opened wide with a smile to match.

The seafood tower dominated the middle of the table at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Newport Beach, Calif., with steak, lobster, shrimp and wine passed around throughout the night. Jackson, who had just finalized his five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Chargers, was sitting next to head coach Brandon Staley. Several Chargers assistants and members of Jackson’s camp attended the welcome dinner at the high-end chop house on the Pacific coast.

Staley conversed with Jackson as though they had known each other for years rather than days. For Jackson, undrafted in 2018, the night was a celebration of how far he’d come in his career and a glimpse into a promising future in Los Angeles. For the Chargers, the night represented a significant swing in free agency, as they loaded up on defense to balance their offensively gifted roster.

“Our goal this offseason was to build a complete team, a deep team,” Staley told The Athletic. “And I think we’re off to a good start.”

After keeping wide receiver Mike Williams on a three-year, $60 million contract, the Chargers got to work on a defense that allowed the fourth-most points in the NFL in 2021. They were 9-8 and eliminated from playoff contention during a 35-32 overtime loss to the Raiders on the final night of the regular season. It was a squandered opportunity — losing three of their final four games and surrendering an average of 36.7 points in those defeats — in star quarterback Justin Herbert’s second season.

So the defensive-minded Staley and his staff aligned with general manager Tom Telesco and key front office members, including executive vice president of football administration Ed McGuire, to pinpoint a list of players who would make an impact on defense and fit with their culture.

“The list isn’t very long,” Staley said.

They started with edge rusher Khalil Mack. The Chargers recognized his high cap number for the rebuilding Bears, who overhauled their leadership structure this offseason by hiring general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, and the organization might be willing to move him.

Staley, who was the Bears’ outside linebackers coach from 2017-18, has long had an affinity for the former Defensive Player of the Year. Mack held out for the entire 2018 offseason and training camp with the Raiders until the Bears jumped into the mix and acquired him in a trade package that included two first-round draft picks.

Mack immediately validated the Bears’ faith.

“You trade for him (in 2018) and sign him to the richest contract of any defensive player in the National Football League,” Staley said. “Then he had no offseason — no spring, no training camp. So everyone is waiting to see if this guy is in shape, has he been working? His first rep, I’ll never forget it. In a one-on-one against (tackle) Bobby Massie, what that looked like with all the eyes on him, what everyone witnessed at that moment, you’re like, ‘Oh man, this is going to be different.’ Just that explosion — what that looked like, what that felt like. You’re looking at one of the elite players in the game. Just a rare player.

“You knew the ability. What expressed itself quickly was just how hard he works. In between drills, when the defense would go out against the scout-team offense, Khalil Mack would sprint to the football off the sideline. He would sprint there. Pretty soon, you’ve got (defensive tackle) Akiem Hicks sprinting there at 335 pounds. You’ve got (linebacker) Roquan Smith chasing him. And (cornerback) Kyle Fuller. It became like a game of who is going to get there first. What he did from a practice standpoint, he doesn’t talk. What Khalil does is he plays, he performs, he competes. He doesn’t need to say anything. He gets it done. There was no better evidence of a prime-time player than what that guy did for us in 2018. Just one of the rare players in the league.”

Telesco called Poles and set the parameters for a potential trade. And on March 10, within a day of that initial conversation, the teams agreed to a deal. The Chargers got Mack for a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 sixth-rounder.

With Mack on board, it’ll be a lot more of a challenge for opponents to account for Joey Bosa and his 58 career sacks on the opposite edge. But beyond that, Staley was also excited about the way the Chargers could enhance their culture.

“That’s someone who is going to make (safety) Derwin James better,” Staley said. “Derwin James gives so much to our team. Well, who is giving Derwin James that in return on defense? Who is filling him up? We need to give him weapons so we can get even more out of him. This is a way to do it. Khalil Mack is a culture-changing player.”

The Chargers were also focused on Jackson, who was widely viewed as the top cornerback in free agency. To feel comfortable with the requisite payday, the Chargers studied cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Marshon Lattimore, Marlon Humphrey, Tre’Davious White and Xavien Howard — five of the league’s best corners — to evaluate how Jackson compared.

They were comfortable with the film work, notably his NFL-best 25 interceptions over the past four years. They were also impressed by his durability, as Jackson hasn’t missed a game due to injury in four years (three healthy scratches in 2018). And because the Chargers place an emphasis on signing players with a championship pedigree, they appreciated Jackson’s time with the Patriots, who won the Super Bowl during his rookie season.

There was also the James influence. The pair were teammates on a seven-on-seven team in high school in Florida, and James went all in to recruit Jackson to the Chargers when they linked up at the Pro Bowl in February.

James tried to sell Jackson on the team culture, the staff, their young talent, the new facilities, the California lifestyle. Everything, really. James was such an integral piece to the process that Jackson left the Pro Bowl already intrigued about the possibility of moving across the country.

His heart remained in Foxboro, though. Jackson wanted to stay with the Patriots, but the negotiations made very little progress. When the Patriots declined to use the franchise tag on Jackson, his departure from New England was a near certainty. The Patriots told Jackson to return to the negotiating table if his market didn’t unfold as expected.

It did. McGuire called Jackson’s camp on March 14 as soon as the negotiating window opened and expressed the Chargers’ seriousness in signing the cornerback. They were among six teams that showed a decent level of interest, including three that were serious suitors. He had a few competitive offers in the same range as the Chargers’ proposal, according to a source.

The Chargers’ push was too strong to pass up. Jackson’s deal was the fourth-highest among cornerbacks in total dollars, sixth in average annual value and third in fully guaranteed money.

“I felt like he’d be an outstanding fit for us and would provide us the type of impact player at an impact position,” Staley said. “What was great about the deal, it was a good deal for both sides in terms of where he was able to exist in the marketplace and for us to be able to attack the rest of free agency. We’re just really excited about him and his future and how he fits for us.”

The Chargers, who ranked 30th against the run last season, also added defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day (three years, $24 million) and Austin Johnson (two years, $14 million). Staley had history with Joseph-Day during their year together with the Rams, and those additions should help the Chargers’ personnel transition into Staley’s system.

 “They fit the way we want to play. There was a pretty big system transition,” said Staley, who took over as the Chargers head coach in 2021. “They really allow us to play the way we want to play. To pair Khalil with Joey on the edge of your defense, that’s really going to help your run defense in a big way. I can’t state this enough. Khalil Mack is one of the complete players in the league. This guy is not just a rusher. Why he’s one of the top players in the NFL is because he’s a complete player.”

The improved front should create more turnover opportunities for James, Jackson and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. Likewise, the playmakers on the back end should aid the rushers. If Herbert and the highly skilled offense continue to thrive, it’ll put more pressure on opponents to play out of their comfort zone, thereby marrying it all together.

And again, Staley kept harping on the chemistry, rooted in advice he once received from longtime defensive coach Ed Donatell.

“You’re not just putting together a collection of pieces,” Staley said. “These players are people, and they’re competitors. You want to make sure when you onboard people into your locker room that they fit with who is already in your locker room. (Donatell) told me one time, and I think it’s amazing wisdom, when you go sign a guy or trade for a guy, your locker room better know why they’re there, and it shouldn’t take them forever to know why and to see why. That’s always stayed with me.”

There’s one more aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked. Of course, the Chargers want to maximize their opportunity while Herbert is playing on his rookie contract. And looking into the future, he’ll be eligible for an extension during the 2023 offseason, though he is under the Chargers’ control through his fifth-year option in 2024.

It’s becoming an increasingly attractive place to play, and the Chargers want to ensure it’s a place where Herbert will want to stay.

“We’re going to be locked in every single year to be as good as we can be for our football team and for our fans,” Staley said. “But what we’re not going to do is mortgage our future to make that happen. We’ve been tactical so we can support Justin throughout his entire career, not just the beginning of his career. What we want to make sure we do is we have the assets, the capital to build around him for years to come. That’s been our pledge to him and all of our players. We’re trying to take advantage of the circumstance that we’re in now, and I think we’re being tactical in that approach. I think what it says to him is we’re going to compete to the best of our abilities.”

This month, that approach was highlighted by a defensive overhaul.

“We had a really good game plan going into this offseason,” Staley said. “I think we’ve executed it extremely well.”

AFC NORTH

CLEVELAND

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com sees the Browns forced to cut QB BAKER MAYFIELD – with him ending up in Pittsburgh.

In 2017, the Browns traded for Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler.  The Browns got a second-round pick for their trouble, since they were taking a $16 million guaranteed salary away from Houston’s books.

Five years later, the Browns may need to apply similar creativity to the $18.8 million guaranteed salary owed to quarterback Baker Mayfield. Even then, it may not be enough to keep them from having to just cut him.

It was recently reported that the Browns don’t want a first-round pick for Mayfield. Hopefully, they don’t want a second or a third or a fourth, either. With few if any teams clamoring for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, the Browns may have to accept a low-round pick at best in order to dump his salary.

At some point, the Browns may actually have to attach a low-round pick in order to move on from Mayfield and most if not all of his contract. (The Browns may have to pay a large chunk of the $18.8 million to make it happen.)

Everyone knows the Browns are done with Mayfield. And the one place he wanted to go — the Colts — didn’t want him. Even if, say, the Seahawks or the Lions or the Falcon express interest, Mayfield could make it clear he’s not interested in playing for any of those teams.

He has a hammer in this situation. He’s making $18.8 million, no matter what. He could force the Browns to ultimately release him if he makes it clear that he ultimately will refuse to embrace a new team.

The Browns surely don’t want to do that. For starters, he’d make a beeline for Pittsburgh, which would pay him a one-year minimum salary of $1.035 million and stick the Browns with the $17.765 million balance. Instantly, he’d become the best option on the Steelers’ depth chart.

He’d be humbled. He’d be motivated. He’d be coachable by Mike Tomlin, who has a gift for keeping difficult personalities pointed in the right direction.

For the Browns, the challenge becomes finding a team that will trade for Mayfield, and a team to which Mayfield will gladly accept a trade. Even without a no-trade clause, teams won’t be inclined to trade for a quarterback who doesn’t want to be there.

Ultimately, the Browns may have no choice but to cut Mayfield. They may need to accept that it’s one of the collateral costs of trading for Deshaun Watson before resolving Mayfield’s status.

It could be a very costly collateral cost. In what will be Mayfield’s last game for the Browns, he witnessed the manner in which Pittsburgh embraced Ben Roethlisberger in what was his last game for the Steelers. With that defense and running game and coaching staff, Mayfield could eventually wrap a 10-year career in Pittsburgh with a similar sendoff.

AFC EAST

MIAMI

WR DAVANTE PARKER seems to be odd man out in Miami, and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears the Eagles are among those options:

@flasportsbuzz

Several teams have shown interest in DeVante Parker, who’s under contract. Eagles reportedly among them. Unclear what Dolphins will do with him. Would be potentially co-No.3 with Wilson if he remains.

But this:

One hindrance to both keeping Parker and trading him is his $8.7 million cap hit for 2022.  He would likely have to restructure as part of a trade.  Now 29 years old, his age and injury history may depress is value on the trade market but he would still be a major upgrade to at least half of the receiving corps in the NFL.

THIS AND THAT

OVERTIME RULES TO BE CHANGED?

Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com with this update on “momentum” towards an OT rules tweak:

There is “a lot of momentum” for changing NFL overtime rules, competition committee chairman Rich McKay said Friday, but it is unclear whether enough owners will agree on a specific proposal when they gather next week for their annual meetings in Palm Beach, Florida.

At the moment, two proposals are under consideration. The Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles have proposed making it mandatory for each team to have an overtime possession before moving to sudden death. The Tennessee Titans, meanwhile, proposed a tweak that would implement mandatory possession for each team unless the team that has the first possession scores a touchdown and converts a successful 2-point attempt.

The competition committee did not endorse either proposal, but McKay said that was because the clubs covered the nature of the discussion well. In a conference call, however, McKay warned reporters about the difficulty of getting the necessary 24 votes from owners to change a rule.

“I think my history on this rule tells me that 24 votes is not easy to get,” McKay said. “But I do think the statistics absolutely warrant an examination of whether overtime rules need to be further modified.”

The existing rule allows a team to win on the first possession of overtime if it scores a touchdown, an outcome that dominated discussion in January after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Chiefs won the coin toss and chose to receive. They scored a touchdown on their first drive, ultimately leaving Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his offense on the sideline and unable to affect the outcome of the game.

Since the current requirement for an opening-possession touchdown was instituted for the 2012 regular season, teams winning the coin toss have won 50% of the time, according to league data. That number has ticked up a bit to 54% since the league shorted overtime from a maximum of 15 minutes to 10 minutes in 2017, but there has been a big jump in the postseason.

Since the current format was implemented, seven of 12 playoff overtime games have been won on the opening possession, and 10 of those 12 were won by the team that won the coin toss.

McKay said he has heard from some teams that prefer to make the change for playoff games only.

“If there was an appetite [for change], you want to be consistent,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said earlier this month. “You don’t want to have one set of rules for the regular season and another for the playoffs, but that’s just me.”

The overtime proposals constitute two of the three rule proposals that owners will consider next week. The other is to make permanent a one-year tweak to the setup zone on kickoff returns, designed to increase the likelihood of onside kick recoveries.

It is the “fewest number of proposals I’ve seen in a while,” McKay said. “And that’s a good thing. I think the game is in a really good place.”

In other news:

• The NFL has spent several months analyzing the high frequency of injuries on punts, which chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said earlier this year should be addressed “immediately.”

It’s possible that the league will have new recommendations for training in 2022, but any associated rule change won’t come before 2023, McKay said. He added they will study the USFL’s modified punt, which does not allow gunners to line up outside the numbers and prohibits them from being double-teamed until after the kick, to see if it affects injury rates. The USFL season opens next month.

• Wayne Mackie, a longtime NFL official who has been helping to lead its training department since 2017, died suddenly overnight while in Florida as he prepared for next week’s meetings. He was 62.

So, if we still have 10-minute overtimes in the regular season, what if a team takes the opening kickoff of the OT and creates a methodical drive that leads to a successful field goal try after a 10-minute drive with no time remaining?  Does the other team get an “untimed drive” to equalize?

What if that opening drive lasts 9:45?  Is it fair that the other team’s equalizing possession lasts 15 seconds?

What if the opening drive to a TD lasts 8:45?  Is 1:15 for the second team to get a TD enough to satisfy those craving equal opportunity?

These are not problems in the postseason where an overtime session, like baseball extra innings, can theoretically extend into infinity.

In any case, with 10-minute overtimes, we can expect a big increase in tie games.  FG drive matched by FG drive, then time runs out.

– – –

While OT could change, the NFL appears likely to keep the game-changing taunting penalties.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Taunting penalties are not going away.

That’s the impression left by NFL Competition Committee head Rich McKay, who said the league has received no feedback that would lead to any change from last year’s controversial emphasis on taunting.

“Sportsmanship is paramount to our game,” McKay said.

Many fans, players, coaches and members of the media complained about the taunting penalties called by officials last year, and particularly about how inconsistently taunting was called. But the NFL appears ready to keep the taunting emphasis in place, and hope only that the officials can get better at calling it the same way across the board.

Realistically, however, taunting is a hard thing to define precisely, and the officials aren’t going to get it right 100 percent of the time. So it’s safe to say we’re going to hear more complaints about taunting calls in 2022.

2022 DRAFT

It wasn’t that long ago that all the experts proclaimed there were not any QBs worthy of going in the first round, certainly not in that top half.

Now, respected analyst Chad Reuter of NFL.com has them going with two of the top three picks and more.

A game of quarterback musical chairs was played across the NFL the past couple of weeks, with Drew Lock (Seattle), Matt Ryan (Indianapolis), Deshaun Watson (Cleveland), Carson Wentz (Washington), Russell Wilson (Denver) and Marcus Mariota (Atlanta) finding new homes through trades and several veteran passers signing free-agent deals with new teams (Teddy Bridgewater with Miami, Mitch Trubisky with Pittsburgh, Jameis Winston with New Orleans, etc.)

Teams left without a chair when the music stopped (though Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield are still whistling in the wind) are now focused on the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft class. This week, NFL Network covered the pro days of Matt Corral (Ole Miss), Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati) and Malik Willis (Liberty). Next Monday, Sam Howell (North Carolina) will throw for NFL personnel evaluators.

These young passers are talented. Like all college prospects, they have areas of their game in which they need to improve. The following four-round mock draft, however, presents my case that they are all worthy of first-round selections.

Will they all become above-average NFL starters? History says no. There’s also no guarantee the top offensive tackle, cornerback or edge rusher in the class will become a true difference-maker. Given the premium placed on the quarterback position, I expect at least five teams (including at least one team recently acquiring a veteran) will value these passers’ abilities enough to pick them on Day 1 of the draft.

This projection also shows this draft class has solid depth at edge rusher, wide receiver and on the offensive line.

1 Jacksonville Jaguars

Aidan Hutchinson    Michigan · Edge · Senior

The Jaguars are shifting their defense under new coordinator Mike Caldwell, who will feature aspects of the scheme he coached under Todd Bowles in Tampa Bay the past three seasons. Jacksonville will be tempted to select Georgia’s Travon Walker due to his athletic upside, but the team might be swayed toward Hutchinson because of the former Wolverine’s production and consistency at UM.

2  Detroit Lions

Malik Willis    Liberty · QB · Senior (RS)

Willis had a lot of fun making big throws at his pro day, but that performance is not why I have him going second overall. He’s been one of my favorite players in this class all year; I projected him being picked at No. 3 in my first mock draft. Head coach Dan Campbell stated during his NFL Scouting Combine press conference that he’s willing to change his offense to fit the skills of the best football player he can get at the position. I don’t think that was meant as a hint, but it at least shows that some teams are open to taking a playmaker instead of requiring robotic efficiency from their signal-caller. With Jared Goff in place for 2022, Willis could get a great opportunity to hone his craft until his chance arrives.

3 Atlanta Falcons (PROJECTED TRADE WITH HOUSTON)

Kenny Pickett    Pittsburgh · QB · Senior

The trade of Matt Ryan to the Colts seemed a fait accompli after Atlanta’s failed attempt to land Deshaun Watson. Picking up Marcus Mariota is a nice insurance policy, but the Falcons find their future starter by trading up for Pickett, giving up a 2023 first-round pick as well as a second- and fourth-rounder this year.

4  New York Jets

Travon Walker          Georgia · Edge · Junior

Robert Saleh coached Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw at San Francisco, so it won’t be a surprise if he sees a bit of those two defenders in the long, strong Walker. The explosiveness and agility he displayed at the combine made it clear that with some refinement in his game, Walker could be a threat inside or outside in the right scheme.

5  New York Giants

Evan Neal                Alabama · OT · Junior

The Giants did not re-sign veteran Nate Solder at right tackle, and Neal played that position his sophomore year at Alabama. Seems like a natural fit.

6  Carolina Panthers

Matt Corral                Mississippi · QB · Junior (RS)

Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker are not likely to be the team’s only quarterbacks in 2022. General manager Scott Fitterer and coach Matt Rhule might attempt to trade up to No. 3 overall to grab Pickett, if the Texans are amenable to receiving 2023 premium picks (Carolina does not have second- or third-round picks this year because of previous trades). If unable to pull off that deal, Houston could turn to Corral, whose tight spirals and athletic ability are worthy of early selection.

7  New York Giants (from Chicago)

Kyle Hamilton          Notre Dame · S · Junior

Hamilton’s 40-yard dash time (4.59 official at combine; 4.56 unofficial at pro day) should be of no concern to NFL teams that value his range, football instincts and tackling ability. The Giants need a partner for Xavier McKinney in the defensive backfield, and Hamilton has the skill set to become a special player at the next level.

8    Houston Texans   (PROJECTED TRADE WITH ATLANTA)

Kayvon Thibodeaux      Oregon · Edge · Junior

New Texans coach Lovie Smith desperately needs pass rushers. Thibodeaux would be a great find at this spot, instantly upgrading the team’s ability to attack the quarterback.

9   Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)

Ickey Ekwonu                 N.C. State · OT · Junior

For now, I’ll assume the Seahawks add a QB via free agency or trade (Baker Mayfield perhaps?) so they have a veteran in place for 2022. Regardless of who their quarterback is this year, though, the ‘Hawks must upgrade their offensive line. Ekwonu has the strength and agility to handle pass protection duties at left tackle, and his mentality in the run game will be a godsend for backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny.

10  Philadelphia Eagles (from Seattle) (after PROJECTED TRADE WITH JETS)

Jordan Davis                   Georgia · DT · Senior

Does anyone really expect GM Howie Roseman to stand pat with his three first-round selections? Re-signing Fletcher Cox to a one-year deal made sense, but the Eagles’ front could use some more youth. Davis will provide an immediate boost against the run and will also give quarterbacks fits with his length and athleticism.

11    Washington Commanders

Drake London                    USC · WR · Junior

To maximize the effectiveness of new QB Carson Wentz, the Commanders must find more reliable receivers. London’s presence on the outside should free up two-time 1,000-yard pass-catcher Terry McLaurin.

12  Pittsburgh Steelers (PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA)

Desmond Ridder             Cincinnati · QB · Senior (RS)

The Steelers make a move to secure their quarterback of the future by making a deal with the Vikings that’s similar to what the Bears gave to the Giants last year, sending away their 2023 first-round pick and swapping Day 3 selections. Ridder has a tall pocket presence but also possesses the athleticism to make plays outside the pocket.

13   Houston Texans  (from Cleveland)

Derek Stingley Jr.         LSU · CB · Junior

The Texans add another important piece to their defense with a selection picked up from the Browns in the Deshaun Watson trade. Stingley has top-10 talent but played in only 10 games the past two seasons due to injuries. I’m sure Houston would be fine with him lingering on the board until this selection.

14  Tennessee Titans  (PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE)

Sam Howell                 North Carolina · QB · Junior

The three interceptions that Ryan Tannehill threw in Tennessee’s Divisional Round loss to Cincinnati have to be a constant thorn in the minds of Titans coaches. It won’t, therefore, be a surprise if they give up a 2023 first-round pick to grab the team’s next starter. Howell has the arm to move the ball vertically as well as the toughness and improvisation skills to move the chains on a regular basis.

15  New York Jets (from Miami) (PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA)

Sauce Gardner                  Cincinnati · CB · Junior

The Jets receive third- and fifth-round picks to move down five spots and still land a quality cornerback prospect like Gardner to team with free-agent acquisition D.J. Reed and young CBs Bryce Hall and Michael Carter II.

16 Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis)

Jermaine Johnson II         Florida State · Edge · Senior (RS)

Even though the Eagles just signed Haason Reddick to rush the passer, Johnson’s overall skill set will be valued on the edge. He and Josh Sweat would form a strong duo on early downs and either could move inside in sub-packages to bring interior pressure.

17 Los Angeles Chargers

Devonte Wyatt               Georgia · DT · Senior

Although the Chargers have already signed veterans Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day to beef up the defensive line, Wyatt gives them an explosive pass rusher who will make life tough for teams trying to handle twists involving the former Bulldog and Pro Bowlers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the outside.

18  New Orleans Saints

Charles Cross                  Mississippi State · OT · Sophomore (RS)

With Terron Armstread signing in Miami, the Saints find their future left tackle in Cross. It wouldn’t surprise me if they moved up a few spots to ensure they secure his services, as Cross’ talent would project an earlier selection.

19  Philadelphia Eagles

Garrett Wilson                 Ohio State · WR · Junior

A team typically wouldn’t pick a receiver in the first round in three consecutive drafts. But with the Eagles owning three Day 1 selections, and the talented Wilson still on the board, they become the first team to do so since the Lions pulled off the triple play from 2003 to ’05.

20  Minnesota Vikings (PROJECTED TRADE WITH PITTSBURGH)

Devin Lloyd                   Utah · LB · Senior (RS)

Lloyd reminds me of a more slight version of Anthony Barr, a longtime Vikings star who is currently a free agent. Lloyd can play outside or inside and became quite adept at rushing the passer when given the chance last fall.

21   Kansas City Chiefs (PROJECTED TRADE WITH NEW ENGLAND)

Jameson Williams     Alabama · WR · Junior

With Tyreek Hill taking his talents to Miami, the Chiefs could use another speedy playmaker. Williams is coming off an ACL tear, but Andy Reid should still have interest in flipping two picks (their third-round compensatory selection and assigned fourth-rounder) to the Patriots to lock him up.

22  Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas)

Trevor Penning             Northern Iowa · OT · Senior (RS)

Many believed that Bryan Bulaga would be off the board when the Packers selected him 23rd overall in 2010. Maybe history will repeat itself this year with the large and athletic Penning, who’s capable of starting at right tackle so Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins can stay inside.

23  Arizona Cardinals

Zion Johnson              Boston College · OG · Senior

Johnson’s versatility, strength and mobility could push him higher. The Cardinals should consider themselves lucky if a ready-made starter like Johnson is still on the board.

24 Dallas Cowboys

Nakobe Dean                  Georgia · LB · Junior

With Micah Parsons becoming a force as a pass rusher and working outside, and Leighton Vander Esch capable of playing the Sam ‘backer spot, the Cowboys could greatly benefit from Dean’s explosiveness and instincts in the middle of their defense.

25  Buffalo Bills

Trent McDuffie               Washington · CB · Junior

Corner is a position of need for the Bills, who would be smart to overlook McDuffie’s lack of length (29 3/4-inch arm measurement at the combine), and appreciate his coverage skills and willingness to take on ball-carriers in the open field.

26 Baltimore Ravens  (PROJECTED TRADE WITH TENNESSEE)

Tyler Linderbaum      Iowa · C · Junior (RS)

Baltimore allowed Bradley Bozeman to depart via free agency, so Linderbaum’s pro-ready game seems an excellent fit. I can imagine former Raven (and Iowa Hawkeye) Marshal Yanda gave the team’s administration and coaches a glowing endorsement.

27  New York Jets (PROJECTED TRADE WITH TAMPA BAY)

Chris Olave                Ohio State · WR · Senior

The Jets have extra draft capital from their earlier trade with the Eagles, so why not move back into Round 1 to grab a value like Olave? New York gives up the 35th overall pick and a fourth-rounder to secure the speedy former Buckeye.

28 Green Bay Packers

Treylon Burks   Arkansas · WR · Junior

Green Bay selects a powerful receiver in Burks who, despite average speed for the position, seems to make plays downfield with physicality. Arkansas got him the ball in many ways, which I think foreshadows his role in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

29   New England Patriots (from SF through MIA) (PROJECTED TRADE WITH KANSAS CITY)

Dax Hill                 Michigan · S · Junior

Bill Belichick loves versatile secondary players like Hill, who could play nickel, outside corner or free safety depending on how the depth chart stacks up over the next few years.

30   Kansas City Chiefs

 George Karlaftis           Purdue · Edge · Junior

The Chiefs are lacking bodies at defensive end and would undoubtedly love if Karlaftis were somehow still waiting to hear his name called at this point. His power and relentless nature remind me of former Kansas City star Jared Allen.

31   Cincinnati Bengals

Andrew Booth     Clemson · CB · Junior

Now that the Bengals have shored up the offensive line, they can address their need for depth at cornerback. Booth is dealing with a core muscle issue, but his talent will eventually shine through for Cincinnati.

32  Detroit Lions  (from LA Rams)

Boye Mafe       Minnesota · Edge · Senior (RS)

Mafe’s strong week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, display of athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine and overall versatility play right into the Lions’ interest in utilizing multiple fronts more regularly during the 2022 season.